The Andaman Langkawi and Priority Plaza Langkawi

The Andaman Langkawi

After landing taxi from the airport to the hotel. Driving down the driveway The Andaman, things looked a little old, but actually this is a fantastic hotel that has really settled into its rainforest surroundings.

Spent some time at the pool, then went on a Free Rainforest Walk that occurs most nights and mornings. Also saw the coral farm where the hotel is hoping to regrow coral for eventual transplant on the reef that was decimated by the tsunami.

Only downside was on checking out when the bell staff had no record of a request for a cab to be called for my 1pm departure. After being told a called one would take too long I agreed to pay the hotel car fee (RMB100) which was a hire car and had the porter drive me (of course we passed plenty of cabs along the way). If I was staying in Langkawi again I would probably hire a car.

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Priority Plaza Lounge Langkawi

Little lounge with about 60 seats and four computers just outside security for the shared gate area (although you can see Gate 4 from where my flight departed). I was the only occupant alongside 4 staff. OK food – a pasta noodle dish, bread canapés, clear chicken soup, muesli and some cheese sandwiches, soft drinks and water. Own wifi not needed with free gate wifi. Anyhow a few drinks before my AK Flight.

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More Lounge Taipei

More Lounge Taipei

Paid a visit to this Priority Pass lounge. Lounge sits in the middle of the passage connecting the two wings with a view from the outside to immigration. Design and seating is very old wordly (Somewhat different to the Cathay lounge down the hall). Food is fairly local but a good selection of soups and buns, and some toast. Plenty of packaged tea/coffee, a soda fountain, ice cream and small selection of spirits. Lots of computers to use and quick wifi.

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The Arrival and Conrad Hong Kong

One of the first into The Arrival (after waiting half an hour into the empty terminal) and secured a shower and got changed.

Quick breakfast, first train then shuttle to Conrad Hong Kong. Arriving at 7am on a free stay I wasn’t expecting a room – but no – 58th floor Executive Club room was mine. HHonors Diamond status works again. Usual impeccable Conrad service throughout the stay, although I was only briefly able to utilise the Evening Drinks.

So a quick snooze and use of the internet in lounge then off to a few meetings and lunches including my first visit to the ICC, Ritz Carlton and massive shopping mall beneath. Some evening drinks at the misspelled Wooloomooloo in LKF Then a solely Californian wine bar Californian Vintage (had over 80 wines by the glass using a vacuum system) and a cool ipad menu/ info system.

Next day I actually checked baggage in the morning and just roamed about with a day pack before working my way back to the Airport. CX Wing First is now closed with a sign and staff member standing at the entrance but doesn’t appear to be much happening yet.

But with a Gate 71 departure, it was off to The Pier First. Food area was very busy and food selection was the usual good stuff. Walked out via Business lounge to get closer to my gate.

New HKG Wing Business Lounge

A quick trip to the new Wing Business Lounge (just to see it – as a Qantas Platinum/ oneworld Emerald I am entitled to the First Lounge, but it had just reopened) for a coffee at the Coffee lounge and Dim Sum at the Noodle Bar. Quite impressed with the understated yet classy feel to the place.

Particularly impressed with the view from the Coffee Lounge.

Some photos that were new when I took them (but it took two months to get the blog up)

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