Hotel Reviews (as of 6/13/19)

Hotel Reviews (as of 6/13/19)
This is a periodic review of our stays and lodging around the world (sorted from newest to oldest).

Taoyuan Holiday Inn Express

  • Breakfast: Yes medium size buffet
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes but only a tread mill and bike
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near city center and relatively close to the airport
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars

Taichung Holiday Inn Express

  • Breakfast: Yes but renovations so food was brought to room
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes but only a tread mill and bike
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near city center and park
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars

Taitung Vacation Hotel

  • Breakfast: Yes medium buffet and dinner buffet
  • Lounge: N/A (but have snacks and drinks out all day)
  • Gym: No
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near city center
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars

Taipei Lan Ting Business Inn

  • Breakfast: Yes small buffet
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: No
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near train station and city center
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $

Value: 3 Stars

Yamagata Grand Hotel

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: No
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near train station and city center
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 2 Stars

Tsuruoka APA Yamagata Hotel

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: No
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near train station and city center
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 2 Stars

Akita Dormy Inn

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: No
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Onsen on rop floor
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near train station and city center
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 2 Stars

Yokote Plaza Hotel

  • Breakfast: Menu and so so buffet with rate
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: No
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Onsen next door
  • Transportation: No
  • Location: Near train station
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 2 Stars

Tokyo NRT Hilton

  • Breakfast: So so buffet for members
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, but did not use
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Indoor Onsen (Japanese hot bath)
  • Transportation: Airport Shuttle every 30 minutes
  • Location: Near the Narita Airport
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars

Tokyo ANA Intercontinental

  • Breakfast: Good buffet for members
  • Lounge: Yes good selection of food and drinks
  • Gym: Not sure
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Not sure
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: Near the Tokyo Metro
  • Rating: 4 Stars
  • Cost: $$$$

Value: 3 Stars

Bangkok Conrad

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet for members
  • Lounge: Yes good selection of food and drinks all day
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: Away from everything
  • Rating: 4 Stars
  • Cost: $$$

Value: 3 Stars

Koh Samui Conrad

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet for members
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Outstanding
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool + private pools in all villas
  • Transportation: N/A, but golf carts on the property
  • Location: Away from everything but the resort and ocean are enough
  • Rating: 5 Stars +
  • Cost: $$$$

Value: 4 Stars

Koh Samui Manathai Resort

  • Breakfast: Good buffet
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, but small
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pools and ocean (tide was out)
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: On the ocean but away from other entertainment
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars

Chiang Mai 137 Pillars House (Hyatt)

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet and menu
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Outstanding
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool +
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: Near the river, bars, and good Thai food
  • Rating: 5 Stars +
  • Cost: $$$$

Value: 4 Stars

Chiang Mai Holiday Inn

  • Breakfast: With Breakfast rate (so so selection)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool, indoor dry sauna
  • Transportation: N/A to airport, but had city center shuttle
  • Location: Downside: away from city center
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $

Value: 4 Stars

Siem Reap Marriott

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: Downside: away from city center and Angkor temples
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$$

Value: 2 Stars

Phu Qouc Intercontinental

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pools, ocean, and water slides
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + for beach, downside nothing around it
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$$

Value: 3 Stars

Ho Chi Minh Park Hyatt Saigon

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + for night life, waterfront, food, and shopping
  • Rating: 4 Stars
  • Cost: $$$

Value: 3 Stars

Kuala Lumpur Intercontinental

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s lounge (breakfast, snacks, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + for KL City Center and malls
  • Rating: 5 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 5 Stars

Sepang Avani Resort

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: Free member's shuttle to and from the KL
  • Location: + for beach and local seafood
  • Rating: 4 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 5 Stars

Singapore Hilton Garden Inn - Little India

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent (on site laundry)
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A but near Singapore metro
  • Location: + metro and access to Little India
  • Rating: 4 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 4 Stars

Kuching Hilton

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s lounge (breakfast, snacks, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + for waterfront, dining, and shopping
  • Rating: 5 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 5 Stars

Marriott Resort Mulu National Park

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for purchase)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: Free shuttle to and from the airport
  • Location: + for Mulu National Park and jungle
  • Rating: 5 Stars
  • Cost: $$$

Value: 5 Stars

Badi'ah Hotel Brunei

  • Breakfast: Good buffet
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: N/A
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor pool
  • Transportation: Free shuttle to and from the airport
  • Location: + for access to city center
  • Rating: 4 Stars
  • Cost: $

Value: 5 Stars

Sea Dive Resort Coron

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: N/A
  • Cleanliness: Fair (No A/C)
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + + Great access to sea adventures, street life, and food
  • Rating: 1 Stars
  • Cost: $

Value: 4 Stars


Conrad Hong Kong

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s lounge (breakfast, snacks, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Wet and dry sauna, outdoor pool, and hot tub
  • Transportation: Free member's shuttle to and from the airport tram
  • Location: + for night life, Victoria's peak and Hong Kong island side of the river
  • Rating: 5 Stars
  • Cost: $$$$

Value: 5 Stars


Crowne Plaza Macau

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, but did not use
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: Free shuttle to and from the ferry terminal
  • Location: + Macau casino's
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 4 Stars


Holiday Inn Express Mongkok Hong Kong

  • Breakfast: Yes, selected menu
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, but did not use and shared with apartment complex
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + Kawloon night markets and shopping
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars


Crowne Plaza Nagasaki

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: N/A
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + harbour, Chinatown, and parks
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $

Value: 3 Stars


Crowne Plaza Hiroshima

  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, some variety in equipment
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Yes pool did not use
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + central Hiroshima and Peace Memorials
  • Rating: 2 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 2 Stars


Intercontinental Bali

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s lounge (breakfast, snacks, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, full equipment for all uses
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Wet and dry sauna, indoor hot tub, cold pools, and outdoor pools
  • Transportation: Free member's shuttle to and from the airport
  • Location: + swimming, local fish markets, close to airport
  • Rating: 5 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 5 Stars


Holiday Inn Express Baruna Bali

  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, minimal selection
  • Cleanliness: Good
  • Pool/Spa: Rooftop pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + swimming and close to airport
  • Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $

Value: 4 Stars



  • Breakfast: N/A
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, but small
  • Cleanliness: Okay
  • Pool/Spa: Okay, cold indoor pool
  • Transportation: Yes, free to airport
  • Location: + for flights
  • Rating: 2 stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 2 stars



  • Breakfast: Good buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes
  • Cleanliness: Okay
  • Pool/Spa: Wet and dry sauna; Turkish bath (hammam), thermal bath, indoor and outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + beach; - area
  • Cost: $
  • Rating: 4 stars

Value: 5 stars



  • Breakfast: Good buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, + variety
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Outdoor and indoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + for harbor 
  • Rating: 3 stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 4 stars



  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s Lounge (breakfast, snacks, dinner, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, + variety
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Wet and dry sauna; Turkish bath (hammam) and outdoor pool
  • Transportation: Havabus to airport
  • Location: + for night life and Taxim square
  • Rating: 5 stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 5 stars



  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s Lounge (breakfast, snacks, dinner, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, + variety
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: cheap metro or taxi to the airport 
  • Location: + for night life and historic city center
  • Rating: 4 stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 5 stars



  • Breakfast: Excellent buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: Member’s Lounge (breakfast, snacks, and drinks)
  • Gym: Yes, did not use
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: Wet and dry sauna; indoor and outdoor pool
  • Transportation: N/A
  • Location: + for winter activities
  • Rating: 5 Stars
  • Cost: $$$$

Value: 4 Stars



  • Breakfast: Good buffet (for members)
  • Lounge: N/A
  • Gym: Yes, but did not use
  • Cleanliness: Excellent
  • Pool/Spa: N/A
  • Transportation: Yes, free to airport
  • Location: for flights and easy transport to city
  • Overall Rating: 3 Stars
  • Cost: $$

Value: 3 Stars

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