8 minute read
Reality Check: We check in to two hotels, an aparthotel and try Emirates' economy class
DEPARTURES Reality check
THE HOTEL Adagio London Stratford is a contemporary hotel with a welcoming, informal atmosphere. The Adagio group is a well established joint venture by Accor and Pierre & Vacances, with nearly 100 properties across 11 countries (mostly Europe). Each offers studios and apartments with fullyequipped kitchens.
THE CHECK-IN The reception area is the social hub of the property and includes a relaxed café serving drinks and buffet breakfast. One wall features essentials to buy for those who want to cater in their rooms (although there is also a large Sainsbury’s next door). The staff were welcoming and attentive and check-in was quick and easy. Staff are available 24/7.
THE ROOM My apartment was bright, airy and cleverly-designed to include kitchenette, bathroom, separate toilet, bedroom and sitting area (with double sofa bed) within a relatively compact space. The décor was stylish, and modern with wood effect floors, geometric patterns and bold colours. The kitchen was well equipped and the dining table doubled up as an extra workspace. It felt like a lot of attention had been given to making the very best of the space available.
THE BUSINESS There was free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and plenty of very secure on-site parking. The car park is accessed via a car lift, which is a novel if somewhat temperamental experience. The hotel is well located opposite the Westfield Stratford City with easy access into central London via the Central Line. There are also easy connections to Southeast trains and Stratford International.
THE FACILITIES The central reception doubles as the lounge and social area and is dressed as a home, with modern seating areas for dining and relaxation. Themed events are sometimes held here and there is table football to support the socialising. Beyond this there is a laundry for guest use and a small gym.
THE VERDICT This was a very userfriendly property in a useful location. The style was fresh and contemporary with an informal, relaxed vibe but the facilities were well thought through and comprehensive.
THE DETAILS Aparthotel Adagio London Stratford, 42 Celebration Ave, East Village, London E20 1DB, 020 4524 7900. Studios start from £95 per night.
adagio-city.com Julie Baxter
HOTEL: APARTHOTEL ADAGIO, LONDON STRATFORD
A LOT OF ATTENTION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO MAKING THE VERY BEST OF THE SPACE AVAILABLE
THE FLIGHT I flew from Dubai to London Heathrow on Emirates flight EK0031 in Economy on an Airbus A380800. Flying time was seven hours and 45 minutes.
THE CHECK-IN Terminal 3 at Dubai Airport was remarkably quiet. I opted for the self-service check-in and bag drop, and was impressed to see a contactless option using a QR code to check in using my own device. The flight was completely full, but fortunately I was happy with my aisle seat allocation, and without a bag to check in I was through to security and out the other side in less than 15 minutes after arriving at the airport.
THE BOARDING I was in Group F – the first Economy group to board the plane. Despite a full flight, it was easy to find room for both my cabin bag and backpack in the overhead lockers, leaving plenty of space to stretch my legs under the seat in front of me. Whilst I was in Dubai, the mask mandate had ended, making this one of the first flights on this route without masks. Shortly after boarding an announcement from the crew reassured passengers informing them that fresh air fills the cabin every three minutes, minimising any risk of transmission.
THE SEAT My seat, 50D, was in the front section of the Economy cabin. It was spacious and had notably comfortable legroom compared to my other recent long-haul flights. I had a blanket, pillow and over-ear headphones, which offered a good quality of sound from ICE, Emirates’ Inflight Entertainment System. I was very impressed with the variety of content on ICE and ended up choosing an audiobook to listen to – not something I would do often on the ground. It was easy to connect to the WiFi and prices were reasonable too.
THE FOOD I was served a lightlyspiced paneer curry with rice, with a side of potato salad and an Indian desert, with cheese and crackers and a bread roll. It was delicious and very filling. Later on an afternoon tea with a scone, clotted cream, jam, and cheese sandwich proved to be an enjoyable snack.
THE VERDICT No complaints here. Efficient service, enjoyable entertainment and a truly delicious meal reflected the push to quality that Emirates always champions.
THE DETAILS A return flight from London Heathrow-Dubai in January 2023 starts from £580pp. emirates.com
FLIGHT:EMIRATES ECONOMY DUBAI-LONDON HEATHROW
THE SEAT WAS SPACIOUS AND HAD NOTABLY COMFORTABLE LEGROOM
April Waterston
THE HOTEL Virgin Hotels Nashville is just minutes from Music Row where the likes of Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley recorded some of their top hits. The hotel is sophisticated and chic but reflects its charismatic and energetic surroundings with features such as a pool table, swinging chair, kooky library and signature red accents. The workhard-play-hard mantra continues with rooftop pool, DJ sets and well-stocked bars. It offers 262 spacious ‘chambers’, outdoor spaces for functions and several meeting spaces.
THE CHECK-IN Valet parking is available and manned 24/7. The reception area is spacious and flows through into the Commons Club, the hub of the hotel. The staff were efficient, friendly and more than happy to provide personal recommendations and directions. Ample seating, desk space, plug sockets and a coffee shop encouraged remote working.
THE ROOM My room was modern, bright and airy with floor-toceiling windows and a sliding barn-style door that allowed for separate bedroom and dressing room areas, giving it an apartment feel. Furnishings were tasteful and modern with homely touches. Virgin has its own app, Lucy, which allows guests to check in, order room service, control the AC and lights and also acts as a room key.
THE FACILITIES The hotel has eight event spaces ranging from intimate private meeting areas to a dedicated event venue. There’s also the option to host a reception or cocktail hour outside to enjoy the city views. Virgin specialises in creating unique experiences and can accommodate requests ranging from ping-pong meeting tables, fitness video games, hallway mini golf and lifesized jenga. Groups of up to 50 people receive complimentary Wi-Fi and a dedicated Event Manager. The property also offers business travel rates for frequent travellers.
THE VERDICT The property has a fun and relaxed atmosphere with eccentric features that are typical of the Virgin Hotels brand but it also has a serious side and caters well for business travellers, offering functional workspaces throughout.
THE DETAILS 1 Music Square W, Nashville, TN 37203. Rates at Virgin Hotels Nashville, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, start from £155 for a double room. preferredhotels.com.
HOTEL: VIRGIN HOTELS NASHVILLE
VIRGIN SPECIALISES IN CREATING UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Jessica Pook
THE HOTEL Located just back from the Red Sea-fronting white-sand beach, the Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea is one of the leading luxury hotels in Jordan’s only coastal resort. Jordan's only port city has blossomed into a major trade and business hub.
THE CHECK-IN Security at the entrance gate was strict and there was a second bag check to get into the hotel’s lobby. The check-in desk is located in a light and airy lobby that is bookended at one end by one of the hotel’s signature restaurants, the Lebanese-themed Rehan, and at the other a bar and lounge area that leads onto a terrace. I was met with smiles and a mint lemonade welcome drink. A hotel staff member sat with me as I filled out the various bits of paperwork before walking me to the lift and my room.
THE ROOM My Premier Club Room (627) was spacious, bright and comfortably air-conditioned. An all-white décor gave it a fresh and clean feel. An expansive balcony, with tables and chairs, looked down on the swimming pool and the hotel’s beach. There was a separate bath and shower and toiletries were by Jordanian company Trinitae, with products featuring Dead Sea oils and minerals. Other room features included a Dallmayr Capsa coffee machine and a free selection of alcoholic beverages and snacks in the mini-bar. Guests in this category of room also benefit from complimentary snacks and drinks in the lounge from 18.00 to 20.00.
THE FACILITIES The hotel has its own convention centre with seven venues, including a Grand Ballroom. Each facility is kitted out with equipment that includes audio and video set-ups, teleconferencing capabilities, data show and laptop connectivity. In addition, there are four dedicated rooms for meetings and a 24-hour business centre. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel operates a chauffeur-driven limousine service to and from the airport.
THE VERDICT The hotel is everything you want from a five-star property. It's contemporary and chic with attentive and helpful staff, luxury bedrooms, topclass cuisine and plenty of communal relaxation spots. The lobby and various outdoor spaces are well-designed for private business meetings.
THE DETAILS Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea, King Hussein Street, 77110 Aqaba, Jordan. Premier Club rooms start at around £300 a night. kempinski.com
HOTEL: KEMPINSKI HOTEL AQABA RED SEA, JORDAN
I WAS MET WITH SMILES AND A MINT LEMONADE DRINK
