In this post I’ll share a review of the Ritz Carlton LAX and the 777 Delta Business Elite flight from LAX back home. This post is part of a larger trip report from our two week “Year of the B†trip to French Polynesia. For our 1 night stay at the Ritz Carlton LAX we paid a competitive rate. I was a Marriott Platinum member during our stay. For our Delta flights we used 150k Delta miles each to fly on Delta and Air France in business class. See this post for a demonstration on how I used Delta miles for two business class award tickets to French Polynesia.
French Polynesia Trip Report:
- ATL > LAX in DL Business Class and an over night at the Andaz West Hollywood
- LAX > PPT in Air France Business Class and ferry to Moorea
- Hilton Moorea Hotel Review
- Moorea Activities
- InterContinental Bora Bora
- Villa Mahana Restaurant Bora Bora
- Le Meridien Tahiti
- Ritz Carlton LAX and LAX > ATL in DL Business Class
Departure From Tahiti
We woke up early after a great stay at the Le Meridien Tahiti and headed to the airport. Our departing flight was leaving at 8 AM so the night before we arranged for a car to be waiting bright and early. Â The check in process was easy and we were on our way to the lounge. We had a great view of the AF 777 that would take us back to LAX.
First Class Section In Lounge
Great View Of Catalina Island On Approach To LAX
Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Ray is 5 miles from the airport and about a 10 minute drive by taxi. Check in at the Ritz Carlton was easy. Sometimes its amazing how much DYKWIA (Don’t You Know Who I Am) you see when traveling. We were in the middle of check in and a guy with his trophy walked right up and almost pushed us aside to speak with the front desk lady. She was great to complete our check in before helping him with his “emergency” request for dinner reservations.
We were on a medium level floor and given a nice view of the marina. A plate of cookies was delivered as a welcome amenity.
Marina View
Welcome Amenity
Delta 777 Flight
We deliberately booked our tickets on the Delta 777 so we could experience the lie flat Business Elite seats, like I did to LAX in November. By taking this flight we got to ride in Delta’s best plane and business seat.
We spent some time in the Delta Sky Club before boarding to seat 3 C and 3 D. The Delta On Demand entertainment options are great, we had our pick of movies or television to watch for the 4 hour flight.
Sky Club
Lie Flat Seats
3 C
Pre Departure Beverage – Delta Style
Bottom Line
The trip to French Polynesia was one of our most memorable trips. Not because of the great island’s we visited, over water bungalows, fantastic sunset views, but because Mr & Mrs Weekly Flyer got to spend 2 uninterrupted weeks together.
It is an expensive trip. To cut down on expenses do a little research on the best options for award redemption. If you are short on hotel points you can always take advantage of promotions like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Ink Plus and Chase Ink Bold. These points could be transferred into Priority Club points at a 1:1 ratio giving 5 nights (40k x 5 = 200k points). Alternatively you could transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards to Amtrak then over to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio.
I’d highly recommend a trip to French Polynesia at least once in your life if you can make the journey.
About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
Sign up for Email || Twitter || Facebook |
Hotel Offers || Airline Offers || Bank Offers || Cash Back Offers
Well played with the DL 777 on the return flight.
@matt – Thank you sir. It is one of my best moves:) That and the VIP thermostat trick, lol:)
http://pntsmlsmartini.wpengine.com/2010/01/vip-code-on-thermostate-worked-at-hyatt/
Thanks for the awesome trip report! I really enjoyed it.
@Jenny – These trip reports take a very long time to write. Thank you for the feedback, it is appreciated.
Glad you liked French Polynesia report. Let me know if you ever have questions about it.
Great trip report. Read some parts a few times to really soak it in. Looking into a Bora Bora trip for next year, using as much points as I can, so your info will help so much.
@Benny – I’m so glad you liked the report. When I go back and view the pictures I tend to pause and take in the great views.
You will really like your trip to FP, the people are great and it is paradise. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help by sharing knowledge.
If any one been to both French Polynesia and Fiji, can you guys compare your experience? If you can suggest places to stay in Fiji, it would be great.
@iKonos- Sorry I’ve never been to Fiji. I would check Flyertalk forums or tripadvisor.
Let me know if you have any questions on French Polynesia.
Here I was gonna say “Well played with the RC Marina del Ray” .. it’s not a great Ritz-Carlton but it’s my favorite LAX airport hotel!
I do like the Amex FHR amenities, Centurion amenities are especially good (so is Virtuoso). And the rates arent’ terrible. Did you use points or pay? If so, what rate? Glad you had a Marina view!
@Gary – Thanks, we liked the hotel very much and their cheeseburgers. I’m not sure how they compare to the new Hyatt burgers, but they were great.
I used my company rate which was about $140 less than advertised rates. No special benefits other than Platinum status amenity.
How does that compare with Virtuoso and FHR?
Awesome post. This will all come in handy as I am planning my honeymooon to French Polynesia next year. You said that it was expensive, but you used points for your hotels (you paid for upgrades), and points for airfare as well. What exactly was expensive? The food? Transportation expense?
Thanks!