OT a bit:

(Comment on the Spit to Manly hike- have done it 3 times over 14 years. Always a great hike- last time was in March, very warm- (Ive also done it in august, brisk to be sure.)

Midway along, we come to a construction zone: 4 workers, gas powered tools (drills, chisels, motorised wheelbarrow) slogging away at laying stonework along the trail. Massive polymer sacks, a cubic meter or so each with a sling attachment, have been hauled in by helicopter. (The location was at least half a mile from the nearest access point.) Clusters of them along the trail every 30 feet or so- 4 here, 8 there, each prolly half a ton of material each- 3ft long stones, 10"x10" across; crushed road, etc..... There had to be 50 sacks, each one a helicopter trip at some point. These guys have been at it for the last month and had a few more to go. Nice and friendly. Trail was very good and accessible- a far cry from 14 years ago.)


OP- there are a few threads on PH vs Langham vs ShangriLa vs 4 seasons...worth reviewing. Might be in the luxury hotel forum? I used to stay at the regent, then renamed FS...before shangrila bought ANA. Once Shangrila was there, Ive always stayed there, as FS has really declined by many reports. Over the course of my last 4 days there on a horizon club floor, we would see a massive cruise ship docked in front of the PH every morning- we would wonder 'If I was staying at the PH, Id be super annoyed if my view was of a boat'. I dont know which PH rooms get which views- but definitely worth researching carefully...