Dublin airport, Shannon and north of the border bases too such as Belfast are seeing a steady increase in travellers year on year. Wether your journey is starting here in Ireland or you are using the island for connections to onward destinations, the cheaper air tax in comparison to other UK and European airports is making it financially beneficial for all travellers. There are multiple airlines now flying to world wide locations from all airports in Ireland North and South and the choice is ever increasing. A long term provider for reliability on North American connections and beyond is United Airlines. Travelling business class with United for business or pleasure is a luxuriously indulgent experience and the only way to start your holiday. Most people still think that first class air travel is out of their league but by simply planning in advance and being flexible with your dates and onward connections, you can grab a bargain or two along the way. ?

Click here for current business class offers with United Airlines 

  
United Airlines offers direct flights to North America daily from Belfast, Dublin and Shannon. Their direct connections from Ireland include cities such as New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago and Orlando. ✈️

The moment you step into the first class cabin with United your jacket is taken from you and stored, and followed swiftly by a glass of something fizzy before take off. The select crew introduce themselves to you whilst gifting you with your very own amenity pack to be able to freshen up before departing. By the time you have perused the delectable menu and wine choices on offer, you are airborne and on your way in the most relaxed atmosphere you could hope for. Why should air travel be so taxing? United make it a pleasure. We have sampled deliciously succulent steak, luxurious wild smoked salmon and even beautiful beef burgers are on offer sometimes! Not forgetting the mouth watering cheese and port selection followed by an ice cream sundae from the desert trolley. You get to choose your toppings, it is entirely up to you. After being fed and watered like a king, there is nothing nicer than stretching out and watching a newly released film from their on board entertainment system. Depending on the route travelled and aircraft used, you may also have the addition of wifi on board. This is currently being rolled out across Uniteds fleet. Personally I like to lie back and admire the fantastic scenery along the way. Below is the awe inspiring Colorado Mountains en-route to Las Vegas. 

   

United airlines also offer a generous reward scheme for frequent flyers. Mileage plus is a great way to accumulate your air miles and redeem them for upgrades, free flights and even meals in the airport. It is currently the worlds most rewarding loyalty programme. We recently used some of our points for wonderful sushi and wine in Newark international airport. A great touch! 

 
For further information on flights and prices click here

To sign up to their newsletter and loyalty scheme click here

Bangkok is a fascinating place. The city never seems to stop. The searing relentless heat and humidity, the terrifying traffic, the never ending network of overhead cables that adorn every street corner or roadside and not forgetting the pungent yet fragment aroma wafting from the street food venders and night markets.  It all combines to make this sprawling Asian metropolis a must see destination when heading East. 

  

The Banyan Tree group of hotels is a well established luxury brand in the East and we opted for one of the tallest hotels in the city. The Banyan Tree Bangkok is a welcoming, luxurious hotel located in the central business district but within easy walking distance of most attractions and markets. Try a tuk tuk for the experience but the taxis are always better value if your tired, worn out feet won’t carry you any further. Don’t forget to barter with everyone, taxis included! 

The hotel rooms are large with fantastic uninterrupted views across the city skyline. Our room had a large expansive bathroom with separate power shower and deep soak tub. We also had a large work area alongside the lounge though we thought it was a space that could be better utilised. Both rooms have floor to ceiling windows to allow you to soak up the vista outside.

   
 The welcoming roof top pool was needed most days after exploring the city streets. At anytime of the day or evening, the small private pool area was never busy or over crowded and had good attentive staff on hand when you needed your next Singapore Sling! Being twenty one floors up there was always a breeze, which was a welcome contrast to the still, hot air on the streets below. The beautiful spa area and hotel health club is also situated on the same floor though we never tried it. Next time for sure! 

   
 
The hotel has several bars and restaurants. A vast selection of exotic cuisine is on offer. For lunch on our first day we decided to plunge head first into the local cuisine and opted for Saffron, one of the hotels restraunts. After quite sometime deciding on what to try we opted for the dim sum. A mouth watering selection of traditional style small plates arrived. Too many to mention but the fermented egg will always be remembered for sure for a number of reasons. A surprisingly tasty treat! ?

  
Saving the best to last, on our final evening we just had to experience the hotels Moon Bar and Vertigo Lounge high up on the roof top. This is a place definitely not for the faint of heart. Perched high on the 61st floor, this open air restaurant needs to be seen to be believed. While waiting for our table to be prepared, we sat in awe of the glittering skyline line while imbibing in a master crafted apperatif. (Selected from a backlit menu, no less!)

  
  
Once our table was ready, we were ushered to our seat and with the help of our attentive waiter, we made our selections. The exotic choices on offer were enticing to say the least but we persevered and settled on foie gras and caviar appetisers and mouth watering, succulent blue filet mignon for main. The cheese board was really not needed but it is not everyday you dine in such places! 

   
   

If you want to experience Bangkok in all its glory without ever having to relinquish your five star securities then Banyan Tree Bangkok is the place for you.  

For more information click here to visit The Banyan Tree website.

Orlando Florida has long been a favourite for young and old. The sunshine state which it is often referred to, with its year round sunshine  and a plethora of world famous attractions and theme parks makes it a must visit with or without the family! Mum will love the shopping malls and discount outlets, dad will love outdoor world where you can leave him exploring all day and the kids will love Universal Studios and Disney world. There really is something for everyone! The perfect base to explore  Orlando and its attractions is the fabulous Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. When you enter the sprawling complex and lush gardens you feel immediately cocooned in your luxurious surroundings.

   
 
The hotel has an expansive pool complex featuring slides, numerous large pools and bridges and caves interlinking them all. Tucked away under one of the waterfalls is an impressive gym and even a laundry room and games room! If you still have energy left after a full day of parks and shopping then you could take a boat out on the large onsite  boating lake or even a round of golf at the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. Not forgetting the Marilyn Monroe spa for some much needed pampering after a hard days shopping. 

   

  

When booking be sure to ask for a high floor. The views over to Disney world right next to the hotel, gives you a birds eye view of the nightly fireworks display. A sight you never tire of! You also get the privilege of witnessing some jaw dropping sunsets. We have visited now several times in July. With the high heat of summer, it can bring spectacular thunder storms but they normally clear quickly. This can disrupt the smooth running of the theme parks and its roller coasters however due to the risk of lighting strikes.  Be sure to do your research to see what time of year best suits your needs as the height of summer is super hot. The high humidity could be tough going for some over July and August. We love the heat though so high season is not a problem. It also helps that The Grand Cypress has brilliant air conditioning in all the rooms and public areas. 

   
The hotel rooms are well finished, with large modern bathrooms and good power showers and products. When lying by the pool be sure to head to the pool bar and get yourself a bucket of beers to cool down and try their Buffalo wings, Awesome stuff! 

  
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is located around twenty minutes drive from Orlando international airport. The Hyatt hotel chain also offers a rewarding loyalty scheme. We will be back to see you guys soon!  

For more info about the fabulous Regency Grand Cypress click here

 

Summers gone and although the sun still shows his face now and then, the colder shortened days and the dreary dark nights are enough to drive you to hibernation. If it wasn’t for the mortgage! Tenerife is a beautiful volcanic island of great contrast, and statistically the third highest volcanic island in the world from ocean floor to mountain top. It is also the highest land point of Spain and the most populated island of Spain too.

Tenerife has an envious climate of sunshine and warmth the year through. With a short flight time of around four to five hours from the UK, and multiple budget airlines offering daily flights year round it really couldn’t be any easier to get away between now and next spring.

We stayed at Sandos San Blas nature resort and Spa. A five star property situated only ten minutes from the airport. The hotel complex is extremely well designed and has numerous pools and bars, several of them adult only. Even though it is a large hotel, the design and layout of it makes it never feel crowded.  Making this the perfect getaway for just the two us. Set into a hillside which leads you gently down to the waters edge, you can wander over the cliff path to the local harbour only minutes away for some Spanish wine and tapas, or stay onsite with the all inclusive option and enjoy the delights that are being served in the San Blas onsite eateries. Both offering fresh fish and a wide selection of traditional and European dishes daily.

Click here for more information on Sandos San Blas Hotel 

The hotel resort has numerous sporting activities if the notion takes you. Try the onsite golf, canoeing in the boating lake next to the hotel itself, or tennis and basketball. On several afternoons we followed one of the walking trails through the nature reserve and discovered some of the hidden delights dotted throughout ?

The hotel offers large modern rooms with spacious balconies mostly offering sea views. Check out the funky glass wall through to the luxurious double bathroom and jacuzzi tub! The hotel offers nightly entertainment if after tea you still have energy left to get up and dance! We loved the option of just chilling out by the adult pool ( which was heated in the winter ) and enjoying a few G & T’s in the sunshine before heading for dinner and a bottle of wine. Sometimes it’s the simple things! Excellent staff, spotlessly clean and luxurious surroundings and not costing the earth, Sandos San Blas nature Resort is hard to beat ❤️

For more information about the resort click here 
For flights and prices to Tenerife from the UK & Ireland click here