It’s time for a reader photo. Thanks to Xan for sending in this one.

Correct Answer: Rome, Italy
Winner: Brian

If you’d like your photo featured, please email it to me at onemileatatime@hotmail.com, along with the correct answer.

There are two airline related topics that will instantly turn people uncivil – seat recline in coach and babies in first class. Every time I read an article (or write a post) about seat recline in coach, the commenters on both sides get extreme, typically threatening one another.

My stance with seat recline in coach has always been that it’s a right (that’s why the recline button is on the seat of the person wanting to recline), though people should be respectful about it. I don’t recline in coach on domestic flights (though admittedly I don’t fly coach domestically a whole lot… other than this week) because I think space is already tight enough for everyone. But still, it’s a right. The person behind you could have purchased a seat with more legroom, much like the passenger of size could have purchased two seats, but chose not to. It’s not my fault they’re tall and the airlines design seats to be so small. But like I said, I just don’t recline out of courtesy.

Babies in first class is a tougher issue, though, and one I didn’t put a whole lot of thought into… until my mileage run last week. I won the baby lottery twice.

There were four infants in first class on my flight from Tampa to Chicago, including ten month old twins. The babies were well behaved aside from about 30 minutes of crying, which is understandable. What drove me absolutely nuts were the parents that were obviously very stressed about traveling with infants and constantly yelling back and forth at each other. It was truly painful to watch, especially since the dad was pretty whipped. “MAKE HIM DRINK THE BOTTLE.” “He doesn’t want to drink, honey.” “THEN FEED HIM CHEERIOS.” “He doesn’t want Cheerios, honey.” Poor guy!

On my return redeye from San Francisco to Miami I also had two babies in first class. Even worse, I had one of the nuttiest seatmates I’ve had in a long time. She was an American living in the Caribbean (“I don’t need the US government knowing what I’m doing”), and she was into black magic and a lot of other “alternative” things, which she extensively tried to educate me on. She said to me “if they just gave me five minutes with the baby I’d have him knocked out for the next five hours.” No way I’d trust this lady with my kid!

Even worse than listening to the baby cry for an hour was listening to the lady next to me bitch and moan nonstop for the entire time. Fortunately I managed to convince the flight attendant to pour her steady, big glasses of red wine, so she was knocked out soon enough.

But in both cases I’d say having the babies in first class certainly took away the benefit that comes with first class, which is being able to arrive relaxed. Of course I had upgraded, but what about the others on the plane that paid for first class (including the nutty lady seated next to me, who was going bonkers)? Even more so, what if my flight had been in international business class on a route that’s all about arriving well rested (like the British Airways New York to London Sleeper Service)?

The main issue is that as much as some like to complain about it, this isn’t really any one party’s fault. The babies? Well, it’s certainly not their fault they cried, I remember doing the same when I was a few months old (okay, maybe I don’t actually remember it, but I’m sure I did). The parents? Well, everyone thinks their kids are the best in the world, so when the baby cries some parents just smile and say “isn’t he cute?” Even the most well behaved infants will cry, no matter how hard parents try to prevent it. But ultimately you can’t control the actions of an infant.

A while back Malaysia Airlines announced they would be banning infants in first class, which is the first airline I know of that has instituted such a policy.

Let me put it this way – if you’re paying $20,000 for a first class ticket, you damn well deserve to arrive well rested. At the same time, if you’re a parent and paying $20,000 to fly in first class with your baby, wouldn’t the airline be crazy to turn down the revenue? Keep in mind that on international flights, the infant fare is 10% of the full fare cost of the ticket, so they’re getting quite a bit of extra revenue for nothing.

I don’t know where I actually stand here, but rather I’m just sharing my thoughts. I doubt we’ll see an airline follow Malaysia’s lead, because nobody will change their spending habits based on an infant in first class since the competition allows it as well! Airlines only have revenue to lose by banning babies, at least in the short run.

I’ll close by saying that if I were a parent and had an infant, I would fly coach (though I’m not suggesting anyone else should feel the same). Much like I think seat recline is a right yet I don’t exercise it, I acknowledge that having an infant in first class would be a right, though I’d feel uncomfortable as a parent. People get a lot more irritated by infants in first or business class than in coach, and I would get stressed out trying to ensure the infant doesn’t cry and that I don’t disturb anyone else’s rest. But then again I tend to worry about everything in life a bit too much.

Where do y’all stand? If you’re a parent, do you feel at all uncomfortable in a premium cabin with an infant cause you don’t want to get yelled at? Business travelers, if an airline banned infants in premium cabins, would you vote with your wallet and be more likely to fly with them?

Let’s face it, there aren’t very many exciting fourth quarter hotel promotions. Hyatt is offering 5,000 Gold Passport points after every three nights spent at their hotels, while Starwood is offering double or triple base points depending on which nights of the week you’re staying.

That’s why Hilton’s fourth quarter promotion isn’t half bad, given that they historically run weaker promotions than Hyatt and Starwood. Through December 31, Hilton is offering either double base points on all stays, or one free night after every four stays or ten nights spent at Hilton hotels on eligible rates. You have to register and choose one or the other, and once you make your selection you can’t change it. There’s also a fairly long list of non-participating hotels.

While this promotion probably isn’t worth mattress running for, it’s not a half bad promotion compared to the competition.

(Tip of the hat to Leonard)

It’s time for a reader photo. Thanks to gobluetwo for sending in this one.

Correct Answer: Paris, France
Winner: Gilles

If you’d like your photo featured, please email it to me at onemileatatime@hotmail.com, along with the correct answer.

I’ve been meaning to visit the Andaz San Diego for a while now, since it’s the one Andaz hotel in North America I’ve yet to visit. I love San Diego and I love Andaz, so when I found a reasonable fare to San Diego and time in my schedule, I booked it.

Andaz is a funny brand. Their three other properties in the US are in West Hollywood, New York 5th Avenue, and New York Wall Street. My first stay at each of those three hotels was subpar in some way (at least at the beginning), but in the meantime I’ve grown to love the brand as all my subsequent stays have been excellent.

My rate was originally $249 per night, since the hotel was sold out, and it was the “guaranteed Diamond rate.” For a sold out hotel that’s not a bad rate, but as my stay approached I kept checking back and noticed the rate dropped – first to $229, then to $209, and then to a AAA rate (including breakfast) of $193. So over my two-night stay I saved around $150 (factoring in the reduction in taxes due to the lower rate) just by checking back and constantly rebooking my stay. It’s just another reason to never book a pre-paid rate, since the flexible rate might just end up being lower.

I took a cab from San Diego Airport, which took about 15 minutes and cost about $15.

In the lobby I was greeted by one of the “hosts.” As is typical at Andaz hotels, there’s no formal front desk, but rather “hosts” that roam around with tablets helping guests check-in.

Lobby

Lobby

I’m the least “hip” person out there so usually I kind of expect a pretentious attitude at these styles of hotels, but there was none to be found. I was addressed by my last name several times throughout the interaction and informed of Diamond benefits (including that I could have complimentary breakfast either in my room or the restaurant). The host explained my room would be ready in about 30 minutes (I was checking in at around noon), which I was perfectly fine with. He invited me to go up to the rooftop to hang out and use the wifi if I wanted, which I did.

The rooftop is probably the highlight of the hotel… sort of. It has plenty of areas to “lounge” and also a really cool pool. Unfortunately it’s populated by the douchey, type-A, So-Cal crowd, which makes it almost unbearable. I’m not just talking about average Southern Californians, but rather girls who are absolutely convinced Katy Perry’s “California Girls” song is written about them. I think I’ve met my overhearing “Oh my God, I’m like so hungover, but last night was AY-MAZE-ING” quota for the year. Anyway, that’s a function of the location and not the hotel as such, so take it with a grain of salt.

Rooftop

Rooftop bar

Rooftop pool

After spending about 45 minutes on the rooftop I went back to the lobby. The agent remembered my name and said my room was now ready, so made the keys for me.

I was assigned room 421, which was as far as I could tell a standard room. I was traveling alone so didn’t mind not receiving an upgrade, especially since the hotel did seem to be full.

Hallway

The room was fairly small though well appointed.

Room 421

In addition to a king size bed the room featured a modern couch and workstation.

Couch and desk

The bathroom featured one of those fancy showers that should require a manual. Interestingly it had a glass wall on both sides, so you could see into the bathroom and into the bedroom. No problem if you’re traveling alone or with a spouse, though be sure you also close the blinds or else someone from the building across the street could look straight into your shower.

Sink

Shower

Toilet

There was also a minibar, and as is always the case at Andaz hotels, the soft drinks and some of the snacks were free. Typically all the snacks are free, though in fairness the Andaz San Diego has a much more extensive snack selection than any other Andaz I’ve visited. Unfortunately the “Booty Parlor” intimacy kit and vibrator that were with the snacks weren’t free.

Free minibar items

Minibar

Minibar

As far as the features of the room goes, one area they could improve on is outlets. There weren’t any near the desk. While it worked out fine because I had my longer cords with me, it’s ridiculous that there aren’t more outlets near the desk, especially given that the hotel was only recently rebranded.

On the plus side, I really liked the blackout curtains they have. I had taken a 6AM flight from Tampa and pulled an all nighter the night before, so I was happy to be able to get some “real” sleep during the day.

View from my room

Speaking of keeping the outside world out – while the blackout curtains were great, there was a ton of outside noise. The Andaz not only has its own nightclub, Ivy, but there’s also another bar right across the street, called Double Deuce. The noise was so loud from around 11PM till 2AM that I literally couldn’t sleep. I don’t know if the sound insulation sucks or if the bar was just that loud, though for anyone that is a light sleeper, this could be a serious issue.

Another highlight of the hotel was the breakfast. The first morning I ordered an omelet and fruit plate via room service. It was delivered within 20 minutes and was delicious. The omelet had veggies and cheddar cheese, and was served with potatoes and two slices of multi-grain toast.

Room service breakfast

Fruit plate

The second morning I had breakfast in the restaurant, Quarter Kitchen. I got there just before it closed at 11AM so it was fairly empty, though the service was still good. What I found interesting is that the omelet cost $15 via room service, while it cost $10 in the restaurant. While I realize there’s a premium for room service, a $5 difference, plus a $3 delivery charge, plus the forced 20% gratuity seems pretty substantial. That being said I thought $15 was reasonable to begin with, so the $10 charged was especially reasonable for a hotel restaurant, for those that aren’t Diamond members or might be locals.

Quarter Kitchen

Quarter Kitchen

Quater Kitchen

One night I also ordered dinner via room service because I caught a cold while traveling, which was also good.

Room service dinner

On the whole I’d definitely return to the Andaz San Diego. Having tried all the Andaz hotels in the US, I can officially say that I love them all. I’d return in a heartbeat, though I’d be sure to take a nap during the day in anticipation of being up until 2AM due to the nightclub at the hotel and bar across the street.