DEPARTURES
Reality check RANDOX HE ALTH COVI D T E ST ING SE R V ICE , W IT H ADVANTAG E T R AV E L PAR T NE R SHIP OVERVIEW
The Advantage Travel
end of the swab over my tonsils. I also
Partnership has partnered with Covid-
found it slightly difficult to break the
19 testing company, Randox Health, to
plastic swab to fit it into the tube, but
provide discounted PCR tests to
apart from that it was all pretty
travellers through its TMC members.
straightforward. Test done, I registered
Clients are given a code which reduces
my sample on the Randox website,
the price of each test from £120 to £60.
providing my contact details and a URN
Randox also offers the same discounted
number which was printed on several
price to British Airways' customers.
stickers in my testing kit.
Ordering my pre-
BOOKING
THE RETURN
This is where things
departure PCR test was a simple
got a bit tricky. I live just outside
process on the Randox website, similar
Brighton, but at the time of doing my
to an Amazon purchase. It was clear
my test (end of April) the closest
where to add the discount code. I was
Randox drop box was in Croydon - a
asked to provide basic details, such as
38-mile, 1hr drive away. The alternative
my name and address, and to say
was a DX drop location at Gatwick, still
whether my test was part of the test
a 21-mile, 28-minute drive (and this
and release scheme. Clear instructions
would mean my sample would take
about the service were provided in
longer to get to the lab). When I
several ways, including a short video.
contacted Randox to ask for alternative
THE TEST
My test arrived in the
options, I was told that I was lucky
out of its drop boxes in time for the easing of travel restrictions on May 17.
ORDERING MY PCR TEST WAS A SIMPLE PROCESS, SIMILAR TO AN AMAZON PURCHASE
My test result (negative) came the following morning by email. THE VERDICT
Provided there are
more drop boxes available to return
post two days later in a small cardboard
because I lived on the "route back to
box. Each item in the kit was attributed
the helicopter" so a courier could collect
a letter, which made it easier to know
it from my home. It was collected two
what to do. As with previous tests, I
hours later, for free. I was also told that
Tests cost from £60
found it very uncomfortable to rub the
Randox is rapidly ramping up the roll-
Bev Fearis
samples, this is a simple and efficient service. I felt I was in good hands. THE DETAILS
randoxhealth.com
HOT E L : HYAT T R E G E NCY PHNO M PE NH THE HOTEL
After breaking ground
THE ROOM
My 49 m2 King Palace
in 2016, this addition to the Hyatt
View Deluxe category suite (room 801)
Regency family had a low-key opening in
had views of the Royal Palace and the
early January due to Covid-19 travel
Mekong River, king-size bed, and
restrictions. In the Doun Penh district of
65-inch Smart TV. The mini-bar was
Cambodia’s capital city, the 247-room
well-stocked with locally-sourced drinks
hotel blends modern urban with
and snacks. Individually-controlled air-
traditional Khmer architecture.
conditioning and a lighting set-up that
COVID STRATEGY
Enhanced
cleanliness and wellbeing measures are evident throughout the hotel, reflecting
doesn’t require a degree to navigate are welcome touches for weary travellers. THE BUSINESS
The multi-functional
the Global Biorisk Advisory Council
desk with data port, ergonomic chair
STAR accreditation held by all Hyatt
and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
hotels. Rooms come with hand sanitiser
make work a cinch and a nespresso-
and a Hyatt branded face mask. ‘Knock
style coffee machine delivers mind-
& Go’ room service is also available.
sharpening caffeine. But it’s the
level 14 with DJs and skyline views.
impressive choice of meeting rooms
There's also an outdoor salt-water
THE CHECK-IN
All visitors are greeted
in the shaded veranda area of a
where the Hyatt Regency truly excels,
restored villa by smartly-uniformed staff
spread over 1400m2 and with a
wearing facemasks and protective
capacity of up to 1,500 people.
gloves. After my temperature was
THE FACILITIES
An atrium houses the
checked by an electronic scanner
all-day concept Market Café Restaurant
screen, I was ushered into the elegant
& Lounge, popular for ‘Teatails’, a Khmer
lobby area and invited to sink into one
spin on the traditional British afternoon
of the deep sofas while the reception
tea. Locals vie to get a table at the
team swiftly took care of my check-in.
FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar on
42
22-metre infinity pool. A Jivapiti Spa is
THE LIGHTING SET-UP DOESN'T REQUIRE A DEGREE TO NAVIGATE
due to open when Covid rules allow. THE VERDICT
The Hyatt Regency isn’t
letting the pandemic rain on its parade and is confidently establishing itself as a destination hotel. THE DETAILS
Double rooms from
$165 hyattregencyphnompenh.com
Rachel Roberts
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
RealityCheck V9.indd 42
5/6/21 06:00 PM
