Chucho

I had once written this post only to have it lost - probably too long and it was my first time to lay this all out. So, here I go again . . .
I hope this isn't going to be as confusing on paper as it is in my head!

I do have to say how impressed I am by this board. What a wonderful treasure of information! I have been almost eavesdropping for awhile with asking a question now and then but basically just waiting for my definate dates for my long awaited dream vacation to the Great Wall and Thailand. I want to share with you my plan for the itinerary to get your feedback, ipinions and suggestions.

With reading the posts it seems that a little background info about us may be a good idea.
Chucho & I (Deborah) live in the tropical resort town of Ixtapa, Mexico. I have been in the restaurant/hospitality industry for 35 years - so hotel selection is important to me. We own and operate 2 restaurants so needless to say we LOVE food and to eat.
I am Canadian, now over 18 years living in Ixtapa and Chucho is Mexican. Chucho comes from a humble background, he was born in the mountains and grew up on his father's ranch without running water, electricity or even a front door on the house. (probably very similar to what we will see on our travels).
I LOVE 5 star plus, fancy, shcmancy hotels - and he says "I can just sleep on a floor!" But, in all honesty when we travel around Mexico it is usually in Mexican 3 starish hotels (we don't like B&B).
The location of accommodations is most important to me. I want to stay on the main square or within site of the Forbidden City (for eg), and be close to popular restaurants, shopping and entertrainment. I would rather stay in a 3 star hotel with a central location that a big 5 star on the outskirts of town.

As May 30, 2007 is my 50th birthday my dream and goal for a long time has been to be standing on the Great Wall of China - drinking champagne - of course (is that okay?, Do I have to bring my own bottle?)
We will be leaving the U.S. around May 24 so on the big day we have overcome jet lag and are comfortable.

I have a regular customer at my restaurants who is a travel agent from Minnesota. Last year I had asked if she could help me out with my arrangements and she said of course no problem. I have done ALOT of reading and research (a lot of it thanx to Fodor's board) and I know pretty much where I want to stay and go. I certainly don't want to be part of an American group of tourists (group being the negative there), but I am sure that I will want a guide - Jane Yeo and Tong - for a lot of what we want to do. I also think that we should be able to get along quite well with public transportation and if it is like Ixtapa, there are travel/tour reps in every hotel lobby.

ITINERARY:
Zihuatanejo - SFO May 24
SFO - PEK, May 25
May 26 - May 31
6 nights Beijing - my hotel selection is either the Wangfujing Grand of the Cui Ming Zuing
PEK - Xian, June 1 - 3
3 nights in Xian - selection, Bell Tower Hotel. One night though I want to do the hike at Hua Shan for the sunrise - anyone been there?
Xian - HK , June 4 - 6
3 nights in HK - Salisbury YMCA or Royal Garden Hotel (although after reading rkkwan trip report and Cicerone I may cancel this part due to the smog)
HK - BKK, June 7 - 12
6 nights BKK - hotel selection, Siam Heritage Hotel on Surawond Rd., or Majestic Grand on Sukhumvit.
Day trips around BKK - Damnern Saduak floating market, tiger temple and monkey school in Kanchaniburi, Palace, Royal barge museum, make merit, SHOP for jewelry, muay-thai, eat, eat EAT!
June 13 - Organize boat transport to Ayuttahaya and spend one night.
June 14 - train from Ayuttahaya to Lopburi, spend one night.
June 15 - train from Lopburi to CM
6 nights CM, June 15 - 20 - Yaang Come Village and 2 nights at the elephant camp that KimJapan was at - although I don't know how to organize this.
CM - Bkk June 21, 22
Last two night in Peninsula Hotel.

My frist request is to fly business class on an Asian airlines - Preferably Singapore Air. I want my vacation to start from the moment I board the aircraft and have Asian flight attendants, servce and food. The travel agent has given me flights with United - return, but it's not really a return if I go SFO - PEK and the back BKK - SFO? Right? Will I be disappointed on United?

Not one of the hotels that I requested was included in the "package" that was set up for me. They also have private rountrip airport transfers - is that necessary, can't I do this on my own? Or have the hotel pick us up? Or Jane or Tong?
Buffet breakfast??
Tours with lunch??
Taxes included - that's okay
Hotels given by agent;
Beijing - The Capitol Hotel (can't find this anywhere)
Xian - Sofitel on Renmin Square
HK - Marco Polo Hotel - doesn't say which one
BKK - Royal Orchid Sheraton
CM - Imperial Mae Ping
BKK - Peninsula Hotel - one out of 6!

The travel agent says "I have advised and changed some of the hotels. I recommend other hotels in the same areas you had selected. I do not recommend certain hotels because of their lack of quality and unacceptable accommodations" (?Yaang Come Village? Not acceptable?) "I have also built into the package private guided tours in Beijing and Xian. In these cities it is not recommended that you do these tours on your own because the language barrier would be an issue." (true?) "In all other cities I feel it would be safe and comfortable for you to do your own thing".

Questions - any opinions on the hotels that I have selected? I should be able to book these directly or with Asiarooms or Huahin 20, right?
Booking flights? Can I do this over the internet without too much hassles and knowing that it is secure? Will I be able to arrange accommodations for Hotels in Ayuttahaya and Lopburi from BKK?

I hope this all isn't too scatterbrained- This is a first time for me and I have wanted it for such a long time I just don't want to be disappointed. I don't think though that I need the organzed deal with the travel agent???
(one thing on the plus side for the travel agent - the price was right)

I await the replys.

Deborah

KimJapan

I would say make your own arrangements. The agent can only provide you with hotels that their wholesalers have contracted with, and your choices are not included...nothing to do with quality.

In Hong Kong, the Salisbury YMCA is a very good value with a great location, good rooms, and a great reputation, too. Majestic Grand in Bangkok is also quite good in terms of location and value (choose the larger rooms for the most comfort). In Chiang Mai, Yaang Come Village is nicer than the highrise hotel recommended to you. Elephant camp you arrange yourself by contacting Supat either by e-mail or through the website www.changthai.com . The price has doubled since last year...you might consider the Anantara's (Golden Triangle) Mahout Discovery program for the same program and nice beds, pool, spa...

In terms of your package...United is fine, not great, but fine. If the price is right, I would use them. Note that their schedule is not great...arriving in your Asian destination late at night/early morning after a change in Tokyo, and departing BKK early morning for a change in Tokyo. Thai Air and Singapore Air offer a nicer schedule in my opinion from the US.

Transfers from the airports...private transfers are nice, but are seldom affordable. You can easily get a taxi or a fixed price limo service from the airports yourself.

You can book this whole trip yourself, no problem, and I'll bet you can do it for less than you've been quoted unless your buisness class airfare is a particularly good deal.

For your hotels, do check the booking sites you mentioned, but also check directly. Also, I've recently found that a Virtuoso agent has a very good price for the Peninsula Bangkok. If you don't know a Virtuoso agent, you can request that one contact you http://www.virtuoso.com/us/ or have a look at www.whatahotel.com for an idea of what benefits they can offer you (note that they charge $35.00 per trip for booking hotels)...and note that their price is sometimes much better than others and sometimes not better at all so you have to shop around. One benefit of Virtuoso bookings is the upgrade you often get.

KimJapan

I forgot to include something that I think is very important.

This is your dream trip, and it should be exactly as you like, including your choice of hotels. You have done your homework and made your selections and your agent should honestly tell you that she is not able to book them, not tell you that they are not good...your choices are great.

You should not feel obligated in any way to book the trip suggested to you by this agent just because she is a customer of yours...she does not feel obligated to eat in your restaurant every nights, right? You could tell her that her suggested itinerary does not suit you, and tell her again what you want and see if she does better, or you could tell her that you are going to book the whole thing on your own as you want to stay in smaller places that aren't sold by most wholesalers, or you could ask her to book only the air components if that price is good.

The big point is that you do not have to settle for an intinerary that you are not pleased with, and do not have to stay in hotels that are not your choice, package or not.

Kathie

Hear, hear, Kim. Chucko, Kim is absolutely right. You've done your research, it's your trip, you should have exactly what you want. I'd guess (from past experience) that you can do better booking it all yourself.

rkkwan

A few comments.

In June, the air quality in Hong Kong should be better than right now. But it's going to be hot and humid.

Any of the Marco Polo hotels in Hong Kong are nice with very large (by HK standard) rooms. The Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel is the better of the three.

You don't really need a hotel transfer in Hong Kong. A taxi is just as fast and safe, and won't cost more than a car service. But if you want luxury, then the hotel or yourself can book a Mercedes-Benz to pick you up. Will cost more than taxi, of course.

Flying from SFO to PEK, you don't really have much of a choice. UA is the best that offers a non-stop service. Otherwise, you need to make a connection in Japan or Korea. Other connections will add way too much travel time to make it worthwhile.

petitepois

I remember your first post! If you click on your name, all the posts you've ever written or responded to will come up. Scroll down and you will see your original post...

Chucho

Thanks for the replies. I have a meeting with the travel agent tomorrow in my restaurant so let's see what shapes up. Good point about the agent not eating in my establishment every night KimJapan.
I am encouraged my your comments and won't settle for something I don't want!