Hi guys – it’s Dad again. I’m getting ready for my first “luxury” trip, while still keeping my budget flair in check ($700 out-of-pocket). At the end of August, my wife Marie and I will be taking our first trip to Asia. We plan on visiting Hong Kong, Macau, and Bali, Indonesia.
Traveling to Asia is clearly out of my comfort zone. To give you an idea, the only “Asian” food I’m accustomed to is combination platter #6 from my local Chinese restaurant (shrimp with broccoli, wonton soup, and an eggroll). On the other hand, Angie likes everything Asian (including Kevin), and she has no problem trying all of the exotic foods that are featured on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizzare Foods show.
I challenged myself to plan a first-class luxury trip using credit card sign up bonuses, miles, and very little out of pocket costs, and it was quite a success. This is what I came up with:
Flights:
- Flying first class on Cathay Pacific (first time) JFK to Hong Kong, and then continuing on to Bali in business class courtesy of the 100,000 Avios Chase British Airways Visa Signature card that we applied for in 2010.
- Coming back to NY in business class using American Airlines miles from the American Airlines Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa thanks to Daraias’ “2 browser trick”, which netted my wife and I 150,000 miles each.
Hong Kong Hotels:
- One night at the W Hong Kong using 12,000 SPG points (booked before category change) from my Starwood American Express
- One night at Courtyard Marriott Hong Kong from my annual category 1-5 free night certificate from my Marriott Rewards Visa
- One night at the Conrad Hilton for 50,000 Hilton HHonors points thanks to my recently-targeted 50,000 point Hilton HHonors American Express
Macau Hotels:
- One night at the Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central via 15,000 Priority Club points.
Bali Hotels:
- For Bali, we wrestled with the Hyatt and Grand Hyatt, and ended up deciding with the Hyatt because it required less points for a free night and more of a local Balinese feel. We transferred 24,000 Ultimate Rewards points into my Hyatt GoldPassport account from my wife’s Chase Sapphire Preferred.
If any readers have any suggestions for our trip, including “must sees” and some “Dad-friendly” food options, please do share.
Stay cool and happy travels,
The Dad
Have so much fun! I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Bali and it definitely did not have that Balinese feel to it. While I nice hotel, I felt like I was back in the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Make sure to get to the center of Bali (Ubud). Really cool and local feel.
Here’s my trip review from Bali: http://boardingarea.com/dealswelike/2011/12/28/grand-hyatt-hotel-nusa-dua-bali/
I will be in HK at the end of the month/beginning of next month! I will also be staying at the Courtyard Marriott (thank you Chase Marriott CC). Definitely Victoria Peak (HK Island) and the Giant Buddha (Lantau Island).
Happy travels!
Hong Kong
You must ride the star ferry, For 2.5HK$ (us$0.3)!
Every night at 8, there is a light show with music, great view of hong kong island from across.
Ride the mid level escalators.
For freshest(just out of the water) seafood you have take the ferry(30mins fast/60 mins slow) to Cheung Chau island.
FYI – Foods at thoses chinese restaurants are NOT really chinese food.
I second the recommendation to go to Ubud. For me, it was much more enjoyable than the beach areas. While there, try the Babi Guling — http://ahlianahbeng.blogspot.com/2011/07/babi-guling-ibu-oka-pasar-ubud-ubud.html.
In Hong Kong, try this restaurant – http://www.arcticnomad.com/2012/02/29/crispy-pork-buns-at-worlds-cheapest-michelin-star-restaurant/ – which more than fits within your budget. As the blogger wrote, the pork buns are amazing! The food was so good, I ate there twice in four days.
Enjoy!
@ deals we like-Great trip report.Hope to spend at least one night in Ubud.
@Lisa- Yes.. on Marriott let me know about your stay,
@Lu-Graet tips.I will try them all,especially the seafood restaurants at Cheung Chau island
@Mike-I don’t know any better.lol
@kevin-Love your restaurant suggestion!
Thanks again…
Just did a similar Trip in early June. In ubud, definitely try melting wok. Little quaint place with great flavor and very inexpensive. You can take the bali Hyatt to the grand Hyatt for free. Can’t really recommend char ming.it’s just left of the Bali Hyatt within walking distance. While you are in Hong Kong… Make sure you eat dim sum. Have fun
@efjx Thanks for the tips.Looking forward to trip.
Hihi! I’m back from Hong Kong and Taiwan :D
Courtyard Marriott Hong Kong was really nice. The staff was super nice and helpful. My room was on the 25th floor and facing the harbor, which was nice. [Tip] Be sure to take advantage of their complimentary shuttles! I saved a bunch of money on taxis.
On another note, I did need a taxi to take me to the hotel since it was quite a distance from my other hotel and I would have never found the hotel had I looked for it myself because it was facing in the side direction…
If you have some time in Hong Kong, please visit The Peak. I know that it is like the number 1 destination when traveling in HK, but it was worth it! especially at night.
Have fun!
@lisa-Thanks for the feedback..Going in 16 days!!!Can’t wait!!
I forgot to mention, when you have a moment, print out the hotel address card. Thank goodness I printed it out with me. My taxi driver had no idea what I was talking about until I saw him the card.
http://www.marriott.com/hotelwebsites/us/h/hkgcy/hkgcy_pdf/Hotel%20Address%20Card.pdf
All the best,
Lisa :)
@the dat – how did you get F class tickets to HKG + J class to Bali for only 100k on avios?
@Douze: My wife and I each applied for the 100K offer.