I ended up on Hawaiian after recently being faced with a dilema – fly on an Airbus A340 direct to Tahiti and pray we didn’t hit any bad weather, or fly safe and worry free on a Boening 767 with connecting service to Tahiti.  After the recent news about the A330/A340 from the FAA and the European Union concerning even more problems with the pitot tubes (and even more incidents of the computers going down because of it – click here to read about it) well… enough was enough.  I’d rather be on a plane that knows what altitude and speed it’s flying and have to connect, so I decided on the connecting flight on a Boening 767 which meant a connecting flight through Honolulu on the way to Tahiti adding about 2 hours more flight time, and approximately 2 on ground in Honolulu.  In addition to feeling much more secure with my choice of aircraft there were several added benefits to this flight:

1. I would get miles with Virgin Atlantic (Hawaiian is also a member of several other FF programs too).  Air Tahiti Nui doesn’t participate any anyone elses FF program
2. For an extra $200 I could fly first.  More comfort – and bonus miles with Virgin

I’ll definately be flying Hawaiian Airlines again, as long as they continue flying Boeing aircaft. They have great service and very competative pricing.  In addition to flying to Tahiti,  they also fly via Honolulu to Sydney, Manilla, and Samoa from several Major US markets including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.  For the complete list of services and destinations – check out hawaiianairlines.com.

The M Resort sits about 10 minutes due south of the Strip on Las Vegas Blvd.  They offer as part of their “resort fee” roundtrip scheduled shuttle service between the airport and hotel, and The Strip (Fashion Show Mall) and the hotel.  The airport schedule is fairly convenient, so is the The Strip shuttle – EXCEPT – the last shuttle back is at 9:45pm, so if you want to go to a show plan on a $35 cab ride back to the hotel.  This is really my only complaint about the property.  They really need to extend their shuttle service hours to the strip if they want to be a real Vegas destination.

The property itself is amazing.  Wonderfully laid out to not only entice you to spend your time at the resort, but to spend your time there with friends.  Everywhere you look, in the bars, casino, by the pool there are wonderful groupings of seating areas begging you to sit down, relax, and be social.  A very open layout one area flows into another seemlessly. One minute your in the slots, the next your in one of the bars. 

They really though about this place before they built it.  It’s the not so little things, like all the restaurants, except the buffet, have terraces that look out over the pool area and the strip beyond – AND – they made sure they can be used year ’round.  They have permanent heaters built in to the ceilings.  In the casino area there are “self serve” fountain beverage dispensers, you can get your own soft drinks whenever you want.  Throughout the entire public area of the hotel they play a very agreeable blend of 70s & 80s rock with a little funk, and a little 2000 mixed in.  This place is hip, posh, comfortable, and unpretensious all at once.  It’s fabulous.

The pool area is vast.  There’s plenty of room to get away from any kids AND the jacuzzis are big enough for you and 49 of your friends.  There are lougers, sofas, different varieties of cabanas (for rent), and a huge bar with the latest sports on several flat screen TVs.  Most days there’s also a poolside restaurant serving fantastic food. The one thing that needs improvement at the pool is the service.  The bartenders are great, the waiters and waitresses….  can be a little unobservant.

Another thing they’ve done right – the food!  Simply amazing.  Whether it’s a simple sandwich in their 24hr cafe, or filet mignon and lobster at Terzetto - the food is simply wonderful.  You could cut my filet mignon with a fork – no steak knife needed.  Whatever you are in the mood for, chances are one of their restaurants serves it, from Sushi to Spaghetti. The food menus are extensive, and so are their drink menus…  For wine afficianados – check out The Hostile Grape, their wine cellar which advertises over 200 wines by the glass, the M bar is a Mixed Drink and Martini lovers paradise, and beer drinkers can check out over 96 beers on tap at 32 Degrees. All currently have great summer drink specials.  Check out the website for more details.

The rooms at The M Resort are beautiful, comfortable, and offer comforts you never knew you needed – like a light up “Do Not Disturb” sign.  No “putting the sign out” – just flip a switch.  James Bond would love this place.  Large 42″ HD LCD TV’s with an interactive TV channel listing and resort information, display phone (it will actually show you restaurant menus), Bose “Wave” sound system, mirror embedded TV in the bathroom, wonderful soaking tub, separate shower with bench, lighted makeup mirro, minibar, and laptop sized safe.

All in all – a great place to stay in Vegas.  I’ll be back.  

The next time I’m back in Venice, I’ll be staying at the Amadeus again.  The area’s great too – nice restaurants and shops, and they’re all cheaper than what you’ll find near San Marco.  Oh – the “bad area” is actually next to the BUS depot… not the TRAIN station.

I got a wonderful deal on this hotel through Orbitz, I paid approximately $95 per night – and our room had a balcony with a nice cafe table. The rooms have great character without being too kitchy, and have all the amenities you’d expect from a 4 star hotel.

Check the Amadeus out click here

Visit them at wotif.com

Visit them online at manathai.com

For the best prices check out phuket.com

Visit them at jetblue.com.