Kempinski Hotel, Wuxi, China

Date of stay: 21st ~ 25th Oct'13
Duration: 4 nights
Booking agent: Direct
Paid: RMB500.01 per night
Wifi: Free
Breakfast: International

As Double Tree by Hilton is fully occupied this week, Admin made reservation in Kempinski. They told me it's only 15 minutes from the office, so I guess no harm trying new hotel, since I'm quite sick of Double Tree's breakfast options.

Check-in:

I arrived rather late, about 9+ in the evening as I went for a dinner right after I arrived in Wuxi from Pudong, Shanghai. The 2 crews at the entrance could do with a more helpful pair of hands. One of them literally watched while I pushed my luggage bag in, while another did come over to me. But while walking me to the reception, he asked if I could handle the luggage up to my room myself. Well, I could. But in Double Tree, they usually would wait till I checked-in and offer to send my bag up. In short, there, I would have to ask the crew to leave my luggage as I could bring it up myself.

Checking-in was a breeze, I stood less than 5 mins there. I was surprised when it was over.

Going up was a breeze too, they have 5 working lifts and within seconds, I was lifted to 8th floor.

The room:
The room looks bigger than Double Tree's, the bathroom is obviously bigger but I can't understand the bathroom design. The shower was cramp, you can tell. I'm very petite, but I felt like I was not able to wipe my body without knocking on the wall nor shower door, I may be overly exaggerating, but you get what I mean. I do not use bath tubs during my business trips as I rather spend the time reading or sleeping, obviously.

The really nice feeling after shower is, I did not feel cold breeze when I step out of the shower. Unlike many other hotels, you'll be embraced with cold breeze from the air-cond in the room. I have to say Kempinski's bathroom is nicely sealed, I still felt warm and nice when I dressed up (instead of rushing into my clothes). Haha!

I hate the shampoo though, they made my hair as dry and rough as patches of grass. I'm sure glad I brought my Tsubaki hair treatment along. I have to use it daily, it looks. I miss Double Tree's Crabtree toiletries! :-s

I didn't sleep well the 4 nights, I'm not sure why. If I was over-tired when I finally get to sleep, or coz of anything else. In short, I woke up every morning feeling more tired than the night before.

Breakfast:
Breakfast was something new but I did not like the scattered seating arrangement. First day, I was by the water, next day, I was at the far side, third day, I was completely out of the place and last day, I chose my own seat (exactly the same as the day before) as I had a luggage with me so I chose out of the main eating area.

There were a great variety of food though, and I love their chili sauce to go with my sunny side up. I take only sunny side up, cereals, yogurt drink and coffee for breakfast everyday.

The morning staffs were more than sufficient. They were everywhere and you'll not get frustrated trying to get someone's attention.

Going to work was a pain. For the start, I have to tell the main entrance crew that I needed a cab. He would walk out to the main street to get one for me. While he managed to get one every time, it did not make me feel good. I wish he would take the cab in instead of walking gazillion times a day. If they had a sign by the street that the hotel needed a cab, just like what we had back in Singapore, that would be wonderful.

To reach to workplace, it didn't just take me 15 mins. I was far from office, far from clients entertainment spots.

Check-out:

I nearly fainted when I saw the queue to check-out. However, I was really impressed. They separated the check-in and check-out counters, something I didn't notice through my stay. And there were 3 staffs doing check-outs. I was further impressed when I saw granite table at the counter, for guests to put their bags while they check-out. It was extremely useful for me to place my handbag and dig my wallet out. I must say they are very thoughtful in this sense.

Checking-out was a breeze too. The staff apologised to keep me waiting when I took my envelope. And then there was a concierge staff waiting to help me with my luggage right away. I was WOW-ed and WOW-ed.
While it was generally a good experience in Kempinski, I would prefer Double Tree anytime. Not just for the Kris miles, but mainly for my convenience and sanity sake (due to lack of sleep). But then, Double Tree is different now, from when they were newly opened, they are not as customer oriented, do not feel the personal touch anymore.

Kempinski generally is a customer oriented hotel, I dare say.

Drips Bakery Cafe @ Tiong Bahru

Date patronised: 16th Sep'13
Spent: S$22.40
No. of pax: 2

You'll be surprised by the number of cafes along Tiong Poh Road.

Yesterday, we tried Drips, sound really cool right. It is a simply decorated cafe, minimalist.



We had cafe latte, cappucino, chicken pie and blueberry brandy tart

 As they are specialize in tarts, the tart was really good. It was refreshing, fresh, not too sweet. Superb for the non sweet tooth me. Chicken pie was nothing to shout of.

My cappucino was up to my standard, but, the coffee art could surprise me a little more.

More details:

Website: http://www.drips.com.sg/dripsbakery/

Address: 82 Tiong Poh Road, #01-05, S(160082)

Tel: 6222 0400

Opening hours:
Sun ~ Thurs: 11am ~ 9.30pm
Fri ~ Sat: 11am ~ 11pm

The good and the not so good about US..

Can't believe I've been back from the States for almost a month now. As it was my first trip there, it was a really good experience for me, work and personal.

Good things I like about the States:
1) The speedy check-out from the hotels! They slipped the invoices through the door so that I could check if the bill was right and I could just walk out of the door without the need to go to the front desk to check-out!
2) The number of tv channel.. I love watching TV in the States! I have to admit that it was probably coz I had the time (yup, I spent 3 weeks there, I had plenty of time), and most importantly, my son was not with me, I could watch without interruption! :-D
3) The big big big houses.. and they all look very nice. It was really unfortunate, no one invited me to their house, otherwise it would be another good eye opener.. haha!
4) Most of the hotels I stayed in have microwave ovens.. wahaha!
5) The gratuity system! I like it when I was served by the same friendly staff when I dine, and I really think the customer service level is so high compared to in Singapore.. or Malaysia..

Not so good things:
1) The speedy check-out made me felt like being chased to check-out fast fast!
2) Coffee is everywhere which is fantastic, but not all of them are good coffee and Americans like their coffee in paper cups and on the go. Although I like on the go at times, I do prefer sitting down and enjoy my cuppa too.
3) All the meals are in gigantic portions, at least for me. I couldn't finish even their salads, not to think about ordering appetiser and main. It got so bad that towards the midst of my trip, I got so sick of the portion, the moment they serve my food, I was almost full. And so, the microwave oven in the room came handy, to heat up food that I took away. A plate of pasta I ordered for dinner in Anaheim, I could eat for 3 meals.. that dinner, next day breakfast and lunch!
4) Most hotels do not provide full range of toiletries (body shampoo, shampoo, conditioner, face soap, shower cap, toothpaste and toothbrush) and no bedroom slippers too... :-/
5) I do not like to use disposables.. even if they are biodegradeable.. I really thought it's not going to help the environment and I felt sad.. imagine, a country like US, so huge, how much waste are they producing daily?

TCC @ Anchorpoint

Date patronised: 25th Aug'13

Spent: S$100++

No. of pax: 6 adults + 5 toddlers

As my friend's birthday falls in the month of August, and she is a member of TCC, her card entitled us to 50% off the bill. And so we made reservation for dinner after the kiddos' photoshoot.

They provided us with only 2 highchairs. You can really imagine the chaos when you have 5 toddlers at the same place.

The staffs were very friendly, even when one of our kiddos broke a glass. He smiling happily to clear the broken glass away.

And then another one of our kiddos puked onto the cushioned chair and the floor. Yet, the staffs were cool about it.

They were so cool, although we were very sure they were cursing us like mad in their heart. For that, I wrote a compliment feedback in TCC website. Within half an hour, I've got a reply!

Good deed done! Hope compliments breed good customer service!



Excellent Emirates!

Date: 20th Aug'13
Spent: S$734.70 (for return flights SIN-MELBOURNE)


It was a last minute decision to join my girlfriend to her business trip to Melbourne. It's going to be my first solo (cum girlfriends) holiday. I'm very excited about it.

I was comparing flight tickets fare online and decided Emirates gives me the best deal (same as CheapTickets.SG). Hubby says Emirates is world class airline.

I was making payment for my flights when my credit card just couldn't get through. Not once, not twice, but thrice. And then I was told I have exceeded the number of attempts allowed and that I had to choose other payment options, which was NETS. Obviously, that wouldn't be my choice if possible, how much cash rebate can I get via credit card payment you know?

So I did the unbearable, I called their Customer Service. The call was smooth, I was connected to a human being within a minute. He sounded like an Indian, but he spoke so clearly and slowly that I was very impressed. He first explained that I couldn't do it after 3 attempts for security reason.

Throughout the call, he confirmed my particulars, retrieved my failed attempt booking, and then he reinstated it, and then told me that he would try to make payment via phone. He also explained in length what I would expect if he COULD and COULD NOT make the payment.

If he COULD, I would get my reservations, obviously.

If he COULD NOT: I would have to try again with the credit card 24 hours from this attempt

So we decided to try another credit card instead. What if there's no seats available tomorrow?

Payment was successful, he then asked me about my meal preference, my seating preference and then he made sure I get my tickets via email. While he knew it would take some time, he made small talk with me, why I'm going to Melbourne and all.

It was a very long call, but I didn't detest any second of it.. perhaps a little when he went in length even about my baggage allowance, liquids that is allowable etc, but that's just show how detail he was.

And so I received my tickets, he also reminded me that I could check-in online 24 hours before departure if I wish so that I do not have to be at the airport 3 hours before departure.

This is new to me, as for Singapore Airlines, we can check-in 48 hours before departure, OR we have to be at the airport 2 hours before departure.

I was very happy when I ended the call and decided to drop a compliment to Emirates. It was fairly easy to do so, as Emirates websites has choices, whether to give Complaint or Compliment.

Today, I received their feedback. I'm glad he's recognised for his good service. Hope there are many more to come.. and I'm so looking forward to go onboard Emirates!

Ma Maison @ Bugis+

Date patronised: 18th Aug'13
No. of pax: 2+1
Spent: I'm not sure, hubby picked the bill

I didn't really feel like taking pictures of the place and blog about it. Mainly coz I regretted my decision to lunch there.

I had a great time having lunch with my girlfriends in Ma Maison Bugis, I didn't take note of what they really serve before suggesting to hubby to try them.

So son and I went to get a seat while hubby put shoppings into the car.

My son went to a 2 seaters immediately while I struggled to pull a highchair out. Son insisted not sitting on a high chair. Then came a male staff that sound like a Filipino and asked how many we were and suggested that I take bigger table instead.

Before I go further, please bear with me that the arrangement of the place such that there are 2 sections, so this one is separate by a small aisle for passerby to walk by obviously, from the kitchen, cashier and the staffs. So, not that we didn't wait to be seated, but it somehow didn't work that way.

Anyway, he didn't sound very friendly, but we were given menu right away, and asked if I wanted cold or warm water. He got a small cup with straw for dear son and a bigger mug for me.

I took a long time deciding what to eat, as I was obviously regretting my choice. There was almost nothing I could order for my son's lunch! But.. I was served water, so I can't just say thank you but no thank you, right? Though technically I can, I wouldn't do it.

After what seemed a long time, I ordered Tonkatsu pork cutlet (below picture) as son would like to have crunchy with his rice.

Hubby joined us later, he too, didn't know what to eat. And he decided not to order. The menu already put his appetite off. The staff didn't offer him water by the way. So he took mine instead.

To my horror when the Tonkatsu came, I asked "no rice?", he answered "if you want, you can order the set, ma'am".. sounded really not nice. So I said it's ok.

We made do with the set.

Not that I didn't want to top up for a set, but the sound of it, he wasn't very happy. I was not very happy too. He should have told me there's set option when I ordered... I could have missed it.. I could have not understood the menu, etc...

Long story cut short, I couldn't wait to leave the restaurant, that is why you see, I didn't even bother to see how much hubby paid for the lunch.

And I posted on my Facebook immediately, about how the customer service sucks here.

It was as if he could read my Facebook update real time, he was all friendly when hubby paid. He even offered dear son a basket of toys, and asked him to choose one. And for that second, he smiled widely.

How handsome he looked when he did smile.

Singapore customer service standard? Way to go manz!

The Tonkatsu Pork Cutlet - really juicy, succulent, tender, crispy - yummy

The boy was happy of course with the little gift from them

PS: In the end we bought a cup of bubble tea from Gongcha due to the unsatisfaction.

Hotel NH Valle Dorado, in Mexico City, Mexico

Date of stay: 24th Jul'13
Duration: 1 night
Booking Agent: Direct
Paid: MX$1,493.29 (MX$995 for the room, MX$159.20 for IMP IVA, X$246.37 for a dinner, MX$39.43 for IMP IVA, MX$39.80 for Imp S/Hops 4% (don't ask me what's this), MX$13.50 for tips)
Wifi: Free
Breakfast: Continental

I spent 9 hours in this hotel, in and out as swiftly as I could. Reaching at about 11pm, after another 6 hours car ride from Aguascalientes, I was famished. But the chicken wings I ordered was not fully cooked. They were still bloody. But again, I was too tired to make a fuss, and ate just the cooked portion. The staff apologised, but that's beside the point.

Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking. This hotel is situated in a shopping mall. It was new I was told. But the elevator was not visible and it was not convenient to lug suitcases on travellator up a few floors. What's more dampening was, when I reached, the shops were already closed.. and they were still closed when I left the next morning.

Somehow I feel the hotel is good enough for a night, short stay.

Located in a mall

Simple cosy bed

Green was obviously the theme

You've got what you need

Bathroom

For more details:

Website: Click here

Address: Manuel A. Camacho 3130, Col Valle Dorado Mexico City (Mexico)

Tel: +52-55-19403770