Planning a layover in Abu Dhabi? Check out what to expect from Etihad’s flagship lounge here.
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Plaza Premium Lounge Review - Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 3 YYZ International Departures
I had the opportunity to visit the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 at Toronto Pearson Airport last fall during a layover on the way to the Maldives. Layovers at Pearson Airport seem to be hit or miss depending on the airline. When I flew to Paris via Toronto on Westjet and then Air France, the Westjet flight from Montreal landed in the same terminal as my departing Air France flight which made for a smooth layover without having to change terminals or go through security. However this time, I had to transfer from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. Unfortunately, to do so you have to exit Terminal 1 and go through security again at the Terminal 3 entrance along with everyone else checking in. The airline can check your bags through to your final destination so you don't have to pick up your luggage though.
The Lounge
This Plaza Premium Lounge is located in Terminal 3 in the International Departures section. Signs for the lounge are prominently displayed throughout the Terminal. The Lounge is located just upstairs from Gate C32 and can be accessed by elevator. Entry to this lounge is complimentary for all passengers flying on a business class ticket with Etihad. Access may also be complimentary for those with a Plaza Premium membership provided by some American Express cards or Visa (please check their website for more info). There is a separate area within the lounge for British Airways business class passengers. Their entrance is on the right after the reception while regular entry is to the left.
The lounge featured plenty of seating and it was very calm and not crowded on this Sunday evening while I visited. The couches in the centre of the lounge had several small tables for your food and drinks. There were also some side tables with reading lamps and electrical outlets to charge your personal devices. I recall newspapers were also available.
Food
The dining area was to the left of the main entrance with the buffet at the far end. There was a selection of hot meals and snacks including rice, meatballs, steamed veggies, chilli and pirogies. There were also some samosas which were very tasty! Chocolate chip and raisin cookies were available for dessert.
Hot meal options
Snacks
Spicy samosas
Cake and brownies for dessert.
Drinks
The drink selection was somewhat restricted compared to other lounges. There was a limited option of local wines only and a small selection of spirits. Drinks were not self-serve and there was a bartender to take your order. As you can see below, Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray gin cost an extra $6.99 CAD (+ tax). All drinks not listed under house pours were at an additional charge. This felt pretty stingy considering the cost of a business class ticket on Etihad.
Bathrooms & Shower
The bathrooms are located on one side of the lounge and featured individual stalls and gorgeous floor to ceiling ceramic tiles. The bathroom were spotless and sparking clean. Showers were also available but I did not get any photos since I didn’t use them.
After a few snacks and some wine, it was soon time to head downstairs for boarding. Note that like many lounges, there are no flight announcements so it’s always wise to keep an eye on the time and the departure screens.
In conclusion, this was a decent lounge to spend a few hours during a short layover. It was very close to the Etihad departure gate which definitely helped with not having to leave too early to reach the gate for boarding. I had a good experience overall at the lounge although the limited drink selection felt a little cheap for Etihad Business Class passengers. Nonetheless, any lounge is a much appreciated hideaway from the chaos of the public areas of the airport.
Now, onto my 13 hour flight to Abu Dhabi!
Montreal Maple Leaf Lounge Review - YUL Airport (Domestic)
There was a long line to enter the elevator.
In the fall of 2022, I went on the most epic trip of my life to the Maldives! (more on that in another post). As part of my itinerary, I flew out of Montreal Airport (YUL) on Air Canada. This was the first out of three flights with a layover at Toronto Pearson Airport then on to the Maldives with Etihad Airways and a layover in Abu Dhabi. This first flight was in Premium Economy but because I booked my ticket to the Maldives in Business Class , my boarding pass still granted me access to the Maple Leaf Lounge. Regular Premium Economy tickets on Air Canada do not include lounge access, this must be purchased separately.
This was a short one hour flight from Montreal to Toronto Pearson Airport and therefore I had to remain in the Domestic side of the Airport and couldn’t access the (much nicer) International Maple Leaf Lounge.
The lounge is located at the far end of the YUL domestic terminal, between Gates 1 and 3. After going through security, turn right and walk to the end until you reach Gate 3. There will be a sign on your left. The lounge is located upstairs and can be accessed by stairs or an elevator.
Right off the bat, I had a bad first impression. The elevator waiting area was very crowded and as we made our way up, the doors opened to a long line of travellers waiting to enter. Thankfully I did not end up waiting too long but a large crowd of passengers showed up right behind me. I assume it was a 10-15 min wait to get in. Once inside, the lounge was pretty crowded and it was hard to find a place to sit. There were several people travelling on business working on their laptops as well as a rowdy group of guys drinking who looked like they were heading to Vegas.
The Air Canada Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge.
Above was the seating area next to the buffet. Unfortunately, I did not get a photo of the main area which was much more crowded.
The dining area offered a selection of rice, pasta and DIY salads.
On the menu were hot meals like chicken skewers and a chicken curry. Behind the hot meals was the coffee and snacks station.
Smoked meat sandwich with wine and a cappuccino.
The chicken skewers looks appetizing but were bland and chewy.
While the food looked appetizing, I was very quickly disappointed after taking a single bite. The smoked meat sandwich was made up of tender, juicy smoked meat slices sandwiched between stale bread. I ended up eating the smoked meat with a fork and spat out the bread.
The chicken skewers were very chewy and bland. I left mine and so did Felix. The pasta and salad were decent.
In between the main lounge area and the buffet was the drinks section. There was a bar with several liquor choices and mixers for DIY cocktails. The fridge contained juices and bottled water. Across from it was the wine bar with multiple selections of red and white. Unfortunately there was no sparkling wines or champagne. There were a selections of beers available on tap to self pour.
Across from the buffet was a cappuccino machine and some cookies and snacks. I tried one it was mediocre at best.
The main bar had a range of liquor available for DIY cocktails.
The wine bar
Overall, I felt like this lounge was too crowded and the food needs some improvement. It feels more like a reluctant effort on AIr Canada’s part since they have to provide a lounge for their domestic business travellers. The Maple Leaf Lounges in Vancouver and London are significantly better than this lounge but in the end, it still offers an area away from the chaos of the airport to relax with some food and drinks before your flight.
Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Review - A Tranquil Beachfront Haven
When it comes to seeking out a slice of paradise far from the crowds, Fiji is the ultimate destination. Located in a remote area of the Pacific, you have several resorts to choose.
Arrival and Transportation
The adventure begins at the Ferry Terminal in Port Denarau, where I arrived after spending a week at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort and diving with Bull sharks. However, you might be coming straight from the Airport in which case I have linked my flight review of Fiji Airways above. If that is the case, you can contact the hotel directly to arrange a shuttle from the Airport.
As we arrived at Port Denarau by boat from Mantaray Island, we were greeted by a plethora of cab drivers all eager to find customers. If you're planning to visit Marriott Momi Bay, remember that this resort is located far out in the middle of nowhere, making it essential to arrange transportation. We approached one of the cab drivers and negotiated a price that left us both content. In my experience, everyone in Fiji spoke perfect English so many tourists will feel at ease here without the language barrier. The cab driver will likely quote you a higher price initially so remember to haggle a little. If you can't agree on a price, look for another cab driver (of course, this depends on the time of day and how many drivers are around). It's wise to negotiate a return fare upfront as well so that the cab driver will come pick you up at the end of your stay, otherwise you are dependent on the resort to call you a cab at their inflated prices. This is exactly what we did and our driver was punctual and showed up at the lobby ready to take us directly to the airport on our departure date at the exact time that we agreed upon. As always when travelling, get their Whatsapp number so you can always keep in contact in case plans change and also send them a confirmation the day before. Some North Americans might not be familiar with Whatsapp but it's basically a messaging and calling app that uses WiFi or Data to stay connected. It's like iMessage but better and works with all smartphones. It is ubiquitous is most countries outside of North America.
Before visiting Fiji, you can purchase your esim on the Airalo App so you're connected as soon as you land and can call your Uber, use Google Maps and Whatsapp without searching for WiFi. If you sign up with my referral code C0887, you’ll get $3 USD off your first purchase!
Marriott Momi Bay Resort
The lobby as you arrive at Marriot Momi Bay
The road to the resort is very poorly paved and it was a bumpy ride. After about an hour drive through endless fields with no civilization in sight, we finally arrived. This resort is absolutely stunning! The lobby had very high ceilings and everything is designed so it feels very open and airy. You could see the beaches from several areas of the resort. The different sections are connected by overwater bridges, adding to the feel that you’re really on the coast here.
Beach Bungalow
Our beach bungalow was directly on the beach and I never saw another person there during my stay!
After visiting the overwater bungalows, we decided it was not worth it to pay for the upgrade of $500 USD per night to stay there. It's important to note that while the lagoon may look turquoise and inviting in the photos, the water was actually murky while we visited, possibly due to the lagoon being an artificial manmade bay. This murky water did not make us want to jump in the water directly from the overwater villa as not being able to see through the water made us uneasy. We preferred going to the beach where the water was clear. The sand also felt peculiar, being compacted and dense in certain areas. We stayed in the beach bungalows, which were nothing short of remarkable with stunning open-concept architecture that open up to reveal breathtaking views of the beach and lagoon.
The bungalow featured the bed in the middle, with the living room on the side that opened out to a deck. The deck faced the lagoon and it felt like you had your own private beach as there was never anyone there. The bathroom was gorgeous with a tub in the centre. The toilet and shower were located all the way in the back with separate doors.
Note that the beach bungalows are semi-detached so each “hut” is actually divided into 2 units as you can see below. The balcony outside had a separator between the two sides. While I never experienced any noise from the neighbours, your mileage may vary.
The Secluded Oasis
During our stay, we found ourselves virtually alone on the beach, giving us the sensation that the entire hotel was ours to enjoy. It's a true testament to the luxury and exclusivity of this destination. The service was generally good but we did find room service to be a bit slow at times. For example, we had to call several times for some extra towels and bottles of water.
Food and Dining
The resort's dining options were varied, with a massive breakfast spread at Goji Kitchen that included crab omelettes, dumplings, fresh fruits and smoothies, a pastry and bread station coupled with a view overlooking the lagoon. The restaurant itself was located over the water, just like the bungalows. We opted for the breakfast meal plan and did a la carte for the rest of the meals and snacks. Keep in mind that there is nothing around the resort so you don’t have other options for dining other than the hotel’s restaurants. If you take a taxi to go to town, that’s a different story.
Dinner at Fish Bar did not disappoint with their Fish Steaks. The chef also sent over an amuse bouche before the meal.
Activities
The hotel’s activities were available at the front desk in the form of a brochure. I’ve added it below. There’s plenty to keep you busy.
As our departure date approached, our taxi driver arrived on time to take us back to the ferry terminal. However, it's crucial to have enough cash in Fijian dollars with you, preferably in small bills. We learned this the hard way when we had a $100 bill and struggled to pay the driver at the airport. It's advisable to prepare smaller denominations to avoid any inconvenience.
Note: it's essential to exchange your Fijian dollars back into another own currency before departing. Fijian dollars aren't really accepted outside Fiji, and you may find yourself holding onto them for years without an opportunity to exchange them elsewhere. I am still holding on to $70 Fijian dollars years later.
Conclusion
Our journey to the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Resort was a remarkable experience that left us rejuvenated and yearning for more. Although I personally enjoyed the authentic Yasawa Islands where I got to swim with sharks more. If you're seeking a secluded paradise with luxury accommodations, this remote Fijian gem should be on your travel list.
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The Business Class experience aboard Fiji Airways is luxurious flight. Highlights include complimentary lounge access, spacious seating, delicious meals, and a comfortable sleep experience. I also provide some useful tips for travellers, such as airport procedures and drone regulations in Fiji. Click to read the full flight review!