BTME June 2020

MIDDLE EAST

JUNE 2020

ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER

LONDON'S L ATE ST

WORLD IN OUR HANDS

PLUS

The three destinations enticing you back when travel resumes

Check out the UK capital's newest hotels and recent refurbs

Find out if carbon offsetting can really make a difference

Tried and Tested • Ask the pilot • Bespoke suits

Travel in a mid-pandemic world

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

CONTENTS

JUNE 2020

R E G UL A R S 06

T HE R EP OR T

UPFRONT

TRIED & TESTED HOTELS

Airline and hotel news worldwide 40

60 InterContinental London Park Lane

COLUMN

Bag the best room rate with resident hotelier Derek Picot 41

61 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok

OPINION

62 St Regis Hong Kong

Don’t look back in anger, says executive coach Richard Tams 47

63 Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

ASK THE PILOT

What gets the captain’s adrenalin pumping? Our pilot reveals all 48

ON TH E C OVER

64 Hyatt Regency Delhi 65 Conrad Bengalaru

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

The latest industry initiatives, from sustainable meeting venues to airline humanitarian drives

66 Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, French Riviera

18

THE NEW NORMAL

How the travel landscape has evolved in a world consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic Cover illustration: Nadzeya Dzivakova/Getty Images

50

3

F E AT UR E S 16

ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER

The destinations enticing you back when travel resumes 28

LONDON’S L ATEST

Check out the UK capital’s new hotels and recent refurbs

42

FROM THE OFF

How does carbon offsetting really work in travel?

50

SUITS YOU SIR

A tour of the top cities where you can get your business suits customised

48

28

42 JUNE 2020

WELCOME

I

n a world dominated by social media and online messaging, a new digital lexicon has become commonplace, characterised by abbreviations ranging from LOL (laugh out loud), FOMO (fear of missing out) and JOMO (joy of missing out) to LMK (let me know), YOLO (you only live once) and a personal favourite, ROFL (rolling on floor laughing), not that I’m doing much of that lately. So, it was only a matter of time before ‘coronaspeak’ emerged, with ‘covidiot’ commonly referring to someone flouting lockdown rules or refusing to follow social distancing measures and ‘iso’, the Australian-coined abbreviation for self-isolation.

When offices around the world shut their doors, the WFH (working from home) emails flooded in and ‘isodesk’ became the new name for the home workplace.

Most of us have swapped ‘best wishes’ and ‘kind regards’ to ‘keep well’ and ‘stay safe’ and will no doubt continue to use these informal and emotionally charged phrases for many months to come as we adapt to a new way of working and living.

What WFH has taught us, apart from the fact there are plenty of new abbreviations and terms we can use to describe our current circumstances, is that for most, it is possible to conduct our work remotely. Video meeting and conference apps enable us to chat to our colleagues and clients from the comfort of our own homes without the need to commute or travel around the world.

It’s led many companies to assess their operations and policies and consider what changes they might make in the future. We

could see smaller permanent offices and more flexible WFH arrangements, as well as significant business travel cutbacks.

Working from home has many benefits, from saving money and time spent commuting and travelling, as well as achieving a more effective work-life balance, to avoiding office politics and instead, enjoying peaceful and productive solitude. However, when the lines between work and home become too blurred, mental and physical health can suffer. A recent Harvard Business Review article suggested one long-term impact of WFH during the Covid-19 pandemic was employee burnout as weekdays and weekends blur into one, while wellbeing experts have highlighted the rise of loneliness and depression due to lack of human interaction during this unprecedented period in modern history.

To combat these issues, employers are being encouraged to conduct ‘check-in’ calls with staff while employees are advised to plan their weeks and days with clear segregation between personal and professional time. It might be easier said than done, but at least we know we are all in the same boat. We will all meet again for business or for fun when normality resumes, or rather when the ‘new normal’ is established, but for now, it’s a case of NOMO (necessity of missing out).

Gemma Greenwood, Editor

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

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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, Michelle Harbi, Mark Caswell, Jackie Chen, Riaan Jacob George, Akanksha Maher, Ravi Lalwani, Melanie Swan 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

THE NEW NORMAL Mid-pandemic travel experiences, from virtual tours to sanitised hotels (Page 18)

LONDON’S LATEST A peek inside the UK capital’s newest hotels and recent refurbs (Page 28)

SUITS YOU SIR Find out where to get your business suit customised in the world’s top cities (Page 50)

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© 2020 PANACEA MEDIA LTD AND MOTIVATE MEDIA GROUP

JUNE 2020

UPFRONT

PHOTO: REISEUHU ON UNSPLASH

Dubai mulls July tourism reboot DUBAI COULD WELCOME BACK international visitors

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as early as July or as late as September, according to the emirate’s tourism chief.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Helal Almarri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTM), said the destination and its partners were preparing for overseas travellers to return and would be ready for “any eventuality”, but acknowledged the tourism bounce back would be gradual and depend on multiple global factors.

“Tourism is on pause and I see that continuing for at least a couple of months, but after that, I see a staggered and tentative approach across the world,” he said. Essential travel would be the first to resume, followed by “postCOVID-19” leisure travel when consumer confidence returned.

“What we do know is that more people than ever are looking online to plan their next holiday and they are looking at Dubai,” said Almarri.

Travel trends already witnessed pre-COVID-19 would dominate, he continued. They included reduced group travel, replaced by more individual independent travellers, while late bookings would become the norm. Travellers will seek health and hygiene assurances first and foremost, Almarri added.

JUNE 2020

DUBAI ISSUES NEW HOTEL HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES

DUBAI HAS INTRODUCED stringent hotel health and safety guidelines as the emirate starts to ease lockdown restrictions for UAE residents.

Only guests with booking confirmation or those who have pre-paid online are permitted into hotel lobbies and they must complete mandatory health declarations and wear face masks at all times, the Dubai Government announced last month. Social distancing procedures are robust too, with one guest permitted every four square metres.

The new guidelines also make it compulsory for hotel entrances to implement contactless screening for all guests and employees, with security staff tasked with ensuring compliance. Online check-in and check-out procedures are encouraged and

FACE MASKS OVER S OCIAL DISTANCING: AVI AT I O N B O DY GLOBAL AVIATION BODY, the

International Air Transport Association (IATA), supports passengers wearing face masks on board aircraft as a “critical part” of biosecurity measures when commercial air travel resumes, but does not support mandating social distancing that would leave middle seats empty. “Evidence suggests the risk of transmission on board aircraft is low,” it said in a statement. “Maskwearing by passengers and crew will reduce the already low risk, while avoiding the dramatic cost increases to air travel that onboard social distancing measures would bring.”

there must be a minimum of 24 hours before a room is re-occupied by a new guest. This time period is extended to 72 hours if the room has been occupied by a suspected COVID-19 case or frontline workers such as nurses.

Hotel restaurants must not surpass 30 per cent occupancy and maintain a minimum distance of two metres between tables. The government also advises that hotels encourage in-room dining and take-away services. Private hotel beaches are now open to in-house guests, all of whom must undergo temperature checks and adhere to social distancing rules. However, at the time of press, hotel bars, waterparks, theme parks, pools, sauna and steam rooms, spas, nightclubs and prayer rooms were told to remain closed.

Flexible booking with TIME Hotels TIME HOTELS has launched two

new promotional packages to make it more convenient and wallet-friendly to stay at its UAE properties. Due to current uncertainties surrounding the lifting of travel bans, the local hotel company has rolled out a fully flexible booking option. It means guests can book now and pay for their stay when they check-in; cancel or modify their booking free of charge; and enjoy a 4pm check-out on their final day. TIME is also launching a package to give guests a third night free when booking a two-night stay, with complimentary breakfast and late check-out included. Both promotions include access to all hotel leisure facilities, complimentary WiFi and indoor parking and are valid until September 30, 2020, subject to availability.

UPFRONT

AIRLINE NEWS

UAE flights get slowly back on track

WIZZ AIR LAUNCH European low-cost carrier Wizz Air has revealed the five new routes it will launch from Abu Dhabi this year. The budget airline will connect the UAE capital with Budapest in Hungary and Bucharest in Romania from this month (June) and with Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Katowice (Poland) and Sofia (Bulgaria) from September.

THE UAE’S TWO MAIN CARRIERS, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways, are

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slowly and cautiously resuming air services to select international destinations.

Dubai-based Emirates started operating scheduled flight services to nine destinations on May 21: London Heathrow Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne. Travellers are only accepted on these flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries.

This includes an approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for UAE residents who wish to return to Dubai.

“We are working closely with the authorities to plan the resumption of operations to additional destinations,” said Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Airline.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad announced a schedule of “special flights” to select destinations from May 19 to June 15 and at time of press, CEO Tony Douglas told media the airline was targeting mid-July for a “meaningful” return to regular passenger flights if government approvals allowed.

“Etihad continues to follow UAE and international government, regulatory and health authority directives, and is playing its part in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19,” said an Etihad Airways statement.

Both airlines have announced stringent health and safety measures (see pages 18-27).

E T I H A D I N A I R P O R T H E A LT H T E C H F I R S T

Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon check in at Dubai International Airport and on all flights to Dubai. These kits include masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS IS the first airline globally to trial new health-check technology at airports. The UAE carrier has teamed up with Australian firm Elenium Automation to introduce self-service devices that help identify travellers with medical conditions, potentially including the early stages of COVID-19.

The technology monitors the temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate of any person using an airport touchpoint such as a check-in or information kiosk, a bag drop facility, a security point or immigration gate.

The Elenium system automatically suspends the self-service check-in or bag drop process if a passenger’s vital signs indicate potential symptoms of illness. It then diverts to a teleconference or alert qualified staff on site, who can make further assessments and manage travellers as appropriate. In partnership with Amazon Web Services, Elenium has also developed ‘hands free’ technologies that enable touchless use of self-service devices through voice recognition, further minimising the potential of any viral or bacterial transmission.

Etihad is currently trialling the monitoring technology at its Abu Dhabi hub.

JUNE 2020

EURO MASK PUSH Member airlines of Germany’s Lufthansa Group - Lufthansa, Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airline now insist that all passengers wear a face mask before, during and after their flight, applicable until at least August 31. Similarly, Dutch airline KLM has made masks mandatory when boarding and on board. Lufthansa will resume DubaiFrankfurt operations in early June, starting with a threetimes-weekly service.

RYANAIR RETURNS Europe’s Ryanair will return to 40 per cent of its planned flight schedule from July 1. All passengers must wear face masks on board.

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UPFRONT

DWTC GIVES EVENTS SECTOR A HELPING HAND

Hotel rooms for hire IF YOU ARE FED UP WITH WFH (working

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE AUTHORITY (DWTCA) has unveiled a

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series of impactful measures to aid the sustainability of key business sectors in its ecosystem, including Meetings, Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

The DWTCA COVID-19 Extraordinary Measures Programme provides critical remedial aid to tackle immediate challenges faced by clients and vendors and also applies to the authority’s retail tenants, free zone businesses, SMEs and start-ups.

MICE business measures include: ▶ For organisers: zero cancellation and/or rescheduling fees; no penalties for late payments; the ability to carry forward pre-paid fees and credit to 2021; and ▶ For exhibitors (DWTC-owned exhibitions): full refund on cancelled

events and where a new schedule is not feasible for participants.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which won the coveted ‘Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre’ title at the 2019 World Travel Awards, welcomed a record 3.43 million delegates in 2018, up four per cent year on year.

The trade hub and events venue hosted 54, 717 exhibiting companies from 162 countries and attracted 1.04 million business travellers from overseas to Dubai, representing 41 per cent of total participant volumes.

EXPO 2020 DUBAI POSTPONED TO 2021 EXPO 2020 DUBAI, the first World Expo to be staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee is now gearing up to stage the event from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, after a two-thirds majority of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Member States voted in favour of postponing it by one year. The delay will enable all participants to “safely navigate the impact of COVID-19’ and allow the World Expo to “focus on a collective desire for new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time”, according to a committee statement.

Due to be staged from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, and billed as ‘The world’s greatest show’, Expo 2020 Dubai was expected to attract around 25 million visitors from at least 180 nations and generate an economic impact of around US$24 billion. Despite the new dates, the event will still be called Expo 2020 Dubai.

JUNE 2020

from home) and fancy a change of scenery, why not hire a hotel room to use as your private office for the day?

Rove Hotels and Letswork, which operates a network of workspaces across the UAE, have expanded their co-working partnership to offer trendy guest rooms as day-time offices at two Dubai properties – Rove Dubai Marina and Rove Healthcare City. An office room day pass, which can be purchased through the Letswork app, costs just AED 79 (US$21) providing guests with access from 6am to 10pm. Guests must check-in via the app and present their ID at the hotel front desk for verification and their room key. Unlimited tea, water and coffee and in-room amenities including high-speed Wi-Fi and a comfy sofa are all part of the package. There’s also a meal ‘add on’ option priced AED 35 ($9.40) for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

UPFRONT

Donate to refugees with Etihad Guest

A SURPRISING PREFERENCE TO TRAVEL

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MEMBERS OF THE Preferred Hotels & Resorts loyalty programme, ‘I Prefer Hotel Rewards’, have indicated an overwhelming desire to travel as soon as restrictions are lifted or eased. Of the 4,000 ‘I Prefer’ members who took part in the group’s future travel survey in April, more than 50 per cent said they’d book a trip in 2020 when it is possible to do so.

Reuniting with loved ones was a priority, with 75 per cent of respondents planning to travel with family and friends having spent so much time apart.

More than 80 per cent said they would travel by air and 40 per cent wanted to visit another continent. Florida, Italy, the UK, France, Spain, Japan and Mexico were among the top 10 destinations members intended to visit.

More car rentals with dnata

DNATA HAS EXPANDED ITS car rental portfolio by adding Dollar Rent a Car and Thrifty Car Rental to its offering. The travel management company now sells the products and services of Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty to cater to the needs of corporate and individual customers in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

UAE ranked in COVID-19 treatment top 10 THE UAE IS among the top 10 countries in the world for coronavirus treatment, according to a global ranking. The survey, conducted by the Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium of technology companies and non-profit organisations, considered 200 data points for each country to compile the list, with the UAE in 10th place. The ‘COVID-19 Treatment Efficiency Ranking Framework’ assesses countries based on the sophistication and effectiveness of efforts to monitor the spread of the virus and to treat patients, as well as the capacity to develop, test, validate and deploy experimental vaccines and treatments.

JUNE 2020

ETIHAD GUEST, the loyalty programme of Abu Dhabi carrier, Etihad Airways, is encouraging members to donate their Etihad Guest Miles to support refugee relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. An initiative launched in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) globally and with Emirates Red Crescent in the Middle East, Etihad Guest aims to support basic infection control and adequate containment measures for refugees and other forcibly displaced people.

Etihad Aviation Group has called on the airline’s frequent flyers to demonstrate solidarity to support those in need and be “generous with their hard-earned miles”.

Donated miles will be used to purchase essential healthcare equipment including ventilators, gloves, masks and soap. Members who have donated will receive information detailing the monetary value of how their miles have helped those impacted or at risk by the pandemic.

NEW ALL VISA ON THE CARDS FOR ACCOR’S LOYAL MEMBERS MEMBERS OF ALL – Accor Live Limitless will soon have access to new payment experiences, thanks to a tie-up between the hotel group’s loyalty programme and Visa. Accor is collaborating with Visa partner financial institutions and banks in key markets, including the Middle East, to issue the new ALL Visa card. Members who apply for the card will be able to use it for everyday purchases where Visa is accepted. It will offer tailored rewards based on customer preferences and the ability to earn more loyalty points when staying at an Accor hotel.

DONATE WITH ALL ALL – Accor Live Limitless members can now donate their rewards points to several charity programmes, including an emergency COVID-19 fund. Accor has partnered with the Intitut Pasteur, which is conducting essential coronavirus research and has pledged to match all guest point donations.

emirateswoman.com

UPFRONT

HOMES FROM HOME IN KSA DAMAC ARJAAN

BY R OTANA

Thailand to launch health and safety certification THAILAND’S TOURISM AGENCY has taken

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swift action to restore visitor confidence by introducing an ‘Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration: SHA’ certification.

Working with the public and private sectors, the programme is part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT’s) efforts mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and accelerate recovery in the travel and tourism sector.

TAT is already working on SHA criteria, preparing the application and selection process and planning marketing and publicity for SHAcertified tourism establishments and services.

Thailand welcomes more than 39 million visitors annually, including 500,000-plus tourists from the Middle East and North Africa.

The SHA certification aims to reassure all visitors that Thailand is taking every necessary precaution to protect them, with certified tourism establishments and services following strict COVID-19 control guidelines set out by the country’s Ministry of Health’s Department of Disease Control.

ROTANA HAS OPENED a luxury aparthotel property in the heart DAMAC Arjaan by Rotana, Riyadh of Riyadh. Described as an elegant home-away-from-home, DAMAC Arjaan

by Rotana features 448 top-notch fully furnished rooms, suites and penthouses, plus state-of-the-art meetings and leisure facilities including a wellness and fitness centre, separate temperature-controlled swimming pools for men and women and a wellequipped gymnasium. Rotana’s first Arjaan property in Riyadh is located on King Fahd Road, opposite Kingdom Tower in the city’s Al-Olaya district and housed in a striking twin-tower building that’s set to become another capital landmark.

A S C OT T R A FA L O L AYA R I YA D H

IDEAL FOR LONG STAYS, family leisure trips or staycations, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh presents luxuriously furnished studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom hotel apartments, complemented with comprehensive facilities including the city’s first outdoor swimming pool dedicated to women on the 27th floor, a health and leisure centre and a conference room. The property is strategically located in the King Abdullah Financial District and just a 20-minute drive from King Khalid International Airport.

ASCOTT CORNICHE AL KHOBAR

THE ASCOTT LIMITED has also opened the doors to a new property in Al Khobar,

offering short- and long-stay visitors elegant studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom hotel apartments with breathtaking views of the corniche. Described as an “exquisite” lifestyle destination for business and leisure travellers, the waterfront property is located on Prince Turki Street, close to restaurants, malls, Al Khobar’s main business district and a 10-minute drive from the Al Khobar-Bahrain causeway. Early bookers can take advantage of a 25 per cent discount throughout the year at the-ascott.com/offers.

SECOND MO FOR ISTANBUL IF YOU ARE A FAN of Mandarin Oriental and travel frequently to

Turkey, you’ll be delighted to hear the luxury brand will open a second property in Istanbul in 2022. The new development, featuring a hotel and branded residences across three standalone towers, will be located in the exclusive Etiler residential area, close to the city’s central business district.

One of the towers will house Mandarin Oriental Etiler, Istanbul, with 158 guestrooms and suites and 16 serviced apartments. The remaining two towers will house 251 luxurious Residences at Mandarin Oriental, pitched as some of the most exclusive homes in the city and offering extensive private gardens and impressive city views. Facilities will include three restaurants and bars; a selection of adaptable meeting spaces with outdoor areas and terraces, ideal for hosting business and leisure events; a spa and fitness centre; and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

JUNE 2020

THE HOME OF STORYTELLING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

“THERE IS MORE TREASURE IN BOOKS THAN IN ALL THE PIRATES’ LOOT ON TREASURE ISLAND.” WALT DISNEY

D E S T I N AT I O N S

THE 16

ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER Three destinations keeping your wanderlust alive until international travel resumes

1GREAT BRITAIN

2PHILADELPHIA

Get your Brit pop culture fix

Whet your appetite

Visit Britain is encouraging you to enjoy every moment in quarantine by immersing yourself in arguably its greatest export; culture. Its social media feeds are packed with callto-action posts, which range from crowdsourcing tracks for a Spotify playlist of iconic British music to inviting you to explore the filming locations featured in Netflix hit The Crown, as well as the Harry Potter movies. Look out for the Love Great Britain campaign on socials (@ lovegreatbritain #lovegreatbritain) to enjoy the best of the country’s film, TV, literature, food and drink, music, heritage and gardens. From literary locations and British recipes to virtual museum tours and musical city itineraries, you’ll be inspired to plan your next visit.

JUNE 2020

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau is pulling out all the stops to get you to visit the city when travel resumes. Its ‘Philadelphia from Home’ webpage features a comprehensive range of interactive DIY experiences you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home, proving why it was the only US city featured on National Geographic’s 2020 ‘Best Trips’ list. You can take virtual tours of museums showcasing the city’s art, history and more, take a peek at the Facebook Live stream from Philadelphia Zoo, listen to Philadelphia’s iconic music artists on Spotify or try out a recipe for the famous Philly Cheesesteak to get a real taste of the destination, which was showcased in the April edition of Business Traveller Middle East.

3THAILAND Suss out sustainable tourism trips and tips

ABOVE: Rayong Province in Thaliand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is tempting would-be travellers with five unique sustainable tourism experiences online.

You can join a 3D virtual tour of “10 charming destinations” in nine provinces, taking in fascinating natural and historical sites, from Wat Si Chum temple in Sukothai in the north to the mangrove forests of Chanthaburi in the east; discover eco-tourism hotel Soneva Kiri on Amazon Prime; support sustainable coffee production with Akha Ama Coffee, the sustainable coffee producer that provides jobs to the local community in the remote village of Maejantai in Northern Thailand; learn about the country’s native birds; or plan to explore the new nature trail under development in Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park in Rayong Province.

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

At the forefront of global living in Jeddah FOUR EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES, ONE RENOWNED BRAND

S

tanding proud on the shores of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s commercial capital, Jeddah, is one of the Gulf’s most modern and progressive cities. A hub for business, innovation and tourism, it attracts expatriates and visitors from all over the world.

Jeddah’s growing popularity has driven the fast-paced development of its hospitality industry, with leading global apartment brand, The Ascott Limited, at the forefront of this expansion, popular for its high-quality residential-style accommodation that appeals to business and leisure travellers alike and catering to long and short stays.

Ascott’s portfolio of prestigious addresses include Ascott Sari Jeddah, a boutique Parisian styled property located in the prominent Sari neighbourhood and featuring luxurious living spaces across studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The furnished residences offer guests a balanced lifestyle with comprehensive amenities that include a conference room, swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s playroom, prayer rooms and restaurants.

Another exclusive property in Ascott’s collection, Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, is nestled in a vibrant district where cafés and fashion boutiques line the streets and prime business centres are minutes

17 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Ascott Sari 's swimming pool; the Parisian styled Ascott Sari property; stylish bedrooms at Ascott Tahlia

away. Perfect for guests seeking an elevated experience, the property offers studios, apartments with one, two and three bedrooms, as well as sought-after penthouses, all with stylish living spaces.

The property also features a range of attractive lifestyle facilities including a conference room, swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s playroom, prayer rooms, restaurants, a guest lounge and a shisha lounge.

For guests who enjoy an on-the-go lifestyle, Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah

is ideally located at the heart of the action on busy Salamah Street and offers well-designed living spaces across studios and apartments with one, two and three bedrooms. With a swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurant and outdoor games area for kids, it is the perfect pick for solo travellers and families.

The brand’s fourth property in the city, Spectrums Residence Jeddah in Salamah, is designed exclusively for larger families, offering two-bedroom apartments and comprehensive amenities including a gymnasium, children’s playroom, business centre, resident lounge, meeting rooms and more.

The Ascott Limited is a member of CapitaLand. It is one of the leading international lodging owner-operators with more than 700 properties in over 180 cities spanning more than 30 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA. Its portfolio of serviced residence and hotel brands includes Ascott The Residence, The Crest Collection, Somerset, Quest, Citadines, lyf, Préférence, Vertu, Harris, Citadines Connect, Fox, Yello and POP!

JUNE 2020

THE 18

NEW NORMAL WORDS: GEMMA GREENWOOD JUNE 2020

T R AV E L U P D AT E

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HOW TRAVEL IS EVOLVING IN A MID-PANDEMIC WORLD JUNE 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic will arguably change the way we travel for good.

For now, most will only travel out of need, rather than choice or desire, and only if the means are available to do so. Health and wellbeing are the overriding priority as we all adapt to a new way of living and working.

With most countries around the world still in semi-lockdown at best, the travel industry has been forced to adapt rapidly.

In the Gulf, destinations have been quick to engage with wouldbe travellers, launching compelling marketing and social media campaigns, as well as virtual tours and digital tools to ensure they remain ‘front of mind’ and in touch with their audiences.

At the same time, the region’s airlines and airports have led the way in introducing pioneering health screening measures and hotel groups have rolled out stringent cleaning and social distancing programmes to ensure guests feel safe in their care.

Here, Business Traveller Middle East highlights some of the Gulf region’s most compelling midpandemic traveller engagement campaigns, as well as the stringent safety and safety measures travellers can expect from airlines, airports, hotels and destinations going forward.

JUNE 2020

THE CAMPAIGNS

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T

Dream of Dubai

Although business and leisure travel plans have taken a backseat, millions of people are dreaming of embarking on unique and authentic travel experiences when the world gets back to normal. Dubai Tourism’s global ‘Till We Meet Again’ video campaign, launched in April, taps into this, with stunning footage of Dubai’s deserts, beaches and skyline reminding

visitors what is waiting for them when travel resumes. The tourism agency is also inviting the world to take immersive virtual city tours on its Dubai 360 platform. Armchair travellers can take in rooftop views, access destination landmarks and take a look inside cultural hotspots such as Etihad Museum, Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort.

Wear a ‘cool’ mask with Anantara

There’s many ways to wear a mask and not necessarily a surgical one. That’s why Anantara has gone down the pampering route and asked experts from its hotel spas to recommend some skin, hair and body boosters that guests can try at home. Using the hashtag #AnantaraEscapism, its online self-care tips range from soothing cucumber and yoghurt face masks to vanilla bath bombs.

T R AV E L U P D AT E

Mix-up it up with Rotana

From yoga and fitness sessions with in-house instructors to mocktail and cooking masterclasses with hotel bartenders and chefs, all livestreamed online, UAE-headquartered hospitality group Rotana has been going all out to keep in touch with its guests around the world as part of its #homewithrotana campaign.

#FindRAKLater

#StayCurious about Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is encouraging would-be visitors to #StayCurious, having launched a virtual exploration platform featuring original education and entertainment content to give them a taste of the emirate’s “magic and hospitality”. The interactive 360-degree experience has five themes: Stay Adventurous – tours, views and history and heritage insights; Stay Indulgent – cooking workshops and masterclasses with the emirate’s top chefs; Stay Enlightened – free virtual courses and education content from leading institutions; Stay Creative – an exploration of Abu Dhabi’s cultural offerings; and Stay Entertained – a hub that links to virtual events and activations.

Ras Al Khaimah is taking the world on a virtual tour of its diverse tourist attractions, from rugged landscapes and adventure activities to its unspoiled beaches under its #FindRAKLater campaign, launched across all social media platforms. The stunning images and footage encourage visitors to plan bucket-list experiences in the emirate for when travel resumes.

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Rub virtual shoulders with Accor’s A-lister line-up

Members of Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme, ALL – Accor Live Limitless, are being treated to interviews and talks with celebrities of sport, food, entertainment and more.

The line-up includes boxer Amir Khan, actors Tom Felton, Alexander Ludwig and Nargis Fakhri and fashion designers Adama Paris (Senegal) and Benjamin Aydin (Turkey). Live beats from the UAE’s DJ Bliss (pictured) and DJ Sadcat, Turkey’s DJ Aksak and DJ Jabbar and Morocco’s DJ Nawfel, have been getting the party started for ALL guests throughout May, with more to come.

Celebrate the ‘joy of travel’ with One&Only

Luxury hotel group One&Only has collated a list of songs to dance to, films to watch, dishes to rustle up and books that are must-reads to celebrate the ‘joy of travel’. Based on insights from One&Only colleagues and friends, the recommendations are designed to inspire wanderlust until the world is open to explore once again. For example, Mauro Colagreco, Chef Patron of Celebrities by Mauro Colagreco and Beach Bar & Grill by Mauro Colagreco at Dubai’s One&Only Royal Mirage recommends sausage and butter ravioli, saying “good fresh pasta always transports me to great memories of my trips to Italy”.

JUNE 2020

THE PROTOCOLS

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AIRLINES

Emirates

On the ground: all customers and employees are temperature checked with thermal scanners and protective barriers have been installed at check-in counters. Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees and cabin crew, boarding agents and ground staff who interact directly with travellers wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a protective disposable gown and safety visor.

In-flight: a modified in-flight service that focuses on reducing contact and infection risk: no magazines and print reading material available; and cabin baggage must be checked-in – only essential items such as a laptops, handbags, briefcases and baby items permitted on board.

Cleaning: aircraft cabins are fitted with advanced HEPA air filters, which remove 99.97 per cent of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air. After each journey aircraft undergo enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes.

Etihad

Chauffeur and coach services: more spacing on coaches, protective screening in cars and all vehicles are deep-cleaned and sanitised in between trips.

On board: face masks must be worn by passengers and there are new spaced-out seating arrangements.

Food and beverage: streamlined

COVID-19 TESTING FIRST

Emirates has become the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers.

Quick blood tests are conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the check-in area and the results are available within 10 minutes.

food and drink service in line with COVID-19 guidelines.

Crew: wear PPE throughout the entire flight.

Cabins: are equipped with HEPA air filters that capture 99 per cent of airborne microbes.

Aircraft: are deep-cleaned and sanitised on arrival.

T R AV E L U P D AT E

LOW RISK OF VIRUS TRANSMISSION ON FLIGHTS: IATA

Global airline body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), claims the virus transmission rate on board aircraft is low, even without special measures.

It cites specific evidence, with contact tracing it conducted on several flights with symptomatic Covid-19 passengers revealing no onboard transmission. Studies conducted by IATA member airlines found similar results.

“There are several plausible reasons why COVID-19, which is spread primarily by respiratory droplets, has not resulted in more on-board transmission, and is different from other modes of public transport,” says IATA. They are: • Passengers face forward with limited face-to-face interactions; • Seats provide a barrier to transmission in the cabin; • Air flow from ceiling to floor further reduces the potential for transmission and high air flow rates are not conducive to droplet spread in the same way as in other indoor environments; • High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters on modern aircraft clean cabin air to operating theatre quality, further assisted by high levels of fresh air circulation.

AIRPORTS Dubai International Airport

Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees and thermal scanners are being used to monitor the temperatures of both as they enter the airport. Physical distancing indicators have been placed on the ground and at waiting areas to help travellers maintain distance during check-in and boarding.

The airport team has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter.

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Abu Dhabi International

Temperature screening is in operation at Abu Dhabi International and passengers are asked to wait 1.5 metres apart from other guests at all queuing points. All check-in counters and touchpoints are regularly sanitised and the check-in team monitors guests for any visible signs of infection.

Airport operator, Abu Dhabi Airports, is currently trialling new robotic technology designed to

eliminate viruses such as COVID-19 in the staff and cargo areas and onboard aircraft.

The BOT, which is designed and manufactured by UAE-based Marakeb Technologies, has three functions – to target virus strains on surfaces with controlled bursts of germicidal UV rays; to screen individuals through thermal infrared monitoring; and to disinfect areas using liquid cleaning agents.

JUNE 2020

T R AV E L U P D AT E

DESTINATIONS

Dubai

Ras Al Khaimah 24

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) is rolling out a four-phase recovery plan to re-boot the emirate’s tourism industry, with phase one already in motion. With most hotels now open and some Jebel Jais activities such as hiking and cycling available, all with strict safety measures in place, RAK is targeting the local market first.

At time of press, the destination was set to launch a ‘shortcation’ campaign, with guests booking three nights at a Ras Al Khaimah hotel offered two complimentary passes to attractions such as the Jais Adventure Peak and the Suwaidi Peal Farm.

In preparation for the return of local and overseas tourists and to build their confidence and trust, RAKTDA is working with Ras Al Khaimah’s Public Service Department (PSD) to launch the RAK ‘Stay Safe’ Hotel Certification.

Hotels in the emirate are already following cleaning and sanitisation practices outlined by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention as part of this certification programme. It will also include mandatory COVID-19 tests for staff at hotels and tourism attractions across the emirate, funded by RAKTDA. Phase two of the four-step road to recovery will target the GCC and Middle East, with further phases opening up RAK to Asia and Europe.

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Already considered one of the safest destinations to visit globally, ranked 28th on The Safe Cities Index 2019 by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Dubai has been at the forefront of the global fight to combat COVID-19, implementing unprecedented measures to contain the spread of the virus, from an emiratewide sterilisation programme to a robust testing system. The UAE has also been named as one of the top 10 countries globally for coronavirus medical treatment, according The ‘COVID-19 Treatment Efficiency Ranking Framework’.

Last month, the emirate took tentative steps to ease lockdown restrictions and set out robust protocols and guidelines to hotels, leisure facilities and retailers as they started to re-open their doors (see page 6 for more information).

“Hotels in the city are open and continuing to operate rigorous sterilisation and disinfection procedures,” confirms Dubai Tourism. “Leisure attractions and shopping malls have been opened using a gradual phasing model and are operating under a series of special health and safety guidelines and procedures to ensure seamless but safe experiences for all guests.” As Dubai carrier Emirates resumed flights to nine destinations on May 21 (see page 8), overseas visitors to the destination started to trickle in.

Dubai Tourism acknowledges that visitor priorities have “shifted dramatically” since the pandemic and says it is working with industry partners to redefine the destination offering to meet “the evolving demands of the future global traveller”.

Stringent procedures are being implemented to ensure the city offers “safe travel experiences” and the Dubai Government continues to work under World Health Organisation guidance to maintain “rigorously high standards of public hygiene and safety, so the wellbeing of all residents and visitors remains uncompromised”.

Saudi Arabia Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a ‘safe and clean’ certification programme, which it claims is the “first of its kind in the region” and seeks to “uplift and standardise the cleanliness and hygiene levels across all businesses and organisations in the tourism sector” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all residents and visitors, the certification ensures the compliance of standardised hygiene levels across hotels, malls, attractions and other tourism-related businesses.

“Through this tourism board-led programme, we hope to boost the confidence of consumers when considering Abu Dhabi as a tourism destination,” says HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.

The certification programme will be rolled out in phases, with phase one dedicated to hotels and other businesses to follow. It comes hot off the heels of the National Disinfection Programme, launched in late March as part of the preventative and precautionary measures taken by the UAE to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Saudi Arabia says it’s taking proactive measures to ensure the destination is ready to receive visitors when the travel market reopens.

During lockdown, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has been supporting the tourism sector by renting more than 11,000 hotel rooms to use as quarantine accommodation for repatriated Saudis who were stranded overseas. With hotels in operation and implementing stringent new procedures, they will be guest-ready when tourism business returns.

The ministry says it’s taking a “whole-of-government” approach, collaborating with the private and public sectors, as well as the international community, to protect the health and safety of visitors.

Partnerships with Ministries of Health, Sports, Commerce and Municipalities to develop the necessary regulations and infrastructure to support the industry have been established and as part of Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, the country is working with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and other international bodies to formulate a co-ordinated response to the pandemic and prepare for a safe reopening of the travel market.

With domestic tourism the first to bounce back in Saudi Arabia, new itineraries and products are being created with hotels and tourism companies to capture the imagination of the local market. These will be expanded to appeal to international travellers when the time is right.

“When people are ready to travel, we will be ready to welcome them to Saudi Arabia,” says the Ministry of Tourism.

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T R AV E L U P D AT E

HOTELS 20-step protocols at Radisson Hotel Group properties

Radisson Hotel Group has partnered with inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS to roll out the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol – a new programme of indepth cleanliness and disinfection. SGS will audit and test hotels to receive an official cleanliness and disinfection label. Building on this, Radisson is set to announce a ’20 Steps’ brand commitment and an additional 10-Step protocol for meetings and events. The steps range from robust cleaning and disinfection procedures and door hangers on each room to inform guests of these enhanced measures to contactless check-in, check-out and payments.

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‘ALL Safe’ with Accor

Under Accor’s ‘ALL Safe Officer’ programme, every hotel will appoint a health and safety representative who will not only ensure enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols are implemented to the highest standards, but be available to handle guests questions and concerns. These specially trained officers are the face of Accor’s new ALL Safe Accor Programme – a set of rigorous measures designed to protect and reassure guests that are being implemented at its 300 properties across the Middle East and Africa. Programme highlights include tailormade operating protocols, cleaning products technology and team members training developed in partnership with hygiene solutions specialist Bureau Veritas. The initiative is bolstered by Accor’s strategic partnership with global insurance giant AXA, providing guests with free medical support that includes consultations with medical professionals by phone or in the location where they are staying.

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Four Seasons leads with care

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has partnered with the Johns Hopkins Medicine International to validate its global health and safety programme, Lead with Care, and to provide ongoing real-time guidance on the evolving COVID-10 situation. A dedicated COVID-19 Advisory Board has been established bringing together Four Seasons leadership and top experts from Johns Hopkins Medicine International to make informed health and safety decisions based on the latest scientific knowledge. A joint Response Team will also be established, with senior experts in infectious diseases from Johns Hopkins providing on-demand response and guidance to hotels facing COVID-19 situations. Four Seasons is also investing in its awardwinning App and Chat that further allows guests to control how they engage with others – limiting face-toface interactions while maintaining the highest levels of personal service.

A CleanStay with Hilton

Clean air at Anantara

Anantara has implemented a ‘Stay with Peace of Mind’ programme, working with cleaning and hygiene solutions specialists, including Ecolab and Diversey, to ramp up sanitisation procedures.

In addition, every Anantara property has appointed a dedicated ‘Guest Guardian’, responsible for internal audits based on a series of rigid guidelines set out by the brand, local governments and the World Health Organisation.

The group is also setting the standard for clean air spaces in the hospitality sector, working with Siam Ocean Technology to introduce the latest in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system technology with increased efficiency and high performance air filtration.

It leverages the latest artificial intelligence and cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technology for the most optimised environmental controls.

Hilton is promising guests a ‘CleanStay’ after collaborating with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol and consulting with the Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team to develop elevated cleaning, disinfection and hygiene processes.

Highlights include the Hilton CleanStay Room Seal, with a seal placed on all room doors to reassure guests that their room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned. Hilton is also one step ahead in the room key stakes, with its awardwinning Digital Key technology enabling guests to check-in, choose their room and access their room with a digital room key. They can also check-out using their mobile devices through the Hilton Honors mobile app at participating hotels.

Marriott establishes dedicated cleanliness council

Marriott has gone all out to tackle the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a council of worldleading scientists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, hospitality professionals, food science and public health experts and water, hygiene and infection prevention solution providers.

The Marriott Global Cleanliness Council is dedicated to developing the “next level of global hospitality cleanliness standards” at the group’s hotels worldwide, with new measures already implemented including the use of electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitise surfaces.

Ultraviolet light technology is also being tested to sanitise keys and other devices shared by guests and staff.

JUNE 2020

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JUNE 2020

HOTELS

London’s latest The Business Traveller team checks out the UK capital’s newest openings and revamps

THE BILTMORE MAYFAIR

BELOW: King Grand Premier with View room; the Betterment

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VERDICT The refurbishment

has upgraded the hotel to a new standard, and the food and beverage help it to stand out from some strong competition, as does the service. Highly recommended. Tom Otley

NIALL CLUTTON

The Biltmore opened after an 18-month closure and £60 million refurbishment that transformed the former Millennium Grosvenor Square into only the second of Hilton’s new luxury hotel brand, LXR. It joins the Habtoor Palace Dubai (the former St Regis), with a third property also now open in Anguilla.

The hotel has two entrances, one on Grosvenor Square and the other around the back on Adam’s Row, where valet parking is available and from where the event facilities can be accessed directly. The property is in a rough T-shape, with the top of the T facing on to the square. It looks very luxurious, with a liveried doorman waiting to welcome you in. From the main reception you can see the entrance to the Pine Bar, plus the Tea Lounge and the Betterment restaurant and bar.

The 307 rooms (including 57 suites) are set over seven floors and are in three main colour schemes – blue, green and rust red. All feature pale block flooring and a décor of neutral opulence, with natural, hessian-style wallpaper, painted wood panelling and Chinese-style etched mirrors.

There are 17 categories at present (I was told these may be reduced to make booking simpler), which range from the 22 sqm Double Deluxe room to the 160 sqm Presidential suite. Some suites on the eighth floor are duplex.

The large sash windows of our 43 sqm King Grand Premier with View room overlooked Grosvenor Square. It had a wooden-framed super-king bed, a sitting area with a brown velvet, art deco-style sofa, and a desk with power and USB points.

A curved cabinet housed a minibar, Nespresso machine and kettle. The marble bathroom had a tub, a power shower, a Japanese-style toilet and Penhaligon’s amenities.

The Betterment is by Jason Atherton, who is in charge of all of the hotel’s food and beverage, including banqueting and room service. The restaurant is excellent – quite a stark space in terms of design, but the food is top notch. The Pine Bar offers more than 100 whiskies, and the Tea Lounge is a relaxing spot that we used after our meal.

The Biltmore has one of the best hotel gyms I’ve seen in central London – large and with great technology, such as an exercise room with a TV wall where exercise classes are beamed through for you to join in. The meeting facilities are extensive and include a 500 sqm ballroom that seats 320 people for dinner.

JUNE 2020

HOTELS

THE STANDARD LONDON

DAVID CLEVELAND; TIM CHARLES

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Hip US brand The Standard opened its first overseas outpost in King’s Cross last July. It has hotels in New York, Los Angeles and Miami, and has since launched in the Maldives.

The hotel is housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annexe – a 1974 Brutalist office block opposite the St Pancras Renaissance hotel on Euston Road, although the entrance is on Argyle Street. It is steps from King’s Cross St Pancras and St Pancras International stations. The retro curves of its concrete façade are a striking sight. Three floors have been built on while a scarlet pill-shaped external lift to Decimo restaurant on the top (tenth) level has been added.

The bold, colourful interiors pay homage to the seventies period. At the heart of the ground-floor public area is the Library Lounge, a good-looking, low-lit space with slouchy leather sofas and tables that attract laptop-wielding types by day and cocktail drinkers by night. This is the site of the former Camden Council Library, and the in-house librarian has clearly had fun sourcing books for the shelves, which are compiled under categories such as “Order” and “Chaos”, “Hope” and “Darkness”, and “Adult relationships”.

You’ll find Sounds Studio here, too, a recording booth that hosts weekly live music, DJ sets and talks.

The 266 rooms and suites are in 11 categories, starting with 13 sqm Singles, 19-26 sqm Cosy Cores (windowless but well designed) and 16-19 sqm Queen’s Standards. The top categories are on the eighth and ninth floors and include King’s Terrace (28-37 sqm, with outdoor baths) and the 68 sqm Suite Terraces, which have a further 62-64 sqm of outdoor space with superb views. These floors feature light wood accents, while most other categories have red, blue and purple colour schemes and bed throws by Wallace Sewell, designer of the Tube seat fabric.

All have brown robes, Italian bedlinen, well-stocked minibars, Bang JUNE 2020

and Olufsen speakers, and desks or tables to work at. Guests in higher categories can avail of Stutterheim raincoats and turndown service.

The bed in my fifth-floor King’s Superior (33-37 sqm) was placed in the centre of the room, looking out at the neo-gothic St Pancras Renaissance, with bay window seating for enjoying the view. The open-plan bathroom had a walk-in shower and freestanding tub. Curves featured heavily in the design, reflecting the façade, and the soundproofing was excellent.

Food and drink is a big focus.

All-day restaurant Isla and Double Standard bar are both led by executive chef Adam Rawson. The former

serves an à la carte breakfast and seasonal British coastal cuisine, and has an outdoor terrace (with an original Banksy). The latter is a lively spot serving a wide range of beverages, pub fare and “NYC dive bar food”.

Decimo, led by Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, cooks up live-fire Spanish and Mexican dishes in a large, glamorous space on the tenth floor with fabulous 360-degree views, partially obscured by swishing macramé curtains. We had a great meal here, trying sweet, smoky marinated red peppers presented tartare-style (£5), punchy crab and jalapeno aguachile (£22) and beautifully cooked monkfish (£18).

The atmosphere was warm and social, and the service, as throughout the property, was friendly and helpful.

The gym has Technogym kit and Peloton bikes (a spare bike can be put in eighth- and ninth-floor rooms).

FROM TOP: Decimo; Queen of Queens room; Library Lounge

VERDICT Fantastic to look at

and fun to stay in, this is an excellent addition to the London hotel scene, and a good stopover for business travellers catching the Eurostar. Michelle Harbi

All rooms have Smeg kettles, Nespresso machines, Roberts radio alarm clocks, very comfortable beds and good work tables. Bathrooms are very high end with Hermes toiletries.

Previously called Balcon, the restaurant is now Wild Honey St James, an evolution of Anthony Demetre’s now-closed Wild Honey in Mayfair. It’s very good – the food is tasty, in good-sized portions and with an imaginative mix of ingredients and influences. My English seabass, wild mushrooms, white beans, cobnuts and thyme and lemon (£35) was delicious.

The bar is an attractive place with a wide choice of beverages. The Rose Lounge is very pink, and presumably an exercise in kitsch, with a harpist playing while people had afternoon tea and drinks.

The meeting space can be accessed by a separate door next to the hotel, as can the two-floor spa (there is no pool). The small gym looks a little like an afterthought but is stylishly lit.

SOFITEL LONDON ST JAMES Located on the corner of Pall Mall and Waterloo Place, the Sofitel has been open since 2002, when the Grade II-listed building was converted from a bank. It is now moving towards a refurbishment of all of its rooms (suites are yet to come)

by Pierre-Yves Rochon, who originally designed them. The public areas are grand yet understated, and the staff extremely friendly and professional.

The room count is now 183 (it was originally 166), with entry-level Classics being 23 sqm. There are six floors, and the soundproofing is remarkable. Rochon has gone for “a bold British design scheme that recalls the creative, dynamic feel of the 1960s and 1970s” with “striking colours, modern pop art pieces and whimsical accents and accessories”.

There are three colour schemes, green, red or blue. Distinctive chairs are mixed with art deco pieces, which is quite ambitious, while the bathrooms, corridors and public areas are traditional. I think the hotel should get full marks for not treading the same path as other luxury hotels, but I’m not sure all of these different influences gel.

VERDICT A sumptuous FROM TOP: Wild Honey St James; Luxury Premium room; Sofitel entrance

renovation, but it is the service and the bar and restaurant that really makes the hotel stand out from the crowd. Tom Otley

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TREEHOUSE LONDON

SIMON BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Open since November, this property is operated by SH Hotels and Resorts, which also has the 1 Hotels and Baccarat Hotels brands. Treehouse London is the first of its kind, and “has been designed to appeal to the child in all of us… playful, curious, rustic and nostalgic, inspired by simple joys”. It’s on Langham Place, across the street from the BBC and just north of Oxford Circus.

For me, checking in here was a blast from the past, since this was the hotel I stayed in for my first visit to London in the early 1980s. I can’t remember what brand it was back then, but most recently it has been the Saint George’s hotel. On the ground floor you walk through Backyard, a coffee shop, then take the lift to the 15th floor for reception and for Madera, the hotel’s bar and restaurant.

The hotel is very eco-friendly, down to the recycled wood used in the furnishings and room keys. It has a composting and recycling programme and is reducing single-use plastics. On each corridor is an old-style copper tap where filtered water is available – each room has a glass bottle to fill up.

The ceilings look like rough concrete but, in fact, these are a rendering, as are the plaster walls.

There’s an emphasis on whimsy and

FROM TOP: Studio suite, rooftop bar and lobby at Treehouse London

FROM TOP: Lobby, studio suite and rooftop bar at Treehouse London JUNE 2020

nostalgia in the design – on hooks by the lifts were a bright yellow hat and mackintosh, as if Paddington Bear had just left them there.

The 95 rooms, which include 12 suites, are on floors nine to 14 and range from 23 sqm Lookout Kings to 40 sqm suites. They have long, thin desks of recycled wood (or made to look that way), and many have window cushions for enjoying the view, which from the front, overlooking All Souls Place, is stunning. Each room has a coffee machine, organic cotton bedlinen and refillable own-brand toiletries.

Other touches include yellow cuckoo clocks, “lucky” giant eight

HOTELS

balls, piggy banks and, in some rooms, record players. The shower was large and powerful. The myriad lights allow you to enjoy the view in the evening but it was a bit of an effort when going to bed, since I couldn’t find the master switch.

Fine-dining Mexican restaurant Madera uses organic ingredients and has a “farm-to-glass” mixology programme. The food is delicious, with a huge choice and an excellent vegetarian and vegan menu. The service was very assured. Even breakfast has a Mexican theme, although English items are also available. There are a couple of meeting rooms, while on the 16th

floor is a rooftop bar and terrace called the Nest, with 360-degree views of central London plus a tandem swing set, blankets and a DJ booth disguised as a treehouse fort.

There is no gym, although the hotel has arranged rates at nearby club Frame Fitzrovia.

VERDICT A real find – quirky yet well run, with the right focus on environmental issues and design without it getting in the way of being a great place to stay in an unbeatable West End location.

Tom Otley

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BEN CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY

THE PRINCE AKATOKI LONDON

RIGHT: The Prince Akatoki London’s Sanctuary public space

These seven adjoining Georgian townhouses on Great Cumberland Place near Marble Arch originally opened as the Arch London hotel in 2010. It reopened as the Prince Akatoki London in September last year after being taken over by Japan’s Prince Hotels and Resorts and converted to the group’s new luxury brand following a complete refurbishment. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

While the layout of the Arch has been largely retained, the property has been transformed and the Japanese JUNE 2020

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influence is instantly noticeable.

Bursting into the lobby on a cold December night, I was met by a flickering gas fire, a subtle eucalyptus scent and a smiling member of staff, who quickly handed me a glass of hot sparkling sake. I thought the blondewood reception desks, wooden lamps and screens, warm lighting and grey vases with simple branch decorations looked lovely.

There are 82 rooms, from 21 sqm Superiors to 58 sqm suites, all featuring yoga mats, desks, Nespresso machines, Japanese teapots with fresh chamomile, Bluetooth speakers/alarms, and traditional yukata robes that are laid out at turndown. Higher floors have a nice view of the surrounding rooftops.

I said “wow” out loud when I walked into my 44 sqm Studio suite – partly because I hadn’t realised how far the townhouses extended, but also because I loved the minimalist design. Everything was there that you would normally find in a hotel room, and yet it felt different in subtle ways – the clean lines of the furniture, all of which was slightly raised up from the floor and some of which looked as Scandinavian as it did Japanese; the floating side tables with a pink box for the TV remote; the simple artwork subtly referencing Mount Fuji; and the soft lighting that made the whole room almost glow. There was a very nice bathroom (although this had not been renovated) with Malin and Goetz toiletries, plus a kitchenette and small patio.

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The two food and drink venues are Tokii, a Japanese restaurant, and the Malt, a Japanese-style bar. I had an excellent meal at Tokii. It’s trendy and upmarket, but neither quality is overbearing. A plate of five sashimi (£17) was fresh and delicious, and the small dishes we tried – crispy quail eggs with mustard mayo (£4) and ox cheek croquettes (£9) – were decadent and flavoursome. The drinks menu is extensive, with dozens of Japanese whiskies. The lower ground floor has a gym and meeting room.

ABOVE: Deluxe room at the Prince Akatoki

VERDICT The refurbishment of

the property is gorgeous and the restaurant and bar are excellent.

It would be suitable for business, thanks to the central location and good wifi, but extra touches made my weekday stay feel like a special occasion – the delicious sake on arrival, changing into my yukata after a bath, and being sent on my way with a scented flannel and smoothie. Jenni Reid

THE HOXTON SOUTHWARK After French and US expansion over the past three years, the Hoxton returned to home turf in September with its third property in the capital.

It’s on Blackfriars Road, two minutes’ walk from Southwark tube station.

BELOW: The Hoxton’ Southwarks Seabird restaurant

Stepping into the 14-storey newbuild felt particularly inviting on a chilly December late afternoon, with its glowing lighting and warm buzz.

The ground-floor public area is open plan, with reception ahead to the left, all-day restaurant Albie on the far left, a bar on the right, and further seating for relaxing and working in the middle. There’s also a street-side terrace. Black steel-framed windows let in plenty of light while lots of greenery, exposed brick and framed art creates an organic, relaxed feel.

Staff are welcoming and keen to help.

The hotel is doing well at attracting the local community to this space – there was a nice hum of activity with people eating, socialising or tapping on laptops. A mezzanine bar works as an overflow area for drinks or one-toones when downstairs is busy.

The 192 rooms are on floors one to six (the Hoxton’s new co-working space, Working From, opens this month on levels seven to 12). The categories are Shoebox (average size 15 sqm), Snug (16 sqm), Cosy (17-21 sqm), Roomy (21-26 sqm) and Biggy (35 sqm) – the first three of which have queen beds and the other two super-kings. Comfortable and well designed to maximise space, they combine industrial-chic exposed brick, concrete ceilings and brass light fittings with softer touches such as deep-ruby velvet headboards, pale green wooden panelling and floral tapestry cushions.

HOTELS

from the covered outdoor terrace.

Small plates such as octopus roll with padron peppers and sobrasada aioli in a brioche bun (£14.50) were excellent, and our main for two, New Haven whole John Dory (£58), was grilled perfectly and had a zesty mojo verde.

The Apartment event space has six attractive rooms and a communal Pantry area. Guests can use the Bankside Fit Hub gym for £10, or the Thames is nearby for a South Bank jog.

and buzzy hotel that boasts well thought-out rooms and a great top-floor restaurant.

Michelle Harbi

LUKE HAYES

VERDICT A good-value, stylish

ABOVE: One of the Stratford’s roof terraces

THE STRATFORD

LEFT FROM TOP: The Hoxton’s Biggy category and lobby bar

Managed by the Manhattan Loft Corporation, which redeveloped the St Pancras Renaissance hotel in King’s Cross, the Stratford is an ambitious new-build that opened in July. A 145room hotel occupies the first seven of its 42 floors, with 248 furnished loft apartments taking up the rest.

Located adjacent to Stratford International station – from where a high-speed Javelin takes you to St Pancras International in six minutes and the DLR allows easy access to London City airport – the 143 metrehigh double-cantilevered tower offers great city views and overlooks Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Floors seven, 25 and 36 have roof terraces cut out from the building.

Revolving entrance doors take you into the all-day Stratford Brasserie, an impressive triple-height restaurant and bar that acts as the lobby, providing a lively introduction. Paul Cocksedge’s monochrome sculpture, Murmuration, hangs from the ceiling.

The seven room categories range from 23 sqm Standard to the 65 sqm Manhattan Studio, all with floor-toceiling windows. Large rooms and above have lounge areas. The stoneclad bathrooms have rainshowers

ROBERT RIEGER

All have wooden floors, a table to work at, 42-inch TVs, Roberts digital radios, handheld steamers, tea and coffee, and fridges (you can buy drinks from reception). A free breakfast bag with orange juice, a pastry from St John Bakery and an apple is provided.

Bathrooms have decent walk-in showers and the Hoxton’s Blank refillable toiletries. My third-floor room was peaceful with a pleasant view taking in high rises, a pub, tennis courts and the top of the London Eye. Albie serves an à la carte breakfast and an all-day menu inspired by the French and Italian Riviera. Seabird is a seafood restaurant that offers what it claims is London’s longest oyster list. It’s a great-looking space with an open kitchen, raw bar and super views

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JAN BALDWIN; RICH STAPLETON

stairs sets the tone, preparing you for a night of cocktails and DJ sets.

On the seventh floor is fine-dining restaurant Allegra, which has a fashionable bar and terrace, referred to as the Sky Terrace, with fantastic views of the London skyline. There are four meeting rooms and a 24-hour gym offering various classes.

VERDICT This is a great design36

and Ren toiletries, with Studios also having tubs.

The interiors, by Space Copenhagen, are Scandi-chic, with pastel colours and timber elements.

Gold accents jazz up the handcrafted oak desk, bed frame and light fixtures.

The comfortable bed has a grey curved headboard and a soft Italian woven throw. There are plenty of USB ports and plug sockets, and the TV has Sky Entertainment and Google Chromecast. Along with a well-stocked minibar, there’s a Dualit coffee machine (Studios have Nespresso machines) and East India Company tea.

Stratford Brasserie serves seasonal European dishes from its open kitchen, plus an à la carte breakfast.

Guests can choose from classic burgers and steaks, and replace starters with a selection of snacks – I recommend the Romero pepper with anchovies and salsa verde on charred sourdough (£5).

Next to the brasserie is an alpinelike lounge area with an open fire and soaring ceilings. The Mezzanine lounge overlooks this space but is discreetly hidden behind a curtain near check-in, giving it an air of exclusivity. Purple lighting on the JUNE 2020

oriented luxury addition to up-and-coming Stratford, which is set to blossom over the next few years with the arrival of Crossrail and outposts of the V&A and Sadler’s Wells.

Hannah Brandler

HOLMES HOTEL LONDON This hotel is part of Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, which is one of the brands of the Radisson Hotel Group and has eight properties in London. Previously known as the Sherlock Holmes hotel, following a recent refurbishment it has been renamed Holmes Hotel London, retaining its link to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional private detective and Baker Street resident. It’s located a couple of minutes’ walk from Baker Street station, with the main entrance on Chiltern Street.

Any preconceptions I might have had about themed hotels were quickly assuaged when I stepped into the stylish reception area, where staff were sitting behind low desks, and I was offered a refreshing cucumber and mint tea. Yes, the hotel is full

ABOVE: The Stratford’s Manhattan Studio LEFT: Allegra restaurant

BELOW: Studio suite

of Holmes-inspired collector’s items, artworks and antiques, but it has all been done tastefully and complements the modern furniture and furnishings from leading design studios, including Tom Dixon and Danish company Muuto.

The property is an amalgamation of four Georgian buildings, resulting in lots of rooms throughout the ground floor where you can relax, admire the scenery and look for “clues” that have been dotted around.

No two guestrooms are exactly the same, but the inventory is divided into eight categories, from Cosy(15-18 sqm) and Superior (18-21 sqm) to the Townhouse Loft Suites, which offer 50 sqm of living space across two floors, with roll-top baths and record players.

HOTELS

My Heritage Deluxe room (21-25 sqm) had high ceilings and large windows overlooking Baker Street.

It also had a desk, a digital radio, Nespresso machine, plush grey robes and Gilchrist and Soames amenities.

Décor was bright and minimal, with light wood flooring and splashes of yellow. The furnishings felt high-end.

New all-day restaurant and bar Kitchen at Holmes is a homely space with its own entrance. My Scottish scallop starter was refreshing with a good mix of sweet and savoury flavours, while my king crab salad was packed with juicy chunks of crab, crunchy sweetcorn and a hint of tabasco. Signature cocktails include Sherlock’s Pipe, served in a pipe-shaped glass and containing Talisker, Johnnie Walker Black, smoked Martini Rubino, Campari, and Pimento Dram liqueur. There are three meeting spaces and a stylish gym called Piggy Doyle’s.

ABOVE: Wilde Superior Studio

VERDICT For Sherlock fans,

this hotel is a treasure trove of artwork and memorabilia, but even if you’re not, Holmes Hotel London is a stylish, well thoughtout property with an excellent restaurant and bar. A great choice if you’re looking for a Marylebone base. Mark Caswell

BELOW FROM LEFT: Reception area andbar at Kitchen at Holmes Hotel

WILDE APARTHOTEL

BY STAYCITY COVENT GARDEN Dublin-based Staycity has a portfolio of nearly 3,000 apartments across the UK and Europe with more in the pipeline. It offers hotel rooms, studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments across its Staycity Aparthotels and premium Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity brands. Most have kitchens/kitchenettes, dining and sitting areas, free wifi, guest laundry and weekly housekeeping.

Many offer car parking, gyms, guest lounges and Staycafés selling breakfast, light lunch, and all-day snacks and drinks. Wilde Aparthotel in Covent Garden was the first of the Wilde properties to open, in 2018. It has since been joined by aparthotels in Edinburgh and Berlin.

The entrance is off the Strand on Adam Street, although some rooms have views on to the Strand. I had checked in beforehand so should have been able to use the touchscreen to get my key, but there was a problem with the system that was quickly sorted out by the receptionist. Subject to availability, the hotel offers free early check-in and late check-out if you book direct; otherwise it costs £10 per hour.

The 106 rooms range from Wilde Sleep Zone Studios (14 sqm), which are in the basement and

have no windows, to 22 sqm studio apartments. My Wilde Studio (18 sqm) had a wooden floor and a raised Hypnos bed with three drawers, which were good for storage and housed a safe and ironing board.

There was a 43-inch smart TV, free wifi, and a bedside panel for the lights and blackout blind. One unit had a large fold-down desk with plug points, and two wooden chairs were folded up beneath some hangers. The small kitchenette had an electric hob, a fridge, a dishwasher and a Smeg toaster and kettle. There was a Grohe rainshower in the bathroom.

There is no restaurant, but the hotel has an arrangement with nearby American steakhouse Smith and Wollensky to serve breakfast (£15).

There is a room service menu but supermarkets are nearby for buying food. The hotel can arrange day passes at a local gym and has started a running club for guests and local businesses, with a double circuit around St James Park of about 5km.

VERDICT This was excellent

value for money for a quietly luxurious stay in a great central location. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and really added to the overall experience, making this a welcoming home from home. Tom Otley

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37

GREAT SCOTLAND YARD HOTEL

38

Open since December, this fivestar property is the first of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection in the UK, joining five others in Europe. While it is in a central location just off Whitehall and only two minutes from Trafalgar Square, it is off the main roads so is quiet and feels like a secret find.

Behind the attractive, if not outstanding, façade of Edwardian red brick and Portland stone, the building’s history has been used to create a whole design theme. Until 1890 it was the HQ of the London Metropolitan Police and so there are references to everyone from Sherlock Holmes to the Kray twins.

From 1910 it housed the British Army Recruitment Office and Royal Military Police, and more recently it was used by the Ministry of Defence.

Look up as you enter and you’ll see a sculpture of a deconstructed clock with the time stopped at 6 o’clock, which apparently is the time that author Lewis Carroll was interviewed here as a suspect in the Jack the Ripper case. Down some stairs are comfy sofas and one of more than 600 artworks in the hotel – a large piece by Nicola Green made up of silhouettes of people whose lives have been touched by or passed through the British criminal justice system.

Glass cabinets in the lobby house a police helmet, old truncheon and whistles, as well as a barrister’s wig and mug shots of criminals from JUNE 2020

yesteryear. It’s interesting in a bizarre sort of way.

The 152 rooms are on five floors, with more than a dozen categories, all gathered around a courtyard and offering a variety of views. Few are large; entry-level King rooms are 16 sqm and have good-quality furnishings, a neutral colour palette and quirky design, including doors with the Met crest on them and blue veneered nightstands (another reference to the police). Some have wall-mounted bottle openers in the shape of a moustache or wardrobes concealed behind book-clad doors.

Bathrooms feature art deco detailing and amenities from the Scottish Fine Soaps Company.

For a relatively small property, there is a wide choice of food and drink options. The Yard restaurant, under Robin Gill, serves excellent modern British cuisine, while the 40 Elephants bar is named after a 19th-century gang of female robbers and has a cocktail menu inspired by William Terrington’s Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks, dating back to 1869 and believed to be the oldest book on British cocktails. The service in both is great. There’s also speakeasystyle whisky bar Sibin, and the Indianinspired Parlour tea lounge.

The hotel has a well-equipped basement gym, although there isn’t a spa. Also on the lower level is a meetings area called Grace and Favour.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Entrance to the 40 Elephants bar; hotel exterior; lobby seating; King Courtyard View room

VERDICT This is a superb five-

star luxury hotel with staff who provide attentive service, a lovely choice of bars and a must-visit restaurant. Tom Otley

HOTELS

thought carefully about how to use the limited space to maximise storage.

There is plenty of room under the bed for cases, plus a narrow hanging space by a full-length mirror, and coat hooks. At the end of the bed is a ledge where items can be left, and a small desk slides out from here for use with the armchair. Wifi is free and there were plenty of plugs and USB ports.

An ironing board can be delivered.

The bathroom was modern with a powerful shower.

The Lounge café-bar serves a buffet breakfast (£6) that includes hot and cold items, plus tea, coffee and juice.

The main menu offers chicken or vegetable curry with rice (£6.99).

Z COVENT GARDEN Budget chain Z Hotels has ten properties in London plus more in Bath, Glasgow and Liverpool. It was set up by ex-Thistle Hotels chief executive Bev King and his business partners, and their knowledge of what works and what doesn’t means the hotels are a pleasure to stay at.

This property opened in November 2018, and is behind a red-brick façade in the centre of Covent Garden. After having difficulty finding the entrance and eventually having to phone to find out (it’s through some iron gates just off Bedford Street – if it is late at night, ring the bell by the side), I was checked in quickly. Each evening free wine and cheese are served from 5pm to 8pm – I arrived after this but was offered a complimentary glass. Drinks are also available for purchase. The café offers an extensive continental buffet breakfast from 6.30am (£7.50, or £9.50 with a hot item).

The 113 rooms have dark wood floors, white walls and synthetic suede headboards that continue along the side wall by the bed, important as the size of the rooms (from 8 sqm) means one side of the bed is against the wall – which requires some athleticism if there are two of you in the room.

Free filtered water is supplied in glass bottles, although the bathrooms (shower-only) still have single-use plastics for the combined shower and hair gel. Each room has tea and coffee facilities, a bedside panel for the blackout blinds and lights, and a 49-inch TV through which you can stream your own content via the fast and free wifi. There isn’t a wardrobe but there are plenty of hangers.

Soundproofing is very good. There are 12 family rooms (12 sqm) with bunk beds for children.

VERDICT Another excellent

addition to the Z portfolio. They are great value with friendly service. Tom Otley

VERDICT A great location for

HUB BY PREMIER INN LONDON CITY BANK Premier Inn launched its innovative brand Hub by Premier Inn in 2013, promising “the most high-tech and space-efficient rooms currently available in the UK”, with compact rooms up to 30 per cent cheaper than a comparable Premier Inn property in central London.

There are now eight Hubs in London’s zones 1 and 2, and three in Edinburgh. A 110-room Soho hotel is due to open in the spring.

This property opened in August last year on St Swithin’s Lane, a few minutes’ walk from Bank and Cannon Street stations. The small lobby has a self-service kiosk and a check-in desk manned by staff who also run the adjacent café-bar. A media wall features rolling news and London Underground updates.

There is a choice of Standard (11 sqm), Standard Twin (14 sqm) and Bigger (17 sqm) rooms, as well as Accessible. Bigger rooms have king beds and more space, but otherwise there’s not much difference. Décor is simple, light and bright, with a feature wall showing a map of London, and blackout blinds. Premier Inn has

ABOVE: Z Inside Double room; the Z café

BELOW: Hub by Premier Inn Bigger room; the lobby and café-bar

business travellers looking for access to the City of London.

Rooms are compact but well equipped in terms of technology, with a good shower and a comfortable bed. Mark Caswell

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OPINION

The price you pay

Shop around if you want to secure the best room rate – here is our resident hotelier’s methodology DEREK PICOT A H OT E L I E R F O R M O R E T H A N 3 0 Y E A R S A N D A U T H O R O F H OT E L R E S E R VAT I O N S

B 40

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CREATIVE CHARGES services, but my enthusiasm for this form of So far, so good; I was €13 ahead of the game. capitalism was wearing a little thin.

On to the Dom Pedro Vilamoura. Here I I turned to the coffee maker for comfort, paid €81.90 via Booking.com, which offered but there was no milk. Perhaps it was a 9 per cent saving for early payment, giving considered heathen to add milk to a strong me a further €22.11 into the kitty for a espresso. I hesitated to enquire if I was alone three-night stay. There was a tempting offer in Portugal in diluting caffeine beverages in on the hotel’s website for its Club Card, this manner. Not so. As part of a morning which gave 15 per cent off ritual at the Dom Pedro, a the rate card, but by my number of guests could be When making calculation this was still found in the lift carrying the more expensive option. small china milk jugs up reservations, I At check-in I offered my from the restaurant. always check the credit card and was told hotel site prices that instead of a “preDIRECT APPROACH authorisation” I had to against Booking.com Onward to Lisbon. actually deposit funds if I Marriott’s Sheraton wanted to use any of the Lisboa Hotel and Spa has outlets. This was contrary to the comfortable beds that didn’t information on its website, but rather double up as twins and an than argue I left a €100 down unsurpassable club floor. payment; my room having Pricing on Booking.com been prepaid. I had also and the Marriott system was requested a double bed. identical, at €251. Marriott calls it “We noted your request “advance purchase” and Booking.com for a double,” the receptionist describes it as “nonrefundable”. Marriott does said. “The beds” – there was a pause and not allow changes – but the booking can be a challenging look – “are zipped.” So this cancelled up to three days before, so there is a was going to be three nights with a ridge marginal advantage in using its site. I booked of zipped mattresses down my spine. direct and the deal included free parking, When I got to my room, I found the breakfast, as much wine as I could drink in door didn’t close automatically; it simply the club lounge and a gift of a half-bottle of swung on its hinges. So I felt it essential to Port. The room door shut automatically, the use the in-room safe, which was charged at safe was free and milk was supplied. €3.50 per day. My adapter didn’t fit their The lesson is shop around. What’s your plugs and they charged me €5 for one of methodology? I’d love to hear about it. theirs. I then had to deposit €10 for the use Tell us your hotel booking tales at of two pool towels in case I stole them. I talktous@businesstraveller.com or on our am usually impressed when hoteliers find forum: businesstraveller.com/forum new and creative ways of charging guests for

ILLUSTRATION: BENJAMIN SOUTHAN

usiness travellers experience a wide and perhaps inexplicable range of pricing when booking hotels. My recent trip to Portugal was no exception.

I stayed at three properties – the Sheraton in Lisbon, the Troia Design Hotel near Comporta and the Dom Pedro Vilamoura on the Algarve. Booking was like having several spins of the roulette wheel – I wasn’t sure where the ball was going to land, I only knew my euros were going to disappear.

First, a note on Picot methodology. When making reservations, I always check the hotel site prices against Booking.com to see the best deals. The Troia Design hotel offered its lowest rate at €116, but the third-party website proposed €103 as I benefit from a 10 per cent Genius travel award. Genius is Booking.com’s loyalty scheme for customers who book twice within two years, and is well named because we all like to think of ourselves that way.

Having secured a lower price on this site, I rang the hotel since there was a “never knowingly undersold” banner on its website.

I asked the reservationist if she would match the rate. She told me this was not available on her system and that the room on offer via Booking.com would be at the back of the hotel with no view. I ignored her advice and went with Booking.com.

When I checked in, I discovered she was right, but with a twist, since there were no rooms at the front of the hotel as they were all apartments. And when I took the lift to the tenth floor, expecting to have the broom closet next to the staff stairs, in fact I had been given a great room with views over the Sado River Estuary.

OPINION

Anger management

If you want to gain a unique perspective on human nature, deal with complaints from frequent flyers R I CH A R D TA MS A I R L I N E C O N S U LTA N T A N D E X E C U T I V E C O A C H

P

ublic relations executive and humourist Franklin P Jones once wrote that “untold suffering seldom is”. Having worked for almost three decades at the customer coalface of a renowned air transport provider, I can heartily echo this sentiment.

My many days managing the relationship between the airline and its top corporate customers were peppered with the receipt of complaints of all shapes and sizes. Most would make me wince, some would make me scream, a few would make me laugh, while others would make me ponder on the importance of retaining some perspective.

Being the willing recipient of complaints from our most frequent flyers gave me a clear line of sight as to what the airline was doing right and, more important, what it was getting wrong. While this was an important and valuable part of my role, very occasionally it also gave me a unique insight into some of the more unusual troubles these warriors of the skies had to endure at our behest and why some of them most definitely needed to get a life.

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41

ILLUSTRATION: BENJAMIN SOUTHAN

FUR WILL FLY The first bizarre complaint that I remember receiving was from the chief executive of a company who wrote to inform me of a rather distressing occurrence in first class on descent into New York JFK. The captain had alerted passengers to their imminent arrival into the Big Apple and advised cabin crew to prepare for landing. At this point, the crew retrieved the chief executive’s wife’s coat

from the wardrobe and laid it on her knee FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS for landing.

Other complaints provided even more As is often the case, the aircraft was then unfortunate insights into the soul of man. put into an unexpected holding pattern One of the least pleasurable jobs I had to above the airfield, delaying its arrival by 20 undertake was to occasionally extract a much minutes. This chief executive had put pen to sought-after loyalty card from its owner. These paper to severely reprimand the airline for cards were highly desirable because they could causing his wife the discomfort of almost not be earned or bought but were bestowed half an hour with her fur coat on her knee. on our most important flyers from above.

From this point onwards, I realised that the Perhaps not surprisingly, those who perspectives of some frequent flyers and had loyalty cards rarely offered to return those of the rest of the world differed greatly. them when circumstances changed, and it I once received an angry letter from a would sometimes fall to me to notify the regular visitor to one of our business class holder of the cancellation of their card. lounges. The missive came shortly after This process was never pleasant and seldom we had replaced the individually wrapped without incident. After one rather tortuous Scottish shortbread snacks with a wider range extraction, I received a letter from the now of unwrapped cookies served in a large glass ex-cardholder. He told me that as a result jar. The author vigorously of our action, he had criticised the airline for not been severely diminished Some of the sparing a thought for all of socially. “My friends those mothers who relied consider me less of a man complaints would on such takeaway goodies now that I no longer have make me ponder on to stock their children’s this card,” he wrote. Well, the importance of lunchboxes throughout the with friends like that… week. How could we have Of course, the vast retaining perspective been so thoughtless? majority of complaints The airline’s catering about airports, missed department, naively flights and lost luggage believing a reduction in wasteful are justified and if you packaging would be applauded are tempted to write about by our frequent flyers, had not the various shortcomings of bargained on the wrath of the your airline of choice, please Mumsnet mafia. Legend has it proceed. It’s the only way they’ll that a couple of weeks later a learn. However, just before posting your man was stopped from walking letter, or pressing “send”, just remember that out of the lounge with a whole jar of the some of these occurrences are what we call offending snacks under his coat. “first world problems”.

WORDS TOM OTLEY

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JUNE 2020

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

THE

OFFSET

How does offsetting work and does it mitigate the damage caused by aviation?

B

y now, we’ve all heard that climate change is happening.

Whether we agree that it should be termed a climate emergency or not, we will also be aware that it is being caused by human activities, and those include transport and aviation. Whether it’s bush fires, floods, melting ice or the extinction of species, the planet is warming and the vulnerable are suffering as a result. So what should we do about it?

Carbon offsetting seems to offer one answer, and is certainly one that the airlines are pushing, with Easyjet offsetting all flights since the beginning of this year, and British Airways and Air France offsetting domestic flights. There’s a catch, however, because – as with most complicated things – offsetting starts simple and quickly gets more complex.

43

JAG_CZ/GETTY IMAGES

HOW IT WORKS

First, the simple bit. Offsetting is achieved by calculating the volume of emissions from a flight. For every 1kg of jet fuel burnt in the operational phase of the flight, approximately 3.15kg of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Using one of the many different online calculators, you then pay to offset these emissions.

Whichever programme you use will take your money and purchase carbon credits to that amount. Carbon credits are then used by projects – typically, planting trees – that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

The 3.15kg of carbon dioxide per 1kg of jet fuel quoted above is an average. Most tools now take into account the aircraft you are flying on, the distance travelled, the average wind speeds, the loading of passengers, baggage, and the cargo on the aircraft. Calculators use historic fuel consumption to derive a figure for carbon dioxide per passenger kilometre. They also take into account what class you are travelling in because the in-flight facilities provided for first class, business class and premium economy differ from those in economy in terms of weight and space, so this is factored into the calculation.

JUNE 2020

International trade body IATA says that about 1 per cent of flyers offset their journeys, although in our own survey conducted on businesstraveller.com, some 18 per cent said they were planning to offset them. The money you pay then (eventually) goes to projects, such as planting forests, restoring peatlands, subsidising efficient stoves in Africa and helping poor communities in developing countries. It would seem, therefore, on the face of it, to be a good thing to do. But is it?

‘Buying’ biofuel is probably the most immediately sustainable way to offset, but is much more expensive

THE CASE AGAINST 44

There are many arguments against carbon offsetting (and not all of them are made by climate change deniers). Here is a selection: 1. It is better to not travel at all. This is true if viewed narrowly on the question of carbon emissions, and the recent phenomenon of “flight shaming” has seen demand in a few countries slow slightly. Nevertheless, every estimate indicates that aviation is continuing to grow and so will make up a larger share of emissions as time goes on. IATA forecasts a doubling of passengers by 2036 to 8.2 billion, so no matter how much more efficient the aircraft become, that will still mean a huge increase in

THE COVID-19 EFFECT Airline carbon emissions could drop by more than onethird this year due to the significant decline in air traffic resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Australia Institute. Its research found air transport carbon dioxide emissions during February and March fell by more than 10 million tonnes compared to the same period last year, while an International Air Transport Association (IATA) economic assessment points to a 38 per cent fall in airlines’ carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. This translates to a 352-milliontonne reduction in global aviation carbon emissions compared to 2019, claim researchers.

JUNE 2020

emissions. There’s also the small matter of business travellers who are expected to fly as part of their job function.

2. Offsetting is a dangerous distraction; the real issue is we need to cut emissions very quickly.

3. Offsetting also shifts responsibility for carbon emissions from rich individuals, corporations and countries on to the poor.

4. Many carbon offsetting projects, such as planting trees, will take years, if not decades, to have any effect on emissions, since trees don’t reach their average carbon storage capacity until 15 to 25 years after planting.

5. The EU is not convinced that carbon offsetting works, and from 2021 will stop allowing offsets to count towards emissions reductions targets. This follows a report which found that 85 per cent of offset projects under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) had failed to reduce emissions.

6. If offsetting was effective, then the same logic would imply that paying double the offset for your flight would make it “carbon negative” so we could all fly more and more, and simply plant more and more trees.

SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

You could cut down on your travel, if you are able. You could use video-conferencing or the phone for nonessential meetings, but assuming you do all of that and yet still fly a lot, then carbon offsetting is a way of doing something. If you decide to offset, you have a choice of calculators to work out how much to offset (see opposite).

Some offer the choice of choosing what proportion of your emissions will go into an offsetting project, and what proportion will be used to buy sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Obviously, the SAF won’t be used for your flight, but by deciding, for instance, that 80 per cent of your journey will be offset in SAF, you are effectively offsetting your flight in the present rather than the future.

Please note, however, that while choosing to “buy” SAF is probably the most immediately sustainable way of offsetting a flight, it is much more expensive – SAF costs two or three times more than traditional aviation fuel.

TELL ME ABOUT SAF/BIOFUEL…

They are non-petroleum-based fuels that are blended with conventional fuels up to an industry-standard limit (currently 50 per cent, although in practice significantly less). The fuel must be resourced in a manner that avoids depletion of natural resources and mitigates its contribution to climate change. It must also meet current certification requirements for use in turbine-powered aircraft engines.

SAF can be derived from various sources, such as cooking oil, plant oils, municipal waste, industrial off-gas, sugars

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

CALCULATORS COMPARED

Premium economy return Heathrow-Hong Kong flight on a B777-300ER, March 2-9 CARBON CALCULATOR

and agricultural residues, and be processed in alternative ways, including thermochemical and catalytic production processes. You can read more about it on businesstraveller.com – search “Fuelling change”. One problem (and there are several) is that there won’t be enough non-food farmland to meet the demand for both the fuel we’ll need and all of the trees we need to plant.

SHOULDN’T AIRLINES BE THE ONES TO OFFSET?

Some of them are doing so – British Airways, Air France, Jetblue and Delta are all offsetting a proportion of their flights (normally shorthaul). However, many view this as not coming close to the true cost of the flights.

WHY ARE CARBON OFFSET CALCULATORS SO DIFFERENT?

METRIC TONNE C02

CARBON OFFSET PRICE

Climatecare

4.62

£34.63†

Green Tripper

3.68/6.74*

£38.89/£71.16 (incl. VAT)

Pure Leapfrog

2.44

£12.68†

Forest conservation, efficient cookstoves

Cathay Pacific

2.08

£3.93†

Efficient cookstoves, clean energy from waste

Flightnook

3.86

£75.56-£1,064.44†

Cleaner fuel, tree planting

South Pole

5.12

£9.58-£16.54†

Efficient cookstoves, wind power, hydropower

Atmosfair

4.98

£95.76†

Compensaid

13.7

£23.84-£582.18†

Biofuel, replanting trees

2.44/4.62*

£27.65 (ex. VAT)£64.50 (incl. VAT)

Trees, various projects

Carbonfootprint

CAUSES TO DONATE TO

Various projects Efficient cookstoves, safe water, deforestation

Efficient cookstoves, renewable energy

† Not known if VAT is included * Climate impact with radiative forcing

ONE CALCULATOR EXPLAINS

As you can see from the box on the right, we HOW DOES COMPENSAID CALCULATE EMISSIONS FROM YOUR FLIGHT? compared a range of calculators for a nonstop “We collaborated with Myclimate to evaluate more than 43,000 individual flights to provide return flight in premium economy between a detailed picture of the CO2 consumption. From small regional jets to big long-haul London and Hong Kong. We specified an aircraft, we analysed the entire fleet to determine the total jet fuel consumption of a given aircraft type (B777-300ER) because both BA flight from gate to gate. The objective is to record the different meteorological conditions and Cathay Pacific, which serve the route, use as well as the rolling procedures on the ground and the holding patterns and detours that aircraft for some of the flights. in the air. Using this information, Myclimate developed an algorithm that calculates the As you’ll notice, the results vary by a lot. Dr corresponding CO2 emissions for each flight. The selected flight class is also taken into Roger Tyers, a research fellow at the University account and assigned a value. The algorithm is regularly updated with new flight data, of Southampton, explains why. “There are two most recently in 2018.” parts to this. First, there are the emissions that the calculators feed into the model. There are WHY NO RADIATIVE FORCING? different ways of counting these emissions.

“Along with CO2, air traffic causes other emissions – in particular, nitrogen oxides For instance, they might count only the and water vapour – which are considered to have an impact on the climate. At this time, carbon emissions, or include the non-carbon the scientific community is still unable to conclusively determine the exact influence of emissions as well. Do they count radiative these factors. This is why the CO2 calculator does not consider any other emissions apart forcing [see glossary overleaf ], and, if so, what from CO2.” multiple should you use? Some say it should be double the ground base equivalent, while some say triple, and some don’t use any because want accreditation, but there are different levels, and they there’s no hard consensus on what it should be. come with different levels of expense, and depending on “Then there’s the price attached to each tonne, and what your aim is, you’ll decide what level of accreditation this depends on the offset project. Why? Because some is necessary for your purpose.” are cheaper than others. An airline might say that its He adds: “If you are cynical, then there are sliders that offsets are cheaper because they are buying them at scale airlines can move up and down in all of this until the price and so are achieving economies of scale. There’s also suits them. What they want to achieve is saying that they differences in how they are accredited. Of course, you JUNE 2020

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S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

GLOSSARY CARBON CREDITS

A carbon credit is the “right” to emit one tonne of carbon or equivalent greenhouse gas. It will be generated from some verified abatement project.

CARBON COMMODITIES

The catch-all term for both emissions allowances and carbon offsets.

are offsetting a lot of carbon emissions but for a low price, so then people continue to fly with them without the price of the flights going up but at the same time thinking that the flight is offset. It’s important to realise that there are no global regulations of carbon offsetting so there is room to manoeuvre on both counting and emissions.

Beware of claims that your flight will magically become carbon neutral.”

THE WAY FORWARD

SANKAI/GETTY IMAGES

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Most business travellers will understand the truth of this. But it returns us to the question at the start of our article. What should we do (other than change jobs)? The opinion of Andrew Murphy, who works for Transport and Environment, a European research and campaign group for clean transport, is clear: “Offsetting was invented 20 years ago out of nowhere by those who wanted to delay action on climate change. The longer we keep it going, the longer we legitimise the concept that we can continue to pollute the atmosphere.”

So what does he suggest? “What each industry has to do is begin a tailored path to cutting its own emissions.

Individuals should support and vote for politicians who are supporting action on climate change. Keeping climate at the top of the agenda is more important than buying offsets.

Any money spent on carbon offsetting would be better given to charities in the developing world to help protect the vulnerable who are being affected by climate change.”

Tyers agrees. “If the end goal is to alleviate human suffering from climate change, then I’d donate directly to disaster relief. You’d get far more for your money.”

It’s notable that while some airlines have come late to the offsetting game, it now has gone mainstream. Nearly every major airline offers some way of offsetting. As we went to press, Finnair announced a new initiative to offer “green tickets” alongside regular ones. Details are yet to be revealed but it will offer passengers the opportunity to pay an extra surcharge on top of the ticket price at the time of booking. Finnair will match whatever surcharge the passenger is prepared to pay, and this will apply whether the passenger chooses a carbon offset programme or a proportion of the fuel to be SAF. For the rest of us, it is a question of whether we should trust the mechanisms of carbon offsetting while trying to reduce our travel, or instead donate directly to the relevant charities.

JUNE 2020

CARBON PRICE

Depends on where a project is and the benefits in carbon reduction it offers.

CORSIA

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, proposed and championed by ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organisation).

OFFSET CERTIFIERS

These organisations both certify the projects, charging a fee, and then may act as a broker for the carbon emissions being offered from the projects.

RADIATIVE FORCING

An attempt to include the impacts of non-CO2 aircraft emissions at high altitudes. Some calculators allow you to factor this in by multiplying the carbon emissions by a recommended radiative forcing factor of 1.891, which has been set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Others argue the multiplier should be higher.

VOLUNTARY OR VERIFIED CARBON STANDARD

The VCS Standard lays out the rules and requirements that all projects must follow to be certified.

OPINION

Ask the pilot Our undercover captain reveals what it’s like to fly for a living

WHAT ARE THE BEST AIRPORTS TO TAKE OFF FROM OR LAND AT? Anywhere in the Caribbean, Mauritius or the Maldives. The views are amazing, being able to see the beautiful colours in the water, the reefs and fabulous white sandy beaches.

The Caribbean is where we get to do some proper manual flying, in other words, be real pilots. With not many aircraft around, air traffic control allows us to position ourselves to land rather than them guiding us in.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE AIRCRAFT TO FLY? I have flown various Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Personally, I enjoy Airbus. I prefer the logic of the various systems as well as them being user-friendly aircraft in helping the pilot to manage the workload. Also, if you enjoy computer games then the Airbus is ideal; you fly it using a joystick – the technical term used by Airbus is “sidestick” (with the exception of the A300) – whereas Boeing uses a control column (which looks a bit like a steering wheel).

abilities. Still, in the 25-plus years that I have been flying, no one has ever managed to scare me!

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCORDE MEMORIES? I only flew Concorde as a passenger. The memories that come to mind are size and speed. The passenger cabin was very small with only 100 seats and, being quite tall, I was unable to stand up straight. The flight deck itself was also cramped, particularly as you had two pilots and a flight engineer. But WHO ARE THE WORST AND BEST it was a wonderful experience. It is one of PILOTS YOU HAVE FLOWN WITH? the few commercial aircraft where you were This is a difficult question to answer. First, pushed back into the seat on take-off with commercial pilots have to pass a rigorous a real sense of speed and power. assessment and training course to work My flight left Heathrow in the morning for an airline. In addition, pilots are tested and arrived in New York in time for every six months in the simulator to assess breakfast, taking only three hours their flying skills and 22 minutes – just enough management in both time for an aperitif, lunch Pilots don’t have normal and emergency accompanied by fine wines, situations. Also, every and a liqueur. Destinations scary moments; two years we have an were quite limited as it was just times when assessment on a normal generally not permitted to fly adrenaline starts passenger flight as well as supersonic over many land an annual technical exam. areas. to flow If we fail to meet the British Airways ended up standards in any of these serving New York twice daily then our licence is suspended and further and Barbados once a week. It training provided until the standard is also operated pleasure flights met. We also have “standard over the Bay of Biscay as well operating procedures”, as other destinations. It was sad which ensures that we all to see such an iconic aircraft retire operate in the same way so and to see the minimum journey we know what each other is time to New York increase to more than doing. All of this leaves little seven hours. space for bad pilots to exist.

If you have a question you’d like to ask our However, it is fair to say that above that pilot, email talktous@businesstraveller.com minimum standard there is a variation in JUNE 2020

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ILLUSTRATION: BENJAMIN SOUTHAN

WHAT IS THE SCARIEST MOMENT YOU HAVE HAD FLYING? Pilots don’t have scary moments; just times when adrenaline starts to flow. Weather is the most common cause. Thunderstorms are intensely powerful and can cause an aircraft to crash. It is not lightning strikes that are a problem – I have had a few of those – but severe turbulence and hail battering the structure. On the flight deck we have a sophisticated weather radar system to identify thunderstorms and help us avoid them.

In some parts of the world, such as Africa or India, thunderstorms can be massive,

rising up to 60,000 feet as well as covering a wide area, so avoiding them is quite a challenge. It can involve deviations from our track of up to 100 miles and can occupy us for some time. It is definitely an adrenalinepumping time. Strong gusty winds for landing are also a challenge, particularly when the wind is across the runway, known as a crosswind. In terms of things going wrong with the aircraft, this tends to be rather straightforward as it is something we are trained to deal with on a regular basis.

Headline pls Beathere a retreat

Part conservation site, part family farm, Kent’s Elmley National Nature Reserve is a tranquil spot for relaxation or events

ELMLEY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE on the Isle of Sheppey, North Kent – an hour’s drive from Gatwick airport and reachable by train – is a conservation site of international importance as well as a family farm. It is also the only National Nature Reserve in the country where you can stay overnight. Elmley’s proximity to London makes it a convenient retreat destination if you are based near the capital or visiting for work.

The 18th-century Kingshill Farmhouse on the property was launched last summer following a year-long renovation. Sitting at the heart of the 1,335-hectare reserve, it sleeps up to 14 guests across six bedrooms and can accommodate the same number of people in a traditional meeting set-up, with breakout areas and far-reaching views across the reserve.

Other accommodation options include the five-bedroom Elmley Cottage, which can sleep ten, and a small selection of secluded cabins and shepherd huts for couples or solo travellers. The property can host overnight corporate gatherings for between five and 30 people.

For larger events, Kingshill Barn can hold 200 standing or 150 seated, with full event catering. elmleynaturereserve.co.uk

JUNE 2020

REBECCA DOUGLAS PHOTOGRAPHY

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ABOVE: Dramatic views across Elmley LEFT: Kingshill Farmhouse BELOW LEFT: Kingshill Barn event space BELOW RIGHT: The kitchen at Kingshill Farmhouse

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

ECO OPTIONS IN HAMBURG

HAMBURG HAS A VARIETY OF planet-friendly

venues, including the new Congress Centre Hamburg, opening at the end of August with a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system that will draw in air from the adjacent park. Meanwhile, the Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg (left) has recently been awarded the Green Globe Certification in recognition of its team’s work to reduce water and energy consumption, CO2 emissions and introduce renewable energy. The hotel, housed in a former water tower, is located in the greenery of Schanzen Park, near Hamburg Messe.

Small change, big impact THANKS TO CUSTOMER DONATIONS, the Emirates Airline Foundation used a 132 million Skywards Miles to positively impact the lives of more than 90,000 underprivileged people, mainly children, worldwide from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. It also donated more than AED 6.5 million to 22 projects in 12 countries with support ranging from building infrastructure to running medical programmes.

Established in 2003, the foundation routinely supports 32 projects and nongovernment organisations (NGOs) in 18 countries through customer donations, corporate sponsorships and Emirates funds.

Tripit tracks The Tripit app now helps users to track and offset their carbon emissions. It’s the first travel-organising app to automatically aggregate flight emissions across providers, post-booking, giving you a holistic view of your air travel footprint.

The feature will soon be available to all Tripit users – both free and Pro. The app is available from the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).

T I M E H O T E L S S U P P O R T S C O MQMUUONTIET IOEFS T H E M O N T H

Every decade is consequential in its own way, but the 2020s will be consequential in a more or less permanent way Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History

ETIHAD FORGES AHEAD WITH GREEN AGENDA

ETIHAD AIRWAYS HAS CONTINUED to progress its sustainability agenda, testing a range of initiatives during the wind-down and suspension of its scheduled passenger services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline is working with Boeing, GE Aviation, EuroControl and others to test and implement measures to reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and noise and its green-themed Boeing 787, the Etihad Greenliner, remains a testbed for new fuel-efficiency methods. The aircraft recently operated an optimised roundtrip flight between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, reducing the usual journey time by 40 minutes, cutting fuel consumption by 800 kilograms and slashing carbon emissions by three tonnes over a standard Boeing 787 flight on that route.

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ULTIMATE BESPOKE SUITS GUIDE Our recommendations on where you can get a luxurious suit customised in the main business travel hubs of the world

WORDS RIAAN JACOB GEORGE

JUNE 2020

STYLE

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JUNE 2020

LONDON The British capital is considered to be the international hub of bespoke fashion and its main thoroughfare, Savile Row, has undoubtedly become synonymous with the tradition of bespoke tailoring. One walk along Savile Row and you will see a host of world-famous houses, catering to the some of the most influential men. The likes of Joseph, Hardy Amies (remember Amies’ A to Z guide of men’s fashion?), Huntsman, and Richard Anderson line the street. However, enjoying pride of place at numero uno at Savile Row is the historic Gieves & Hawkes. Its imposing white building boasts a heritage that dates back to 1771. Today, the client list of Gieves & Hawkes reads like a who’s who of international society. Customers come here to enjoy the brand’s signature experience which includes high armholes, structured shoulders, double pleated trousers and double-breasted construction.

While you’re at it, shop from a special accessories’ section curated by Ettinger accessories, which can be personalised on purchase.

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JUNE 2020

STYLE

MILAN Hailed as the fashion capital of the world, Milan is famous for its high-quality menswear offering. As you amble past the ritzy boutiques of Milan’s luxury district, Via Monte Napoleone, you will realise just how seriously the men here take their fashion. A host of legendary Italian names like Armani, Lanieri, Canali, Dolce & Gabbana and Sartoria A. Caraceni come to mind.

If you are after a sharp Italian bespoke suit, head for a local favourite brand, Boggi Milano. This exquisite outlet that started off in 1939 as a humble tailor for Milanese men is now a fashion behemoth. Here at Boggi Milano you can enjoy its custom suit service, which is referred to as su misura (tailored). Boggi Milano works with a select set of Italian fabric producers to create typical Italian silhouettes. These suits are well-fitted, feature relatively more unstructured shoulders and pockets minus flaps. They have high buttons and the trousers are usually tight on the hip as well.

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Enjoying pride of place at numero uno at Savile Row is the Gieves & Hawkes

PARIS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bespoke suits made in London, Milan and Paris

The French capital, a fashion mecca, has, since time immemorial, dictated the codes of style to the world. It is here that the culture of haute couture continues to prevail and set trends for the world over. In the very similar vein, Paris is a thriving hotbed of bespoke suiting. At the heart of the city’s upscale eighth arrondissement, the house of Dormeuil has been selling fine fabrics since 1842. Today, Dormeuil is not only renowned the world over for supplying suiting fabrics to bespoke tailors, but it also offers a bespoke suit experience to its customers at its Paris ateliers. This service is referred to as sur mesure (tailored) and has you sitting through a couple of highly detailed measurement and fitting sessions, before a second-skin-like French suit is prepared for you.

Dormeuil’s offering, while firmly rooted in sartorial traditions, has also managed to successfully come up with a more modern and experimental offering, with bold colours, statement stripes and checks, as well as experimental textures. A truly Parisian experience!

JUNE 2020

MUMBAI

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The Indian business traveller who is looking for homegrown excellence will find an exquisite offering in Raymond, a brand that dates back almost a century.

Raymond’s bespoke offering is now a viable option for discerning fashion consumers. Today, Raymond’s bespoke service is referred to as ‘Raymond Custom Tailoring’ and is available in select stores in India as well as a through a travelling tailor service, which you can book on their website. At Raymond, you not only enjoy a wide variety of in-house manufactured and imported fabrics but also the expertise of a team of specialised menswear stylists. These stylists have been trained keeping in mind Indian style sensibilities and are able to recommend and customise suits based on body type and lifestyle. The advantage that Raymond enjoys in its Indian stores is that it can effortlessly cater to Indian silhouettes in addition to western suits, the former largely being used as occasion wear, such as bundi jackets, bandhgalas and bespoke sherwanis.

If you are in Tokyo, you absolutely must visit Isetan Men’s

JUNE 2020

STYLE

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TOKYO If you’re in the Japanese capital anytime soon, you absolutely must visit Isetan Men’s. The pour homme offering of the iconic Japanese department store has an entire building dedicated to menswear. Ranging from fashion and footwear to accessories and grooming products, this eight storey building also features a fabulous suiting section (in addition to off-the-rack and made-to-measure selections). All the way from Naples in Italy, check out the Kiton space, which offers a host of exquisite Italian wool and cashmere fabrics, sourced from some of the most exclusive fabric-makers in rural Italy.

These are then translated into an unparalleled bespoke experience, incorporating the Japanese meticulous eye for detail. Once you have selected your suit, you can put together an entire ensemble by heading for the footwear section, where you will find many Japanese luxury shoemakers, as well as the accessories section for things to go with your suit — silk ties, pocket squares, custom cufflinks and even quirky socks.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A bespoke suit by Raymond; a suit material; a chic piece from Isetan Men’s and a formal suit JUNE 2020

Brooks Brothers specialises in ties, tie pins, lapel pins and bow ties

NEW YORK 56

At the heart of New York’s Manhattan borough, there is Madison Avenue, which is considered to be the nerve centre of American fashion. If you’re in the Big Apple, looking to get a customised suit, why not head to the flagship store of a quintessentially American brand — Brooks Brothers. A legacy label that banks largely on its sartorial heritage and unmistakable derby-meets-nautical vibe offers a splendid made-to-measure service with the help of its highlytrained crew of stylists and made-to-measure specialists, who focus on American-style suits. Buying an American-style suit from Brooks Brothers is particularly significant from the cultural point of view as they are considered to be the inventors of the American suit, characterised by a more relaxed fit, flap pockets, low armholes, single vents and a three-button construction. In addition, if you enjoy collecting accessories to go with your custom suit, Brooks Brothers specialises in fine-quality ties, tie pins, lapel pins and even bow-ties, if you’d like to ditch the formal look for a more quirky look.

JUNE 2020

STYLE

LEFT AND RIGHT: Brooks Brothers collection; corporate wear; suits in making at Liverano & Liverano and a formal suit

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FLORENCE Another Italian city that is considered to be a global hub of formal menswear is Florence. The fact that it hosts the bi-annual Pitti Uomo, the world’s most famous men’s fashion expo, exemplifies its tradition of bespoke tailoring. Florence insiders will tell you to avoid the larger brands and to hunt for smaller Florentine tailors that specialise in bespoke or su misura (tailored) suits, with high price points and rare fabrics. Most of these Florentine tailors work with local fabric producers and mills. The Sartoria Piero Cisternino specialises in both Florentine and Neapolitan suits, while the family-run Liverano & Liverano dates back to the 1950s and is frequented by many celebrities. On a more technical note, these Florentine tailors have a signature style where a single dart is created from the armhole to the pocket, representing a sense of symmetry between the lapel, which fuses with the collar. This is the Florentine touch!

JUNE 2020

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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eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

∙ InterContinental London

∙ St Regis Hong Kong

∙ Hyatt Regency Delhi

∙ Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc,

Park Lane

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∙ 137 Pillars Suites

Bangkok

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62 ∙ Four Seasons Hotel

London at Park Lane

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64 ∙ Conrad Bengalaru

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French Riviera

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

InterContinental London Park Lane B A C K G R O U N D First opened in 1975, the InterContinental has been through numerous refurbishments in the intervening years, and recently won Best Business Hotel in the UK at the Business Traveller Awards. The latest multimillion-pound renovation is by RPW Design and is just reaching completion this spring.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? No matter whether

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you are checking in, meeting someone or dining at one of the restaurants, at least two liveried and friendly doormen are there to greet you. Before you’ve taken a few steps into reception, there’s someone else smiling as they enquire if they can help, so that’s good security, but also a great welcome.

The long reception desk is immediately ahead, the Theo Randall restaurant is to the right, and the lounge and bar to the left.

Check-in was quick and we were in the room only two minutes after entering the hotel.

W H E R E I S I T ? On Hyde Park Corner

at the junction with Piccadilly and Park Lane, although the entrance is around the back on the quieter Hamilton Place.

The hotel is well located for transport connections west to Knightsbridge and, ultimately, Heathrow, via the Piccadilly Line (45 minutes), while a short walk or bus ride will take you to the shops.

R O O M S There are 449 rooms and suites, of which 135 have been renovated (all on floors three and four) and are now distinguished by being part of the “Mayfair

Collection”. Other rooms start (in terms of price) with the entry-level Classic rooms (18 sqm), which look into the inner courtyard, Superior (20 sqm), Deluxe (22 sqm) and Executive (29 sqm). Those that have been redesigned start with the Mayfair room (21.4 sqm) and then the Mayfair Deluxe at 22 sqm and upwards in terms of price and size.

The new rooms have a more muted and modern look to them, with “natural tones, luscious textures and organic materials”.

There’s also a “suite style”, which means they feel as spacious as possible and also more like an apartment or high-end home (residential, in other words).

The surrounding Royal Parks – Hyde Park and Green Park – are the inspiration, so you see an embroidery pattern of the plane tree, prevalent in the parks, on the headboard of the beds, a carpet design inspired by the veins of leaves at autumn time, bedside

The new rooms have a more muted and modern look to them, with natural tones tables with bronze handles in the shape of a leaf, and a metallic resin sculpture representing a tree trunk.

All of the rooms have king beds, goodsized desks, free wifi, USB ports, and UK/ US/EU charging points. Rooms also have marble bathrooms with showers, Mitchell and Peach amenities, a Nespresso coffee machine and a kettle with a selection of teas, as well as a widescreen TV.

Guests of Luxury suites and above have complimentary access to the newly refurbished Club InterContinental lounge on the seventh floor. Guests in other rooms can access the lounge for a payment of £145 (US$175) including VAT.

F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel has two fine-dining restaurants: Ella Canta for Mexican food (see businesstraveller.com for a review) and Theo Randall for Italian. Just off reception is the Arch Bar, which has live music in the evenings, and the Wellington Lounge for afternoon tea.

L E I S U R E There is a good-sized, well equipped and modern fitness centre on the first floor.

M E E T I N G S From rooms seating a dozen people to a ballroom holding 750 guests for a banquet.

V E R D I C T An excellent refurbishment of

these rooms, and the Club InterContinental now makes the most of the great views over Hyde Park Corner. Tom Otley

BEST FOR An unbeatable location

DON’T MISS The Club Intercontinental

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay start from US$360 for a Classic room and $404 for a new Mayfair room

CONTACT 1 Hamilton Place; tel +44 (0)20 7409 3131; parklane.intercontinental.com

JUNE 2020

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

137 Pillars Suites Bangkok B A C K G R O U N D 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) group, follows in the footsteps of the flagship 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Just two years old, the boutique all-suite concept features 34 luxury suites and 179 residences.

W H E R E I S I T ? The property is centrally located in the heart of Bangkok’s Sukhumvit-Thonglor area, close to the Thailand Stock Exchange and 1km from Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain Station.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Grand golden chandeliers, high ceilings, marble flooring and dark wooden décor enhanced with a subtle and tasteful colour palette ooze modern Thai elegance and sophistication.

Dulcet jazz tones create an urban vibe reminiscent of New York.

BEST FOR Value, location and service.

DON’T MISS The magical sunset on level 27

In-room technology and amenities are excellent

PRICE

S U I T E S There are four types of suites, all

Approx. US$482 per night

featuring stylish living and dining spaces and with the option of open-plan design or sliding doors for privacy to segregate the bedroom. In-room technology and amenities are excellent, but the real highlight is the floor-to-ceiling windows leading to a balcony with a table and chairs, full double-sized day bed and sweeping city views. Innovative guest services include a personal phone to make free international calls, access Wi-Fi access, or to call or message the butler who can help with any request, from arranging your ‘Grab’ (Thailand’s version of Uber) to restaurant recommendations. The open-plan bathrooms are worth a mention for their high-tech toilets and spectacular Bangkok views, plus some feature a decadent Japanese-style marble shower with an inbuilt seat.

colonial era-style lounge/bar/restaurant with only 11 tables, which also hosts complimentary afternoon tea, while Nimitr is the restaurant’s Asian-inspired fine-dining offering. The best place for sundowners is the pool bar, which serves complimentary drinks and snacks to suite guests only.

Other options include the Jack Bain’s Bar and the poolside Marble Bar on level 27 with tempting cocktails and views that take your breath away.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Options include

M E E T I N G S The dedicated meeting room

public and guest-only dining. Suite guests can take advantage of an à la carte breakfast at Baan Borneo, an intimate

CONTACT Tel: +66 2079 7000; email: stay@137pillarsbangkok. com; visit: 137pillarshotels.com

features ample audio-visual equipment, plus flipcharts and white boards. Stationery is available from reception.

L E I S U R E The Nitra Spa & Wellness centre on level 28 offers group exercise classes, personal training services, yoga and meditation studios and a range of treatments and holistic therapies, while golfers can practice their swing at the dedicated driving range and simulation studio – a hidden gem at this boutique property.

V E R D I C T Ideal for work or business and

short or long stays. Highlights include the 24/7 butler service and boutique dining and leisure options, plus it’s great value for money given its central location and luxury lifestyle facilities. Melanie Swan JUNE 2020

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

The St Regis Hong Kong B A C K G R O U N D The St Regis Hong Kong, which opened in April 2019 as Marriott’s 7,000th property worldwide, is the first St Regis-branded hotel in Hong Kong.

It’s also the fourth St Regis in the Greater Bay Area, joining properties in Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

W H E R E I S I T ? In Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district near Wan Chai MTR Station, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Wan Chai Pier, from which you can take a ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.

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The bed features linen products from Italian brand Frette. A second TV faces the bed as well. Control panels for lighting and curtains are on both sides of the bed, as well as an electrical socket and two USB ports – very convenient as I could charge my phone, tablet and access all controls while lying in bed. Also in the bedroom are a work table with stationery kit, electrical sockets and ports, a lounge chair and a sofa and coffee table. The en-suite bathroom is spacious with dual sinks and even two cloakrooms – one designed for male guests and the

BEST FOR A good location in the city and practical in-room amenities that cater well to the needs of business travellers.

DON’T MISS Trying the semi-buffet breakfast at Rùn and the afternoon tea served from dim sum-inspired trolleys in The Drawing Room.

PRICE Internet rates for a St Regis suite in mid-April start from HK$7,326 (US$764) including tax and surcharges.

CONTACT stregishongkong.com

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel was conceived as a private mansion and doesn’t have a very prominent entrance (apart from a waterfall beside it), but this adds privacy and a sense of mystery. At the helm of the hotel’s interior design is renowned designer André Fu, whose works in Hong Kong include The Upper House, Kerry Hotel and K11 Artus serviced residence in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The hotel’s location makes it a great new luxury choice for business travellers R O O M S The hotel has 129 guestrooms, including 17 suites in four categories: St Regis, Metropolitan, Governor’s and Presidential. Each level has only around nine rooms. I was staying in a 94 sqm St Regis suite with a king-size bed. All guests get in-room check-in by their butler, who then gives a rundown of the room and a brief introduction of the in-room amenities and services.

The suite has a living room, a bedroom and an en-suite bathroom. Both main rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. The living room, divided from the suite entrance by a wooden panel, has a lounge sofa, an armchair and a wall-mounted TV with Bang & Olufsen sound systems. There’s also a table with a sofa on one side and two chairs on the other.

The minibar, fully stocked with chargeable drinks and snacks, is placed behind the table. There’s also a Nespresso Creatista Plus coffee machine.

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other, with a wall-mounted mirror, for female guests. There’s both a bathtub and a walk-in shower room, and the Claybrook bathtub is large. There’s also a Dyson hairdryer, a set of Remede toiletries, as well as bathrobes and slippers from Frette.

F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel has four F&B outlets that meet the expected high standards of the St Regis brand: Chinese restaurant Rùn, French restaurant L’Envol, The Drawing Room and The St Regis Bar. L E I S U R E The wellness facilities are on the seventh floor. The 24-hour fitness centre features Technogym cardio and weight-

training equipment, with personal TV screens and docking stations. There’s also a swimming pool with a few lounge chairs and a poolside bar on the outdoor verandah (open 6am-10pm daily), as well as a spa offering facial and body treatments from 10am to 10pm.

V E R D I C T The hotel’s location in one

of Hong Kong’s major business districts makes it a great new luxury choice for business travellers, especially those attending exhibitions at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four distinctive F&B outlets are all definitely worth trying. Jackie Chen

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane B A C K G R O U N D Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane reopened in January 2011, following an extensive refurbishment.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Engulfed by lush greenery, this exquisite property aesthetically blends architectural elements from the 1930s into a contemporary frame. The thing that impressed me the most was the warm homelike feel the ambience emitted, which is crucial for road warriors like me.

W H E R E I S I T ? Located in the heart of Mayfair, this Four Seasons Hotel is close to Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. During evenings I would stroll to one of the parks nearby to unwind from a long day of meetings.

Its location and interiors

R O O M S I stayed in the Westminster suite

that opened to spectacular city views.

Alike the Four Seasons accommodations worldwide, this one too was minimalistic yet modern — just the way I like. The detailing of the walnut veneer panels and sienna walls is worth mentioning. The 196-key hotel offers 149 guestrooms and 47 suites.

Their speciality suites are spread across categories such as Terrace suite, Garden suite, Hyde Park suite and the Presidential suite among others.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Amaranto

Restaurant is undoubtedly one of my top recommendations in London for fine Italian dining. My favourite here was Scottish blue lobster that I enjoyed with a glass of red wine. For afternoon tea you can head to Amaranto Lounge that’s wrapped in Mayfair’s tradition and opulence. However, what caught my fancy during the stay was the Amaranto Bar. Adorning a striking red interior, this bar is known for its negroni trolley experience that tweaks the iconic cocktail into something experimental.

B U S I N E S S The meeting facilities at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane are

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BEST FOR DON’T MISS A cocktail at Amaranto Bar

PRICE Upwards of £856/ ₹79,000

CONTACT

Adorning a striking red interior, this bar is known for its negroni trolley experience

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1J 7DR, United Kingdom fourseasons.com

spread across 796 sqm space. It is ideal for big gatherings. The lounge on the tenth floor can be utilised for private cocktails and small events.

L E I S U R E indulge in a wellness therapy whilst taking in the sweeping sight of Hyde Park from the glass-walled rooftop spa.

Services at the hotel range from speciality massages to organic body treatments and facials available in great packages.

V E R D I C T A Mayfair address that should be on every business traveller’s list of top accommodations in the UK. Ravi Lalwani

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Hyatt Regency Delhi

BEST FOR Its suites

DON’T MISS A fabulous meal at T.K’S Oriental Grill

PRICE Upwards of ₹15,000 (US$198)

CONTACT Hyatt Regency Delhi, Bhikaiji Cama Place, Ring Road, New Delhi, India, 110066 hyatt.com

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B A C K G R O U N D Built in 1983, Hyatt Regency Delhi is Hyatt’s flagship five-star property in India.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? While the hotel is dressed in aesthetic and modern interiors, its impressive façade is inspired by the Golden Age of the Gupta period in Indian history. I see a mix of business and leisure crowd as soon as I enter the elegant lobby.

W H E R E I S I T ? The property is located in south Delhi, five minutes away from Sarojini Nagar, a well-known market area for shopaholics, and a 15-minute drive from the Hauz Khas Village, one of the poshest areas in the Indian capital. The hotel is an easy 20-minute hop from Indira Gandhi International Airport and is also in close from proximity to Delhi’s notable markets and malls such as Emporio, DLF, and the Ambience Mall. The hotel also has a close proximity to embassies and central business districts.

R O O M S The hotel offers 494 guestrooms

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a range of beautiful suites. I stayed in a Regency Executive suite, which offered me breathtaking views of the city. This 53 sqm one-bedroom suite is designed in a contemporary style while maintaining touches of Indian culture. I particularly liked the room’s warm interiors in pastel shades (complemented by modern furnishings) and walls adorned with local artefacts. Other features include a king-size bed, a massive marble deluxe bathroom and a large work desk with high-speed internet. My suite on the Regency Club floor also gave me access to the Regency Club lounge, which comes with a host of premium offerings.

The Club is an ideal location for conducting a business meeting as well.

Built in 1983, Hyatt Regency Delhi is Hyatt’s flagship five-star property in India F O O D A N D D R I N K I had dinner at T.K’S Oriental Grill, the restaurant serving pan Asian cuisine, including Japanese,

Indonesian and Thai.

With its open woodfire oven concept, La Piazza is a must-visit for fine Italian fare in the city.

The place is also known for its elaborate antipasti buffet for brunch on Sundays. A multi-cuisine restaurant, Café; The China Kitchen, a contemporary Chinese restaurant and the Polo Lounge, a classic lounge bar are some of its other F&B offerings.

B U S I N E S S Hyatt Regency Delhi is a

quintessential business hotel offering more than 2,977 sqm of meetings and events space, with many different venues. One such space is a brand new Oval Room at The Mansion which has an open show kitchen.

L E I S U R E Being a fitness enthusiast, I chose to spend some time doing cardio at the hotel’s fully-equipped fitness centre that is housed in Club Olympus Spa, Salon and Fitness.

In addition to various rejuvenating treatments, it features a sauna, a steam bath, a whirlpool, a beauty salon and an outdoor swimming pool.

V E R D I C T A strategically located property replete with state-of-the-art luxury and business facilities. Ravi Lalwani

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Conrad Bengaluru BEST FOR A meal at Indian Durbar

DON’T MISS A dip in their infinity pool followed by a drink at Tiamo

PRICE Upwards of ₹12,000 (US$159)

CONTACT Conrad Bengaluru, 25/3, Kensington Road, Someshwarpura, Halasuru, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India hilton.com

B A C K G R O U N D Conrad Bengaluru opened two years ago and is the second property of the luxury flagship brand of Hilton in India, after Conrad Pune.

The hotel is owned by Bengaluru based-Prestige Group.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates from Singapore, Conrad Bengaluru epitomises minimal luxury. The lobby is dressed in warm shades of gold and beige, blending old-world charm with a contemporary vibe. While locally inspired artefacts and minimal aesthetics come together, the pièce de résistance is the magnificent chandelier that’s sourced from the Czech Republic. Since I was staying in an Executive level accommodation, I headed straight to the Executive Lounge for a personalised check-in, following my traditional welcome.

W H E R E I S I T ? It is an hour’s drive from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, nested on the edge of MG Road. The hotel overlooks the beautiful Ulsoor Lake.

R O O M S It houses 285 rooms and suites

that feature categories including Deluxe rooms, Deluxe suites, Executive rooms and Executive suites.

The Presidential suite has hosted esteemed guests such as the Dalai Lama.

Rooms upwards of the 18th floor are categorised as Executive and have access to the Executive Lounge on the 20th floor.

I was staying in an Executive suite on the 23rd floor. The space is divided into a living room that has a pantry with a Nespresso machine and the minibar along with a separate lavatory for guests, and the bedroom with a spacious marble bathroom.

A soak tub and a separate shower area with Shanghai Tang bath amenities make this a very luxurious nook. Sweeping views of the Ulsoor Lake are another highlight of this suite. In the day, I didn’t require any lighting as abundant natural sunlight flows through the space.

India along with a bold collection of Indian inspired cocktails. Tiamo is its poolside al-fresco bar which comes alive in the evenings. Caraway Kitchen is fantastic for all-day dining, serving an eclectic range of world cuisine.

The Lobby Brew is an ideal place for business meetings over filter coffee, perhaps even a single malt.

F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel’s USP is its extensive F&B. For pan-Asian, there’s Mikusu where I savoured sashimi and sushi of superior quality. I’d recommend their yakitori and dim sum too. Indian Durbar was running a festival called Rivaayat-ePunjab that featured dishes from undivided

L E I S U R E A stunning temperaturecontrolled infinity pool hosts aqua fitness classes in the mornings by Pooja Arora.

Conrad Spa has five treatment rooms and houses an interesting ice fountain in the wet area. A traditional Swedish massage that followed my workout in the adjacent fitness centre (24-hour) quite helped my aching pains. There is also a salon on this level.

A soak tub and a seperate shower with Shanghai Tang bath amenities make this a very luxurious nook

B U S I N E S S Meeting spaces sprawl over

1,500 sqm, including a pillarless ballroom.

There are seven additional meeting rooms.

The facilities occupy the second floor of the hotel and this section has a separate entry point for event guests. This is the only hotel in Bengaluru to have escalator access in its meeting spaces.

V E R D I C T A blend of luxury and fantastic F&B for business travellers who like to indulge during their stay. Akanksha Maker

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, French Riviera B A C K G R O U N D Immortalised in F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel Tender is the Night and frequented by stars and statesmen, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has long been one of the most luxurious addresses on the Cote d’Azur. It opened as a hotel in 1889, although its grand main building turns 150 this year. The 2020 season, due to begin this month, has been delayed. It is a member of the Oetker Collection.

W H E R E I S I T ? On the southern tip of the Cap d’Antibes, half an hour’s drive from Nice airport and 20 minutes from Cannes.

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W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Corny as it may sound, you do feel like a film star from the moment you pull off Boulevard J F Kennedy into the driveway. That feeling is amplified when you descend its grand staircase dressed for dinner, or lounge around its legendary pool, blasted out of basalt rock in 1914. If you have the means then this is a place where you come to live your best life.

It’s about understated luxury rather than screaming opulence, though. Helped from my car by a typically charming member of staff, I was welcomed warmly into the lobby lounge of the main château, an airy space in shades of cream and pale blue that keep the focus on the sea views beyond.

A door at the far end leads down to the 179-metre Grande Allée – the property’s “boulevard to the sea”, flanked by fragrant pine and palm trees. At the seafront is

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R O O M S There are 118 rooms and suites across the main house, the Pavilion and the Les Deux Fontaines building. Room categories range from 25 sqm Tradition to 40 sqm, sea-facing Deluxe, and suite categories from 45 sqm Junior, some with terraces, to the 100 sqm Eden-Roc suite, offering fantastic views from its large terrace. Restful and elegant, interiors hark

M E E T I N G S Most venues are in the Pavilion and there’s a pontoon for access from the water. The Iles de Lérins ballroom divides in three and holds 200 guests for a banquet or 220 for cocktails, while its expansive terrace accommodates 150 for dinner or 200 for drinks. The Eden-Roc Restaurant and terrace can take 200 diners, while the Grill hosts 50 to 100 diners or cocktails for 200. The champagne lounge holds 100 for drinks. Cocktail parties are possible on the Grande Allée, and small gatherings in the cabanas. The hotel can be booked for exclusive hire, and as part of this, drinks for up to 450 guests can be held around the 700 sqm pool deck.

If you have the means then this is a place where you come to live your best life

L E I S U R E Cut into the cliff, the heated seawater infinity pool has direct access to the sea. There’s also a La Prairie spa, a gym and five clay tennis courts.

the Eden-Roc Pavilion, home to more guestrooms and most of the food and drink venues, and the pool. Walk left from here, through more of the hotel’s nine hectares of pine forest and gardens, and scattered along the seafront are 33 private cabanas.

back to a bygone age, with floral prints and pastel colours. My first-floor room, located in the main building and overlooking the Grande Allée and sea, was in tangerine and cream and had a summery, classic feel.

Bathrooms have tubs, walk-in showers and Bamford toiletries.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Aside from the main building’s Bar Bellini, the restaurants and bars are in the Pavilion. There’s the Eden-Roc Restaurant for lunch, which, new for 2020, will transform into Louroc restaurant for dinner, and the Eden-Roc Grill. Boasting glorious terraces at the sea’s edge, they are being redesigned for this season, with “a new dimension [being added] to the gastronomic experience”.

For drinks, there’s also a bar adjoining the Eden-Roc Restaurant and a rooftop champagne lounge.

V E R D I C T A sensational property both for a decadent retreat or a memorable event.

You won’t want to leave. Michelle Harbi

B E S T F O R Intuitive, spot-on service, old-school glamour and stupendous views

D O N ’ T M I S S People-watching by the pool and sipping Provençal rosé as the sun sets at the Eden-Roc Grill

P R I C E Internet rates for a flexible overnight stay start from €850 (US$923) for a Tradition room

CONTACT Boulevard John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Cap d’Antibes; tel +33 493 613 901; oetkercollection.com