Welcome to TheExecTraveler
This is my outlet as a frequent business traveler to share thoughts (and probably a few strong opinions) on the places I go, how I get there, and where I stay – through detailed flight reviews, hotel reviews, and travel experiences from the road.
I’ve always loved to travel, and I was fortunate enough to land in a career that lets me see a lot of the world. I’ve been to over 50 countries so far, and I’m always looking for an excuse to add another one to the list.
That said, don’t get the wrong impression. Yes, I have a solid expense account and I recognize how fortunate that is – but I still take pride in stretching travel dollars as far as reasonably possible while staying comfortable. Finding a great international business class deal is basically a competitive sport for me. It’s gotten to the point where colleagues regularly ask me to help book their travel – which, for the record, is definitely not in my job description – but it’s a labor of love.
Because I’m on the road so much, I’ve gone deep into airline loyalty programs and hotel status. I’m a Oneworld Emerald through American (closing in on 2 million lifetime miles), Star Alliance Gold via Air Canada, and I hold top-tier status with both Marriott (Ambassador) and Hyatt (Globalist). I’ll probably dive into loyalty strategy at some point, but for now just know I spend a lot of time on planes, in airport lounges, in hotel rooms, and yes—eating a lot of hotel breakfasts.
When I’m not traveling for work, I’m usually planning trips with my wife and son. My parents instilled a love of travel in me early (my first international trip was to the UK at 12), and I’m hoping to pass that along to my son—though it’s fair to say he may already be a bit spoiled. Still, creating those memories is something we’ve prioritized, and it helps balance out the time I spend away from home.
All of that travel has given me a pretty clear sense of what I like—and what I don’t. So this site is where I’m going to share it. Whether anyone reads it beyond my wife and parents remains to be seen, but we’ll see how it goes.
So what can you expect here? Airline reviews, hotel reviews, and restaurant reviews, covering both business travel and family trips. You might also get some broader thoughts on travel along the way.
This is very much a work in progress. I’m starting with a consistent review format and scoring everything out of 10, but those scores are always relative to expectations. In other words, the more I’m paying (whether in cash or points), the higher the bar.
And finally, a quick disclaimer: I’m new to this, and my photography skills reflect that. Hopefully that improves over time.
Bon voyage.
What inspired you to start this blog?
I realized the amount I travel – which frankly is probably too much – and the variety of destinations I get to has provided me with a somewhat unique opportunity to share that with others. Moreover, I know how much I value and enjoy reading reviews by other travel bloggers when I’m making my travel plans so I figured it was my turn to contribute. I’ve been living this road warrior life for over 15 years so it was about time!
How do you choose which airlines and hotels to review?
I’m reviewing based on my normal travel itineraries and I’m not prioritizing choices simply to right about them. That said, while my loyalty program affiliations do drive a lot of my travel choices, I also like to try out different airlines and hotels whenever I can within those buckets so expect plenty of variety.
What types of travel experiences do you share?
This is mostly airline reviews and hotel stays, but expect a few other surprises like occasional restaurant reviews and other tips for business/frequent travelers. My focus is on providing practical advice, seasoned opinions and personal anecdotes that can assist others in their travel planning.
How often do you update your blog?
My aim is to update at least once a week. I have plenty of content to add, but less time than I need to publish it.
Can readers contribute their own travel stories?
Absolutely! I encourage readers to share their travel stories and experiences in the comments. This community engagement enriches the blog and I look forward to interacting with readers (assuming I have any).
What is your favorite travel destination?
That’s like asking someone to pick their favorite child. If I had to choose my favorite city for a business trip it’s London, but there are many close contenders.