Radisson Hotel Decapolis Review - Lima

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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One usually has standards when staying at a chain hotel and Radisson Decapolis Hotel in the safe neigbourhood of Miraflores in Lima is a good option. There was always enough staff on hand to answer your questions, open the doors, or serve you your pisco sour.

The location is excellent, with shopping nearby, fine dining or just want to walk along the cliff top path toward the Locamar centre or Love Park, I found the Radisson Decapolis ideal, chic and stylish with plenty of in-house services to do all you want to do in Lima.

The rooftop patio/bar, with swimming pool and glass enclosed gymnasium is a nice space, and at night becomes a good place to start the night to sip your pisco sours. In the morning the breakfasts surpass many hotels in this class with specialty menu, try the ranchero or Decapolis Special eggs which will waken your taste buds from the start.

The rooms are of excellent size but are not as modern or chic as the entrance or lobby, with a CD clock radio, perhaps it may be due for slight update. However, in no way are the rooms uncomfortable, with enough space to put your luggage away. A large bathroom with shower and bathtub, which ultimately I craved after days of trekking, a good soak and rest. Wifi worked everywhere and TV channels with enough options to view.

Ultimately the Radisson Decapolis is more expensive than others nearby, but places you in a prime spot for getting to know Lima or for a simple stop-over before discovering Peru.  The service was attentive and felt cared for, something you don't often get when staying in a hotel of this class.

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Radisson Decapolis Hotel - Booking.com

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Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel Review

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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Cusco is a charming city and being near the Plaza de Armas puts you within reach of all the most important places of interest, such is the case when staying at Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel. Its outdoor terrace offers a great view of the city and the hills which surround it. Booking at Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel means airport pick-up as well for those just arriving into Cusco.

Upon registering you'll be offered coca tea to help with the altitude sickness that can sometimes hit travellers just arriving, it slowly creeps up on you as it did with me and found myself asleep very early in the evening as my body adjusted to the the new height, but fully recovered and ready the next day.

Despite booking two different types of rooms, a single on the first stay and a double room on subsequent stay, both rooms were identical in size and style. The rooms are a good size however could be small considering there could be two in a room. Bathroom are modern and clean and two bottled waters are included.

Though all rooms have large windows, there is nothing to look out to, most rooms face into courtyards, and having your curtains drawn would mean disclosing everything inside. However most just pass through Cusco and a stay here is ideally located and comfortable, and staff ensure you get on your way on time and requested taxi bookings arrive on time and a price that is correct locally (be warned, taxi drivers will make you think they are offering a fair price, but in fact the actually cost is often less than 50% of what they quote you).

There are more upscale options to stay in Cusco  but Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel is comfortable enough to enjoy and its location is ideal, considering the price too, its not a bad deal after all.

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Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel - Booking.com

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La Cabana Machu Picchu Hotel Review - Aquas Calientes

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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High expectations were soon dropped when I discovered the room I actually booked was not the room I got, despite paying the same price for it, and having mentioned this to reception after seeing my room, it was not the problem of the hotel, but rather the booking agent (booking.com) who incorrectly sells the room (apparently).

La Cabana Machu Picchu Hotel is a basic hotel, and Aquas Calientes being a small town, any location would be a good location. Though it does have the advantage of being near the hot springs just up the hill.  Check-in was messy, despite having reservations and being picked up at the train station they processed those just off the street/walk-ins first (perhaps giving away my reserved room in the process), quoting the same price to all, which made me wonder how fair this process actually was.

I felt bitter but the room was actually decent enough to enjoy, with an outdoor balcony overlooking the alley below, small bathroom but nice hot shower, and very cosy bed.  Breakfasts starts at 5am with check-out at 9am, though I think breakfast should be served sooner, as the queue for the buses up to Machu Picchu are already long at 5am.

Wifi worked, it was clean, good size bedroom, comfy beds and outdoor space, it served its purpose for what most people will spend in Aquas Calientes, one night only.

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La Cabana Machu Picchu Hotel - Booking.com

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PeruRail Vistadome to Machu Picchu Town

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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It is one of those journeys that getting there is part of the adventure, the PeruRail trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu Town, or Aquas Calientes as it is better known, certainly is a feast for the eyes as you enter the tropical zone and into the jungles of the Andes.

There are a few options when booking your trip with PeruRail, I've opted for the Vistadome experience with panoramic windows, though the Expedition service appears to offer equal comfort, however you could always indulge in the Hiram Bingham - an exclusive luxury Orient Express service operated by PeruRail which even includes ticket entry and transportation into Machu Picchu.

Unfortunately the booking system does now allow to choose your seats, and though you may purchase more than two doesn't mean you will sit together. However most people are willing to swap around for a better arrangement. The only way of identifying if you have a window seat or not on PeruRail is as follows, even numbered seat are aisle seats and odd numbered seats are window.

Once on your way Peruvian flute music will broadcast into the rail cars as you watch the hills and mountains become more lush and green into the jungle. A light meal service of quinoa salad, potatoes and flavoured bread and butter with soft drink or tea/coffee, with alcohol for purchase on board. The outward journeys also includes an attempt to sell souvenirs such as hats and t-shirts and cd's of the music played. The return journey is different as it involves a fashion show of Peruvian materials as well as an insight and celebration of Peruvian legend, with goods offered for sale after the show.

PeruRail is comfortable and professional and is only a small part of the trip to get you to Machu Picchu  but the experience is highly enjoyable since views are breathtaking from almost any seat, which ultimately gets you there safely and on time.

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PeruRail

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Fauna Hotel Valparaiso - Review

Finding the Fauna Hotel was easy, down an ally where cars have no access and along the top of a hill which immediately gave a good view of the town below and the bay.

Unlike traditional buildings the hotel functions from top to bottom, reception/restaurant/terrace at the top, with rooms leading down the multi story building perched along the hill. The outdoor terrace offers a great point of view of the town, and in the morning one can watch the sunrise.

I've opted for the bay view room which has incredibly tall ceilings and windows, wooden floors and open yet separate seating area. A large modern bathroom with glass paneled shower and granite floors. Finding a heater in the room made me happy as winters can be tough if you don't have in room climate control, something my hotel in Santiago did not have. The bed was comfortable, pillows and soft duvet covers to ensure your warm on a cold Chilean winter night. The walls are roughly textured and earth brown as if the rooms were made from cutting into the hillside, organic with specs of mud and hay - a down to earth feeling.

I'm finding little fault with Fauna Hotel, despite having no in room television, it doesn't really bother me, the town is interesting and colourful and just steps away. A funicular is just metres from the door and for only 100 Pesos (approx 20 cents) you can descend or climb easily to the town below.

Favourite thing about Fauna? Having breakfast while the sun rises, the view, decent breakfast, style and comfort in a down to earth bohemian way.

Note: at time of my visit works were underway next door for expansion, which will provide panoramic views and expanded occupancy.

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Photos of Fauna Hotel, Valparaiso Chile 2013 © Joe Mendonca

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A post by Joe Mendonca

Fauna Hotel on Booking.com
Fauna Hotel on Tripadvisor

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Mito Casa Hotel Review - Santiago Chile

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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Mito Casa Hotel is in an excellent location, within walking distant to most sites, city centre and entertainment district of Bellavista, the hotel came as a recommendation from a friend who stayed there a year earlier.

Selecting the economy double room places me in room number one just outside by the garden, which at first had its advantages by not having to go up any stairs, however soon I realised the weaknesses this had. Having a garden flat meant I was directly effected by the cold Chilean winter and with no individual control of  room climate, a small heater could have improved  this. I soon discovered the wifi was not working or strong enough to receive in my room, and despite mentioning this on my day of arrival nothing was done to rectify it, even after my second return to the hotel later in the week.

My second stay was much better as I had a room on the 3rd floor of the main building with its art deco appearance, a room overlooking the road with in-room sink but private bathroom/shower in the hallway (which is exclusive to you only - not shared).

The great features of Mito Casa Hotel is the location, the style and design, and its intimate feel, more like a bed and breakfast than a hotel. The rooftop terrace offers great views of the area and superb views of the mountain range that encloses Santiago. Location alone sells Mito Casa Hotel  however I was slightly disappointed action was not taken from issues I raised on my first stay, for this reason I suggest you stay in the main building.

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Photos of Mito Casa Hotel, Santiago Chile 2013 © Joe Mendonca

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Mito Casa Hotel - Booking.com 
Mito Casa Hotel - Tripadvisor 

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Flying Economy on American Airlines

First time flying American Airlines, economy, London to Miami on-route to Santiago. I was hoping to fly the 'new' American Airlines from adverts I've seen, but it wasn't to be.

I wasn't fortunate enough to experience the updated interiors and entertainment, inflight wifi and in seat power, instead I flew on a 777-200 with many unoccupied seats and was disappointed by expectations.



Sure there was back of seat screens for watching movies, but not on demand. Two and a half hours into the flight have been served lunch, in plastic trays, forks and knife, cellophane enclosing a simple salad, chicken and broken bits of spaghetti, though edible, it's presentation fell well below what you might get at a fast food outlet. Alcohol is available for purchase onboard, no cash accepted.

Midway through flight cheese flavoured crackers and drinks were offered and about one and a half hours before landing a hot deep dish pizza was served.

It all started right, from check-in to lounge and boarding, the service has been attentive and polite. American Airlines is pushing the 'new' a lot in its ads and online, what I experienced was mediocre.

Oh well, there is still the return flight to be had. Will I be so lucky?

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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AA Admirals Lounge Heathrow

This is the first time I'm flying American Airlines, and being a member of OneWorld alliance with elite status am lucky enough to get access to its flagship lounge at Heathrow Airport, the Admirals Lounge.



Beige interiors with open areas and private out of the way seating areas, the selection of drinks range from coffee and tea to beer, wine and spirits.

What the lounge lacks is a selection of snacks like crisps (chips to some of us), sandwiches, fruit or salads, compared to the BA Galleries which offers champaign (on request).

Overall it is comfortable and is a good way to relax before a flight, so far the service has been polite and attentive.

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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