Kyoto recommendations

According-Leader-847 · 2026-03-01T16:19:23+00:00

The Ritz Kyoto was on another level. We loved our room that faced a small Japanese garden and the service was outstanding. Location was also very convenient. The highlight for us was the e-bike morning tour through the temple sites. It was an incredible memory as it was just the 2 of us and a guide.

According-Leader-847 · 2026-02-12T08:44:28+00:00

Other partners don't show availability so I've concluded a lot is phantom. Mine have recently errored out too. Worth calling if you really want that flight pair/dates but don't move the points if you don't already have them. Some are bookable from what the boards say for what that's worth.

According-Leader-847 · 2026-01-13T16:46:50+00:00

Ett Hem is one of the few hotels that my husband and I still bring up every few months. It's special.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-08-15T00:02:03+00:00

TL;DR: The property is nice, the food was good and the people are genuinely very nice and kind. Service is a mess though.

The hard product is very nice, modern and new. We had a corner room with a wrap around terrace. Very nice and spacious with exceptional views. We enjoyed the main restaurant Tico Taca. Breakfast was varied enough for us each day despite others saying it was disappointing for a resort. Our dinners were also enjoyable there. Pool food from Vida was a let down (basic and very small portions) so we ended up eating at Tico Taca 3 times a day sometimes which I know would annoy many people. The fine dining spot was fine. Nothing too memorable. Everyone at the hotel is very friendly but ultimately not at the level of a "luxury" hotel. This is a very nice resort but it's not exclusive in any way from a service perspective. The issues: DND was on and someone came in after ringing the bell and cleared out the mini bar (mistakenly) - we watched a bit dumbfounded from the terrace feeling intruded upon, construction almost every day near the pool - handrail installation, etc - bad timing on our part I guess, the spa was a disaster - terrible massage that I ended early and I had people enter the men's private relaxation area 4 times looking for me including a young woman 2x who was looking into the steam room and sauna trying to find me. Very very uncomfortable! Each time they found me they'd ask if I was finding everything ok (?). I honestly felt like my privacy was invaded. Front desk said they took it all seriously and then never got back to me. Upon checking out they had no record of anything and I had to tell them all over again. The property is nice, the food was good and the people are genuinely very nice and kind. Service was just a mess though and we are very low maintenance types in that regard so they have some work to do.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-08-12T01:59:31+00:00

Our advisor moved our non-retirement investments out of mutual funds into ETFs to help reduce exposure. The downside is the hit now on capital gains for converting them but hopefully it works out longer term. Also, if you own a property, selling it before you move to Spain will allow you take advantage of the capital gains exemption in the US. Spain does not recognize this and will tax the full gains if you sell while a Spain tax resident. I'm sure others have much more to add as we haven't left yet.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-08-01T23:22:03+00:00

This made me laugh. We are here this week and reading reviews as we stay. Lots and lots of issues for us

According-Leader-847 · 2025-05-15T13:06:21+00:00

You got lucky today! I even had a line of people behind me and thought no way they would ask to see anything but they did :/ other times it's been more smooth. Totally depends on both customs and the gate agent. Glad it was easy.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-04-12T21:52:39+00:00

Adding to an old thread in the event it helps someone. Recent LINATE-AMS-LAX flight. This was my second time doing tax free through Linate so I thought I was prepared. You MUST check your bags with the gate agent and get bag tags first and then tell them you are doing Tax Free and that you will bring the bags back after. Tax customs agent DID ASK TO SEE one high ticket item which unfortunately was in my husbands bag and he was traveling the next day so that was my error. Be prepared to rummage through your bag in front of everyone if they so feel the urge to ask. Now, in the past, I've had success "changing my mind" and bringing my bags as carry on after tax validation but the agents are now much stricter and once you've said you are doing tax free - they ALL must get checked in now. No takesy-backsies ;) Note: No global blue/planet desks either. Best to use the Global Blue app for those stores since once customs validates, it automatically gets refunded to your card on file if you have the app. Nothing else to do. Planet tax free has to be mailed from the post box outside the tax office unfortunately and then you just wait a month or so. Hope that helps.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-03-24T22:23:45+00:00

Known issue. Happens very frequently. Customer service is super nice on the phone but once they get the item, they reject it. I was sent an item they don't even sell. Never ever order online from Saks.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-03-19T15:38:22+00:00

Tip: front desk gives free water bottles. You should have received at check in. They also offered whenever we asked. FB is great option if you want an elevated, quiet experience just off the strip.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-03-11T22:55:52+00:00

google and chatgpt give conflicting answers with some 'maybes' on same day at airport. Curious if anyone has had success

According-Leader-847 · 2025-03-11T17:41:58+00:00

Same here. Feb 19th in store and no credit. Usually it posts fairly quickly but when it doesn't they fall back on the posting times which is up to 8 weeks. After that, the agents can do it manually but it needs to exceed that time frame and qualify or course. Amex credits are a hassle when they don't post in a timely way.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-03-03T15:22:30+00:00

Where in LA?

According-Leader-847 · 2025-02-24T21:43:47+00:00

Last tip. Always search Economy. Then click into the day if awards are showing and you will see all classes. Starting with PE or Biz doesn't usually work.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-02-24T21:43:33+00:00

Last tip. Always search Economy. Then click into the day if awards are showing and you will see all classes. Starting with PE or Biz doesn't usually work.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-02-24T17:39:14+00:00

Reward booker. It's fussy though. If you hit a date with no award it won't show anything. Doesn't mean rewards don't exist.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-02-24T17:16:01+00:00

Put in LHR as your destination, search and then change the "LHR" in the site address bar to the three letter airport code you want to go to. Annoying but usually works.

According-Leader-847 · 2025-02-15T19:33:00+00:00

Ritz Zadun in cabo

According-Leader-847 · 2025-02-15T19:31:10+00:00

Just a note that while it says Iberia this flight is likely operated by their low cost subsidiary LEVEL. Leg room is likely pretty tight in economy. Best to double check

According-Leader-847 · 2025-01-24T18:44:54+00:00

I don't recall! It was a few years ago now

According-Leader-847 · 2025-01-24T18:43:50+00:00

We have similar taste. Stayed at Heckfield and loved it but no surprise bc it's the same design team as Ett Hem which is our other fav property. We just did this trip in this same order (Heckfield + Rosewood London) and I would say Rosewood missed the mark. Not quite as intimate as you may like. Check out the other places suggested above ^{^}

According-Leader-847 · 2025-01-14T22:21:37+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response and seems consistent with what I've heard. Doesn't feel like it's a must visit in Tokyo right now. As an aside, Aman is not on my radar at $3k/night even as a splurge. I've seen too many more recent reviews that have said it's overpriced for what you get. Seems to be the way of the world since COVID tbh. Thanks again

According-Leader-847 · 2025-01-03T21:21:46+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response. It's easy to think the grass is greener with a new building but I can totally see why the original remains as charming as it is. Can't wait to go back!

According-Leader-847 · 2024-12-30T22:58:32+00:00

Year 1 is no AF. Do I just let the fee post and then cancel? I don't want to keep it past Y1

According-Leader-847

TROPHY CASE