What’s it like? When the folks at Kimpton Hotels dubbed this hotel “EPIC,” they weren’t kidding. Kimpton’s first property in Florida, the EPIC opened in December 2008 and seems to have attracted quite a following since. When I arrived, the lobby was bustling with an assortment of guests—families, businesspeople, middle-aged vacationers, pro tennis players and more—but that did not deter... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? A luxury, business-friendly enclave that shines with extraordinary service, the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is among the finest hotels I’ve experienced in the U.S. My stay was a mix of business and pleasure, with my wife and infant son joining me, and the staff saw to every detail, making us feel like honored guests. Behind its stunning neoclassical... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The excellent service began at the airport, where I found the car that I had reserved through the hotel waiting for me. En route to the property, the driver called ahead to notify the staff that I would be arriving shortly. When we pulled up to the front entrance, hotel staff opened the car door and greeted... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAN contracts their Sydney ticketing service out to Qantas, and after a brief wait in the business-class ticketing line, we were greeted by a curt, professional check-in agent. After informing us of our documentation requirements, we were sent away to locate onward flight information and, on our return, solemnly processed by another staff member.    Neither lounge access nor... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS V Australia shares check-in kiosks with Virgin America in LAX’s T3, and the facilities are a warm departure from the rest of the terminal. Clean kiosks, carpet, fresh scents and friendly staff adorn the station, and there was virtually no line in either business or economy upon our arrival.    After handing us our boarding cards and fast-track immigration... more