Trip to Guangzhou in Turkish Airlines Business Class & Guangzhou to Mumbai in Qatar Airways & Etihad A380 First Class
A few months ago, I came across some tips on Flyertalk about a cheap business class fare from Vilnius to Toronto on Turkish Airlines and since I wanted to earn Elite status in the airlines' Miles & Smiles program by the end of this year, I did not hesitate and booked the flight. Unfortunately, a schedule change forced me to cancel the flight and look for another option. I had some miles left on my American Airlines Advantage account so I thought I could redeem them flying from Guangzhou to Mumbai in first class. Flying from Mumbai to Bangkok was easy since Air India flies direct between these two cities. After thoroughly planning the trip, I ended up buying an open jaw ticket in Turkish Airlines business class, from Stockholm to Guangzhou and back from Bangkok to Stockholm. It actually turned out perfectly well as I was able to fly Qatar Airways A380 first class from Guangzhou to Doha and then to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, I was able to visit the newly opened Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa and from Abu Dhabi, I flew on Etihad's A380 to Mumbai. It was 8 flights in 6 days which was really tiring but who cares when you're flying in first and business class 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class, Istanbul to Guangzhou
Review: Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun
24 hours in Guangzhou, China
Review: Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Review: Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Guangzhou to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Doha to Abu Dhabi
Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Review: Etihad Airways A380 First Apartment, Abu Dhabi to Mumbai
Review: Loyalty Lounge, Mumbai Airport (BOM)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C West, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C East, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Bangkok to Istanbul
Tour Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun welcome gift
Date of stay: November 2-3, 2016
Address: 515-517 Yuncheng Dong Road Baiyun, Guangzhou
Nightly Rate: King Hilton Guest Room (upgraded to an Executive Room) 12,000 points + 358 CNY
How to get here: Take the metro line 3 from the airport to Jiahe Wanggang, then change to metro line 2 to Baiyun Park. It's a 10min walk to the hotel. Cost is 6 Yuan.
Hotel Exterior
Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun exterior
Hotel Lobby
Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun lobby
Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun lobby
Reception
Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun reception area
Executive Room (945)
Executive room 945
Video tour of the Executive Room 945
King bed
A very nice towel folding, swan
Welcome card signed by the General Manager. The welcome present consisted of fruits, chocolates and a bottle of red wine.
Flat screen TV
Work desk
Lounge chair and coffee table
Complimentary coffee and tea
Safe
Bathrobes and slippers
Bathroom
Toothbrush, comb, lotion
Bathtub
Shower with the Peter Thomas Roth bath products
Toilet
View
View of Baiyun Mountain to the right
Executive Lounge
The Executive Lounge is located on the 8th floor and is open from 6:30am to 10:30pm. In-room executive benefits include complimentary wired/wireless internet access and complimentary pressing service for 2 pieces per stay. There's afternoon tea from 3pm to 5:30pm and non-alcoholic drinks served throughout the day.
Executive desk
Lounge seating
Lounge seating
Magazines and newspapers
Business Area with 1 PC and printer
Evening Cocktails with canapés (6pm to 8pm)
Evening cocktails buffet
Appetizer
Salad and sushi
Sushi
Deep fried cod, lamb skewer
Potatoes
Siu mai
Black Glutinous rice (right)
Spanish wine, Don Rozas
Continental Breakfast in the Executive Lounge
Buffet spread
Cold cuts
Baked beans, crispy bacon, hash brown, fried dumpling
Afternoon Tea with Canapés
Sandwiches and dried fruits
Canapés
Fruits
Desserts
Breakfast in the Restaurant
Seating
Buffet station
Lovely cakes on display
Roasted potatoes, bacon
Noodle station
My noodle soup
Indoor Pool & Sauna
Indoor Pool (located on the 3rd floor and open from 6am to 10pm)
Sauna
Steam Sauna
Changing room
Comfort Room
Gentlemen's toilet
CONCLUSION
Last week, I stayed at the Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun for a night before taking my flight to Doha the following day. I arrived in the hotel around 6:30pm and the first thing I noticed was the beautiful chandelier in the center of the lobby. I then headed to the reception and was welcomed by Moon, a very friendly receptionist who recognized my Diamond status upon seeing my reservation details. She was glad to inform me that I had been upgraded to an executive room on the 9th floor and that there's also a welcome gift in the room. Since my flight the following day was not until 12 midnight, I politely asked her if it was possible to have a late check out. She told me they were expecting lots of guests but still gave me the 4pm late check out which was fine. I really loved my room specially the swan towel folding made by the housekeeping staff. The food selection in the Executive Lounge during the evening cocktails was very good specially the siu mai which is not to be missed when in Guangzhou. The lounge staff were also very polite and always checking if everything was okay. I was also able to check the pool and the sauna which didn't have many guests during my visit. Lastly, the food selection in the restaurant during the breakfast buffet was very extensive and the staff were also very polite. The hotel is not very close to a metro station though (about 10 minutes walk) but if you love walking, then it's just fine. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay in this hotel and would definitely stay here again when I'm back in Guangzhou. To all the staff of Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun, Xièxiè!
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A few months ago, I came across some tips on Flyertalk about a cheap business class fare from Vilnius to Toronto on Turkish Airlines and since I wanted to earn Elite status in the airlines' Miles & Smiles program by the end of this year, I did not hesitate and booked the flight. Unfortunately, a schedule change forced me to cancel the flight and look for another option. I had some miles left on my American Airlines Advantage account so I thought I could redeem them flying from Guangzhou to Mumbai in first class. Flying from Mumbai to Bangkok was easy since Air India flies direct between these two cities. After thoroughly planning the trip, I ended up buying an open jaw ticket in Turkish Airlines business class, from Stockholm to Guangzhou and back from Bangkok to Stockholm. It actually turned out perfectly well as I was able to fly Qatar Airways A380 first class from Guangzhou to Doha and then to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, I was able to visit the newly opened Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa and from Abu Dhabi, I flew on Etihad's A380 to Mumbai. It was 8 flights in 6 days which was really tiring but who cares when you're flying in first and business class 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class, Istanbul to Guangzhou
Review: Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun
24 hours in Guangzhou, China
Review: Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Review: Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Guangzhou to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Doha to Abu Dhabi
Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Review: Etihad Airways A380 First Apartment, Abu Dhabi to Mumbai
Review: Loyalty Lounge, Mumbai Airport (BOM)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C West, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C East, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Bangkok to Istanbul
Tour Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Date of stay: November 2-3, 2016
Address: 515-517 Yuncheng Dong Road Baiyun, Guangzhou
Nightly Rate: King Hilton Guest Room (upgraded to an Executive Room) 12,000 points + 358 CNY
How to get here: Take the metro line 3 from the airport to Jiahe Wanggang, then change to metro line 2 to Baiyun Park. It's a 10min walk to the hotel. Cost is 6 Yuan.
Hotel Exterior
Hotel Lobby
Reception
Executive Room (945)
Executive Room 945
View
Executive Lounge
The Executive Lounge is located on the 8th floor and is open from 6:30am to 10:30pm. In-room executive benefits include complimentary wired/wireless internet access and complimentary pressing service for 2 pieces per stay. There's afternoon tea from 3pm to 5:30pm and non-alcoholic drinks served throughout the day.
Evening Cocktails with canapés (6pm to 8pm)
Continental Breakfast in the Executive Lounge
Afternoon Tea with Canapés
Breakfast in the Restaurant
Indoor Pool & Sauna
Comfort Room
CONCLUSION
Last week, I stayed at the Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun for a night before taking my flight to Doha the following day. I arrived in the hotel around 6:30pm and the first thing I noticed was the beautiful chandelier in the center of the lobby. I then headed to the reception and was welcomed by Moon, a very friendly receptionist who recognized my Diamond status upon seeing my reservation details. She was glad to inform me that I had been upgraded to an executive room on the 9th floor and that there's also a welcome gift in the room. Since my flight the following day was not until 12 midnight, I politely asked her if it was possible to have a late check out. She told me they were expecting lots of guests but still gave me the 4pm late check out which was fine. I really loved my room specially the swan towel folding made by the housekeeping staff. The food selection in the Executive Lounge during the evening cocktails was very good specially the siu mai which is not to be missed when in Guangzhou. The lounge staff were also very polite and always checking if everything was okay. I was also able to check the pool and the sauna which didn't have many guests during my visit. Lastly, the food selection in the restaurant during the breakfast buffet was very extensive and the staff were also very polite. The hotel is not very close to a metro station though (about 10 minutes walk) but if you love walking, then it's just fine. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay in this hotel and would definitely stay here again when I'm back in Guangzhou. To all the staff of Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun, Xièxiè!
Related Posts:
Review: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Review: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila