Three Names Travel – Three Names Travel LLC

3NT Review: Cathay Pacific Flight 467 Taipei to Hong Kong

Aircraft: Boeing 747-400

Date: 5 OCT 2014

Travel Class: Business

3NT’s Verdict: Miserable seating countered by professional service.

This was my first-ever Cathay Pacific flight, and it was not the best introduction to the airline. Check-in at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport was a relatively standard affair. The only exception was that all passengers are asked to wait until they see their checked luggage pass through the x-ray before proceeding to their gate. There was a lot of construction happening at the Taipei airport, so getting to Cathay’s Business Class Lounge was a little confusing. Once in the lounge, the offerings were rather disappointing. The service counters look fancy, but the available food was bland and of poor quality.

I had high expectations for a Business Class flight on one of the world’s most acclaimed airlines, but this particular flight was not prepared to meet those expectations. My seat was 87K in the upper deck of this B747. Unfortunately, the seating configuration was still an old format where all of the seats faced away from the windows, and they were all incredibly claustrophobic. The seats were probably a relatively standard width for business class seats, but they all had high privacy walls that were barely any wider than the seat itself. The result is a cabin that looks like a collection of futuristic coffins and a decided discomfort for passengers with broad shoulders. The width from wall to wall was just barely wider than the length of my fist to my elbow. Each seat had a small drink rest available, but the location of this alternated every other seat, which means half of the seats required a long reach (possibly even a seatbelt unbuckle) to reach your pre-flight beverage. The one positive feature of the seats was the fact that the control handset for the entertainment system was not in a location where it is easily bumped.

There were two things, however, that made this flight bearable: the fact that it was a less than two-hour flight, and the inflight service. The flight attendants on this flight were not overly friendly, but they were professional, and they did their jobs well. It was somewhat surprising that they served a hot meal on such a short flight, and I would have been impressed if the food quality had been better. I had the Halibut main course, and it was acceptable for such a short flight, but I would have preferred to see an excellent cold meal rather than an acceptable hot meal. The drink selection was excellent, and I enjoyed a nice cool glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with my meal.

Overall, I was very disappointed with this flight. The seats were the primary problem, but Cathay Pacific did not quite manage to meet my expectations for such a highly rated airline. Stay tuned for a future review of a long-haul flight, which was a better experience.

3NT Review: Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Four Seasons Resort Nevis – Hotel Review

Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Pros: Stunning scenery, cheerful and well-trained staff

Cons: Are there any?

3NT’s Conclusion: An amazing property worthy of a Caribbean vacation for even the most discerning travelers.

Having pre-arranged an airport transfer through the hotel, Four Seasons staff were ready and waiting at the St. Kitts airport upon our arrival. Outside the terminal, they offered us cold bottles of water and loaded our luggage into a van for the ride over to Port Zante. From the port, we boarded a comfortable boat for the ride over to Nevis. The boat was nothing glamorous, but the staff on board were full of smiles and generous with the free beer and rum punch. Once docked at the resort’s private pier, we were greeted by name by a line of waiting hotel staff. Resort Assistant Manager Shirley welcomed us warmly and escorted us to our beach front room.

As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, our booking was upgraded from mountain view to beach front, and there was a plethora of welcome amenities waiting for us in the room: fresh limeade, dangerously delicious coconut macaroons, dried fruits, fresh fruits, a large bottle of water, and a certificate for $100 USD off any spa treatment.

Beachfront Room at Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Welcome amenities at Four Seasons Resort Nevis

The room had a great seaside feel to it with marble floors and fresh light colors. It was equipped with two double beds and a small but comfortable seating area. There was also a nice patio that was only steps away from a hammock strung up over the lawn and a stone’s throw from the stunning Caribbean waters. The resort is very careful to clarify the difference between sea view and beach front rooms; only the second floor rooms have a sea view because of the magnificently manicured resort grounds, while the beach front rooms are just a few meters away from the sand and sea. We were more than happy to forgo a sea view in exchange for being able to rush out the patio door to the beach. The bathroom was large and spotless, but more or less a Four Seasons standard. One great feature that is all too rare for family-oriented beach resorts was that each building features a laundry room that is free for use, and some detergent is even available in the rooms.

The hotel features three well-maintained pools, a quiet beach, cabanas, a kids club, four restaurants, and the peaceful library bar. We made frequent use of the reflection pool and the beach, and we dined in two of the restaurants. On the night of our arrival, we dined outdoors at the Coral Grill restaurant. Our waitress was cheerful, friendly, and went above and beyond without being asked. While conversing with her about the island, we mentioned that we were quite randomly interested in seeing a Tamarind tree. Without saying a word, our waitress sprang into action by inquiring with her colleagues about Tamarind trees. She discovered that there was one by the golf course, and arranged for one of the porters to take us there in a golf cart between our appetizers and main courses before it got too dark. It was a simple gesture that really impressed us.

Mango Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Speaking of the golf course, the beautiful course is bordered by the island’s cloud-crowned mountain and also features the ruins of an old sugar mill. We enjoyed a tranquil walk around the course before breakfast the following morning, which also lead us past the resort’s own herb garden. The Creole Lobster Hash at breakfast was a decidedly decadent way to start the day, with massive pieces of sweet, rich lobster in a mildly spicy creole sauce, plenty of onions and bell peppers, and perfectly cooked potatoes.

Shirley took us on a full tour of the resort after breakfast. In addition to the previously mentioned facilities, we also visited the top-class spa and the resort’s private residences that are available for both sale or rent. The private residences are two to six bedroom villas that are perfect for families and benefit from all of the same facilities and benefits of staying in the hotel itself. Many are purchased as part of the country’s citizenship-by-investment program and then the resort manages rental of the properties. The only note to add to the residences would be that they are individually decorated by the owners, so the décor may not always be as expected for a luxury hotel.

It was a great pleasure for us to spend our one night at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, especially in the quiet off-season. The facilities are top-notch, particularly for a beach resort, as the humidity often makes beachfront properties difficult to properly maintain. The perfection of the property is only improved on by the staff. They were always smiling, always helpful, and always professional. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Four Seasons Resort Nevis to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing beach vacation with or without family in tow.

Mystical Moai

My first thought was that there was no way I would manage to finish this “flat” trek – the inclines were not so intense, but it was very rocky, and the rocks were often concealed by tall grass, which made things a little more treacherous. There were a few times that I almost fell on a loose rock hidden beneath the grass. One particular occasion made me want to sit down and quit as I looked over the massive cliff down to the churning white Pacific; it would not have been out of the realm of possibility that I might slide to my death over the cliff because of amateur footing.

One thing kept me going though – there was ample amount of cow and horse dung along the path, so I thought, “if a cow can make it, I can make it!” I used my camera as an excuse to pause and enjoy the scenery from time to time, and I kept summoning the energy to keep going in the hot sun across the volcanic path.

The whole experience was exhausting but overwhelmingly beautiful. An island of such isolation and such simple beauty, it is truly a blessing to be able to experience this magical place. Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua, Easter Island, the navel of the world; the place goes by many names, but it is known for one thing, the Moai statues. These stern yet friendly stone structures look over the island like a band of guardian spirits. Despite their similar features, each one has its own personality and represents an individual person that was once a tribal chief. The locals see them as their ancestors that look over and protect the island. They believe that it is because of the Moai that the island has seldom been touched by tidal waves or typhoons.

The first seven Moai that we saw are the only ones that face out to the sea. They are said to represent the first seven settlers that were sent to find the island of which one of their chiefs had dreamt. That is why they face towards the sea looking back towards home. All of the other thousands of Moai around the island face inland, away from the sea because they are looking over and protecting the island. It is fascinating to wander the island and see these monoliths just about everywhere one turns. The locals had their own Gods, but these representations of their ancestors were venerated more than anything, and they do provide some sort of mystical vibe to the island.

So, I embraced the mystical energy of the Moai and the reassuring cow droppings, and I kept on trekking. Through caves, across meadows, over cliffs – the scenery was majestic. When I stumbled across the dry bones of a dead cow, all I could do was laugh and keep walking; I guess not all of the cows survived the trek.

3NT Review: Qatar Airways Flight 182, Vienna to Doha

Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Date: 1 OCT 2014

Travel Class: Business

3NT’s Verdict: Great service on a beautiful plane.

I checked in for my flight from Vienna, Austria to Doha, Qatar approximately 1.5 hours prior to scheduled departure. The Business Class check-in counter had no line, and the woman working the counter quickly tagged my checked luggage, handed me an invitation to the lounge, and directed me to the lounge and gate D28. Security checks for the D Gates in Vienna take place at the individual gates, so you are able to proceed quickly through passport control to the lounge without having to pass through screening. The lounge itself is a simple but respectable affair with the usual food and beverage offerings.

The gate opened at 10:30, but I had been told just to be at the gate before 11:15, so I proceeded leisurely towards the gate around 11:00. Most passengers were already inside the gate area, so there was only a brief wait for security screening. Boarding began only moments after I passed through security. Business Class passengers were boarded first, and I was personally escorted to my window seat by one of the flight attendants. On board the new 787 Dreamliners, Qatar Airways has a 1-2-1 seating format in Business Class. The seat was quite comfortable and very attractive with dark wood and Qatar’s signature burgundy accents. The window seats are slightly angled towards the plane’s extra large windows that use an adjustable tinting system to block out light rather than the old plastic shades. All business class seats fold out into completely flat beds of adequate length for most passengers.

The flight attendant assigned to my side of the cabin politely introduced herself to me, took my jacket, and asked if I would like a drink and a hot or cold towel prior to departure. She promptly returned with a fresh limeade and a cool towel and notified me that she would be by to take my lunch order shortly after takeoff.

The Business Class amenity kit is produced by Salvatore Ferragamo with separate kits for men and women including hand cream, lip balm, and fragrance. Another packet included socks and eyeshades. The menu and wine list were handsomely presented in an elegant burgundy leather folio.

Qatar Airways Business Class Amenities Kit

Once in the air, the cabin supervisor came by to introduce herself before the flight attendant returned to take my meal order. I enjoyed the Classic Arabic Mezze, Monkfish with Rice, and Cardamom Panna Cotta. The lobster amuse-bouche was excellent, and the rest of the food qualified as some of the best I’ve had in the air. The best part of the meal service was that it was on-demand instead of cart service, so the flight attendants did a great job of providing timely service tailored to each passenger with very little wait between courses.

Qatar Airways Business Class Menu, QR 182

The Oryx Inflight Entertainment System had an easy-to-use handset and an excellent variety of programming. Noise-cancelling headsets and a bottle of water were available in a compartment under the armrest of each seat. One of the many nice features of the entertainment system was the ability to check flight progress with an interactive map on the handheld controls without interrupting the movie playing on the large personal video screen.

Qatar Airways B787 Business Class Screen and Welcome Drink

The flight passed quickly, and before I knew it, we were on the ground in Doha with the flight attendant handing me my jacket. The plane stopped at an apron position, and there was a dedicated bus to take Business Class passengers to the vast new Hamad International Airport terminal.

This was an excellent flight with superior service on a very pleasant aircraft. Is there anything I would change? I wish airlines wouldn’t design the business class seating in such a way that one’s legs are boxed into a narrow compartment that limits leg movement. It’s a common problem on modern long-haul business class seats that presents only a minor discomfort, but it is an area for further improvement in the future.

Qatar Airways has this agent’s respect for their quality of inflight service.

Qatar Airways Business Class Amuse Bouche

3NT Review: Doubletree by Hilton – Zagreb

Doubletree by Hilton Zagreb Hotel Review

Pros: Clean and new facilities, friendly and helpful staff, great cookies

Cons: Location

3NT’s Conclusion: Excellent option for Zagreb if you don’t mind a short ride into town.

We arrived at the Doubletree by Hilton in Zagreb by taxi from the airport. The hotel is located in a new development in the business district of Zagreb. There are a decent number of good cafes, restaurants, and clubs all very close to the hotel, but the historic center of Zagreb is a short tram ride away. The facilities at the hotel were very nice, but not without flaws. It was really the smiling employees of the Doubletree that won us over. As long as a short tram ride or a 30-minute walk into town doesn’t scare you off, the Doubletree is an excellent option for Zagreb accommodations.

Check-in with Marina at the front desk was flawless, and her warm welcome included the signature warm Doubletree Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookie, which was delicious. Marina was sure to recognize my Hilton Honors Silver Status and thanked me for my business. It didn’t take long at all to have keys in hand and be pointed towards the elevators.

The room itself was on the 9^th floor with a nice view over the city. It was a pleasant size, and the design was modern without being cold. It featured lots of dark wood with white and green accents. There was a complimentary fresh fruit plate and bottle of water waiting for us on arrival. A plain bottle of water is the simple kind of amenity more hotels should offer to make a guest feel welcome. The room included free Wi-Fi as well.

The bathroom was quite large and featured both a bathtub and walk-in shower. It had speakers wired to the TV in the room for listening enjoyment. Our only complaint about the bathroom was that the shower was poorly designed in that water easily escaped through the door and flooded the bathroom floor. The tiles were also a little slippery. The hotel also features a very nice gym and pool facility on the 10th floor that we did not have the opportunity to use.

Before heading into town in the evening, we asked the front desk for the best way into town. Marina advised that it was a 30-minute walk, a 30-40 Kuna cab ride (approx. $5), or a short tram ride with a stop directly across the street. We asked about tickets for the tram, and another one of her helpful colleagues stepped in to help. He had both single ride tickets and 24-hour Zagreb cards available. We went with the Zagreb card for 60 Kuna (approx. $10). He explained the simple route (option of two different tram lines) and provided us with a map.

On our last day in Croatia, we opted to have lunch at the hotel restaurant before heading to the airport. Marina helped us again at check-out, and another colleague happily stored our bags for us so that we could have a walk around town before lunch. We both enjoyed a salad and burger at the restaurant. The service was good and the burger was tasty. The house-made ketchup was a nice surprise. The coffee was also excellent.

The hotel offers a pre-negotiated flat rate taxi to the airport for 110 Kuna (approx. $19), which is considerably cheaper than the normal meter rate. Overall, our stay at the Doubletree Zagreb was very enjoyable, and we can’t say enough good things about all of the front desk and bell staff that were always smiling, always friendly, and always helpful. One last note about the property: as Hilton is a more recognized international brand and there is no Hilton in Zagreb, the locals often refer to the Doubletree as simply “the Hilton.” This can be useful to know for any taxi rides or asking directions.

3NT Review: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik – An Adriatic Luxury Hotel

Pros: Great location close to old town but on the coast

Cons: Cost, Unpredictable service, Lack of a proper beach

3NT’s Conclusion: A reasonable option for a Dubrovnik hotel when the price is right

In August 2014, Three Names Travel had the opportunity to do a surprise two-night stay at the Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik, Croatia, a member of the Adriatic Luxury Hotel group. Overall, we had a very pleasant visit, but there are a few areas for improvement, especially given the average rate at the Excelsior during the peak summer season. The best attribute of this hotel is its location. It is a short walk from the Old Town and sits directly on the seaside.

We arrived late at night after having made a same-day reservation only a few hours earlier. The valet promptly and professionally helped us with our luggage and parked the car. In an old city like Dubrovnik, where parking is limited, having a good valet service is crucial, and the Excelsior did very well in this regard. Despite our late arrival and last minute reservation, the front desk was expecting us, and the check-in process was smooth and efficient. Our reservation was made through The Kiwi Collection and was eligible for Kiwi Advantage privileges including an upgrade based on availability, a fruit basket in the room, and late checkout. Unfortunately, none of these benefits were mentioned by the hotel at any point.

The room was very clean and quite comfortable, but it did have some design flaws along with a lack of attention to detail. We were in room 322, which is presumably a Superior Double Room category. The room had a large column in the middle that disrupted the flow of the room. The column also prevented anyone from watching the TV from the small sitting area by the window. The window had an acceptable view for a lower category room – the sea was visible, but not the old town. The throw pillows on the beds were frayed, which is a minor detail but unacceptable for a luxury hotel charging such high rates. On the plus side, there were multiple easily accessible power outlets throughout the room, including on both sides of the bed.

Turning our attention to the bathroom, it was a perfect size and was well stocked with towels and L’Occitane bathroom amenities. It had both a bathtub and a walk-in shower, as well as double sinks.

During our two-night stay, we visited the Abakus Bar twice, ate a late lunch at the Prora Beach Restaurant, and had drinks by the beach area, in addition to breakfast out on the terrace. The food and mixed drinks were always well prepared and of reasonable size. The service was, unfortunately, unpredictable. The staff at the Bar were professional, but they had a very large service area to observe, so they weren’t always as attentive as one might hope. As soon as one had their attention though, the drinks came promptly. Minor service issues aside, the terrace at the bar had a fantastic view of the sea and the old town, and it was a very pleasant place to talk the night away.

Beachside drink service from Prora was far more lacking. Despite having advertisements for drink specials at each seating group by the beach, one got the impression that they aren’t used to serving drinks there. We had to ask the beach attendant twice to send a waiter over to take our order. After ordering two beers, it took about 15 minutes for them to arrive. We later asked for a menu, and the waiter took 20 minutes to bring that. A little bit hungry from our refreshing swim in the beautiful Adriatic Sea, we tried to order two sandwiches, but the waiter informed us that they don’t serve food by the beach. While there are a number of understandable reasons not to serve food at the beach, we should have been informed of such when we asked for a menu. We ordered a second round of beers, but after more than 30 minutes of waiting, we decided to move over to the restaurant and have our beers and a sandwich there instead. Thankfully, the waiter at the restaurant was much more attentive.

Speaking of the beach area, it had plenty of seating and umbrellas, but it was not a real “beach” as one might expect, rather it was a stone platform with direct sea access. We were perfectly satisfied with our beach experience (aside from the long wait for drinks), but it may come as a disappointment to some that there isn’t a sandy (or even pebble) beach. It was unfortunate that the staff weren’t better trained though. The lifeguard and beach attendants all walked past trash on the beach multiple times and simply ignored it. The Excelsior also has a very nice indoor pool, but the weather was too nice to stay inside.

Overall, The Excelsior Dubrovnik suffers from many of the same shortcomings that most of the high-end hotels in Croatia have. The tourism demand for luxury hotels is present, but the training, service standards, and attention to detail are just not there to justify the prices they are charging. As is often the case in such bustling tourist centers as Dubrovnik though, the sheer tourism demand prevents any sense of urgency for change. If hotels like the Excelsior would really go the extra mile to achieve true luxury, not only could they demand even higher rates during the peak season, but I believe they would enjoy a considerable boost in business during the off-season as well. In the meantime, consider alternative accommodations any time that the rate at Excelsior exceeds 200 EUR per night.

Why the Travel Industry?

Although I spent around eight years working as a tour operator specialized in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, I left the travel industry to attend law school several years ago. Today, I find myself a licensed attorney still studying law in greater depth and yet re-entering the travel industry as a travel agent specialized in high-end travel experiences. So, why go back to the travel industry?

I’ve been traveling for as long as I can remember, and it is something close to my heart. Travel is not just a hobby for me, rather it is a way of life. I have been to well over 50 different countries, as well as considerable portions of the United States, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. I have been from the Bahamas to Beirut, Illinois to Iraq, and the Carolinas to Korea, and every travel experience has been exciting, enlightening, and entertaining. I have stayed in Presidential Suites at exquisite luxury hotels, and I have bunked with twelve other travelers in basic youth hostels. I have chatted with counterterrorism agents at the back of the plane on an over-crowded flight to Cairo, and I have noshed on caviar in first class on a Lufthansa flight across the Atlantic. All of these adventures and more have taught me not only to love travel for the learning experiences it provides, but also what value for money means in the travel industry worldwide.

I truly enjoy studying and practicing law, and I intend to continue my pursuits in that career path as well, but I love travel, and I want to share my travel knowledge with others so that they might love travel as much as I do.