Final Word: The quirky side of travel

The final word

Dressed up like a dog's dinner

Doggy bowls, beds,

blankets, treats and toys – we thought we'd seen it all. In a world where more than a third of us now own a pooch (at least in the UK), many hotels have been working hard to make sure our four-legged friends get a warm welcome.

But they're taking things one step further at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane with the launch of a limited edition menu at the hotel's dog-friendly bar, Smith & Whistle.

Designed for those autumn days and nights when we all want comfort food, the new Loaded Fries menu offers all the favourites for us humans, and can be paired with a drink too. There's Fish ’n’ Chips with a Crafty Paloma cocktail, Steak ’n’ Chips with a glass of Valpolicella Red wine, or Curry ’n’ Chips with the bar's signature lager.

EXCUSEMYPOM

Meanwhile, for our furry friends there's...wait for it... Pedigree Chips, a "tasty treat of steamed sweet potato fries loaded with delicious chicken breast and tenderstem broccoli - perfect for getting tails wagging".

And if your hungry mut isn't happy with just a bowl of water, you can order them a 'Posh Pooch' wine or the 'Hound’s Hops', a blend of speciallybrewed dog beer to round off their doggy dinner. Barking mad!

BEST FOR BUSINESS

Based on criteria like the cost of a three-course meal, average download speeds, closest airports, taxi fares and crime rates, here are the top 10 destinations in the world for business trips, according to UK card machine provider Dojo.

1 Singapore 2 Seoul 3 Tokyo 4 Delhi 5 Hong Kong 6 Warsaw 7 Beijing 8 Sao Paulo 9 Madrid 10 Bangkok

Research by Dojo

No more wrinkles

Ironing is no fun at the best of times, let alone after a transatlantic flight. That's why we were delighted to hear about the magic wardrobes now installed in select rooms at the Henn na Hotel in New York City. Called LG Stylers, not only do they steam the creases out of your shirts, skirts, jackets or trousers, they freshen them too, removing allergens, dust, smoke and sweat. All you have to do is unpack your bag, hang up your clothes, wait 40 minutes and hey presto (or should that be pressed-o, get it?). You can buy them online too, for £1,649. Dear Santa...

The average British holidaymaker spends more than half a day of a two-week holiday connected to the internet, according to a survey by travel insurance provider Staysure. But only 11% of us are online to catch up with work. Instead, 49% are posting sunset selfi es on Facebook or Instagram and 42% are checking the weather forecast, just to make sure it’s better than it is back at home.

SAVE THE DATE SEPTEMBER 25TH 2023

The 2023 awards ceremony will take place at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London Drinks reception > Seated dinner > Awards

TheBusinessTravelPeopleAwards.com

For 2023 sponsorship contact Kirsty.Hicks@bmipublishing.co.uk WITH THANKS TO OUR 2022 SPONSORS

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