Kagehitokiri

Got into JFK this morning @ 8 from IAD on DL. Went smoothly, was an RJ operated by Air Montreal. Quicker than expected.

Got a dayroom @ Ramada JFK (thought it would be fastest.. apparently not.)

It was a 5 minute drive from JFK to the hotel, but had to wait 45 minutes for shuttle, while Hilton Garden Inn shuttle came 3 times

Came back to JFK @ 5ish, 5:15 is when EOS priority security checkin starts.

Greeted at the curb, shown to the checkin counter where there was one other person checking in (two counters). Show them your passport, hand them luggage, get tickets. No weight restrictions that I saw, don't need anything other than your passport.

Then escorted to security, lines were actually short at the exact time we happened to get there, so the "priority line" and the normal lines were about the same :P

After seeing the taxicab lines at JFK though, definitely going to have to go through AMEX or Quintessentially for sedan upon arrival back @ JFK at the end of the trip (for 1 night in NYC).

Once through security, escorted to Emirates lounge. Not a bad bar, but mostly blended scotch :P

Dinner just opened up, so going to grab some appetizers and deserts

Fantastic pitas and hummus!

I missed the shower rooms.. Would have taken advantage of it, but that's what I get for not paying attention :P Molton Brown shower products, different brand for hand soap/lotion, which was found in shower rooms and main restrooms. Very nice all around for both.

The pre flight buffet was pretty good, some interesting ethnic dishes, etc. Don't miss the pitas and hummus :P

Boarding started 45 minutes before departure, so 7:30. Each passenger gets an overhead bin, as well as some space under the ottoman, but they don't allow large bags onboard.

Pre flight I believe it was just champagne. Not that great.

After takeoff, it was pretty much lights out the whole way. Some people opt for dinner all at once, instead of course by course, and can do same with breakfast. Either hot breakfast, or a to go bag. You could also eat a full meal at the buffet, and not have ANYTHING onboard, really maximizing your sleep.

The beds I thought were very comfortable, you get several different pillows, Bose noise-cancelling headphones, handheld entertainment system.

The entertainment wasn't great, but had a decent amount of options. One thing I would like to see more of is non US programming. KLM AMS>IAD had a whole lot, even in Economy.

EDIT - Actually there were some movies that appeared to be older British movies. But for example they had the American version of The Office.. Just seemed strange.

For some reason, the cabin seemed considerably louder than usual. Not sure what that was.. But the Bose worked pretty well. I couldn't really sleep well wearing them though :P

Blankets were quite warm, ottomans and double tables allow fairly comfortable dining for two, however their is no back for aisle seats. So the person sitting on the ottoman has to simply sit straight up.

And actually, it was a little weird, the seat didn't seem to match the table really well. In terms of sitting in a normal position for dining. Maybe I was just doing something weird at the time, but I think it was partially the configuration.

The food was excellent, not designer tableware, but still quality. All cutlery. Real knives. Glasses were all somewhat smaller, not standard size.

Bathrooms were nothing special, just L'occitane natural soap. Primarily vegetable oils, and one other component I can't remember. I guess the seats were actually somewhat better quality, but that was it.

Service was very good, even with 48 pax, I believe I was greeted by name by several FAs at the beginning of the flight, and then by nearly all of them throughout.

They appear to be divided between the front and back 24 pax, keeping the ratio more reasonable, although obviously it still can't compare to the very small(# of max) SQ/etc First Class cabins.

Pilots had 60 years and I believe they said 40K hours between them.

FAs are apparently hired from either airline or other hospitality fields, after which they undergo training with both EOS and Culinary Institute of America.

One thing I am not sure about is the touchdown to curb time at STN. They say its faster to go with them through STN and flying into LHR.. But there was no expedited immigration control. And I wasn't even staying.. I connected to Berlin for some time in DE before heading back to Scotland and London. So that's one thing I'm curious about, do they sometimes have expedited immigration control? And need to look at those comparisons they made about STN and LHR again.

Also, while I was on the $3K 30 day weekend fare, and it is supposed to only come with 4 STN Express passes (First Class), they actually booked me a dayroom at the Radisson SAS since I had a connecting flight.

The $4500 14 day, and all other more expensive less restricted fares come with the passes, PLUS dayroom PLUS sedan service. (At least right now..)

So for whatever reason I did get a dayroom for free, very nice, but could not take advantage of it By the time I cleared immigration, checked in, recleared security, and got to the gate, it wasn't that long before the scheduled boarding time. Of course the flight was delayed :P Always the way it goes.

Somewhat oddly, the EOS rep would not give me 4 STN Express passes. They knew I was connecting, but I said, and they understood that I would need them for the return. But I also need them for EDI>STN, getting into London for my stay there.. I tried stating (not really explaining) this twice, but they didn't seem to understand.. And I didn't really want to push the issue, especially with the free dayroom, as well as the fact that it was technically not connected to an EOS flight.

-----------

On to Berlin.. Hotel Brandenburger Hof in Berlin is also extremely nice. I booked the Exquisit program through SLH Club (nice discount) and for some reason they upgraded me to a suite.. I should have had to pay an additional 90 euros for the room below the suite, which could then upgrade if available.

I MIGHT not get the full Exquisit program, because SLH's reservation system is not the greatest, but I'm only here for 1 night, and was not feeling like taking advantage of the open bar. And again, suite upgrade "Oberon Suite" to be exact.

Very spacious room, real wood floors, 1.5 bath, shower with all sorts of heads, large soaking tub, foyer closet, office desk / living room combination, two normal TVs, DVD player and audio receiver outputting to two visible speakers up on the walls. Very comfortable modern / contemporary furnishings. Walk in closet in the bedroom, one of the doors has a mirror occupying its entire inner side. (Probably take some pictures, throw them in zip too)

Air conditioned!

Speaking of which, the lounge and garden areas are gorgeous, but were quite hot and a little humid, although nothing compared to the humidity back home :P

Learned from the concierge that the way to get into the Reichstag is to make lunch reservations. Otherwise you might wait 3-4 hours in line!
You also have to make reservations if you want to go into the actual parliament room.

deltajfk

Okay.............................................. ......????????????


Where is the rest of the report? If you are going to continue it, please make it a little bit more detailed. Thanks

Kagehitokiri

OK, so the hotel got my room description and rate, but not my rate description or preferences. I spent 50 euros on initial transfer, and then 49 euros on taxis, so I ended up spending 9 euros more than if I had gotten the demi-suite for 90 euros more and gotten free upgrade to suite.

So lesson taken away from this > make sure to contact the hotel directly when booking through SLH website. You can also check http://www.slh.com/platinum/ and http://www.slh.com/centurion/ for current specials you book through AMEX. The concierge believed US cardholders could also book with no problem through AMEX, even though it's not a marketed benefit. I should have asked for the rate code, forgot to. If the US PTS can't pull it up I can always call a European PTS though to get the rate code I'm sure. With AMEX it should be no problem, but when booking through SLH.com to take advantage of Club offers/discounts, contact the hotel to verify rate description, preferences, and requests.

Breakfast was absolutely incredible. I could almost see staying at the hotel solely for breakfast. You start with a German continental ish platter, or should I say platters. Lots of great stuff. You can order eggs, pancakes, and sausage, and there are also 9 small tasting dishes available, that they bring around at various times or you can request. For once, water (and all other drinks) are free. And finally there is a "buffet" table where you can find traditional continental breakfast items.

Also had free internet, not sure if it was because of suite or what..

Heading to Koeln now, planning on finding out if they have a penthouse at the Dom, as I might be booking some space for my friend, he's managing a band on tour.

Locations of other Berlin hotels >

Regent (former FS) is at Gendarmenmarkt, nice concrete plaza with trees and shade. (Diagonally across) Directly across from Aigner restaurant, which was fairly good, although a it seems to have a large foreign audience, wasn't the more formal business restaurant i expected. maybe lunch is considerably different.. Also is in a shopping district, more upscale in general than say Kurfurstendamm. Samsonite Black label was a new one to me

Saw the new Rolls Phantom of some royalty from Monaco parked in the area on the sidewalk.

Side note: there are 2 H&Ms in the area, which combined with the 4 I went to on Kurfurstendamm makes at least 6 in Berlin. Whew It was interesting some of them seemed to have very specific styles, like an Italian store for example.

RC Potzdamer Platz, near some park areas, and right next to massive Sony commercial/retail complex. Had wanted to see if there was a Qualia store, but didn't get a chance. :P
Also very close to Checkpoint Charlie, and slightly farther from shopping area compared to Regent.

--------- Koeln >

Dom Hotel has an absolutely terrific location you can't get a full sense of from the website picture. I'll make sure to post a few shots. Great SPG treatment so far, I'm only a Gold, but was upgraded from Jr Suite to Corner Suite on checkin without requesting it. Interestingly, the rack for it is about 500 euros, but then there are two other rooms, Exec Suite for 900, and Dom Suite for 1200. I asked about the Dom because depending on # of beds, might have been good for my friends and I, but alas it was not available anyway. I think I'll still ask about some more details on the two higher suites though for future reference.

I should mention I arrived at 0730 or so, and there were no Corner Suites available. They offered me a Exec room at that point, which I declined, and checked out the local shopping areas. Maybe 2 hours later they offered me a Jr Suite, which I also very politely declined. I can only do so much to convince them I have no problem waiting for what I'm sure will be an excellent room

Another boatload of H&M stores in a very small strip of shopping Got some Dunkin Donuts and coffee, was interesting the glaze on the chocolate glazed was VERY light. While I appreciate the healthier fast food in Europe, I would like some good old fashioned so good it must be bad for you desserts sometimes :P

The hotel also offers a discounted daily rate at a fitness club nearby, about 7 euros, seems comparable to Starwood rates, except I would presume its much larger than Starwood facilities usually are. Although it does not have a pool. And of course you have to walk to get there, but that's just part of the exercise.

In order to walk to the hotel from the bahnhof, you simply walk towards the cathedral, then take a right up the road briefly, and then a left. There is a plaza next to the cathedral, with stairs running the whole way. At the end where the stairs run into a building, there are only a few steps, so not bad at all. Then cross the plaza diagonally to the left, and you reach the hotel. The plaza runs straight across, no going down any steps at the front of the hotel.

The view from the room is spectacular. 3 french door like windows that open onto separate balconies. Right next to the cathedral. While the room isn't technically a suite, it does have a sofabed, and a large amount of open space. It also has an adjoining room, presumably a standard single or double.

The corner rooms are the only ones with adjoining rooms, making them the largest possible rooms.

x15 = I'm presuming 3 Exec Suites and top floor is Dom Suite with slightly different furnishings. View is of interior courtyard, maybe from a privacy standpoint? A full 3 rooms are depicted on the floorplans, So most likely enter living room, then have bed room, and bathroom off the bedroom.

x01-x04 = Dom side, x04 = Corner Suite Dom side

x14 = opposite side Corner Suite, slightly larger than Dom side

edit = 404 = dom suite

I'm curious if Plats would be upgraded to the Exec Suite, or only the Corner Suite.. Because as I said the Corner Suite is technically not one. But with "suite" and not "Jr" in the room name, and Exec Suite being almost twice the rack rate, it seems like they would just do upgrades to Corner Suites.

Leaving tomorrow afternoon for the airport, taking the train, track S10 at the station, leaves every 15-20 minutes, and takes about 20 minutes. For whatever reason, the rep said I cannot check in at the trainstation because I am going to EDI via LHR, instead of FRA. I had thought there was another airport at the time, or I would have asked why.. Seems kind of strange.
Can't be domestic only, but maybe for some reason the first segment has to be domestic?

EDIT - It seems they break the flight down by segments, do the first segment being domestic is all that matters. Probably me just not remembering this being the way its done from previous trips. Guess I have been using train more than flying between points in Europe.

Went to dinner @ d/\blju in http://www.hotel-im-wasserturm.de/ Very interesting hotel. Only two British couples inside, presumably guests, and one German couple outside. Planned on getting AMEX 2 for 1, but it didn't seem that great / effective, so just ordered off the menu. Food was pretty good. I believe the German couple did order the AMEX 2 for 1.

edit - after dining at the RC GT, i can say that its got a fairly similar vibe to the Hotel Im Wasserturm, for comparison purposes.

Kagehitokiri

EDIT >

EOS Return

STN lounge for EOS isn't great. Pretty good hot/cold appetizers and beverages. No wireless. 1 computer connected to internet. On the other hand, cozy comfy living room style furniture.

Saw people being manually searched at bridge, below the main departure gate. Obviously those arriving very close to departure time, must have been whisked through to that point.

Since the flight gets into JFK at 645, there were literally 0 people in the customs area

Also means no way to get a connecting flight though, unless perhaps you do a $1Kpp helicopter transit.

I wonder why US Helicopter can do $140 runs LGA>Manhattan, but every other run is $1K+ ?? Doesn't make sense to me.

NYC - Gansevoort

Stayed a night on Night Owl package. Booked a DLX room, was upgraded to a Suite (the one with two balconies). I noticed champagne, fruit, and a letter. Hmm? "Mr Oscar DelaHoya" I wonder why he cancelled his reservation. Whatever the reason, I'm glad he did, the upgrade was great. Unfortunately they took back the champagne etc when I called to confirm I wasn't going to surprise Mr DelaHoya when he came to his room

Suites are corners, fantastic views, including of Soho House rooftop. Was room 1012 I believe. Mine was the two balcony one, I can't remember name and how the other one was different.

Amenities were made from Olive Oil, very nice and different.

Minibar had some very interesting things in addition to alcohol

If you have a suite, you have guestlist access to G SPA in the basement, Spa during the day, lounge at night. Cuba Gooding Jr showed up as the crowds left. Pretty good atmosphere, 2 hottubs are covered over, but 1 is left uncovered. What I presume are treatment rooms become rooms with tables.

Concierge got myself and other 2 male friends on guestlist at PM Lounge nearby, as long as we got there before midnight. Reasonably impressive. Didn't end up making it though.

Had some appetizers at Bar Ono then down to G Spa.

Rooftop at the hotel was also pretty nice. Bar area, indoor lounge area, seating around exterior, and a lot of covered living room sets with tables. Pool was only open to guests, definitely a plus since it's not very large. The hours it was closed at night seemed a little more than the usual down in the DC area.

Recommend going elsewhere for breakfast though :|

Will probably stay at Soho House next time I'm in NYC to check it out, but might end up heading over to roof and GSPA at Gansevoort as well, depending on crowds at Soho House.

With Night Owl package, you could get room with bed and sofabed for $460, I think it was $445 for lowest package price. That's why I went with Gansevoort this trip, needed the extra bed.

Location and value made it easy decision over Starwood, which I would tend to prefer for points/status.


EDIT: added EOS return at top

Also put a brief description of Sheraton Park Tower in some thread in SPG. Might try and find it and link here. Done >

EDIT > http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6172454

Fliar

Great report, thanks for posting!

Arnur

This problem is easy to explain: LH code-shares with German Railways on the high-speed ICE route from Cologne Central to Frankfurt Airport, therefore it is possible to book this train sector under a LH code. The three letter code for Cologne Central station is QKL, by the way, rather than CGN for Cologne/Bonn airport. You can check your luggage both to and from FRA, as well as onward to your final destination. However, this is not the case if you take the suburban train to CGN airport, which has no luggage compartment and no codeshare. As you were flying out of CGN, you could not use the facility at the train station. You could have bought a ticket from QKL to EDI via FRA though.

Kagehitokiri

Wow, the luggage goes right to FRA, bypassing being on a plane at CGN. Pretty awesome system. Thanks

Kagehitokiri

Eos Menus >

Champagne
-Lanson Black Label Brut

Wine
Red
-Foley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
-Chateau Coufran 2000, Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois
-St Francis Merlot 2001
White
-Benzinger Sauvignon Blanc 2004
-Louis Jadot Macon Villages 2004

Beer
-Brooklyn Lager, Bass Ale, Guinness Stout
-Heineken, Miller Lite, Stella, Sam Adams, Sam Adams Light

Spirits
Absolut Vodka
Absolut Citron Vodka
Grey Goose Vodka
Ketel One Vodka
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Tanqueray Gin
Beefeater Gin
Bacardi Light Rum
Dalmore Single Malt Scotch
Glenlivet 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Antiquary Blended Scotch
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Scotch
Johnny Walker Black Blended Scotch
Crown Royal Whiskey
Canadian Club Classic Rye Whiskey
Dry Vermouth
Campari
Harverys Bristol Cream Sherry

Liquers
Baileys Irish Cream, Drambuie, Grand Marnier
Courvousier VSOP Cognac, Martell VSOP Cognac
Cockburns Special Reserve Port

Additional Beverages
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Ginger Ale
Apple, Cranberry, and Tomato Juice
Fresh Orange, Grapefruit, Carrot, Strawberry-Banana and Kiwi Juice
Still and Sparkling Water
Bloody Mary Mix, Tonic Water, Club Soda
Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee
Regular and Decaffeinated Green and Herbal Teas
Hot Chocolate

JFK>STN

Welcome Drink
Bellini Champagne Cocktail

Aperitif
Cocktail or Beverage of your Choice
Canapees varies

Dinner
Appetizer
1. Caesar's Salad with Prawns
2. Buffalo Mozzarella Tower
served with fresh basil pesto
Main Course
1. Fillet of Beef
served with truffled potato puree,
roasted vegetables and rosemary jus
2. Spring Chicken
served with mushroom risotto
and grilled asparagus
3. Penne Primavera
Penne Pasta with vegetables, tomato salsa
and fresh parmesan

Selection of Bread

Cheese and Dessert
-Assortment of Cheese
Blue cheese, Grana, and Taleggio
-Chocolate Mousse

Express Dinner Service
a light and quick meal service
-Fillet of Beef on Seasonal Salads
Balsamic Dressing
-Assortment of Cheese
Blue cheese, Grana, and Taleggio
-Chocolate Mousse

What would you like for Breakfast? (card)
We will be serving breakfast in your suite 90 minutes before landing. Please indicate your preferences and we will wake you when your breakfast is ready.

Wake-Up Service
Selection of Fresh Juices

Our Continental Breakfast
Fresh fruit, a selection of breakfast breads,
Danish pastries, croissants, and preserves

Our Hot Breakfast
Scrambled eggs with roesti potatoes,
crispy bacon and grilled tomato

Plain Yoghurt and homemade
Granola are available upon request

Choose Your Beverage
Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Selection of Teas
Hot Chocolate

Or let us save you time with a Contental
Breakfast To Go! This choice will allow you to
sleep up to 45 minutes before landing.

Our Breakfast To Go
Continental Breakfast To Go will be prepared with a choice of Danish pastries or a croissant, preserves, and a fruit smoothie

Upon Request
Mid Flight Snack Service
Fresh Fruit Basket
assorted whole fruits such as apples, pears, apricots
Snack Basket
selection of chocolates, cookies, sweets, and chips

Special Amenities
Evian Spray, Basis Facial Cleansing Cloth
Spot and Stain Remover, Lens Cleaner
Make-up Removed, Q-tips
Styptic Pencil, Shaving Cream, Razor
Therapeutic Hand and Foot Threatment

Eos Concierge Service
powered by Quintessentially
...

STN>JFK

Welcome Drink
(same)

Aperitif
(same)

Dinner
Appetizer
1. Lobster "Andaluz"
served with spicy lemon dressing
2. Mushroom Terrine Tower
served with grilled vegetables and romaine lettuce
balsamic - olive oil dressing
Main Course
1. Lamb Medallions
served with polenta crepes and oven roasted vegetables
2. Lemon Sole
served with spring vegetables and wasabi puree
3. Asian Wok Noodles
served with vegetables and hoisin sauce

Selection of Bread

Cheese and Dessert
Assortment of Cheese
Goat Melusine, Blue Taverne, Butler's Secret

Trio of Dessert
Panna Cotta with Rasberry
or
Fresh Fruit
or
Do & Co's Chocolate Mousse

Light Refreshment
a light meal will be served 90 minutes before landing
Fresh Fruit
Deep Fried Chicken Breast
on creamy potato salad with lambs lettuce
Mille Feuille with Rasberries
Selection of Bread