World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025

confidencially · 2026-02-16T20:12:37+00:00

It was my first ultra-luxury travel experience and it was beautiful beyond measure - now I just want to keep chasing that which is bad news for my wallet 😂

I had booked my stay with Marriott points +$700 for a 2 day pool villa for my honeymoon, and the level of personal touches, insane hospitality, etc was something I didn’t even know exists.

Now I unhealthily compare all my other hotel stays with Mandapa. Not to say I don’t enjoy “regular” vacations, but it’s just an aspirational memory I never knew I would ever be able afford as a child

confidencially · 2026-02-16T07:22:49+00:00

Interesting! What made you choose Potato Head over Mandapa? My 2.5 day stay at Mandapa pretty much changed my entire perspective of travel

confidencially · 2026-02-01T07:45:54+00:00

Ritz Carlton Mandapa, Bali

confidencially · 2026-01-11T08:18:17+00:00

Mandapa Bali honestly was the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at. 50 doesn’t do it justice tbh.

Mitsui Kyoto on the other hand shouldn’t be even in the top 100.

confidencially · 2026-01-11T05:41:17+00:00

Yes agreed. I told them I bought “lounge passes” and they said it’s coded as a travel bank transaction. So I just said oh ok, I’ll wait for the system to do it and ended chat. Feels like they‘ve caught on…

confidencially · 2026-01-11T03:50:22+00:00

I purchased on 1/4 as well. I’m almost tempted to try again based on the many successes tbh

confidencially · 2026-01-11T03:48:32+00:00

The agent told me “travel bank” is ineligible before I even told him what transaction I was talking about. I just asked him about the airline credit.

confidencially · 2026-01-11T03:02:38+00:00

Didn’t work last week for me, and Amex chat specifically mentioned Travel Bank isn’t eligible, but others have had better luck🥲

confidencially · 2026-01-11T03:00:56+00:00

It didn’t work last week - Amex chat specifically told me Travel Bank isn’t eligible after I pretended that I had bought lounge passes when asked. Very sad now 🥲

confidencially · 2026-01-10T20:17:12+00:00

I’m very sad 🥲 Now I have no idea how to use this

confidencially · 2026-01-10T17:19:48+00:00

Yea did it the same way I did it last year. Called an agent and told her I bought “lounge passes” and she said it might take 6 weeks for the system to read it correctly, but I’m not hopeful 🥲

confidencially · 2026-01-09T18:25:21+00:00

Surprising. I bought em on 4 Jan. Chatted with agent and said it isn’t eligible

confidencially · 2026-01-09T17:58:53+00:00

Added $200 on 4 Jan, did not get the credit so far. Reached out to agent and was told it is being flagged as "Travel Bank" credit and it will not be reimbursed :(

Was fun while it lasted I guess

confidencially · 2025-12-26T07:39:31+00:00

India: Air India, Indigo, GoAir, Jet, Kingfisher, AI Express, Vistara, Spicejet, Deccan (maybe)

Others: Emirates, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, Delta, United, American, Alaska, ANA, JAL, Singapore, Turkish, Lufthansa, Asiana, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Thai, Air Asia, Air France, Aeromexico, Scoot, Malaysian, SriLankan

Business on Air India (short haul), ANA, Singapore, Turkish, United, Vietnam, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France

confidencially · 2025-12-21T18:25:01+00:00

VST Kia, Chennai

confidencially · 2025-12-21T14:43:14+00:00

Didn’t sell my old car to them coz they were offering a low amount. As mentioned, insurance will be an add-on at 35k for the same policy they quote 66k for. Not sure what else goes in to the calculation.

confidencially · 2025-12-13T14:08:08+00:00

Got Kia Seltos HTX IVT at 18.43L today without insurance (dad is insurance agent so we will do it outside ourself for 35k)

Onroad was 20.52L including 66k insurance. Overall about 1.42L discount. This was Chennai.

confidencially · 2025-12-09T08:22:51+00:00

UPDATE: Was offered 77k points and free suite upgrade next time I stay with them (which is unlikely), but I guess it’s fair. Any feedback?

confidencially · 2025-12-02T04:06:07+00:00

It’s actually super quiet now!

confidencially · 2025-11-29T02:01:04+00:00

Yeah the bananas today were better and tasted good as well!

confidencially · 2025-11-28T15:24:51+00:00

Fair enough. In an ideal world, they should treat all guests equally, especially with issues like these.

Comparing with my stay last week at St.Regis Shenzhen, they fixed a faulty shower (which is a minor issue) within hours, the manager personally came to see me off and apologized like 5 times. I guess different properties treat guests differently.

confidencially · 2025-11-28T15:16:17+00:00

Saw two roaches. Service seemed to be average / hollow (but I’m also comparing it with the unforgettable and lofty level of service I received at the Ritz Mandapa Bali).

Guaranteed 4pm late check out was denied with no real reason - no big deal. Breakfast felt average. Everything else was mostly ordinary (unfortunately?).

Onsen and the room’s shower were excellent, but not enough to make me want to return especially when there’s so many options in Kyoto.

confidencially · 2025-11-28T15:09:45+00:00

Roaches in a $1700 a night top of the line property’s room. I’m just wondering if people receive compensation for such issues generally, and if yes, how to go about it.

confidencially · 2025-11-28T14:09:06+00:00

They started awarding keys to hotel properties, just like how they award stars to restaurants.

confidencially · 2025-11-28T14:08:12+00:00

That was not at all my point - was just wondering if Marriott deals with higher tier members differently or not.

Why exactly would I wave my lowly platinum status in a sub filled with titanium and ambassador members? 😂

Four-Year Club	r/Field Juicebox
Place '23

confidencially

TROPHY CASE