Epinions Recent Reviews for alek_toronto

All the Cliches are TRUE

Fri, 25 Apr 2003 16:43:17 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Rio de Janeiro has always been one of those places that writers love to write about. Depending on what you read it could be excellent (Fodors, Frommers, etc..) or scary (newspapers, Time, Economist, etc..)

After all the research I did prior to...

Hidden Little Secret

Fri, 25 Apr 2003 14:10:09 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I had walked by the Greenview a few times in my past visits to South Beach but never paid it much attention. It was not until a friend started to tell me about his recent stay there that I obtained any interest in this hotel. I decided to book a room...

Brazilian Dinosaur

Fri, 25 Apr 2003 13:48:21 GMT

rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I noticed that there are no recent reviews on VARIG and since I had the (dis)pleasure of flying with them recently I will relay my experience with this airline.

About The Company

Varig is the oldest and largest airline in Brazil. For...

Canada's Largest Charter Airline

Thu, 24 Apr 2003 13:49:13 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Living in Toronto and constantly on the go, I have had several occasions to travel on Air Transat, which is the largest charter airline in Canada. Here are my observations and comments:

Routes and Schedules:

Being a charter airline, most...

Century Hotel: Better Choices in South Beach

Wed, 13 Nov 2002 19:08:18 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - The Century Hotel can be found offering excellent rates at all the discount hotel brokers i.e. hoteldiscounts.com, expedia.ca, etc...

During my last 2 night stopover in Miami, I decided to try out this property that was advertised by Travel...

The Almond Experience

Tue, 22 Jan 2002 16:37:35 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - This reviews covers only the Almond Beach Club, as there are 2 properties in Barbados. The Almond Beach Club is adults only (16 and over). the Almond Village, about 15 mins north of the Club is larger and caters to families.

Arrival

The...

Casual Affordable Luxury

Sat, 15 Dec 2001 13:48:57 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I have just returned for yet another stopover in South Beach, one of the premier American playgrounds. Last time I was hosed royally at the Delano and having to pay top dollar for a first class nut asylum made me seriously consider a more understated and...

Radisson Cable Beach Casino and Golf Resort: You get what you pay for..and than some

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 19:26:20 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I have never, ever been fond of the Radisson Hotel Chain. They are somewhere on the totem pole around the Holiday Inn and Howard Johnsons. Having to go to Nassau to do some last minute banking mandated me to book the Radisson Cable Beach. I usually stay...

The Japanese Way

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 18:51:32 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - There should be no surprise that stepping onto a Japan Airlines jet is like stepping into Japan itself. For many that is a bonus, for some a drawback. JAL is one of the largest and well regarded airlines in the world and for the most part they do a good...

Fantasy for Most

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 15:59:12 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Personally I have a like/hate feeling towards this magazine. On one side there are a few informative nuggets of very useful info for crazy frequent travelers like myself, and the Ombudsman is great, however on the other side, the magazine takes itself...

David Lynch is his own Movie Genre

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 15:35:43 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - One cannot review a David Lynch film the way you review any other film as they are in a world all their own, a world of splendid and over the top weirdness, sex, violence and horror.

Lynch's latest -as everyone by now knows- started as a potential...

Good Regional Airline

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:52:46 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I have recently had an oportunity to try out 3 regional flights on the flag carrier for the kingdom of Thailand. Thai Air is overall a good choice for regional needs but for the long haul I would prefer Singapore or Cathay. Here are my general...

The Westin Banyan Tree: Serenity in the midst of madness

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 14:11:09 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Arriving jet lagged in one of the craziest cities on earth I always look forward to a quiet, peaceful and relaxed arrival at my chosen hotel. This trip I went for the Westin, due to the corporate rate offered to me. I had not stayed there before but was...

Hotel with Personality

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 13:43:01 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - On a recent stopover in one of my favorite cities - San Francisco (sounds cliche - who doesn't like SFO??) I had the oportunity to try out the hotel Metropolis. I wanted to stay inexpensive as I was paying from my own pocket. (No mean feat in San Fran)...

The Westin Stamford and Westin Plaza, Singapore: Needs Overhaul

Fri, 14 Dec 2001 13:10:38 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - This review is based on a recent stay last month at the Westin Stamford, not the Plaza. My company has a corporate program with Westin Hotels Worldwide so as far as corporate rates go the Stamford was a great value at 175 SGD, compared to over 300 SGD...

Complete Dream World

Fri, 8 Jun 2001 13:02:30 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Wallpaper basically sells the idea that everyone's life will be SO much better if they own that $2000 pair of shoes or god ugly $5000 Italian sofa. At least you would think so at first glance.

The first time I saw the magazine I jumped to...

Airline Goliath..Bigger is not Better

Thu, 7 Jun 2001 12:50:55 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - American Airlines is just too large for its own good. I have flown several flights on this airline and have come to the conclusion that bigger is not better, especially in regards to airlines.

PROS:

Schedule

- AA has frequent daily...

French Style

Wed, 6 Jun 2001 17:53:23 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Air France is my number one choice should my destination be Paris. However I have done the connect in DeGaulle thing and have learned from my mistake. Here's my review:

SCHEDULE

Air France is the national and largest airline in France so...

Only If You Must.

Wed, 6 Jun 2001 15:52:45 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I had to take 2 flights with Garuda recently, and not by choice. Singapore Airlines was sold out and I needed to be in Jakarta in a rush, therefore the travel agent booked me on Garuda.

I asked her about it and she told me about how they have a lot...

Modern Hotels Hit Paris

Wed, 6 Jun 2001 11:24:07 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Being a young business and leisure travel I welcome any chance to avoid large, stuffy, traditional hotels and up until recently that was the only choice in Paris.

The Hotel Bel Ami is one of a new breed of increasingly popular "design" hotels that...

Top of the Travel List

Wed, 6 Jun 2001 10:59:01 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Singapore Airlines is an airline that sells sex, and does it well obviously, as it seems to always top every travel survey that has been published in the last 10 years.

Now that I have flown with them a few times, both in economy and their Raffles...

Stick to the Original

Tue, 5 Jun 2001 17:08:52 GMT

rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - I had the pleasure of being subjected to this film at a premiere screening with a friend.

Now I did enjoy the original movie as it was a lightweight, fast paced "little" action movie where you could turn off your brain and as they say "enjoy the...

Future of Canadian Airline Travel?

Tue, 5 Jun 2001 16:46:31 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Thank God! Canadians have a viable and economical choice for domestic air travel in their own country.

As everyone very well knows, Canada is a large country with a general population that loves to fly. Problem is that now that AC and CP have...

the HIT and MISS Airline

Tue, 5 Jun 2001 15:59:24 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Qantas is about the only airline in the world where one flight can be great and the next one the worst ever.

I have had 4 experiences with Qantas to date and exactly 2 flights sucked and 2 flights rocked.

I was very puzzled how such a large,...

The Hempel Hotel: Asian Serenity in the middle of London

Tue, 5 Jun 2001 15:31:50 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author alek_toronto - Here we go - another designer, trendy, "Hip" hotel for those self designated cool people. That was my first thought after my initial research into this property. I travel a fair bit to London on business and prefer to try a different hotel each time,...