While I was planning a vacation in Asia, I suddenly had the opportunity to join some friends who were going to the United States for a few days on business. It didn’t take me long to make up my mind, all the more so as it would allow me to make a detour to see Olivier and the main destination, New Orleans, was still missing from my bucket list.
Choice of destination
The story of this trip is a little original. My friends from Harry’s Bar in Paris were to travel to New Orleans for “Tales Of The Cocktail”, the profession’s major worldwide event. On top of that, they were to do several “Guest Bartending” events in bars in New York and New Orleans.
They suggested I join them, and being free at the time, I jumped at the chance, especially as I’d never visited New Orleans before.
And as the opportunity was too good, I added a few days in Boston before and after to visit Olivier and meet his toddler.
Flights
As for transatlantic flights, the choice was quickly made: I chose SAS. Firstly because their long-haul product has been appealing to us for several years, and secondly because the airline was leaving Star Alliance to join Skyteam and I had no further interest in being a member of its frequent flyer program, so it was a good opportunity to liquidate my points.
For domestic flights, I’ll be flying United to New York from Boston, then Delta to New Orleans, so I’ll be on the same flight as my friends, then Delta again to Boston. Olivier, who will be following me to New York, will take American Airlines.
Hotels
I hadn’t originally planned this trip and, what’s more, I was leaving for Asia shortly afterwards, so there was no question of splurging on a budget, especially as the value for money of hotels in the United States fluctuates between bad and not so good. I might as well go all out for Asia.
In fact, to avoid disappointment, I paid for almost all my hotels with my points.
In Boston, I stayed at the Westin Seaport District and the neighboring Aloft. Both had the advantage of being fairly affordable and close to Olivier’s home. What’s more, I had a certain nostalgia for the Westin, which I had frequented for a long time at one time for professional reasons.
In New York, I stayed at a Four Points near Wall Street. Once again, given the stratospheric prices charged, I had two options: either take the really entry-level or the very top-of-the-range, which is in-between and in no way worth the money. Since I had no particular expectations, I went for the cheaper of the two. As for Olivier, he’ll be trying out the Ritz Carlton Central Park.
In New Orleans, I almost chose the Ritz Carlton, but as it was the conference hotel, I was afraid it would be like a zoo. So I split my nights between the Meridien and the JW Marriott.
Restaurants
This trip had no gastronomic vocation, but I did try to discover a few nice restaurants.
In Boston, I mainly dined at Olivier’s (because of the baby), but once we tried out the Aloft restaurant.
In New York we tried to eat properly without getting ripped off, which is anything but obvious.
In the end, it was in New Orleans that I had the most pleasure, trying out various Creole and Cajun restaurants without having to take out a consumer loan.
Activities
I was already familiar with Boston and New York, but this trip was an opportunity to revisit Boston in depth and stroll around New York.
In the end, the only discovery was New Orleans, which I had more than enough time to visit.
Bottom line
This gives us the following series of articles:
