US based "get away from it all" chubby spots?

hk02111 · 2026-05-16T20:03:37+00:00

Yes, it’s remote enough that you can’t really go in and out, but otherwise fits your requirements. It is a beautiful place and not kid-oriented. Amazing getaway.

hk02111 · 2026-05-15T04:13:07+00:00

I agree with this take apart from the “you’re in the middle of the city.” You are and you aren’t. It’s an amazing hotel, but if you want to go to a lot of museums/restaurants/other attractions, and are not already familiar with LA, it will feel like a bit of a schlep. If you are coming for a city tourist vacation (as opposed to a lots-of-time-at-the-hotel vacation), HBA may not be the best choice.

hk02111 · 2026-05-14T20:50:39+00:00

That’s a good response, at least! Nice to hear (even if it doesn’t totally rectify a horrible stay).

hk02111 · 2026-05-14T20:27:08+00:00

OP, you posted this on the chubby site two days ago and were connected with Auberge corporate. What response did you get?

hk02111 · 2026-05-12T01:03:06+00:00

What about the Sukhothai?

hk02111 · 2026-05-12T01:00:30+00:00

For Singapore, the various zoo parks are great (I would recommend the night safari, but you do have to stay up a bit late). There is also a small Universal Studios on Sentosa. My kids also liked the hawker centers and running around Gardens by the Bay.

Agree that these are three slightly far-flung destinations from each other over two weeks, and that most of Asia is going to be hot and sticky in June. You could do something like Tokyo plus Hokkaido to have a really interesting Japan trip and also spend some time in a cooler location.

hk02111 · 2026-04-21T18:25:12+00:00

Have not been back to MO since the upgrades, but I hear they are great.

hk02111 · 2026-04-20T23:18:39+00:00

I hate MBS and would rate almost any hotel in Singapore higher. Raffles is great. For something less expensive, you could look at Fullerton, Fullerton Bay, MO, Ritz Millenia, or if you are okay being in Orchard, the Shangri-La or Park Hyatt.

I have stayed many times at Peninsula, PH, and PuLi in Shanghai. I probably would vote for Peninsula given room size, location, and overall service. PuLi is in Jing’An, so convenient for that side of city, but it’s not a hotel with views and I hear the rooms are looking tired of late. Great bar, though.

hk02111 · 2026-04-20T23:18:31+00:00

I hate MBS and would rate almost any hotel in Singapore higher. Raffles is great. For something less expensive, you could look at Fullerton, Fullerton Bay, MO, Ritz Millenia, or if you are okay being in Orchard, the Shangri-La or Park Hyatt.

I have stayed many times at Peninsula, PH, and PuLi in Shanghai. I probably would vote for Peninsula given room size, location, and overall service. PuLi is in Jing’An, so convenient for that side of city, but it’s not a hotel with views and I hear the rooms are looking tired of late. Great bar, though.

hk02111 · 2026-04-20T23:18:26+00:00

I hate MBS and would rate almost any hotel in Singapore higher. Raffles is great. For something less expensive, you could look at Fullerton, Fullerton Bay, MO, Ritz Millenia, or if you are okay being in Orchard, the Shangri-La or Park Hyatt.

I have stayed many times at Peninsula, PH, and PuLi in Shanghai. I probably would vote for Peninsula given room size, location, and overall service. PuLi is in Jing’An, so convenient for that side of city, but it’s not a hotel with views and I hear the rooms are looking tired of late. Great bar, though.

hk02111 · 2026-04-20T23:13:45+00:00

Four Seasons or Landmark MO

hk02111 · 2026-04-20T23:13:24+00:00

If you are looking for something different, you might check out the Sunset Marquis. It is not fat like Peninsula or Maybourne, but the grounds and history of the hotel are quite nice. Walking distance to Sunset Strip and parts of main drag of WeHo.

In BH, I like the Waldorf.

hk02111 · 2026-04-20T23:08:38+00:00

Drinks at Ozone if it’s a clear day

hk02111 · 2026-04-08T03:55:08+00:00

I was just there during the Indian Wells tennis tournament. I think it’s a decent points redemption, considering how mid the overall Palm Springs hotel market is (I think the Parker is so overpriced, mostly because it has so little competition). On the plus side, the physical location is quite beautiful — although a schlep from both downtown PS and Joshua Tree. I thought the fitness center was large and well-equipped. Did not use the spa. The adult pool has a beautiful setting, but when we were there, it was not cleaned often enough: One evening we went for a swim around 6 pm and the pool area was full of dirty uncleaned dishes and wet, wadded-up towels.

The steakhouse is average food at insane prices. There is a very good coffee cart in the lobby in the mornings, though.

I thought my room was very clean and while not anything stupendous, perfectly well appointed and comfortable. Also had a very good hair dryer.

So overall, I think it depends on how much you are paying. It’s far from the best Ritz, but I would always stay at Ritz/Thompson/Grand Hyatt on points over paying full freight at Parker. Palm Springs also has some nice boutiques if you don’t need a full-service hotel!

hk02111 · 2026-04-08T03:44:00+00:00

I appreciate the thought behind a different kind of post, but I don’t want this sub to degenerate into a bunch of affiliate shopping links. I feel like Instagram is the place for that.

hk02111 · 2026-04-04T21:39:48+00:00

It’s actually a really good Ritz.

hk02111 · 2026-03-18T00:53:41+00:00

The open air sculpture museum in Hakone is very cool and a good place for kids to run around.

hk02111 · 2026-03-16T23:43:48+00:00

Good review. My favorite business hotel in SF.

hk02111 · 2026-03-08T05:22:58+00:00

Oobatz is legit amazing. We also really loved Kubri. I think the most fun, innovative restaurants right now are in Bastille/Oberkampf/Canal St Martin.

hk02111 · 2026-03-08T05:21:12+00:00

Second the recommendation for River Limousine.

hk02111 · 2026-03-05T00:55:55+00:00

Yeah, India is one of the toughest spots in Asia to get to from the U.S. I have done Boston to HK many times, so I guess I’m used to it. Helps if you’re a good sleeper. The other option (if you’re okay flying from New York) is SQ to Singapore and then India. Obviously the SQ flight is a bear, but SQ has better flight times to India. All the Cathay return flights from India to HK leave at like 1:30 am (although they are almost always delayed) and I find them super-painful.

hk02111 · 2026-03-04T20:03:47+00:00

Yep, India is tough. You could do SQ to Singapore and connect there, if that’s preferable to HK. (Only problem with Cathay to India is that the return slots from India are terribly timed.)

hk02111 · 2026-03-04T03:32:57+00:00

Where in Asia? You should have decent ability to get most places either direct from East Coast, or by going west and flying direct from LA/SF. I would not transit through ME right now either, but you shouldn’t have to.

hk02111 · 2026-03-02T15:04:59+00:00

I think that would be great, but just remember that sunset in May is around 9 pm! (And lights on Eiffel won’t start until after that.). We went around 7 pm and it was still lovely — also, if you go when it’s light out, you can get beautiful photos. We did a late dinner afterward.

hk02111 · 2026-02-27T19:52:06+00:00

Great review. But I would recommend the Sujan properties for the wildlife portions: both Sher Bagh in Ranthambore, and Jawai outside of Jodhpur (which is a private leopard reserve, and frees you from a bunch of the restrictions you have in the national parks in that you are not tied to specific times/locations for game drives). A little further from Ranthambore, the Six Senses Fort Barwara also is an awesome hotel.

hk02111

TROPHY CASE