BTME - April 2020

MIDDLE EAST

MEET ME IN THE CAPITAL

POLE POSITION

PARIS HOTELS

PLUS

Abu Dhabi's top 10 meeting and events venues at a glance

Travel health and fitness tips from F1 trainer Mark Arnall

A look inside the city's new and freshly revamped properties

Tried and Tested • Osaka • Travel gadgets

TRENDSETTERS

The future of travel in the Middle East

UAE DHS12 OMAN RO1.30 BAHRAIN BD1.30 SAUDI ARABIA SR12 KUWAIT KD1

WORK, LIVE, RECHARGE Your best-self exists in the sweet-spot between work and play, and at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC we help you ďŹ nd that perfect balance. For every engaging meeting by day, there's an equally interesting chat over a bespoke cocktail. Dive into your work in the thriving heart of Dubai, but don't forget to enjoy a plunge in our glass rooftop pool. Book an experience and allow us to make your stay as satisfying as it is productive.

Delve into Dubai fourseasons.com/DubaiDIFC FSDubaiDIFC

CONTENTS

R E G UL A R S 06

T HE R EP OR T

UPFRONT

TRIED & TESTED TRAIN

Airline and hotel news worldwide 24

60 Eurostar, Standard Class, Ebbsfleet to Paris

OPINION

Travel health and fitness tips from F1 World Champion trainer Mark Arnall 50

HOTELS

61 Mandarin Oriental, Paris

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

62 Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor

The latest industry initiatives, from single-use plastic reduction to big-hearted charity drives

63 Citizen M Boston 64 Fairmont Singapore 65 Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore

F E AT UR E S 14

66

16

ANGER MANAGEMENT

MEET ME IN THE CAPITAL

34

WHEN IN PARIS

Take a look at new and recently revamped hotels in the city 40

THE REAL DEAL

Osaka, Japan’s third largest city, is bursting with personality

26

TRENDSETTERS

The future of travel in the Middle East, from designer airports to high-speed hyperloops.

SMART TRAVELLER

Donating hotel points

When work tensions run high, let it all out at The Smash Room Abu Dhabi’s top 10 meeting and events venues at a glance

ON TH E C OVER

44

RIGH OF PASSAGE

How accessible is air travel for passengers with reduced mobility?

48

3

44

PAYING HOMAGE

The latest Carrera timepiece celebrates 160 years of Tag Heuer 54

APPLIANCES OF SCIENCE

Travel gadgets of the future showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show

48

16

34

WELCOME

T

he buzzword of the moment is… wait for it… not #coronavirus, but #staycation. In fact as I write, a few tempting staycation offers have popped up in my inbox. It makes perfect sense; at a time when governments around the Gulf are quite rightly implementing stringent measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 there’s no better time to experience all the region has to offer than by ‘staycationing’.

If you are based in the UAE, there are some remarkable offers at hotels and resorts that bring all you could ask for under one roof, from great dining, entertainment and spa experiences to prime locations on idyllic beaches or close to major attractions.

It’s the chance to spend time with family, particularly with schools and universities closed for extended periods, or perhaps arrange a team-building exercise or corporate getaway to forge closer bonds with colleagues and clients and boost spirits.

In this issue there’s a round-up of top 10 venues to stage meetings and events in Abu Dhabi, which include hotels, theme parks, museums, beach clubs and more (p16-18).

Despite some travel restrictions in place, flights are still operating to many global destinations and it’s been heartening to see airlines such as Emirates take control of the situation by announcing measures designed to give travellers peace of mind.

The airline’s in-depth information on stepped-up aircraft cleaning procedures, as well as initiatives that include allowing

passengers to change travel plans without incurring fees, are certainly protocols that set industry benchmarks and send positive messages to air passengers.

When all travel resumes in the future, destinations around the world will need our support, which is why we continue to showcase them and on pages 40-43 we throw the spotlight on the port city of Osaka, the gateway to Japan’s Kansai region that is known for its modern architecture, nightlife and street food.

We also check into new or recently refurbished hotels in Paris to discover what they offer savvy business travellers (p34-38).

Whether you are taking a staycation this month or travelling internationally, ensure you prioritise your health and wellbeing.

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, washing your hands frequently remains the best line of defence. You can also boost your immune system through diet and exercise with top tips on both provided by leaders in their field in this issue – health culinary consultant Chef Gabi Kurz (p22) and fitness trainer and physio to F1 World Champion drivers Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen, Mark Arnall (p24-25).

Stay safe and be well.

Gemma Greenwood, Editor

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

4

Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published

by Motivate Media Group and Panacea Media Ltd M OT I VAT E M E D I A GRO UP

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner and Group Editor Ian Fairservice Editor Gemma Greenwood Art Director Ángel Monroy Editorial Co-ordinator Londresa Flores Contributors Tom Otley, Hannah Brandler, Jenni Reid, Rob Goss, Chris Hall, David Phelan, Michaela Williams, Seher Asaf General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Assistant Production Manager Binu Purandaran Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Group Sales Manager Dane Hills PAN ACE A M E D I A LT D

Managing Director Julian Gregory Associate Publisher Middle East Rania Apthorpe Global Editor-in-Chief Tom Otley 04/20

MEET ME IN THE CAPITAL Abu Dhabi’s top 10 meeting and event venues (Page 16)

POLE POSITION Health and fitness tips from F1 World Champion trainer Mark Arnall (Page 24)

PARIS HOTELS Ooh la la: a glance at the city’s new and most recently revamped properties (Page 34)

HEAD OFFICE: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +971 4 427 3000, Fax: +971 4 428 2270, E-mail: btme@motivate.ae DUBAI MEDIA CITY: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845 ABU DHABI: PO Box 43072, UAE. Tel: +971 2 677 2005, Fax: +971 2 677 0124, E-mail: motivate-adh@motivate.ae LONDON: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK. E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Panacea Media Ltd 41-43 Maddox Street, London, W1S 2PD Tel +44 (0)20 7821 2700 businesstraveller.com Panacea Publishing Asia Ltd #2408 24/F Dominion Centre, 43-59 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2594 9300, Fax: +852 25196846 SUBSCRIPTIONS: email subscriptions@motivate.ae; tel +971 4 427 3542

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UPFRONT

Rotana’s Morocco debut UAE-BASED HOSPITALITY group

Viennese whirl for Etihad Airways

6

UAE FLAG CARRIER ETIHAD AIRWAYS will soon touch down in Vienna with flights from Abu Dhabi International to the Austrian capital launching on May 22.

The new service, which will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will run four times weekly until June 30, daily from July 1 to August 31, five times weekly from September 1 to November 30 and daily from December 1 onwards.

Departures have been conveniently timed to arrive early morning in Vienna, and to connect seamlessly in both directions via Abu Dhabi to gateways across the Etihad network including the GCC, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Etihad’s two-class B787-9 Dreamliner features next-generation Business and Economy cabins configured with 290 seats - 28 Business Studios and 262 Economy Smart Seats.

INTERCONTINENTAL’S NEW TAKE ON ICONIC DUBAI INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS & RESORTS has revealed the most iconic

sights, sounds, tastes, smells and sensations that travellers should experience in 2020 if they want to really get to know the city they are visiting. The ‘InterContinental Icons’ range from the smell of fresh bagels at a West Village shop in New York to the unique flavours of Karak Chai tea on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road.

The list of top experiences was determined by an online public vote and then ranked by a panel of influencers and leading travel experts and have inspired curated experiences at the group’s hotels in each destination. The ICons representing the true essence of Dubai are: 1. Tasting the unique flavours of Karak Chai along Jumeirah Beach Road 2. The enchanting smell of burning bukhoor, transporting you back in time 3. Sound of water lapping an Abra as it glides along Dubai Creek

4. The crackle of a campfire breaking the silence on a night-time desert escape 5. The fascinating contrast of old and new under the glow of a warm Dubai sunset InterContinental Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Dubai Marina are offering sensory activities that reflect these ICons. They include a bespoke Arabic bukhoor session with an InterContinental expert (pictured) and a unique tea-tasting experience at a masterclass in Dubai Marina.

Rotana will make its debut in Morocco this year with the takeover of the iconic 230-hectare Palmeraie Resort in Marrakech. Following a full refurbishment, the Palmeraie Rotana Resort will feature three hotels – the 315-room five-star Hôtel du Golf Rotana (pictured), the Golf Club Rotana with 11 exclusive suites and the 314-key Palmeraie Palace – plus a Conference Centre that can host up to 3,000 delegates, 13 restaurants, a large fitness centre, Zen the Spa at Rotana and complex highlight, the 18-hole championship golf course spanning 120 acres.

Cloud7 Residence dives into Jordan SPECIALIST MIXEDUSE OPERATOR

Kerten Hospitality will open the doors to its first Cloud7 Residence in Jordan in June. Introducing its contemporary midmarket aparthotel brand to the country for the first time, Cloud7 Residence Ayla Aqaba will be located in the trendy Marina Village area of Aqaba’s new Ayla Oasis waterfront development on the Red Sea coast.

The Cloud7 Residence concept is described as a “unique destination for the next generation of travellers, with iconic buildings and boutique surroundings coupled with social spaces and state-ofthe-art technology providing a modern, efficient and well-designed environment for guests”. Cloud7 Residence Ayla Aqaba will feature 75 apartments and offer guests access to dining and shopping experiences, a golf course and a beach club. Ayla is five minutes from Aqaba city and 10 minutes from the King Hussein International Airport.

UPFRONT

EMIRATES GOES THE EXTRA MILE TO ALLAY COVID-19 FEARS

8

AT A TIME WHEN THE COVID-19 outbreak

is dominating global headlines, Emirates has announced several procedures and initiatives to give passengers peace of mind when travelling with the airline. They include:

procedures such as changing head rest covers on all seats, replacement of reading materials, vacuuming, and more.

allowing customers to change their travel plans without reissuance fees. Customers can change their booking to any date for travel within an 11-month date range in the same booking class without change penalties.

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection

If a COVID-19 case is suspected

Loyal flyers retain their tier status

On all aircraft departing from its hub in Dubai, Emirates has implemented enhanced cleaning and complete disinfection of all cabins as a precaution. In line with the latest expert medical findings that the COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted by touch, Emirates has placed its greatest focus on surface cleaning. The airline uses an approved chemical that is proven to kill viruses and germs, leaves a long-lasting protective coating against new contamination of viruses, bacteria and fungi on surfaces, and is eco-friendly. The cleaning process includes a comprehensive wipe down of all surfaces – from windows, tray tables, seatback screens, armrests, seats, in-seat controls, panels, air vents and overhead lockers in the cabin, to lavatories, galleys and crew rest areas. This is being conducted in addition to regular

On any aircraft found to have transported a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, Emirates will implement further deep cleaning and disinfection in a process that takes between six to eight hours to complete.

This will include defogging cabin interiors and misting with disinfectant across all soft furnishings and the replacement of seat covers and cushions in the affected area. The aircraft’s HEPA cabin air filters will also be replaced. HEPA cabin air filters are proven to filter out 99.97 per cent of viruses. They also remove dust, allergens and microbes from the air recirculated into the cabin and cockpit.

Peace of mind on travel plans

Emirates has also introduced a waiver policy for all bookings made before March 31,

Recognising that some of its members will be impacted by travel restrictions and flight reductions, Emirates Skywards is offering Platinum, Gold and Silver members the ability to maintain their current status by fulfilling 80 per cent of their tier travel requirements between March 31 and June 30, 2020. In addition, Skywards members booked to travel between now and June 30 2020 will benefit from an additional 20 per cent bonus Tier Miles.

Monitoring and response protocols

Since January, Emirates has activated its contingency response team to monitor daily developments on the COVID-19 outbreak, maintain contact with all relevant health and regulatory authorities, and ensure the airline’s response is current and appropriate.

Etihad waives rebooking fees

Gulf Air promises ‘no fees, unlimited changes’

ETIHAD AIRWAYS is waiving charges for rebooking flights impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. The carrier has said it will allow one free date change as long as the replacement flights takes place before July 15 this year. Subsequent changes will be subject to normal reissue fees. Flights up to June 30 that have been cancelled as a result of coronavirus, or when guests are advised against travelling to the destination by their local authorities, can also be rebooked free of charge.

GULF AIR is offering passengers more travel flexibility in reaction to COVID-19 and its impact on air transport with the launch of its ‘no fees, unlimited changes’ campaign. Passengers with issued bookings in 2020 and new bookings made until March 31 are eligible to make unlimited changes to their travel dates at no cost. In addition, any member of the Falconflyer loyalty programme will retain their current status and membership tier for the next three months, regardless of whether or not they complete the required number of trips or miles travelled.

UPFRONT

Emaar Hospitality suspends bookings at three Dubai hotels EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP (EHG)

Arabian Travel Market 2020 postponed as COVID-19 pandemic escalates 10

THE MIDDLE EAST REGION’S LARGEST

travel industry event, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has been postponed to June 28 to July 1, 2020 due to the global escalation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Show organiser, UK-based Reed Travel Exhibitions, issued a statement announcing the decision on March 9 expressing its concern for everyone impacted by COVID-9 and reiterating that its priority was “the health and safety of everyone involved” including employees, partners, customers and exhibitors.

The statement said: “Due to the escalation of the COVID-19 epidemic around the world, after consultation with all our stakeholders, the venue management, supporting associations, and in alignment with the advice from the UAE public health authorities regarding travel to and from impacted countries, we have taken the decision to postpone our event which was due to take place on April 19 to 22, 2020 at

the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

“Whilst the UAE is following the strictest medical and hygiene protocols in line with international standards, we have made this decision in the best interest of the industry to enable us to organise an event which provides effective participation and experience for all. The announcement has been made at the earliest opportunity to give as much notice as possible to all stakeholders enabling them to make the necessary arrangements to reschedule their plans.”

It continued: “Moving forward, we are continuing to liaise directly with all relevant United Arab Emirates and Dubai authorities on a regular basis, whilst monitoring and complying with the World Health Organisation guidance, and rest assured we will keep you informed of any new developments as we receive them.” arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com

DID YOU KNOW? SAUDI ARABIA ISSUED more than 400,000 tourist visas between late

September when it introduced new legislation opening up its borders and mid-February, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage. On September 27, the kingdom introduced e-visa and visas on arrival to citizens of 49 countries globally. Under Vision 2030, the country’s blueprint for economic diversification, it aims to attract 100 millions visits annually.

has stopped taking bookings at three Dubai hotels for more than five months as the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold.

“Following the recent global impact on the travel industry drawing us into a state of force majeure, Emaar Hospitality Group has taken the decision to temporarily refocus on a selected number of assets,” said a company statement.

The hotels impacted are Address Fountain Views, Vida Creek Harbour and Vida Emirates Hills, with no bookings being taken between now and August 31, 2020, although restaurants, gyms and pools at all three remain open. Guests due to stay at the properties will be rebooked at other Emaar properties in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia in entrepreneur push SAUDI ARABIA

is launching an instant visa scheme to support entrepreneurs set up new businesses in the kingdom. In a tweet last month,Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Minister of Labour and Social Development, said the visa would play “an important role in supporting male and female entrepreneurs and stimulating and accelerating business growth”. It will enable young Saudis to launch start-ups, open small businesses, boost economic growth and accelerate business expansion plans, he added.

UPFRONT

ROUTE NEWS ASCENT

12

FOUR SEASONS GEARS UP FOR SIX NEW OPENINGS

FLYNAS TAKES 10 Flynas will launch services to 10 new destinations this summer.

Departing from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Qassim, Saudi’s low-cost airline will introduce routes to Salzburg and Vienna in Austria; Tirana in Albania; Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt; Salalah in Oman; Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Baku in Azerbaijan; and Tbilisi and Batumi in Georgia. All of the new destinations will be served by between three and eight flights per week, starting from May 19, 2020, according to Flynas CEO, Bander Almohanna.

FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS is preparing to open six new ultra-luxurious

properties around the world in 2020, spoiling business and leisure travellers for choice.

Two new hotels are planned for Asia Pacific, one in the Otemachi area of Tokyo, representing the company’s third property in Japan and the other in Bangkok, marking the return of Four Seasons to the city with a Jean-Michel Gathy-designed hotel and private residences on the Chao Phraya River (pictured).

In Europe, Four Seasons will debut in Spain with a new hotel in central Madrid, an assembly of several historic buildings now fully restored and reimagined, and highlighted by a rooftop restaurant by three Michelin-starred Spanish celebrity chef Dani Garcí and in California where the luxury hospitality brand is well established with seven existing locations, a second San Francisco property will open its doors in the vibrant Embarcadero district.

Also scheduled for 2020 is the highly anticipated opening of a Four Seasons resort in Napa Valley, including a unique collection of Private Residences and the brand’s first on-property winery.

In another US addition, the recently announced hotel for New Orleans is expected to open in late 2020 in the city’s historic World Trade Center.

NEW AIRPORT CITY FOR OMAN OMAN’S MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT has unveiled plans to launch

Muscat Airport City as part of its new National Aviation Strategy 2030.

Oman Aviation Group is master planning the mega project, which will comprise five main areas including the 3.3 million sqm Muscat Airport Free Zone; a 1.1 million sqm mixed-use business portal; a 200,000 sqm logistics area for air freight services; a 166,000 sqm aviation portal in Muscat International Airport, to include the passenger terminal area and to act as a hub for aviation innovation; plus a 192,000 sqm hospitality zone featuring hotels, travel companies and duty-free shops. National carrier Oman Air will also be restructured under the strategy, which aims to increase the aviation sector’s contribution to the Sultanate’s GDP.

WIZZ AIR Q3 LAUNCH The UAE’s newest low-cost carrier (LCC), Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, will launch in Q3. It follows a partnership between the Hungarian airline and Abu Dhabi Development holding Company (ADDH). The budget carrier will operate services from Abu Dhabi International to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa and will start with a fleet of three new Airbus SE A321neos, increasing to 50 aircraft over 10 years.

NEW KOLKATA DAILY Indian low-cost carrier Indigo has launched a new daily direct service from Dubai International to Kolkata in West Bengal.

MORE COMFORT WITH THE DREAMLINER

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Business Class products and services are subject to change depending on flight duration.

TEAMBUILDING

TIME TO GET SMASHED If work-life frustrations are threatening to get the better of you, grab a hammer and head to Dubai’s The Smash Room

14

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

W

hen tensions at work reach boiling point or life’s stresses become overwhelming, it’s not always easy to find an outlet to unleash your pent-up frustrations.

Nipping to the bathroom to perform a downward dog might not be practical and could result in injury and drinking a herbal tea that tastes of unpalatable dishwater is just downright miserable.

Fortunately, if you work in Dubai or are visiting for business, there’s a place you can let it all out in an unconventional, but highly satisfying way – by grabbing a hammer and smashing up some old junk to your heart’s content.

Described as “the badass version of a spa day”, The Smash Room, located in Al Quoz – the city’s industrial area with a thriving underground cultural scene – is a physical recreation game in which players destroy and break things in a safe and controlled environment to clear their mind and feel better.

You can go alone, with a friend or work colleague, or in a team, with plenty of ‘smashing’ packages available.

You can even replicate a room – such as your workplace – should you wish or stage a team-building exercise to literally crush the office politics and stomp out the stress.

CRUNCH TIME THE ROOMS

The rooms are filled with old furniture and electronics collected from junkyards and public donations, arranged to replicate an office, bedroom or kitchen. All smashed-up junk is recycled.

THE ‘GAME ’

Customers are fully decked out in safety goggles and helmets to protect themselves, but such courtesy isn’t extended to the objects in the room. Anything inside the Smash Room is fair game to be smashed, to whatever heavy metal or angry rap soundtrack gets your blood pumping quickest.

THE THERAP Y

Instead of slamming your phone against the ground, punching a hole in the wall or flipping a table, visit the Smash Room and shatter, break, stomp, tear and yell. This therapy doesn’t involve reflection or soul searching, but an animalistic release.

THE PACKAGES

The Quickie: 1 person, 1 room, 10 glass items Smash n Dash: 1 person, 1 room, 15 glasses, 2 electronics The Big Bang: 1 person, 1 room, 20 glass items, 2 electronics Two 2 Tango: 2 people, 1 room, 30 glass items, 2 electronics

An earth-shattering idea The idea for The Smash Room was inspired by a difficult time in the founder’s life. When traditional, more peaceful mechanisms of coping weren’t cutting it, Hiba Balfaqih took old junk into the backyard and smashed it to bits and it made her feel better. It was a lightbulb moment and in 2018, The Smash Room was launched in collaboration with Hiba’s friend, Ibrahim Abudyak.

With the original concept a ‘big hit’, it’s up for franchise across the GCC, and a second outlet recently opened at Action Park located at Dubai’s Last Exit (Abu Dhabi bound). “Our mission is to make the world a stress-free and zen place, one smashed item at a time,” say the founders.

The 3 Sum: 3 people, 1 room, 45 glass items, 3 electronics Events: Team-building, ‘big bash’ parties and themed rooms

PRICES

From AED 99 per person

HIT IT UP

thesmashroom.ae

HILTON, AN EXCELLENT LOCATION IN RIYADH WITH LUXURIOUS ROOMS Experience an unforgettable stay at Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, located near the city center and business district. Choose from guest rooms, suites, executive suites, family suites, spacious studios, and one, two, and three bedroom apartments. We guarantee interconnecting rooms upon request for large families and groups. Our hotel offers upscale restaurants, stores, spa, gym, kids club and is connected via sky bridge to Granada Mall.

HILTON.COM T: +966 11 2346666

THE CAPITAL COLLECTION

The top 10 places to host a meeting, event or team-building exercise in Abu Dhabi

16 PHOTO: COURTESY OF MOHAMED SOMJI

1

Louvre Abu Dhabi

The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi offers several enticing event spaces that are perfect for pre or post tours of the museum and its exhibitions. One option is the modern Art Lounge, located on the rooftop overlooking the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf and ideal for sunset cocktails and canapés. For exclusive fine dining, Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi is a Champs-Elysées brasserie tucked away in the heart of the museum. In collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire, it presents an exceptional culinary journey and is perfect for a business lunch or dinner with wow factor. The restaurant’s cosy Marta Bar can also be hired for private events and shakes up a sophisticated collection of cocktails and mocktails. louvreabudhabi.ae; fouquetsabudhabi.com

2

St. Regis Abu Dhabi

This luxurious urban resort overlooking the Corniche Beach offers some of the UAE capital’s most standout event locations.

For something fun, the Nation Riviera Beach Club with a 200-metre sandy beach can host teambuilding activities with a difference.

The hotel is also home to the world’s highest suspended suite, which can be hired for events, meetings or dining experiences, plus a helipad where you can wow guests with sunset drinks and a stunning backdrop. marriott.com

MICE

4

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi

Yas Island is the entertainment hub of Abu Dhabi, with these two theme parks the jewel in the island’s crown of attractions. Both parks offer venue spaces with a difference, giving colleagues and clients the chance to enjoy exhilarating rides and experiences before sitting down to business. At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, team-building programmes include full-day training, handson coaching and out-of-the-box challenges and of course, no visit is complete without a ride on the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa. At Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, try 29 exhilarating rides, enjoy live entertainment and meet iconic characters including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman for a memorable corporate occasion with a fun edge. ferrariworldabudhabi. com; wbworldabudhabi.com

3

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

Arguably one of Abu Dhabi’s most stunning resorts, this five-star retreat, located in the Empty Quarter and a 90-minute drive from the city, was built to resemble an old Arabian fortress and as you approach by road, it emerges like a mirage from the sand dunes. The meeting and event options are dynamic and authentic and include the Liwa Ballroom, which can host up to 350 guests for an Emirati-style banquet, as well as six restaurants and bars, some overlooking the pool or desert dunes. Desert dining experiences range from intimate private set-ups with butler service or a more casual BBQ. For teambuilding or post-meeting activities, guests can enjoy activities such as fat biking, dune bashing and falconry displays. If you really want to impress your clients, arrange a helicopter arrival. anantara.com

5

6 Saadiyat Beach Club

Located on Abu Dhabi’s best beach, Saadiyat Beach Club offers an assortment of meeting spaces and a full-time in-house events team to help you plan the perfect gathering. Venues at this lifestyle destination range from the poolside terrace and the beach to restaurants, a Library Lounge and stunning lawns. Stage a meeting, business lunch or glamorous evening event and unwind in a cabana by the pool when your work is done. www.saadiyatbeachclub.ae

The Annex, The Abu Dhabi EDITION

Located in the trendy Al Bateen Marina area, The Abu Dhabi EDITION is one of the city’s coolest new business-friendly hotels. It offers flexible event spaces including a large ballroom with breakout areas, plus The Annex (pictured) – a multi-level social hub featuring an array of dining and entertainment experiences, including a rooftop bar with fire pit, which is available for hire. For a standout dinner, host guests at the wood-panelled Oak Room restaurant – a British inspired steak house – followed by drinks at the opulent Library Bar. editionhotels.com

7

Zaya Nurai Island

A 15-minute speedboat journey from Saadiyat Island takes you to the private island resort of Zaya Nurai. Reminiscent of the Maldives it features 32 villas with direct beach access, along with five restaurants and bars, plus additional event spaces. Stage a meeting in a villa beside the pool or takeover Smokin’ Pineapple for a social evening with a relaxed beach setting. An open-air cinema and inhouse DJs ensure events have a sensational impact. zayanuraiisland.com

17

MICE

8

Andaz Capital Gate

18

Located next to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the Andaz Capital Gate is a popular option for business travellers, with direct access to the largest conference and exhibition venue in the Middle East.

For an unusual meeting space, check out 165 Below. The 5,000 sqft venue combines an art gallery and event space. Oh, and did you know that ADNEC’s Capital Gate is the furthest leaning tower in the world? True story. hyatt.com

9

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

The only hotel globally to straddle an F1 track, W Abu Dhabi attracts petrol heads and business travellers alike and offers 26 event rooms and an experienced planning and catering team. Choose from conference rooms with flexible set ups and larger venues at the hotel and Yas Marina Circuit, or go all out at the ‘Extreme WOW’ Presidential Suite with its own lap pool and separate dining and living rooms, located underneath the hotel’s iconic roof. marriott.com

ABU DHABI EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 2020 ACTIVITIES NOT TO BE MISSED

Wadi Adventure Race (WAR), Al Ain

Kayaking at Louvre Abu Dhabi

(11 April) The 21st edition of the WAR series takes pace in Al Ain and will see runners tackle three race courses with manmade military-style hurdles, water features and more – open to participants and spectators alike.

(Until November) Experience the Louvre Abu Dhabi from a new perspective on a 60-minute kayak tour where instructors teach you to paddle and provide insights into the museum’s stunning architecture.

10

Rooftop Rhythms: Season 8

(Until 29 May) Emerging local artists share their unique poetry, spoken word and music material in popular live performances at New York University Abu Dhabi. visitabudhabi.ae

The Terrace, Manarat Al Saadiyat

Manarat Al Saadiyat was the first building to open on Saadiyat Island and marked the launch of Saadiyat Cultural District, which will become home to many cultural attractions in the future. The venue showcases temporary exhibitions and events, including the Abu Dhabi Art Festival.

The Terrace at Manarat Al Saadiyat is an al fresco space designed to host functions and activities, from dining experiences and corporate events to meetings and team-building yoga. Another option is the LARTE project – a top-end dining concept from Milan serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with irresistible cakes and coffee in between. manaratalsaadiayat.ae

Ascott Corniche Al Khobar Sophisticated living in the heart of the city A luxurious home-away-from-home in a sought-after location

T 20

here is a lot to love about this little city that borders the imperial crown of the Middle East. The most picturesque of the Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar trio, Al Khobar undoubtedly stands apart as a tourist hub, thanks to its beautiful corniche and immersive seaside views, coupled with a rose-hued promenade where visitors, both local and from across the borders, enjoy a little getaway retreat.

The newly opened Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is the brightest gleaming tower on the serene corniche skyline and is an inviting home for both shortstay and long-stay travellers. Part of the premiere collection of hotel apartments

by The Ascott Limited, the property is conveniently located on Prince Turkey Street and just steps away from the famous promenade.

Offering a new level of luxury with Studio, One, Two and ThreeBedroom apartments, this exclusive property caters to a wide range of travellers, offering well-designed luxury spaces that encapsulate the best of sophisticated global living.

Each apartment replicates a homeaway-from-home ambiance that is characteristic of the brand’s personality with separate living areas, a fully equipped kitchenette, bedrooms and more.

The residence also offers an array of lifestyle amenities that include a health club, residents’ lounge, shisha lounge,

Clockwise from top: Exclusive dinning & living areas, a prime city location and a luxurious lobby set up

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Each apartment replicates a homeaway-from-home ambiance that is characteristic of the brand’s personality

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café, restaurants, meeting and event spaces and more. So, whether leisure or business brings one to Al Khobar, Ascott meets the lifestyle expectations of guests with luxurious in-house facilities in opulent surroundings.

Stepping outside, the neighbourhood is home to an array of culinary treats and entertainment centres. Also, within proximity is the King Fahd Road, the city’s business boulevard and an imperial link to Al Khobar-Bahrain causeway. All in all, Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is the perfect abode for those who enjoy luxury living in their own private space.

Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is managed by The Ascott Limited, the leading international lodging owneroperator from Singapore. The brand has an impressive portfolio spanning more than 700 properties in 180 cities globally and caters to a broad spectrum of consumers in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA.

WELLBEING

EAT YOURSELF WELL

Leading health culinary consultant Chef Gabi Kurz gives her top tips on what to eat to boost energy levels, improve sleep and stay healthy when travelling for business Keep it light: although it might be interesting to explore local flavours, choose lighter foods and beverages to keep yourself balanced.

Stay hydrated: go for water, infused waters, Kombucha and other elixirs, or herbal teas. Choose mocktails instead of cocktails.

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Snack healthy and often: snack every few hours instead of eating one heavy meal and keep some fruits with you; one or two apples, some grapes or crudités. Fruits and vegetables are great for hydration and are vitaminrich too. Combine them with a trail mix of activated nuts and you are all set. Dry fruits are great because they are easy to carry.

Avoid salty, sugary and fatty foods and snacks: swap empty calories from sugar or white flour products for complex carbohydrates.

Pick plants: plant-based foods are a travel-friendly trend as they are usually light, rich in vitamins and a great source of valuable nutrients.

potato and pumpkin, plus healthy fats such as avocado, cheese and nuts.

Before bed, drink a large mug of tea with lemon balm or lavender.

To combat jetlag: stay hydrated to avoid headaches and the accumulation of toxins. Opt for foods that are high in vitamins, particularly in the morning, like a bowl of fresh fruit combined with oats, Greek yoghurt topped with flax seeds or chia seeds or a muesli. Some fresh-pressed juices and healthy smoothies can give you a much-needed energy kick and probiotics to start your day, something a classic coffee won’t give you.

Inside knowledge: my favourite restaurant in Dubai when it comes to trustworthy, well-executed and genuinely healthy food is Eatwell at the Dubai Herbal and Treatment

To induce sleep: Foods and meals that aid sleep include vegetable soup, a wholesome rice dish, or potatoes, sweet

Centre. However, you can find something healthy on most restaurant menus in the Middle East nowadays.

Most of the large hotel chains offer healthy buffet and menu options; for example, I love Revo Café at Anantara on the Palm Jumeirah, Folia at Four Seasons Dubai or Jumeirah Group’s Talise Spa Food Menu, which I helped to create.

DIY dining: if you stay somewhere with a small kitchenette, buy some ingredients at a local (organic) supermarket or farmers market and prepare your own healthy meals and snacks. Even if it’s just a salad or a quick soup, you know the exact ingredients that are in your meal. I always buy basics like olive oil, salt and sweeteners Healthy smoothies (honey for example). can give you a much- These are hidden ingredients in many needed energy kick dishes and restaurants often use cheap and poor quality varieties.

If you make your own food, you are in control of the quality. As a freelance health culinary consultant, I travel a lot and this has proven very practical for me, particularly when I am working in one location for more than a month.

ABOUT CHEF GABI KURZ Chef Gabi Kurz is a global nutritional expert, culinary pioneer, acclaimed vegetarian cookbook author and the founder of health culinary arts and consulting firm, Akademie Kurz. Based on her vast experience working in highend restaurants and hotels in Europe and the Middle East and as the former Director Nutrition Operations Culinary at Dubai’s Jumeirah Group, she provides health culinary consultancy services to hospitality businesses worldwide.

POLE POSITION 24

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD Mark Arnall, fitness trainer and physio to F1 World Champion drivers Mika Häkkinen and Kimi Räikkönen, says planning and routine are key to staying in good shape and maximising performance when travelling

D

o you put on weight, eat in a less than healthy way and struggle to maintain your training routine while you travel? If you answered yes, you are not alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

I have been working in F1 for 23 years as a trainer for two World Champions and whether I’m putting together a wellness package for an F1 driver or a business traveller, the approach is the same. We travel all the time and I have to make sure Kimi stays in shape, as well as maintain my own fitness levels.

With a bit of planning, an effective approach can maintain fitness levels, boost the immune system, reduce the effects of jet lag and improve levels of focus.

Everyone is different, but staying in good shape (or maintaining your

current level) while travelling requires a few general attributes – a desire/ mindset to stick to some type of routine and a plan as to how you will achieve those goals.

We prioritise immune system support to prevent getting unwell while simultaneously aiming to reduce jet lag impact. The aircraft in which you fly in and the route you take also makes a big difference.

Whenever possible, fly direct and on the newer planes – the A350 or B787 Dreamliner where possible, because higher humidity levels and lower cabin altitude help to combat jetlag. The immune system is enhanced and maintained by various protocols – nutrition is at the forefront of this. We aim to supply the body with nutrientdense food that has a positive impact while avoiding empty calories and junk that serve little nutritional purpose.

T R AV E L H E A LT H

won’t positively impact your waistline.

Our nutrition is planned around detailed blood and urine analysis.

We also analyse the gut biome (the makeup of bacteria within the gut) and run complete food sensitivity tests. This gives us a very clear understanding of what is in the body, what is missing and what it needs to function at an optimal level.

Real food is always the first thing we use to address any imbalances found. The body is much better at digesting and absorbing real food than something man-made. We use supplements, but they’re very targeted.

Nutrition, plate planning and hydration

We integrate certain fasting strategies while travelling, which massively helps reduce jet lag and can also help you stay in shape.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

I have two or three go-to full-body workouts that are simple and easy to do in any hotel room

When taking a trip, look at how many days you are away and plan what you are going to do. I know that in F1, Fridays start early and finish late, so I plan not to train on Fridays. On the days I’m not training, I focus more on what I eat.

If I’m away for five days, I’ll aim to do something on three of them.

If you don’t plan your training in advance, you’ll most likely end up in the bar with your colleagues. While that might help with team building, it

If I’m training more, I eat more because my energy requirements are higher. If I’m not training so much, I eat less. On non-training days I tend to stick more to salads/vegetables plus proteins and good fats and skip most carbs. If you want to eat the ‘bad’ carbs, right after training is the best time.

Try reducing the amount of white carbs (bread, white pasta, pastries etc) you eat. This reduces blood sugar spikes and limits the amount of empty calories you’re consuming. Eat more complex carbs (sweet potatoes, quinoa etc), which provide a longer lasting supply of energy and other nutrients.

Plate planning is key – look at your plate and fill half of it with vegetables. This provides a whole host of nutrients and a good deal of fibre.

Then add a quality protein (fish wins for me due to its essential fatty acids, but lean grass-fed meats are also good).

I always make sure I have some of the food I need, whether I take some with me, order it in advance through the hotel concierge or pre-order it from Amazon (porridge oats, chia seeds, oat milk for example).

Hydration is important, particularly in F1. Many people don’t hydrate properly, and it only requires very small changes daily. Sip water throughout the day and take hydration sachets if required.

ABOUT MARK ARNALL

Mark Arnall is a world-renowned health and fitness professional with more than 20 years of experience working in Formula 1. Over the past 18 years, Mark has been a personal trainer and sports therapist to F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen and prior to that, worked with Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard.

Mark has worked at Ferrari, McLaren and Lotus and won three World Championships with his drivers. Mark will be speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2020, which takes place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from 21-22 September, 2020.

His session, entitled ‘Navigating nutrition when you are living out of hotels”, will see the F1 insider share his top tips on how to ensure that while your airmiles soar, your waistline doesn’t. ahic.com

Fitness on the road

I book all the hotels we stay in during the F1 season and the fitness offering is a deciding factor. We mostly travel to the same countries/hotels each year, which makes the planning easier as I know what the gym and food offering are like and what I might need to take with me.

I have two or three go-to full-body workouts that are simple and easy to do in any hotel room. These require no equipment, but can be enhanced with some simple bands that I carry with me.

Wherever you are going, always take a pair of trainers. You may not always feel like going for a run, but even a walk for 30 minutes gets you moving, allows you to get some fresh air and releases your mind – something is always better than nothing.

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The Red Sea Airport

© FOSTER + PARTNERS

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TRENDS

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL IN THE MIDDLE EAST WORDS: GEMMA GREENWOOD

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TRENDS

Transport SUSPENDED SKY PODS

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The #OnlyInDubai hashtag rings true when you consider the emirate’s forward-thinking plans for public transport. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently signed an agreement with UK-based BeemCar Ltd to develop sky pods, a futuristic urban mobility system that operates on steel wheels moving on suspended rails. There are two Dubai Sky Pod project models: the Unibike can accommodate up to five riders, travel at 150km/hr and carry 20,000 people per hour and the Unicar can carry up to six passengers for a distance of up to 200km at a maximum speed of 150km/hr and support around 50,000 riders per hour.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

By 2030, 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai will be smart and driverless. That’s the goal of the Dubai Government, which has already successfully rolled out Dubai Metro, one of the largest selfdriving public transportation systems globally. The emirate is also trialling driverless buses, taxis and even the Volocopter – the world’s first unmanned air taxi (pictured).

DESIGNER AIRPORTS

The Red Sea Airport will be the gateway to one of the world’s most unique resorts, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project, and integral to the visitor experience, according to the British architectural firm behind its concept, Foster + Partners. Its design will be inspired by the colours and textures of the desert landscape to give passengers a sense of place and to take them on a calm and luxurious journey through the terminal. Smart technology and building systems, with a focus on conserving energy, will also be a focus and reflect the modernisation of the kingdom. When completed, the airport will be able to handle one million passengers annually, but designed to feel like a small terminal with intimate and luxurious spaces. The airport aims to achieve a LEED platinum rating and will be powered by 100 per cent renewable power.

HIGH-SPEED HYPERLOOP

Saudi Arabia could be the first country in the Gulf to pioneer a new hyperloop network to move people and cargo around the kingdom at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/hr. The Ministry of Transport recently signed a deal with Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) to conduct a ground-breaking pre-feasibility study on the use of hyperloop technology in the country. The study is the first to be carried out at national level anywhere in the world and will examine viable routes, expected demand, anticipated costs and socio-economic benefits. Talks are under way to create a ‘Connected Gulf ’ network that could see journey times of under one hour between key cities. A Jeddah to Abu Dhabi trip, for example, would take just 48 minutes. The autonomous system would be 100 per cent electric, have zero direct emissions, leveraging solar panels covering the hyperloop tube, and could move close to 45 million passengers annually.

Lifestyle destinations

THE CHANGING ROLE OF HOTELS

ULTRA-ALL-INCLUSIVE, ALL-EXCLUSIVE

The ultra-all-inclusive all-exclusive resort is new to the Gulf region and it’s being championed by luxury Turkish brand Rixos Hotels, with stand-out properties now open on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island and Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah (pictured). They offer a high-end experience with the room, restaurants, bars, land and water activities, beach clubs, sports, wellness treatments and professional entertainment all included in guest packages. But the best is yet to come, the Rixos brand’s largest all-inclusive resort globally will open on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera later this year – the 1,636-room Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay.

Hotel companies are undergoing rapid evolution, realising they have much more to offer guests than just a room for the night. Groups that have already reinvented themselves include Accor, which recently re-branded itself as an ‘augmented hospitality’ provider with a ‘Live Work Play’ ethos. This is reflected in its new lifestyle loyalty programme, ALL – Accor Live Limitless, which offers members benefits that go beyond a hotel stay, including exclusive gastronomic, entertainment and sports experiences. Members can also earn and burn points when dining at Accor group hotel restaurants, whether they are staying there or not, as the group sets out to enrich their everyday lives.

Many other groups are adopting similar lifestyleand experience-led loyalty programmes with a digital platform to support it, but Olaf Slater, General Manager DACH & Eastern Europe at travel technology provider, Sabre Hospitality Solutions, says the next step is for hoteliers to become retailers, offering their guests personalised offers for lifestyle-related products and services.

COMMUNITY-LED SPACES

Specialist mixed-used operator Kerten Hospitality is pioneering the coworking trend in the Middle East with the launch of its workspace and lifestyle business club, Ouspace, in Saudi Arabia. Ouspace offers tailormade office spaces for short- and long-term let, enabling entrepreneurs and businesses to work flexibly and collaboratively. The first project, Ouspace Madinah Road in Jeddah (pictured), is already fast becoming a community hub, bringing people together through a variety of events and experiences that tap into their social and business needs, from laughter yoga through to tech talks with industry leaders. A second Ouspace will open later this year as part of Jeddah’s exciting new City Yard complex, where it will transform what would be the traditional meetings space into a coworking environment.

“Next generation retailing solutions can help hoteliers grow their business, much like the airlines have done with ancillaries,” he says.

“Armed with guest data, unique physical spaces and a local perspective, hotels are in a prime position to capitalise on retailing opportunities that deliver a highly personal experience and think outside the room.”

He believes that in future, non-room products could become a hotel’s highest revenue driver with travellers offered “unbundled and highly personalised services” that meet their travel and lifestyle needs, creating a compelling reason to relive that experience in future.

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TRENDS

Accommodation LADIES-ONLY RENTALS 30

A new Airbnb-style peer-to-peer platform aimed exclusively at women recently launched in Dubai. Golightly is an invite-only home-sharing and vacation rental club for women, which aims to help them “travel often, stay safely and go lightly”. The private, female-only portal enables women to find an apartment, villa or home, owned or managed by women and listed for sharing. Other locations include London, Miami, New Orleans, Hawaii, Calgary in Canada, Nicaragua, Lamu in Kenya, Cartagena in Colombia, New South Wales in Australia and more.

ECO LODGES

Feynan Ecolodge is a 26-room environmentally friendly property located on the South-Western edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, a remote, offthe-grid area of Jordan. The property, operated by EcoHotels, a private Jordanian company dedicated to responsible eco-tourism, is completely solarpowered and is lit by candles and stars at night. It offers guests the chance to stay in a remote part of Jordan and enjoy locally inspired experiences, from vegetarian food served by local employees, star gazing, mountain biking and sunrise and sunset hikes, to cultural activities with members of the Bedouin community. Recognised globally as an ecotourism pioneer, Feynan Ecolodge won Gold in the ‘Reducing Carbon’ category and the overall award at the World Responsible Tourism Awards presented at World Travel Market London 2019.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LODGINGS

Mysk by Shaza has jumped on the transformational travel trend and blended it with a halal-friendly accommodation to open three properties in Sharjah, all of which offer immersive, authentic and intimate experiences in extraordinary locations. Kingfisher Retreat is located on the edge of the Kalba Conservation Reserve on Sharjah’s east coast and features 20 luxurious tents set amongst one of the region’s most diverse ecosystems of mountains, woodlands, shrubland, mangroves and unspoiled sandy beaches. Al Faya Retreat rises out of the enchanting dunes in the UNESCO-nominated World Heritage Site Mleiha and has won global awards for its ecofriendly design. It comprises three stone buildings with historical significance and just five rooms with access to a salt-water pool and a one-of-a-kind hands-free spa, plus a restaurant, rooftop terrace, BBQ area and library. Al Badayer Retreat is a scenic desert resort designed in the style of a traditional Arabian castle, but with the warm ambiance of an Emirati home and features 21 fully-serviced rooms, 10 luxurious tents, a health club, indoor pool, two restaurants, a business centre and meeting rooms.

LET’S CRUISE

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From AED 150 per person Accommodating up to 65 pax T&C Apply For inquiries: meet.vhp@vidahotels.com @VidaHotels

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TRENDS

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Experiences

Sustainability

MICRO-CATIONS

Defined as a leisure trip comprising less than four nights, ‘micro-cations’ are rising in popularity as travellers seek opportunities to visit more destinations in a shorter amount of time, says Nicolas Villemin, Regional Director Middle East & North Africa, Preferred Hotels. This trend is resonating with time-poor millennial executives across the Middle East who are replacing longer, more traditional vacations with shorter getaways encompassing a diverse range of luxury and cultural experiences such as a shopping weekend in Dubai and visits to The Louvre and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Oman is a microcation favourite, he says, thanks to its rich heritage, striking traditional architecture and scenic mountain backdrop.

“Our member properties Atana Khasab (pictured) and Atana Musandam welcome 90 per cent of guests from Oman and UAE for short relaxing getaways and weekend breaks,” he adds.

GOING LOCAL

At the newly launched Andaz Dubai The Palm, the food focus is local produce, as well as the use of biodegradable and compostable packaging for take-away items, in line with the hotel’s mission to eliminate single-use plastic. The menu includes local water, honey and seafood, including oysters from Dibba Bay; organic eggs, vegetables and some fruits from local farms; olive oil from Jordan; and locally roasted and produced coffee.

TREND WATCH UNDERTOURISM

TIME SAVERS

Recognising that today’s travellers are more-than-often time poor, Four Seasons has launched ‘Take Your Time’, a portfolio of property experiences that require no more than one day, one hour or even one minute, but help guests connect to people, places and culture. At Four Seasons Resort Dubai, guests can craft a coconut (one minute), enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over the desert on their way to visit a Bedouin camp (one hour) or visit a desert camp to join an astronomer for a cosmic journey and then enjoy a three-course meal, shisha and chat (one day).

Exceptional time-saving experiences also include a trip to the ‘Edge of the World’ – the towering sandstone escarpment in the Saudi Arabian desert (pictured) – for guests staying at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Centre. A gourmet lunch at this unique and remote spot is part of the package.

As sustainable and responsible tourism take centre stage in 2020, so does undertourism, or travel to lesser-known destinations. One&Only Resorts has responded with a collection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences in rare and undiscovered locations. In Rwanda, for example, guests at the 23-villa One&Only Nyungwe House can handpick tea leaves in the ancient Nyungwe National Park and learn how black tea is grown and dried, or stay at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and take the rare opportunity to hike through misty forests and track mountain gorillas.

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HOTELS

WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

WHEN IN

PARIS

Historic hotels are having lavish makeovers while stylish new properties are launching to meet visitor demand

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T

he Parisian hotel industry has not had an easy ride over the past couple of years. It has been rocked by a drop in occupancy rates caused by the gilets jaunes protests and seemingly never-ending rail and metro strikes.

Competition from Airbnb hasn’t helped, either – the city represents one of the home-stay company’s biggest markets, with about 60,000 listings.

Still, there are plenty of visitors to go around – the French capital saw a record-breaking 38 million tourists and 24.5 million hotel check-ins in 2018, according to France’s national statistics bureau, INSEE. These figures will undoubtedly increase when Paris hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024, when an anticipated 500,000 tourists will descend.

To prepare for the future, a host of renowned hotels have undergone lavish refurbishments, while new properties with quirky interiors are embracing a certain je ne sais quoi. Stylish hotels by well-known fashion houses and avant-garde skyscraper properties are also on the horizon.

HOTELS

STEVE HERUD

COURS DES VOSGES

HOTEL BANKE AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION NEW Marriott’s Autograph Collection made its Paris debut in May last year with this 90-room property in Opéra, located in a former bank headquarters. Rooms are decorated in a palette of cream and chocolate, with marble bathrooms and plaited leather rugs, and the hotel has an impressive art and jewellery collection sourced from around the world. There are two restaurants – the gold-heavy Josefin and more minimalist Banke – and a bar with an extensive list of cognacs.

The Salle des Coffres meeting room has 460 of the bank’s safes on display, hence the name. hotelbanke.com 25 HOURS HOTEL TERMINUS NORD The German-based 25 Hours group opened this 237-room Parisian outpost in January last year, opposite Gare du Nord in the cosmopolitan tenth arrondissement. Designers have incorporated the area’s multicultural history into the decor – expect floral motifs, ceramics and portraits of the locals throughout. There’s a twofloor lobby with a shop and café, and

Middle Eastern restaurant Neni and Sape Bar. The hotel also has bikes for hire or a complimentary Mini to take around the city. Read our review at businesstraveller.com/tried-andtested. 25hours-hotels.com COURS DES VOSGES French hotel group Evok launched this intimate hotel in October last year in a 17th-century residence in Le Marais. There are 12 rooms and suites over four floors, with fourposter beds, candelabra lamps, and windows overlooking the regal Place des Vosges. There’s also a tearoom, a patisserie and, on the lower-ground floor, a guest-only Roman bath. courdesvosges.com FRENCH THEORY This “hotel, concept store and musical laboratory” opened in September last year in the Latin Quarter. In keeping with its literary surroundings, the 48 rooms and suites have shelves of books, with accommodations categorised from “Study” to “Professor” rooms. The ground floor houses a café and restaurant, and downstairs the Audio Lab has studio equipment and a lounge with an LP collection. frtheory.com

OPPOSITE PAGE: Hotel Banke’s lobby and LaFayette suite ABOVE: 25 Hours Hotel Terminus Nord BELOW: Cours des Vosges

HOTEL PARTICULIER VILLEROY The Collection group’s first hotel opened in January in the affluent eighth arrondissement. Housed in a 20th-century private mansion, it has 11 spacious apartments, suites and rooms serviced by butlers. Décor is sophisticated, with natural colours and Calacatta marble fireplaces, and there’s a spa, a gym and a classic French restaurant. hotelvilleroy.com

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HOTELS

MAMA PARIS WEST In January, the Mama Shelter group opened its second Paris property, in the 15th arrondissement, minutes from the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. The 207-room hotel has colourful interiors, a restaurant and rooftop terrace, and 11 meeting rooms. A La Défense property will open next year. mamashelter.com

JK PLACE RIVE GAUCHE Italian hotel group JK Place debuted its first international hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés last month.

Located in the former European consulate, overlooking the Seine, its 29 rooms and suites combine marble fireplaces, signature geometric rugs and cashmere throws with items sourced from Parisian flea markets.

There’s also an Italian restaurant, spa and gym. jkplace.paris GERRIT MEIER

LE GRAND QUARTIER This new development opened in November in the hip Canal SaintMartin neighbourhood and comprises

MONSIEUR GEORGE This 46-room hotel, set across six floors of a Haussmann townhouse, opened near the Champs-Elysées in January. Anouska Hempel was behind the elegant interiors, with

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a décor characterised by mirrors and emerald greens. There’s a contemporary restaurant, a bar and a spa. monsieurgeorge.com GUILLAUME DE LAUBIER

an 83-room hotel, café, meeting rooms and pop-up shop surrounding a large courtyard. Interior designers Joyce Urbanus and Dax Roll have created contemporary areas filled with natural light and modern furnishings. The all-day café serves Mediterranean food, and there’s also a rooftop terrace.

legrandquartier.com

LES JARDINS DU FAUBOURG This foliage-strewn hotel counts luxury fashion boutiques as its neighbours in the Champs-Elysées area. Located in a renovated Haussmann townhouse, the 36-room hotel opened in June last year, retaining the building’s spiral staircase. There are Parisian rooms

with high ceilings, mouldings and draped curtains, and Contemporary ones featuring geometric lines and brass elements. It has a glass-roofed restaurant overlooking an exotic garden, a spa with a 15-metre pool, and a gym with a suitably lush living wall. jardinsdufaubourg.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hyatt’s Hotel du Louvre; Hotel Grand Powers; Monsieur George; Sinner Hotel; Les Jardins du Faubourg

SIMONS HOTEL This 67-room boutique hotel opened in December in the 18th arrondissement, near Gare du Nord.

The design is contemporary chic, and the hotel has an Ice Bar, with thermal jackets and gloves provided to keep out the cold. simons-hotel.paris SINNER HOTEL Evok’s gothic 43-room hotel opened in June last year in the Marais.

Interiors appeal to your dark side with a black and red colour palette, candle-lit hallways and ecclesiastical

HOTEL DU LOUVRE Originally opened in 1855, this 164room hotel in the Palais-Royal district reopened last year after a two-year renovation. Part of the high-end Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the hotel has retained its 19th-century grandeur with restored high ceilings, mouldings and a period glass roof, while illustrator Emmanuel Pierre has provided artwork. The Brasserie du Louvre, under chef Paul Bocuse, serves traditional French dishes, and L’Officine du Louvre offers herbalbased cocktails inspired by Napoleon III’s love of botany. hyatt.com features, such as a crypt on the ground floor. Rooms are equally dark, with velvet furnishings. A restaurant combines North African and South American cuisine, and there’s a spa inspired by Greek and Roman baths. sinnerparis.com

NOVOTEL PARIS PORTE DE VERSAILLES This new hotel located by the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Park opened at the start of the year, with a rooftop restaurant launching in May. The hotel has 245 rooms, a gym and four meeting rooms. novotel.com LE MEURICE Dorchester Collection’s RENOVATED palatial property unveiled 29 restored suites in September, including the avant garde Pompadour Suite and the seventh-floor Belle Etoile penthouse. Located opposite the Jardins des Tuileries, the historic hotel has hosted Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso in rooms with opulent 18th-century interiors. The revamped suites have panoramic views and mimic what a modern-day Versailles might resemble today – which means silk, damask and velvet fabrics, bespoke furniture and artworks depicting the hotel’s illustrious past. dorchestercollection.com

FOR SHOPPING, STYLE AND SPA… MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS If retail therapy is your idea of downtime heaven during a hectic work trip, then Mandarin Oriental, Paris is the hotel for you.

Located in the heart of the city’s top-end fashion district on rue SaintHonoré and just steps from Place Vendôme, you are immersed in designer names as you step out the door, from Chanel to Cavalli, Gucci to Galliano, Hermes to Hogan, and Lanvin to Louis Vuitton, to name a few. The hotel itself is a design landmark, housed in an Art Deco-inspired building with a colourful history and with interiors that ooze Parisian elegance, blended with Oriental charm.

A haven of tranquillity, this luxury property features generously sized rooms and suites, some with garden terraces, plus a grand Parisian Apartment that’s not only ideal for families and longer stays, but the ideal venue for an exclusive event. The hotel’s exceptional facilities include the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, one of the largest hotel spas in the city, designed by renowned French interior designer Sybille de Margerie and offering an exclusive collection of facial therapies by Guerlain, as well as two restaurants, one boasting two Michelin stars, a stunning bar with exquisite all-year-round outdoor courtyard, and of course, a cake shop. For meetings and events, spaces range from four meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 60 people to private suites and the magical Bar 8 courtyard, which regularly host Paris Fashion Week soirées. See page 61 for a full hotel review

PULLMAN PARIS CENTRE-BERCY Following a complete refurbishment led by designer Tom Dixon, this 392-room hotel in the 12th arrondissement reopened last year.

It now has a private cinema and an artist “playground” showcasing a rotating selection of works. Adopting Pullman’s “Junction” concept, the lobby has been transformed into a multifaceted meeting area. There’s also a wellness space, 21 meeting rooms and a bistro. accorhotels.com PULLMAN PARIS MONTPARNASSE Following a three-year renovation, the 957-room hotel reopens this month with five restaurants and bars (including a rooftop spot), and three floors dedicated to events.

accorhotels.com

HOTEL GRAND POWERS This 1920s property in the eighth arrondissement reopened in January last year after a suitably grand renovation. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, its 50 rooms and suites have chic interiors – some feature period fireplaces, oak flooring and moulded ceilings.

Materials pay homage to its history, with lavish velvet and silk fabrics along with lacquered paint and aged brass furnishings. There’s an all-day restaurant, a bar and a marble-clad spa. hotelgrandpowersparis.com

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HOTELS

CHEVAL BLANC COMING PARIS Cheval Blanc will debut SOON in Paris next month in the 1920s art deco La Samaritaine building in the regal first arrondissement – the former department store has undergone a $836 million renovation project by LVMH. It will have 72 rooms and suites, plus a single private apartment. Dining options include a restaurant by three Michelinstarred chef Arnaud Donckele, and a contemporary brasserie with a terrace overlooking the city. There will also be a spa in partnership with House of Dior. chevalblanc.com

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CHOUCHOU This 63-room hotel, named after a French term of endearment, opens next month in Opéra. It has a “Bar Guingette” (a bar-cum-dance venue), and three pools in the basement that can be rented by the hour. Room interiors embrace the Parisian style, with mouldings, herringbone parquet flooring and striped sailor-style duvet covers. chouchouhotel.com

CANOPY BY HILTON A 123-room hotel will open in Trocadéro in the 16th arrondissement in the middle of this year, close to Palais Galliera and Palais de Tokyo museums.

This will be followed by a 150room Canopy in summer 2022 in the Latin Quarter, in a renovated historical mansion featuring a living wall façade, a garden, a restaurant, bar, tearoom and gym. hilton.com BULGARI HOTEL PARIS Bulgari Hotels and Resorts’ seventh hotel will open later this year in a Haussmann building at the crossroads of the Champs-Elysées and Avenue Montaigne – the “Triangle d’Or”.

It will have 76 rooms, a spa, pool, a restaurant and a bar with courtyard garden. bulgarihotels.com

ABOVE: Chouchou BELOW: Bulgari

KIMPTON PARIS The IHG brand’s first hotel in France is expected to open in the Opéra district at the end of this year. The property will have 149 rooms and 24 suites, with facilities including a rooftop terrace cafe, a gym, pool, sauna and five meeting rooms. kimptonhotels.com MGALLERY Architect Jean Nouvel’s mixed-use Duo skyscraper complex, composed of two asymmetrical towers, is set to open in the 13th arrondissement in 2021. The second tower will house a 139-room hotel from Accor’s upmarket MGallery brand on the top ten floors. The complex will also have a restaurant and panoramic sky bar. mgallery.accor.com

RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL AND SUITES, PARIS LA DEFENSE Radisson Collection will make its French debut in 2023 in the mixeduse Sisters Towers development in the city’s business and commercial centre. Radisson Collection Hotel and Suites, Paris La Défense will have 309 rooms and apartments, as well as a bar and restaurant on the 26th floor, a gym and spa, plus an indoor infinity pool on the top floor. radissonhotels.com

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WORDS ROB GOSS

THE REAL DEAL

Osaka is a centre of commerce with a reputation for bright lights, a sense of humour and plenty of good food

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sk Japanese people about Osaka and you’ll get similar replies. Osakans love to indulge in food.

They are more outgoing than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. And they love to make a deal. That reputation is reinforced by the local dialect, with words such as kuidaore – eat until you drop – and the casual Osakan greeting, mokarimakka—are you making money? Traditionally, that’s met with a cagey bochi bochi denna – so so.

Home to 2.7 million people – almost nine million if you count the entire prefecture – Osaka has business running through its veins. Roughly 500km west of Tokyo, the city grew as a major centre of commerce in the Edo era (1603-1868), and developed industrially in the Osaka is a merchant Meiji era (1868-1912). Today, as a vibrant regional business hub, Osaka is home to the headquarters of city where small Japanese multinationals including Panasonic and business has always Sharp, not to mention a slew of less internationally thrived known but equally influential businesses – drinks giant Suntory, general trading company Itochu and construction firm Daiwa House, to name a few.

According to data from the city governmentrelated Invest Osaka, in all, Osaka City is home to just under 180,000 places of business and accounts for 4 per cent of Japan’s GDP. The wider Kansai region, which also includes the cities of Kobe (35km west) and Kyoto (55km north) but has Osaka at its heart, contributes 15.5 per cent. In terms of industry, manufacturing plays a major role in the Osaka and Kansai economy – “businesses make everything from toothbrushes to rockets”, is how Invest Osaka puts it in its guide to the city – and there are numerous businesses related to the environment, energy, the internet of things, robot technologies, and health and medical services.

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For Chris King, a UK businessperson based in Osaka whose projects include Food Tours Japan, the city also has great potential for entrepreneurs. The Osaka Innovation Hub, which is backed by the local government, estimates that it is home to 1,000 early-stage start-ups. “Osaka is a merchant city where small business has always thrived, and continues to do so,” King says. “I think Osakans’ warmth, friendliness and good-humoured nature has much to do with historically viewing everyone as a potential customer. It’s a great city to live in and the cost of doing business here is very favourable.”

In 2019, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Osaka as the world’s third safest and fourth most-liveable city based on several factors, including quality of healthcare, education, infrastructure and stability. According to Numbeo, which compares some six million prices in 9,300 cities worldwide, consumer prices are on average 4 per cent cheaper and rents 40 per cent cheaper than in Tokyo.

INSIDER FOOD TIPS

“Osaka is a foodie’s paradise. There’s great street food, but also fine dining. For something special, I’d recommend a category called kappo,” says Asako Onoyama, chief concierge at the Intercontinental Osaka. “Focused on highquality seasonal ingredients and multiple small dishes, it’s omakase style – the chefs talk to you to find out what you like and then decide what to cook for you.” As part of the hotel’s Foodies in Osaka plan, Onoyama can organise a night at one of Osaka’s kappo restaurants. Or try a counter seat at the Michelin-starred Naniwa Kappo Kigawa in Namba (roughly ¥15,000/$137 for dinner; 1-7-7 Dotonbori).

LEOPATRIZI/GETTY IMAGES; FOTOVOYAGER/GETTY IMAGES

HIGH ENERGY

The heart of Osaka City can be thought of as roughly being divided into three main urban hubs – Kita (north) and Minami (south), plus the small Honmachi area between them. The north, centred on the busy, high-rise Umeda neighbourhood and Osaka Station, is the city’s main business and hotel district, as well as being home to department stores, bars and restaurants. The south’s lively Shinsaibashi and Namba neighbourhoods are mostly about entertainment – the crowded streets here epitomise Osaka’s high-energy, fun-loving, neon-illuminated reputation. Around that core, you also have Shin-Osaka (where the bullet train station is located) north of Kita and several other areas.

Like Japan’s other big cities – and Osaka is the third biggest by population, behind Tokyo and Yokohama – Osaka frequently feels like it is under constant redevelopment. With the Osaka Expo 2025 on the horizon, and, with it, an estimated 28 million additional visitors expected during the 184-day event, construction is set to move up another gear.

“In the whole city, there will be more parks, cultural facilities and hotels ahead of the Expo,” says Asako Onoyama, chief concierge at the Intercontinental Osaka, a 272-room property located by Osaka Station. “There’s already a lot happening in our neighbourhood in Umeda.”

Starting with the creation of Grand Front Osaka – a multi-purpose complex adjoining the Intercontinental that opened in 2013 – the ongoing Umekita development

ABOVE FROM LEFT : Street food vendors are a common sight; Canal near Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street

project is seeing the area immediately north of the station go through substantial changes, including the current creation of an eight-hectare green space. Another major project nearby is the reconstruction of Hanshin Department Store and Shin-Hankyu Building, set for completion in 2022. It will be a 38-storey multi-use complex with zones for department stores, offices and conference facilities.

D E S T I N AT I O N S

star, 150-room Royal Classic in the heart of Namba, which incorporates an old kabuki theatre in its façade. This month sees the opening of E-Zone, a sports video gamethemed hotel, with 94 beds and 70 high-spec gaming machines spread across nine floors – perhaps not the obvious choice for a business trip, but certainly different.

A spokesperson for the Osaka Convention and Visitor Bureau says Osaka will be getting an extra dose of luxury from the same company that runs the five-star Palace Hotel in Tokyo. “The Zentis Osaka is to be built along the Dojima River and will overlook Nakanoshima island, which hosts the Central Public Hall, one of the iconic retro buildings here in Osaka,” the spokesperson says. “It is just a ten- to 12-minute walk from Osaka Station. When it opens in early summer, it will have 212 rooms, as well as suite rooms, and the 14th Osaka is a foodie’s to 16th floors will host rentable apartmentstyled accommodation.” paradise. There’s Chris King, who runs Food Tours Japan, says: “If you want a really local experience and feel like exploring, go to the Ura-Namba neighbourhood [near Namba]. It has the most atmospheric streets brimming with tachinomiya [standing bars] – a real local vibe.”

With a couple of hours to kill, King also suggests a trip to the Kuromon market (9am-6pm daily). A five-minute walk from Namba, there are roughly 200 fishmongers, grocers and small restaurants where you can grab a casual bite to eat – such as a bowl of rice topped with fresh raw tuna, salmon and other seafood (¥1,500/$14), or with grilled wagyu beef (¥2,000 /$18.20).

great street food, but also fine dining

FROM LEFT: Naniwa Kappo Kigawi’s exterior and chefs at work; Kuromon market

HOTEL OPENINGS

In terms of places to stay, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reports that from the end of 2018 through to 2021, Osaka will see a 32 per cent increase in hotel rooms, in line with the Japanese government’s aim to attract 60 million foreign visitors to the country annually by 2030. One new property, which opened late last year, is a 193-room Courtyard by Marriott in Honmachi. Another is the four-

A PLACE TO MEET

Until the outbreak of Covid-19, the city’s international air links had been getting a boost. ANA flies daily from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda with onward connections to both airports in Osaka.

Since last year, British Airways has operated a four-times weekly Heathrow-Osaka service, using a B787-8 Dreamliner, a route it had not served since 1998. Swiss introduced a five-times weekly Zurich service last month and Gulf carriers including Emirates and Etihad operate services to the city. In the current crisis, many of these services have been suspended.

When life returns to normality, these developments should help with Osaka’s efforts to build its meetings and events industry, a sector it is keen to bolster. “There is a developing trend for cities to create ‘all-in-one’ convention centre and meeting spaces,” says a spokesperson at the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau. “However, in the case of Osaka, both the Osaka International Convention Centre and Intex Osaka [two of the city’s main facilities] are relatively far away from one other. This makes it hard to allow for such joint, integrated operation. That being said, with the huge opportunity posed by the likely arrival of integrated resorts to Osaka, we expect brand new facilities that we will be able to use to promote MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions], making us more competitive on both a national and global scale.”

Osaka has also produced a MICE catalogue that highlights many of the pre- and post-conference experiences available. These include performances of and workshops on traditional Noh dance-drama and taiko drumming, ninja experiences, and Japanese cooking classes. If you are going to learn to cook Japanese food, where better than Osaka? Osaka loves to make a deal, but also to eat and have a good time.

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RIGHT OF PA S S A G E How accessible is air travel for persons of reduced mobility?

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WORDS JENNI REID

ACCESSIBILITY

MANUEL FABA ORTEGA/LAPPES/GETTY IMAGES

W

e all put up with inconveniences to jet around the world – hurried walks across labyrinthine airports, onerous security checks and being crammed with hundreds of others into a small metal tube for several hours.

Few of us, however, will have deliberately dehydrated ourselves before a flight because we know there will be no way to access a toilet on board. Or watched from our seat as every other passenger disembarked, waiting for our assistance to arrive.

Or been left immobile in a new city because our wheelchair has been damaged or lost in transit.

For “persons with reduced mobility” (PRMs) with a permanent or temporary physical disability, the whole experience of flying – from passing through the airport and getting on to the aircraft, to travelling in a cramped seat and then getting off on the other side – can be fraught with difficulty. In a recent survey of disabled people commissioned by Which?, almost half of respondents said that a lack of confidence in accessibility services had limited their ability to fly in the past two years.

A Business Traveller reader who regularly flies using a wheelchair told us that while Emirates provides excellent service when getting PRMs on and off the plane, once luggage has been collected from the carousel at Dubai International, porters will not provide assistance unless paid in cash. On a recent trip, not having any money on him, he was refused help and had to be aided by police. He described the experience as “unbearable”. Emirates, which manages the service at the airport, confirmed to us that porters require a fee, adding that last month it introduced card payments.

The Which? survey highlighted that it is not just PRMs for whom accessibility is a concern. A traveller who is blind and has Alzheimer’s was reportedly told at Manchester airport that he could not use the priority queue as he did not use a wheelchair,

and was then left humiliated when a staff member shouted to a colleague that the passenger “couldn’t cope” with the boarding pass scanner.

ACCESS FOR ALL Passenger numbers are on the rise, and they not only include PRMs but older people who may find airports overwhelming and planes uncomfortable; people with conditions such as dementia, autism or anxiety; people with visual or auditory impairments; or those recovering from an operation or stroke. According to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), passenger numbers have increased by 25 per cent since 2014, while the number of people asking for airport assistance has risen by 49 per cent. Adjusting to this demand is no small task. As Sara Marchant, Heathrow’s customer relations manager, points out, the airport is the size of a small city. Marchant is responsible for ensuring that the 80 million passengers moving through it each year come out with a positive impression, and at the latest count, about 1.5 million of them required special assistance.

In 2017, the CAA told Heathrow it was failing these people. In the regulator’s second annual Airport

Accessibility Report, it ranked the airport’s service “poor”, along with that at Manchester, Exeter and East Midlands. Marchant accredits Heathrow’s rise to “good” in the 2019 report to measures such as establishing an advisory committee and extra staff training. She also chairs meetings several times a year with 12 other UK airports for sharing best practice.

East Midlands was also ranked “good” last year, and Exeter “very good”. Manchester was judged “needs improvement”, amid reports that disabled passengers had been left waiting on planes for more than an hour for assistance to help them off.

Last year the airport told Business Traveller that it was working with its own disability engagement forum For persons of to improve service, reduced mobility, and has hired a new external special the whole flying assistance provider. experience can This points to one be fraught with of the key challenges for airports. Jack difficulty Bigglestone-Silk, Gatwick’s accessibility manager, says the airport has more than 20,000 members of staff, most of whom are employed by thirdparty partners. He says Gatwick has introduced a new accessibility training system for all staff and improved awareness of schemes such as hidden disability lanyards, which indicate that a passenger may need extra help.

Gatwick has enlarged its special assistance seating area and is looking at how new technologies could help.

“There is a great appetite for innovation and so many people working on solutions,” BigglestoneSilk says. He cites the location beacon technology now integrated into the Gatwick app, allowing passengers to look up a facility such as “accessible toilet” and then follow a route mapped out, as a line to follow.

Heathrow has pledged to spend £30 million on new equipment and

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Heathrow has pledged

GETTING ON BOARD Once it is time to board, things can get even more difficult. Personal wheelchairs must be placed in the hold, which is inconvenient and potentially disastrous if chairs are lost or damaged. When no airbridge is available, PRMs must climb a set of narrow stairs using devices such as a stairclimber – a separate chair that can be lifted up and down – or a lift.

At the door of the aircraft, they swap to a narrow onboard chair that can fit down an aisle. All of this is generally overseen by third-party providers..

Passengers must then find a way to manoeuvre on to their seat, either alone or with the help of a carer or assistance providers (crew are not permitted to lift passengers).

The onboard wheelchairs are then folded and stored until required to take passengers off the plane or to the washroom – unless they are

travelling on a single-aisle to spend £30 million aircraft, in which case it is on new equipment almost impossible to get a and tech for wheelchair into the toilet.

Emma Muldoon uses a accessibility this year powered wheelchair fulltime, and blogs about her experiences at simplyemma. co.uk. Boarding and deboarding is generally “stressful and unsettling”, she told us, but especially when there is a lack of training, staff, equipment or just basic empathy and communication.

Once on board, she says the main issues are the seats, which “lack any kind of support for disabled people who are immobile”, and toilets. She, like many others, dehydrates herself before a flight despite the health risks.

Christopher Wood, whose two children use wheelchairs, describes a 2015 flight to Mexico with his daughter as “horrendous” – so much so that he eventually left his job to become a full-time aviation accessibility consultant. “I thought, how can we be so behind?” he says. “For 30 years, the aviation industry has reconfigured cabins with more seats and adapted them. Yet, probably because it hasn’t had to as it is self-regulating, nobody has come up with solutions for improving mobility onboard.”

The ideal for both Muldoon and Wood would be for passengers to be able to stay in their own wheelchair, but this would require airlines to take radical action. Almost no chairs would fit down current aisles or be able to be adequately secured to the floor. Brian Richards, who invented the Airchair used by several carriers, estimates it would cost US$100,000 to certify one chair for use on board (he would like to see several seats on each aircraft with more room around them for PRMs to get comfortably in and out).

A concept for a process somewhere in between was unveiled by design firm Priestmangoode in 2012. Its Air Access seat sees passengers use the same chair in the airport and on the plane, which can be attached and detached to a fixed-frame aisle seat on IZUSEK/GETTY IMAGES

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technology for accessibility this year, and is trialling an app called Navilens, which provides audible navigational information to visually impaired passengers in various languages.

Since 2006, European Commission regulation EC1107 has required airports and airlines to provide PRMs with “opportunities for air travel comparable with those of other citizens”. The UK has no legislation related specifically to air travel, although the 2010 Equality Act requires businesses to make “reasonable adjustments” for PRMs. Adherence to EC1107 is overseen by the CAA, although the future of this beyond 2020 will be decided during the UK’s Brexit negotiations.

James Freemantle, the CAA’s head of consumer policy and enforcement, said at a recent London event that he believed “reputational regulation” worked well to force change at airports, hence the launch of the annual report. Heathrow’s Marchant also believes social media has had an impact, providing an immediate way for airports to get feedback (and for passengers to highlight poor behaviour).

the aircraft, avoiding the discomfort of passengers being lifted on and off.

Yet the firm says that despite “really positive feedback” from the industry and the public, there have been no orders to date, and further investment into certification will still be required.

CHANGE IN THE AIR The US has led the way on legislating for change. Since 2009, all airlines operating into and out of the US have to fit all new aircraft with at least 50 per cent moveable aisle armrests that allow “reasonable and dignified access” into and out of the seat.

ACCESSIBILITY

TIPS FOR AIR TRAVEL ■ Check airline policy before booking. Can everything you need be accommodated in the hold or on board?

■ Let your airline or travel agent know during the booking process of any access requirements. Some airports require 72 hours’ notice to provide assistance.

■ View airport maps online in advance. Check for any tools you can use, such as Heathrow’s Navilens app.

■ The CAA has told UK airports that they should provide clear and detailed information for people with disabilities ahead of time, and provide clear images and audio messages throughout the airport to help you navigate. If they have failed, let them know.

fly longer distances than ever before.

For the past year, UK firms ST Engineering and Acumen Design Associates have been collaborating on such a product, which is set to be shown at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg at the end of the month.

“Even on a wide-body right now, the toilets are essentially just bigger with a second seat that comes down.

They don’t give easy access; they don’t have proper grab handles; wheelchairs need to be left outside,” says Daniel Clucas, senior designer at Acumen.

Acumen’s design fits in the same

■ Useful websites and blogs about accessible travel include tryb4ufly.co.uk, wheelchairtravel.org, spintheglobe.net and simplyemma.co.uk.

■ Share your experiences at businesstraveller.com/ forum, or email talktous@businesstraveller.com.

Geraldine Lundy is an aviation accessibility consultant who worked on initiatives for Virgin Atlantic for 21 years, which led to significant change.

For example, it became a given that when they approached manufacturers, more accessible seats would be readily provided.

The US Department of Transportation is seeking input on a plan to require airlines to include one accessible toilet on all narrowbody aircraft entering their fleets, as they must on wide-bodies. The lack of accessibility on these single-aisle planes is of increasing concern as they

ABOVE LEFT: Accessible toilet

by Acumen ABOVE RIGHT: Concept seat by Priestmangoode

footprint as a standard toilet on a narrow-body such as an A321 or B737, but the back wall can be expanded into the aircraft door area to allow enough room for both a PRM and a carer, increasing the space by about 40 per cent. When needed, crew would de-latch and pull out the extension.

Access is through the corner, providing more space for wheelchairs, and the door can be fully closed behind two people. Inside it has numerous grab rails, bright lighting, clear signage, and taps that can be reached from the toilet. A prototype has been trialled by a group of PRMs,

whose feedback is being used to finetune the concept.

Speak to many in the field and you do get the sense that change is in the air. Geraldine Lundy says that five or six years ago she would never have found herself having schedule clashes when giving talks on access.

Yet recently she has found herself speaking at three events in a day, an indication of “how seriously people are taking these issues”.

In November 2019, IATA (the International Air Transport Association) held a symposium in Dubai devoted to accessibility. Lundy says it was “amazing” to see more than 150 attendees, including senior executives and stakeholders, getting together to discuss access.

It came after IATA passed a resolution committing members to providing “safe, reliable and dignified travel” for passengers with disabilities.

It also asked the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation to “help harmonise national legislation and regulations which otherwise could create a patchwork of confusing or even contradictory requirements for passengers and airlines”.

In short: to produce a clear rulebook on the standards and services airports and airlines should provide, wherever a passenger leaves from or lands in the world.

Heathrow’s Sara Marchant believes the outlook is positive. “We’re on the crest of a wave, there’s such momentum behind it,” she says.

“People’s expectations have changed, rightly so, and they expect things to be done in a way that suits them best.”

Christopher Wood is more cautious. “There were a lot of soundbites [at the IATA meeting] but we will see what actually happens,” he says. “This is a trade association with 290 airlines. If they turned around and said we are going to make our aircraft accessible, something would immediately get done. I was at the symposium, and I had lots of conversations. But I’m getting a little bit tired of conversations. We need to stop talking and start creating.”

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WATC H E S

WORDS CHRIS HALL

PAYING HOMAGE The latest Carrera is a celebration of 160 years of Tag Heuer

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A

s we entered the Twenty-Twenties, my social media feeds were packed with tedious posts summarising people’s achievements over the past ten years (the obligatory then-andnow selfies, plus a list of suitably wry boasts or laments). There was also a stream of new watches as some of the largest brands convened in Dubai to parade their latest creations. It inspired me to look at Tag Heuer, which has covered more ground than most since 2010.

Mid-market, high-volume brands do tend to cycle through designs, strategies and ideas quite quickly – essential when you’re in the business of being a lot of things to a lot of people – but even so, a re-read of its 2010 brochure is a look back to a very different time.

Brand ambassadors Leonardo DiCaprio, Lewis Hamilton and Tiger Woods have all moved on, and Tag Heuer’s motoring tastes have moved with the times, too – out with the gas-guzzling Mercedes-McLaren SLR hypercar tie-in, in with a sponsorship deal for Porsche’s all-electric Formula E team. Gone, and not overly lamented, are the fantastically expensive “luxury” mobile phones; in their place, Tag Heuer has committed more wholeheartedly to smartwatches than any other Swiss brand. Despite not winning the hearts of watch purists, the Tag Heuer Connected watch, launched in 2015, seems to be selling, and this spring a second-generation model is rolling out.

There have been big changes to its traditional watches, too. A decade ago, the Grand Carrera sat proudly at the top of the collection. Modelled by a youthful Hamilton, it revelled in a techy, modern

Today’s Carrera uses a genuinely in-house chronograph calibre

WATC H E S

MAIN PICTURE AND LEFT: Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition BELOW: The original 1960s Carrera

aesthetic and saw the brand tinker with dials that displayed time in flashy new ways – on linear displays, or in semicircular cut-out windows with chunky surrounds decorated to look like brake calipers.

Across the board, Tag Heuer was doing its best to epitomise the “avant-garde” of its name (the “Tag” stands for Techniques d’Avant Garde, the Saudi conglomerate that purchased the Swiss watch brand Heuer in 1985), with brave new designs in its Aquaracer, Link and Monaco ranges.

When you look at the catalogue of 2010, ironically, what really dates it is the lack of “heritage” models, which since then have become essential at all major brands. Tag Heuer now offers two distinct streams of products – forward-looking watches for its younger audience, and throwback models aimed at more mature buyers drawn by its historic associations with the likes of Steve McQueen and Ayrton Senna.

The Grand Carrera is no more – it proved too modish to carve out a lasting place in the brand’s canon – but its replacement, the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01, revels in high-tech once again. Since 2010, Tag Heuer has also revived three storied chronographs from its archives: it resurrected the Monza, took the Monaco back to its roots, and made great efforts to put the Autavia, almost forgotten in the 2000s, back on the map.

HERITAGE EDITION

So what of the brand’s flagship model, its most enduring and popular chronograph, the Carrera?

Introduced in 1963, it has been synonymous with Heuer and Tag Heuer for nearly 60 years. In 2010, Tag Heuer was proudly unveiling a new movement for the Carrera as the brand celebrated its 150th anniversary: the movement, a Swiss-made clone of a Seiko chronograph movement that it named Calibre 1887, was installed in designs that blended contemporary and classical influences.

Descendants of those watches still populate the 2020 line-up but don’t get as much attention these days. Instead, as the brand marks 160 years on the clock, it seems almost inevitable that it would celebrate with a new addition to its Heuer Heritage collection – a Carrera created in direct homage to the first 1960s model. Entitled the Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition and on sale from June, some 1,860 will be made, costing US$6,830 each.

It’s everything Tag Heuer’s most loyal fans would want (if pricier than might have been expected) – a 39mm case with the retro “Heuer” logo on the dial; a face whose subdials at three, six and nine o’clock are unspoilt by a date window; and tastefully monochromatic looks save for the beige luminous material on the hands and hour markers (it doesn’t glow beige, thankfully).

You could, at this point, conclude how depressing it is for traditionalists – myself included – to prefer it when brands exist in some kind of stasis, forever reliving a gilded past. And it’s true, where Tag Heuer is concerned, that I favour the vintage designs.

But it’s not as simple as that. Whereas the brand’s novel creations of a decade ago relied on outsourced or imitated movements, today’s 160 Years Carrera uses a genuinely in-house chronograph calibre, introduced over the past few years and boasting specs that are hard to match: 80 hours of power reserve; a construction that uses a column wheel and vertical clutch – hallmarks of smoother, sharper, more sophisticated movements; and, best of all, a design that allows the use of the period-correct 3-6-9 dial layout. So in ten years, the Carrera has improved in both looks and capability: I call that progress.

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Quench the thirst Tour operators launch green initiative to cut the use of plastic bottles by one million in 2020

SIX UK TOUR OPERATORS have formed an initiative called One Bottle at a Time. It aims to grow its membership to 100 operators and travel suppliers this year and eliminate up to one million plastic water bottles from their respective tours and countries of operation by the end of 2020.

On average, holidaymakers use up to four singleuse plastic water bottles each day on their breaks, so the target is to eliminate these across all of the companies’ holiday operations. The tour operators are Experience Travel, Holiday Architects, Pura Aventura, Selective Asia, Steppes Travel and Wild Frontiers, with all members working on logistics with local partners on the ground to introduce best practices so that clients can safely refill their reusable bottles. onebottleatatime.org

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

Eco hotel brands 1

VOCO

JE T BENEFIT

E M I R AT E S S AY S # S T O P T H E WA S T E

THE EMIRATES GROUP’S third annual Chef Challenge highlighted the World Food Programme’s #StopTheWaste campaign. The competition first selected four contestants from 36 entries based on criteria including their tips on how to reduce food wastage. They were then asked to create a dish using specific ingredients and equipment and judged on presentation, preparation and flavours. Chef Romulo Paras won with his ‘King’s Chicken Soup’preme Bowl’, a version of which will go on sale at Emirates Flight Catering’s internal restaurants, with some proceeds donated to the World Food Programme’s ‘Share the Meal’ initiative.

30%

The amount emissions will drop on routes operated

by Boeing 747s as they are phased out over the next decade.

Current B747 CO2 emissions are 101g per passenger km and 92 kg per hour, according to carbonindependent.org

A “tread light” philosophy, with locally sourced food, paperless check-out and more than half a million plastic bottles recycled so far to make the IHG brand’s bedding.

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GREET

The new Accor brand encourages hotels to “salvage” objects from second-hand sources or eco-responsible suppliers.

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Part of Marriott, it offers vehicle charging and bikes for hire, and uses recycled materials and in-shower dispensers to reduce plastics.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Our economy is at war with many forms of life on Earth, including human life” Naomi Klein, This Changes Everything

TIME HOTELS SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES UAE-BASED HOSPITALITY COMPANY TIME Hotels is supporting local and regional communities by raising funds for a hospital caring for children with cancer and a marine conservation programme.

The hotel group has partnered with Egypt’s 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital Foundation as part of a year-long charity initiative, raising almost US$9,500 for the treatment of sick children, covering the cost of examinations, tests, scans and of course medicine.

Closer to home, TIME Hotels’ marine conservation programme, in collaboration with the Emirates Nature – WWF, has raised more than $4,000 to help facilitate two key projects: The Gulf Green Turtle Project and The Marine Protected Areas (pictured).

The Gulf Green Turtle Project investigates the habitat use of Green Turtles to decipher their migration paths and raises awareness of the important role they play in the marine environment and the Marine Protected Areas project safeguards the protection of marine ecosystems, processes, habitats and species.

ELEMENT

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3

ECO READS Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm The inspiring story of Knepp, a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex started by author Isabella Tree and her husband, the environmentalist Charlie Burrell. Their previously over-farmed and lossmaking estate has gradually become a nature reserve that is both profitable and a beacon for those who would like to see a fundamental change to land management in the UK. You can even go wild camping there. Picador; $8.97 52

PLACEBO365/GETTY IMAGES

The Condor’s Shadow: The Loss and Recovery of Wildlife in America Don’t be deceived by the title – this is a far-ranging book on every type of wildlife. While it shares some uplifting conservation stories, the general picture is dire. Published more than 20 years ago, David Wilcove’s book is a classic of nature writing, and one that looked forward to a time when the destruction of nature could be slowed or halted. Instead, the opposite has happened. Penguin Random House; $16.70

The Overstory Time for some fiction. Now out in paperback, Richard Powers’ winner of the Pulitzer Prize tells the story of a varied collection of individuals and couples who come to know and love trees, conservation and activism before joining together in a fight to save the giant redwoods being felled by the timber industry.

An informative and enjoyable read for your next long-haul trip. Penguin; $8.97

Accor’s plastic pledge O N E D R O P AT A T I M E CORINTHIA HOTELS has worked with water aid charity Just a Drop since 2012 and says that in that time more than 40,000 people have been helped by seven initiatives in three countries.

Buwambo Primary School (pictured) and St Mark’s Primary School, both in Uganda, are two of the beneficiaries of the projects funded by Corinthia.

The pupils in each school now have water storage tanks, toilets and hand-wash stations. The next proposed project involves bringing safe water and hygiene management to 1,140 people in Cambodia. justadrop.org

HOTEL GROUP ACCOR HAS COMMITTED to remove all single-use plastic items from its guest experience, at all hotels globally, by 2022. As part of the pledge, the group is to join the UN Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which was launched last month by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organisation, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

dnata in green turnaround AIR SERVICES PROVIDER DNATA has marked another sustainability milestone by conducting a turnaround of a flydubai Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft using only zero-emission ramp ground support equipment (GSE) at Dubai International’s (DXB) Terminal 2.

During the green turnaround, dnata transported baggage with electric baggage tractors to the aircraft and applied electric conveyor belts to offload and load baggage and cargo.

The passengers of the airline’s Karachi and Faisalabad flights were disembarked and boarded through towable passenger stairs. When the aircraft was ready to depart, it was pushed back from the gate with an electric tow-barless pushback tractor, positioning it ready for taxi and departure. Throughout the procedure, aircraft ground power was provided by Dubai International’s FEGP (Fixed Electrical Ground Power). dnata currently operates more than 100 eco-efficient vehicles at DXB and Dubai World Central.

N AT UR AL G O O D LO O K S

WANT TO BE COOL? Well, a light, summery linen suit from Boss could be just the thing, especially when you know it’s vegan… But what does that mean? It obviously doesn’t use any animal-based materials, but it has also been responsibly crafted in Germany using Italian linen. The slim-fit design has a subtle woven micro pattern and a partial lining for a comfortable, breathable feel. $737; boss.com

D E LT A ’ S C A R B O N - N E U T R A L P L A N

DELTA AIR LINES HAS MADE a US$1 billion commitment to mitigate all emissions from its global business over the next ten years, starting this month. The US airline said efforts would focus on three areas. These include carbon reduction, with initiatives such as “a fleet renewal programme, improved flight operations, weight reduction, and increased development and use of sustainable fuels”.

It is looking at carbon removal through investment in projects including “forestry, wetland restoration, grassland conservation, marine and soil capture, and other negative emissions technologies”.

Stakeholder engagement will also play a part, with a focus on “building coalitions with our employees, suppliers, global partners, customers, industry colleagues and investors to advance carbon reduction and removal goals”.

Recent sustainability efforts by the carrier include eco-friendly amenity kits, and upcycling old uniforms and seats as travel accessories.

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TECHNOLOGY

54

The gadgets of the future were showcased at the recent Consumer Electronics Show

E

very year in January, some 175,000 gadget geeks from across the globe descend on Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s biggest tech gathering.

Some 4,500 companies use the exhibition to show off their newest creations – here are some of the best to have been unveiled this year. Some are hitting stores already, but most will arrive by the summer.

WORDS DAVID PHEL AN

CLEER MIRAGE SPEAKER $1,027 On sale: spring cleeraudio.com

One day, perhaps, there will be a screen on every gadget. This Cleer speaker has an eight-inch one supplied by collaborator Royole, whose skill is in making flexible displays (it beat Samsung and other rivals to create the first foldable phone). Here, the screen wraps around the cylindrical speaker and can be used for video visualisations alongside the music. A camera on board means video calls are possible, and microphones help it to work with Amazon’s virtual personal assistant, Alexa. Cleer’s audio excellence ensures it should sound great, too – as you would expect at this price.

TECHNOLOGY

LENOVO THINKPAD X1 FOLD $3,219 On sale: summer lenovo.com

The flexible display of this 13.3inch You tablet means it can fold in half. can set the bottom part up as a virtual onscreen keyboard to create a super-portable Windows laptop, but there’s also a Bluetooth keyboard accessory with physical keys that can attach magnetically if you value the sensation of keys moving under your fingers rather than the unyielding glass of the tablet. Fold it in half and the keyboard charges automatically. It’s not cheap, partly because of the complexity of the design and the leather folio cover.

JBL CLUB ONE HEADPHONES $425 On sale: spring jbl.com

CES was awash with in-ear headphones, but over-ear pairs such as these were much rarer.

The Club One headphones have exceptional noise-cancelling, using a system that monitors outside noise 50,000 times a second and adjusts to the user’s chosen level. They’re also designed to compensate for sound leakage caused by the user wearing glasses. The Silent Now feature is especially appealing for in-flight use – with one tap of a button, it promises complete isolation, even from music. The battery lasts up to 50 hours.

MOTION PILLOW ANTI-SNORING PILLOW $413 On sale: now motionpillow.com

NIKON D780 DSLR CAMERA $2,832 On sale: now nikon.com

The newest digital SLR from Nikon is powerful enough to satisfy professionals as well as amateurs. It has a 24-megapixel sensor – and, yes, smartphones can have more than that, but the difference here is that the sensor is full-frame; that is, the size of a 35mm frame of film, so the pixels are much bigger and more effective. It records video at 4K resolution and has a multi-point autofocus for sharper shots.

XINHUA/WU XIAOLING/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

You don’t snore – of course you don’t – but maybe someone close to you does. Enter the Motion Pillow, the second-generation model, which was revealed at CES and aims to restore quiet nights. A small white box, optimistically called the Solution Box, sits next to the bed and connects to the pillow by a cable. Then, when you snore – sorry, when your significant other snores – airbags inside the pillow inflate to move the head, but gently enough so as not to wake you.

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TECHNOLOGY

WITHINGS SCANWATCH From $294 On sale: spring withings.com

Withings makes a great range of healthrelated tech and this is its most attractive and advanced wearable gadget. Unlike most smartwatches, it has an analogue face, while a secondary dial monitors your steps and an OLED circle at the top displays further data.

The watch can monitor your heart rate to flag up issues, such as an irregular or abnormally fast heart rate. When worn at night, it tracks oxygen saturation levels. It can also record an ECG measurement.

RELIEFBAND FOR MOTION SICKNESS From $193 On sale: now reliefband.com

The second-generation Reliefband slips on to the wrist and treats motion sickness by emitting programmed pulses at a carefully controlled frequency and intensity. It aims to stimulate nerves on the underside of the wrist to block the waves of nausea that the stomach produces in response to motion. But its uses aren’t just limited to motion sickness, although that’s the main appeal to travellers – it also helps with feelings of nausea induced by virtual reality, for instance. The battery lasts up to 17 hours – enough for the longest and bounciest car ride or the most topsy-turvy turbulence.

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Technics is famous for high-end audio products but hasn’t made any truewireless in-ear headphones until now.

True wireless means that there is no cable to connect the headphones to the music source – Bluetooth handles that – but also that there’s no wire between the buds. Their design is neat and attractive, with a case that recharges the buds. Like Apple’s AirPods Pro, these have noise-cancellation, whereby an external microphone listens to the outside world and creates noise that is precisely opposite to it to cancel it out. There’s also an internal microphone that listens to the noise inside the ear and cancels that out, too.

Y-BRUSH TOOTHBRUSH From $118 On sale: now y-brush.com

Brush your teeth effectively in ten seconds – that’s the claim made by Fasteesh, makers of Y-Brush. The device is a U-shaped tray on a handle. You add toothpaste and fit it over your lower teeth. The dental bristles that fill the tray brush your teeth from different angles. Then, after five seconds, you repeat on your upper gnashers. It vibrates to brush all sides of your 16 lower or upper teeth. It’s claimed that it brushes each tooth for four times longer than a twominute session with a regular toothbrush.

All prices correct at time of going to press, but may change

UPI/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

TECHNICS EAH-AZ70W IN-EAR HEADPHONES $307 On sale: June technics.com

THE PROTOTYPES

SAMSUNG BALLIE

The Ballie robot is a smart sphere, the size of a large baseball, that has a builtin camera and can recognise you and follow you around the house (if that’s not too creepy). It can control your smart home appliances – turning on your robot vacuum cleaner while you’re out, for instance. Not so good on stairs, obviously. Samsung wouldn’t be drawn on a release date, which suggests it’s several years away at least.

CES is always brimming with products that are far from being finished (or that ultimately may never come to market), but give a glimpse of what’s coming next, or the direction of travel for an individual company.

ONE PLUS CONCEPT ONE

Chinese phone manufacturer One Plus has created a concept handset with invisible cameras. What this really means is that the lenses use special particles – organic, One Plus calls them – that can shift from completely clear to opaque black in a moment, so that when not in use the rear panel looks like an unbroken surface for a more elegant design. The particles also work as a polarising filter for the camera, which means it can take better photos in brighter light. One Plus has a close relationship with its community of buyers so expect their feedback to inform whether these electrochromic lenses move from prototype to finished product.

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PANASONIC BATTERY-POWERED FIRE ENGINE

SONY VISION-S DRIVERLESS CAR

In the biggest surprise of CES, Sony unveiled a car to showcase its skill in making auto-friendly sensors. There are 33 in the Vision-S, including entertainment devices inside the car plus cameras and other sensors outside. Sony makes some of the best camera sensors already, so to combine them with other movement sensors makes for a safer driverless ride, the company has suggested. The electric car, which looks streamlined and sporty, may never see production, but Sony has proved that it can come up with the tech for it – and that it can keep a secret.

YONHAP/NEWCOM/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

Panasonic has partnered with Tropos Motors to create a tiny fire prevention vehicle. At two metres tall by 1.4 metres wide, it’s so small it can slip into tiny spaces – handy for a narrow alley in Mumbai or Tokyo where regular vehicles can’t venture. The one-person vehicle is powered entirely by battery (Panasonic is a world leader in battery design) and has a Panasonic Toughbook laptop at the driver’s elbow for relaying emergency information.

The 125-gallon water tank dispenses its contents with a gas-powered water pump.

Unlike a regular fire truck, which can cost up to $500,000, this is one is just $50,000.

B u s i n e s s Tr a v e l l e r M i d d l e E a s t m a g a z i n e i s a v a i l a b l e i n a l l o f t h e s e e x c l u s i v e h o t e l s

HOTELS COLLECTION

GRAND MILLENNIUM DUBAI HOTEL

MIRFA HOTEL

WALDORF ASTORIA RAS AL KHAIMAH

DUBAI The 340-room five star hotel features awardwinning restaurants and bars, spa and health club, stateof-the-art meeting rooms, a magnificent ballroom and exceptional banquet facilities. +971 4 429 9999 reservations@grandmill-dubai.com grandmillenniumdubai.com

AL MARFA Away from the bustle of city life, overlooking the azure blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Mirfa Hotel offers 114 newly renovated rooms. The hotel provides excellent accommodation for the business and leisure traveller, state-of-the-art conference facilities, a fully equipped gym and ample parking. +971 2 8953009 rsvn@mirfahotel.com

RAS AL KHAIMAH Cradled by the Hajar Mountains, a championship golf course, sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is 50 minutes from Dubai Airport and brings true Waldorf service to the most alluring beachfront location in the UAE. +971 7 2035555 rasalkhaimah.info@waldorfastoria.com waldorfastoria.com/rasalkhaimah

CROWNE PLAZA MUSCAT OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

CROWNE PLAZA DEIRA, DUBAI

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, DUBAI

OMAN Adjacent to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, this 295-room hotel is an integral part of Madinat Al Irfan, a product of an exciting ambition to establish a new urban centre within Muscat. Situated 10 minutes from the new Muscat International Airport, Al Mouj and Muscat Hills Golf courses and overlooking a Wadi - a natural reserve and home to about 260 variety of Oman’s exotic birdlife during the season. +968 2425 2000 rooms.cpmuscatocec@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/muscatocec

DUBAI Located in the cultural heart of Dubai, Crowne Plaza Dubai – Deira lies at the convenient gateway between the old and new districts of the city. Featuring 300 guest rooms and suites, and an array of meeting rooms, 6 restaurants and bars, a dedicated and fully equipped fitness centre with outdoor swimming pool, the hotel is the perfect place for both leisure and business guests. +971 4 262 5555 cpdeira.info@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/deira

DUBAI The award-winning Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai offers luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining and gracious hospitality in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The hotel’s 302 superbly appointed rooms and suites offer a combination of traditional luxury and modern functionality. Spatial elegance, awesome views and thoughtfully selected furnishings create an experience of unparalleled style and comfort. +971 4 3438888 shangri-la.com/dubai

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the

eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

SMART TRAVELLER

∙ Eurostar

∙ Andaz Munich

∙ Fairmont Singapore

∙ Donating hotel points

Standard Class EBBSFLEET-PARIS

60 ∙ Mandarin Oriental, Paris

61

Schwabinger Tor

62 ∙ Citizen M Boston

North Station

63

64 ∙ Ritz-Carlton, Millenia

Singapore

65

66

TRIED & TESTED TRAIN

Eurostar Standard Class EBBSFLEET-PARIS B A C K G R O U N D In 1994, Eurostar revolutionised the way people travelled from the UK to Paris and Brussels forever and has since created a generation of travellers who think nothing of hopping on the train after breakfast and relaxing in a Parisian bistro by lunchtime.

Today, Eurostar operates train services from St Pancras International in central London and Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International in Kent (south-east of London) to Paris Gare Du Nord in the heart of the French capital, as well multiple destinations across Europe.

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G E T T I N G T H E R E While

departing from St Pancras is an easy option if you are starting your journey in central London, Ebbsfleet suited me better on this occasion and couldn’t be easier to reach by car. I booked parking online and selected the Premier Parking option, just a two-minute walk to the terminal.

Eurostar asks that you arrive 4560 minutes before departure.

C H E C K - I N This was speedy.

I’d already saved my ticket to my Apple Wallet on my iPhone so I scanned by barcode at the gate and I was in. There was no queue for security – bag and body scan airport style – and no queue for passport control either, which encompasses both UK and French formalities. A biometric passport scanner is now in place at some stations.

The entire process from arrival to reaching the departure lounge took no more than five minutes, which is far preferable to time-consuming airport procedures in my opinion.

BEST FOR Convenient and relaxing hassle-free travel from London to Paris

JOURNEY TIME 2hrs 13 minutes

E M I S S I O N - F R I E N D LY 90% fewer CO2 emissions than the equivalent short-haul flight

PRICE From US$37 one way

CONTACT eurostar.com

THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE

The departure lounge was spacious with ample seating and featured a Caffe Nero, newsagents, ATMs and information point. I grabbed a coffee, bought yet another plug adaptor (I’m always losing them) and a magazine, and watched trains roll in and out of Ebbsfleet.

Business Premier travellers and Eurostar carte blanche holders are entitled to Business Premier Lounge access with extras including complimentary drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines, plus seat-side power sockets and extra comfortable seating for working or relaxing.

B O A R D I N G My train

departure was called and I descended the stairway directly from the lounge to the platform.

My ticket indicated where I

The best way to travel from London to Paris without a doubt

should stand on the platform for easy boarding of my designated coach. The train arrived on time at exactly 8.12 am.

and almost unusable. This is a recurring ‘train’ issue that service providers need to rectify once and for all!

T H E S E A T I chose the

A R R I V A L We arrived at Gare Du Nord 20 minutes later than scheduled due to the tunnel delay, but this did not impact my day fortunately. I stepped off the train onto the platform and it was a short walk into the station and out onto the street where I grabbed my Uber to the hotel. It was fast and efficient, particularly as French passport controls are conducted in London so there is no need to go through it all again when you arrive.

Standard seating, which was fine for this short journey. When you book online you can choose your seats (forward or backward facing) and if you are travelling in a group of three or four, you can book seats with a central table. Every seat has a tray – for food, laptops etc – and a UK and French plug socket to re-charge electronic items. Luggage can be placed in the overhead racks or in the compartments at the end of each cabin and food can be purchased from the dedicated train kiosks.

T H E J O U R N E Y I spent most of my time on my laptop working and took advantage of the inseat power plug to re-charge my phone. The journey was smooth and I enjoyed taking a glance at the changing landscape through the window. We did encounter a 20-minute delay due to a maintenance issue in the tunnel underneath the English Channel, but we were kept informed.

My only complaint concerned the toilet, which was blocked

V E R D I C T The best way to travel from London to Paris without a doubt – and to other nearby European destinations too. It’s a far superior experience to flying for several reasons – more room and space to move around and no turbulence! The departure and arrival is also quick and hassle free and there are no restrictions on liquids carried. Luggage allowances are generous too, even in a Standard seat – two pieces per person (up to 85cm long) plus one small piece of hand luggage. What’s not to love?! Gemma Greenwood

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

BEST FOR

Mandarin Oriental, Paris B A C K G R O U N D Mandarin Oriental’s only address in France was granted an official ‘Palace Distinction’ by French tourism agency Atout France just three years after opening its doors, acknowledging its role in portraying French standards of excellence.

The hotel’s imaginative interior design blends French elegance with Oriental refinement in a nod to the group’s Asian heritage. Pre-MO days the site was a monastery, hippodrome, riding school and circus!

W H E R E I S I T ? At the heart of the city’s fashion district on Rue Saint-Honoré – a paradise for travellers who love to shop the world’s leading designer brands. It’s also just steps from Place Vendôme and within walking distance of Garnier Opera, Tuileries Gardens, the Orangerie, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and world-famous avenue, the Champs-Élysées.

Sophisticated but subtle, elegant but cosy W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The entrance is modest and discreet, tucked in between boutiques, but when you walk into the lobby, adorned in stone, lacquer and gold leaf, you become cossetted in an urban Oriental haven with Parisian charm and this warm and refined atmosphere defines your stay. During my visit there was a pop-up shop in the lobby retailing suits and leather goods, including some killer heels that I loved! Check-in was civilised – welcome drinks in the lobby lounge where a very friendly staff member conducted the formalities. The lobby’s signature MO touch? The 11-bladed fan.

R O O M S There are 96 rooms and suites that ooze haute couture style, some overlooking the indoor courtyard and others with Rue Saint-Honoré views. I stayed in a Duplex Suite (pictured) with an extra special view from my own personal garden terrace – the Eiffel Tower. This double-storey suite was spacious and impressive with an upstairs lounge and office, downstairs seating area,

Travellers who enjoy decadent shopping and spa experiences – a Gulf traveller favourite for sure!

DON’T MISS Evening drinks and snacks in the cosy Bar 8 courtyard

PRICE an elegant yet cosy king bedroom and a bathroom with stand-out facilities including diptyque products, a techno loo (think heated seat and more) and in a first, for me, hair straighteners. There are also Panoramic, Couture and Penthouse suites and the 430 sqm Haussmann-style Parisian Apartment, the largest and most spectacular suite, with four bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple living spaces and a terrace.

F O O D A N D D R I N K The F&B offering is remarkable. Discerning foodies love the avant-garde gourmet experience at twoMichelin-star Sur Mesure by Thierry Marx – a haute couture-inspired restaurant hidden via an entrance in Bar 8, which is hangout for Parisian socialites and serves innovative drinks and street-food bites, best savoured in the outdoor courtyard. Chef Thierry Marx also excels with his Asian take on French cuisine at Camélia (pictured). Exquisite dishes I sampled included a beetroot with smoked oil, stracciatella and pomegranate entree, a Yuzu-flavoured grilled mackerel with daikon turnips and shiso main, and for dessert, ‘Kashan’ (pistachio and pumpkin seed crunch, praline and pistachio light mousse). There’s a cake shop too, plus the cocooning L’ Honoré lobby lounge and for the Gulf market, halal food is available.

M E E T I N G S There are four fully equipped meeting rooms with garden views on the first floor, while the spacious sixth-floor

Deluxe Room (entry level) from US$956 per night; Duplex Suite from US$2,060

CONTACT 251, Rue SaintHonoré; tel +33 17098 7888; madarinoriental. com/paris 61

terrace and ground-floor courtyard are perfect for private events and cocktail parties. For VIP affairs, the Mandarin Penthouse Floor with the Mandarin Penthouse Suite and Two Panoramic Suites featuring stunning city views and spacious living, dining, kitchen and bar areas, is immensely popular and frequently ‘the’ venue of choice during Paris Fashion Week.

L E I S U R E The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Paris is one of the city’s largest hotel spas and features seven Spa Suites, an indoor swimming pool, plus a good-sized gym.

Signature therapies are influenced by Chinese medicine and aromatherapy and use custom-blended essential oils.

V E R D I C T Sophisticated but subtle,

elegant but cosy, with rooms and publics spaces that bring out the best of Parisian life, blended with Oriental sensory touches (from design and food to hospitality). A few public areas are in need of a refurb (some furnishings are tired) and the Wi-Fi isn’t free unless you sign up to Fans of MO (plus you have to keep re-connecting every 5 minutes), but these minor issues do not interfere with the overall experience, which was outstanding. Gemma Greenwood

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

BEST FOR An urban stay that artfully immerses you in the city’s personality

DON’T MISS… A signature beverage in a window seat at the M’Uniqo Rooftop Bar

PRICE From US$274 for a king bedroom

CONTACT Leopoldstraße 170, 80804 München; tel +49 89 9042191234; hyatt.com

truffle pizza and treats you to 360-degree panoramic views of the city. Popular as a chic hang-out for locals, you’ll have to book ahead for a table, and patrons regularly queue for a place at the bar.

Otherwise, the centrepiece mirrored lobby bar is an amiable option, with pockets of seating encouraging you to linger, or grab a sandwich and coffee from the two cafés: Café M and Bicicletta.

Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor 62

B A C K G R O U N D The first German property for Hyatt’s boutique Andaz brand, Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor opened in February 2019 in the city’s former bohemian quarter, now a vibrant business district awash with start-ups and entrepreneurs.

W H E R E I S I T ? Andaz Munich is on the perimeter of the city, near to the city’s English Garden, and on the district’s central Leopoldstraße, a tree-lined boulevard.

Munich’s historical centre is 6km away, while Munich airport is 33km from the hotel.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Andaz Munich embraces an art hotel vibe, so spaces feel more boutique than they do in your usual business hotel. Designed by the interiors team from cool creator Concrete, the fit-out celebrates Munich tradition with modern style and artwork and the end result is up-beat and chic, rather than cliché. Subtle nods to the Bavarian capital include the use of diamond motifs in everything from flooring to dining room detailing, a calming blue and white palette, and the lobby’s art installation of a summer sky, filmed from the roof of the hotel.

R O O M S The hotel offers 243 guest rooms, 43 suites and one penthouse suite. I stayed

in a King Room, the hotel’s entry-level tier.

My room felt large, thanks to the clever utilisation of a double-sided room divider and console. The fit-out looked expensive, from the plush furnishings and subtle Bavarian embellishments to the sleek mod cons. A wide window seat offered a cosy view into the leafy street below, with zero traffic noise floating up to the room.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Choose from one signature restaurant, two casual cafés, a rooftop lounge and a lobby bar. With a strange name, but solid, steakhouse-style menu, The Lonely Broccoli offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Upstairs, on the 12th and 13th floors, M’Uniqo Rooftop Bar (pictured) serves stylish Italian dishes from burrata to

Andaz Munich embraces an art hotel vibe, so spaces feel more boutique than they do in your usual business hotel

M E E T I N G S The 2,000 sqm dedicated event space and function centre encompasses seven studios, two show kitchens equipped with full live cooking facilities, a 500 sqm ballroom and 200 sqm exhibition space and pre-function room.

L E I S U R E The 2,000 sqm spa includes six treatments rooms, a 17-metre open-air swimming pool, gym, sauna and relaxation circuit. A separate exhibition space is used to support and highlight specialty brands and artisans. My stay coincided with Oktoberfest, with the room transformed into a design studio and pop-up for German atelier, Alpenprinzessin, with the local designer’s collections of luxury dirndls and other traditional Bavarian garments for purchase.

V E R D I C T With an art hotel aesthetic,

urban location and notable event spaces, Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor deftly caters to both business and leisure travellers. Michaela Williams

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Citizen M Boston North Station B A C K G R O U N D Dutch brand Citizen M first launched at Amsterdam Schiphol airport in 2008 and now has city-centre properties in the UK, Europe, Asia and the US. This year, it has Seattle, Geneva and Washington DC in the pipeline. Citizen M’s stated aim is to offer “affordable luxury” in the world’s biggest cities, capturing “what a millennial businessperson wants”. The Boston hotel opened in August last year.

W H E R E I S I T ? On top of North Station,

also home to TD Garden, where basketball and ice hockey games are played. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus and the T train, or a ten-minute Uber. It’s an excellent location for business or leisure, with easy access to Cambridge and other districts on the train, and Boston Common within walking distance. The hotel begins on the fourth floor, so it’s well soundproofed from the bustle below.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel entrance is to the left of the station. The ground-floor welcome area features bold prints and quirky ornaments. The fourth-floor lobby makes a great first impression thanks to a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that lets the light flood in, a warming gas fire and an eclectic yet stylish mish-mash of furniture.

Check-in is via self-service screens and took me less than 30 seconds. There were two or three members of staff in this area throughout my three-day stay, who all greeted me when I walked through.

Referred to as the Lounge, this large, open-

plan area designed by Dutch firm Concrete has a range of seating, shared desks with plug points, a bar, and dining tables. Next to it is a large outdoor terrace.

R O O M S All of the property’s 272 rooms

are the same size, at 15.7 sqm, but you can pay extra for one on a higher floor with a better view. This starts from $9, although when I made a last-minute booking it was quoted at $23. It was worth it for the stunning sunrise I enjoyed from my bed on the 14th floor one jetlagged morning.

The room is compact, but white walls, attractive décor and the large window made it feel spacious The rooms have six hangers, a sink with a large mirror, and a small fridge with two bottles of water. The toilet and shower are behind opaque glass walls within the main room, with a curtain between them. Shampoo/shower gel is provided in full-sized bottles. Under the wall-to-wall kingsize bed is a safe, with sliding drawers providing storage. Next to the bed was a small desk with plug sockets, USB points and an adapter. As well as bedside switches for the lights and blackout blinds, there was a tablet for controlling the room settings, including the temperature, lighting (various jazzy mood options are available), music and TV – you can choose from a good selection of recent films, with two free streams available per day.

The room is compact, but white walls, attractive décor and the large window made

it feel spacious. I found it comfortable and it had everything I needed. There is an ironing room on each floor.

F O O D A N D D R I N K There is a 24-hour menu in the Lounge, with dishes including Italian beef ragu (US$18) and chicken tikka masala (US$16). The bar was well stocked and each evening the area was busy. The breakfast buffet ($19 at the time of booking) is simple but tasted great, with options including smoked salmon, cold meats, cheeses, potato pancakes, bacon and fruit.

M E E T I N G S Off the Lounge are six small meeting spaces.

L E I S U R E There is a gym on the fifth floor.

V E R D I C T A superb location, very

comfortable rooms and welcoming staff.

The hotel wears its cool credentials on its sleeve, but non-millennials should not be put off. Jenni Reid

BEST FOR A stylish hotel in central Boston

DON’T MISS Nabbing a room with a view

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in April started from US$275

CONTACT 70 Causeway Street; tel + 1 617 861 4360; citizenm.com

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Fairmont Singapore B A C K G R O U N D Fairmont Singapore’s recently renovated South Tower reopened in November 2019. The hotel partnered with interior design company Hirsch Bedner Associates, and the refurbishment of the 403-room tower involved introducing new amenities, redesigned lift lobbies, as well as renovated interiors of the rooms and the corridors.

W H E R E I S I T ? In the city’s Civic District

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within the Raffles City complex, which houses a convention centre and a shopping mall. There’s the Raffles City Shopping Centre in the same complex – a five-storey mall with 200 shops. From Singapore Changi Airport it’s a 30-minute drive to the hotel, or you can take the train on the East-West line from Changi Airport, transfer at Tanah Merah and continue to City Hall MRT station – the hotel is located above the station.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Fairmont Singapore offers 778 guestrooms and suites, as well as 13 different restaurants and bars, and one of Asia’s largest spas. On entering, you’re greeted with a vibrant piece of artwork hanging right behind the check-in counter.

Called “Diversity”, this print on textile instantly sets the mood in the lobby.

Checking into the hotel took about five minutes. There was no line when I arrived (around 9pm) and the lobby area seemed lively without being overcrowded. The staff member helping me was friendly, upbeat and answered all my questions about the hotel, including the artwork.

R O O M S The hallway leading to my room on the 15th floor had a dark, sombre colour

BEST FOR The central location.

DON’T MISS Breakfast at Prego.

PRICE Internet rates for a Deluxe room including breakfast in mid-April start from S$474 (US$351) including tax and surcharges.

CONTACT fairmont.com/singapore

scheme and there was an interesting arrowshaped, black wood sculpture near my door. The dark décor is carried over into the bedroom and exudes a serious, businessoriented look.

I was in a 45 sqm Deluxe room in the South Tower, overlooking the hotel pool. The black, widely spaced lines behind the kingsize bed and the small, cylindrical, blackand-white lamps that hung on each side of the bed gave the room a sleek and modern look. An alarm clock and phone were on each side of the bed, with universal power outlets and lighting controls on both sides – there are two lighting options, a bright, clear one and a warmer, more relaxing one.

The wall-mounted TV was opposite the bed, whilst a good-sized work desk with a lamp and comfortable swivel chair faced the window. Near the bed was a “Maxi” bar: a glossy cabinet hiding a refrigerator stocked with alcoholic drinks and water. The hotel provides guests with a refillable water bottle, but unusually, there’s no free water provided, only the chargeable bottles from the fridge. Near the TV was a small bespoke sofa chair with a tall coffee table beside it,

and the wardrobe near the door contained a safe, a hairdryer, an iron and ironing board.

The bathrooms are modern in design, with grey marbled floors and walls, and black fixtures and fittings. There is both a bathtub and a walk-in shower, and the rim around the bathroom mirror lights up, which is a pleasant feature. Bathroom amenities are by Rose 31, and there’s a wide selection to go with the shampoo, conditioner and body wash (also from Rose 31).

F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel has 13 different dining options. I had breakfast at Prego, an Italian restaurant which recently reopened its doors after renovation. Fans of vintage art will really appreciate this place, as it’s full of old hand-painted posters of classical Italian brands, and there’s a wide selection of excellent food.

The room was spacious and modern in design and equipped with key amenities L E I S U R E The hotel has a fitness centre that’s open 24 hours. There’s also a spa called Willow Stream Spa which is one of Asia’s largest wellness and spa facilities with more than 50,000sq feet (4,645 sqm) of space.

V E R D I C T This is a business traveller-

friendly hotel due to its central location, high-speed internet access and a convenient room that works well as a workplace. The room was spacious, modern in its design and equipped with key amenities, and the staff helping me in the lobby and in Prego restaurant were friendly.

Overall, a good choice for those travelling for work. Seher Asaf

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore other two are the Summer Pavilion, offering Cantonese cuisine; and the Chihuly Lounge, which seats 120 for cocktails, speciality coffees or afternoon tea.

L O U N G E The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge is on the 32nd floor. It offers guests views of Marina Bay or the Kallang River precinct. A space called “The Library” can be used for meetings for up to ten. A connecting living area has audio-visual equipment, highspeed internet and a 75-inch LED TV.

B A C K G R O U N D Located in Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay, this luxury hotel opened in 1996, offering panoramic city views and housing an impressive 4,200-piece art collection with works from Dale Chihuly, Andy Warhol and other icons. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kevin Roche, the 32-storey property has 608 guestrooms.

W H E R E I S I T ? In Marina Bay, part of Singapore’s downtown core. Attractions such as Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay and the Art Science Museum are nearby.

The closest train station is Promenade MRT. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel instantly leaves an impression. There’s a soaring 10,000 sqm dome ceiling with an iridescent mother-of-pearl filter that extends from the main lobby all the way out to the main driveway. A large, imposing, three-tonne fibreglass sculpture titled “Cornucopia”, by Frank Stella, cascades down the centre of the main lobby. The high ceilings and extravagant artwork make it feel as though you’ve entered a grand museum. You’ll also notice the vast, round mirror wall split into octagonal mirrors at the opposite end of the hotel. The interior and architectural design is simply jaw-dropping.

R O O M S Wide hallways with warm lighting and gold furnishings lead to the hotel’s rooms, and the golden theme extended into the 51 sqm Club Deluxe Marina room in which I was staying. My room had

The interior and architectural design is simply jaw-dropping captivating views of Singapore’s Marina Bay and the cityscape. The bed, desk and sofa chair were all facing Singapore’s skyline in this studio-style room. At night, the buildings are lit up with blue and purple lights that seep into the room, whilst during the day the window lets in lots of natural light.

The king-size bed had several fluff y pillows and a glossy wooden headboard.

Matt gold buttons to adjust the lighting and the blinds can be pulled out from both side tables by the bed. There is also one power socket and a USB port on both tables. At the foot of the bed was a “living room” area with a couch adorned with deep-red pillows facing the TV, a round coffee table and a chair. The 55-inch TV can access Netflix and Youtube. On the cabinet below the TV are water and snacks. There’s also a Nespresso machine.

The large, marble-tiled bathroom was simply spectacular with its majestic views overlooking the city. There’s also a walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head. The microfibre bathrobes are soft and cosy, and there are Asprey bath amenities which have a fresh citrus fragrance.

F O O D A N D D R I N K There are three dining options. I ate at The Colony, a buffet-style restaurant that seats 272. The

L E I S U R E There is a 24-hour fitness centre featuring Cardio exercise equipment, free weights and total resistance exercise (TRX) suspension training equipment.

There’s also an outdoor swimming pool.

V E R D I C T Everything about the hotel is

glamorous. Art aficionados will love it as it is full of contemporary art pieces. The room could serve as a functional workspace for business travellers due to its high-speed wifi connection, neat desk and comfortable living room area. Seher Asaf

BEST FOR The Marina Bay location, and the architectural and interior design.

DON’T MISS Dining at The Colony, and the hotel’s art tour.

PRICE Internet rates for a Club Deluxe Marina room in mid-April start from S$580 (US$431) including tax and surcharges.

CONTACT ritzcarlton.com

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SMART TR AVELLER

Donating hotel points to charity

F

ollowing our February round-up of frequent flyer programmes that allow you to donate unwanted air miles to charity (see businesstraveller. com/tag/loyalty), here we look at what some of the main hotel loyalty schemes have to offer in this regard.

Accor

The Accor Live Limitless (ALL) programme lets you convert your points into a donation to either the Accor Solidarity, an endowment fund that helps local NGOs supporting people at risk of poverty, or Plant for the Planet, a initiative for planting trees globally and supporting small-scale farmers. all.accor.com 66

Best Western

The Best Western Rewards scheme allows guests to donate points to the hotel group’s partnered charity, Shelter. bestwestern.co.uk

Hilton

Hilton Honors has teamed up with Point Worthy to enable you to donate points to a good cause. To take part, you have to open an account on pointworthy.com, which links to your Honors account. Make a donation of at least 4,000 points to one of the charities, which include American Red Cross and Make A Wish Foundation, and Hilton will convert this into an equivalent cash sum – 4,000 points equates to US$10. hiltonhonors3.hilton.com

Hyatt

IHG’s Rewards Club allows you to redeem points within a 12-month period. On the drop-down “More Rewards” tab, choose “IHG Rewards Club Charities”, which in the UK includes five organisations: Care International UK, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Goodwill Industries International, the Prince’s Trust and Youth Career Initiative. You can donate 2,500, 5,000 or 10,000 points. ihg.com/rewardsclub

Marriott International

Marriott Bonvoy allows you to donate First Climate. There is a 3,000-point points as part of its Serve 360 CSR minimum for the first two charities, and a programme, which has four pillars, with 4,000-point minimum for the third. associated charities for each one. Nurture radissonhotels.com focuses on aiding communities, Sustain on reducing the brand’s Shangri-La environmental impact, Wyndham’s Rewards The Golden Circle Empower on ensuring programme allows you access to opportunities, and online shop lets to donate your points Welcome on advocating you donate to to Oxfam Hong Kong for human rights. There its 15 partnered and Med Art, a Hong are 25 charities, including Kong charity that cares American Red Cross, charities for people in psychiatric Unicef, International institutions, prisons Rescue Committee, and and hospices, and the Immigration Equality. You medical needs of orphaned can donate in increments of 2,500 points, children. You can also from a minimum of 2,500 (US$10) donate to the brand’s to 125,000 (US$500). corporate social responsibility giving.marriott.com projects. Donations start at NH Hotel Group 2,000 points and cap at 10,000, With NH Rewards you with 1,000 points equal to US$20. can contribute your reward shangri-la.com points to non-governmental Wyndham Hotels and Resorts organisations. Let NH Hotel Group know Wyndham’s Rewards online shop lets you how many points you wish to donate and it donate to its 15 partnered charities – these will transfer the equivalent amount in cash include Save the Children and Clean the on your behalf. nh-hotels.com/nhrewards World Foundation. Donations start at Radisson Hotels 500 points for all charities, apart from Radisson Rewards enables you to donate Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, points to SOS Children’s Villages, American which starts at 3,000.

Red Cross or carbon offset organisation wyndhamhotels.com

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The World of Hyatt programme does not have a points donation platform, but the group allows members to convert points into a cash donation to the American Red Cross and Mercy Corps during times of natural disasters in areas with a Hyatt presence – members last year donated points to the former during Hurricane Dorian which hit the Bahamas. world.hyatt.com

IHG