The chair guards the closet. Crammed corner at Sheraton Tribeca NYC.

The Room(s): If 288 square feet seems large to you, then you’ve likely stayed in a New York hotel or two. That’s what you get with a typical king bed room at Sheraton Tribeca New York. For the size it’s furnished just about right, save for a little cramping around the lounge chair and wardrobe. The smaller furnishings (32″ TV instead of a more standard 40-something, smaller chairs, desk, etc) might help with the floor space. I didn’t find it too difficult to move around but if you’re Texas sized, you might want to spring for a suite.

At the time of this review (Jan 2012), the room maintains a modern feel and despite the small size is pretty comfortable.  The sweet sleeper bed easily fits 2 and is indeed sweet and the decor fits Sheraton’s newly refreshed image.

Service: We spent a lot of time inside the hotel on this visit simply because there was expected hurricane-like weather. The staff was gracious and for the most part very friendly. There were some issues waiting for food service at the bar, but would be unfair to grade them here as conditions were truly out of the ordinary.

Perks:  This was a very basic room with no extras. There’s a club-level option if you don’t mind paying extra for staying on this special floor.

Location: Tribeca and Chinatown meet right around here. Very close to SoHo shopping too.

Overall: Little rooms in the Big Apple are the norm so this is slightly above average. The fresh decor and hotel amenities give this one a little extra boost.

Rating: 3 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Cash and Points options aren’t typically available at peak times for this hotel, but I was able to use the option for this visit. This isn’t normally an inexpensive option but competes with other hotels in the area. Check for sale rates (support modhop) at Orbitz .

Smog filled view from club level at Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong.

The Room(s): By no means spacious, this twin room makes up for size-less-ness with comfort and exclusive club level benefits. The beds (or bed in a club king) are plenty comfortable to both lovers of both the firm and the fluffy. Amenities are typical of a 4 star hotel and include a large screen TV with a/v inputs for your video games and slideshows, in-room single cup neospresso coffee maker, luxurious bathrobes and plenty of comfort items to at least help you imagine a 5th star.

Service: Dedicated club-level service operates at a very high level of professionalism without losing sincerity.

Perks:  The lounge at club level is a great perk. Coffee all day, complimentary high-quality breakfast and evening cocktails all add to the allure of this premium floor.

Location: Just into Kowloon at the Tsim Sha Tsui metro stop. Near plenty of shopping and local flavor.

Overall: Service, comfortable beds and club level benefits compensated for the small size of the room.

Rating: 4 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Was able to secure using Hyatt Gold Passport points. Miles were “earned” by signing up for a partner credit card. You can also check for hotel sales at Orbitz.com.

Hotel Name: Sheraton Vancouver Airport

Location: Vancouver, BC
Book it! (Support modhop!): Orbitz.com

Room for a couple more sinks...or skee ball.

The Room(s):  “Junior” suite? Why not just call it “Not Quite, Cowboy.”? I guess I shouldn’t complain having reserved a plain ol’ hotel room before graciously accepting this slight upgrade. Name aside, this semi-premium room at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel comes with a few extras. In addition to some bonus square footage, you’ve got a separate seating area with a full sofa and a large bathroom. That’s about it. The “Sweet Sleeper” bed is great for those who love a softer mattress like I do.  Much of everything else here is the same you’d find in a typical room.

Service: Smiles and room upgrade = happy me. Front desk and room service were both efficient and friendly on this visit.

Perks:  If extra space counts as an added value to you then this room is ideal. Social spaces in the hotel lobby are a nice touch if you’re traveling in a group. The internet workstations also serve as 24-7 anti-social Facebook-checking devices if you need to get out of the room and away from the annoying, chatty roommate your company shacked you up with.

Location: About a 10 minute drive from Vancouver International, The Sheraton Vancouver Airport is a quick fix for an easy stay the night after or before a flight.

Overall: This updated Sheraton is a nice spot for a good nights rest, particularly if you love a softer bed. The practicality of the Junior suite is questionable for families because all are outfitted with just one king bed and a non-pullout sofa, but provide plenty of space for an optional roll-away…or two. The big, open lobby is a little impersonal but I’m a big fan of the internet equipt workstations and coffee (Starbucks!) option. It’s a good nights stay on your way into or out of Vancouver.

Rating: 3.5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Upgrades are nice but not the norm so if the Junior Suite strikes your fancy, it might be best to reserve it using either Starwood Preferred Guest points or cash at SPG.com check for hotel sales at Orbitz.com.

The oval desk feels a bit odd, but your back won't hate the Herman Miller Chair.

The Room(s):  This Deluxe Twin room at the Pan Pacific Singapore maintains a minimum level of comfort with reasonably comfortable bed & linens and the amenities of a typical 4 star hotel. There’s plenty of room to move around with a large open area in the main room and a large washroom with separate shower and bath. Your flat screen television carries plenty of local and international programming and is equip with audio/video inputs for previewing your upcoming presentation, watching vacation videos, video games or a million other things that I’d never think to use my hotel TV for. The rooms are updated as of 2009 but it seems some of the furnishings and the washroom are the same. Regardless, the rooms here have an updated and welcoming feel to them.

Service: With a minor exception involving housekeeping, service at Pan Pacific Singapore was outstanding. Concierge staff was extremely helpful in helping us find stuff to do other than just roam around filming hotel rooms. Front desk and lobby staff were fantastic… plus a little more fantastic. The smiles everywhere along with a basketful of professionalism gets them high marks in visitor reviews everywhere.

Perks: Complimentary wi-fi worked great and bottled water helps to rehydrate after a long day in sunny Singapore.

Location: The convention/exhibition center is directly across a busy road and the hotel itself is connected by skybridge. It’s also connected to plenty of air conditioned shopping in a large mall complex that also leads to the MTS (subway).

Overall: The impersonal feel of the main lobby is quickly forgotten if you’re distracted by really good service and/or upscale shopping. The rooms aren’t quite home, but are comfortable and have amenities that can keep you busy or entertained for as long as you’re there. It’s mid-scale luxury with very helpful and friendly staff.

Rating: 4 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Singapore Airlines offers their “Singapore Stopover Holiday”, allowing a stopover in…well…Singapore. Pan Pacific is just one of many hotels that the airline has negotiated rates for it’s passengers who take advantage. You can also book at the hotel website panpacific.com or support modhop by booking with Orbitz.com.

There's some new in the old Four Points at LAX

The Room(s): Both the rooms I experienced at Four Points Sheraton LAX were updated and comfortable. The Four Comfort bed in concert with the hotels location away from busier Century Blvd. provided a good nights sleep. The work area was perfect for a gadget hoarder like me with plenty of power outlets and complimentary wi-fi. The television is a good size… Big enough for bleary-eyed letlaggers to see (and eventuallly fall asleep to).  The lack of a dresser might be an annoyance to some but I actually like the extra space it creates.  Also the restrooms are smaller than I’d prefer and may not be great for couples, friends or families sharing a room. Otherwise, a perfectly comfortable room for a short stay.

Service: From the driver of the 24 hour shuttle to the front desk, service was above average. I didn’t expect a welcome drink and hot towel, but a smile and quick check-in was plenty. If I have a complaint it’s that room service took forever and brought me a cheeseburger in addition to the gin and tonic I ordered. They quickly apologized and removed any extra charges from my bill. The cheeseburger looked really good.

Perks: The wi-fi is free! Plus the bottled water in your room is complimentary. Perfect for the dehydrated workaholic.

Location: Being so close to LAX means you won’t have to go far after hopping off a late night flight…or a rediculously long trans-oceanic hop. Budget rent-a-car is also directly across the street. So you can shuttle to the hotel from LAX for free, grab your rental the next morning and save a few dollars.

Lobby: If you look hard enough (it’s not that hard) you can see that this isn’t a new hotel, but the recent remodel makes it look and feel much younger. The atrium area is bright, airy and comfortable. A great place so meet up with friends or colleagues.

Overall: A hotel with hundreds of reviews on sites like TripAdvisor (like this one) make it easier to see what I’m getting into. The Four Points by Sheraton at LAX gets tons of favorable marks and a few (relatively speaking) bad ones. What I gathered from reading both bad and good reviews is that the hotel has been in the process of remodeling and many of the newer reviews were positive. The less positive reviews were mainly focused on rooms that had not yet been remodeled or for more subjective reasons that are less likely to bother the rest of us. Four Points LAX is a perfectly good spot for a few nights or to get some rest during long layovers.

Rating: 3.5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: I used spg.com to book with StarPoints (Starwood Preferred Guest Program). Good rates are usually available for this hotel whether using cash, points or (when available) both.

Hotel Name: Yotel
Location: London (UK) Heathrow Airport – Terminal 4
Stars: 2

Bed and desk area as seen from the washroom.

The Room(s): The rooms at Yotel are more like generous walk-in closets than they are rooms. If you’re here, it’s likely that the plan is to shower and take a quick nap before your next flight out of Heathrow. The shower is decent and worked better than expected in removing the many hours of economy class embroidered into my skin. You might want to skip your Lady Gaga makeup routine-  The sink area is very cramped making it difficult to shave or do any useful “prepping”. There’s adequate room for minimal work and internet checking at the super-tiny pull out desk. Wi-fi is complimentary and works great once you get it figured out…It took me awhile. My normal OCD bed-bug check uncovered no critters but let me to a ton of wrappers and miscellaneous garbage underneath the mattress. Putting that out of my mind, I found that the mattress itself wasn’t  uncomfortable to sleep on. Everything was in the right place for pod living..Lighting, climate controls were convenient to the bed and the Television mounted opposite your head if you enjoy falling asleep to late night game shows or sitcom reruns.

Service: Quite good actually. The staff answered each time I called and was helpful in helping to figure out how to make the internet work and where the remote control was.

Perks: There’s a small 24 hour snack menu if you need a pringles fix. There’s also a full service restaurant/pub just outside the hotel open for breakfast, lunch dinner and drinks, but closes at a reasonable hour.

Location: You can beat it if you’re on a mileage run or just have a long connection. Just one flight down from check-in level, you don’t even leave the terminal.

Lobby: Yeah…There’s no lobby.

Overall: Yotel has definite seedy overtones and really don’t succeed in their lofty goal of feeling like a luxury hotel. In fairness, I’ll say that outside the mattress grossness, the room was clean and even comfortable considering it’s size. It’s an adequate short stay if you want to clean up a bit and get on another flight, but a 24 hour stay might be 20 hours too many.  Although I have little information and haven’t been there myself, it might be good to know that there’s a Hilton right across the street.

Rating: 2 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Yotel.com – Booked a 24 hour stay entroute back to the US. Prices are steady and make the most sense if you’re just there for a few hours. Yotel books in 4 hour block minimums.

Hotel Name: Ilikai Hotel & Suites
Location: Waikiki Beach – Honolulu
Stars: 2.5

"Mountain View" room at Ilikai Hotel & Suites. Honolulu.

The Room(s): It’s like visiting your cool grandparent’s Waikiki Beach winter timeshare. If that visualization doesn’t help then you might have gathered from the video that the room’s furnishings are slightly dated and the room is a bit tired. Decor aside, the space is at the very least functional. A good sized living area and full kitchen make it great for longer trips and family travel, particularly if you’re on a budget and choose to eat-in. The washroom is pretty bland but serves it’s purpose…again, underwhelming. There’s wired internet access but it ties you to the small desk area. On a leisure trip this might not be a huge disadvantage but if you’re like me, you’re always wanting to type something so this makes it difficult.

Service: Front desk staff was very friendly…at least I think they were. I had my eye on a nearby TV screen repeating the shot of Jack Lord in the opening to the original Hawaii 5-0 so they didn’t have my full attention. Door staff , Concierge and other hotel staff were perfectly courteous.

Perks: Nothing extra here except the natural benefits of being close to the beach …(Note that I didn’t say “on” the beach). The neighboring Hilton has the prime beach area that you’re more than welcome to use. There’s also a small lagoon-like thing to swim in if you’re afraid of large bodies of water…or  sharks.

Location: This is why you stay here. For the money the location is just about right. A short walk out the back of the hotel and you’re on the beach and not far from the little touristy village attached to the neighboring Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Lobby: The lobby is large, open but  just as dated as the rooms. Not in a cool Hawaiian retro-style, but more of a “we remodeled in the mid-90s” thing.

Overall: This is a hotel that should embrace it’s long past but sticks to it’s more recent past. If they put me in charge (which they shouldn’t), I’d throw some retro furniture in the rooms and lobby and litter the place with cardboard cutouts of hula dancers everywhere (or real ones). It seems that management doesn’t share my passion for kitsch so it retains it’s moderately priced family hotel chic that shares it’s hallways with smelly condo owners. The rooms are certainly habitable though, unless you’re sickened by Bush Administration (the first one) era decor.

Rating: 2.5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: This was part of a package from Delta Vacations and still seems like our preferred location as other choices seem to be a little further off the beach. However, there are other hotels in this class (3 star) to choose from that might provide a better balance of style and location. This was paired up with a Delta flight aboard an Airbus 330, although it appears the airline has switched up the type of aircraft it uses to Hawaii since my visit.

Hotel Name: Alila Villas Soori
Location: Western Bali, Indonesia
Stars: 5

Entrance to the beautiful Alila Villas Soori.

The Room(s): The Ocean Pool Villa  was by far the best choice for us, a couple looking for something far off the beaten path surrounded by the luxuries that elude our day to day lives. This isn’t particularly difficult for grizzled New Yorkers like my wife and I, but this was far above and beyond our expectations. Our favorite wasn’t as much the room as the outdoor pavilion where we ate meals, relaxed and did just about nothing. The infinity plunge pool lies just next to the pavilion for a quick dip and is easily accessible directly from the room or outside. Inside, you’ll find well balanced spaces with inspiring views and luxurious amenities. Your bed faces the ocean, making it a perfect spot for breakfast (or just staring) and features quality linens and a comfortable sleeping surface. Your living/work area is spacious with equal attention given to relaxation and work space. The large, flat panel TV is attached to an Apple TV unit and has a good number of movies and music selections to choose from, but no satellite TV or broadcast channels that we could find. There is also a second television in the bedroom area (not shown in video). The washroom is truly deluxe with a large, deep bath featuring a window that looks into an alcove of the plunge pool and onto the ocean without sacrificing much in the way of  privacy. Fully separated by the shower/toilet area are vanity areas each supplied with amenities specific to “him” and “her” (I”m a fan of the men’s “volcanic” soap).  A large walk-in shower lies right behind the vanity area and an exit to the outdoor waterfall-style shower is just beyond. There is also a large closet and bin area opposite the bath with plenty of storage for clothing and luggage and your in-villa safe.

Service: Unbelievable. We may have had to wait more than 3 minutes for a bucket of ice at one point, but we would really have to stretch to find any fault with our in-room service. With 24 hour attendant service You’ll find it easy to get just about anything you need at any time of day or night. Our repeated requests for ice and tonic water were met with a smile each time…and believe me, the requests were frequent. We took a special liking to Dana (Dah-nah) who was very gracious and professional during our stay. The only service-related issue was at the very beginning of our stay at one of the restaurants. There was a storm rolling in so it was recommended that we eat indoors where we found ourselves eating our meal with a steady stream of mosquitoes. Here, the staff was slow to offer a solution so we found our best option was to eat fast and retire to our villa. A brief annoyance, nothing more. We had excellent service during our entire stay, but it was after we left when the staff really shined. I had foolishly forgotten our passports in the villa’s safe (a big mistake when you don’t realize it until arriving at Bali’s airport almost 2 hours away). Luckily for us, the resort keeps an attendant at Bali Denpesar (airport) who helped us with alternate flight plans so that we could make our connecting flight in Singapore later that night. The mistake cost us, but I’m confident that he saved us hundreds of dollars. The passports were driven to us separately thanks to other departing guests who happened to be leaving shortly after I realized my mistake. A little luck and a LOT of help from our driver and the resorts staff truly saved us from a ton of agony that would have left an indelible stain on an otherwise amazing visit to Bali. Instead, we have a slightly humorous story and great memories.

Perks: Almost too numerous to mention. 24 hour on-call service with a smile, luxurious surroundings, stunning views…a seemingly endless list. One nice touch was a parting gift from the resort. On our final night we were given a small box containing a Balinese crafted sandalwood fan and a pair of attractive leather tags for our luggage.

Location: This is the resorts biggest fault and it’s most alluring feature. Well separated from anything resembling western nightlife or shopping, it’s not ideal for mega thrill-seekers or shopaholics. However, it’s location blends nicely into surrounding Balinese villages giving it a unique opportunity to offer packages that incorporate local culture. From foodie adventures and cooking classes (featuring trips to local markets) to horseback riding provided by local stables and tours of local rice fields. The resort is also located near Tanah Lot Temple, one of Bali’s most sacred.

Lobby: An open air lobby is where you’ll be met by the resort staff upon your arrival. Hot towels and drinks are provided and your baggage is magically whisked away by hotel staff and brought to your villa. A calm, shaded area with stunning views of the resort and ocean with plenty of seating perfect for meeting up with other guests.

Overall: The Alila Villas Soori’s seclusion from busy tourist areas and it’s impeccable service makes up for any convenience lost. For this reason, I’m happy to give it our highest rating.

Rating: 5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: Jetsetter offered off-peak specials of roughly $390 to $410 per night. It’s important to point out that this is a true luxury getaway, so prices reflect that even with sale prices. In simpler terms, this isn’t a Sandals (No disrespect, Sandals).  This would be an ideal stop on a greater honeymoon itinerary or maybe a luxurious way to clear your head for a week…or more.

If you’re neither a celebrity nor one of those couples longing for some serious alone time, you might at first feel a little out of place in Anguilla. But you’ll come to realize it’s one of the most quiet and relaxing vacation spots in the Caribbean. East of Puerto Rico and directly north of St. Maarten, Anguilla is an understated destination where the likes of Cameron Diaz and Ryan Phillipe hang out. This isn’t a spot with a lot of touristy fanfare. And you won’t find a Spring-type of crowd here.

Guest Room at CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla

A friend and I arrived to the island on a Friday and stayed through Monday. We flew into to St. Maarten and paid about $50 one way to have Funtime Anguilla Ferry Service take us to the island. The ride seemed a little pricey. Looking back, we could have ferried to our destination using the public ferry for a lot less — $15 per person one way before 6pm.

Admittedly, I don’t think I would have ever thought of vacationing here, but a friend from grad, school, whose family is from nearby St. Kitts, was getting married. So I made a vacay out of it. We stayed at the CuisinArt Resort & Spa – where the couple was scheduled to wed and, ironically,where the reality hit TV show, The Bachelor, was filmed. I say ironically only because the couple on the show, Brad Womack and Emily Maynard, are reportedly on shaky grounds.

Oversized Tub. CuisinArt Anguilla Resort.

I’m not sure how any couple could stay mad at each other here. The CuisinArt is a gorgeous resort. There are 93 luxury guestrooms, ranging from 900 to 7,500 square feet. The New Yorker in me was in awe, given that the bathroom alone was about the size of my Upper Eastside apartment studio (just eyeballing, roughly 400 square feet). The service was great but I just couldn’t help getting mildly annoyed with the staff directly asking me to tip rather than just waiting for me to pull a few bills to the guy who helped with our bags.

It seemed the entire island ran with a similar mentality though. But I guess that’s expected, given that this is a place where tourist are expected to shell out some serious cash. A 15-minute cab ride from the dock to the CuisinArt ran us about $18. Not including tip. The New Yorker in me thought this was clearly an injustice! And any time you wanted to get off the resort to venture to the island’s few restaurants (I told you the island is desolate and sparse), it ran at least $30. Not including tip. We went to Gwen’s Reggae bar, and I would highly recommend the outdoor joint for drinks, food and good music in a beachy backdrop.

Despite the costs, which shouldn’t really come as a surprise since this is where the stars hang out, it’s truly a nice quiet getaway.