A tale of gluttony and first Firsts; BA F A380, CX F, QR F A380, HKG Lounge Crawl
Jan 25, 2015, 1:05 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
We had a scheduled 2-day stopover in Frankfurt.
I originally planned to stay at the Radisson Blu Frankfurt in downtown, but the TripAdvisor reviews weren't very positive. Furthermore, the RB Frankfurt wasn't in walking distance of any major attractions. Unless you count banks as major attractions.
I noticed there was a highly rated Radisson in nearby historic spa-town, Wiesbaden. Happily, Wiesbaden is easily accessible from the Frankfurt airport by the regional S-Bahn, which cost about 4 Euros one way. What a bargain!
As a Carlson Gold member, I was upgraded to a junior suite at checkin. Thankfully, the Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock had just finished a complete renovation a few days before our arrival.
On the S-Bahn to Wiesbaden.
The lovely and historic Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock. Easy 1 mile walk from the Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof.
Recently renovated junior suite.
I originally planned to stay at the Radisson Blu Frankfurt in downtown, but the TripAdvisor reviews weren't very positive. Furthermore, the RB Frankfurt wasn't in walking distance of any major attractions. Unless you count banks as major attractions.
I noticed there was a highly rated Radisson in nearby historic spa-town, Wiesbaden. Happily, Wiesbaden is easily accessible from the Frankfurt airport by the regional S-Bahn, which cost about 4 Euros one way. What a bargain!
As a Carlson Gold member, I was upgraded to a junior suite at checkin. Thankfully, the Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock had just finished a complete renovation a few days before our arrival.
On the S-Bahn to Wiesbaden.
The lovely and historic Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock. Easy 1 mile walk from the Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof.
Recently renovated junior suite.
Jan 25, 2015, 1:09 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
This TR wouldn't be complete without pictures of the tasty Super Buffet Breakfast the Radisson provided us each morning at their Restaurant Capricorne!
Not the best Super Buffet Breakfast I've eaten, since no made-to-order omelettes for instance, but it definitely filled the spot.
First trip to the buffet line
Europeans and their multivitamin juice. Mmmm.
Not the best Super Buffet Breakfast I've eaten, since no made-to-order omelettes for instance, but it definitely filled the spot.
First trip to the buffet line
Europeans and their multivitamin juice. Mmmm.
Jan 25, 2015, 1:13 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
I highly recommend visiting Wiesbaden if you're in need of a short stopover near Frankfurt.
Charming, clean little town with a rich historical background, excellent spas (if you stay at the Schwarzer Bock in particular), very walkable with great food options- oddly many Asian restaurants. Also not a lot of tourists that I could see, and a few big Christmas markets.
Charming, clean little town with a rich historical background, excellent spas (if you stay at the Schwarzer Bock in particular), very walkable with great food options- oddly many Asian restaurants. Also not a lot of tourists that I could see, and a few big Christmas markets.
Jan 25, 2015, 3:35 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Lincoln
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 34
We had a scheduled 2-day stopover in Frankfurt.
I originally planned to stay at the Radisson Blu Frankfurt in downtown, but the TripAdvisor reviews weren't very positive. Furthermore, the RB Frankfurt wasn't in walking distance of any major attractions. Unless you count banks as major attractions.
I noticed there was a highly rated Radisson in nearby historic spa-town, Wiesbaden. Happily, Wiesbaden is easily accessible from the Frankfurt airport by the regional S-Bahn, which cost about 4 Euros one way. What a bargain!
As a Carlson Gold member, I was upgraded to a junior suite at checkin. Thankfully, the Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock had just finished a complete renovation a few days before our arrival.
On the S-Bahn to Wiesbaden.
The lovely and historic Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock. Easy 1 mile walk from the Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof.
Recently renovated junior suite.
I originally planned to stay at the Radisson Blu Frankfurt in downtown, but the TripAdvisor reviews weren't very positive. Furthermore, the RB Frankfurt wasn't in walking distance of any major attractions. Unless you count banks as major attractions.
I noticed there was a highly rated Radisson in nearby historic spa-town, Wiesbaden. Happily, Wiesbaden is easily accessible from the Frankfurt airport by the regional S-Bahn, which cost about 4 Euros one way. What a bargain!
As a Carlson Gold member, I was upgraded to a junior suite at checkin. Thankfully, the Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock had just finished a complete renovation a few days before our arrival.
On the S-Bahn to Wiesbaden.
The lovely and historic Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock. Easy 1 mile walk from the Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof.
Recently renovated junior suite.
Great TR!
Jan 25, 2015, 4:05 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
Jan 26, 2015, 10:41 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
I am indeed suggesting that the catering on the A380 is different from the 777. It seems the A380 (at least the LHR-IAD flight) had a special 5-course tasting menu that is unique only to the A380. I thought the special menu was light and crafted nicely. Great wine pairing too. You'll just have to wait until I post pix from that segment!
I believe BA 216 from IAD-LHR also has this tasting menu, but I am not positive.
If I were to take BA 216 in the future (and if it also featured the tasting menu), I would do Concorde Dining Room first, then 5-course tasting menu, then sleep/movies, then breakfast.
I believe BA 216 from IAD-LHR also has this tasting menu, but I am not positive.
If I were to take BA 216 in the future (and if it also featured the tasting menu), I would do Concorde Dining Room first, then 5-course tasting menu, then sleep/movies, then breakfast.
Jan 26, 2015, 11:04 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
Jan 26, 2015, 11:32 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
After our 2 day stopover in Wiesbaden, we hopped on the S9 back to FRA Airport.
The CX J/F lounge in FRA was most disappointing. No separate F section. Limited food selection.
Dining room with light lunch selections. Ended up not eating in the lounge to save room for CX F flight.
Well, it's at least better than the OS J lounge in VIE (which didn't even have Danish cookies, haha).
The CX J/F lounge in FRA was most disappointing. No separate F section. Limited food selection.
Dining room with light lunch selections. Ended up not eating in the lounge to save room for CX F flight.
Well, it's at least better than the OS J lounge in VIE (which didn't even have Danish cookies, haha).
Jan 26, 2015, 3:59 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Jan 26, 2015, 4:35 pm
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
Thanks oneworld82! Actually it was one of your TRs that inspired me to visit Taipei.
Jan 26, 2015, 4:58 pm
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
The long-awaited moment. Would CX F live up to its reputation?
FRA-HKG
CX 288; 777-300
Seat 1A
Initial impressions were certainly very favorable.
I did not realize that there was such a substantial dividing wall between 1A/2A and the rest of the cabin. Definitely sit on the other side if traveling as a couple.
FRA-HKG
CX 288; 777-300
Seat 1A
Initial impressions were certainly very favorable.
I did not realize that there was such a substantial dividing wall between 1A/2A and the rest of the cabin. Definitely sit on the other side if traveling as a couple.