Comments on: Reasons Silicon Valley Bank Failed, Investing Success, Do Kwon Arrest, San Diego Bank Robber, Buy a House Now?

By: GeorgeTBB

GeorgeTBB — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 10:01:21 +0000

In reply to Ryan del Mundo. This is great feedback, thank you!

By: Ryan del Mundo

Ryan del Mundo — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 05:50:30 +0000

I spent a decent chuck of time during COVID right around the corner from that TwinPalms (The Park Surin, great 1BR condos). Surin is a lovely little beach, and you can go all the way to the north end and have cheap beer and mango smoothies at Doob. Tell the manager I said hi! He’s the one with maybe one good tooth. Surin is also right next to the lovely Bang Tao beach that is long and full of nobody. They’re about as good as it gets in Phuket for avoiding the crowds. Can get some really nice AirBNB’s in that area as well. There’s a new Hilton Garden Inn on the north end of Bangtao (I stayed, rooms are tiny, location great, good deal at 12000 points but more than that you’re better off going local). It’s located in the chic “Boat Avenue” which is a nice expat spot with resto’s and a good supermarket. From what I’ve heard, Phuket is full of Russians these days, even more than usual, so be ready for that. I loved Phuket during the pandemic when it was empty but as it gets back to normal, I’ll stick w the quiet spots and just visit friends there.

By: GeorgeTBB

GeorgeTBB — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:46:17 +0000

In reply to Vicky.

Tried to add into the mix a Free night cet but was shut down smh…

>>>>>>>>If you apply a free night promotional to the reservation we will not be able to use a suite upgrade award. Suite upgrade awards and free night promotional awards cannot be used together.

Trying to keep track of all these little things is just super annoying…sigh.

Still waiting for Concierge to confirm booking…I could now easily do it online myself…but I want it to be taken care off all at once (w/ suite upgrade applied) instead of me fighting to add it afterwards (and be faced with “Oh, not available anymore”.).

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 07:36:21 +0000

In reply to GeorgeTBB. Creepy on so many levels, what I find most disturbing is his public representation about republican beliefs which seem to be along religious values but then his personal actions seem to rail against those very beliefs

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 07:35:06 +0000

In reply to GeorgeTBB. George, I don't waste my time with the Concierge. I make whatever booking I want online then I call the regular Hyatt number and tell them I want to apply a Suite Upgrade. They will tell you if a suite upgrade is available and if so put you on hold and give the property a call to get it confirmed. Has worked for us every time. Only thing is to call when the property is open for regular trading so someone authorised to do the upgrade is available. I'm not sure if the Concierge actually has any secret sauce.

By: GeorgeTBB

GeorgeTBB — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 10:12:55 +0000

Speaking of Peter Thiel…wow

https://theintercept.com/2023/03/23/peter-thiel-jeff-thomas/

By: GeorgeTBB

GeorgeTBB — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:55:34 +0000

In reply to Vicky.

Yeah, first time trying to book an SLH property and running into same issues as you…and I did not even get to cancellation conditions, thanks for the warning. Showed no availability with points online which the Concierge confirmed…and reminded me the differences with SLH hotels (no suite upgrades, only one room upgrade if available…well, nope). The Phuket Twinpalms SLH property looked so much better than the HR indeed but at 25k per night vs only 12k…made me go for the HR with the Suite upgrade applied, waiting for Concierge to confirm this reservation (maybe doing it late on Friday was not the best timing…hope he does not get back to me on Monday telling me availability is no more!).

Funny thing about the Twinpalms is…I am now served ads for it on Facebook advertising 2for1 deals if booked direct! And paid rates are much lower than the ridiculous abt $650 USD offered by the Concierge!

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 01:52:25 +0000

In reply to GeorgeTBB. I was looking at the SLH hotels in Phuket last year for a big birthday and thought there were some excellent properties, way more exciting than a standard Hyatt. One thing I can recall which is a bit of a red flag for me were the cancelation conditions. I am finding many of the SLH properties take a deposit on booking, even for a refundable stay and others have cancellation periods of 28 days before the stay. So all I say is read the conditions carefully. I'm not sure of what the deal is on some of the SLH properties as they never show points available and it seems difficult to make a reservation using cash.

By: GeorgeTBB

GeorgeTBB — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 19:16:37 +0000

In reply to Vicky.

Been researching Phuket a little more….The Twinpalms, an SLH property, looks way better than the HR and better located too. But I am not getting much availability online at all! I emailed Conscierge and I hope he can come through…I am starting to sense it is not going to be easy to use WofH points here at all…

I want to figure out Phuket first before I move north…Use Bankgkok as base and maybe doing day trips to Pattaya or Hua Hin may be in store…

I move very slow with these things…appreciate all the feedback. Everything is in play…If daughter decides to join leaving cousins back in Singapore could sure complicate things as the Twinpalms property is ideally suited for honeymoons and couples 🙂

I did manage to book RT flights to CA for conference in September, at least that is out of the way, phew!

By: GeorgeTBB

GeorgeTBB — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 19:09:09 +0000

In reply to DML. >>>>>>>>>>>>Banking is less of a confidence game if assets are marked to market. In the measures to be taken to prevent future crises...this has to be addressed imho.