InterContinental Marseille: A Timeless Hotel

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InterContinental Marseille: A Timeless Hotel

The InterContinental Marseille Hotel Review is part of the Round The Atlantic Trip Report.

Getting There: Uber is 45 euros but the bus is only 8 euros. Since it was my birthday and I was in a hurry, I took Uber. Since I was lazy and returning to the airport, I took Uber again.
The IC Marseille is a beautiful hotel that sits on a perch overlooking the Vieux Port. It’s like something from a movie. Indeed, it is featured in the TV series Marseille. The best part of the hotel is the view from the terrace, a view that was not available from my room. a sign on a wall Checking In I rarely receive an upgrade from IHG hotels. My status comes from the IHG card so I don’t expect special treatment. Given that it was May, the off-season, and that it was my birthday, I thought that it was possible that I would get a room with a view. I did not. Instead, I was offered a view for an extra 40 euros a night. The guy checking in next to me was offered a view for an extra 50 euros a night, so at least I got the option of a discount. Both of us declined. The Lobby The lobby is spotless. a hallway with black vases a room with a mirror and couches a hallway with large vases and a glass door a room with chairs and a table a pair of black vases on pedestals a hallway with a skylight a glass roof of a building The Room The room was big but basic. The view was of a courtyard that brought back anxiety from my previous stay in an insane asylum. The welcome amenity was not very tasty. a bed with a white headboard and a black wall a bed with a desk and a painting on the wall a bed with a black and white blanket a desk and chair in a rooma tv on the wall a chair and a table in a room a building with many windows a table with food and a book
a baguettes on a book
Skip these
The Bathroom  If a hotel bathroom has a rain shower, I’m in heaven. a group of bottles of shampoo and a towel on a tray a white sink with faucet a bathroom with a bathtub and sink a shower with a metal shower head The Terrace  I am glad that I didn’t pay extra for a room with a view. That money went towards espresso, champagne, and cigars on the terrace. a city with flags on poles a large white building with arched windows a tree in front of a building a building with many arches and tables and chairsa staircase with a black railingtwo glasses of champagne and cigar on a table a man drinking from a glass on a balcony overlooking a city a man sitting in a chair smoking a cigar and drinking wine The Hotel Itself  The hotel is lovely by day or by night. a group of buildings with a gate and steps a white flowers on a stone staircase a white flowers on a lawn a building with many windows and a staircase a gated entrance to a building Hotel Nacional de Cuba with stairs and a fencea road with a gate and trees in front of a city a group of boats in a harbor at night The Location  The hotel is walking distance to Vieux Port, street food, fine dining, and is close to the metro station if you want to attend a football match. Overall  I used my annual stay certificate and IHG points to stay here for free. I would certainly come again.

What’s Hot in Vegas: Summer 2017 Edition

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What’s Hot in Vegas: Summer 2017 Edition

Vegas is the worst city in the world, yet somehow I end up there at least once a year. Last year I went for NBA Summer League and for my interview with Richard Quest for CNN Business Traveller. This year I once again returned for NBA Summer League. I went Monday-Friday, ideal times to avoid amateur hour and overpriced everything. Here’s a list of what to do and where to stay based on my last trip.

  1. NBA Summer League: This event gets bigger each year. I go searching for legal clients and to see the inner-workings of free agency, international basketball, and the business side of basketball. There’s also basketball going on for those that are trying to see up and coming stars. a statue of a man sitting in a chair
  2. Hotels: Westin vs MGM vs SLS: This time I stayed at the Westin followed by the SLS and then the MGM. I picked the Westin for SPG requalification and the SLS both because I had not stayed there and for SPG reasons. I concluded with two nights at the MGM because of the accessibility to nightclubs and pool parties.
    a pool with people in it
    SLS
  3. Nightclubs: What’s still cool.
    • XS at Encore: Encore is the best hotel in Vegas and XS is the best club whether it be day or night.
      a pool with palm trees and a building in the background
      XS at Encore
    • Hakkasan at MGM: I was too tired to make it out to Hakkasan but the word on the street is that it’s the place to be on a Thursday. I also heard Mandalay Bay for the night swim.
    • Marquee at Cosmo: Like XS, Marquee has stood the test of time.
    • 1-Oak at Mirage: 1-Oak isn’t as popular as many of the clubs in Vegas but it’s still a solid choice. It’s easier to get into this venue of the franchise than the one in New York. a crowd of people in a concert
  4. Pool Parties:
    • Wet Republic: I went on a Thursday so it wasn’t very packed but still fun enough. a group of people in a pool
    • Encore Beach Club: If you’re there on the weekends, go here.
  5. Food: There are many high-end restaurants in Vegas. I usually end up not eating or binging at a buffet like the one at Luxor.
    a plate of food on a table
    Luxor 2016
  6. Shows: Not for me.
  7. Strip Clubs: I’ve heard the following are great.
    • Spearmint Rhino: Apparently, it has been redesigned.
    • Sapphire: There’s a great Mexican restaurant next door.
    • Crazy Horse 3
Obviously, there are tons of other options in this land of filth, but that’s more or less what I managed to do the four nights I was there. I hope never to return.

SLS Las Vegas: Not LA Cool

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SLS Las Vegas: Not LA Cool

When I think of the SLS brand, I think of the hip one in Los Angeles. That is not the case for the one in Vegas. This hotel is lodging for those coming for conventions. It isn’t for the partygoers. sls las vegas hotel review Trying to requalify for SPG Platinum, I booked one night at the SLS Vegas. At $107 including the stupid resort fee, it was a steal. The Location This hotel is the old Sahara and is located on the North end of the Strip. It’s convenient if you want to go to Fashion Show or Encore but is far if you’re looking to be in the heart of the action. Checking In When I checked in, I received two drink tickets for the Monkey Bar. Each was worth up to $15. I used them to purchase a refreshing grapefruit tequila cocktail and cucumber St. Germaine tequila drink. I initially ordered the espresso martini but sent it back at the bartender’s suggestion. She showed me the ingredients and agreed that it was an awful combination. a room with a booth and tables and pictures of a monkey a picture of gorillas on a wall a menu of a bar a napkin on a table a bar with a large counter full of drinks a glass with a drink and berries on it a glass of liquid on a table a glass of drink with ice and a green garnish Getting To The Room Get down, get down. I couldn’t keep that song out of my head. From the hallway, to the elevator, to the mirrors in the room, everything had a funky feel. a hallway with a signa mirror room with many mirrors from the ceiling a ceiling with many lights a hallway with doors and a light on the wall a door with numbers and a white paint splatter The Room The room was spacious and was equipped with a proper television, not an outdated flat screen which takes forever to flip from one channel to the next. a room with a bed and a mirror a bed in a room a window with a poster on it a room with a large mirror and a television a room with a tv and a coucha desk with a white chair and a white phone and a white boxThe Amenities As the saying goes, “Don’t get drunk off the mini-bar.” The water is free but I recommend purchasing more for those dreadful Vegas mornings. a table with food and drinks on it a group of water bottles and a couple of cards on a table two plastic bottles with black labels The Bathroom The walk-in shower had good pressure but the tile around the drain was at a sharp angle. I couldn’t find a comfortable place to stand. The photo behind the toilet was appropriate: relax, take your time. a toilet with a clock on the wall a hand pointing at a clock a white tube of lotion next to a white package a bottle of liquid next to a white box a group of white containers on a shelf a bathroom sink with a mirror above it a shower with a towel rack The Pool The pool is lame and dated. It is not the party spot I thought it would be. a group of people swimming in a pool a group of striped tents in a courtyard a pool with people swimming in it a pool with people in it a building with palm trees and a blue sky a large grey duck statue The W The W is connected to the SLS. In fact, the SLS used to own the tower that is now the W. The nicer rooms are in the W tower but with that niceness comes a higher nightly price. Overall Having an SPG hotel on the Strip for the right price may be enough to warrant a return to the SLS, despite its shortcomings.

YG at 1-Oak Vegas: Getting Too Old For This…

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YG at 1-Oak Vegas: Getting Too Old For This…

Riggs, I’m Getting Too Old For This Shit.

I’ve quoted that line too many times to count on this blog. It was true when I went to 1-Oak in Vegas during NBA Summer League. A dubiously famous rapper, YG, was performing and the line was out the door. Using my M-Life Platinum status, I bypassed the line and did not pay cover. That was almost as rewarding as winning my price of admission on a hand of BlackJack at XS two days prior. 1-Oak at the Mirage, previously Jet, is still a fun place with great hip-hop. I didn’t mind the $20 drinks or the jam-packed atmosphere. My issue was when YG came on stage and interrupted the DJ with his weak lyrics and Bel-Air Prep infringing outfit. One of his famous songs, Why You Always Hatin? is clearly directed at me. The answer is because you have no talent. a crowd of people in a club a crowd of people in a concert a man singing into a microphone on a stage with a crowd of people

Tipping At The Cash Register: Are You Bleeping Kidding?

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Tipping At The Cash Register: Are You Bleeping Kidding?

I was at the Cosmopolitan in need of a drink. Instead of paying $15 at the Chandelier Bar, I went to the gift shop and scored a big Bud Light for the superb value of $9.63. When I ran my card, the machine prompted me to add gratuity to my purchase. I was offered four choices: 0, 15, 20, or 25%. Before going with zero, I asked the clerk if anyone ever tips. He said they did to which I quipped, “for what?” He said it was good karma to tip. The other clerk said it was good luck to do so. I said it was a stupid idea. That interaction ended quickly and I left. A few months ago, I wrote about how I don’t tip Ubers. The response to those comments are worth reading/disturbing. If anyone would like to tell me why I should tip a cashier, I’d love to hear it. I do not see why anyone would ever tip a cashier. The beer is already a rip off. The cashier does nothing but scan the beer. He doesn’t open it for me or provide a garnish. He doesn’t even swipe my card. If he’s mad he doesn’t receive tips, he should complain to the Cosmo hotel or get another job. Ridiculous. a refrigerator full of cans and bottles Here’s an actual tip: For a good time, play the Vegas Escalator Drinking Game.

No More Bribes in Vegas? What Happened to This Place?

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No More Bribes in Vegas? What Happened to This Place?

I was looking for something to do on a Monday in Vegas. It used to be that there were many options. Now there are only a few. A Google search lead me to the website, Ticketfly. There I saw presale tickets to Marquee of XS for $30 for men. Not looking to commit, I figured I’d buy the tickets at the door or on the app when I arrived. I made the choice to go to XS and was told that the cover was now $50. I was also told that the TicketFly tickets were no longer available for online purchase. Since only suckers pay the full cover charge, I tried my old Vegas tactic of smooth talking the doorman to get in for free, a plan that has a 96.45% success rate. After exchanging pleasantries, the doorman said there was nothing he could do. A bit surprised, I turned to the second best alternative—a bribe. In the old days, a simple handshake with a decent denomination of money would get me and my friends past the line and include cover. Today, this practice is dead. The doorman said he wouldn’t accept money and that no one does so anymore because everything is monitored and accounted for. Bewildered, I walked away and came up with another plan. I spotted an idle BlackJack dealer and told her I was going to play one hand and win the cost of entry. She dealt me a twenty and was showing a face card. I told her that she better not have BlackJack. She did not. She had 12 which quickly turned to 22. I won and was on my way to mischief. Sam Rothstein‎’s Vegas died a long time ago and now my Vegas is dead too.

a pool with palm trees and a building in the background
XS at Encore

Getting to Centurion LAS: The Long, Long Journey

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Getting to Centurion LAS: The Long, Long Journey

Are you a poor peasant who flew Allegiant to LAS? Do you want to hit the Centurion Lounge before a night and early morning out on the Strip? Here are the directions (in pictures) for getting from Concourse A to Concourse D, home of the lounge. ‎To start, don’t be fooled by the sign that directs you to D concourse and baggage claim. That will take you out of the gates. You won’t be able to get back in without having to go through security, if at all. ‎Instead, follow the sign for C gates and prepare to walk. And walk some more. When you’ve reached the white hallways, you’ll think you are lost. You are not. Keep going. a metal cabinet in a room with a sign C gates will reveal themselves, and there will be a sign that says, “Tram to D gates.” Hurry up and get on. a sign on a wall a glass door in a building You’ll arrive at D gates to see nice murals of many cities. Here is the one for NYC: a clock on a wall The journey is not yet complete. From there, take the escalator up. Once you get to the top, go left. The sign on the information sign confirms that you are close. people on an escalator in a building a clock in a buildinga building with a glass door Now that you have arrived, do not become complacent. The hot food stops being served at 10pm and last call is 10:30pm. a bar with a television and bottles of alcohol a bar with bottles and glasses a group of bottles on a bar counter The lounge closes at 11pm but there’s no reason to stay that long. The Strip awaits! TPOL’s Tips: Black Label is only for Black Card members as is Veuve champagne.

Keep Vs. Cancel: Amex Platinum, Benz Edition

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Keep Vs. Cancel: Amex Platinum, Benz Edition

I don’t want to pay the $475 membership fee for the Amex Platinum, Benz edition. I definitely wouldn’t want to pay $550‎ for an annual fee, the increased price for the Amex Platinum card. But should I? Let’s break it down by benefits:

Airline Credits

$475 will get me $200 in airline gift cards, assuming this hack doesn’t go away. That leaves me with $275 to recoup.

Uber

The other credit that comes with the card is for Uber. It’s $15 a month ‎but only applies to trips in the US. I will be probably be around for August through November which is $80 in Uber rides. That leaves me with $195. Jan through June, I doubt I’ll be in the US more than once to use Uber. So let’s call that $15. Now I’m down to $180.

Other Perks

I have to ask myself if the perks of the card are worth the outstanding balance. Amex Offers: I don’t do these because I’m lazy. Value Verdict: Zero value for me. Centurion Lounge: I go out of my way to get to the Centurion Lounge. These lounges actually delay my arrival to my destination as I go to the lounges after arrive. In Vegas, I pre-party there before going to my hotel. In New York, I stop in for drinks to avoid the traffic and prepare for the Uber headache at LaGuardia. While the drinks are good, the food gets repetitive. Value Verdict: I do not factor the cost of getting into a lounge ‎in making my assessment. Before the points game, I sat in the terminal like everyone else. I have no issue doing that again. Delta Sky Club: I talk a lot of trash about Delta Sky Clubs but they are very convenient when I’m flying from Montana to NYC and have a long layover. Value Verdict: I won’t be making the Montana to NYC commute much longer. For the months I do, I’ll use Priority Pass where available. Priority Pass: If you thought I was hard on Delta then you won’t appreciate how hard I am on Priority Pass Lounges (see Yuck Jakarta and Maple Leaf LaGuardia). Truth be told, I do not want to lose access to these lounges. Traveling from city to city due to TPOL’s max 4 night rule in one place is exhausting. Having a lounge to recharge and catch up on emails is indispensable. Fortunately, my US Bank Altitude card comes with access. Value Verdict: No value here. SPG Gold: I’m already Platinum, so no worries here. Value Verdict: No value here. Hilton Gold: I am canceling my Hilton Reserve so I would lose my gold status. The work around is that Hilton allows families to pool accounts. So long as one person has gold status, there’s no issue. Value Verdict: Hilton Gold is big but I can find a way around it when I burn the rest of my Hilton points.

5X on Airfare

This is a serious perk worthy of consideration. I value MRs at 2 cents each. By that valuation, I would have to spend $1800 on airfare between now and ‎next year to reach the $180 mark. I have my big trip for October already booked. I will use points when I fly overseas in December and when I return in May or June. I will have to go to NY a few times before then, but hopefully the 12k Delta points deal will be bookable. Otherwise, the tickets are $300 roundtrip. Combine this with cheap airfare in Europe or Asia (where I’m probably moving) and a reasonable estimate will be $2000 in travel or $200. This would get me to the breakeven point.

X Factors

X Factor #1: Ms TPOL has an Amex Platinum. If I’m with her I can access the Centurion Lounges. With her card, I can make airline bookings and earn 5x. The only thing I cannot do is access a lounge when I’m flying solo unless I became an authorized user for $175. Since I put zero value on lounge access, I would not pay for this. X Factor #2: I have already had the Amex Platinum and the Business Amex Platinum but will hold out hope that there is another Platinum with a bonus offer or another that doesn’t have the once in a lifetime language. Overall: It’s a close call on whether I should keep or cancel this card. I am leaning towards cancelling because I do not want to pay $475 today because that’s lot of money.
a bottle of beer next to a glass of ice
So long Centurion?

A Football Match in Marseille: Do Not Miss

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A Football Match in Marseille: Do Not Miss

By now, it is clear that TPOL writes about getting Points (see Haircuts Abroad). Instead, I choose to focus on what to do with the points. For me, one of the best uses for points is to go to sporting events where the air/hotel would be cost-prohibitive (see Michigan vs. Ohio State, see Citrus Bowl). Besides flying around the US to watch the greatest team in the history of sports, I also like to attend international sporting events. In Argentina, I saw River Plate play at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti. In Guadalajara, I went to the World Baseball Classic. In Madrid, I went to Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas to watch a bullfight. In Marseille, I went to the Orange Vélodrome football stadium to see Olympique de Marseille take on SC Bastia. I took the metro from Vieux Port, changed lines, and followed the fans to the stadium.

a glass tank in a room with a wall and a turtle
A fish tank in the metro, so lavish
a sign on a pole The venue was world-class and the seats which cost 50 euros were spot on. Although this was the last game of the season, the action was intense both on and off the pitch. Flare guns, chants, and singing started on one side of the stadium and were echoed on the other. At one point the teams got into a brawl which further ignited the crowd. Marseille finished its disappointing season with a 1-0 win over SC Bastia. For me, the disappointment came before the conclusion of the match. At halftime, I went to get beer, but the queue was so long that I didn’t make it to the front of the line in time to buy a round. The strict policy is not as bad as Argentina, which doesn’t allow alcohol in the stadium and around the stadium two hours before and after the game. Given the emotion of the game, I can see why alcohol sales are limited. Like college football games, drinking is not necessary with this level of excitement. a large white building with a curved roof with Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the background a football stadium with people in the standsa blue sky above a stadiuma crowd of people in a stadium a large crowd of people in a stadium a large stadium filled with people a football field with people in the stands a football field with people in the stands a football game in a stadium a man standing in a stadium with a crowd of people a building with a blue sign on top After the game, it was time for street food. Kebab and pizza was for lunch and it ended up being for dinner as well. a food stand with a man standing behind it a plate of pizza on a table If you are in Marseille, do not miss a football match. For 50 euros, I had great seats. I can’t even guess what it would cost to sit with the rabid fans nor would I recommend doing it unless you can sing and chant along with them.  

Fancy French Food? Choose Street Food In Marseille Instead

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Fancy French Food? Choose Street Food In Marseille Instead

I love to eat. I especially love to eat authentic local cuisine. I’m not talking about the incomparable Olive Garden Times Square or the bistro, McDonald’s (said in French accent) in Paris. I’m talking about something more holy. I’m talking about street food. From Barbados to Trinidad to Sicily to stops in between, I have been unapologetically eating like a fat man on this Round The Atlantic Tour. That did not stop in Marseille where I had pizza and kebab and more pizza and kebab. I know what you’re thinking, pizza isn’t street food and kebab is available anywhere in the world. While I agree with you and have written about the Top Places to Get Kebab(p), the pizza and kebab were special. I’m not sure if it was the dough in the pizza or the spice in the kebab, but I couldn’t get enough. Located on 24 Rue des Feuillants in a diverse neighborhood of Marseille is Pizza Charly. The line was long but worth the wait. Not far from there is Istanbul City Kebab which is on 22 Cours Belsunce. Grab a table, order kebab, and watch the people go by. Pizza  a group of people standing in front of a pizza stand a large pizza on a counter a group of people in a restaurant a hand holding a pizza a man eating a sandwich on a street Kebab a group of people walking on a sidewalk with La Rambla, Barcelona in the background a group of people sitting outside a restaurant a tray of meat and vegetables a plate of food with tomato slices a plate of food with a side of salad and french fries The next best area for street food was outside of the Orange Vélodrome football stadium. After attending a match, a sound strategy is to run to the nearest vendor, load up on pizza and kebab, and make a mad dash for the metro. I made the mistake of sampling too many vendors and ended up in a massive queue on the way back to the city center. Alternatively, you could take your time and try more places while the crowd dissipates. a building with a blue sign on top a large pan of food a man cooking food at a street food stand a food stand with a man standing behind it a group of people standing in front of a food stand a plate of pizza on a table

Even though Marseille is known for its bouillabaisse, when I return, I will spend less of my time fine dining and more time on the street. And you should too.

 
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