We had a lot of travel this year. Between a big trip to celebrate a round birthday and getting in more SPG stays to requalify status it had us at a lot more properties than usual. We have a daughter so places that cater to her for welcome amenities, F&B, and kids’ clubs are popular. Accordingly we tend to look at FS first — getting a cute plush toy, and providing a robe and slippers in her size, do a lot to win our loyalty.
There weren’t any disasters with our stays, so I feel lucky in that regards. But at the same time some properties were fine sampling just once. And that’s why FS Las Vegas rates “higher” than Amandari; if we’re in Vegas again I’d happily return to FS. But if we make it back to Bali I feel no need to revisit Amandari.
An Amazing Time
* Amanpulo. Even though the weather was off-and-on they took wonderful care of us here. Loved the diving and the picture they got of the whole family underwater, though they did not have the vision-corrected masks we’d requested. Loved the beach BBQ. Got tired of the breakfasts fairly quickly with the exception of the iced coffee — everyone should include a scoop of vanilla ice cream in theirs!. Great kids’ club. One charge on our bill we didn’t feel had been sufficiently disclosed, which they immediately removed.
* Four Seasons Koh Samui. Had a great time with the cocktail class and rum tasting. The steak night was fine, but getting rained out and having to dine under cover dampened the experience. Excellent kids’ club — our daughter still talks about the ball pit. Their Sunday brunch was one of the best meals we’ve had at a resort. They were completely full during our stay — the only place we didn’t get an upgrade.
* Four Seasons Chiang Mai. It’s one of our favorite FS properties. A beautiful (manufactured) rice paddy view. Very peaceful. Borrow a bike to visit one of the local temples. Loved the cooking class. One of the weaker kids’ clubs, though our daughter was perfectly happy. This place feels like a bargain.
Excellent Places
* Amankila. The satay dinner and the morning cruise were great, and had a good time with the self-guided bike tour. I still dream about the food, especially the honeycomb banana pancakes, though service was a bit slow. Not a fan of the oil tankers on view. Our afternoon excursion with a driver was mixed — nice tour of rice paddies, but our request to shop textiles ended up being a bust.
* St. Regis Bali. We needed an overnight near the airport for an early flight, and with Amanusa out of the picture this won out. They really made us feel special. From multiple goodies in our room to a short foot massage for all of us as a platinum benefit we loved it here. Our daughter just needed to hear “chocolate fountain” and she was sold on joining us for afternoon tea.
* San Francisco Palace. This is our staycation hotel, and we love the convenient public transit location and the gorgeous Garden Court space. We tried St. Regis last year, and while preferred that room we liked the Palace’s pool much better…and I’m a sucker for a buffet breakfast.
Solidly Good
* St. Regis Mexico City. Comfortable room, good breakfast, good kids’ club — our daughter wanted to take the ride-on mini Tesla home.
* Four Seasons Singapore. Won my daughter over by providing a stuffed lion at check-in. Won me over by somehow finding out I loved mangosteens, and offering them up as a dinner dessert option and preemptively bringing some over at breakfast when they weren’t even at the buffet.
* Four Seasons Las Vegas. Appreciated the upgrade to strip view, even if you’re at the end of the strip. Surprisingly good weekend buffet breakfast.
Merely Fine
* Hacienda San Jose. You know things are rural when you find a scorpion in your room. Gorgeous grounds and a sweet dawn chorus to greet the morning, but the food got monotonous and poolside service was poor.
* St. Regis Singapore. Not a fan of the room decor at all and the buffet was weaker than FS. Our request for a “grilled cheese” for our daughter somehow got lost in translation, but even after remaking I wasn’t a fan of the SGD $30 (!) charge.
* Amandari. I loved the grounds and the room but the food wasn’t as memorable as Amankila.