Tag Archives: radisson

Hotel Review: Radisson Hotel Trinidad

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The Radisson Hotel Trinidad is one of the few hotels you can book with points (44,000 Club Carlson) that has lots of birding options within day trip range.  It’s centrally located in the main city, Port of Spain.  Driving from the airport, this lighthouse is a landmark and signal to start watching for the hotel on the right.  Once you see it, flip a U at the nearest opportunity, come back around and into the hotel’s free parking with security guard.

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We arrived just after dark.  It’s not a good idea to wander around Port of Spain at night.dscn3563

There is a large lobby with the usual services.dscn3565

Room was pleasant, good-sized and the wifi worked well.  dscn3567 dscn3569 dscn3568 dscn3566 dscn3799

In the morning, we could see the view of the Hyatt, the port and the swimming pool down below.

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The night we arrived, we decided to treat ourselves to the revolving restaurant on the top floor-the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.  dscn3570

There are lower priced items on the menu like pastas so this doesn’t have to be too expensive.  It was cool to see the city views change as the restaurant slowly revolved.dscn3571 dscn3572 dscn3573

I’d say this hotel is a good use of Club Carlson points if you have them.  Trinidad can be pricey (as is most of the Caribbean) and the hotel is pretty nice.  Staff were friendly and eager to help and answer questions.  People on Trip Advisor tend to give it 3-5 stars, I gave it 4.

Hotel Review: Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth

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The seaside town of Port Elizabeth was the ideal gateway since our first destination was 3 hours east and our planned day-trip to Birds of Eden was around 2 hours to the west going towards Cape Town.  Port Elizabeth is easy to get around and the roads are well-marked.  The Radisson Blu Hotel is in the seaside suburb of Summerstrand.  Just follow the signs, stay as close to the sea as possible when roads diverge and you can’t miss it!

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This hotel is a bargain for those who have the Club Carlson Visa, only 38k points for 2 nights!

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Like I said, you can’t miss it!IMG_3574 IMG_3165

Nice spacious lobbyIMG_3166

They have one of those annoying “open” bathrooms but at least there is a shade for those who prefer privacy.  I must say I would have preferred the bathroom be completely enclosed, I’m not a fan of those open bathrooms.  Beds are comfy with a nice assortment of pillows.IMG_3171 IMG_3168 IMG_3167

There’s a tv and work desk with a view of the sea.  Internet connection was pretty good.  There is also secure free parking.IMG_3169 IMG_3170Overall, this hotel was a good option for us as we used our points.  If we didn’t have points, we probably would have spent the night in a town closer to Birds of Eden to save a long drive but we had to spend at least one night in Port Elizabeth any way to catch an early flight to JNB.  The breakfast was not included for a points stay and the restaurant didn’t have anything of interest so we went the cheapie route and bought food at the supermarket next door.

Hotel Review: Radisson Plaza Resort, Tahiti

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*** Sadly this hotel is no longer with Club Carlson, it is now with the Pearl Hotel group.  You can no longer book it with points. ***

As luck would have it, we had 2 days to kill in Papeete as the next flight to Rimatara was only 3 days a week and we were booked for Friday.  This was a perfect opportunity to keep costs down by using my Club Carlson Visa benefits of getting one award night free after booking one.  The Radisson Plaza Resort in Tahiti was a very nice property although the location was inconvenient to get to.  Most people will take a taxi from the airport for around $50-ish but budget travelers can use the local buses which stop in front of the airport to get downtown.  This bus will leave you near the Grande Marche and you will need to walk a couple blocks to get an onward bus to the Radisson.  Just ask the locals, they will make sure you get the right one.  In the map below you can see the location of the Radisson, the Intercontinental (review to come) and the Marche Municipale.  It will cost around $5 per person in bus fares to get there.  The photo below shows where you get off the bus for the Radisson.  The last bus is around 5:30 pm but I would get there by 5 just to be sure.

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IMG_0495 IMG_0497I was pleasantly surprised to see we were upgraded to a suite overlooking the beach!  There was a living area, balcony and powder room downstairs and the bedroom with full bathroom upstairs.

IMG_0498 IMG_0499 IMG_0500 IMG_0501 IMG_0502 IMG_0503 IMG_0504 IMG_0505 IMG_0506The wonderful view from our balcony!

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The van that takes you downtown twice a day (8:30 am, returning 12:00 and 2:00 returning 5:00pm) is fairly small and you need to book in advance.  Otherwise you will have to use a taxi or the local buses.  They drop you off and pick you up behind the tourist office.

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The swimming pool was really nice but I was disappointed to see the jacuzzi had cold water.

IMG_0550 IMG_0552 IMG_0554 IMG_0556This is where I get ideas for our upcoming bathroom renovation.  I love tropical decor!

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On Thursday evenings, don’t miss the fantastic Marquesas dance show!  My husband managed to get us a great table up front (guess it pays that he speaks their language)!  It doesn’t have to be expensive.  Thankfully it wasn’t some over-priced buffet and you could order what you want from the menu.  Pasta dishes are around $20-25.

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My husband is actually a Cook Island drummer so wanted to jam with the band!IMG_0601 IMG_0606Even award nights attract a resort fee of around 1800 XPF and city tax 300 XPF per night.  Award nights are 44,000 Gold Points (2nd night free with Club Carlson Visa).  Reviews on Trip Advisor are mixed, most people have more issues with the location rather than the property itself.  There are no dining options within walking distance so you can buy food at the market and bring it back.

When leaving for the airport at 4am on check out day, we were reluctantly prepared to have to pay for a taxi but got lucky.  There was a large bus picking up a group of tourists and we arranged with the driver to pay 1000 XPF each to be dropped at the airport.

Hotel Review: Radisson Summit Hotel & Golf Panama

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The Radisson Summit Hotel & Golf Panama offers a rare chance to use points to stay in a location where you can watch birds from your balcony if you ask for the rainforest view.  It’s even better value for holders of the Club Carlson Visa from US Bank (not affiliate link).  Using the “last night free benefit”, 28,000 points gets you 2 nights here.

Getting here is pretty straightforwards from the airport in a rental car.  I just printed the Google map and memorized where I had to turn.  The one tricky thing is you need either cash or a card for the toll booths.  You can get a card from either the rental company (Alamo in my case) or the toll booth.  The hotel is situated on the outskirts of the Soberania National Park just a mile or so from the Panama Canal as the crow flies.

IMG_1414 IMG_1416 IMG_1417There is a free car park in front and a golf cart facility to the left.  The hotel attracts a lot of golfers.  The rooms are spacious and comfortable and some have a fantastic view of the rainforest.

IMG_1418 IMG_1419 IMG_1420 IMG_1421 IMG_1422There is a bar next to the reception and one floor up you will find a restaurant and a swimming pool.  You can even watch birds from the swimming pool, I saw 4 Brown-throated Parakeets (distinguishable by their long tails and noisy Aratinga screech) while we were swimming, not to mention a few Toucans & other birds.  Unfortunately, my camera isn’t waterproof so I missed the shots.

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I love how they have photos of the local wildlife on this wall near the pool!IMG_1426 IMG_1427 The first morning we went to the Rainforest Discovery Centre & Pipeline Road.  The following morning we relaxed on the balcony for a couple hours and watched the mist rise from the rainforest and birds began to appear.  We saw lots of Toucans, Aracaris, Tanagers, Orange-chinned Parrots, Blue-headed Pionus Parrots and a few other birds I didn’t know.  Unfortunately, the sun was behind the area I was trying to photograph so more silhouettes!

IMG_1548 IMG_1549 IMG_1550 IMG_1553 IMG_1554 IMG_1555 IMG_1556 IMG_1561 IMG_1562 IMG_1565 IMG_1567 IMG_1569 IMG_1570 IMG_1571 IMG_1573 IMG_1574 IMG_1575 IMG_1577 IMG_1578Once the action quieted down, around 8:30-ish, we went down to breakfast, then had a walk on the trail behind the swimming pool.  This takes you through a small patch of rainforest and ends at a butterfly house.

IMG_1581 IMG_1582 IMG_1584 IMG_1586 IMG_1587 IMG_1588 IMG_1592 IMG_1594 IMG_1596 IMG_1597 IMG_1598 IMG_1602 IMG_1603When we checked out to move to a hotel near the airport for the last night, we were able to follow the hotel’s shuttle to Albrook Mall.  This prevented us wasting time getting lost as the city can be confusing to drive in.  All in all, we were really happy with this hotel and highly recommend it especially to eco-tourists given it’s location and views from the balconies!

Soberania National Park, Panama

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Soberanía National Park (Parque Nacional Soberanía) is a national park in Panama near the banks of the Panama Canal in the provinces of Panamá and Colón, some 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Panama City. The Chagres River runs through the park.

Established as a national park in 1980, the park covers 55,000 acres (223 km2).  The park is popular with birdwatchers due to the abundance of bird species in the park. Some 525 bird species are found here, including motmots, toucans, trogons, flycatchers, antbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers, and hawks. Among the rare bird species in the park are yellow-eared toucanets, crimson-bellied woodpeckers, sirystes, and rarely seen harpy eagles. Some of the best birding in the park is along Pipeline Road. Pipeline Road extends for several miles and passes through old-growth and secondary forest. Birds are best spotted here in the early morning.

GETTING HERE

You can use a Central American award to Panama City (PTY).  Then the best thing to do is hire a car so you have freedom to get around as you choose.  Since this park is so near the city, it can be easily driven to from wherever you are staying.

Soberania National Park, Panama

WHERE TO STAY INSIDE THE PARK

On points, you have 1 option which is on the outskirts of Soberania National Park, the Radisson Summit.  This was my choice since I could use only 28,000 Club Carlson points for 2 nights since I have the Club Carlson Visa card.  A pleasant surprise was that you get the free breakfast even when you use points!  Make sure you request a rainforest view room for a spectacular view!

You could also stay at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort which is closest to Pipeline Road & the Rainforest Discovery Center or the Canopy Tower which has nice packages that include guided birding excursions (not cheap)!

HOW TO VISIT THE PARK

You can make an independent visit or join a tour.  The Canopy Tower has day visit packages that include a trip up their 50 ft high observation tower and a guided bird walk.  Many people just rent a car and head off on their own down Pipeline Road.  Be aware that this is a very rough road and you will only get a few miles without 4WD.  There are plenty of birds to see along the way.

IMG_1509 IMG_1508 IMG_1507 IMG_1512My choice, dictated partly because we only had a small car from Alamo and also because I like to watch birds from towers was the Rainforest Discovery Centre.  If that link doesn’t work (they need to renew their domain), try Google cached version here.  It costs $30 entry but you get a $5 credit to spend in the small gift shop.  The staff know all the local species and can identify them for you.  You also get access to a 32 metre high observation tower with platforms every 8 metres and over 1.2 km of walking trails.  There are educational posters & clean restrooms in the main building and hummingbird feeders that keep these delightful little birds close at hand.

IMG_1428 IMG_1429 IMG_1430 IMG_1432 IMG_1433 IMG_1434 IMG_1435 IMG_1473 IMG_1474In tomorrow’s post, I will show you some of the birds we saw that I managed to photograph both from the tower and the main buidling’s deck.

 

New Club Carlson Visa Gets 2 – 3 Free Nights Near Panama’s Soberania National Park

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Panama is a fantastic place for birders!  Soberania National Park is less than an hour’s drive from the airport and there is even the Metropolitan National Park right in the city of Panama City!   The bird lists are very impressive!   Birders on a budget can stay at the Radisson Summit on points and drive over to the Canopy Tower for a day visit.  Birders with more to spend can also stay overnight.

There is a special way to get up to 3 nights FREE at the Radisson Summit or any of their other hotels with the Club Carlson Visa.  They currently have only a USA version of this card but they do say they will introduce cards in other countries.  ***Disclaimer, this is not an affiliate link, these links go direct  to Club Carlson’s site.  Just sharing an awesome deal!

The USA one with US Bank comes in 3 varieties:

Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature card Highlights

  • 10 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels3
  • 5 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else3
  • Up to 85,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points once you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days1
  • 40,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card4
  • Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.2Exclusively for cardmembers!
  • Your upgrade is automatic5 – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Gold Elite Status after you activate and use your card
  • Already reached Gold or Concierge Elite Status? You will receive 15 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card6
  • Enjoy all of these benefits for $75 Annual Fee

Club Carlson Rewards Visa Signature card Highlights

  • 6 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels3
  • 3 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else3
  • Up to 60,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 10,000 points once you spend $1,500 on your card within the first 90 days1
  • 25,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card4
  • Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.2Exclusively for cardmembers!
  • Your upgrade is automatic5 – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Silver Elite Status after you activate and use your card
  • Already reached Silver, Gold or Concierge Elite Status? You will receive 10 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Gold or Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card.6
  • Enjoy all of these benefits for $50 Annual Fee

Club Carlson Business Rewards Visa card Highlights

  • 10 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels3
  • 5 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else3
  • Up to 85,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points once you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days1
  • 40,000 renewal bonus pointseach year when you renew your card4
  • Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.2Exclusively for business owners!
  • Your upgrade is automatic5 – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Gold Elite Status after you activate and use your card
  • Already reached Gold or Concierge Elite Status? You will receive 15 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card6
  • Enjoy all of these benefits for $60 Annual Fee

Remember, I am not a financial advisor so it is up to you to make sure you should have this credit card.

Club Carlson is a great program for non-frequent travelers as they have several promos throughout the year where you can earn points, so even if you don’t want the credit card, still join Club Carlson and be on their mailing list for promos.  Usually chain hotels suit eco-travelers best as gateway hotels but we are lucky that Club Carlson has a great option right near the Soberania National Park.

Depending on which card you get, you will have 1 or 2 free nights right off the bat!  But these cards have a little something extra!  Did you notice this part?

Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.

This means that to get this (or any other Carlson hotel), you would redeem 38,000 points and get the last night free!  This effectively reduces rewards to half price, a fantastic deal any way you look at it!  I would recommend staying here 2 nights, birding along Pipeline Road and into Soberania National Park, then move to one of the other hotels in the city, go birding at the Metropolitan National Park and check out the Panama Canal, Panama Viejo or any of the markets, redeem one night and get the second night free.  This makes for 4 nights all up in Panama free!