I don’t think anybody could argue that the pool facilities at Burj al Arab were up to the standard expected prior to the addition of the pool deck. They weren’t at all but my original point was that the addition of the pool deck vastly improved the leisure facilities on offer. Yes, the Burj al Arab is gaudy, tacky and at times vulgar but that doesn’t really make it a terrible hotel nor does it make the pool deck bad. In my opinion it’s still a pretty solid choice for Dubai.

Here we go again , when are you in Saffire ? Please let me know what the weather is like when you are there . Trying to decide when to return .

Also when are you in Matakauri ?
InterContinental , Papeete ? &
The Brando

Think just missing both of you again .
We are in Papeete pre & post cruise , NZ too .

Rather hot in Auckland at the moment .
Hotels are running at full occupancy - with Bruno Mars concerts , Volvo Ocean Race , CNY celebrations , etcetera

You possibly will be in new SQ Suites , since your are flying next Feb
Should be a lovely time for Pulo .

Thinking of returning ourselves , if we need to make a trip to MNL in April , may include Pulo but think it will be too hot for us . So end of the year or January / February ??

OK, guess will not be the most relaxed journey.... But it’s 5 weeks. Would be interesting how these days are splitted between the properties.

Well , we ended up having to stick with Intercontinental . Overnight in an OWB now pre cruise & again post cruise . It was with great trepidation that we opted not to move around as arranging the other options was proving tricky with scheduling with others & availability of preferred suites .
Macmyday knows about the numerous changes that were made on this trip .
Plus crossing the International Dateline twice - a friend gets to enjoy his birthday twice !
Should be visiting another friend at Hilton Moorea too .

Anyway , bhrubin , am glad you complained , thank you ! Check in was smooth . It was a relief to step in to our OTW bungalow after the rather stifling airport routine despite the welcome dance . Lovely to step onto our deck & into the sea soon after getting to the OTW .

Very pleased too that the air conditioning is just right for folks like us - almost “ freezing “ ! Best so far on this trip too & as NZ is experiencing her hottest summer we could have done with something similar in Auckland .
( With the Volvo Ocean Race , etcetera the hotels were at capacity . Since Auckland doesn’t seem to have real luxury options either , we ended up in suites at CityLife & Heritage . They were large enough , with the view of the unblocked harbour better than the corner CityLife suite . We were considering Hilton but the preferred suite was unavailable & also quite a trek ( for me ) to where we wanted to get to daily except for The Race Village .
Our last hotel stay on this trip , will be after the really nice ones , where we return to the Heritage .

Pausanias , the Paul Gauguin staterooms are rather too small for us but would have liked to sail on them though not possible on this trip as involves a few of us . As it is , 2 have yet to arrive . If not we may have a really miss the boat situation ..