Up, Up, Up and Away; I'm Taken Around The Pacific

[sr81]

This is just silly. You, QF009 and myself were all within spitting distance of each other over the last week or so in LA, Chicago and NYC.

I stayed at the W Lakeshore last weekend and was thoroughly underwhelmed. It was the little things like the randoms hanging outside the building smoking in the doorway, my newspaper not arriving and the Whatever desk not caring a mite. Seriously, how hard is it to recommend a decent restaurant that has mains around the USD20 mark?

I also believe that this hotel used to be something else and it certainly appears so with the very low ceilings and interesting render on some walls and roof.

Still, the location in summer can't be faulted and if you get a lake view room (I didn't) then the view would be something special. I also liked the bathrooms as they were well designed to maximise the use of space.

I would consider the Westin on Michigan Ave next time.

How great is the giant reflective bean in Millenium Park! I agree Alanslegal, Chicago is a great place and should be high on any list when visiting the USA.

 

[auriga]

Loving this trip report!

 

[Alanslegal]

This is just silly. You, QF009 and myself were all within spitting distance of each other over the last week or so in LA, Chicago and NYC.

I stayed at the W Lakeshore last weekend and was thoroughly underwhelmed. It was the little things like the randoms hanging outside the building smoking in the doorway, my newspaper not arriving and the Whatever desk not caring a mite. Seriously, how hard is it to recommend a decent restaurant that has mains around the USD20 mark?

I also believe that this hotel used to be something else and it certainly appears so with the very low ceilings and interesting render on some walls and roof.

Still, the location in summer can't be faulted and if you get a lake view room (I didn't) then the view would be something special. I also liked the bathrooms as they were well designed to maximise the use of space.

I would consider the Westin on Michigan Ave next time.

How great is the giant reflective bean in Millenium Park! I agree Alanslegal, Chicago is a great place and should be high on any list when visiting the USA.

Sr81 - unfortunately my TR is almost two months behind :shock: - but it would be great to meet up with fellow AFF'ers overseas! Maybe next time?

If I'm correct I believe the W Lakeshore was a former Holiday Inn and I agree totally that service was way below par especially reading quite a few positive reviews on other sites such as TA / FT.

My sister who flew in from Toronto visited me whilst I was in Chicago also commented how terrible she thought the service was; I tried to explain the W concept and she thought it was cool niche idea but in her first experience at a W she thought the W/W service was not very satisfactory. She will however give the W another chance but not this one.

 

[sr81]

Agreed - We stayed at the Seoul W and it was amazing! The corner Wonderful room was huge and had a view to the city and up the river. The service was great and the pool was a real winner after a hard day walking.

You tell the story like it was yesterday!

 

[Alanslegal]

Onwards to Tokyo

So I again pack my luggage and head off to the airport, this time it is to Tokyo but with a quick stop over in Los Angeles. The meaning of ‘quick’ is a relative to each own but for me it is being in a city for less than a day. I’m aboard the AA bird again and it’s another uneventful flight. Touching down into LAX I am on a counting down the 22hrs and 56minutes before I take off again.

I retrieve my luggage and head off to find a shuttle to take me to my hotel for the evening, the Sheraton LAX Hotel.


Sheraton LAX:-

After the Westin LAX experience, I am not expecting much from this airport hotel. It is one of the closest hotels to the airport and if I had known the shuttle was going to take forever, I could guarantee I would have walked there faster.

The check-in process was a breeze with the friendly and enthusiastic Platinum agent, on her third day in the job, without any prompting told me that I have been upgraded to a suite and that I had “complimentary access to the in-room mini-bar”. I clarified what she had just told me and she confirmed I could consume anything in here for free! Wow!

Excitedly I thanked her and headed off to my room. I briefly looked around the lobby and lounge areas, as well as the restaurant and bar. A two second impression made me feel that this décor is very stylish, especially for a Sheraton property.

Front of the Hotel:-

I enter my room and wow – it’s huge - I guess it would be around two and a half times the size of a normal room but very studio like. Although the room appears well done, the bathroom definitely needs some updates:-

Eagerly I searched ‘high and low’ for the mini-bar but I could not find one!! A quick call to the service desk confirmed that there are no mini-bars in any of the rooms and I was misinformed by the newbie Platinum agent. Not too worry, I was off to the Executive Lounge for some finger food whilst watching jets glide and touch down into LAX. The windows was parallel to the runway and I could see jets taxi, take off and land.

Top floor executive lounge, empty as it’s not yet ‘happy hour’:-

Cool pool area:-

Overall, a very happy stay at this Sheraton! Nice renovated rooms, good Platinum recognition and good offerings in the Executive Lounge. I would recommend this hotel for those with a quick stop at LAX.

 

[Alanslegal]

AA169 LAX to NRT

Business Class – Seat 13B – B777-200

After two weeks in the USA I am off to LAX T4 where my next AA bird awaits to take me to The Land of the Rising Sun. I find the premium counters and get checked onto flight A169. The process is mainly fine except that it took some serious minutes for the AAgent to find my travelling partner’s booking. When both bookings are finally found, I enquired to make sure that we were seated together, given that something may have changed after so many keystrokes by the AAgent! I received an enthusiastic reply saying “Yes, seating in economy is 2 – 5 – 2 seats across and you guys are in the lucky 2 by the window”. That’s impossible I thought. I told her that we’re flying in business class today, when she then had 2nd glance at her computer and said “yes, you’re right, even better” whilst handing my boarding pass and saying “enjoy the flight” as we left for Security clearance.

Premium passengers get to go up the closest escalators and bypass a substantial queue for other passengers. After been given the all OK by Security it’s onto the T4 AA/QF Business Lounge and although the lounge has a nice view of parked Jets, the food offering is extremely disappointing. Having been in this lounge a few times over the years I have seen no improvement on what is on offer. Mixed nuts and some pretzels is really not satisfactory full stop! [Of course you could always PAY for decent food at the bar]. Further two complimentary alcohol vouchers? You can always go back to the front desk to get more, but really? Should we be forced to go back? Waste some time, grovel for vouchers, and then finally get back to the bar?!

Anyway, enough complaining about the lounge, as I’m leaving it and heading onto the plane.

The J cabin was set up in the 2 – 3 – 2 configurations but was let down by rather shabby looking seats and interior looking well-worn. The boring blue seats slightly looked better once the light grey blanket was used, but otherwise it was nothing fantastic, especially when comparing against the J seats on the A380.

Pre-flight drinks were offered, whilst the pursers were doing their rounds, taking orders for the upcoming late lunch. It was no surprise that most folks went for the Shrimp & Scallops dish (being Seared Shrimp and Scallop accompanied by an East Indian curry rice, served with aromatic Jasmine rice and vegetable ratatouile) given that the other choices of Beef Fillet was also out of stock and the Lasagne Rolls didn’t sound too flash. I wanted the prawns but there was none left!. It was further highlighted, when the crew was running around trying to negotiate with the other passengers, for many minutes, to choose another meal given the insufficient prawn meals. It was embarrassing to see the chap in across the aisle from me, originally ordering the prawns and was told it would be ok, then only to be told to choose another meal, and then many minutes later was told that he was in luck as they found a spare prawn meal. Amazing scenes watching the action all unfold.

Once the plane was up in the air, onwards to Tokyo some 12 hours away, it was time to test out the IFE whilst waiting for the meals to be served. Flicking through the channels nothing really caught my interest and it was back to watching repeats of Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel, as well episodes of The Simpsons.

Glass of wine and some warm nuts to nibble on:-

As my preferred dish was out-of-stock, I had to settle for the Japanese tasting option and thought it was rather boring. The meal was a combination set inclusive of sushi, boiled mackerel, rice, some other assortment which not only tasted bland but was unfufilling. I’d expect this kind of meal in the economy cabin but not that in the premium cabins. With little food in my stomach, I had to conserve energy and try to sleep! Yes I’m being dramatic but I really could have asked for more, or eaten the tonnes of snacks I brought on board – but chose not to.

Entrée; really a salad with fancy olive oil and balsamic vinegar:-

Sushi Plate:-

Dinner set menu:-

My friend’s main meal; the Steak:-

 

[Alanslegal]

AA169 LAX to NRT

I tried sleeping but the sloping position made it really hard. I kept on fidgeting and turning, and then sliding. I did eventually sleep but not much, and when I was awake it made the flight drag on and I wanted to get straight off. This was very opposite to my QF J A380 experience where I wanted to stay on!

With my stomach grumbling, I wait impatiently for the light meal to be served a few hours prior to landing. Waiting, waiting and waiting and it’s now close to 9 hours since the last meal service and I’m expecting the food to come out anytime soon. The food still doesn’t come out and it’s now just a bit over an hour before landing! Ok, so now I’ve deduced that there won’t be enough time for the food to be served and I’m going to come back here and report so in my Trip Report. As it ticks around the 1hour to land mark, the food trolleys swing into action, and we’re given a light meal of deep dish pizza or marinated chicken. It’s not soon after that we have to prepare to land into Narita – talk about cutting the time really fine!

Light Meal of deep dish pizza or marinated chicken:-

Once touched down, the plane comes to a halt just prior to the gate, and the plane is literally hijacked with government health inspectors. I counted at least 7 of them come on board wearing full head to toe protective clothing, with hand held scanners checking for signs of possible Swine Flu. The screening starts from front to back, meaning it will be a long wait whilst they process the bulk of passengers at the back of the plane.

Mr. Swine Flu Inspector:-

We are soon all allowed to disembark, as I quickly rush to and pass Immigration, before my journey into Tokyo via the Narita Express train, and then to my hotel the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay.


Next:- IC Tokyo Bay & Tokyo!

 

[drron]

I love it.Free mini bar just none in the room.What will they come up with next to raise your hopes!
I am really jealous of your ability to get the pics to stick.May have to switch to flickr.

 

[Keith009]

Sorry to hear of the negative experiences at the W Lakeshore. The last time I stayed there was 3 years ago and it was my fave W by far, and was also the first W I ever stayed at. Standards must have totally dipped. Thankfully there's another W in the South side and I'll certainly check that one out if I ever do return to Chi-town.

The only W that I've had a bad experience at so far (ie a "will not return to" experience) is my recent stay at the W New York on Lexington. It was so bad that I'm in the process of writing a long and detailed complaint to the GM. Will elaborate more in the TR...

Agreed - We stayed at the Seoul W and it was amazing! The corner Wonderful room was huge and had a view to the city and up the river. The service was great and the pool was a real winner after a hard day walking.

You tell the story like it was yesterday!

Good to hear. Will be there for my first time in Seoul - well as if I'd stay anywhere else! My reservation at the W Seoul is now showing a Studio Suite. Hopefully it's the one with the round beds.

 

[serfty]

... The J cabin was set up in the 2 – 3 – 2 configurations but was let down by rather shabby looking seats and interior looking well-worn. The boring blue seats slightly looked better once the light grey blanket was used, but otherwise it was nothing fantastic ... ...

Those "shabby Looking" NGBC seats are probably less than 18 months old! Have a look at what they had before then:
Photos: Boeing 777-223/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

... ... especially when comparing against the J seats on the A380. ...

:idea: Ah! That explains it!

 

[Alanslegal]

Intercontinental Tokyo Bay

Thanks to the IC 72hr sales earlier in the year I ended up staying here when the sale rates dropped to below 11K yen per night. Great value I’d say but location-wise, it’s slightly out of the way. The nearest station is Hamamasucho, which although is on the important ring line that takes you to all the places in Tokyo; the Yamamoto Line; it is a good 10-15 minute walk to.

From the moment I arrived at the IC TB I experienced fantastic service from all the staff. The check-in process was efficient & then I was escorted to my room by a young lady. Not soon after my luggage arrived, and another tiny young lady that brought them pushed almost 70kgs of things - wow!. I offered to help but she insisted on doing it herself. I felt a bit bad at this hospitality but she did her work, smiled, and bowed slightly as the left the room. Everyone at this hotel showed similar manner and I am impressed!!

Being adjacent to the Sumida River and Tokyo Harbour most of the rooms had nice views. The room were of western-style and about 32sqm in size, beds were on the firmer side but was acceptable for the one night before heading away for a few nights to see Mt Fuji-san.

Entrance:-

Lobby Lounge:-

The River View Room:-

View down the Sumida River:-

The following morning, I checked out of the IC TB as I was heading to Hakone for a few days and hopefully see Mt.Fuji and enjoy some ‘hot spring’ baths. I left the bulk of my luggage at the hotel as I’d be returning in a few days, and took a small duffle bag for my brief trip away.

 

[Alanslegal]

Ahhhh Fuji-san!

I pre-booked the Romance Car Train prior to arriving in Tokyo, and managed to reserve the Observation Carriage – which really is a fancy name for the front carriage. The Romance Car commences at Shinjuku station and arrives into Hakone-Yamato. I had seat 3A allocated but moved myself to the vacant 1A when the train started to move. These front row seat row gave a 180degree view of the entire trip and the only thing blocking the view, was the glass window! It was a pleasant train ride, watching the dense city landscape transform into rolling hills and mountains, with scattered Japanese style dwellings.

At arrival, I connected to the Hakone Tozan railways (for more info see here), which took me to my Ryokan one station away – the Ichinoyu Honkan. The ryokan will be my Japanese style bed, dinner & breakfast for the next two nights. This 300 year old building set adjacent to a small river and densely surrounded by thick bush. Walking closer to the ryokan, the building looked just like they were in the photos and it was very quaint and charming. I even felt like I was a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

The Ichinoyu Honkan:-

My room:-

The private outdoor hot spring bath:-

 

[Alanslegal]

I was met by a very friendly host and left my bags for safe keeping as it was still too early to check-in. I then went out and explored the local hamlet and jumped onto the Tozan line train to go visit Gora, being the last stop that will connect me to the suspended cable car line, and seeMt.Fuji.

At Gora, it was a quick steep ride on the cable car (like the one they have in Hong Kong that takes you to the Peak) and then a quick interchange for the suspended rope way cable car ride. It was on the ropeway car ride that one can have a spectacular view of Mt.Fuji …… that is assuming the weather conditions are perfect! Just for reference, it was the 3rd visit in three days that I got to finally seeMt.Fuji!! And I was WoWed!

Cable Car:-

Ropeway Cable Car:-

Mt Fuji!!!!

Crusing on Lake Ashi:-

 

[Alanslegal]

Having a bath - japanese style?

Returning to the ryokan, one must enjoy the natural onsen or hot spring baths that are scattered all over Japan. These are just thermal water, some with different chemical or natural elements that help, relieve or soothe the body. It is a long time tradition in Japan and it is practice that one bathes in the NUDE! Luckily I had my own private in-room hot spring so here I come!!! But the water temperature was a bit too cool ~32degrees so I decided to gather some courage and visit the communal baths. They were of course sex separated. The whole process is simple – 1) get nude 2) soap and rinse your whole body prior to entering the baths 3) slowly enter the hot spring 4) sit down and 5) enjoy. It is unforgivable to put your hand towel into the water so don’t do that, and thus I folded it and placed it on my head, just like how we see it in the movies.

The communal baths were large and although the spring water although initially hot the body adjusted and it gradually developed into a very soothing warm water soak. I sensed the muscles and entire body relax, whilst looking outside through the windows and seeing the lush trees. After a good soak, it was time to get ready for dinner.

Part of the traditional ryokan experience was that the host prepares and serves a banquet meal that evening to their guests. The only requirement (though not mandatory) is that the guests wear their traditional yukatas (or kimino) to dinner and although I felt very tourist-y doing so, it was part of the experience and I just followed through with it. (Next time I must remember to wear shorts underneath because at times the robe can be quite revealing in certain seating positions!)

The serving of food was wonderful and extremely fresh. The set course consisted of 8 authentic courses including a huge tray of sashimi and special marinated fish. (I don’t recall the exact menu but I’m sure can be found on their website). And I know the cuisine is authentic when a lot of the things I ate, were things I would be hesitant to do so back home!

In the morning buffet breakfast was served which consisted of a several Japanese and Western Style dishes, and although the range was limited, there was enough food to provide sustenance for the day’s activities.

The room inclusive of meals was around 40,000 yen per night which weighed very much on the expensive side – imagine the Grand Hyatt or Four Seasons Tokyo for a similar amount of money! But the rate was comparable to other similar ryokans in the area and I guess at the end of the day I can say I now have experienced a traditional Japanese style guest house and enjoyed the therapeutic hot spring baths.


Next:- Fast forward and I am going back to Tokyo.

 

[drron]

Ah! Memories of Lake ashi.it is where i first discovered the delights of chocolate coated grasshoppers-very crunchy

 

[Alanslegal]

[ Again I apologise by the enormous amounts of photos - and possible slow viewing of this thread But I can't resist showing them ]


Back onto the Romance Car and heading straight to Tokyo so I can explore that fast-flowing techno-glitz City. I re-check into the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay but this time have booked a Tokyo Bay view rather than the River view I had a few days earlier. I get upgraded to a corner room facing the bay, the Rainbow Bridge and now have a view of Tokyo Tower. I can also see jets descending to land at the nearby Haneda International Airport. The room is slightly bigger than a regular room and the service remains impeccable.

View from the room and Tokyo Tower at night:-

View from the room and Tokyo Harbour at night, w Rainbow Bridge in the background:-

Next:- Techno-glitz Tokyo

 

[Keith009]

Ah! Memories of Lake ashi.it is where i first discovered the delights of chocolate coated grasshoppers-very crunchy

Did they "taste like chicken"?

 

[Alanslegal]

Techno-Glitz Tokyo

Wow, Tokyo is not only HUGE but there’s just so much variety here! Each area has its own distinct character and style and scrambled amongst the techno-glitz there id just so much other things going on – and nobody sleeps here! It’s late at night and the streets are still crowded and the lights are still illuminated! Oh and the gazillion of vending machines are still turned on. Japan has the world’s largest number of vending machines in the world and the general rule is, if you can’t buy it at a vending machine, you probably can’t buy it!

Tokyo lights:-

Some food:-

Early the next morning I am off to the world famous Tsujiki Fish Market. I was lazy and arrived there at 7am but it’s recommended that you get there before 5am to watch the frenzied wholesaling of freshly caught seafood! The Fish Market is very industrial and raw and it is a hive of activity all throughout the morning with lots of fish mongers, many more tourists and the endless zooming of forklifts – so be careful.

That's me again - excuse my O expression but I was highly amazed by the size of the tuna's!!!:- (Hopefully I won't need to introduce myself at AFF #3 hehe)

 

[Alanslegal]

At night I (+1) met up with fellow AFF’er KPC (+1)in Shinjuku and we ate japanese ramen noodle soup from a random ‘vending machine’ based dine-in shop located in Shinjuku. We explored Shinjuku late at night and managed to walk a great deal to burn excess amounts of calories – as well as absorb some artificial lights from all the neons around us. KPC was telling me his story on how he got lost getting to his hotel, the Hilton Tokyo, as Shinjuku is sooooo unbelievably tricky! There are sooooo many exits @ Shinjuku, plus a zillion other Tokyo^ites zooming around, one can and will get confused very quickly!

Next is to visit a few more tourist spots – more temples, Harajuku where ‘out-there’ teenagers love to dress up, the ImperialPalace and general shopping. The choices are endless, the presentation is perfect and everything is so organised. Ahhhh I love Tokyo!

Various photos:-

 

[Alanslegal]

Take****a Street, Harajuku:-

Wierd and wacky - but the dressers love to show! And they love it more when you take photos of them!

Well enough of Tokyo and Japan.... and Next:- Hongkers, here I come!