Review: Hilton Mallorca Galatzo

Review: Hilton Mallorca Galatzo

The hotel I really wanted to stay at in Mallorca was the Hilton Mallorca Galatzo. A few years ago, the previous Hilton withdrew from Mallorca, which was a shame, but thankfully they reopened in another location in 2022. Contents AccessOutdoor Pool and RestaurantRoomAround the HotelBreakfastResort Hotel for Long StaysUseful Information I have visited several Mediterranean islands so far. In Greece, I have been to Mykonos, Santorini, and other islands in the Cyclades, as well as Cyprus and Malta. I was surprised that Mallorca is much larger than the islands I have been to so far, and that Palma, the centre, is much more urban than I had imagined. Access I…

Various activities on beaches in Sydney

Various activities on beaches in Sydney

I heard that the time of year I visited was from the end of summer to the beginning of autumn, but if you live in a city at a high latitude like London, the weather in Sydney could still be considered mid-summer, so it was nice to be on a sandy beach. The weather was perfect for sunbathing and swimming in the sea. Contents Bondi BeachBalmoral BeachWatson’s BayCronulla BeachUseful information Bondi Beach Bondi faces the open ocean of the Tasman Sea, and the waves are big, which is why it’s popular with surfers. The 1km long white sand beach is very comfortable to walk barefoot on, and is perfect for…

Review: Hilton Sydney

Review: Hilton Sydney

Leaving Hong Kong behind, we headed for Sydney where it was still late summer. It was an overnight flight, but since I had spent a few nights in Hong Kong, I wasn’t too tired upon arrival at Sydney Airport after a safe seven-hour flight. I had already adjusted to the time difference in Hong Kong, and the temperature in Hong Kong was almost halfway between London and Sydney, so I was able to adapt to Sydney easily. Contents Room upgradeExecutive loungeBreakfastGym and swimming poolDiamond member benefitUseful Information Room upgrade This was my second stay at the Hilton Sydney, the last time was in 2019. The lobby and restaurant were the…

Lunch at a sea food restaurant: ‘La Palanca’ in Venice

Lunch at a sea food restaurant: ‘La Palanca’ in Venice

The Hilton Venice is located on Giudecca Island, so you have to take the vaporetto to get to the main island, and this restaurant is right in front of Palanca, the vaporetto stop south of the hotel. Although it is not a place that attracts many tourists, it was still crowded with many customers at lunchtime. First, we had an assortment of carpaccio and boiled shrimp as appetizers, and toasted with Aperol. For the main dishes, we chose squid ink pasta, penne arrabiata, and gnocchi with mushrooms and shrimp. Although sushi and sashimi are readily available in London, unless you go to a really authentic place, you’ll only get tuna…

Review: DoubleTree Lisbon – Fontana Park

Review: DoubleTree Lisbon – Fontana Park

After spending a few nights in the Algarve, we moved to our next destination, Lisbon, by train. The limited express train, named Alfa Pendular, goes swiftly through forested countryside on the way to Lisbon. For accommodation in Lisbon, I considered the newly opened Curio Emerald House, but decided to stay at Doubletree as it is close to the subway line which goes directly to the airport. I was surprised to hear that the building, which used to be a factory for iron products, has been reborn as a hotel. The use of black as the base colour for the interiors was innovative, and it didn’t feel like a factory at…

Review: Conrad Algarve (South Portugal)

Review: Conrad Algarve (South Portugal)

Coming from England, Portugal in May is really pleasant and cheerful and the moment I got off the plane I felt like my body had become lighter. After 30 minutes by taxi from Faro airport, I arrived at the Conrad Algarve. The hotel has an impressive approach along a front driveway and gardens lined with gleaming white buildings, leading to the central lobby which was filled with natural light coming in brilliantly from the upper floors. The check-in procedure was done while seated with drinks, immediately beginning what was to be a relaxing stay. After introducing nearby attractions, the front desk clerk also explained the benefits for Diamond members. In…