# The Quiet Vacationer

> The Quiet Vacationer is a Singapore-based travel blog about making the most of the quiet moments between work and travel.

Website: https://quietvacationer.com/
Markdown versions of all content are available by appending .md to any URL.
Site overview: https://quietvacationer.com/index.md

## Flight Reviews

- [Review: United Airlines B787-9 Business Class (SIN-SFO)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/06/06/review-united-airlines-b787-9-business-class-sin-sfo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/06/06/review-united-airlines-b787-9-business-class-sin-sfo/)) (2026-06-06): This was a work trip to San Francisco on United Airlines flight UA2, and an opportunity I had been looking forward to: trying out the new Polaris Elevated interior (also known as the Polaris 2.0), the airline's refreshed business class product that debuted on the 787-9 in April 2026. United had announced the Elevated interior back in May 2025, promising sliding privacy doors, 4K OLED screens, and a suite-style upgrade to the existing Polaris product. The first aircraft entered service on this...
- [Review: Asiana Airlines A350-900 Economy Class (ICN-SIN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/18/review-asiana-airlines-a350-900-economy-class-icn-sin.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/18/review-asiana-airlines-a350-900-economy-class-icn-sin/)) (2026-05-18): This was our return flight from Incheon to Singapore on Asiana's A350-900, wrapping up our sakura trip. We reviewed the outbound SIN-ICN leg earlier, so we won't repeat the details on the aircraft, the headrest, or the IFE. This review covers what was different on the way home. Check-in and boarding
- [Review: Asiana Airlines A330-300 Economy Class (NGO-ICN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/15/review-asiana-airlines-a330-300-economy-class-ngo-icn.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/15/review-asiana-airlines-a330-300-economy-class-ngo-icn/)) (2026-05-15): This was the return leg from Nagoya to Incheon at the end of our sakura trip, on the same A330-300 type we flew on the way in. We've already covered the aircraft, the IFE, and the general cabin condition in our review of the ICN-NGO flight, so this review focuses on what was different about the return journey. Check-in and boarding
- [Review: Asiana Airlines A330-300 Economy Class (ICN-NGO)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/29/review-asiana-airlines-a330-300-economy-class-icn-ngo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/29/review-asiana-airlines-a330-300-economy-class-icn-ngo/)) (2026-04-29): This was the second leg of our Singapore to Nagoya routing via Incheon on Asiana Airlines, as we went to chase the sakura for the second year in a row. At just under two hours, the Incheon to Nagoya flight is short enough that there isn't a huge amount to cover. The seat was comfortable enough for the duration, the food was decent for a regional hop, and nothing went wrong. For a connecting flight after an overnight red-eye, that's really all you need. We transited through Incheon after our o...
- [Review: Asiana Airlines A350-900 Economy Class (SIN-ICN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/20/review-asiana-airlines-a350-900-economy-class-sin-icn.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/20/review-asiana-airlines-a350-900-economy-class-sin-icn/)) (2026-04-20): This was our first time flying Asiana Airlines. We were heading from Singapore to Nagoya via Incheon to catch the cherry blossoms again, and Asiana offered the best combination of price and timing for the Singapore to Seoul leg. At around S$550 per person during peak cherry blossom season, it felt like a reasonable deal for a full-service carrier. One thing to note: Asiana's fare only includes one piece of checked luggage at 23kg. For travellers packing for a longer trip (or planning to bring...
- [Review: Singapore Airlines A350-900 Business Class (CPH-SIN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/13/review-singapore-airlines-a350-900-business-class-cph-sin.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/13/review-singapore-airlines-a350-900-business-class-cph-sin/)) (2026-04-13): We redeemed this flight using EVA Air's Infinity MileageLands programme at 80,000 miles per person for a one-way business class ticket on Singapore Airlines from Copenhagen to Singapore. That's a significant saving over what KrisFlyer would charge for the same routing, and one of the reasons EVA Air miles remain popular for Star Alliance redemptions. The caveat, of course, is that award availability on Singapore Airlines metal via partner programmes has become increasingly difficult to find i...

## Lounge Reviews

- [Review: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Class Lounge T2 (SIN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/27/review-singapore-airlines-silverkris-business-class-lounge-t2-sin.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/27/review-singapore-airlines-silverkris-business-class-lounge-t2-sin/)) (2026-05-27): I flew out of Terminal 2 in mid-May 2026 on United Airlines to San Francisco for a work trip. We visited the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Class Lounge at Terminal 2 before our flight. The lounge is currently mid-renovation. Singapore Airlines announced a S$45 million investment in its Terminal 2 lounges in April 2025, with work carried out in phases. The new First Class SilverKris Lounge was the first phase, with construction of the Business Class SilverKris expansion following from...
- [Review: Plaza Premium Lounge (NGO)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/12/review-plaza-premium-lounge-ngo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/12/review-plaza-premium-lounge-ngo/)) (2026-05-12): We checked this one out right after visiting the Coral Finest Lounge next door, so the comparison was inevitable. Plaza Premium is one of those lounge brands you see everywhere, and the quality varies wildly depending on the airport. The Nagoya location is decent enough. But coming from the Coral lounge, it felt like a step down in almost every regard. The lounge is also underground, at around 450 sqm. It opened as part of Chubu Centrair's international departures facility and is accessible v...
- [Review: The Coral Finest Business Class Lounge (NGO)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/08/review-the-coral-finest-business-class-lounge-ngo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/08/review-the-coral-finest-business-class-lounge-ngo/)) (2026-05-08): We visited this lounge on our way home from Japan, wrapping up our sakura chasing trip through Nagoya and Osaka. If you've used any of Coral's lounges in Thailand before, you might not have high expectations. Some of their Bangkok locations are, frankly, so-so. We walked into this one at Chubu Centrair expecting more of the same, and were genuinely surprised. This is Coral's first lounge outside of Thailand, having opened in April 2025. They've clearly treated it as a flagship. The design, th...
- [Review: Korean Air Prestige Lounge East (Left) (ICN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/25/review-korean-air-prestige-lounge-east-left-icn.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/25/review-korean-air-prestige-lounge-east-left-icn/)) (2026-04-25): We visited this lounge twice, in March and April 2026, on transit flights through Incheon. Like the Right lounge next door, we covered both breakfast and lunch across our visits. The Left lounge opened in January 2026 as the second phase of Korean Air's Terminal 2 lounge renovation, and it takes things a step further than the Right side with a few additions that make it worth seeking out if you have the choice. Location and access
- [Review: Korean Air Prestige Lounge East (Right) (ICN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/22/review-korean-air-prestige-lounge-east-right-icn.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/22/review-korean-air-prestige-lounge-east-right-icn/)) (2026-04-22): We visited this lounge twice, in March and April 2026, on transit flights through Incheon. Both visits covered different meal periods (breakfast and lunch), which gave us a reasonable sense of the food rotation and how the lounge operates across the day. Korean Air completed a major renovation of its Prestige East (Right) Lounge in August 2025 as part of a broader overhaul of its Terminal 2 lounge network.
- [Review: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge T2 (SIN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/18/review-singapore-airlines-krisflyer-gold-lounge-t2-sin.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/18/review-singapore-airlines-krisflyer-gold-lounge-t2-sin/)) (2026-04-18): We had some time before a flight out of Terminal 2, so we went over to check out the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge here. If you've read our review of the Terminal 3 KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, you'll know we found that space genuinely impressive after its 2022 renovation. The Terminal 2 version is a different story entirely. This is not a lounge worth arriving early for. You're only here because you have no other choice, and the place reflects that. If you do have plenty of time before your Star Alliance ...
- [Review: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge T3 (SIN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/15/review-singapore-airlines-krisflyer-gold-lounge-t3-sin.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/15/review-singapore-airlines-krisflyer-gold-lounge-t3-sin/)) (2026-04-15): The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 used to be noticeably worse. Before the 2022 renovation, there were no toilets or showers inside the lounge, which meant you had to leave and use the terminal facilities. That's since been rectified, and the renovation also expanded the footprint significantly. It's a much better space now than what it replaced. We recently visited this lounge as part of our trip to Japan to catch the cherry blossoms this year.
- [Review: Plaza Premium Lounge (PEN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/11/review-plaza-premium-lounge-pen.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/11/review-plaza-premium-lounge-pen/)) (2026-04-11): Penang International Airport is not a big airport. It handles a mix of domestic and international traffic, but the international departures hall is compact, and the lounge options reflect that. If you're flying out on an international flight and want somewhere to sit that isn't a plastic gate seat, the Plaza Premium Lounge is essentially your only option. We visited the lounge on an evening departure, arriving about two hours before our flight. Here's what we found.
- [Review: SATS Premier Lounge T3 (SIN)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/29/review-sats-premier-lounge-t3-sin.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/29/review-sats-premier-lounge-t3-sin/)) (2026-03-29): The SATS Premier Lounge in Terminal 3 had a facelift in mid‑2024, and what was once a very generic contract lounge now feels a lot more Singaporean in its branding. The revamped space officially reopened in early July 2024, as part of a broader upgrade programme that will eventually extend to SATS’ lounges in Terminals 1 and 2 as well. We decided to stop by to see what had changed, since we hadn’t visited since the revamp. If you fly out of Singapore often on non–Star Alliance airlines, chanc...
- [Review: Alaska Airlines Lounge (SFO)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/21/review-alaska-airlines-lounge-sfo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/21/review-alaska-airlines-lounge-sfo/)) (2026-02-21): We had previously visited the Alaska Lounge in 2022 when it was still located in Terminal 2 of San Francisco International Airport. In July 2024, the lounge relocated to the newly renovated Harvey Milk Terminal 1. This is not a refurbishment of the old lounge, but an entirely new location within Terminal 1. Naturally, we were curious to see how the move changed the experience. The new lounge was unveiled in July 2024 and designed by William Duff Architects, bringing a noticeably more contempo...
- [Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge (SFO)](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/19/review-cathay-pacific-lounge-sfo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/19/review-cathay-pacific-lounge-sfo/)) (2026-02-19): Once a flagship space, Cathay Pacific’s San Francisco lounge now feels dated, yet still offers a quietly comfortable pre-flight stop. We visited the lounge in early January 2026 before our flight back to Singapore, curious to see how it compares with Cathay’s refreshed lounges in Asia. Location and access

## Hotel Reviews

- [Review: JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/21/review-jw-marriott-hotel-singapore-south-beach.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/21/review-jw-marriott-hotel-singapore-south-beach/)) (2026-05-21): We booked this stay as an award redemption for a birthday celebration. The JW Marriott Singapore South Beach is a 634-room property that sits within the South Beach mixed-use development, which also includes offices, shops, and residences. The hotel occupies the lower floors of the main tower, up to roughly the 21st floor, with the South Beach Residences taking up the floors above. Location
- [Review: Swissotel Nankai Osaka](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/05/review-swissotel-nankai-osaka.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/05/review-swissotel-nankai-osaka/)) (2026-05-05): This was part of our second consecutive sakura blossom chasing trip, and we needed a base in Osaka for a night. We arrived from Nagoya on the Kintetsu Hinotori limited express, which terminates at Osaka-Namba Station, right beside the hotel. We stayed here in late March 2026. The hotel is an Accor property, and we used a Suite Night Upgrade to move from a base room into the Junior Suite King, which was confirmed immediately. At 40 sqm, it's noticeably bigger than the standard rooms and gave u...
- [Review: Hotel Hanakoyado](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/01/review-hotel-hanakoyado.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/05/01/review-hotel-hanakoyado/)) (2026-05-01): Arima Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot spring towns, tucked into the hills behind Kobe. It's small, walkable, and surprisingly easy to reach from the Kansai area, with JR trains from Osaka taking roughly over an hour. The town is known for its kinsen, an iron-rich, reddish-brown mineral water that's been drawing visitors for centuries. We've been coming back to Arima Onsen since 2022. On earlier visits, we only tried the private hot spring baths as day-use guests, paying around S$90 to S$10...
- [Review: Gurney Bay Hotel, a PARKROYAL Hotel](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/09/review-gurney-bay-hotel-a-parkroyal-hotel.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/04/09/review-gurney-bay-hotel-a-parkroyal-hotel/)) (2026-04-09): Gurney Bay Hotel was formerly the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang, a property that had been around for decades before Pan Pacific Hotels Group took over management in September 2024 and rebranded it under the PARKROYAL flag. It's now part of the GHA Discovery programme, which was the main reason we ended up booking it for a short trip to Penang. We booked a Superior Cityview Room for four nights through the hotel's direct booking channel. The rate wasn't anything special, just a standard flexib...
- [Review: Pan Pacific Orchard](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/25/review-pan-pacific-orchard.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/25/review-pan-pacific-orchard/)) (2026-03-25): Pan Pacific Orchard is arguably Singapore's most photogenic hotel right now, and one of the more talked-about openings in recent years. WOHA Architects' signature greenery-draped terraces have made it a fixture on Instagram and travel lists alike. But does the actual stay experience hold up to the hype? We stayed one night on a credit card portal package that included dining credits to find out.
- [Review: AutoCamp Yosemite](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/16/review-autocamp-yosemite.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/16/review-autocamp-yosemite/)) (2026-02-16): We spent two nights at AutoCamp Yosemite in the last few days of December 2025, booking through an OTA because the rate was lower than what AutoCamp was offering directly. It was our first AutoCamp stay and also our first proper glamping experience, and it ended up feeling like a fun detour from the usual chain hotel rather than just another place to sleep.
- [Review: SpringHill Suites by Marriott The Dunes on Monterey Bay](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/14/review-springhill-suites-monterey-bay.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/14/review-springhill-suites-monterey-bay/)) (2026-02-14): We spent one night at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott The Dunes on Monterey Bay as part of our Pacific Coast Highway drive from Los Angeles. This is an all-suite property, and the rooms feel noticeably more spacious than a typical mid-range hotel. The stay was mixed overall. The room and breakfast were very good, but the check-in experience was frustrating since the hotel was sold out and our room was not ready on arrival. The issue was later resolved, but it did affect our impression.
- [Review: Hampton Inn & Suites San Luis Obispo](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/12/review-hampton-inn-suites-san-luis-obispo.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/12/review-hampton-inn-suites-san-luis-obispo/)) (2026-02-12): We stayed one night at Hampton Inn & Suites San Luis Obispo towards the end of December 2025, as part of our road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. After starting the day in Los Angeles and driving north, this hotel was exactly what we needed. It offered simple access with hassle-free parking, a comfortable bed, and breakfast included in the rate.

## Trip Reports

- [America the Beautiful: Yosemite & San Francisco, the Golden State](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/21/america-the-beautiful-yosemite-san-francisco.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/21/america-the-beautiful-yosemite-san-francisco/)) (2026-03-21): This is the fifth and final part of a five-part series from our December 2025 trip to the United States. After New York, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to Monterey, this last leg takes us inland to Yosemite National Park and then north to San Francisco to close out the trip. Prologue
- [America the Beautiful: Los Angeles, Gateway to the Pacific Coast](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/15/america-the-beautiful-los-angeles-pacific-coast.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/15/america-the-beautiful-los-angeles-pacific-coast/)) (2026-03-15): This is the fourth of a five-part series from our December 2025 trip to the United States. After New York, Washington D.C., and Las Vegas, this leg takes us from Los Angeles up the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey, arguably the most scenic stretch of driving in the country. Prologue
- [America the Beautiful: Las Vegas, Beyond the Strip](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/08/america-the-beautiful-las-vegas.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/08/america-the-beautiful-las-vegas/)) (2026-03-08): This is the third of a five-part series from our December 2025 trip to the United States. After New York and Washington D.C., our trip shifted westward to the desert, and the change in scenery could not have been more dramatic. Prologue
- [America the Beautiful: Washington D.C., the Nation’s Capital](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/03/america-the-beautiful-washington-dc.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/03/03/america-the-beautiful-washington-dc/)) (2026-03-03): Prologue This is part two of a five-part series covering our December 2025 trip to the United States.
- [America the Beautiful: New York, the Empire State](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/28/america-the-beautiful-new-york-the-empire-state.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/2026/02/28/america-the-beautiful-new-york-the-empire-state/)) (2026-02-28): This is the first of a five-part series from our December 2025 trip to the United States. We kicked things off in New York City, right in the thick of the holiday season. Prologue

## Pages

- [About Us](https://quietvacationer.com/about-us.md) ([web](https://quietvacationer.com/about-us/)): In today’s fast-paced world, it’s honestly hard to find real downtime. That’s pretty much how The Quiet Vacationer came about.“Quiet vacationing” can mean a few things. For some people, it’s sneaking off to work remotely from a nice place without announcing it to the whole world. For others, it’s just finding a quiet corner somewhere far from noise and crowds to properly switch off. In the end, it’s all about having a bit more control over your own time and creating space to breathe.For me, I...
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