Jonathan Delise
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Multilingual Freelance Food, Travel, and History Writer,
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Articles by Jonathan Delise
Japan Route to get “United Elevated” Aircraft
This October, passengers on one of United’s Japan routes will begin to experience what United Elevated is all about. But there’s a small catch. For starters, the only Japan flights that will offer it will be the daily Houston IAH to Tokyo Narita NRT. Everything is set to commence October 24th in Houston (UA7), and October 25th in Tokyo (UA 6). The new design is currently limited to the Boeing 787- 9 Dreamliner.
New Singapore Changi Satellite Gates
If you have bus gates — and I’m sure you do — then perhaps these new Singapore Changi satellite gates are doing something to slightly improve the experience. Jewel – seen from Airport Boulevard (source: https://changiairport.scene7.com/is/image/changiairport/jewel-seen-from-airport-boulevard) Don’t get your hopes up too much. There is still very much a bus involved. Come to think of it, for many passengers, this newfangled design is more vexing.
Hotel Review: Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to stay at the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok. Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok entrance After a nice stay at the Chatrium Grand Bangkok earlier this year, I was eager to give the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok a glance. You could say I was looking forward to this one slightly more, if only because I have significantly less familiarity with the neighborhoods along the Chao Phraya River (i.e. the waterway of Bangkok).
New Nonstop Flight from Tbilisi to Shanghai
Have you ever planned a trip to a place that doesn’t have flights to a particular country? No, that’s silly talk. With that out of the way, SkyTeam’s China Eastern Airlines has just started a new nonstop flight from Tbilisi to Shanghai.
Restaurant Review: Riva del Fiume at Four Seasons Bangkok
Disclaimer: I was invited to lunch at Riva del Fiume, Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya, in exchange for this review. It was a nice change of scenery to take in a meal at Riva del Fiume, the signature Italian restaurant at Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River. I’m not usually in the riverside part of town, so I was curious to see how much it has developed in comparison to fiercely urban Sukhumvit.
Saudia is Starting Flights to Tokyo
For SkyTeam frequent fliers, there’s some good news out of the Middle East. Later this year, Saudia is starting flights to Tokyo. One of my favorite buildings, Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre, will soon be connected to one of my favorite cities, Tokyo Adding itself to the list of fellow gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways that fly to the Japanese capital, Saudia Arabia’s national airline will commence nonstop flights this autumn.
A Travel Guide to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s burgeoning capital — and the largest city in Central Asia with a population of some 3 million — has existed in some form for more than 2,000 years. Its current name, a portmanteau of the Turkish “tash,” meaning “stone,” and the Sogdian (an extinct language from this region) “kent,” meaning “city,” was first recorded in the 11th century, and reflects just two of the many civilizations that have occupied it.
Hotel Review: Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
The Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel is all about shuttling families to Disneyland. But they've got nice staff and large (for Tokyo) rooms, too.
Flight Review: Korean Air Business Class, Seoul to Kagoshima
In spite of the Alaska Airlines awards booking page acting more fubar than not, I was able to book an unexpectedly good Korean Air business class deal from Tianjin, China (TSN) to Kagoshima, Japan (KOJ) via Seoul Incheon (ICN). Korean Air Airbus A321 at Seoul Incheon Airport (on that note, I definitely prefer the prior livery to this current bland one) Korean Air (KE) uses Terminal 2 at Seoul Incheon International Airport.
Flight Review: Air China Domestic Business Class CAN-TSN
As the business class rate was not much more than the economy class rate, and I needed a small bump in miles to redeem an award ticket, last week I tried out Air China domestic business class from Guangzhou to Tianjin (a city relatively near Beijing). Air China Boeing 737-800 at Tianjin (TSN) Airport Background First of all, even though there was availability on flights to both Beijing airports (PEK & PKX), those flights all landed around midnight. No dice.
Flight Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Tokyo to Jakarta
Owing to a rare upgrade, I recently experienced Japan Airlines business class from Tokyo Narita to Jakarta. JAL NRT-CGK in-flight map 2026 Check-in Japan Airlines business class check-in Tokyo Narita (the queue looks short, but it took quite a while) Japan Airlines (JAL) currently uses Terminal 2 at Tokyo Narita International Airport.
Nonstop U.S. – Kazakhstan Flights Coming Soon
Last year, I read about Kazakhstan-based Air Astana’s purchase of Boeing 787s. At the time, I hypothesized that they’d be used for flights to New York City, London, Istanbul, and Seoul. According to recent news, it seems that 2027 will be the year for the first-ever nonstop U.S. – Kazakhstan flights.
New Vietnam Entry Requirement
Although the policy has been in place for around one month, tourists headed to Ho Chi Minh City (airport code: SGN) should be aware of this new Vietnam entry requirement. As of 15 April, Vietnam has mandated the use of an electronic arrivals form for many visitors. Those not needing to fill it out include Vietnamese passport holders, and transit passengers. For your assistance, here is the direct link to filling out the form.
Review: 1 Hotel Tokyo
Located on floors 38 through 43 of Tokyo’s Akasaka Trust Tower, 1 Hotel Tokyo seem paradoxical at first. On one hand, it’s clear that Starwood Hotels aimed to capitalize on the boundless and ever-changing Tokyo skyline with its first 1 Hotels property in Japan. On the other hand, the 1 Hotels brand ethos is all about nature — seemingly at odds with Tokyo’s bright lights and bustling city life.
Priority Pass Doha: Soon to be Posting Ls
My only relatively fond memories of Doha’s airport unusually involve xDOH, that is the airport used before Hamad International first opened in 2014. It was 2007, and I was chuffed about having been told by a Qatar Airways phone representative that an Amman (AMM) – Doha (DOH) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way in business was the same price as economy. Never mind Priority Pass Doha, I was gearing up for a visit to the old airport’s Premium Terminal (anyone remember that place?).
Trip Report: JR East Pass (new Japanese rail pass)
Disclaimer: I received one JR East Pass in exchange for a review. The aptly named JR East Pass was introduced last month, having combined two smaller regional passes to become one mega all-you-care-to-ride pass. Check out the map below and I will fill in the two major prefectures (roughly Japan’s analog to states) that are now accessible. JR East Pass rail map, source: JR East In alphabetical order, here are all the germane prefectures, with the largest city in each.
Hotel Review: Chatrium Grand Bangkok
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to stay at Chatrium Grand Bangkok. How is it that, after countless visits to the three shopping centers of Central World, Siam Paragon, and the MBK Center, I never knew that the Chatrium Grand Bangkok existed? It’s not a small property, but to give myself the benefit of the doubt, I’m generally in that area just to food shop. It’s also a little difficult to explain how to access it.
Flight Review: Xiamen Airlines Domestic Business Class (China)
Join me in as I offer a brief glimpse into a Xiamen Airlines domestic business class flight, from Tianjin to Guangzhou. Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 (B-20EK)…what kind of atmosphere is that? Flying in China is no fun. Unless you’re an Olympian smoker, crave getting frisked, accept the challenge of “drinking water,” or enjoy 10 other people suddenly “joining” you at the check-in counter, don’t get used to it.
Hotel Review: Tower Club at lebua, Bangkok
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to enjoy one of the new guest rooms at the Tower Club at lebua, Bangkok. The last time I stayed at the Tower Club at lebua, the focus was on the food. Given its Michelin-starred pair of restaurants, as well as other fine dining options, it’s easy to see why the hotel trumpets itself as the culinary “vertical destination.” But this time, I’m going to center more on the guest experience, especially the newly refreshed guest rooms.
Hotel Review: Tower Club at lebua, Bangkok
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to enjoy one of the new guest rooms at the Tower Club at lebua, Bangkok. The last time I stayed at the Tower Club at lebua, the focus was on the food. Given its Michelin-starred pair of restaurants, as well as other fine dining options, it’s easy to see why the hotel trumpets itself as the culinary “vertical destination.” But this time, I’m going to center more on the guest experience, especially the newly refreshed guest rooms.
10 Best Substitutes For Masa Harina
The regional preparations, cooking methods, and ingredients that compose Mexican cuisine are so diverse and influential that even UNESCO — the UN branch better known for identifying heritage buildings and monuments — has recognized this specific culinary preparation as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Not to mention, some of the world's most commonly used foods — e.g. types of tomatoes, chilies, squashes, avocados, chocolate, and vanilla — all hail from Mexico.
Lounge Review: Primeclass Lounge Ankara
Feeble excuse time– I was in China for the past two weeks, and had predictably erratic VPN access. WordPress loaded, but would not post anything. Nevertheless, let’s see how the Primeclass Lounge Ankara stacks up. Given the ongoing situation in Persian Gulf, to get from Berlin to Beijing, I worked out the following routing: Berlin BER to Istanbul SAW to Ankara ESB to Tashkent TAS to Urumqi URC to Tianjin TSN, then high-speed rail to Beijing.
East Japan Golden Route
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review of the East Japan Golden Route I received one JR East-South Hokkaido Pass (a JR East rail pass), as well as one hotel night in each city. Please note that there will be many photos in this report. Ever since my first trip to Tohoku three years ago, I’ve been yearning to visit more of that northern Japanese region. What better better way to do so than with the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
East Japan Golden Route
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review of the East Japan Golden Route I received one JR East-South Hokkaido Pass (a JR East rail pass), as well as one hotel night in each city. Please note that there will be many photos in this report. Ever since my first trip to Tohoku three years ago, I’ve been yearning to visit more of that northern Japanese region. What better better way to do so than with the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
This Quiet Coastal Region is Only 1.5 Hours from Tokyo
Shimane and Tottori form the heart of Japan’s San’inregion, or “shady side of the [Chugoku] mountains.” The pair of prefectures offers some of the country’s most fulfilling sightseeing attractions—and fewer crowds. Diverse topography means you can readily explore mountainside temples and mines, onsen, and even sand dunes, all while taking advantage of the bountiful seafood caught in the neighboring Sea of Japan.
Review: Los Angeles American Airlines Lounges
Disclaimer: Although I was offered one-time entry to the Los Angeles American Airlines lounges, some of the following photos were taken during a prior unrelated visit. AA Flagship Lounge, right by gate 41; the place is open from 04:30 – 25:00 (1am the next day). Check-in with one of the agents downstairs, then depending on the entry rules you might get a plastic card indicating that you can enter the Flagship Lounge.
Get ready for the new Washington-Dulles EVA Air flight
The new Washington-Dulles EVA Air flight will be the first time in history that the U.S. capital and the Taiwanese capital get a nonstop connection. On the heels of launching ts ninth U.S. destination, Washington, D.C.’s primary international airport will soon become EVA Air’s tenth. For airplane spotters, Star Alliance flyers, and those looking to tap into the growing Taipei hub, mark June 26th on your calendars.
Review: Tokyo Wide Pass from JR East
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I received one Tokyo Wide Pass from JR East. Tokyo’s a cool place, no doubt, but it’s also good to get away from the maddening crowds. Fortunately, JR East (Japan Railways East), one of seven companies that make up Japan Railways Group, has a neat rail pass called Tokyo Wide Pass. Who Can Buy the Pass? Just like the the JR East (Tohoku Area) rail pass, this one can only be purchased by non-Japanese nationals.
App Review: GPSmyCity
Disclaimer: I was invited to try out a subscription to GPSmyCity in exchange for this review. As a Silicon Valley tech alum, Jim Zhu has been a big-time traveler. Whenever he went somewhere new, he’d take a tour, be that one of those frequently stopping buses, or on a walk with a group. Given the obvious limitations of those choices, he set out to make a a tour-focused app that wasn’t restricted by seasons, time of day, or even days of the week.
Singapore Airlines is Starting Flights to Riyadh
Singapore Airlines is starting flights to Riyadh. Either you A) didn’t expect to hear this, or B) expected to hear this because of incentives. Regardless, Singapore Airlines is going to be the first Southeast Asian Star Alliance carrier flying to the Saudi capital. Al Faisaliah Tower, Riyadh (yes, they have an observation deck, too) Slated to begin on June 2nd, Singapore Airlines will be going to Riyadh four days per week — that’s Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The Great Walks of Australia
The Cape to Cape track, which starts from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, three hours south of Perth in Western Australia, is one of fifteen “Great Walks of Australia” – a marketing initiative launched in 2013 to showcase the country’s most iconic multi-day hikes. To make the list, a hike must have luxury eco-lodges or semi-permanent safari-style tents, hotel-standard beds, amazing regional food, top-notch guides, and all of it with you carrying only a daypack.
One of Tokyo's Most Popular Museums Is Reopening This Spring Original
Exterior of the Edo Tokyo Museum. Credit: coward_lion/Getty Images After nearly four years of wide-scale renovations, one of Tokyo’s premier museums is finally reopening this spring. The Edo-Tokyo Museum, which focuses on the history of Edo (what Tokyo was called between 1603-1868) through the present day, is making its ballyhooed comeback on March 31, 2026.
Hotel Review: InterContinental Osaka
Disclaimer: In exchange for a hosted stay, I am writing this review of the InterContinental Osaka. As I happened to be in Osaka for an unrelated article, I was invited to see what the InterContinental Osaka, and its one Michelin star restaurant Pierre were all about. InterContinental Osaka sign Location The way I choose locations for places with which I lack familiarity, I work backwards from check-out day.
Taking a Walk from Kyushu to Honshu
Did you know that one could walk from Kyushu to Honshu? That’s right, Japan’s third-largest island is connected to its largest by a pedestrian tunnel. Coincidentally, it’s also possible to go from Honshu to Shikoku, the country’s fourth-largest, by bike (or a very long walk), but that’s awfully unfair to knees. Construction on the Kanmon Tunnel (関門国道トンネル) began in 1936, but was only completed in March 1958 on account of World War II.
Second Kyra Lounge in Hong Kong Opens
It was only last month that I mentioned the closure of the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club HKG. Fortunately, from that dust — relatively speaking — quickly arose another Priority Pass option: a second Kyra Lounge in Hong Kong. On a recent layover, my only goal was to see if it was open for business.
Hotel Review: Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was offered a room with meals at Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo. Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Entrance, Morning Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Entrance, Evening Built around the theme of “Be You, Do You, See You,” the newly-opened Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo — the doors officially opened on October 7th, 2025 — offers something for leisure and business travelers alike.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club HKG Closing
Some disappointing lounge news from Hong Kong — the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club HKG will very shortly be closing up shop. Entrance, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club Not only was Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club HKG the sole international Chase Sapphire offering, but it also allowed in Priority Pass Select users without, for example, being limited to 1x/year as the United States lounges do. Nevertheless, it is closing on January 5th, 2026.
Bolivia and Uzbekistan Drop Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Unexpected bits of good news for U.S. citizens: Bolivia and Uzbekistan are becoming easier to visit. Let’s start with Bolivia. So many types of potatoes As of December 1st, the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs removed tourist visa requirements for the United States, as well as a handful of other passport holders. Previously, the tourist visa rate was around US$160, and lasted five years.
Bolivia and Uzbekistan Drop Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Unexpected bits of good news for U.S. citizens: Bolivia and Uzbekistan are becoming easier to visit. Let’s start with Bolivia. So many types of potatoes As of December 1st, the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs removed tourist visa requirements for the United States, as well as a handful of other passport holders. Previously, the tourist visa rate was around US$160, and lasted five years.
Touring EVA Air's Hangars and Catering Facilities in Taiwan
Disclaimer: As part of my October trip to Taiwan, I was invited to tour the Evergreen Group HQ hangars and catering facilities. Evergreen Group, the Taiwanese corporation that encompasses cargo shipping, hotels, flight training, UNI Air, and of course, EVA Air, has quite the set-up in Taoyuan, where Taipei’s primary airport is located. Indeed, a number of airlines — not just Taiwanese — get their maintenance work, and food service functions done at the Evergreen Group HQ.
2025 LOMAS Appreciation Week in Cancun, Mexico
Disclaimer: I was invited to experience 2025 LOMAS Appreciation Week at the El Dorado Royale all-inclusive hotel in Cancun, Mexico. The nice group of folks over at FERRCONN, a Cancun/NYC area-based marketing team, helped organize the event. El Dorado Royale beach at dawn El Dorado Royale beach at dusk I had never heard of Grupo LOMAS, nor was I terribly familiar with all-inclusives.
Visiting the Plastic Gomorrah, aka Yiwu International Trade Market
You may not have heard of the place, but something from China’s Yiwu International Trade Market has probably graced your residence. After all, it is the world’s largest small commodities market. Figure, aerosol cans, mirrors, toys, fake Christmas trees, and spark plugs, to name but a few examples.
Tokyo Bar Review: Tokyo Confidential
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to Tokyo Confidential. In the upscale Tokyo neighborhood of Azabu-Juban, a short walk away from Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, lies a laid-back rooftop bar called Tokyo Confidential. Open Mondays – Saturdays 6pm – 1am, and Sundays from 6pm – 12am, the bar is located on the 9th floor of THE V CITY AZABU JUBAN PLACE building, roughly between the South 1 (南1) and South 2 (南) exits of Azabu Juban metro station.
Flight Review: Etihad, Abu Dhabi to Tokyo Narita
The first and only time I flew business class with Etihad was in 2009. For whatever reason, I was upgraded from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta. All subsequent trips with them were downhill; that includes a mix of economy (shocker to some of you), and this month’s four flights. I’m only writing about the longest flight, because that’s the one that involves the Etihad lounge visit. After attending Tourise Riyadh 2025, I had to get to Tokyo for work.
Tourise Riyadh 2025
Since introducing tourism visas in 2019, Saudi Arabia has been establishing itself as a leisure tourism powerhouse. Tourise Riyadh 2025, the inaugural held between November 11-13 event by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, is a great example of this investment. Attendees combined Saudi, GCC, and worldwide players in hospitality, finance, business development, technology, media, and government.
My Michelin-starred Weekend at lebua Bangkok
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to indulge in a lebua Bangkok Michelin weekend. I never try to be a parrot for companies, but here’s a rare exception. Lebua Bangkok created a very appropriate phrase to describe itself: vertical destination. Sure, plenty of hotels in that city have rooftop bars and pools. Lebua Bangkok does that concept one better, and throws in a pair of Michelin-starred restaurants to boot. You read that correctly– two Michelin-starred restaurants in one hotel.
Hotel Review: Staybridge Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to stay at the Staybridge Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit. For my first-ever stay with this hotel brand, Staybridge Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit is going to be a hard one to beat. Location For central Bangkok, the hotel is on a typically busy street, in this case Sukhumvit Soi 24 (if you’re unfamiliar with the city, the way many addresses work is to take a main thoroughfare, then name smaller streets, soi, that radiate from them.
Hotel Review: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I was invited to stay at The Prince Park Tower Tokyo. My first visit to Japan — way back in 2000 — unsurprisingly included a stop in Tokyo. For whatever reason, my first visit to Tokyo Tower’s observation deck created a years-long obsession. Staying in the Tower View Suite of the The Prince Park Tower Tokyo restarted that mild obsession. It’s the first extant structure I think of when Tokyo comes to mind.
New Priority Pass Lounge at Tokyo Narita Airport...Maybe
As of November 1st, Terminal 1’s Turkish Airlines Lounge Narita Airport has joined Priority Pass. Possibly. The reason I wrote “possibly” is because there might be a caveat, vis-a-vis the official Priority Pass page for said lounge. That is to say, normally my Priority Pass account would tell me to shove off if I weren’t allowed to avail of a particular airport benefit. However, there’s something fishy with this profile.
For Advanced Travel Hackers Only: How to Status Match Your Way to Upgrades
Airlines offer a variety of ways to help travelers make busy lounges and upgrade lists even busier. Mostly gone are the days of racking up frequent flier miles and, therefore, higher airline status based on the metric of distance flown. Generally speaking, to obtain even the lowest rung of status with an airline’s frequent flier program – particularly those in the United States – it’s all about cracking open your wallet. For some of us, that courtesy might go to our employer’s coffers.
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