The T2 Singapore Airlines lounge for Star Alliance Gold class members, can get very busy especially at peak travel times. When I was last there it was morning and was full to the rafters with business travellers.
As always when a lounge is busy, the newspapers and magazines are few and far between and staff have hardly enough time to refill the food before it is gobbled up by hungry and greedy travellers! Despite the hustle and bustle, it is still pleasant enough. The food selection was good enough for me with boxed cereal, croissants and juice satisfying my breakfast requirements. They also have Asian options such as congee, noodles, curry and dim sum. The cups here are tiny and really not big enough for a good cup of tea or coffee.
The tables are cleaned and cleared regularly, there is wireless internet, massage chairs and clean toilets with showers.
The highly annoying thing about Singapore airlines lounges is that they never call the flights, there is probably a good reason for this as there are so many SIA flights departing that they would be disturbing you constantly with announcements. However, it does leave you a bit on edge about leaving to get to your flight and you sometimes go too early to compensate or late because you forget! Beware of this, as if you are used to lounges where your flight is called, you could be in danger of missing your flight while awaiting the non-existent call.
Staff, however are happy to let you know if the flight is on time and what time you should leave to get to the gates, but you do have to ask as this information it is not offered to you.
All in all, the T2 Gold class lounge is not bad but not the best I have experienced.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Air New Zealand (Koru) lounge- Auckland airport
The Air NZ lounge at Auckland airport, is looking pretty swish of late after a recent upgrade. The stylish refit encompasses different zones including a TV lounge, internet room, quiet area as well as the regular seating area.
The zones are differentiated by varying colours and styles of chairs. I really like how they have made the lounge quite eclectic in their chair types, shapes and sizes which were incidentally very comfortable. Toilets are modern and clean with shower rooms and sweet smelling soap and hand lotions. The paint colour scheme is a modern white with stylish wooden globe style lampshades.
The food choice hasn’t changed and is not bad as far as lounge food goes although they need to get mugs, a small cup is not big enough for a cup of tea!
The magazine and newspaper selection is pretty good too.
Overall, I find Air NZ lounges extremely comfortable, with pretty good food, magazines and wifi internet and of the lounges I have experienced, Air NZ Auckland ranks among the best.
The zones are differentiated by varying colours and styles of chairs. I really like how they have made the lounge quite eclectic in their chair types, shapes and sizes which were incidentally very comfortable. Toilets are modern and clean with shower rooms and sweet smelling soap and hand lotions. The paint colour scheme is a modern white with stylish wooden globe style lampshades.
The food choice hasn’t changed and is not bad as far as lounge food goes although they need to get mugs, a small cup is not big enough for a cup of tea!
The magazine and newspaper selection is pretty good too.
Overall, I find Air NZ lounges extremely comfortable, with pretty good food, magazines and wifi internet and of the lounges I have experienced, Air NZ Auckland ranks among the best.
Asia De Cuba, Los Angeles
Asia De Cuba, The Mondrian hotel, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California
Asia De Cuba on The Sunset Strip is located at the Mondrian Hotel , one of LA’s most fashionable spots. The offering is a fusion of Asian and Cuban influences. Before dining at the restaurant, I was intrigued and a little sceptical as to how two such different cuisines could work together but was pleasantly surprised that it worked extremely well.
Make sure to book, this is a very popular spot. We arrived a little early so went for a cocktail at the outdoor bar of The Mondrian. The bar is used to film the show ‘Entourage’ and the setting certainly echoes that glamorous yet laid-back LA vibe.
Sit on low- slung cabanas around the pool or window seats overlooking the fabulous view of LA while sipping a cocktail – ahh the life indeed!
After playing out the California dream, we made our way to the fabulous Asia De Cuba. Full of beautiful people, this is definitely a place to dress up!
The décor was all white tablecloths and very subtly stylish. We were lucky to have a table near the window so could continue to enjoy those LA views.
The service was understated yet very efficient .
According to our waiter each dish incorporated both Asian and Cuban influences and were made to share. We started off with three appetisers to share- Crab croquetas with apple coleslaw and chilli dipping sauce; Braised beef spring roll with black bean salsa followed by Lemongrass chicken skewers with pineapple and lychee. What a taste sensation! They all were more Asian inspired than Cuban in my opinion but no matter they worked terrifically.
We did a Masterchef –type vote as to the best appetiser and the Crab croquetas won two votes to one, although it was tough as all were delicious!
To accompany dinner we had a beautiful Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc recommended by our wait- person.
We shared two entrees, Alaskan butter fish with black beans and edamame salad and Marinated lamb with peppers and eggplant. Both were equally good although the lobster mash on the side was outstanding, transforming the way I will think about the humble mashed potato from now on!!
I would thoroughly recommend Asia De Cuba for Californian – fusion cuisine at its best in a thoroughly modern and stylish venue. It is not cheap but if you want a thoroughly LA experience you couldn’t do much better then splashing out at Asia De Cuba.
Asia De Cuba on The Sunset Strip is located at the Mondrian Hotel , one of LA’s most fashionable spots. The offering is a fusion of Asian and Cuban influences. Before dining at the restaurant, I was intrigued and a little sceptical as to how two such different cuisines could work together but was pleasantly surprised that it worked extremely well.
Make sure to book, this is a very popular spot. We arrived a little early so went for a cocktail at the outdoor bar of The Mondrian. The bar is used to film the show ‘Entourage’ and the setting certainly echoes that glamorous yet laid-back LA vibe.
Sit on low- slung cabanas around the pool or window seats overlooking the fabulous view of LA while sipping a cocktail – ahh the life indeed!
After playing out the California dream, we made our way to the fabulous Asia De Cuba. Full of beautiful people, this is definitely a place to dress up!
The décor was all white tablecloths and very subtly stylish. We were lucky to have a table near the window so could continue to enjoy those LA views.
The service was understated yet very efficient .
According to our waiter each dish incorporated both Asian and Cuban influences and were made to share. We started off with three appetisers to share- Crab croquetas with apple coleslaw and chilli dipping sauce; Braised beef spring roll with black bean salsa followed by Lemongrass chicken skewers with pineapple and lychee. What a taste sensation! They all were more Asian inspired than Cuban in my opinion but no matter they worked terrifically.
We did a Masterchef –type vote as to the best appetiser and the Crab croquetas won two votes to one, although it was tough as all were delicious!
To accompany dinner we had a beautiful Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc recommended by our wait- person.
We shared two entrees, Alaskan butter fish with black beans and edamame salad and Marinated lamb with peppers and eggplant. Both were equally good although the lobster mash on the side was outstanding, transforming the way I will think about the humble mashed potato from now on!!
I would thoroughly recommend Asia De Cuba for Californian – fusion cuisine at its best in a thoroughly modern and stylish venue. It is not cheap but if you want a thoroughly LA experience you couldn’t do much better then splashing out at Asia De Cuba.
Crowne Plaza hotel, Changi airport, Terminal 3
The new 4 star Crowne Plaza at Singapore’s Changi airport, is ideal for travellers who have an overnight layover in Singapore.The hotel is extremely convenient, and apart from the no frills transit hotels within the airport, this is by far the nearest decent airport hotel. Located just outside the year-old Terminal 3 at Changi airport, the hotel is very new being the same age as the terminal.
The hotel was listed among 50 of the top airport hotels in the world by Business Traveller this year.
To access this hotel, you must clear Singapore immigration and customs, which is usually very swift and efficient. Then simply follow the signs to the hotel or take the sky train to terminal 3.
After a long haul flight it is a god-send to have a hotel so near where you can crash out.
The contemporary design and modern lines of the hotel are coupled with a natural jungle-like inner courtyard which transcends the whole interior. The outside walkways allow guests to take advantage of the warm Singapore climate and felt calm and serene despite the proximity to the airport. The natural environment makes for a welcome change after hours spent in stark artificial surroundings on route.
The check-in was quick and painless and the room was spacious with a modern stylish look, plasma TV and sofa. The bathroom is large with a walk-in shower and separate bath with a clear window overlooking the bedroom.
A hand-written welcome note in the room was a nice personal touch.
The check-in was quick and painless and the room was spacious with a modern stylish look, plasma TV and sofa. The bathroom is large with a walk-in shower and separate bath with a clear window overlooking the bedroom.A hand-written welcome note in the room was a nice personal touch.
Despite being able to see planes on the runway from my bedroom window, it was very quiet and felt like it was far from the airport.
The hotel has a spa, pool and gym, which I didn’t have time to use, but can imagine would be a blissful way to relax between flights.
I didn’t try the restaurants although I did have the room service, food was as expected but with the most expensive fresh orange juice ever at SGD 14!
Check out was quick, easy and friendly and the transfer to terminal 2 was very convenient again.
I will surely stay here again next time I transit overnight in Singapore and would recommend it to anyone transiting through Changi Airport.
The hotel has a spa, pool and gym, which I didn’t have time to use, but can imagine would be a blissful way to relax between flights.
I didn’t try the restaurants although I did have the room service, food was as expected but with the most expensive fresh orange juice ever at SGD 14!
Check out was quick, easy and friendly and the transfer to terminal 2 was very convenient again.
I will surely stay here again next time I transit overnight in Singapore and would recommend it to anyone transiting through Changi Airport.
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