In the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, a modest drive from Dubai, is a luxury tent and villa resort in the desert.  Called Al Wadi Desert (home page here) it used to be run by Banyan Tree which gives you .....

In the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, a modest drive from Dubai, is a luxury tent and villa resort in the desert. .....

25 Jan 201725 January 2017 by Rob Burgess • 42 comments

Most frequent flyer schemes allow you to pay to transfer miles to a friend.  It is usually a terrible deal.  The price is often only modestly cheaper than buying miles outright but .....

Most frequent flyer schemes allow you to pay to transfer miles to a friend.  It is usually a terrible .....

22 Jan 201722 January 2017 by Rob Burgess • 32 comments

News in brief: New Starwood SPG Moments concerts at The O2 bookable Starwood Preferred Guest has released a new batch of concerts at The O2. It is fair to say that the list has something for everyone. .....

News in brief: New Starwood SPG Moments concerts at The O2 bookable Starwood Preferred Guest has released a .....

13 Jan 201713 January 2017 by Anika Burnett • 40 comments

News in brief: More Luxury Travel Diary auctions launched The Luxury Travel Diary site dropped me a line about another wave of its auctions closing soon. Interesting options closing in the next 48 .....

News in brief: More Luxury Travel Diary auctions launched The Luxury Travel Diary site dropped me a line .....

3 Jan 20173 January 2017 by Rob Burgess • 96 comments

News in brief: Last day to buy Starwood points at a possible 50% discount Starwood is offering a very good, but targetted, deal which ends TODAY – a 50% discount when you buy 5,000+ Starwood .....

News in brief: Last day to buy Starwood points at a possible 50% discount Starwood is offering a very good, .....

31 Dec 201631 December 2016 by Rob Burgess • 47 comments

Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards have announced their first set of promotions since the merger between the two companies was concluded. With both loyalty programmes continuing as separate .....

Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards have announced their first set of promotions since the merger .....

29 Dec 201629 December 2016 by Rob Burgess • 21 comments

News in brief: Cathay Pacific boosts Gatwick and Manchester Cathay Pacific has announced a further boost to its UK operation following the successful launch of its Gatwick service this year. The .....

News in brief: Cathay Pacific boosts Gatwick and Manchester Cathay Pacific has announced a further boost to .....

14 Dec 201614 December 2016 by Rob Burgess • 55 comments

This is my review of the newly refurbished Sheraton Grand London Park Lane hotel. Despite living in London I certainly don’t mind swapping my flat for a hotel room every once in a while. .....

This is my review of the newly refurbished Sheraton Grand London Park Lane hotel. Despite living in London I .....

29 Nov 201629 November 2016 by Anika Burnett • 13 comments

Here is part two of my review of the Sheraton Grand Park Lane hotel in London, which has just been extensively refurbished and is now back to its 1920’s art deco glory. Part one of my Sheraton .....

Here is part two of my review of the Sheraton Grand Park Lane hotel in London, which has just been extensively .....

29 Nov 201629 November 2016 by Anika Burnett • 18 comments

News in brief: Good SPG Moments auction ending today There is an attractive SPG Moments auction ending today which, so far, has attracted very little interest.  It is one of those auctions where the .....

News in brief: Good SPG Moments auction ending today There is an attractive SPG Moments auction ending today .....

24 Nov 201624 November 2016 by Rob Burgess • 44 comments

This is my review of the new Element Amsterdam hotel. The amount of new hotel concepts today is overwhelming and, in order to stand out, hotels need to find their niche. Element By Westin is an .....

This is my review of the new Element Amsterdam hotel. The amount of new hotel concepts today is overwhelming .....

21 Nov 201621 November 2016 by Anika Burnett • 22 comments

Here is part two of my review of the Element Amsterdam hotel, the second European outpost – after Frankfurt – of Starwood’s new eco-friendly ‘extended stay’ hotel .....

Here is part two of my review of the Element Amsterdam hotel, the second European outpost – after .....

21 Nov 201621 November 2016 by Anika Burnett • 5 comments

The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card has a new benefit – double points (2 per £1) on all stays at Starwood and Marriott properties. One of the biggest complaints about the .....

The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card has a new benefit – double points (2 per £1) on all .....

17 Nov 201617 November 2016 by Rob Burgess • 23 comments

The merger between Starwood and Marriott – and the fact that you can now status match between the two chains – means that members also have access to a couple of interesting airline tie-in .....

The merger between Starwood and Marriott – and the fact that you can now status match between the two .....

9 Nov 20169 November 2016 by Rob Burgess • 19 comments