DEPARTURES
Reality check
Go online for the full reviews: thebusinesstravelmag.com
CAR HIRE: VAU X HAL L CO R SA E R E NTAL F R O M E NT E R PR ISE BACKGROUND
Starting with Teslas two
THE RENTAL
Branch staff had told
years ago, Enterprise has been
us charging the car was a very easy
expanding its electric fleet and this
plug-in-and-go process but whilst this is
summer added a selection of lower-mid
the case for Teslas, all other makes of
range cars, including the Vauxhall Corsa
electric cars use a different network of
E. With five doors, built-in satnav,
chargers and it’s more complicated. It
climate control, and up to 160 miles
turned out we needed an account with
range on a full charge, it seemed
‘Charging Place Scotland’ to access the
perfect for our 850-mile Scotland trip.
network, and ideally a RFID card linked
BOOKING
The online booking
to our account to tap on the machines
process was easy. We’d originally
to begin charging. It's also possible to
booked to collect the car from the
charge using an app but this caused us
Edinburgh Waverly branch but due to
a wealth of problems as internet signal
Covid it was temporarily closed. Instead
was limited, if not non-existent, in many
we were offered complimentary pick-up
locations. The machines themselves
from our accommodation to collect
also needed internet connection to
very receptive of our comments on
from the Edinburgh City Centre branch.
receive data from the app and more
charging issues and said they'd relay
COLLECTION
The wheel was
this back to the head office.
often than not this proved impossible.
A SMOOTH RIDE OVERALL, BUT WITH A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD
wrapped in a protective cover and with
Thankfully, mid-way through our trip, a
Enterprise’s ‘Complete Clean Pledge’ we
fellow EV driver kindly lent us his
felt very confident the car was sanitised
personal 'Charging Place Scotland' card
and all necessary precautions had been
so we no longer had to worry about
taken. Masks were worn at all times,
difficulties charging. This meant we
even outside. After a thorough check
could begin to really enjoy the car –
and a brief on how the charging worked
effortlessly smooth and almost eerily
0800 800 227. Rentals from £88 a day.
(more on that later), we hit the road.
quiet to drive. At drop-off, staff were
April Waterston
THE VERDICT
A smooth drive overall,
but with a few bumps in the road. Directions on charging could have been clearer but otherwise the process, and the car, was efficient and enjoyable. THE DETAILS
enterprise.co.uk;
HOTEL : T HE CU L L O DE N E STAT E & SPA, BE L FAST THE HOTEL
A Hastings Hotel
THE ROOM
My spacious and ultra-
property and a Small Luxury Hotel of
comfortable Bishop Suite on the fourth
the World, this five-star hotel is six miles
floor had a partial dividing wall
from Belfast city centre and yet its
separating the bedroom from the
setting is more akin to a tranquil rural
lounge area. Features included a King
retreat. With the wooded slopes of the
Coil ‘Cloud Bed’, a work table, couch and
Holywood hills as its backdrop and 12
lounge chairs, and two TVs. A large bay
acres of manicured gardens, it has a
window offered views down to Belfast
real sense of grandeur, history and
Lough and the County Antrim Coastline.
serenity. Its 98 elegant rooms and
THE BUSINESS
There's a dedicated
suites, spa and restaurant have been
business reception area, with secretarial
recently refurbished.
services, and a plethora of conference
COVID STRATEGY
Health and safety
and meeting rooms. The gardens offer
protocols are in line with industry-wide
team building exercises and activities
'Peace of Mind Policy' guidelines, an
like archery, laser clay pigeon shooting
industry standard established in
and target golf. WiFi is free and speedy.
association with the National Tourism
THE FACILITIES
Organisations of Great Britain and
Vespers, is serving dinner only on a
Northern Ireland. Measures include
Friday and Saturday but is open daily
sanitising stations throughout the hotel
for breakfast. The Lough Room, which
and a chemical-free disinfectant system.
will revert to a residents' bar once Covid
THE CHECK-IN
The reception area is
treatments), a pool (with Jacuzzi), a weight room, sauna and an eucalyptus
The main restaurant,
rules allow, offered a limited but
SIX MILES FROM BELFAST BUT ITS SETTING IS MORE AKIN TO A TRANQUIL RURAL RETREAT
steam room. THE VERDICT
A premium-class hotel
with top-range facilities that offers a sense of peace and solitude that no city centre hotel could match.
surprisingly small for such a large
wholesome menu. At the bottom of the
property but never felt crowded. Two
estate is the pub-cosy Cultra Inn.
front desk staff members, wearing
Afternoon Tea is served in the Drawing
Rooms from £300, including breakfast.
masks, were friendly and efficient.
Room. There's a gym, Spa (with ESPA
Steve Hartridge
42
THE DETAILS
Bangor Rd, Hollywood,
Belfast, BT18 0EX; hastingshotels.com.
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
RealityCheck v6.indd 42
8/24/21 09:28 AM
