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Wine in Bordeaux, Shopping in Paris via spectacular Air France 77W La Premičre

Wine in Bordeaux, Shopping in Paris via spectacular Air France 77W La Premičre

Old Sep 27, 2016, 6:46 am
  #16  
 
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Thanks, SFO777! Great report, as always! I cannot wait to read the rest.

Originally Posted by TheBOSman
It's probably one of the five best airline lounges in the USA. It just isn't on the same level as QF's MEL/SYD F lounges, or LH's FCLs/FCT, or the AF CDG F lounge.
While I certainly agree the QF LAX F lounge is not in the same league as these other international lounges, I'm curious which other U.S. lounges you think are better. For me, it's hard to think of a better airline lounge located in the U.S.

-FlyerBeek
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Old Sep 27, 2016, 7:17 am
  #17  
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Originally Posted by FlyerBeek
While I certainly agree the QF LAX F lounge is not in the same league as these other international lounges, I'm curious which other U.S. lounges you think are better. For me, it's hard to think of a better airline lounge located in the U.S.
The early, uncrowded days of the Centurion Lounges (I probably held the record for most visits to the DFW one for about the first two weeks it was open ) are just about as good. Of course, they're severely crowded now so this is no longer the case. If you can visit when they aren't crowded, I'd put them up there. The JFK BA Concorde Room is easily just as good as the QF LAX F lounge (and better than the LHR Concorde Room ). I haven't used it but the VS Clubhouse at JFK also gets great reviews. The LH F area at JFK is also supposed to be good. SFO777 has likely used some of them that I haven't, though.
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Old Sep 27, 2016, 8:05 am
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Great great start of what surely is going to be another fantastic TR. Thank you for sharing!
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Old Sep 27, 2016, 11:40 am
  #19  
 
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Are you doing a canal boat excursion?

Thanks again for an amazing TR.
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Old Sep 27, 2016, 5:10 pm
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Thank you for sharing this TR! How do you compare the wine list (impressive to me) versus your other recent and top-FC experiences? Thanks again.
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Old Sep 27, 2016, 7:09 pm
  #21  
 
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Originally Posted by TheBOSman
The early, uncrowded days of the Centurion Lounges (I probably held the record for most visits to the DFW one for about the first two weeks it was open ) are just about as good. Of course, they're severely crowded now so this is no longer the case. If you can visit when they aren't crowded, I'd put them up there. The JFK BA Concorde Room is easily just as good as the QF LAX F lounge (and better than the LHR Concorde Room ). I haven't used it but the VS Clubhouse at JFK also gets great reviews. The LH F area at JFK is also supposed to be good. SFO777 has likely used some of them that I haven't, though.
The lack of Dr Peppers on ice gave away the fact that SFO777 was not utilizing the FlAAgship Lounge for any of his ground service requirements From a purely utilitarian perspective, I personally like the fact that the DL SC in LGA stays open until 2200, which is convenient. From a seating perspective, I like the AC in BOS on the old US side because it's large enough that you can always find a seat (rare in too many clubs these days - Centurions are WAY TOO CROWDED ). From an experience/FC perspective, I would agree that Concorde Room and Clubhouse at JFK are the best. Although, the UA GF lounge at SFO was decent too.

Thanks for another great TR, SFO777! Curious to hear your thoughts on the lounge grading.
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Old Sep 28, 2016, 4:38 pm
  #22  
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Thanks for the TR so far, SFO777. Good start!

Will be interested to see if you venture as far as Langon to eat at Claude Darroze — had an amazing experience there this year. Superb staff and service!
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 12:27 am
  #23  
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The amazing La Premiére ground service continues at CDG.

As the door opened, we were met by our lovely personal La Premičre assistant Georgette, would escorted us down the jet bridge and the stairs down to our waiting private car.









For the short drive to the La Premičre Lounge.











Some pics from our last visit a month ago.























But the best part was the Alain Ducasse menu.















Mrs. SFO777 passed on food but no way was I going to miss a chance for an Alain Ducasse meal. With a glass of fabulous Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru.





The foie gras de canard with brioche parisienne was fabulous.



The Croque-volaille with Comté and truffle noir was sensational.





At around T-20, Georgette escorted us downstairs to our waiting BMW.











And to our A320 to Bordeaux.



















Paris-Bordeaux
Air France 7634
A320
4:15p-5:30p
September 25, 2016
Seats 1A and 1C


Georgette introduced us to our Purser who welcomed us on board and addressed us by name the entire flight. Either from Georgette or in advance from the manifest, he knew that we were La Premičre passengers that had connected from LAX.







On arrival at Bordeaux, we were met by yet another Air France personal assistant who escorted us off the plane and into the terminal...



... and outside to the taxi stand. Wow.



Simply amazing ground service today from Air France. And another reason while Air France La Premičre is the best overall First Class in the world.

Last edited by SFO777; Sep 30, 2016 at 3:34 am
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 12:27 am
  #24  
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After a short 25 minute taxi ride, we were in the heart of Centre-Ville Bordeaux and our hotel for the next three nights, the Intercontinental Le Grand - Bordeaux. What a beautiful classic hotel.



... with a roof top bar!

















We had booked a Jr. Suite Opera View room, but were Virtuoso upgraded to a much larger Prestige Suite Opera View.



























Our view of the Opera House.



We checked in around 6:15pm and headed up to the rooftop bar, Night Beach, for a drink before dinner.







And then downstairs for dinner Gordon Ramsay's Brasserie Le Bordeaux. We've had some mixed recent experiences at some of Gordo's far flung restos, but food at The Brasserie is very good. The only negative was a few service issues primarily caused by too few staff.



Mrs. SFO777's grilled Arcachon sole was amazing.



And my Fish & Chips. OMG, really good.









OK, we really liked our wine tonight.



The Baba au Rhum was to die for.



As was the lemon merengue tart.



After a good night's sleep, we got up late and decided on breakfast in our room. Why leave in a room like this?








Last edited by SFO777; Oct 1, 2016 at 1:28 am
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 12:57 am
  #25  
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Originally Posted by seat38a
I see that Mrs. SFO777 is getting less camera shy with each trip.
Funny you should mention that seat38a. She was not happy with some of the pics I posted and admonished me with a stern "I thought you were going to show them to me before you posted them". So, a few of those have disappeared.

Originally Posted by HMPS
SFO777 for your next trip to France you may need this interpreter....as in I am volunteering
BTW the first photos gave me a pause for a fraction of second ! Signs say, AEROFLOT & TURKISH. I thought you are a goner.
Thanks HMPS. We've flown TK before and it was fine. And I'd certainly give Aeroflot a try... on our next trip to Moscow.

Originally Posted by Thor3
Ah! The start of another great adventure!
Thank you Thor3.

Originally Posted by Duke787
Another fantastic TR!
I would love to give AF F a try one of these days but the cost is hard to justify for the short hop from the East Coast. For now I'll just have to live vicariously through your excellent pictures
Thanks so much Duke787. AF has become a lot more aggressive on pricing lately. I've seen some special RT First fares in the $3K range occasionally.

Originally Posted by FlyerBeek
Thanks, SFO777! Great report, as always! I cannot wait to read the rest. While I certainly agree the QF LAX F lounge is not in the same league as these other international lounges, I'm curious which other U.S. lounges you think are better. For me, it's hard to think of a better airline lounge located in the U.S.
-FlyerBeek
Thank very much FlyerBeek. I would agree that this is certainly in the top 3 or 4 in the US. I hear that the LAX Lufthansa F lounge is fantastic and as TheBOSman notes below, the JFK BA Concorde Room. I haven't yet visited either.

Originally Posted by TheBOSman
The early, uncrowded days of the Centurion Lounges (I probably held the record for most visits to the DFW one for about the first two weeks it was open ) are just about as good. Of course, they're severely crowded now so this is no longer the case. If you can visit when they aren't crowded, I'd put them up there. The JFK BA Concorde Room is easily just as good as the QF LAX F lounge (and better than the LHR Concorde Room ). I haven't used it but the VS Clubhouse at JFK also gets great reviews. The LH F area at JFK is also supposed to be good. SFO777 has likely used some of them that I haven't, though.
Thank you TheBOSman. Good summary of the other excellent US lounges. Yeah, the DFW Centurion is just too overcrowded much of the time.

Originally Posted by Andriyko
Great great start of what surely is going to be another fantastic TR. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Andriyko.

Originally Posted by roadwarrier
Are you doing a canal boat excursion?
Thanks again for an amazing TR.
Thank you roadwarrier. No canal cruise this year. We loved our Canal du Midi week last year.

Originally Posted by NashVegas37206
Thank you for sharing this TR! How do you compare the wine list (impressive to me) versus your other recent and top-FC experiences? Thanks again.
Thanks very much NashVegas. While the wines were good, I thought the list was a little thin on the whites, with only one option. Etihad offers three white selections from around the world including a 1er cru Burgundy. Qatar as well. And Qantas features outstanding Australian wines.

Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
The lack of Dr Peppers on ice gave away the fact that SFO777 was not utilizing the FlAAgship Lounge for any of his ground service requirements From a purely utilitarian perspective, I personally like the fact that the DL SC in LGA stays open until 2200, which is convenient. From a seating perspective, I like the AC in BOS on the old US side because it's large enough that you can always find a seat (rare in too many clubs these days - Centurions are WAY TOO CROWDED ). From an experience/FC perspective, I would agree that Concorde Room and Clubhouse at JFK are the best. Although, the UA GF lounge at SFO was decent too.
Thanks for another great TR, SFO777! Curious to hear your thoughts on the lounge grading.
Thank you CHOPCHOP767 and for your lounge comments. Yeah, hard to believe that we didn't try to get into the Flagship Lounge. Agree on overcrowding in the Centurion Lounge. And some of them are just really depressing. The IAH one is so far removed from the gates and a long ugly walk, that I'm not worth the effort.

Originally Posted by 1P
Thanks for the TR so far, SFO777. Good start!
Will be interested to see if you venture as far as Langon to eat at Claude Darroze — had an amazing experience there this year. Superb staff and service!
Thanks very much 1P. We were lazy and decided to stay close to Centre-Ville Bordeaux for dinners. This was just a quick introductory visit. But we plan on returning next year for a week and will spend all of that time outside of Bordeaux city.
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 1:04 am
  #26  
 
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Your hotel looks beautiful!

And even your AF flight looked a lot better than the last one you took to get to Ireland.
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 1:58 am
  #27  
 
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Looks like some tasty Ramsay eats, SFO777.

The 'behind-the-scenes' of the first day of harvest at Chateaux Giscours must have been great to see too.

I really admire your stamina for getting up in the middle of the night during your vacation to watch the big debate. Hopefully it was the result you were wanting as well.
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 9:57 am
  #28  
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Thank you, very helpful! I Need a way to use my Intercontinental Weekend certificate and Bordeaux is one of the Options (beside Amsterdam (boring) and Marseille). My only Problem is, that flights to Bordeaux are not very convenient from my home base.
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 10:05 am
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How was that 2012 L'Esprit de Chevalier? I've had an a 2009 (didn't like the the food pairing) and their white (stellar).
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 1:06 pm
  #30  
 
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I can tell you love Air France but, even by your standards, referring to the front row of an Air France A320 as SUITES 1A and 1C is somewhat hyperbolic (caption above first picture of Paris - Bordeaux flight)
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