Advice on CAI and HNL please
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
Advice on CAI and HNL please
Hi all,
The context
Having previously turned my nose up at exCAI fares, I've now had to do a bit of a volte face as last night I was chatting to my partner and mentioned that while there are some great fares out of CAI "unfortunately you have to go to Cairo first.."
"OH !" she said. "But I'd love to go to Cairo...!!!" So we're going to CAI...
The booking
This morning I spent half an hour on the GGL line with a truly excellent agent (who will be getting a Golden Ticket) and now have a booking from Cairo to Hawai'i over Easter 2018.
Actually I have 2 bookings, as I-class availability was a single seat on each of HNL,OGG and KOA to LAX. No problem for this guy: he spotted that the fare rules allow a free stopover so came up with the creative solution of setting up 2 PNRs, with us travelling together on all sectors except Hawai'i to LA: for this one, we will be on separate aircraft a few hours apart and reunited at LAX
What's more, he didn't blink at using 2 Jokers and applying a GUF2 across the bookings so we are in F on the A380 LHR-LAX and LAX-LHR !
I think I can live with a price of 1333.90 per head for 60,532 Avios and 980 TPs and F on the A380
The request
If you're still reading, I could so with some help.
Never having been to Cairo before, and hints and tips to get the most out of short visit (we will probably fly down 3 or 4 days before the exCAI trip) would be very welcome.
Likewise, we're flying into HNL so any advice on accommodation in particular would be great. We don't feel the need to drop $10k on a beachfront property. Mid-range with reasonable access to the coast would be fine...
Many thanks in advance !
The context
Having previously turned my nose up at exCAI fares, I've now had to do a bit of a volte face as last night I was chatting to my partner and mentioned that while there are some great fares out of CAI "unfortunately you have to go to Cairo first.."
"OH !" she said. "But I'd love to go to Cairo...!!!" So we're going to CAI...
The booking
This morning I spent half an hour on the GGL line with a truly excellent agent (who will be getting a Golden Ticket) and now have a booking from Cairo to Hawai'i over Easter 2018.
Actually I have 2 bookings, as I-class availability was a single seat on each of HNL,OGG and KOA to LAX. No problem for this guy: he spotted that the fare rules allow a free stopover so came up with the creative solution of setting up 2 PNRs, with us travelling together on all sectors except Hawai'i to LA: for this one, we will be on separate aircraft a few hours apart and reunited at LAX
What's more, he didn't blink at using 2 Jokers and applying a GUF2 across the bookings so we are in F on the A380 LHR-LAX and LAX-LHR !
I think I can live with a price of 1333.90 per head for 60,532 Avios and 980 TPs and F on the A380
The request
If you're still reading, I could so with some help.
Never having been to Cairo before, and hints and tips to get the most out of short visit (we will probably fly down 3 or 4 days before the exCAI trip) would be very welcome.
Likewise, we're flying into HNL so any advice on accommodation in particular would be great. We don't feel the need to drop $10k on a beachfront property. Mid-range with reasonable access to the coast would be fine...
Many thanks in advance !
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
CAI-LHR BA Club
LHR-LAX BA First
LAX-HNL AA First (but sold into a Business fare bucket: I in this case)
Seemed like the best use of the GUF2 which only had a few weeks of validity left on it
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: southampton
Programs: BAEC GGL, Virgin Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 256
In terms of HNL accommodation. I have stayed at the Moana Surfrider (Westin) which is mega expensive and the rooms are only OK. However it is the location you pay for. Cheaper but not beach front is the Modern. The rooms are a little stark for my taste (all white) but they are well equipped and it has the best pools I think in HNL. You can pay extra for a water view. There is also a great bar there too. It is a little further away past the Hilton at the harbour end. Getting Ubers is a reasonable and quick way to get around but you can walk most places in the centre in less than 30 minutes from the Modern.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
If you are happy to stay on Waikiki Beach, I would recommend a Regency Club room or suite at the Hyatt Regency. Across the road from the beach.
Stayed there last year and was impressed with the location and staff and am returning this year. Club access is well worth the cost.
Stayed there last year and was impressed with the location and staff and am returning this year. Club access is well worth the cost.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,758
Until a couple of years ago I did a lot of ex CAI trips. CAI hotels are generally crap even the luxury brands. I have always stayed at the IC Citystars which keeps you out of the mass of downtown CAI, reasonably close to the airport and gives a reasonably nice environment for a stay being a proper western hotel, however it is looking a little frayed around the seams these days.
My pick in CAI now is the Meridien at the airport it is a fab place and you could easily imagine yourself in a nice location rather than CAI which is frankly a shithole. Then if you want to go downtown for any reason (and apart from the Egyptian museum I wouldn't bother), the pyramids are a particular disappointment and involve you fighting off aggressive camel and horse rental merchants.
My pick in HNL would be the Royal Hawaiian of the chain properties (none are great) or possibly a tower room at the Moana. In OGG I would go for the Sheraton if you have any Starwood status (and perhaps if not) I really liked the Lahaina side of the island, rent a car for transfers and do the road to Hana as an experience. I haven't really spent any time in Wailea however and there is probably something to be said for the Andaz.
My pick in CAI now is the Meridien at the airport it is a fab place and you could easily imagine yourself in a nice location rather than CAI which is frankly a shithole. Then if you want to go downtown for any reason (and apart from the Egyptian museum I wouldn't bother), the pyramids are a particular disappointment and involve you fighting off aggressive camel and horse rental merchants.
My pick in HNL would be the Royal Hawaiian of the chain properties (none are great) or possibly a tower room at the Moana. In OGG I would go for the Sheraton if you have any Starwood status (and perhaps if not) I really liked the Lahaina side of the island, rent a car for transfers and do the road to Hana as an experience. I haven't really spent any time in Wailea however and there is probably something to be said for the Andaz.
Last edited by Land-of-Miles; May 13, 2017 at 6:17 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
My most recent stays (but 5+ years ago) were at the IC Citystars, for the reasons Land-of-Miles states. Sounds like it has not maintained the good standards I remember.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ARN
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold, LH FTL, FBP, CCG, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,533
Egypt (and Cairo) is responsible for some of the worst experiences I've had in Africa. Every single person I met felt like they were out to scam me. (I'm sure others will flame me for this, but that is my experience.)
I will never go back there again and I advice everyone else to not go either unless they plan to just turn around at the airport.
I will never go back there again and I advice everyone else to not go either unless they plan to just turn around at the airport.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
We were in Sharm a couple of years ago, and did a bit of wandering round outside the compound, so get where you're coming from agehall
Glad we learned to say السلام عليكم and لا، شكرا before arriving - they seemed to cover most situations we ran into
Thanks to others for hotel tips - I foresee a long afternoon ahead on booking.com ...
Glad we learned to say السلام عليكم and لا، شكرا before arriving - they seemed to cover most situations we ran into
Thanks to others for hotel tips - I foresee a long afternoon ahead on booking.com ...
#12
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,554
Egypt (and Cairo) is responsible for some of the worst experiences I've had in Africa. Every single person I met felt like they were out to scam me. (I'm sure others will flame me for this, but that is my experience.)
I will never go back there again and I advice everyone else to not go either unless they plan to just turn around at the airport.
I will never go back there again and I advice everyone else to not go either unless they plan to just turn around at the airport.
I misjudged how much I was paying for my camel ride around the Pyramids. I think it cost about 100 for 2 hours in the end. I was a bit annoyed at myself, but then thought it was something that I'd never do again and was very enjoyable.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,963
If you do stay in Cairo then the pyramids at Giza are, obviously, a must-see, but prepare to be disappointed by the ugly urban sprawl that goes right up to the gates, the dilapidated state of the site and the constant hawkers.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Nashville,TN
Programs: AA Gold Elite
Posts: 600
Downtown HNL is very urban for a tropical island. Not really as relaxing as Maui.
Prices are always high everywhere in HI for lodging, meals,etc.
If you are a Costco member they do run hotel/car packages on several islands- both Oahu and Maui will have some decent deals.
The Royal Hawaiian is just drop dead gorgeous-yes it the Pepto Bismol pink palace on Waikikki Beach. It oozes old Hawaii charm.
It is also VERY expensive!
If you don't stay there then consider doing a brunch or dinner there to enjoy the glorious sunset views of Diamond Head. The Halekulani hotel is pricy but if you want a spectacular meal book dinner at La Mer.
Another option is to check out Air BNB? You may find a studio or 1 BR apartment close to the action but it may not be beach front.
Regardless, you will have a lovely time in Hawaii.
Prices are always high everywhere in HI for lodging, meals,etc.
If you are a Costco member they do run hotel/car packages on several islands- both Oahu and Maui will have some decent deals.
The Royal Hawaiian is just drop dead gorgeous-yes it the Pepto Bismol pink palace on Waikikki Beach. It oozes old Hawaii charm.
It is also VERY expensive!
If you don't stay there then consider doing a brunch or dinner there to enjoy the glorious sunset views of Diamond Head. The Halekulani hotel is pricy but if you want a spectacular meal book dinner at La Mer.
Another option is to check out Air BNB? You may find a studio or 1 BR apartment close to the action but it may not be beach front.
Regardless, you will have a lovely time in Hawaii.