Hotels

Mlife Hyatt status match

mLife Platinum Players Card
mLife Platinum Players Card

Using the Mlife Hyatt status match is a great way to immediately gain status with two great loyalty programs.

I am still relatively new to the loyalty game.  However, one of the best deals I have found so far is with Mlife, the Las Vegas loyalty club for the MGM Mirage properties.

Mlife has a partnership with a number of companies outside of Las Vegas, including Hyatt.  If you are an Mlife member (and you should be if you have been to Vegas even once), you can status match with Hyatt’s Gold Passport program.  This means not only can you earn points for Hyatt when you stay in Vegas (5 Hyatt Gold points for every $1 you spend at an Mlife resort), but you can also get the perks of a higher tier status with Hyatt, assuming you have spent some money in Vegas.  Likewise, if you have status with Hyatt, you can match your status to Mlife.

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Waimea Plantation Kauai Review

Cottage "D"
Cottage “D”

While Hawaii is one of my favorite travel destinations, I took my first trip to Kauai in January.  Dramatically different than the arid sprawl of the Big Island, Kauai is smaller and much more lush.  I had wanted to check out Kauai to check off the four large islands of Hawaii and I am glad I did.

I stayed at the Waimea Plantation; located on the southwest side of the island at the base of Waimea Canyons.  The town itself is a 45 minute drive from Lihue airport (the only commercial airport on the island).  You drive through various jungles, next to canyons, and past coffee groves.  The town of Waimea itself is small and seems to be stuck in the 1950s.  The next town over is Hanapepe, known for it’s art galleries.  While you will find tourists here; there are no large resorts on this side of the island.

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Four Seasons Scottsdale Review

IMG_0047 A few days after Christmas I received a call from a friend offering me use of his unit at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Residence Club over New Years.  I had never stayed at a Four Seasons but have always heard that they are the measure of service in the hotel industry.  I said yes and booked my flight from Seattle to Phoenix.

Residence Clubs with the Four Seasons are similar to timeshares; you buy in and pay an annual fee and get a week at their resort.  Instead of a hotel room (at least in Scottsdale) you get a two bedroom, three bathroom unit with a full kitchen, dining room and living room.  You get access to all the amenities of the hotel plus a Residence Club pool, restaurant, and club house.

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco SLC Review

Kimpton Hotel Monaco SLC Hotel Review This is my review for the Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.  I stayed for two nights in March, 2014.  This was my first stay at a Kimpton hotel, but I had heard that they are a great brand. The Salt Lake City Hotel Monaco … Read more