Where are you going next?
Oct 5, 2017, 2:05 am
#2986
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: QR - plat (OWE), AI - Maharajah (* gold), Bonvoy - plat, HH - gold, Shangri La - jade, Sixt - plat
Posts: 231
Oct 5, 2017, 4:25 am
#2989
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
Any thoughts of visiting Matakauri Lodge in NZ? Have had clients rave about it.
Oct 5, 2017, 7:15 am
#2991
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
My wife always enjoys spending time with friends and family in Sydney, so I won't be able to extend the NZ portion on this trip.
I haven't been to Queenstown before so was unsure which of Matakauri Lodge, Eichardts and Azur would be best. Andrew Harper rates Azur at 92, but Matakauri Lodge and Eichardts at 95. However if I look at tripadvisor and the percentage of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 star reviews then Azur is 95/2/1/1/1, Matakauri 93/5/1/1/0 and Eichardt's 89/7/2/1/1.
I am not sure I have made the right choice with Azur, but hope that it will be ok. I currently expect that Fiordland Lodge will be the better property (even though it is half the price)
I haven't been to Queenstown before so was unsure which of Matakauri Lodge, Eichardts and Azur would be best. Andrew Harper rates Azur at 92, but Matakauri Lodge and Eichardts at 95. However if I look at tripadvisor and the percentage of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 star reviews then Azur is 95/2/1/1/1, Matakauri 93/5/1/1/0 and Eichardt's 89/7/2/1/1.
I am not sure I have made the right choice with Azur, but hope that it will be ok. I currently expect that Fiordland Lodge will be the better property (even though it is half the price)
Oct 9, 2017, 11:21 am
#2997
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LA / NYC
Programs: Amex Platinum, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Gold, National Exec
Posts: 87
I just did a night at the Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara! It was really lovely and my first time at a Belmond property. It's probably not fair to measure all hotels against my Aman experience, but them the breaks I guess..
Oct 9, 2017, 11:57 am
#2998
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Tell us more! We're looking at the Belmond for a couple of nights after our wedding in April and would love to hear about your time there.
Oct 9, 2017, 12:09 pm
#2999
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LA / NYC
Programs: Amex Platinum, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Gold, National Exec
Posts: 87
- Property was gorgeous; nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara with a view of the ocean and a recipient of that fresh ocean breeze, despite being far-ish from water. I really got that old school SB vibe, which was really comfortable and elegant.
- Service was a bit frenetic and troubled at times. They seemed to have some issues between valet/waiting to check in/etc. My biggest problem was actually with the pool attendants, especially since the pool itself is not that big. To order anything or get anything, I basically had to keep going up and flagging the guys. Maybe I'm just used to more attentive pool attendants, having gone to FS Maui and Aman this year..
- Room was really comfortable, spacious, and well-appointed. I was lucky enough to have a 2nd floor view so saw some of the vista beyond the property. Great bathroom with a nice soaking tub (although I had to request bubble bath stuff - you'd think it'd just be in the room). I loved the bathrobes.
- Food was pretty good (I did dinner and breakfast) with a standout being the main course of halibut and strawberry shortcake dessert. they have live music in their bar area too on Saturday nights, which is basically a Sinatra/Buble cover-guy. Felt very appropriate for the atmosphere.
- I also partook in a facial at the Spa, which was really quite nice. Is it better than the facials I normally get at my place in LA? Comparable. But, they did have products that I haven't used before.
Overall, I thought it was a really nice stay. I would definitely stay longer but maybe not at the same price point. I guess it's 'high' season in SB right now (between Polo and Fall) so the rooms were about 2x the price from a month from now. I also booked through Amex FHR so got a $60 breakfast credit, and $100 spa credit. No upgrade but the guaranteed 4pm checkout was great and really allowed me to enjoy the property to the fullest. I also will say that I didnt' leave the property so can't speak to the complimentary shuttle or electric bikes that people have mentioned.
I haven't been to FS SB or San Ysidro Ranch but would really like to check out the latter.
Oct 9, 2017, 7:50 pm
#3000
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
My experience in a nutshell (okay more than a nutshell):
- Property was gorgeous; nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara with a view of the ocean and a recipient of that fresh ocean breeze, despite being far-ish from water. I really got that old school SB vibe, which was really comfortable and elegant.
- Service was a bit frenetic and troubled at times. They seemed to have some issues between valet/waiting to check in/etc. My biggest problem was actually with the pool attendants, especially since the pool itself is not that big. To order anything or get anything, I basically had to keep going up and flagging the guys. Maybe I'm just used to more attentive pool attendants, having gone to FS Maui and Aman this year..
- Room was really comfortable, spacious, and well-appointed. I was lucky enough to have a 2nd floor view so saw some of the vista beyond the property. Great bathroom with a nice soaking tub (although I had to request bubble bath stuff - you'd think it'd just be in the room). I loved the bathrobes.
- Food was pretty good (I did dinner and breakfast) with a standout being the main course of halibut and strawberry shortcake dessert. they have live music in their bar area too on Saturday nights, which is basically a Sinatra/Buble cover-guy. Felt very appropriate for the atmosphere.
- I also partook in a facial at the Spa, which was really quite nice. Is it better than the facials I normally get at my place in LA? Comparable. But, they did have products that I haven't used before.
Overall, I thought it was a really nice stay. I would definitely stay longer but maybe not at the same price point. I guess it's 'high' season in SB right now (between Polo and Fall) so the rooms were about 2x the price from a month from now. I also booked through Amex FHR so got a $60 breakfast credit, and $100 spa credit. No upgrade but the guaranteed 4pm checkout was great and really allowed me to enjoy the property to the fullest. I also will say that I didnt' leave the property so can't speak to the complimentary shuttle or electric bikes that people have mentioned.
I haven't been to FS SB or San Ysidro Ranch but would really like to check out the latter.
- Property was gorgeous; nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara with a view of the ocean and a recipient of that fresh ocean breeze, despite being far-ish from water. I really got that old school SB vibe, which was really comfortable and elegant.
- Service was a bit frenetic and troubled at times. They seemed to have some issues between valet/waiting to check in/etc. My biggest problem was actually with the pool attendants, especially since the pool itself is not that big. To order anything or get anything, I basically had to keep going up and flagging the guys. Maybe I'm just used to more attentive pool attendants, having gone to FS Maui and Aman this year..
- Room was really comfortable, spacious, and well-appointed. I was lucky enough to have a 2nd floor view so saw some of the vista beyond the property. Great bathroom with a nice soaking tub (although I had to request bubble bath stuff - you'd think it'd just be in the room). I loved the bathrobes.
- Food was pretty good (I did dinner and breakfast) with a standout being the main course of halibut and strawberry shortcake dessert. they have live music in their bar area too on Saturday nights, which is basically a Sinatra/Buble cover-guy. Felt very appropriate for the atmosphere.
- I also partook in a facial at the Spa, which was really quite nice. Is it better than the facials I normally get at my place in LA? Comparable. But, they did have products that I haven't used before.
Overall, I thought it was a really nice stay. I would definitely stay longer but maybe not at the same price point. I guess it's 'high' season in SB right now (between Polo and Fall) so the rooms were about 2x the price from a month from now. I also booked through Amex FHR so got a $60 breakfast credit, and $100 spa credit. No upgrade but the guaranteed 4pm checkout was great and really allowed me to enjoy the property to the fullest. I also will say that I didnt' leave the property so can't speak to the complimentary shuttle or electric bikes that people have mentioned.
I haven't been to FS SB or San Ysidro Ranch but would really like to check out the latter.