Bart Lapers
Visiting Every Country In The World
How to find really cheap hotels using Google
Pic: Search all hotels in Belgium at once using Google Hotel Finder!
Google Hotel Finder allows you to search hotels the Google way: a neat interface with some really cool sorting and filtering options. The first great find of the day: You can search all hotels in Belgium at once! (at least for now)
Pic: Use Google Hotel Finder to spot amazing hotel deals!
The search query above returns 2532 available hotels for a Sunday night stay in Belgium. If you apply the ‘Sort by Price Compared to Usual’ function, you can spot some really good deals. In this case Google Hotel Finder revealed the Park Inn by Radisson Leuven was available for just $46 (€37,50) which is indeed 50% less than the usual rate we see at this hotel.
Pic: Park Inn by Radisson Leuven for €37,50 via Booking.com (Mar 2013)
This makes Google Hotel Finder an awesome tool for Best Rate Guarantee claims! What other great hacks did you find using Google Hotel Finder? Please share them in the comments section of this blog post, thanks!
Park Hyatt Sydney
Fiji Trip Report Index
Introduction: Belgium to Fiji in 13 flights (26561 miles, 42746km)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Grand Suite at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Airlines First Class: The Private Room @ Changi Airport
Singapore Airlines First Class: SQ211 Singapore to Sydney B777-300A
Opera King room at Park Hyatt Sydney
Beachfront View room at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Singapore Airlines Business Class: SQ232 Sydney to Singapore
Thai Airways First Class: Royal Orchid Spa, TG920 Bangkok to Frankfurt A380
Pic: Enjoying the rooftop Pool & Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney (Jan 2013)
The 15h long layover between my Singapore Airlines First Class flight and my Air New Zealand Business Class flight to Auckland, allowed me to experience the amazing Park Hyatt Sydney. Located at The Rocks, right next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, offering stunning views on the Sydney Opera House, rooms don’t come cheap at Park Hyatt Sydney. For my stay on Saturday Jan 12, the best available rate was AUD820 (€654, $853). Luckily, there was a cheaper alternative: Hyatt Stay Certificates. Until a few weeks ago, it was possible to redeem Inspire certificates ($319) at Park Hyatt Sydney. Unfortunately, Hyatt introduced new certificate levels in January and now an Ultimate certificate ($461) is required for night at the Park Hyatt Sydney. It might still make sense to use Ultimate certificates at Park Hyatt Sydney, but redeeming 22K Hyatt Gold Passport points looks to be a better choice. Using an Inspire certificate which was $319 + $25 shipping, I paid $344 (€272) instead of the best available rate of $853 (€654).
Pic: Breakfast with Opera House view at Park Hyatt Sydney (Jan 2013)
Upon arrival at Sydney airport, Aron, an Australian friend who I hadn’t seen since 2004, drove me to the Park Hyatt. At check-in my room was upgrade from a City Harbour King to an Opera King. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to make pictures of the room, as Aron and his friends insisted to show me Sydney nightlife until early in the morning. 🙂 From the numerous bars we visited, Palmer & Co was my favorite. As I only returned to the Park Hyatt around 6am, I didn’t get to use my room much, except for a refreshing shower. At least I got to enjoy the Australian sunrise from the Park Hyatt rooftop Spa & Pool with view on the Opera House, followed by a delicious complimentary breakfast as per Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond benefits. Before heading to the airport for my 12pm flight to Auckland, Aron showed me some of the parks surrounding the Sydney harbour. Thanks again for the great hospitality Aron & friends! Hope to be back soon!
Pic: Bart Lapers at Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge (Jan 2013)
Pic: View from my Opera King room 241 at Park Hyatt Sydney (Jan 2013)
Singapore Airlines First Class: SQ211 to Sydney
Fiji Trip Report Index
Introduction: Belgium to Fiji in 13 flights (26561 miles, 42746km)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Grand Suite at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Airlines First Class: The Private Room @ Changi Airport
Singapore Airlines First Class: SQ211 Singapore to Sydney B777-300A
Opera King room at Park Hyatt Sydney
Beachfront View room at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Singapore Airlines Business Class: SQ232 Sydney to Singapore
Thai Airways First Class: Royal Orchid Spa, TG920 Bangkok to Frankfurt A380
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class Seat 1F on Boeing 777-300 (Jan 2013)
Back in July 2012, Singapore Airlines made a mistake while upgrading their booking engine. They took it offline for a weekend long upgrade, but when their systems came back online, for a brief moment (24h), it was possible to book Singapore Airlines Business and First Class awards via frequent flyer programs of Star Alliance partners. This was unintentional, as they normally release longhaul C and F award space exclusively to their own loyalty program, KrisFlyer. I used this opportunity to book Singapore-Sydney-Auckland-Nadi for 45K United miles + $159,70 (€132) Taxes/Fees with SIN-SYD in Singapore Airlines First Class, SYD-AKL in Air New Zealand Business Class and AKL-NAN in Air New Zealand The Works Economy Class. This routing is also a great sweet spot on the United MileagePlus Award Chart: A First Class award ticket from Singapore to Sydney or Auckland normally requires 60K United miles, however routing via Australia and/or New Zealand to anywhere in Oceania is only 45K miles!
Pic: SQ First Class – Givenchy Sleeper Suit and Kiehl’s Amenity kit (Jan 2013)
So how did I get hold of the 45K United MileagePlus miles required for this award? The obvious way would have been by flying, but I haven’t deposited any of my flown miles in my United MileagePlus account in the past two years. Instead I try to buy miles as cheap as possible throughout the year. In this case, I bought 98,000 Wyndham Rewards points for $308 (€237,85) during the yearly U.S. Travel Association “Daily Getaways” campaign and converted them to 39,200 United MileagePlus miles. With 9K miles left in my account from the Continental OnePass and United MileagePlus merger, I had enough miles to cover the remaining 5800 miles required for this award.
Total cost: 39K miles €237,85 + 5800 miles in account + Taxes/Fees €132 =
€369,85 for an award ticket with a revenue value of > €6000!
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class – Dom Perignon Champagne (Jan 2013)
The retrofitted Boeing 777-300 had 8 seats in First Class of which only two were occupied. As I was the only passenger having Dom Perignon Champagne, the crew continuously refilled my glass, even replacing the glass when it was still half full just to make sure I would only drink perfectly chilled champagne! 🙂
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class – Champagne and Warm Nuts (Jan 2013)
As with every international First Class flight, the menu was extensive:
Lunch menu from Singapore to Sydney (1,2,3)
Cocktails and Aperitifs (1)
Champagne and Wines (1,2)
Spirits and Beers (1)
Non Alcoholic Beverages (1,2)
Coffee Selection (1,2)
Tea Selection (1)
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class – Chilled Malossol Caviar (Jan 2013)
One of the highlights on a First Class flight: Caviar, just love it!
Pic: Fennel cream soup with mint seared scallop and small pasta (Jan 2013)
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class Dining – Ceasar Salad (Jan 2013)
Pic: SQ Book the Cook – Wagyu Sirloin with Eringi Mushroom (Jan 2013)
Singapore Airlines offers Business and First Class passengers the possibility to pre-order their main course up to 24h before departure. I used the Book the Cook service to order Wagyu Sirloin with Eringi Mushroom from the Japanese menu. Unfortunately, I wasn’t too impressed with the quality of the meat, next time I’ll go for a Singaporean dish or the Boston Lobster Thermidor.
Pic: Macaroon with Pistachio Cream, Fresh Raspberries & Passionfruit sorbet
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class – Macaroon and Sorbet Dessert (Jan 2013)
While it was a relatively short (8h) daytime flight from Singapore to Sydney, one of the Singapore Girls had prepared seat 2F in full flat bed mode to allow me to take a nap and watch a movie in all comfort. Having flown a few First Class flights now, I realize being one of the only passengers in the First Class cabin is a big plus!
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class Bed on Boeing 777-300A (Jan 2013)
Singapore Airlines First Class: The Private Room
Fiji Trip Report Index
Introduction: Belgium to Fiji in 13 flights (26561 miles, 42746km)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Grand Suite at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Airlines First Class: The Private Room @ Changi Airport
Singapore Airlines First Class: SQ211 Singapore to Sydney B777-300A
Opera King room at Park Hyatt Sydney
Beachfront View room at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Singapore Airlines Business Class: SQ232 Sydney to Singapore
Thai Airways First Class: Royal Orchid Spa, TG920 Bangkok to Frankfurt A380
Pic: Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge at Changi Airport (Jan 2013)
When flying Singapore Airlines First Class from Changi Airport, you’re in for an extraordinary lounge treatment: The Private Room. No guests, no Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Members flying business or coach, no Star Alliance First Class passengers. This lounge is reserved exclusively for passengers holding Singapore Airlines First Class boarding passes. In exchange you get personalized and highly attentive service away from the crowds.
Pic: Invitation ‘The Private Room’ by Singapore Airlines First Class (Jan 2013)
My flight SQ211 from Singapore to Sydney was leaving at 9:40am, so I had to wake-up early to experience the Private Room. Fortunately, I was staying at the Crowne Plaza Changi Aiport which is connected to Terminal 3 and walking distance from the Singapore Airlines First Class Check-in Reception. The First Class Reception has a separate driveway for limos to pull-up. As I wanted the full experience, I exited Terminal 3 and walked up the First Class Check-in Reception. A porter took care of my luggage and a polite “Passenger Relations Officer” escorted me to a marble desk where I was seated while my check-in formalities were taking care of. Next was a dedicated immigration line where I was the only passenger present. After immigration, a Singapore Airlines lounge agent escorted me to The Private Room which is connected to the SQ T3 First Class lounge.
Pic: Seating Area at The Private Room, Changi Airport Singapore (Jan 2013)
The Private Room has its own restaurant where you can order “A la Carte” or serve yourself at a buffet. Here’s a picture of the Breakfast Menu. I went for Egg Benedict and a fresh orange juice, tasty! 
Pic: Bart Lapers at The Private Room Singapore Airlines First Class (Jan 2013)
Pic: Dining Area at The Private Room, T3 Changi Airport Singapore (Jan 2013)
After breakfast, I relaxed a bit in one of the comfortable leather sofa’s before heading to the gate for my first Singapore Airlines First Class flight.
Pic: Leather Seats The Private Room, Singapore Airlines First Class (Jan 2013)
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Fiji Trip Report Index
Introduction: Belgium to Fiji in 13 flights (26561 miles, 42746km)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Grand Suite at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Airlines First Class: The Private Room @ Changi Airport
Singapore Airlines First Class: SQ211 Singapore to Sydney B777-300A
Opera King room at Park Hyatt Sydney
Beachfront View room at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Singapore Airlines Business Class: SQ232 Sydney to Singapore
Thai Airways First Class: Royal Orchid Spa, TG920 Bangkok to Frankfurt A380
Pic: Club Infinity Pool at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa (Jan 2013)
The InterContinental Fiji Resort Map includes Restaurants & Bars and practical Fiji travel advice. The InterContinental Fiji Concierge Guide includes info on how to get around, where to eat, drink, shop and what to discover more at Fiji.
Pic: Beachfront room 1114 at InterContinental Fiji Natadola Bay (Jan 2013)
Instead of paying FJD920 (€394, $514) per night for a Garden View room, I used the Priority Club Points + Cash trick to book my 4 night stay at InterContinental Fiji. At 30K points per night, this resulted in $210 (€161) room rate. Upon arrival at 11am I was told my Garden View room wasn’t ready yet, despite my Royal Ambassador status which guarantees 8am check-in, and no room upgrade would be given as I was staying on points. When inquiring about my other Royal Ambassador benefits, the front desk agent responded he wasn’t sure and had to check. As my Garden View room would only be ready by 2pm, I was suggested to wait at the Kama Lounge. The bartender provided me with the cocktail menu and offered me a complementary drink to ease the wait. After 15 minutes, the bartender still hadn’t returned to take my order so I asked him what was going on. He told me his supervisor had informed him the complimentary drinks policy had changed and I would actually have to pay for my drink. My stay at IC Fiji was off to a bad start… room wouldn’t be upgraded, front desk didn’t know if RA benefits applied or not (previous IC Fiji trip reports suggested they did including room upgrades) and a complimentary drink had to be paid for. In this kind of situations I turn to Twitter to express my malcontent, which in many cases results in a satisfying solution. I tweeted @IHGCare and @InterConFiji and expressed my frustration. Soon after, I was informed my Beachfront View room was ready, courtesy of the InterContinental Fiji marketing department. For the Royal Ambassador benefits, local management confirmed they didn’t apply on point stays as per IHG Ambassador T&C.
Pic: Bedroom of Beachfront room 1114 at InterContinental Fiji (Jan 2013)
Pic: InterContinental Fiji – Beachfront room 1114 Terrace with Cleopatra Bath
Pure Fiji Bathroom Amenities at InterContinental Fiji Natadola Bay (Jan 2013)
Pic: InterContinental Fiji Resort & Spa – Beachfront View Rooms 11xx
Pic: InterContinental Fiji Resort & Spa – Natadola Bay Beach (Jan 2013)
Pic: Breakfast at Sanasana Restaurant, InterContinental Fiji (Jan 2013)
Pic: InterContinental Fiji Resort – Main Infinity Adults Only Pool (Jan 2013)
Pic: Dedon Nestrest at Club InterContinental Fiji Inifinity Pool (Jan 2013)
Pic: Wedding Chapel at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa (Jan 2013)
Pic: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa – Indigenous band (Jan 2013)
Pic: Entrance InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa at night (Jan 2013)
Pic: Nighttime at Club InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa (Jan 2013)
Pic: Sunset at Infinity Pool Club InterContinental Fiji (Jan 2013)
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