Business Traveller | May - June 2011 by Motivate Media Group

MAY/JUNE 2011

MIDDLE EAST $5.00

And the winners areâ&#x20AC;Ś Qatar t Sports t Budapest meetings t New York hotels t 4hrs in Greenwich

MIDDLE EAST

Contents May-June 2011

34 SPECIAL REPORTS

DESTINATIONS

26 AWARDS REVIEW

40 MEET IN BUDAPEST

34 GOING UP IN THE WORLD

46 NEW YORK BEDS

Emirates and IHG star at BTME Awards 2011 Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new hotels are heading skywards

54 COMPETITIVE STREAK

More Middle Eastern sports venues mix business and leisure

63 FACE TO INTERFACE

Video-conferencing technology is growing rapidly

MICE business flocks to Hungarian capital New hotels have opened in Manhattan

REGULARS 4 TALKING POINT

Dubai targets conventions business

6 LETTERS

Your opinions aired and answered

8 UPFRONT

Airline and hotel news

18 TRIED & TESTED

Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha; Ritz-Carlton Shanghai; Bangkok Air; Four Seasons Mumbai

52, 73 COMPETITIONS

Win indulgent stays and extras at Grand Millennium Al Wahda and Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach Historical and beautiful Greenwich

70 ASK ALEX

Solutions to your travel queries

74 FREQUENT TRAVELLER The perils of packing Visit businesstravellerme.com

MAY/JUNE2011 | 3

COVER PHOTO: FAROOQ SALIK

60 FOUR HOURS IN . . .

Talking point Dubai targets conventions business suite, although it all looked as you’d expect in terms of comfort, fittings and technology. I liked the trendy iPad-like device where you can do everything from adjusting the temperatures to ordering room service – no doubt this will be industry standard by the time the property opens (much like the ubiquitous rainshower is now). That won’t be for another year or so – and it will be another year before all the rooms are open – but already its central premise, to target large groups and conventions, looks a shrewd move. Curiously for a city which is never short of largesse, it hasn’t really ou know Dubai is returning to tackled the large groups business health when you have the well. Conferences of between chance to snoop around a 100-300 remain meat and drink for 1,614-room hotel. The JW Marriott most hoteliers, but beyond this Marquis on Sheikh Zayed Road is threshold, options are limited, actually larger than anything I can particularly in stand-alone venues. recall in the boom years, which is a The city is already on the bold move as we tiptoe out of conventions map, hosting everyone recession. It’s also going to be the from transport engineers to largest Marriott outside the US opthamologists down the road at which, amid all the regional unrest, Dubai World Trade Centre, but their tells you something about the accommodation choices are limited company’s outlook for this part of to already busy city centre hotels or the world. slightly more remote resorts which There isn’t much to see at this handle business as part of their stage, beyond a large access ramp, leisure mix. pre-function ballroom area and lift up By pitching itself as the de facto big to the requisite completed room/ event business hotel, Marriott may

Y What do you think? Have your say at business travellerme. com/discussion

MIDDLE EAST

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 1 Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published by Motivate Publishing and Panacea Publishing PANACEA PUBLISHING Managing Director Julian Gregory Associate Publisher Middle East Rania Apthorpe Global Editor-in-Chief Tom Otley

MOTIVATE PUBLISHING Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Group Editor and Managing Partner Ian Fairservice Group Senior Editor Gina Johnson Editor Dominic Ellis 4 | MAY/JUNE2011

Art Director Tarak Parekh Senior Designer B Raveendran Designer Charlie D. Banalo Editorial Coordinator Hilda D’Souza Contributors Catherine Belbin, Reggie Ho, Julian Gregory, Catherine Chetwynd, Jenny Southan, Mark Aktinson, Rose Dykins, Mark Prigg, Alex McWhirter Photographer Farooq Salik General Manager — Production & Circulation S Sasidharan General Manager, Group Sales Anthony Milne Senior Advertisement Manager Abraham Koshy General Manager, Abu Dhabi Joe Marritt

be on to a winner, and its proximity to Dubai World Trade Centre is another clear attribute, although I wouldn’t want to be the one co-ordinating the movements of 1,600-plus delegates (nor handling the booking sheet for 4,015sqm of conference and event space). The only gripe is there doesn’t appear to be a metro stop directly outside, which would be convenient for delegates on conference business. But under the ownership of the Emirates Group, the hotel should take flight. Dubai always likes to join the dots, and if the airline’s increasing number of A380s can bring in convention business from all corners of the globe, then everyone will be happy. Business Traveller Middle East is pleased to announce that it has entered new territory too, with the launch of our dedicated website, which complements our popular UK/ Europe and Asia Pacific portals. We look forward to providing you with rolling news, and hearing your views, on www.businesstravellerme.com.

Dominic Ellis Editor

Head Office: PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 2824060, Fax: +971 4 2824436, E-mail: btme@motivate.ae

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Letters Have an opinion? Share it, and we will tell everyone about it. Email us at btme@motivate.ae or log on to www.businesstravellerme.com and join The Forum. GREAT SERVICE, POOR COMMUNICATION I am writing with regards to an interesting experience I had with Oman Air. While the in-flight experience was excellent, the booking process and pre- and post-flight problems negated all of that. Booking the flight was difficult – despite taking the money from my credit card, the airline would not confirm the tickets. Consequently, I called the office in Oman but, after being put on hold for a long time, I was told to call the office in Frankfurt [where I was to depart from]. The Frankfurt office said it was nothing to do with them and that I should call Oman. I called Oman once more and a few hours later the tickets were issued. As I was travelling business class, I booked a limo from Muscat airport to the hotel and from the office back to the airport. Upon arrival in Frankfurt for the flight to Oman, I discovered no business lounge was provided. Also, despite having checked in online, I was made to check in again at the gate and issued with a new boarding pass. On arrival at Oman, very much later than scheduled, there was no limo to meet me. I was kept waiting for almost half an hour, despite being told my problem was being dealt with. Eventually, I decided to not wait any longer and take a taxi, then found the driver outside. The limo for the return journey never turned up and I had to organise a taxi. Given that I was in Oman for only a few hours on urgent business, the time delays I suffered were critical to the success of the project. I also incurred expenses of £154.60, including international phone calls, the taxi and lounge access. I have emailed Oman Air twice since my return but, so far, it hasn’t answered other than via auto-response emails. As I said, the in-flight experience was better than most business class offerings and almost on a par with some first class, so I was especially disappointed with the customer service aspect of the experience. Mark Edwards, Devon ■ Oman Air replies: While we are delighted that Mr Edwards found his flight with Oman Air to be “excellent”, we are disappointed to hear

6| MAY/JUNE2011

that his experience before and after the flight did not live up to our usual high standards. Occasionally, brief delays are encountered between the booking of tickets and their being issued. We appreciate that this can be frustrating, and we are working to eliminate such delays from our system. We also aim to ensure that any such issues can be resolved at the first point of contact with Oman Air. Regarding access to lounge facilities at Frankfurt, Oman Air’s business class customers have access to the Cathay Pacific lounge, which is next to the departure gate used by Mr Edwards and is clearly signposted. A lounge pass should have been issued to Mr Edwards at check-in, but if this did not happen, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused. Mr Edwards’ check-in also appears to have been problematic and, while online check-in is secure, convenient and usually reliable, it seems likely that the boarding pass issued could not be read and that the check-in process had to be repeated at the airport. Lastly, the lack of a limousine service in Muscat has been taken up with the firm contracted to provide it. While the limousine’s lack of appearance is blamed on confusion over timings, the company and Oman Air would like to apologise to Mr Edwards for the difficulties this caused. We are looking into our customer services department’s response and staff will contact Mr Edwards directly.

GUARANTEE ISSUES WITH HILTON I am writing with regards to poor customer service from Hilton. Hilton offers a guarantee on its website (hilton.com) that the rates on its own site are the cheapest available, with a claim form available on the same site. As a frequent business traveller with a specific per day budget, I have used such guarantees successfully with other hotel groups to meet the allowance, and when there is a refusal this is clearly explained and I fully understand. I made such a claim for a stay at Hilton Basel and filled in the required web form. A response was promised within 24 hours. No response arrived, so I sent a reminder, including my screenshot and indicating that travel was imminent – then another reminder after 48 hours, and again after 72 hours. I finally got a response to my claim only after I had checked out of the hotel, apologising for the delayed response and saying that they could not see the rate. I believe that the advertising on the website is very misleading, as it is not possible to claim if claims are simply ignored until after checkout. I have since spoken to other colleagues and frequent travellers who have confirmed that Hilton simply refuses to stand by its guarantee. I should also add that I have been a Hilton HHonors Diamond member for many years. This poor customer service will cause me to re-evaluate my loyalty. Name and address supplied ■ Hilton Worldwide replies: Our best rate guarantee promises our guests the best possible room rates through our booking channels. We are sorry to hear that Mr Green did not receive a response to his enquiry regarding his claim and acknowledge that it wasn’t dealt with in the appropriate manner. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and can confirm that we have followed up with Mr Green personally to resolve his concerns.

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UPfront

For all the latest news log on to businesstravellerme.com

Starwood and Marriott rolling out more beds in Dubai

STARWOOD AND MARRIOTT believe the Dubai market still has plenty of revenue-spinning potential after announcing new projects in the city centre. The 1,614-room JW Marriott Marquis aims to take Dubai’s convention business to a whole new level when it opens next year. Set to be the largest Marriott outside North America, the hotel will open in two phases, with 807 rooms opening at launch – earmarked mid to end 2012 – and the remainder coming on stream a year later. With two ballrooms, 22 break-out meeting rooms and 4,015sqm total event space, the two-tower development makes a bold statement and aims to place Dubai firmly on the international conventions and large groups map. Mark Satterfield, Chief Operations Officer for Middle East and Africa, said:“It will offer meeting planners the

Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center, has been appointed General Manager of the hotel, which is owned by the Emirates Group. Marriott International will roll out six new properties across the MENA region in the next three years. They include the 78-room Residence Inn by Marriott Juffair in Bahrain –marking the first Residence Inn by Marriott JW Marriott Marquis regionally – and 495-room Ritz chance to bring large groups to Carlton Riyadh this summer. Dubai and host events under one Other developments include single venue.” a double move on Algiers, with a Currently the largest stand-alone 247-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the city is the Grand Hyatt and 147-room Residence Inn due Dubai with 674 rooms. to open by 2014. Vice President Sales & Marketing The region will also see a 335Jeff Strachan said:“There’s no hotel room Courtyard by Marriott Cairo in the local market which will offer Mirage City (opening 2012) and what we do on such a scale. In fact, Ritz-Carlton Rabat (2013). with the exception of the North President & Managing Director American gateway cities, there’s not Ed Fuller said despite political a lot of choice globally.” and economic uncertainties, With convention booking the development opportunities cycles anything up to two years remain strong. in advance, Strachan said the Marriott currently has 43 hotel was now handling proposals hotels under development or for 2013. He said Marriott construction in the next five years, will work closely with Dubai which will swell its overall MENA Convention Bureau. portfolio to 74 properties. Guest rooms contain LCD The company continues to TVs, iPod stations and wireless target opportunities in Africa and internet, and the hotel will contain expects to announce projects 13 restaurants and Saray Spa and later this year in South Africa, Health Club. Mauritius, Tanzania, Angola, Rupprecht Queitsch, formerly Nigeria and Benin.“We may even General Manager of the Paris get close to 100,”said Fuller.

Emirates boosts South American network EMIRATES WILL START daily services to Buenos Aires via Rio de Janeiro from January 3. The service will be operated by a B777-300ER with eight First Class private suites, 42 lie-flat Business seats and 304 Economy seats. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, said both cities are renowned as important business and trading centres as well as world-class leisure destinations. “Our research has shown that there is a high demand for these cities from

8 | MAY/JUNE2011

The Sheraton Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Hotel, due to open at the beginning of 2014, will face Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre in the heart of Dubai’s commercial district as part of a three-tower mixed-use project. Sheraton Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Hotel will contain 660 rooms comprising 480 guest rooms and 180 serviced apartments. The deal was signed with Abdulsalam Alrafi Group. Extensive dining, conference and leisure facilities will be on site including the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, a Sheraton Club Lounge and the Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft communications hub where guests can socialise or make connections online. The Sheraton brand is well established in the city with two properties in the Deira district, and resort on Jumeirah, but this deal aims to revitalise its status amid increasing competition. Starwood has also announced it will open the Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah Hotel in 2013. The 220-room property, located on the King Faisal Road in the downtown area, will comprise 187 rooms and 33 suites, an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre and outdoor pool, four meeting rooms and business centre. The hotel will offer free wi-fi in public areas.

across our network,” he said. “Our first service to Argentina is a much-anticipated addition to our network which will open important new markets for us.” Brazil has been part of the Emirates network since 2007 when it began flights from Dubai to Sao Paulo. With the country set to host both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics, Brazil will be further catapulted into the world’s spotlight – an additional allure for the sports sponsorship-loving airline. EK247 will leave Dubai daily at 0705hrs and arrive at Rio’s Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1535hrs. It will depart Rio at 1720hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0120hrs the next day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0255hours, arriving in Dubai at 2235hrs.

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UPfront

Qatar Airways launches trio of jets and routes QATAR AIRWAYS TAKES delivery of three private jets this summer and launches flights to Entebbe, Baku and Tbilisi in November. The three jets, a Bombardier XRS, Challenger 605 and Global 5000, arrive in May, July and August respectively, doubling Qatar Executive’s overall fleet to six. The Bombardier XRS can seat up to 13 with seats that convert into fully flat beds, the Challenger can accommodate 12 passengers while the largest Global 5000 has a two-cabin configuration - a forward cabin with four seats and four-place conference table and rear cabin with two seats and three-person divan. Entebbe services start November 2, while flights to Tbilisi (via Baku) begin November 30. The three routes will be served by two-class A320s with 12 seats in business class and 132 in economy. The airline starts services to Shiraz (twice weekly, June 5), Venice (daily, July 15) and Montreal (thrice-weekly, June 29) next month, which will be followed by four-a-week services to Medina (July 14) and daily services to Kolkata (July 27). Turn to page 34 for more on Qatar.

Wyndham makes moves on Qatar WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP plans to open three new-build Planet Hollywood hotels in Doha, Panama City and Hainan Island. The group signed exclusive rights to franchise the Planet Hollywood Hotels name in September last year, building on the success of the brand’s restaurants and bars, and the existing Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Planet Hollywood Entertainment City is set to open in Doha in 2014, featuring 300 rooms, a restaurant, cafe, lounge, meeting facilities, spa and swimming pool. The hotel will join the first Wyndham Grand property in Doha, due to open this spring (pictured).

Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas

10 | MAY/JUNE2011

Seven-strong Kempinski bolsters regional network

Kempinski Mall of the Emirates Dubai

KEMPINSKI’S MIDDLE EASTERN expansion is about to go up a gear with a slew of properties coming on stream. They are the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah in Dubai Kempinski Hotel, Jeddah; Kempinski Hotel, Riyadh; Kempinski Al Othman Hotel Al Khobar; Kempinski Hotel Bahrain City Centre; Kempinski The Wave, Muscat and Kempinski Hotel Summerland, Beirut. Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, containing 244 suites, penthouses and suites, will open “in a few months”. The property is Kempinski’s first beach resort in Dubai and will be complemented by the Emerald Palace Kempinski Palm Jumeirah Dubai which is also due to open in 2011. Kempinski Hotel Bahrain City Centre,

Manama, which is set to open in September, will have 460 rooms and suites, and 1,000sqm day spa. The Kempinski Hotel Jeddah, located in a 240m tower, will have 250 rooms and suites and 1,000sqm ballroom, while the 300-room Kempinski Riyadh will be slightly larger with 300 rooms and suites and ballroom for 2,000 guests. The Al Khobar property will have 141 rooms, 57 suites and nine restaurants and cafes along with two banquet halls measuring 1,080sqm each. Completing the portfolio will be the 22,000sqm Kempinski Hotel Summerland resort in Beirut, opening next year, and the 280-room Kempinski The Wave, Muscat, due to open in 2013.

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UPfront

Third Citymax hotel in UAE while Staybridge and Hilton brands grow at the double CITYMAX HOTEL SHARJAH opened its doors in May, marking the brand’s third UAE property. The 230-room hotel, located on the central Al Wahda Street, comes within a year of the launch of its Dubai duo, Citymax Al Barsha and Citymax Bur Dubai. Michael A. Weyland, General Manager Hotels Division, Landmark Group, said the UAE today is no longer perceived as a mere stopover option and become a more rounded destination, largely due to the emergence of low-cost carriers and growth of the midmarket hotel sector. “Citymax Hotels continuously strive to offer these customers the best in hospitality experience at an affordable price. The high occupancy rate that we continue to enjoy is testament to the focused customer service we offer.” The property offers twin and double rooms and each one comes with a 10-inch mattress, high speed internet, 32-inch TV, and laptopsized digital safe. The hotel has a 24-hour coffee shop and buffet restaurant as well as five multi-functional meeting rooms. It is around 6kms from Sharjah International Airport and half-an-hour from Dubai International Airport. InterContinental Hotels Group is to open a second Staybridge Suites in Abu Dhabi

and another property in Ras Al Khaimah. Staybridge Suites Ras Al Khaimah, scheduled to open in 2012, will be an 80-suite hotel conversion of an existing building located close to the city’s commercial district. The 112-room Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Rawdhat, due to open 2014, will open in a new area of the UAE capital close to the airport. The existing Staybridge Suites on Yas Island opened in 2009. H.E Sheikh Mubarak Abdulla Al Mubarak Al Sabah, Chairman, Action Hotels, which has partnered with IHG, said:“We believe that the Staybridge Suites brand answers the growing demand for accommodation that is different from a traditional hotel.” Hilton Worldwide has announced plans to open DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Barsha and Hilton Garden Inn Doha Al Sadd. The mid-market DoubleTree continues to spearhead the company’s regional brand expansion of late, following the recent opening of hotels in Aqaba and Ras Al Khaimah. Rudi Jagersbacher, area president, Middle

Rosewood about to bloom across region Rosewood Hotel Riyadh

ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS plans to open at least four hotels regionally next year as it gears up for a new phase of expansion. The 190-room Rosewood Abu Dhabi will open June 2012 on Visit businesstravellerme.com

East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said it has hit the ground running in 2011, opening five hotels so far this year - the above mentioned DoubleTrees, along with the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa, Hilton Cape Town City Centre and Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo. This year will also see the opening of the 259-room Hilton Sharjah, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach Residence and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE and Hilton Marsa Alam Resort in Egypt. The Hilton Windhoek in Namibia will open at the end of May.

Sowa Island, in the heart of the new Abu Dhabi Financial Centre, marking the luxury operator’s first UAE branded property. It is adopting a similar strategy up the road, with the 250-room Rosewood Dubai due to open at Dubai International Financial Centre late summer 2012. New hotels are also due to open in Bahrain and Cairo next year, while Kuwait and Qatar are on its development radar. Rosewood has 10 years’ experience in KSA and curiously, while many hotel groups are now looking to gain a foothold in the Kingdom, it is now expanding outwards. “Our biggest markets are UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, so it makes perfect sense to capitalise on those locations,” said Ron Cusiter, Vice President Sales and Marketing Operations. “The UAE properties give us the perfect marriage of business customers in both cities.” Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh recently opened a new wing, swelling its overall room count to 330, and Cusiter said it is looking at one more project on the outskirts of the city. “In the next 10 and 15 years, Riyadh will continue to grow northwards,” he said. But Cusiter stressed Rosewood is a collection and not a chain. “We’re not going to say we’re going to do 50 hotels in so many years – it’s more important we find the right partner. But the Middle East and Asia are where we see growth in the next 10 years.” MAY/JUNE2011 | 11

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UPfront HOTEL NEWS MARRIOTT’S three-in-one complex comprising a Renaissance hotel, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments aims to open in Doha between June 1-July 1. The site features seven restaurants and 35m lap pool on the seventh floor, linking the Renaissance and Courtyard/MEA towers, with a palm tree-strewn patio area large enough to host events. A 21m indoor pool is also available for MEA guests on the 44th floor (see page 34). The first DOUBLETREE by Hilton in the UAE has opened in Ras Al Khaimah. Located in Al Nakeel business district and close to the beach, the hotel contains 98 rooms and 28 one, two and three-bed apartments. Rooms contain 32-inch LCD TVs, high-speed internet, and 24-hour in-room dining, while the business centre is also open round the clock, providing executives with greater flexibility. Two boardrooms are also on site. Recreation facilities include rooftop pool, whirlpool, steam room, fitness centre and spa. It marks the second Doubletree regionally following the opening of the 173-room DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba. FAIRMONT PALM JUMEIRAH will open next year, one of five new hotels the Canadian operator will manage regionally. The resort contains 36,500sq ft of meeting space, variety of dining facilities, Willow Stream spa, outdoor leisure facilities and pool complex. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has confimed agreements for hotels in Riyadh, Muscat, Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. The 287-room Riyadh hotel, which will feature a 4,000sqm convention centre, is slated to open late 2012. MÖVENPICK recently launched its Circle M loyalty programme which provides members exclusive F&B and room discounts at participating hotels regionally. The rapidly expanding chain has four more properties coming up in Dubai - Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Jumeirah Lake Towers; Mövenpick Residence at the Square; The Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa; and Oceana Hotel & Spa. Its UAE portfolio will also include properties in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. Other regional developments include two hotels in Saudi Arabia, Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar – set to open in June – and Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh, and one project in Oman, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Salalah. HYATT’S two upcoming Abu Dhabi hotels, Hyatt Capital Gate and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, are scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2011. Linked to

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the 189-room Hyatt at Capital Gate occupies levels 18 to 32 of the slanting 35-storey tower. Each room in the hotel will have a different shape and orientation and the hotel’s ‘sky lobby’ will be suspended 80 metres above the ground on the 18th floor. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, located on the northern part of Saadiyat Island, will be the third Park Hyatt hotel in the Middle East and the fourth Hyatt hotel in the UAE. The 270-room hotel is surrounded by the 18-hole championship Saadiyat Beach golf course, and features a 9km natural beach. Long Beach, a SUN RESORTS hotel, recently opened on the east coast of Mauritius. The 255-room hotel, located on a 59-acre site formerly occupied by Le Coco Beach Hotel, lives up to its name by adjoining an 800m beach.

14 | MAY/JUNE2011

Mumbai selected for first W Hotel in India THE FIRST W Hotel in India will open in Mumbai in 2015, Starwood has announced. Overlooking the Mahalaxmi racecourse, the hotel will form a part of the Namaste Tower, a 55storey mixed-use building. It will contain more than 350 stylishly appointed guestrooms, including two WOW Suites and one Extreme WOW Suite, two contemporary restaurants, one bar, W lounge, WET pool deck, SWEAT fitness center and spa. W Mumbai will also house stylish spaces for luxury designer retail stores and host year-round events. “We are excited to bring the W lifestyle to Mumbai, another step in W’s global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations,”said Frits van Paasschen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. “W Mumbai will offer a contemporary take on design, fashion and music in the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant

districts, bringing an innovative and distinctive experience to Mumbai.” When the hotel opens, Starwood will have seven of its nine brands present in India. Delhi NCR region, Goa and Kerala have been identified as locations for additional W Hotels.

Massage on the move IF YOU DON’T fancy indulging in a five-star hotel massage, travelling executives now have a cheaper, convenient alternative. Terraillon’s mini-masseurs (AED49) are small enough to fit into your hand luggage and could sooth any aches and pains between meetings. It’s a bit of a novel departure for the company, which makes bathroom and kitchen scales and water filter jugs.

Gold and Bronze at Bonnington JLT THE BONNINGTON JUMEIRAH Lakes Towers is offering a Deluxe Room inclusive of breakfast plus a variety of exciting leisure offers between May 15-August 31 (Gold package costs Dhs699 per night, Bronze package costs Dhs599 a night).

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AIRLINE NEWS GULF AIR has increased services between Bahrain and Milan from four to six flights per week. From July 1, the route will be served by an Airbus A320 to handle increased summer demand, with 16 seats in Falcon Gold Class and 120 in economy. Corporates can choose between two schedules, one departing Bahrain early morning, the other leaving late morning. The Gulf carrier will join Qatar Airways and Emirates in launching flights to Copenhagen from July 1, and is returning to Nairobi on July 5 after a seven-year absence. The carrier will fly a Boeing 737 aircraft leased from Swiss firm Privatair to the Danish capital, and A320 to Nairobi. EMIRATES recently deployed the A380 aircraft on direct services to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Shanghai is the carrier’s third Greater China destination served by the superjumbo aircraft after Beijing and Hong Kong. The A380 will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and depart Dubai at 0310, arriving in Shanghai at 1530. The return leg will depart Shanghai at 2330 and arrive back in Dubai at 0430. QATAR AIRWAYS is expanding its services to Budapest, with the current routing via Bucharest moving to a direct flight from September 14. The carrier will also increase frequencies on the route from three-times weekly to daily from the same date. The airline recently received its 25th B777 aircraft and aims to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in March 2012. BRITISH AIRWAYS customers can now book flights from Heathrow to Amman directly through ba.com, thanks to a new codeshare agreement with ROYAL JORDANIAN. Fellow Oneworld member Royal Jordanian offers a daily service between Heathrow Terminal 3 and Amman, using a two-class economy and business A330 aircraft. The agreement follows the launch of threetimes weekly Easyjet flights between London Gatwick and Amman. Royal Jordanian has been codesharing on BA’s domestic and Scandinavian flights from Heathrow since 2008. ETIHAD AIRWAYS and AIR NEW ZEALAND have received government approval for a codeshare agreement on flights between New Zealand and the Middle East, as well as trans-Tasman and domestic services. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES has no plans to take on Emirates and raise its daily Vienna-Dubai services to double daily. Last year Austrian enjoyed load factors of 84% on the Vienna-Dubai route – a figure the airline admitted it isn’t expecting to see this year. FLYDUBAI started daily flights from Dubai to Riyadh and four-aweek services to Jeddah from May 1. It swells the low-cost airline’s KSA network to five destinations, complementing services to Abha, Gassim and Yanbu.

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THE LUXURY OF A HOTEL WITH THE COMFORTS OF HOME Rising high above the fringe of Media City, Fraser Suites Dubai enjoys panoramic views over the sparkling coastline and stunning cityscape. Superb apartment accomodation, lifestyle facilities, relaxed dining in Aqua Café and the exclusive Awazen Spa Fraser Suites Dubai has it all. Add the award-winning Fraser Difference renowned personalised service and outstanding facilities to meet your every need. Welcome home.

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UPfront

Rocco Forte Hotels ‘eyes Regional debut 10 Middle East hotels’ for Solis Hotels

ROCCO FORTE HOTELS has five projects on the go in the Middle East and sees scope for up to 10 regionally. Speaking to Business Traveller Middle East at the Arabian

Travel Market, Brand Managing Director Richard Power said: “I would have thought 10 would be a manageable number. Our next prime target is Beirut and we’re already talking to someone there – it’s quite late stages.” Its first hotel in the region is due to open in Abu Dhabi in November. The 281-room wave-shaped hotel, featuring a blue and green glass façade, is located between the airport and downtown areas, close to the exhibition centre and Yas Island.

SOLÍS HOTELS & RESORTS is set to make its Middle East debut with the opening of Solis Doha at Education City in 2015. The five-star hotel will be located next to Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), which is due to open in October. The 418-room property aims to complement QNCC’s offering by offering a 17,216sq ft grand ballroom and more than 17,000sq ft of breakout, prefunction and exhibition space as well as six meeting rooms and four boardrooms.

Three restaurants, a spa and spacious indoor recreational area will also be on site, along with a private entrance and elevator for penthouse and royal suites. Solis Hotels & Resorts’ Chairman and CEO Horst Schulze, former president, COO and founding member of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said it only seeks out distinctive opportunities - “and Solís Doha certainly falls into that category.” Qatar Foundation is partner in the project.

Read your e-magazine on board Singapore SINGAPORE AIRLINES (SIA) will be offering passengers e-magazines, electronic versions of international publications, on selected inflight entertainment systems from May. The new feature, rolled out across the carrier’s fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing B777-300ER, will consist of 20 titles, including The Economist, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal Magazine, Prestige and Elle Magazine. The innovation follows the successful

trial of electronic versions of the carrier’s own inflight magazines, such as KrisWorld, which were implemented in July 2010. Eventually, it will be expanded to cover more titles as well as e-newspapers and e-books, and will progressively be implemented on the A330-300 and A340-500 aircraft.

Air France-KLM ups mobile services

AIR FRANCE AND KLM passengers can now opt to be kept informed of delays, cancellations and gate changes in real time via their smartphone, and even be informed by text if their baggage has gone missing. Air France Connect has been in a soft 16 | MAY/JUNE2011

launch phase since February, but has now been officially launched alongside the carrier’s other mobile services including electronic boarding passes and mobile ticket purchasing. The free service enables Air France to inform passengers either by phone, text or email from 14 days before departure of any cancellation, flight delay, boarding gate change or delay in baggage delivery. Air France called the new service“the most extensive in the world”, and said that its aim is to“become the established leader in mobile customer services and gradually to extend the scope of its mobile website and apps to offer customers reliable services throughout their trip”.

Rome for a day for Emirates A380 EMIRATES IS SENDING an A380 aircraft to Rome to mark Fiumicino airport’s 50th anniversary, along with 150 years of Italian unification, on June 6. The one-off service sees the superjumbo replaces EK97 and EK98 - departing Dubai at 0855hrs and arriving in Rome at 1315hrs, while the return flight leaves Fiumicino at 1645hrs and arrives in Dubai 0035hrs the next day. Flying into Rome on the back of the UN’s World Environment Day (June 5), Emirates is keen to promote the A380s’ environmental credentials. The airline claims the 517-seat double decker is the most significant advancement in reducing fuel consumption and emissions in four decades.

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UPfront

Seven up for Rezidor in UAE THE REZIDOR HOTEL Group’s seventh UAE property, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Downtown, has opened its doors. Located on the upper floors of a mixed-use building, the new full service hotel is walking distance from the Dubai Mall and 10kms from the international airport. Alongside 220 contemporary rooms and 22 suites, the hotel features six conference rooms, two boardrooms and a business centre as well as a pool and gym. “The opening of this property is a further sign for the positive and optimistic atmosphere within our industry which we also felt during AHIC and ATM last week,” said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. “The markets are bouncing back and we see RevPAR increasing – fuelled by both occupancy and rate.” F&B options include Lemon Pepper, specialising in international cuisine and local delicacies, and Infiniti Bar & Terrace. Rooms at the hotel start from Dhs570

per night including airport pick-up, free wireless internet and ‘Grab and Run’ breakfast.

Priority Club posts double points and miles INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP is offering Priority Club members double points or air miles at any branded properties globally between May 16 and August 15 - providing their first stay is at Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites. Members can register online and earn double rewards from their first stay. Redemption programs cover Points & Cash and access to airline ticket inventory and non-IHG hotel rooms, respectively, through Flights Anywhere and Hotels Anywhere. Points never expire and there are no blackout dates.

HOTEL CHECK

the tallest tower in Qatar, the 62-floor Kempinski Residences & Suites has a fairly small lobby – which is just about the only area that is compact. Elsewhere the rooms, varying from one to six-bed suites, are extremely spacious and the leisure facilities wouldn’t look out of place in a resort. It’s all primarily geared to long-stay guests, and there’s likely to be more of them passing through Doha in the coming years as projects relating to the 2022 World Cup and Qatar’s road and rail networks begin in earnest. WHERE IS IT? Within walking distance of City Center Mall and next door to the W Hotel. At the airport, I was quoted QR135 for a limo transfer, although if you jump in a local Karwa taxi the journey will cost around QR30.

18 | MAY/JUNE2011

G 2 bars

2 restaurants

G WHAT’S IT LIKE? Currently

Cornered the long-stay market for now, kitted out for work and leisure.

HOW MANY ROOMS? 370 serviced apartments and suites for short, mid and long-term rental ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Comprehensive Selectv package, quick wifi, fully equipped kitchen – and plenty of space PRICE Superior suite rates start from QR1,100 (one bedroom), rising to QR1,300 for Premier Suite. CONTACT Kempinski Residences & Suites, West Bay, Doha. Tel: +974 44053333, Fax: +974 44053334 email: residences.doha@kempinski.com, www.kempinski.com/doha 24 24 GG 24 A

Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha

Pool

Gym

ROOM FACILITIES I was

booked into a two-bedroom Superior Room on the 51st floor. There was a lounge table and sofa area to the right, with large flatscreen TV, as well as a separate, fully equipped kitchen, bedroom with twin beds and TV, sizeable master bedroom with TV, numerable wardrobes and large bathroom

24hr room service

Free wifi

1 meeting room

with separate rainshower. Both the lounge and bedrooms offered panoramic views of West Bay and The Pearl-Qatar (city view from the other side). The Selectv package had some interesting features, among them ‘online news’ which I hadn’t seen before – a sign of our convergent times. Accessing wifi, free to guests, was quick and painless. I had a peek at the top-floor suite, which is large enough to hold events and hosted A-listers attending the Tribeca Film Festival. RESTAURANTS The Lounge and Aroma restaurant, which you access by pushing a full length mirrored door on the ground floor, will cater to your breakfast, lunch and dinner needs, although you wonder if there should be a few more options for long-stay guests. The Lounge’s buffet breakfast

was wholesome, with lamb sausage among the cooked favourites. Aroma serves a three-course corporate lunch for an affordable QR100 and for dinner I enjoyed the generous portion of corn-fed chicken, couscous and vegetables, although I skipped on the drinks, which are universally high in Qatar (wine by the glass starting from QR45). An attractive Gourmet Café in the lobby caters for on-the-go executives with fresh coffee and range a of gourmet foods (organic spaghetti etc). BUSINESS FACILITIES

Unlikely to compete head on with Doha’s plethora of fivestar hotels, it has a meetings offering nonetheless, with one striking red 12-seat boardroom and break-out area, and two adjacent dining rooms. LEISURE FACILITIES The PURE Wellness & Leisure Centre is an extraordinary statement – you have to remind yourself you’re in a tower. To the right of the leisure reception is a commodious gym with abundant bikes and cardiovascular equipment, while to the left is decent sized area for weights. Around the corner are lockers galore, and a steam/ sauna and two treatment rooms, which lead you to two indoor pools, one for children, the other for laps. Dominic Ellis Visit businesstravellerme.com

Tried and tested Hotel HOTEL CHECK

Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong A

HOW MANY ROOMS? 285 guest rooms including 52 suites, 49 Ritz-Carlton Club rooms ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Freestanding copper slipper shaped baths with either Shanghai Bund or Pudong city views. All rooms equipped with Blue Ray disc players and Bose Ipod players/radios and 24-inch TVs. PRICE Rates start from CNY2,828 CONTACT Shanghai ifc, south tower, 8 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong, G Tel: 24+86 21 58771678, www.ritz-carlton.com

G WHAT’S IT LIKE? The RitzCarlton Pudong reaches for the design and architectural heights. Housed in the top floors of the ifc building, designed by world renowned architect Cesar Pelli, its interiors have the handiwork of leading designers, including Singaporebased Richard Farnell and restaurants by Japan’s Super Potato, regarded as some of the best contemporary restaurant designers. Farnell’s modern interpretation and play on Art Deco influences are felt throughout the property from the rooms to the spa. WHERE IS IT? The top 18 floors of the prestigious 58-floor Shanghai ifc (south tower) at the heart of the prosperous Lujiazui finance and trade zone in Pudong. Located 25kms from Hongqiao International Airport and 40kms from Pudong International Airport, it’s an excellent location for business travellers as Lujiazui is a vibrant business centres also home to the Shanghai’s Stock and Futures exchanges and the Shanghai World Trade Centre, the world’s second tallest tower.

20 | MAY/JUNE2011

1 restaurant

1 bar

1 meeting room

ROOM FACILITIES Designer Richard Farrell has designed the rooms to provide luxury in a style that evokes the city’s Art Deco heritage through a contemporary interpretation of motifs and lines. Sumptuous silk and velvet fabrics in vivid colours depict the Orient while coffee machines, blue ray disc players, ipod docking stations and round-the-clock room service give a taste of modernity. The marble-clad bathrooms feature elegant slip shaped free standing copper bath tubs, and walk in showers. Fragrant shampoos, soaps and lotions are from Italy’s Aqua de Parma. BUSINESS FACILITIES The hotel’s business and meeting facilities are located on the third floor and all the spaces enjoy outdoor views through floor-to- ceiling windows. The hotel’s 1,135 metre square ballroom is said to be the second largest luxury hotel ballroom in Shanghai, and contains dramatic art work and 7.4m-high ceiling. The hotel has over 2,250sqm of conference and meeting space, equipped

1 Pool

The epitome of discreet luxury with enchanting interiors and impeccable personalised service.

24hr room service 24

iPod dock

Gym

with modern AV conferencing and tele-confence facilities. The venue is also popular for wedding receptions and luxury gala festivities, accommodating 10 to 800 guests. LEISURE FACILITIES The 55th floor is dedicated to health and beauty. Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA has 10 treatment rooms and a special duo room for two to enjoy simultaneous treatments. The Jade facial is a house favourite and guaranteed to leave you feeling rejuvenated. The 24-hour fitness studio is equipped with the latest state of the art equipment from Technogym, designed by leading Italian industrial designer Antonio Citterio. The facilities also include an indoor pool and Jacuzzi, steam room and dry sauna. RESTAURANT AND BARS Despite opening mid 2010, during the Wold Expo, the

hotel has already picked up numerous awards including those for its excellent cuisine. Located on the 58th floor of the ifc tower and designed by Japanese designers Super Potato, Flair Roof top restaurant – which has the highest outdoor restaurant/bar in the city – won the ‘Best Unique View of Shanghai- first annual Shanghai Best Eats Awards 2010’, organised by CNNGo. Super Potato also designed the contemporary Italian Scena restaurant on the 52nd floor, while Xuan, the fine dining restaurant designed by Hong Kong’s Steve Leung, is recommended for business lunches and dinners. Enjoy cocktails and afternoon tea in the flamboyant Aura lounge and Jazz bar while enjoying views over the Bund and beyond. Catherine Belbin Visit businesstravellerme.com

AIRLINE CHECK

Bangkok Airways Business Class BACKGROUND Bangkok Airways, which boasts that it is Asia’s boutique airline, flies from the Thai capital to Phnom Penh in Cambodia four times a day. I took the 1800 PG935 flight on a Monday in January from Suvarnabhumi Airport after some business in Bangkok. The flight was scheduled to arrive in Phnom Penh at 1910. CHECK-IN I arrived slightly earlier than 1600 to check in and there were not many passengers yet. So, although as a Blue Ribbon class passenger I was entitled to use the dedicated counter, it did not make a difference. In fact, the group before me, a family of five, had such a long series of questions for the counter staff I probably waited longer than those in the economy queue. Otherwise, the process was smooth and I was told that my ticket allowed me to make use of the fast track and the Blue Ribbon lounge. The former was simply brilliant – I was led to the same security check and passport control used by pilots and it was mere minutes before I was cleared. For a busy airport like Suvarnabhumi, it really saved me a lot of time.

22 | MAY/JUNE2011

PLANE TYPE A319 SEAT CONFIGURATION 2-2 business, 3-3 economy SEAT PITCH PRICE 47in/119cm SEAT WIDTH 28in/71cm PRICE Internet rate for a return Blue Ribbon Club

ticket in May is THB7,785 (US$258) CONTACT www.bangkokair.com

THE LOUNGE Located at Concourse A, the Blue Ribbon Club lounge was a bit of a trek from my gate, D5. But as I had time to spare, I decided to make use of it. The décor blends blue with grey and beige, as well as gold accents and a colourful striped carpet. The little chandeliers and country-style floral wallpaper give the space a homey feel, while the velvet and silk upholstery of the sofas adds a touch of class. There are two computers available but most guests used their laptops when I was there. To access the wifi, you need to ask the staff for a password. The snack counter displayed a decent variety of cakes and finger sandwiches, but I opted, instead, for the duck noodles. The noodles were the instant variety but with the sliced meat and some spinach on top it made a decent quick snack and went down well. Other facilities include the shower room and an automatic massage chair (in the relaxation corner). There is also enough reading material on hand to keep one busy. BOARDING As the boarding gate was quite far, I decided to head for it early, arriving around 30 minutes before scheduled departure time. But boarding time was slightly delayed and since there was no free wifi in the waiting area, I settled down with a book. After about 20 minutes one of the airline staff members walked around with a placard to alert the Blue Ribbon passengers for boarding. THE SEAT I was given the 1A seat, which, despite feeling extra private, actually offers less legroom. The seat is more spacious than the ones in the back end, of course, but if you stand 1.83m tall like me, you can’t

Business class

Economy

Galley Washroom

totally straighten your legs because there is a wall in front of you. (With the seats at the back, you can slip your feet under the seat in front of you). I thought there would be a TV hidden in the lower right-hand stowage but instead, there is a metal stand for the portable multimedia player, which the cabin crew offers on selected flights. But my flight wasn’t one of them, despite the availability of an entertainment programme guide in the magazine pocket. I only got to enjoy the service later on the Bangkok-Hong Kong leg of my return flight. WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? It seems that row 2 is the best bet, as you don’t have a wall in front of or behind you, allowing for a full stretch. THE FLIGHT After the welcome drinks, the plane took off at about 1630. The service was graceful and personable, and it lived up to the boutique airline claim. Unlike the Hong Kong-Samui flight I had taken before, the food selection on this particularly leg was limited, but the Tilapia three-flavour sauce with khao hom sukho (a special type of brown rice) and jasmine rice was delectable, if slightly over-seasoned. The Bollinger champagne served onboard was a fine choice, well rounded enough to carry through my meal. ARRIVAL The landing was smooth, and it took no time for me to exit the plane and reach the immigration area. But unlike at airports in Bangkok, Samui and Hong Kong where the airline has staff members assigned to help Blue Ribbon Club passengers facilitate the passport control and luggage claim process, I was on my own at Phnom Penh International Airport. But it wasn’t a complicated facility so it didn’t bother me. Reggie Ho

Bangkok Airways has relatively modest hardware compared to larger airlines, but the service and personal touch more than make up for it. I’ll be happy to fly with them again. Visit businesstravellerme.com

Tried and tested Hotel Four Seasons Mumbai HOW MANY ROOMS? 202 including 25 suites, across 26 floors. ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Spacious, contemporary bedrooms and superb bathrooms. PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in May started from Rs19,580 for a Superior room. G A CONTACT Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, 114 Dr E Moses Road, Worli; tel +91 222 4818 000; fourseasons.com/mumbai 24

A modern hotel with excellent service, and spacious, bright and comfortable bedrooms. San Qi restaurant is a great venue to eat in and the pool offers a nice place to relax after work. The Four Seasons is 24 a very good choice if you are doing business in the area or across Mumbai.

2 bars

Pool

the rooms are these), Premier (about 55 sqm) and suites, including one Presidential. I was in a Deluxe Sea View room. It was modern and spacious with a wooden floor and panelling in the lobby area. There was a spacious wardrobe with a safe, minibar and area with a kettle, cafetière and good selection of teas. A doorway led to a large bathroom with cream marble floors and walls, two sinks, shaving mirrors, a big tub and a separate rainshower. Toiletries were by L’Occitane. The room was also large with a bed dressed with a down duvet and cotton linens. There was a chair, footstool and coffee table, 42-inch LCD TV with 45 channels, DVD player, an iHome iPod player/clock radio and a good-sized desk with multiregion sockets and an internet cable. Wifi costs Rs1,080 (£15) for 24 hours. RESTAURANTS AND BARS The signature Asian restaurant and is called San-Qi, has four cooking stations offering Cantonese, Indian, Thai and Japanese cuisine. It is roomy and modern, and lone travellers can sit either at a table or at seats next to the cooking stations. There are also private dining areas. I chose a meat dish to start, and for my main I had spicy chicken with Thai hot basil. Both were superb and, with a Coke, cost Rs2,022 (£28). It is open 12pm-3pm and 7pm-12am. The diner, Café Prato, has three sections – the lobby

Gym

Spa

2 restaurants

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Opened in May 2008, this new-build hotel has the look and feel of a small, boutique property. Once inside, the compact lobby is businesslike with reception desks, large flower display and a handful of chairs. This is a tall hotel, with 34 floors including the rooftop bar, but there are no more than eight rooms on each level, giving an intimate feel. It is very much a full-service property, with all you would expect of a Four Seasons property. WHERE IS IT? In Worli, not far from the end of the Worli Sea Link bridge. It is about 50 minutes’ drive from the airport and costs Rs4,000 (£55) to be picked up in one of the hotel’s 20 BMW 7 series vehicles. Worli is home to a number of international companies in sectors such as finance, pharmaceutical and media. It is situated to the south of Mumbai, but is still central enough should you have meetings in other parts of the city. ROOM FACILITIES Rooms are located on the seventh floor up and are in four main categories – Superior (36 sqm), Deluxe (49 sqm – about half of

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24hr room service

Minibar

iPod dock

8 meeting rooms

lounge, main restaurant and a conservatory area. Open almost 24 hours, it offers a buffet breakfast and high tea, and à la carte dining at other times. The menu for the latter includes international fare such as soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza and pasta, as well as some curries and kebabs. On the 34th floor is the rooftop bar, Aer – the highest outside bar in Mumbai. A DJ plays each night, and there are drinks deals, snacks and sharing plates on offer. It is a fantastic venue for an event and can be hired for Rs2,500,000 (£34,200) a night. Open daily from 5.30pm until 1.30am. On the pool deck there is the option to eat breakfast between 7am and 11am, and a selection of other dishes from 11am-7pm. Room service is available 24 hours. BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There is a manned business centre on the sixth floor, open 7am-8pm on weekdays and from 11am at weekends. It has four PC workstations and a meeting

room that can hold ten people boardroom-style.The second floor is dedicated to meetings and has six rooms, all with natural daylight. There is also a meeting space on the sixth level. Capacities vary, with the largest holding 70 theatre- or 30 boardroom-style. The hotel has also built a temporary function space called the Pavilion, which holds up to 300 people. In addition, the property operates a club, which is like an exclusive executive lounge offering a discreet place to have meetings. To use it you need to be a member. Food and drink is paid for separately. LEISURE FACILITIES On the third floor is a large Technogym-equipped fitness centre that’s open 24 hours a day with headsets provided for TV, radio and iPod, and an outdoor pool (open 7am-7pm) with a bar and plenty of sun loungers. There is also a spa with eight treatment rooms, and a hair salon. A yoga studio offers free sessions for residents each day at 7am and 6pm. Julian Gregory MAY/JUNE2011 | 25

AWARDS

ubai has seen a plethora of awards nights surface in recent years, but not many can be mentioned in the same breath as the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, which recently marked its ninth anniversary with more than 300 leading travel personalities in attendance. Every year it has managed to serve as a magnet for all the leading operators, while securing a famous name to give it added flavour – and this year was no exception, with all the principal managers flocking to the new Metheran Theatre at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray with Gary Rhodes OBE, celebrity chef, restaurateur and author, addressing guests and presenting the awards. Gary is one of the UK’s finest culinary talents, and his name is now equally well known in Dubai, with his Rhodes Mezzanine and Twenty10 restaurants firmly established on the city’s competitive F&B scene.

After the pre-dinner reception, held against the colourful mural backdrop outside the theatre, Ian Fairservice, Managing Editor at Motivate Publishing, reflected on the unique challenges and opportunities that have affected the region in the last year in his opening address. And what a year it’s been; widespread snow disruption last winter in Europe; the Queensland floods; earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan; unfolding unrest across the Middle East; and latterly, the bug-bear of rising oil prices which are now being passed on to business travellers in the form of higher air fares. But he stressed that if there is one hallmark of the Middle East in the last decade, it’s resilience. “Did the Gulf’s travel market implode after 9/11 and SARS? On the contrary, it soared to new heights in tandem with the expansion of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways,” he said. “Did all the major hotel brands retract their expansion plans

CREAM OF THE CROP The sparkling new Jumeirah Zabeel Saray resort hosted the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2011 and Gary Rhodes OBE ensured the evening provided an appetising starter to Arabian Travel Market

26 | MAY/JUNE2011

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AWARDS

Gary Rhodes OBE addresses guests (below) in the Metheran Theatre at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, before presenting awards to the winners (below left)

after the second Iraq war and swine flu? Not at all, they continued to roll out new hotels and launch new brands catering for a broader range of travellers.” It’s been a similar message at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Doha airports, all of which are pressing ahead with multi-billiondollar projects as they prepare for the next round of orders set to be delivered to Gulf carriers. There’s no discerible slowdown in the hospitality sector either, with the UAE capital about to open a raft of top-end hotels towards the end of this year. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas and Hyatt Capital Gate are both due to open in September, while Jumeirah@Etihad Towers, Visit businesstravellerme.com

The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi and Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa are also due to open this year. Next year Marriott will open the first half of the JW Marriott Marquis on Sheikh Zayed Road – at 1,614 rooms, it will be the largest Marriott outside North America. Travel is an instantaneous, technology-driven business, he said. “When we launched Business Traveller Middle East back in 2003, the industry changed by the day; now it changes by the minute.” With this in mind, he officially announced the launch of the magazine’s website – www.businesstravellerme.com – which, in conjunction with partners in the UK and Asia Pacific, provides seamless global year-round coverage. MAY/JUNE2011 | 27

AWARDS

Hamdi Osman outlines how speed is integral to FedEx’s network and entertains guests on his table during the evening (below)

Tim Clark, Ian Fairservice, Gary Rhodes, HE Guy Warrington and Gerald Lawless

Hamdi Osman, Senior Vice President of FedEx in the Middle East – the company was once again Official Sponsor of this year’s Awards – then took to the stage and entertained guests with a selection of the company’s humorous TV adverts, before guests heard from Gary Rhodes about his culinary love-affair with Dubai. Jacobsons was once again the official vote-processing partner, and Nikon, France 24 and Samsonite were category sponsors.

LIVELY CULINARY SCENE LEAVES RHODES HUNGRY When Gary Rhodes OBE first arrived in Dubai 10 years ago, he was immediately struck by its ‘wow’ factor and found himself becoming“hungry” for the city on each return trip. “I was watching it each year, every year there where, more hotels, it was becoming more glossy, while maintaining quality,”

The UAE will possibly become the business traveller and culinary capital of the world he recalls.“Around six years ago, I was introduced to an amazing lady, Pam Wilby at Grosvenor House and Le Royal Meridien Resort & Spa. I’ll never forget the chance I had to first cook in those kitchens.” Creating great dishes means working with great ingredients – and this is what desert-bound Dubai ironically has in abundance. “And that’s what will keep me coming back to the city and to the wider region – it’s lively,”he says.“The UAE will possibly become the business traveller and culinary capital of the world. I find the warmth of the people inspirational.” Today, when he’s not visiting his two Dubai restaurants, the much-travelled

celebrity chef his restaurant business juggles interests in the Caribbean and assignments in Europe. “A few weeks ago I flew to Naples and jumped on the cruise ship, and cooked on board I’m usually on board a few days – but each time I have to fly to another country to pick up the ship,”he said. “So travel is one of the most important things to me.” He describes himself as a ‘traditional traveller’ with Melissa, his PA, making his bookings and organising his itineraries. “She looks after me like a little schoolboy, but it makes life easier for me,”he said. “I fly on Emirates every time I come to Dubai. The First Class suites are phenomenal and so far advanced above other airlines, and I think that’s what makes them special.” He says his whole philosophy in work, whether it’s travel, hotels or restaurants,

Dubai Duty Free’s Colm McLoughlin and Sinead El Sibai receive the Best Airport in the Middle East for Duty Free Shopping award 28 | MAY/JUNE2011

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Th e s e t t i ng m ay h av e c h a ng e d but the commitment remains

A DY N A M IC A L LY

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AWARDS Gary Rhodes

is ‘first impressions last’.“You will immediately respond to a good welcome,” he says. And for him, motivation should always be a positive rather than negative influence.“One of the first lessons I was taught is that respect can only ever be earned and never demanded.” So with two restaurants now firmly established in Dubai, are there plans for more? “Keep watching – I’m still hungry. Dubai has really whet my appetite to grow in the Middle East. I’m looking to another option in the Cayman Islands, and also Australia

and China. But I never ever rush, it’s one step at a time and I try and get it right.”

EMIRATES FLIES HIGH Julian Gregory, Managing Director of Panacea Publishing, took to the stage to announced the awards. In the airline category, Emirates certainly stole the limelight, winning four categories – Best Regional Airline; Airline with the Best First Class; Airline with the Best Economy Class; Best Airline Worldwide; and Skywards excelled in the Best Airline Frequent Flyer Programme category.

AWARD WINNERS AIRLINES

CAR RENTAL

Best Regional Airline Serving the Middle East Emirates

Best Car Rental Company in the Middle East Hertz

Airline with the Best Cabin Crew Etihad Airways

BUSINESS HOTELS Best Business Hotel in Amman Four Seasons Hotel Amman

Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East Singapore Airlines

Best Business Hotel in Manama The Regency InterContinental Manama

Best European Airline Serving the Middle East Lufthansa

Best Business Hotel in Beirut Phoenicia InterContinental Beirut

Best North American Airline Serving the Middle East United Airlines Airline with the Best First Class Emirates Airline with the Best Business Class Qatar Airways Airline with the Best Economy Class Emirates Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class Virgin Atlantic Airlines Best Low-cost Airline Serving the Middle East Fly Dubai Best Airline Frequent Flyer programme Skywards Best Airline Worldwide Emirates

AIRPORTS

Best Business Hotel in Cairo JW Marriott Cairo Best Business Hotel in Doha Ritz-Carlton Doha Best Business Hotel in Dubai (and the Northern Emirates) Jumeirah Emirates Towers Best Business Hotel in Jeddah Park Hyatt Jeddah Best Business Hotel in Muscat Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat Best Business Hotel in Kuwait Crowne Plaza Kuwait Best Business Hotel in Riyadh Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre Best New Business Hotel Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Best Business Hotel in Abu Dhabi Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Best Serviced Apartment Company in the Middle East The Address Downtown Serviced Residences

Best Airport in the Middle East Dubai International Airport

Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Best Airport in the Middle East for Duty Free Shopping Dubai International Airport

Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East Rotana Rewards

Best Airport in the World Singapore Changi International Airport

Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East InterContinental

30 | MAY/JUNE2011

Emirates President Tim Clark receives the Best First Class Award

Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Fly Dubai were also among the honours, recipients of Airline with Best Business Class, Airline with Best Cabin Crew and Best Low-Cost Airline Serving the Middle East respectively. Elsewhere, Lufthansa won Best European Airline Serving the Middle East, Singapore Airlines won Best Asian Airline Serving The Middle East, United Airlines won Best North American Airline serving the region and Virgin Atlantic Airlines won Airline with Best Premium Economy Class. As in previous years, Dubai International Airports excelled in the airports category, winning Best Airport in the Middle East for Duty Free Shopping, and Best Airport in the Middle East – although it lost out to rival Singapore Changi in the Best Airport in the World category. In the hotel categories, InterContinental had a memorable evening, winning the Visit businesstravellerme.com

AWARDS

Julian Gregory

Joanne and Paul Griffiths

coveted Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East and featuring four other categories â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Best Business Hotel in Beirut (Phoenicia InterContinental Beirut); Best Business Hotel in Kuwait (Crowne Plaza Kuwait); Best Business Hotel in Manama (The Regency InterContinental Manama); and Best Business Hotel in Muscat (InterContinental Muscat). JW Marriott Cairo was nominated Best

Kenny Arnott, Craig Senior and Business Traveller Middle East Editor Dominic Ellis

Business Hotel in Cairo and Ritz-Carlton Doha won the Doha category, while Four Seasons also picked up a brace of awards - Best Business Hotel in Amman and Best Business Hotel in Riyadh. Park Hyatt Jeddah won Best Business Hotel in Jeddah. Jumeirah Emirates Towers once again won Best Business Hotel in Dubai (and Northern Emirates), and the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr received Best Business Hotel

in Abu Dhabi and Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East. Rapidly-expanding Movenpick Hotels and Resorts picked up an award too, with Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate winning Best New Business Hotel. Rotana won Best Loyalty Programme for its Rewards programme and Hertz won Best Car Rental Company in the Middle East. â&#x2013;

Gina Desmeralda, Peggy Teo and Leenu Bablani

Yasmine Hidalgo and Aran Poch Blanco

Henning Fries receives one of two awards on the night for Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Visit businesstravellerme.com

QATAR

ust about everywhere I’ve walked in the last 24 hours – the apex of Kempinski Residences & Suites (see ‘Tried & Tested’), where you can gaze down onto helipads, the two-tower Marriott complex opening this summer and InterContinental West Bay nearby – my feet have barely touched the ground. Most of this mini-Manhattan skyline would all have been thin air a few years ago, but such is the pace of change sweeping the gas-rich Gulf state. Whether it’s sponsoring the Barcelona football team, hosting Libyan Task Force meetings or bidding to run the Olympic Village, no sector is beyond the reach of Qatar’s internationally minded government, nor its affiliated investment bodies. The world is now more aware of Qatar too of course, after it won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup – even if many may struggle to find it on the map; but the country’s awareness continues to rise as Qatar Airways’ network expands – it recently launched its 100th route, to Aleppo – and all the major brands pitch their flags in the sand (or the skies). In line with its 2030 vision, Qatar was always preparing to kick-start its development around now, with or without the World Cup; now the projects are ramping up in earnest, principally on new road and rail links, and nine stadia (three are being upgraded). The tracks are about to shoot up in all directions. Construction of the QR130bn integrated railway network is set to start in May, which will connect the local network to neighbouring countries via the BahrainQatar causeway. The entire project will

The sky’s the limit for skyscraperstrewn Qatar as new hotels shoot up and infrastructure projects mount. Dominic Ellis reports

Exterior of Renaissance, Courtyard and MEA

W RLD

34 | MAY/JUNE2011

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ILLUSTRATION: CHARLIE BANALO

Going up in the

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be completed by 2026 but the network needed for the World Cup is due to be finished by 2020. Qatar Railways Company and Qatari Diar recently signed a five-year contract with Parsons International and Aecom to manage the construction of the Lusail Light Rail Transit system. It will feature 30km of track, 7km underground, and 24 stations (seven underground), and serve the city of Lusail, 38sqkm north of Doha, which is currently Qatar’s largest real estate project. Another key infrastructure project is New Doha International Airport, which is due to open in the first phase next year, and handle anything up to 50m passengers upon completion in 2015. “I think the World Cup buzz will die down a bit in the next couple of years, as the emphasis is on creating infrastructure – the infrastructure relating to the world cup will only really become more of a topic in 2015/16,”said General Manager Oliver Kahf. From the top of the new Marriott – which includes a Renaissance Hotel, Courtyard by

Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments (MEA) Doha City Center – it’s clear work is well underway on one of the main Metro stations near the Sheraton Doha as well as a new conference centre next to City Center Mall (not to be confused with Qatar National Conference Centre which will open in October – see below). Marriott is looking to open all three properties simultaneously between June and July. “It provides us with the synergies and benefits of being able to cater to different travellers’ segments, and their expectations and budgets,”said Kahf.“Marriott International has adopted this idea a few places globally – such as Orlando, LA, Beijing and Jakarta – but it’s a first for this region.” As it currently has a wait-list for apartments, emphasis is being placed on completing apartments first (33 one beds, 74 two-beds, 12 three-beds and four penthouses). The complex features an attractive 35m lap pool on the seventh floor, effectively

linking the Renaissance and Courtyard/ MEA towers, with a palm tree-strewn patio area large enough to host events, and a 21m indoor pool is also available for MEA guests on the 44th floor. The Courtyard is the third regionally, with two more opening in Jizan and Riyadh although their opening dates are unconfirmed. The new Marriott complex contains seven restaurants, including a New York Steakhouse and Cucina, and a direct link to City Center Mall will also boost passing F&B trade. One attractive touch is a 17m-long mosaic mural, depicting a seascape scene, created by Qatari artist Fatma AlShebani. The proximity of the upcoming conference centre next door will be another business driver, albeit a year or so down the line. Around the corner, the soaring InterContinental West Bay – which is eyeing an October soft opening – will feature five restaurants and two bars and 102-cover Club Lounge on the 45th floor. Its adjacent Events Centre, which can be divided into QNCC Exhibition Centre entrance

CONVENTION SPACE STACKS UP Visiting delegates will soon need to keep their wits about them as the number of facilities opening in Qatar multiplies. Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), located within Education City, is planning to host its first conference at the end of September (Qatar Academy Anniversary Banquet, September 29), which will be followed by three others, TESOL (October

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1-3), World Innovation Summit on Education (November 1-3) and Model UN Conference (November 15-18) ahead of its official launch at the 20th World Petroleum Congress between December 4-8. Make sure you book a bed ahead of time if you’re planning to be in Doha around the Congress as most of the rooms will be snapped up by the 5,000 delegates. Don’t confuse the QNCC with the existing

15,000sqm centre located in the West Bay area – and the exhibition projects don’t end there. Next to City Center mall, work is progressing rapidly on the 35,000sqm Doha Exhibitions Center and Tower, which will be as big as QNCC on completion by the end of 2012. It promises to be an interesting year or two ahead – not least for the taxi drivers.

MAY/JUNE2011 | 35

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more mid-market properties in the run-up to 2022 – although the overall strategy is still to be finalised. It’s been mooted that cruise liners will be anchored off West Bay which can hold 12,000, and fans will also base themselves in Bahrain and travel over the Causeway – both of which will mean Qatar isn’t saddled with unnecessary capacity after the tournament.

Wyndham Grand Regency Doha.

three, is directly linked to the first floor of the hotel and contains a large ballroom and eight meeting rooms. Another newcomer, the 328-room St Regis Doha, is slated to open on November 1. BOOMING ECONOMY Few places on earth display such recessionproof zeal as Qatar, whose economy is forecast to grow 19% this year by the IMF. Qatar National Bank, the country’s biggest lender by assets, saw its net income rise 35 per cent to 1.7bn riyals in the first quarter. Domestic investment in the next five years is expected to top 820 billion riyals, half of which will be spent in the hydrocarbon industry, according a report by the General Secretariat for Development Planning. Qatargas is currently running at its full production capacity of 42m tonnes per annum from its seven trains – and the goal is to produce up to 77m tonnes a year. Jed Wolfe, General Manager of property firm Asteco Qatar, said The Pearl-Qatar had matured into one of the best projects in the region. He said prices for a one-bedroom apartment are around QR10,000 a month. “It’s become a community now, and established a sense of identity,”he said.“The Marina is a world-class 800-berth Marina and Qanat Quartier, designed like Venetian canals, has a nice ambience.” He believes Qatar’s hotel market will see 36 | MAY/JUNE2011

ROOMS WITH A VIEW Existing properties are also being swept up in the universal fervour for change. The Four Seasons Doha will receive a $10m revamp this summer which will see all 232 rooms refurbished. General Manager Simon Casson, recently promoted to Regional Vice President, said the extensive level-by-level upgrade, the largest in the property’s sixyear history, will incorporate new designs, carpets and fabrics. This summer will also see the hotel introduce two-tier internet pricing in line with Four Seasons’ North American properties. Corporates will be able to choose either a basic package, suitable for checking emails, or premium package for accessing sites that require greater bandwidth. Prices have yet to be released. The revamp follows an earlier inroom investment programme which saw flatscreen TVs, Bose sound docks and Lavazza espresso machines installed. Casson will continue as General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Doha and be based at the property, and additionally oversee Four Seasons hotels in Amman, Damascus, Beirut and Cairo at the First Residence. At the far end of West Bay, the RitzCarlton Doha upgraded its 374 rooms, lobby lounge, grand lobby and executive club lounge last year as part of a $5.5m refurbishment. Interior designer Pascale Julian of Qatar National Hotels updated the colour palettes and textiles of silk, velvet, and suede from well-known international luxury brands such as Lelievre (France), Zimmer and Rhode (Germany), Rubelli (Italy) and Edelman (US). W Hotel Doha remains the only W in the Middle East although work is well underway on W Amman which is due to open 2013. Its Marvelous rooms, with free highspeed wireless/wired internet, 32-inch LCD TVs and DVD/CD player, are most suited to

QATAR LAUNCHES INTO SUMMER New services to Venice, Sofia, Calcutta, Oslo and Montreal will ensure it’s a busy summer for Qatar Airways – and the launches won’t end there, with services earmarked to another 15 destinations in the next 12 months. The airline recently received its 25th Boeing B777 aircraft, which goes into the ‘basket’, serving not only the new routes but a range of increased frequencies. “Our first Boeing 787 will be delivered from March next year – it will be a two-class plane, business and economy, because we are getting rid of all our First Class – eventually on all aircraft, except the A380,” said CEO Akbar Al Baker. “We have a few amenities on board that I don’t want to disclose now – but it will be a new concept.” One of the few cities which has seen a decrease in activity is London, with services to Gatwick dropped. “But we will increase Heathrow frequencies, depending on when we get the slot we are looking for, but I don’t think it will be this year – we have enough capacity in Heathrow for the time being.” He said the local market has been strong in the last year with the ratio of Doha destination traffic and transfer traffic changing from 20:80 to 28:72 now. “We have a new Arrivals terminal, expanding the current Departures, and putting in new lounges in both areas, so we’re really doing a lot of service uplift in the current airport,” he said. Thereafter, all eyes will be on New Doha International Airport. “What you see now in the presentations shows some of the ideas but not the final product – you’ll get more luxury.”

BIG NAMES SPICE UP F&B SCENE Ten years ago, eating in Doha was a fairly restrictive affair, with your dining options limited to the in-hotel restaurants or malls. But now the culinary scene is probably the hottest in the Gulf, with a slew of big names and trendy concepts keeping the city nicely on the boil. Top New York restaurant Megu recently opened its doors on The Pearl-Qatar, its first foray into the Middle East, not far from Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant. The Four Seasons Doha is closing its Brasserie on the Beach this summer, ahead of its relaunch as a south-east Asian fusion venue. Outside the Nobu restaurant, overlooking the Gulf, is due to open late 2012.

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INTERCON SCALES THE HEIGHTS

Al-Rayyan stadium

W Hotel Doha

Umm Slal stadium

business travellers. Last December it opened a colourful W Café on the ground floor, which sells organic teas and coffees and custom-flavoured cupcakes, primarily targeting local ladies. “Everyone was holding their breath when we opened two years ago, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised with the awareness, particularly in the local market,” said Roman Goetsch, Director of Operations.“The CC has been a key feeder market and Europe is becoming more interesting, and we’re seeing more traffic from Turkey and south-east Europe. There’s a lot of careful optimism.” He said the hospitality strategy for 2022 is still being talked through. “I saw a figure of 60,000 rooms coming into the market.To bring that many rooms to a small country, it will be a challenge,” he said.“In terms of what Qatar can do, the sky’s the limit – probably even more so than Dubai 15 years ago; whether that’s the route they want to take is a different story.” A refreshing contrast to the high-rise hotels is the low-level Grand Hyatt Doha, which opened two years ago, complete with 1,500sqm ballroom and 14 meeting rooms. “Our business remains very corporate, although we have a unique situation with 38 | MAY/JUNE2011

InterContinental Hotels Group is gearing up for a busy year in Doha with a 538-room hotel and residence suites due to open in October – which will be followed by a 400-room Crowne Plaza opening near the airport next March. The 56-storey InterContinental West Bay Doha features a convention centre, connected to the hotel on the first floor, which will host functions from January. The pillar-less ballroom, divisible by three, has samelevel break-out rooms on the side and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. “MICE business is critical for us as a brand and it will enable us to do product and car launches, as well as weddings for the local market,” said Pascal Gauvin, Vice President of Operations Near East. “We won’t sell it before January just to make sure everything’s ready, but we’re already getting enquiries.” The skyscraper houses one, two and threebedroom residence suites to floor 27, with floors 28-54 containing hotel rooms, and is capped off by a two-level seafood restaurant.

our residences – the locals like it, so our weekends are always very busy,”said Garry Friend, General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Doha. “Since the Bahrain protests, the options for Saudis are Dubai – which is still a favourite – and Doha, so we’re doing more leisure.” The gravity-defying zig-zag towers nearby will contain a“fabulous mall”which will open this year, while other projects continue to take shape. “The new Katara cultural centre – I had lunch there today, it’s very nice.You can’t move on weekends, the beach is pleasant, people are playing volleyball.” He said the MICE business is still going

In contrast, IHG’s third hotel in the city – the InterContinental Doha will continue to pitch itself as a ‘business resort’, while the newcomer chases MICE – will be a low rise but ‘futuristic’ Crowne Plaza. “It’s in an oval-shaped business park and features a ball at its centrepiece, which will contain three ballrooms on top of each other,” added Gauvin. He believes Doha can accommodate all IHG’s portfolio of brands. “We have some contact for Holiday Inn and Staybridge already, but we want the right location and right owner,” he said. The infrastructure associated with the 2022 World Cup means there will be a lot of technicians, engineers and consultants coming anything between two weeks and six months and using the Residence as a place to stay, he believes. “I’ve been in Qatar for the last seven or eight years and I always felt the country was ready to move one step up, but they were a bit hesitant as they wanted something big they can work for – now they can with the World Cup.”

on but it’s not as big as it used to be, while groups – particularly sports – has been profitable, with the hotel handling English, German, Argentina and Russian national football teams. But he has noticed corporates are not travelling as much to this part of the world.“Everyone’s got a budget and technology is advanced. Qatar Airways is doing a good job growing the destination, promoting Qatar as a 48hour stopover, but it’s not yet in the league of Dubai.” That said, the hotel has secured good conference business up to May. “This year will definitely be better than last year, looking at early December, we haven’t got a space in the ballroom and that’s different to previous years.” With more properties opening, Friend said rates are starting to drop. “When you consider corporates rates used to be minimum QR2,500 and now they’re QR900-1000, it hasn’t bounced back as much as Dubai.” ■ Visit businesstravellerme.com

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Pullman pulling into Doha in 2014

ccor Group’s upscale Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand is set to make its debut in Doha in 2014. The 470-key property, located in the increasingly hotel-studded West Bay district, will contain 373 rooms and 97 serviced apartments. On site will be extensive meeting space, including a 1,300sqm ballroom, and three restaurants. Christophe Landais, Managing Director Accor Middle East, said there has been a “significant surge” in the number of corporate travellers visiting Qatar in recent years.

The deal was struck between Accor Middle East and Twin Towers Company. Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat, Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Cairo and Alexandria have been earmarked for future Pullman properties regionally. To date the brand’s Middle East expansion has focused on Dubai. The Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lake Towers is scheduled to open early 2012 and Deira City Centre hotel is set to be managed by Pullman in the coming months following a refurbishment, complementing Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates (pictured) which opened in September 2010.

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MEETINGS MEETINGS

Meet in Budapest

View from Le Méridien

Spectacular architecture, great food and 120 hot springs – Catherine Chetwynd finds the Hungarian capital is a MICE destination in ascendance

ext time you are choosing a destination for a European event, why not look east to Budapest? The Hungarian capital was one of the first cities to emerge from behind the Iron Curtain and welcome delegates. At first, there was a limited choice of hotels but after Four Seasons Gresham Palace opened on Roosevelt Square in 2004, others quickly followed. Budapest is rich in art nouveau splendour and there are beautiful buildings on almost every corner. Its two sides, Buda and Pest, are divided by the Danube. Pest provides the dynamic, more modern character, plus good shopping, the Hungarian State Opera House, St Stephen’s Basilica, lively nightlife, museums and most of the hotels – and if the Parliament Building looks familiar, it is 40 | MAY/JUNE2011

are growing with Qatar Airways set to operate direct daily flights from September 14, which will replace the existing stopover in Bucharest. The new schedule bolsters the initial three times weekly schedule which because it is modelled on ours. The centre of started from Doha in January. Pest is relatively compact and most distances Etihad Airways signed a codeshare are walkable. agreement with Malev Airlines. The new The Castle District on the Buda side is deal, which came into effect last September. part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Etihad is placing its two-letter ‘EY’ code on most outstanding attributes services operated of which are the 700-yearThe city is well set up by Malev between old Matthias church and the Budapest and Athens, for meetings, with a Fisherman’s Bastion, both of Brussels, Paris, which were recently restored. proactive and efficient Frankfurt and Milan. The city is well set up In turn, Malev will convention bureau for hosting meetings. It place its ‘MA’ code has a proactive and efficient convention on Etihad’s flights between those cities and bureau – recently restructured by the new Abu Dhabi. government, which supports the industry Hungary is two and a half hours from – and destination management companies the UK and is well served by BA, Malev (DMCs) are well established, clued-up and and low-cost carriers. Previously, security creative, ensuring that support for any kind procedures for departing passengers at of programme is forthcoming. Ferihegy airport were slow but a new £61 Commercial links with the Middle East million terminal building, Sky Court, has Visit businesstravellerme.com

MEETINGS

SPECIAL VENUES

Museum of Fine Arts Szechenyi Baths

Buddha Bar Fisherman’s Bastion ARDILES-ARCE, JAIME

Telikert, Four Seasons

been constructed between Terminals 2A and 2B. Connections are good:“The city has excellent flight access, which makes it an ideal destination for a worldwide audience, and it is great value for money,”says Katrina Rannard, lead design manager for events organisation company BI. Although Hungary is a member of the EU, it is not in the eurozone and the exchange rate with the forint is favourable. The city’s good spread of hotels from mid-range to luxury means it can cater to a range of budgets.“Hungary has an excellent range of three-, four- and five-star hotels and because there is so much competition [with 16 five-star and 61 four-star properties], they are outstanding value,” says David Marks, managing partner of MM and Company, a DMC representation firm.“The MICE industry is well established – the people at the convention bureau know what they are doing and DMCs are experienced. We have been representing it for a number of years and last year it was Visit businesstravellerme.com

■ THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (szepmuveszeti.hu) on Heroes’ Square is an excellent venue for a gala dinner. Guests enter on a red carpet flanked by Hussars holding torches and, after cocktails in the Marble Hall, dinner could be accompanied by a jazz band in the 250-capacity Renai a ssance room or, in the 300-capacity Baroque room, by a “sand-and-light” show (pictures painted by an artist with sand on a lightbox and beamed on to a screen). ■ THERE ARE 120 THERMAL SPRINGS beneath Budapest (1,300 in Hungary), resulting in many baths and hammams in the capital. Szechenyi Baths (szechenyibath.com) in the City Park near Heroes’ Square are curative, so Hungarians can get a prescription for visits from their doctor. Visitors might be hard-pressed to pull that off but the baths can be included as a relaxing element in a programme. Szechenyi has three outdoor pools and 19 indoor ones, plus chess boards, massage services and saunas. Entertainment such as trapeze artists can be arranged. ■ The 102-room Buddha Bar and Hotel Klotild Palace (buddhabarhotelbudapest.com) has opened in a century-old building on Váci street. Promising unusual décor, a lively atmosphere and a variety of spaces that lend themselves to lunch, gala dinners or cocktails, it contains three connected boardrooms with a total capacity of 90 theatre-style, which lead on to a lounge area. ■ THE TELIKERT (Hungarian for “winter garden”) is in the mezzaninelevel internal courtyard of the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (fourseasons.com/budapest). With a glass ceiling and wall, it is a light, flexible space suitable for a wine tasting, press conference, presentation or elegant dinner. Blackout curtains are installed, as is state-of-the art audio-visual equipment. ■ THE RESTAURANT IN THE FISHERMAN’S BASTION (halaszbastya.eu) in the Castle District has reopened after a six-year renovation that has restored the warm stone to perfect condition. The bastion provides a superb venue for a gala dinner (80 people indoors, 250 outside), with crisp table cloths, wellspaced seating and wonderful views across the Danube to Pest. Cocktails or dinner on the adjacent ramparts are another option.

one of our best sellers. In short, it works.” other, making it easy to accommodate It also stands out because potential larger groups across properties.“The city delegates have often not been there, which is picturesque and offers a great hotel gives it an advantage over its neighbours. product,”says BI’s Rannard.“We ran a “We rarely lose the business once [event conference here for 400 delegates and it planners] have been here [to check it out as provided a fantastic, compact solution an option],”says Agnes Racsai, managing owing to the close proximity of many of director Microcosmos, a DMC represented the hotels.” by MM and Company.“As a little known Within walking distance of one another destination, it is difficult to sell but it is great are the 179-room Four Seasons, which when 90 per cent of a group holds 133 has not been here.” delegates theatre‘For a conference of Some of the events style in its largest 400 delegates, the city meeting space; Microcosmos arranged last year included a product launch provided a fantastic, the 420-room and recognition event for 250 InterContinental compact solution’ customers from the Dubai Budapest, which office of a mobile phone accommodates company, a strategy conference weekend 850 theatre-style; and the 354-room Sofitel for 50 CEOs for a media company based in Budapest Chain Bridge, with a maximum South Africa, and a trip to the Hungarian theatre-style capacity of 340. The Four Formula One Grand Prix race for 20 staff Seasons provides art nouveau charm against from an automotive company. its more modern neighbours. The hotels have excellent meeting The 366-room Kempinski Hotel Corvinus facilities and many are close to one Budapest (with a theatre-style capacity of MAY/JUNE2011 | 41

MEETINGS

FIVE INCENTIVE IDEAS

Great Market Hall

■ A KNIGHTS’ TOURNAMENT and a medieval village experience in the gardens of the Citadel on Gellert Hill on the Buda side of the river, including visiting a blacksmith’s workshop, dressing up in medieval costume or knights’ armour, and experimenting with weapons. Follow with dinner in the covered prison for a new spin on a captive audience. ■ A vintage train can transfer delegates from downtown to the HUNGARIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM on Tatai Ut (street), just north-east of Margaret Island. There are direct rail services from Nyugati station (mavnosztalgia.hu) for a gala dinner surrounded by vintage locomotives and carriages, with gypsy musicians and folk dancers providing the entertainment. ■ WOK AND ROLL COOKERY at the Corinthia (corinthia. com), making spring rolls guided by the hotel’s Chinese chef, provides an entertaining half-hour before lunch. ■ The HUNGARORING (hungaroring.hu), 18km from the city centre, is host to the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix each summer, but mere mortals can give it a spin too in one of the circuit’s race cars – choose from an Opel Astra, a BMW M3 or a Porsche 911. Go-karts and quad bikes are available at the adjacent Hungaroring Adventure Park, and tackling the course in a historic Trabant is another option. ■ Go on a CULINARY TREASURE HUNT organised by DMC Microcosmos (microcosmos. hu). You will be given the recipe for a traditional Hungarian dish then, after following hidden clues to the Great Market Hall (csapi.hu) to buy the ingredients, report back to base and a skilled Trabant rallying chef will demonstrate how to prepare the dish. at Hungaroring

450) and the 218-room Le Méridien (210 theatre-style) are also next-door neighbours on Erszébet Square. The 170-room Boscolo New York Palace, which holds 140 delegates in its largest meeting room, has the grandeur you would expect from a building constructed as a bank in the late 19th century. A short walk away and open since 1886, the 414-room Corinthia Grand Royal hotel (which holds 520 people in its biggest venue) is the largest five-star property in the city and still has its original spa. In the four-star bracket is the Achat Premium hotel, open since September last year, on the ring road 5km from the city centre; the Expo Congress Hotel, located at the entrance to exhibition space Hungexpo; the Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Centre, popular with groups; and, after a £39 million renovation, the former Continental hotel, also in the city centre, which has reopened as Continental Hotel Zara. If you’re looking for an unusual option, the huge outdoor skating rink at Heroes’ Square can be taken over for private events 42 | MAY/JUNE2011

such as group skating or displays. And in the old town of Buda, a raft of interesting venues can be found among the clamour of cobbled streets. The Hungarian National Gallery (mng.hu/en) stands majestically at the top of Castle Hill, overlooking the river, and has meeting rooms for up to 400 delegates. Cocktails or dinner can be arranged under the dome or in one of six other impressive halls, and in summer, drinks on the terrace takes full advantage of the views. Many Interesting venues of Budapest’s other can be found amid museums are the old town’s also available as special venues. cobbled streets Even the Hilton Budapest, which holds 660 people theatre-style, has an unusual spin, being built around a 13th-century Dominican monastery. Appropriately, groups can be greeted by monks singing Gregorian chants, which is one way to get a meeting off to a good start... ■ Gerbeaud Visit hcb.hu Visit businesstravellerme.com

MEETINGS

FOODIE MEETINGS The Hungarians are hearty eaters and it is possible to dine and drink very well in Budapest. Those who remember Bull’s Blood (Egri Bikaver) as the country’s main wine export (think 1970s and rough) should not be deterred – amazingly, it is still made (to a higher standard) but there is much else to be enjoyed from the country’s vineyards. Located on the shores of the lake next to Heroes’ Square skating rink, the ROBINSON RESTAURANT (robinsonrestaurant.hu) can be hired for exclusive use (80 in winter, 100 with terrace), while across the road, the more formal GUNDEL (gundel.hu) seats up to 600 inside and out, with private dining rooms for smaller groups. Its wine cellar has a dedicated entrance and lends itself to tastings, during which groups can choose their wine for dinner – they can also learn to make pancakes or (fiendishly difficult) strudel. On the floor above the sinful cakes and tempting smell of coffee in the GERBEAUD café (gerbeaud.hu) on Torosmarty Square are ten interlinked rooms ideal for breakout sessions or a conference with an exhibition. When the work’s done, guests can retreat to the basement pub for dinner. NOBU (noburestaurants.com) recently opened in the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest and can be taken over for exclusive use for up to 80 people. “The dishes are those found in Nobu worldwide, plus some with a Hungarian spin,” says Nobu spokesperson Adrienn Kovacs. Otherwise, try cocktails or dinner on the Danube, either at SPOON CAFE AND LOUNGE (spooncafe.hu) – three restaurants (the largest holding 600) and five bars on a two-storey boat – or the 900-capacity EUROPA (europahajo.hu). Both combine a relaxing atmosphere with a chance to drink in the views.

Nobu

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus

Parliament 44 | MAY/JUNE2011

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NEW YORK

New beds in

Manhattan has seen a big boom in hotel openings. Jenny Southan takes a look and finds out what’s to come

Trump Soho 46 | MAY/JUNE2011

ext time you visit New York you’ll have many more options for resting your head. Last year close to 40 properties opened their doors, increasing the city’s room count by almost 6,650. And with overall occupancy standing at about 85 per cent despite this growth in capacity, there is a sense of optimism in the air. Thomas Mathes, general manager of Kimpton’s Eventi (see page 64), which opened in Chelsea last June at 7580 per cent occupancy, says: “We were surprised by the number of bookings when we opened – we actually had to stop selling rooms because we didn’t have enough employees.” He puts this down, in part, to people doing more face-to-face business.“During the recession people used video-conferencing a lot more, but personal meetings are coming back,” Mathes says. Although room rates in Manhattan are on the up again, having gone down as much as 30 per cent during the financial crisis, Mathes says it will be “about two to three years until we are back to 2008 rates”. David Chase, general manager of the Trump Soho (see facing page), which opened last April, says: “The brakes were on over the period between 2008 and early 2010 but since we opened we have seen things picking up. We are getting more business travel and meetings bookings.” Hoteliers have also noticed a growing trend for travellers to combine business with pleasure by adding a few days on to their trip. Properties such as the Eventi are keen to cater to both aspects, offering a range of facilities from boardrooms to spas.“People are expecting Visit businesstravellerme.com

NEW YORK

more these days so a hotel has to offer everything,”Mathes says. The industry is also finding demand for rooms away from the usual Manhattan hotspots – Starwood, for example, has travelled north of Central Park to open the Aloft Harlem. Patricia Gilles, sales manager for the property, says:“Harlem is totally different now – it has been gentrified. Things are changing and with the addition of the Aloft it’s taking Harlem to a whole new level.” It is estimated that by 2013, over 5,000 more hotel rooms will have been added, bringing the total up to more than 91,000. So what do we have to look forward to? Hyatt was set to open the 116-room 48 Lex in Midtown, within walking distance of Grand Central station, this month, and will follow with a 175-room Hyatt near Union Square in the autumn. Other spring openings include the 91-room Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City in Queens, and the 172-room Hotel Indigo Brooklyn. Later in the year, Conrad will open its first property in the city in the financial district of Lower Manhattan, with 463 rooms, and budget brand Yotel will open a 699-room Japanesestyle“capsule”hotel by Times Square. In the meantime, here is a look at some of the properties that have already starting welcoming guests. W New York Downtown

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W NEW YORK DOWNTOWN Starwood’s fourth W hotel in New York, the new-build W Downtown was unveiled last August and overlooks Ground Zero. Once the memorial is complete in September, the view from the hotel will be more attractive. The lobby is on the fifth floor and features an eye-catching undulating LED light installation across the whole ceiling (see our cover image). Only about 100 bedrooms are available at the moment but once the higher floors have been fitted out over the next few months, there will be 217 – each equipped with showers, Munchie boxes and iPod docks. Guests have use of a 24-hour gym, a ground-floor “pub grub” eatery, and four meeting rooms. Wired/ wifi internet costs US$15 a day. DJ nights are held twice a week in the Living Room bar. ■ 123 Washington Street; tel +1 646 8268 600; starwoodhotels.com ■ Rooms from US$266

MONDRIAN SOHO A sneak preview of the fourth New York property from Morgans Hotel Group, which opened in March in the trendy Soho district, revealed lavish interiors decked out with crystal chandeliers, customdesigned furniture, blue mirrors (to make you look more beautiful, apparently), gold banquettes and rose-patterned carpets. As there are no signs, guests must look out for a series of foliage-covered archways Mondrian Soho

The James New York

that frame the Crosby Street entrance, while the 270-room hotel block rises up beyond. A groundfloor restaurant serves sustainable seafood, while a Chinese-style speakeasy displays birdcages and a glowing neon sign that reads: “This is not a brothel, there are no prostitutes at this address.” Standard “sleeping chambers” are small, at 18 sqm, but have iPads and walk-in showers with city views. ■ 9 Crosby Street; tel +1 212 3891 000; mondriansoho.com ■ Rooms from US$427

TRUMP SOHO This 46-floor new-build is the second Trump property to open in Manhattan. The 391 rooms start from 39 sqm and have impressive urban panoramas, and standard amenities including Nespresso machines, microwaves, wet bars, separate baths and showers, and Fendi Casa furniture. Décor is stylish and masculine with cream marble, dark wood, glass, and glossy leather. Contemporary Italian dining room Quattro is well worth trying, with great service, delicious food and plenty of well-heeled locals to remind you that you are in New York. There is also a 24-hour gym, a spa, outdoor pool, and 1,115 sqm of meeting space. Visit businesstraveller.com/triedand-tested for a full review. ■ 246 Spring Street; tel +1 212 8425 500; trumpsohohotel.com ■ Rooms from US$393

THE JAMES NEW YORK Sister property to the James Chicago, the James New York, also in Soho, opened last September and is a 114-room boutique-style offering. Doormen wear tweed flat caps and waistcoats, while the Sky lobby provides a relaxing welcome for guests, with floor-to-ceiling windows, quirky light fittings, pale décor, and free coffee and pastries. Bedrooms start from 29 sqm and are well designed with glass-walled bathrooms, plenty of storage MAY/JUNE2011 | 47

NEW YORK

Gansevoort Park Avenue

Intercontinental Times Square

Eventi

space, circular tables for dining and working, and eco-friendly bathing products. There is also free wifi, iPads that can be borrowed from reception, a 24-hour fitness centre, a rooftop plunge pool and adjacent cocktail bar, Jimmy. A garden terrace and David Burke restaurant opened last month. ■ 27 Grand Street; tel +1 212 4652 000; jameshotels.com ■ Rooms from US$491

GANSEVOORT PARK AVENUE NYC The 249-room Gansevoort Park Avenue joined its counterpart in the buzzing Meatpacking District of Manhattan last August. The hotel lobby sports mismatched furniture, a purple chandelier, and black and white striped floor, while a separate entrance on East 29th Street gives visitors direct access to the 930 sqm Asellina restaurant and bar, which is backed by a wall of Cinzano bottles. ■ 420 Park Avenue South; tel +1 212 317 2900; gansevoortpark.com ■ Rooms from US$319

EVENTI – A KIMPTON HOTEL US chain Kimpton has more than 50 hotels across the US, and the new-build Eventi opened in Chelsea in June last year. The 292 rooms and suites start from 26 sqm and features a muted palette of grey, chestnut and cream, rainshowers, large workdesks and Frette linens. Members of the Kimpton In Touch 48 | MAY/JUNE2011

loyalty scheme benefit from free wired/wifi internet (US$15 per 24 hours otherwise). Free tea and coffee is available in the morning, as is wine in the evening. There is 2,200 sqm of meeting space, and a huge outdoor screen at the back of the hotel can also be used. Bar Basque was created by Syd Mead, set designer of Blade Runner. ■ 851 Avenue of the Americas; tel +1 212 5644 567; eventihotel.com ■ Rooms from US$312

THE SETAI FIFTH AVENUE Unveiled last November, the Setai is managed by Capella Hotels and Resorts. The facilities and level of service are five-star – there’s a 1,050 sqm spa with 11 treatment rooms, a classy ground-floor bar, personal assistants, free wifi, a 24-hour gym and 2,300 sqm of event space. There are no check-in or check-out times. As well as 57 apartment suites there are 157 bedrooms measuring from 36 sqm, featuring Nespresso machines, Pratesi sheets and fridges stocked with free soft drinks. ■ 400 Fifth Avenue; tel +1 212 695 4005; setaififthavenue.com ■ Rooms from US$686

The Chatwal

plain-clothed “hosts” in the lobby to check guests in with tablet PCs and offer them a coffee or glass of wine. The 184 rooms and suites are minimalist in design ■ 485 Fifth Avenue; tel +1 212 601 1234; andaz.com ■ Rooms from US$291

THE CHATWAL NEW YORK The Chatwal, which arrived on the scene last August, provides an appealing combination of renovated art deco interiors, cutting-edge technology and impeccable service. Located a short walk from Times Square, much of the 80-bedroom property dates back to 1905, and guests can avail of a modest spa, 200 sqm of meeting space, and the legendary Lambs Club bar and restaurant. This must-try eatery specialises in modern American cuisine. Bedrooms (from 28 sqm) feature free wired/wireless internet, backgammon sets, Japanese waterjet toilets, Asprey bath products, Bluray DVD players, The Setai Fifth Avenue

ANDAZ FIFTH AVENUE Hyatt’s boutique Andaz brand opened its fifth hotel, and its second in New York, last July (there is another on Wall Street). Like the other properties, it has broken away from the traditional concept of a hotel reception, instead having Visit businesstravellerme.com

NEW YORK

Kashwere robes, butler service and retro radio/alarm clocks. ■ 130 West 44th Street; tel +1 212 7646 200; thechatwalny.com ■ Rooms from US$635

CASSA HOTEL AND RESIDENCES A member of Worldhotels, Cassa debuted last August, although its subterranean bar/restaurant is not due to open until the summer. The property has 57 extended-stay units on floors 27 to 48, as well as 165 guestrooms on levels two to 26. It’s a mid-range offering in a good Midtown location. ■ 70 West 45th Street; tel +1 212 3028 700; cassahotelny.com ■ Rooms from US$256

INTERCONTINENTAL NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE The 36-floor, 607-room Intercontinental, which was unveiled last July, is one of the largest hotels to open in Manhattan in recent times, and is an obvious choice for many business travellers. There are 12 function rooms totalling 900 sqm of space, a 24-hour fitness centre and an all-day restaurant. Bedrooms start from 33 sqm. Element Times Square West

50 | MAY/JUNE2011

■ 300 West 44th Street; tel +1 212 8034 500; interconny.com ■ Rooms from US$264

THE PEARL Also near Times Square is the 94-room Pearl – it opened its doors in October and is a member of the Empire Hotel Group, which operates seven other properties in the city. It’s not going to wow guests but does provide everything business travellers might need for a short trip. Bedrooms have flatscreen TVs, large workdesks, triple-glazed windows and interiors that are a smart combination of chocolate, blue and beige. Wifi is free, as is a continental breakfast. ■ 233 West 49th Street; tel +1 212 245 4000; pearlhotelnyc.com ■ Rooms from US$279

ELEMENT NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE WEST The first of Starwood’s eco-friendly extended-stay Element hotels in the city was launched near Times Square in November. It feels fresh and relaxed, with a free continental breakfast laid out in the foyer each morning, a store selling essentials, a business centre, free wired/wifi internet, and recycling bins and

furniture made from recycled or sustainably produced materials. All of the 411 rooms come with a mini kitchen, Heavenly beds (as found in Starwood’s Westin properties), DVD players and walk-in showers. ■ 311 West 39th Street; tel +1 212 6430 770; starwoodhotels.com ■ Rooms from US$256

ALOFT HARLEM Open since December, Starwood’s 124-room Aloft is one block from the nearest subway station or about 15 minutes’ drive cab from Times Square, and is an excellent budget option. The reception has a pool table, self-service snack bar, funky seating and welcoming staff, while therooms are at least 23 sqm and have huge workdesks, kingsize beds, free wired/wifi internet, fridges, Bliss toiletries, flatscreen TVs, free water, tea and coffee. There are no meeting rooms or restaurants but there is a 24-hour gym. A second Aloft is set to open in Brooklyn this month. ■ 2,296 Frederick Douglass Boulevard; tel +1 212 7494 000; starwoodhotels.com ■ Rooms from US$243 Visit nycgo.com

Andaz Fifth Avenue

Aloft Harlem

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COMPETITION

WIN

a weekend stay at The Grand Millennium Al Wahda How to win The prize two-night weekend stay in a Premium room for two

■

inclusive of breakfast, Zayna Spa, Hot Stone massage for two

■

■ lunch for two at Italian restaurant Porto Bello

The question How many hotel rooms are in the Grand Millennium Al Wahda?

a) 385 b) 485 c) 585

illennium Hotels and Resorts’ Grand Millennium is a striking new addition to Abu Dhabi’s upscale

hospitality scene. The 850-room hotel comprises 585 hotel rooms and 265 residences, making it the largest hotel in the UAE capital. Its guest rooms are elegantly outfitted for exceptional comfort and high-tech connectivity, with features such as multi-line telephones with data ports, wireless internet connection, 37-inch LCD televisions, Bose sound systems, and heated towel racks. Not only is it the largest hotel, centrally

52 | MAY/JUNE2011

To enter, log on to: winwithmotivate.ae

located adjacent to the Al Wahda Shopping Mall and Al Wahda Sports Club, it also boasts the largest health club in the city with a 2,700sqm spa, swimming pool and a supersized gym. Complementing the latest state of the art Technogym fitness and wellness equipment is Easy Line, a 16-stage circuit that uses eight different pieces of equipment. The rooftop pool, with separate children’s pool, provides spectacular panoramic views of the city and an escape for families and swimmers. Completing the wellness experience is the Zayna day spa for men and ladies. Dedicated to relaxation, beauty and

Closing date for entries: May 30, 2011 Winners will be notified by email.

well-being, Zayna includes 10 spacious treatment rooms, a couple’s treatment room, male and female relaxations rooms and an extensive wet area that includes Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, rainforest and powerjet showers. Multiple dining venues at the new Grand Millennium address beckon with authentic and wide-ranging international cuisine from Asian restaurant Toshi to the Porto Bello Italian eatery and Al Wahda all-day dining. The banquet and catering element of the operation are located in the office towers across from the main entrance of the hotel and comprises exhibition space, seven meeting rooms and a banquet hall which can accommodate up to 80 persons for a gala dinner. ■ Visit businesstravellerme.com

SPORTS

THINK OF MICE VENUES in the Middle East and hotels invariably spring to mind, but as clients and planners continue to look for locations out of the ordinary, sports venues can offer an attractive proposition – particularly when they have unique business-meets-leisure offerings. At Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, MICE clients can opt for a customised, high-adrenaline race around the track in-between business meetings. Between its two Grand Prix races in 2009 and 2010, Yas hosted 150 MICE functions and this year is likely to be nearer the 200 mark. So far this year it has hosted the Global Financial Markets Forum for the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, with 400 delegates,

54| MAY/JUNE2011

Meydan

MINTY CLINCH

From horse and motor racing circuits to camel polo fields and golf courses, corporates have a broader number of venues where they can mix business and pleasure, reports Mark Aktinson

the Etihad Global Conference (550), the UAE Federal National Council Conference (300), a Masdar energy conference (100) delegates and all the dry-land activity for the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. Mercedes, Lexus, Cadillac and Chevrolet are also among the companies who have pulled in to host car launches. Nearby, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi officially started its corporate engines at the recent GIBTM conference. Alongside its strong team-building and incentives appeal, the leisure facility will be reaching out for meetings and conference business – it has 3,000sqm of space that can hold up to 1,500 delegates – and build on its 50-plus events bookings since launch.

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SPORTS

Dubai 7s Stadium

“Where else can a company organise a training conference and then have delegates race against each other on a Ferrari driving simulator?” said Troy Lindquist, Director of Sales & Marketing, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.“Speeding at 240 kilometres per hour on the fastest roller coaster in the world, strapped next to a colleague from head office, can make for a pretty interesting icebreaker session.” Racing simulators such as Scuderia Challenge, and quiz-based challenges that test strategic racing skills, like Pit Wall, will keep MICE delegates on their toes, and those that prefer to sit can find traditional cafés and restaurants offering authentic Italian cuisine.

Additional attractions include Driving with the Champion, a multi-sensory simulation of riding shotgun alongside an F1™ champion, a nostalgic look back at Italian road race history at Cinema Maranello and Made in Maranello, a virtual tour of the historic Ferrari factory. Sales Director Fabien Laurent said its core business market will be groups of between 30 and 300 people, but it can host anything up to 7,000 guests across the park. “We can privatise the park on Mondays for corporate business,” he said.“The summer may be a bit slower, but we foresee the MICE segment will be strong between September and November.”

Abu Dhabi Golf Club

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The diverse nature of the facility means that corporates can pick and choose which parts they want to access, combining business and pleasure for a few hours or an entire day. Rates will consequently vary, although group discounts are available.“Abu Dhabi and Dubai are core markets and Saudi is very strong,” he said. If adrenaline isn’t your thing, Abu Dhabi Golf Club offers a more serene way for MICE delegates to mix business with pleasure, offering golf packages, as well as conference rooms with picturesque views of the golf course. “We are the only golf club (in the UAE) that offers the variety of different meeting facilities we have, capable of holding small and larger functions,” says General Manager Ken Kosak. “These range, amongst others, from a small meeting room suitable for eight people in the Falcon Clubhouse, to a large room that breaks into three smaller areas and the Qanas function room that can accommodate up to 200 guests.” ADGC is also broadening its scope to host more events, theme nights and fundraisers. The most memorable event it has worked on to date is the Grand Prix Ball for the inaugural F1 Race in 2009, whereby over 500 saw the Gypsy Kings perform live. “Our events lawn is capable of holding 2000 people and was transformed into a 007 setting for the evening. Depending on size and requirements, we might have up to 20 people working on an event.” More recently, it held a fundraising function for the Christchurch earthquake victims. Guiding people’s perceptions away from more traditional MICE settings is a different issue, however. “Our biggest challenge is changing the perception of the club for meeting planners,” concedes Kosak.“The norm for most meeting planners has been to use hotels for their events and activities, due to the variety of function space as well as catering capabilities. Golf clubs for the most part are not

MAY/JUNE2011 | 55

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Yas Marina Circuit

perceived to have such capabilities and are primarily known for recreational purposes only. Meeting planners that conduct site inspections at the club are pleasantly surprised to see how diverse our offerings are.” The Address Montgomerie Dubai also offers MICE corporate golf packages, while the events industry forms a major part of its strategy. Events may involve a meeting in the boardroom looking out across the course through its floor-to-ceiling windows, or a product launch beside the outdoor pool, also with a golf course vista. Clients can blend a strategic thinking event with a golfing session, with the club’s specifically-designed ‘Biz Golf’ activities and coaching programme, or raise their brand awareness by hosting a corporate tournament or golf day. “MICE is one of the fastest growing segments for us,” says Ed Edwards, GM, the Address Montgomerie Dubai. “The importance of the MICE industry in the sporting context lies in the fact that it makes business meetings and

conferences a thoroughly enjoyable event for delegates.”

PURPOSE-BUILT SETTING At Meydan, a firm strategy to utilise the facility for MICE purposes out of season was built into the business model at the time of design. Mohammad Al Khayat, Commercial Director, Meydan Commercial, said: “From the very early concept stages of the Meydan development, our objective was to address the demand for a new events venue that could cater to every type of business need – from small-to-medium business meetings, conferences and product launches, to the largest events including major conferences, congresses, exhibitions, concerts and festivals. “Meydan was custom-built to blend a five-star hotel tailored to international business travel market needs, alongside a flexible, multi-functional and contemporary exhibition, event and conference venue with multiple breakout areas and ample outdoor space for activities and entertainment. Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit

We are taking Meetings & Conferences to a whole new direction -

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SPORTS

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

“We’re not limited by scale – so whether it is an intimate group, or larger event that may take over the entire complex exclusively, Meydan offers flexibility, comfort and innovation with the goal of enhancing the experience for both organisers and their guests.” Working with event organisers, Meydan has a full time staff of MICE experts from marketing through to operations, security, health and safety. Its ballroom accommodates up to 400 guests for business or social functions, opening onto the terrace for extended dining or networking. Its IMAX theatre can accommodate 500 for events such as award presentations, conferences, or product launches.

their U-bend necks, camels cantering at 65 kilometres an hour can actually rotate their heads and look over your shoulder. The groups Dubai Polo Academy caters for range in size from eight to 60 players. “We recently hosted a group of eight senior managers from a Dubai company that held its board meeting at Dubai Polo Academy and spent the afternoon with an energetic round of camel polo,” said Deborah Bevan, leisure and operations manager, Gulf Ventures.“On a larger scale, another recent booking had 40 guests from the European offices of a technology company play with their top clients as part of an incentive programme.”

Suffice to say, mounting a camel might not be everyone’s idea of fun. In this respect, the Academy provides spectator events, another popular option for larger groups. The Academy recently hosted a group of 400 guests, 60 of whom played polo complete with personalised team uniforms, while the remaining guests enjoyed canapés and beverages as they cheered on their teams in speciallybranded spectator sections. For the time being, camel polo remains a corporate event in Dubai. In the longer term, should there be enough interest, it is envisaged that it might develop into a league. ■

CORPORATES SADDLE UP Moving from horse racing to the rather less elegant but equally entertaining camel polo, Dubai Polo Academy – by way of Gulf Ventures – has its own unique offering borne from the idea to offer something different in terms of corporate events. In a similar fashion to elephant polo played in Asia, jockeys ride in tandem, with the camel rider steering the animal while the player hits the ball. An extra long mallet is used, while a large inflatable ball replaces the hard ball used in horse polo. All makes for first-class entertainment, as camels, unpredictable at the best of times, tend to sit down at the most inopportune moment. As one observer drily remarked: “Camel polo is a game of two sides – you against the camels.”With 58| MAY/JUNE2011

Dubai Polo Academy Visit businesstravellerme.com

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Rose Dykins discovers Britain’s nautical heritage in London’s next Royal Borough THAMES CLIPPER The nearest station to Greenwich is Cutty Sark on the DLR, but if you have the time, take the Thames Clipper (thamesclippers. com) from Waterloo pier. The journey takes about half an hour, which gives you plenty of time to take in the iconic buildings that line the banks of the Thames. Boats leave every 20 minutes and a single journey costs £5.50 (£5 with an Oyster, £3.70 with a travel card). On arrival at Greenwich pier, turn right at the Cutty Sark. This Victorian sea vessel is one of the only teaclippers left in the world. It is being restored at the moment following a fire in 2007, and is due to reopen next spring, complete with exhibitions about the boat’s history. Next year will also see Greenwich crowned a Royal 60 | MAY/JUNE2011

Borough as part of the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Greenwich’s links with the monarchy and its global nautical reputation have no doubt helped it to gain this exceptional mark of royal favour (the only other Royal Boroughs are Kensington and Chelsea, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Kingstonupon-Thames). GREENWICH MARKET Turn on to College Approach and you’ll see the arched entrance of Greenwich Market. Located in a small square surrounded by stylish boutiques and colourful cafés, the quirky covered market takes place Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm. The set-up changes daily, with homeware, antiques, collectables, arts and crafts, and fresh produce featured on different days, but

the delicious food stalls are there every day, and the aroma of all the fresh cooking is the first thing that hits you. Spend some time browsing through the stalls, where you may find anything from jewellery delicately fashioned from old shillings to vintage tobacco tins. Visit shopgreenwich.co.uk OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE Pass through the intricate black iron gates of Greenwich’s World Heritage Site, located at the base of Greenwich Park by the river, and make your first stop the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College (entry is free). These days, the college is the site of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and it can also be hired for events (visit oldroyalnavalcollege.org). It was originally built by Christopher Wren in 1712 as a hospital and home for injured seamen and their families. The magnificent Painted Hall was intended to be

LAZY DAYS On a sunny day, the Royal Park is perfect for relaxing and a great spot for a picnic. It will host equestrian and modern pentathlon events during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics beside the Queen’s House at the foot of the hill. Visit royalparks.gov.uk

a dining room for the invalids; however, after James Thornhill had spent 19 years painting it, it was deemed too fine for them to use, and became a tourist attraction instead. Ask a guide to point out the symbolism of different parts of the elaborate ceiling. Across from the hall is the college chapel, which is also free to enter. As you go in, you will be greeted by another spectacular roof. Take some time to admire the neoclassical décor with both Grecian and naval-themed motifs – the elegant blue and white patterns suggest a cirrus sky. In the entrance to the chapel, the poignant Franklin monument commemorates the loss of the crews on board HMS Erebus and Terror as they searched for the Northwest Passage in Canada in 1845. The chapel is now frequently used for musical performances from Trinity Laban Conservatoire that are open to the public, and it continues to host a Sunday church service Visit businesstravellerme.com

Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College

Greenwich Market

every week. Both the Painted Hall marble floor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the pattern soon becomes hypnotic. Ask a guide and Chapel of St Peter and Paul are open daily from 10am to 5pm. to talk you through the gallery of paintings upstairs, which holds Canalettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Venetian-style NATIONAL MARITIME interpretation of the view of MUSEUM Greenwich from the north bank, Make your way south-west to and other portraits that throw the National Maritime Museum. light on the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s royal history. Visiting it is a great way to put Greenwichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nautical associations Look out for the portrait of Emma Hart, whose affair with Admiral into context. Check out the Lord Nelson led to her demise. Oceans of Discovery exhibition Open 10am-5pm. Entry is free; on the second floor, which has nmm.ac.uk footage of HMS Enduranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1914 voyage to the Antarctic filmed by a cameraman on board. ROYAL OBSERVATORY Now for a 15-minute walk See the crew try to free the ship up the hill from the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from being crushed by pack ice, House, which steepens quite a before six members, including captain Ernest Shackleton, battled bit as you approach the Royal Observatory. The look-out point their way across the Atlantic on board a lifeboat, the James Caird, beside the statue of General to get help. The film also includes James Wolfe gives a breathtaking view of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skyline. While extracts from the crewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diaries. Another must-see is the Maritime Flamsteed House and the Time Galleries are worth a walk London exhibition on the ground through, and standing with floor, which takes you through one foot on either side of the the history of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s river Meridian Line is tempting (itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade from the Roman era to the here that Greenwich Mean present day. Open 10am-5pm. Time is derived), the recent Entry is free; nmm.ac.uk introduction of a ÂŁ10 entrance fee is controversial. If you are THE QUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOUSE interested in learning about the Just across from the museum is science of sea navigation then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House, originally worth putting your hand in your built for Anne of Denmark, the pocket, but otherwise head to wife of King James I. Climb the the Astronomy Galleries beneath spirallingâ&#x20AC;&#x153;tulip stairsâ&#x20AC;?, named theâ&#x20AC;&#x153;onion domeâ&#x20AC;?for free and after the beautiful floral design interactive exhibitions about on the banister, and then from the universe. Open 10am-5pm; the balcony in the Great Hall, stare down at the black and white nmm.ac.uk Visit businesstravellerme.com

THE YACHT Greenwich is brimming with traditional pubs. As you head down the hill of the Royal Park, continue on to Park Row and head towards the river. Turn right along cobbled Crane Street and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the Yacht pub. The exterior is pretty and inviting, and its riverside location offers great views of Canary Wharf and

the Docklands. The Yacht offers a weekday lunchtime menu for ÂŁ5 (the 6oz steak burger is a satisfying option), and other main courses are reasonably priced at about ÂŁ10. Take a seat by the window and watch the boats go by. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-11pm; Sun until 10.30pm. Tel +44 (0)20 8858 0175. â&#x2013; Go to visitgreenwich.org.uk

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info@britbiz-uae.com www.britbiz-uae.com 04 397 0303 Social Media Accounts: search for BBGOnline

TECHNOLOGY

FACE TO INTERFACE

Video-conferencing technology continues to evolve at an astonishing rate, but there are good budget options too. Mark Prigg surveys both ends of the market

VEER

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ideo-conferencing has come a long way since the days when a dedicated meeting room equipped with racks of kit were needed. In fact, for many firms it has moved entirely out of the boardroom, past the desktop PC and laptop, and on to the mobile phone. It’s now easy to take part in corporate meetings via your handset – even seeing slides in real time as your colleagues do. However, while the technology has moved on to phones and even living-room TVs – some of which now have Skype video-conferencing built in – there is still a place for high-end dedicated solutions. Crucially, they have changed beyond all recognition over the past 18 months, with banks of high-definition screens and video

cameras really making you feel you are in the same room as the other participants (for a price). For companies that can’t afford the huge cost of installing a top-end system, the answer is to combine the two – relying on desktop and mobile devices for day-to-day meetings and renting video-conferencing facilities from companies such as Regus (regus.co.uk) for important events. Whichever end of the market you go for, there’s no doubt video-conferencing has become a part of everyday business life. And while engaging with people face-toface will always be necessary, for many businesses it can save a fortune in travel and lost productivity, as well as making working from home a viable option for plenty of staff.

MAY/JUNE2011 | 63

TECHNOLOGY

POLYCOM RPX Price on application polycom.com

Described as “immersive telepresence” rather than video-conferencing, Polycom’s RPX (Real Presence Experience) system is the firm’s new flagship product and is the stuff of science fiction, making last year’s topof-the-line ATX (Architected Telepresence Experience) system – which is still available – look almost archaic by comparison. Using banks of HD video screens up to five metres wide, which are set up in a dedicated suite, life-size images are used to give the impression you 64 | MAY/JUNE2011

are in a room with the other people in your meeting. And, astonishingly, it’s not just for small gatherings – the RPX can be expanded to create a mini-lecture theatre seating up to 28 participants and virtually connect them with people all around the world. The effect is extraordinary – you really do get a sense that everyone is in the same location, and the screens are detailed enough that you can even see subtle facial expressions. Smart software uses cameras and microphones to track who is talking, but most impressive is that in many of the installations, these are hidden, so the conversations appear completely natural. Suites are custom built, so while there is no “standard” price, ballpark figures of about US$600,000 for a basic system are

to be expected – there are also monthly fees to pay. It’s possible to patch in users with other, cheaper Polycom systems, but to get the best results, both parties really do need the RPX. It is possible to hire suites too, and firms such as Regus offer this facility. There are also all the usual shared screen features, so participants can see the same Powerpoint slides, but the key to the Polycom system is its breathtaking quality – and while that comes at a price, for companies that would otherwise need to fly in participants, it could be an attractive alternative.

PROS Astonishing technology CONS Equally astonishing price tag Visit businesstravellerme.com

TECHNOLOGY

MEEBO MESSENGER Free meebo.com

Along with the other old-time video-conferencing providers (which in internet terms probably means they’re about 12 months old), Citrix has reinvented itself as an online remote access firm, allowing you to get into your meeting from the road via a PC, phone or iPad. It’s a great service and is extremely simple to use, with all the features you’d expect, such as being able to view slides, take minutes and even control who is on the call, all from a mobile device. For small companies, however, it faces a lot of competition, particularly from Skype (see page 53) and other services, which offer similar products for far less. But if ease of use is key then Citrix is definitely worth considering. The iPad version, in particular, is impressive if you need to take part in meetings while out and about.

With the vast increase in use of instant messaging programmes, many companies are struggling to keep up with the different services their clients use to communicate. However, Meebo offers the answer, giving you one simple interface for several different instant messaging applications, all without having to load dozens of different pieces of software on your machine. With several accounts loaded, the on-screen interface can be a little confusing at times – there’s a lot going on. However, once you’ve spent some time playing around, it’s relatively easy – and the free iPhone app even simpler, giving you an easy way to chat online. Most major services are supported, including MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk and ICQ. It also has the neat trick of giving you access to your instant messaging accounts even if they are blocked at work, because as you’re simply accessing a web page, it’s usually not a problem defeating the office security system.

PROS Straightforward interface, easy to take part in conferences CONS Cheaper alternatives work just as well, it requires you to download software or an app

PROS Great way to keep your instant messaging accounts in one place CONS Web interface can be a little confusing

CITRIX GO TO MEETING US$49 per month citrix.com

WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER 2011 Free microsoft.com A recent overhaul has seen Messenger completely redesigned, and has brought it into line with the rest of Microsoft’s products. It has also helped Windows Live Messenger to remain one of the most popular instant messaging systems. And because of the huge numbers of machines running Windows software, it has also found a home on a lot of corporate machines, simply because it’s preinstalled on them. Boasting more than 350 million users, it’s a simple text- and videobased chat system. The interface is unashamedly consumer focused but is also good for keeping in touch with colleagues, particularly for quick queries. It’s also easy to set up group chats, although they can become a little confusing with several people typing at once. For more advanced tasks and external meetings, it’s best to look elsewhere PROS Free, and probably already on your machine CONS Few corporate capabilities Visit businesstravellerme.com

MAY/JUNE2011 | 65

TECHNOLOGY

APPLE ICHAT AND FACETIME Free (59p for Macs), apple.com/uk Apple has completely reinvented its previously basic chat software, now offering Apple users the ability to videoconference easily, along with a plethora of extra capabilities. This new direction is down to Facetime, the video-call software available for

Macs, iPhone 4s, the new iPod Touch and the newly released iPad 2. It makes life incredibly simple – assuming you have at least one of the appropriate Apple products – with all of the above able to call each other and take part in video sessions. It’s easy to use, although fairly simplistic compared with the other products here. The main drawback is that it really works best with Apple products only, although you can chat with PCs if

their owners have an Aim (aim.com) chat account. You can also share slides, and even take control of another Mac’s screen remotely – useful for fixing tech support problems when you are away. PROS Software is slick and attractive CONS Limited functionality and, ideally, you need a Mac, iPad 2, iPhone 4 or new iPod Touch

CISCO WEBEX £30 a month webex.co.uk

PROS Feature-rich, works with existing hardware CONS Relatively expensive

66 | MAY/JUNE2011

At first glance Cisco’s Webex system seems like something of an oldie in the video-conferencing market, having been around for several years. However, it has moved with the times extremely well, with apps for Android, iPhone and Blackberry devices having recently been launched, so despite stiff competition from the likes of Skype, it can just about hold its own against any of the more corporate offerings here. Webex takes the entire meeting process online and into a web browser or phone app. Up to 25 people can take part in sessions, with up to six webcams being used on screen at any one time. It’s also very useful as an online training tool as a maximum of 1,000 people can watch the same live broadcast at once, with another version available for sales calls where you can demo products to hundreds of clients at once. It’s impressive, and with support for the latest mobile devices, it has to be a contender for larger companies looking to use video-conferencing to sell or train, as well as to chat oneon-one. Visit businesstravellerme.com

TECHNOLOGY

YAHOO MESSENGER Free messenger.yahoo.com

SKYPE Free skype.com Skype may is still the benchmark for online voice services, and it is a position the company has worked hard to maintain, particularly in the face of some stiff competition from Microsoft, Apple and Yahoo (see pages 51 and 52). It has, in recent months, been doing a lot of work on video-conferencing, in particular adding iPhone, Blackberry and Android apps that can use the service, including making video calls on some devices. It’s a big step forward for the provider, and goes some way to making sure Skype stays the automatic choice for many small and medium-sized enterprises. The key to Skype is its simplicity. It’s a very well designed service, with text,

audio and video chat all easily available. As well as this, it’s possible to call landlines using the service, offering a big saving on traditional voice calls, especially when employees are stationed all over the world. Call quality is excellent and video in particular works extremely well – more so than almost any other product on the market, in fact. It’s also very simple to set up conference calls. Overall, Skype has grown from being a bit of an enthusiast’s product to something you really can run your business from – and with a lot of newer TVs having Skype built in, it is giving the old guard of videoconferencing sleepless nights. PROS Great features, slick and welldesigned interface CONS Little inter-operability with other services

Yahoo’s Messenger is one of the oldest instant messaging clients on the market, and has evolved at an astonishing rate, now boasting everything from access to Ebay to the ability to play music. At its heart is still the same simple to use text-based messaging system, but time has seen voice and video added, which work well. However, there is still very much a consumer focus, and Yahoo Messenger does feel a little childlike at times. It also suffers from having every feature imaginable thrown into the interface, along with some garish advertising. Overall, it’s really a way to keep in touch with your friends, and perhaps your kids when you are on the road, so it is unlikely to impress in the boardroom. PROS Simple to use CONS Too much going on

■ Mark Prigg is science and technology editor at London’s Evening Standard A NEW DIMENSION If you think video-conferencing is impressive now, then just give it a few years. In research labs across the world, firms are closing in on the ultimate prize – 3D. There are already prototype holographic projectors capable of making your colleagues appear Star Wars style, while more traditional 3D systems, similar to those found in cinemas and home TVs, are set to hit the market soon. One of the more unusual advances has come from Microsoft, in the 68 | MAY/JUNE2011

form of its Kinect sensor (xbox.com/ kinect). Currently sold as an addon for the Xbox 360 console, with a plethora of high-tech microphones and 3D cameras that can capture you accurately as you move around, allowing you to play games by waving and jumping, Microsoft has big plans for the sleek gadget. In fact, according to Guinness World Records, it has already become the fastest-selling

consumer electronics device to date. Microsoft is already hard at work on business uses for the technology, so don’t be surprised if the next big thing in video-conferencing has a Microsoft logo on it. With the level of innovation happening in its labs, it seems inevitable that in the next 12 months, video-conferencing will be changed forever with the addition of a third dimension.

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ALL THE BUSINESS TOOLS YOU NEED

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE GCC

ask Alex

THROUGH-CHECK TROUBLES

Dear Alex, In the March-April 2011 issue, you state that“the only sure way of getting your baggage through-checked is to hold one ticket and take the same airline or its codeshare services”. Unfortunately, this is not true. Last November, my son and I flew Alex McWhirter answers your travel queries. Email him at from Toronto to Luxembourg via Frankfurt using codeshare flights amcwhirter@businesstraveller.com LH5475, operated by Air Canada, and LH6862, operated by Luxair. The entire trip had been booked using a single ticket to fly from Luxembourg via Frankfurt to San Diego Alex replies: with a return via Toronto, where we broke our journey Here is a case where passengers who abide by the rules are inconvenienced for two days. by the simple fact that Air Canada has no agreement with Luxair for transferring When we presented ourselves at Toronto for the passengers or their baggage. Other than it being a question of money – in final leg, Air Canada refused to check our luggage other words, the cost of implementing a through-check agreement – it is hard through to Luxembourg or to issue boarding passes to see why this should be the case. After all, Luxair is a small regional airline for the Frankfurt to Luxembourg connection. and poses no competitive threat to Air Canada (unlike the situation between Air At Frankfurt, we therefore had to reclaim our France and Emirates, the subject of previous columns). luggage, were delayed by customs checks and Michael Jolliffe and his son took this Lufthansa-promoted connection finally found ourselves in a check-in queue for the because not only did it offer the best transfer but there was no indication on Luxembourg flight. Since we were among the last to lufthansa.com that through-checking was not possible. check in, we were unable to sit together. Were it not for the fact that they had more than two hours to change planes I wrote to both airlines to point out what had in Frankfurt, the connection would have been lost. happened. [Codeshare partner] Lufthansa said: My investigations concluded this is a stalemate situation between Air Canada “As Air Canada, like Lufthansa, is a Star Alliance and Lufthansa. The German carrier maintains that Air Canada is obliged to member, it should have been possible to check your through-check passengers on codeshare flights under IATA (International Air bags through to Luxembourg.”Air Canada said it Transport Association) resolution 780. For its part, Air Canada confirmed it had “no longer checks baggage or passengers to Luxair, a no through-check agreement with Luxair but the carrier declined to elaborate. company that is not part of Star Alliance”. Why was The good news is that Lufthansa has resolved matters by rescheduling its through-checking not possible? Toronto-Frankfurt service. From the end of last month, Lufthansa retimed its Michael Jolliffe, Luxembourg

Dear Alex, Last October I flew business class with Silkair [a regional subsidiary of Singapore Airlines] on flight MI752 between Singapore and Phuket [departing at 0850 and arriving at 0935]. However, I was delayed five hours on the ground owing to technical issues, and this meant I had to reschedule my lunch appointment, which was difficult with the weekend approaching and business hours coming to an end. I assumed passengers would be entitled to a refund because the airline could not provide the service paid for. But Silkair merely apologised and said it would send me a “gift voucher”. I understand these things happen but in other industries, if for whatever reason a business cannot deliver a product, then the customer should not have to pay full price. What are your thoughts? Kia Schubert, Wellington, New Zealand 70 | MAY/JUNE2011

early evening flight LH471, which now provides a better connection in Frankfurt for passengers continuing with LH6862 (Luxair) to Luxembourg. So I must amend my advice to say that the only sure way of being throughchecked is to hold a single ticket for the trip and use the same airline or its alliance partners. Through-checking using codeshare flights should be possible but, as we see here, it cannot be guaranteed.

Alex replies: I sympathise but the fact is the airline business is unlike any other. Airlines will claim that their schedules can be disrupted, often at short notice, by events outside their control. For some examples, look to the disruption caused by Europe’s ash cloud crisis a year ago, something that was totally unexpected. Likewise, the recent grounding of the A380 and Europe’s severe winter weather affected schedules across the globe for more than a month. In your case, it was a local technical delay and, in the absence of passenger rights when flying within Asia, what Silkair offered was par for the course. I am not saying airlines are blameless in all this, but travellers must note that there is no certainty in flying and that, where possible, it’s wise to build a degree of flexibility into your schedule to minimise any possible inconvenience. See “What are my rights?”, businesstraveller.com/archive/2010/may-2010

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COMPETITION

WIN

a two-night stay at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach How to win The prize two-night stay for two people including breakfast

■

dinner for two at The Talk Restaurant & Lounge inclusive of full beverage package

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30-minute spa treatment for two

The question

övenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach sits in the heart of one of Dubai’s most dynamic districts, Jumeirah Beach Residence. The hotel is located close to the city’s thriving business hubs, major attractions and entertainment facilities – while only being a 30-minute drive from Dubai International Airport – and it’s a short stroll to the beaches of the Arabian Gulf. This contemporary upscale five-star hotel contains 294 well equipped modern and comfortable rooms and suites with balconies. The hotel offers three food & beverage outlets. The Talk Restaurant & Lounge

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is a three-pronged concept outlet which offers international cuisine, daily themed nights and entertainment, as well as an a la carte sushi bar, which is complemented by contemporary poolside and cabana lounging; The West Beach Bistro & Sports Lounge serves up a modern twist on pub classics in a casual sports bar atmosphere; and The Falls Lobby Lounge is the perfect spot for tête-à-têtes, fresh Mövenpick coffee and light bites, 24/7. Conference and Banqueting facilities are of the highest quality at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, comprising the Melrose ballroom, two meeting rooms, and business centre and break out conference rooms, which makes it ideal to meet the requirements of any event or conference, from company business meetings to major banquets, receptions, weddings and other social functions.

Which venue at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach offers round-the-clock light bites and fresh coffee?

a) The Talk Restaurant & Lounge b) West Beach Bistro & Sports Lounge c) Falls Lobby Lounge To enter, log on to: winwithmotivate.ae Closing date for entries: May 30, 2011 Winners will be notified by email.

Overlooking the infinity pool perched above the sandy shore of the Arabian Gulf is a modern gym and spa with a host of unusual and quirky treatments. Jumeirah Beach Residence is a new urban resort concept of luxurious homes offering a year-round beach resort lifestyle that incorporates fashion and lifestyle stores as well as art galleries, restaurants and a host of other amenities. ■ MAY/JUNE2011 | 73

Frequent Traveller

Pack it in Opening the suitcase zip and finding you’ve left that vital folder, valuable present or cherished shirt is one of the enduring hazards of travel – but that’s better than not opening the suitcase at all

ISTOCK PHOTO

y brother must have set a left belongings record during a recent visit to Dubai. He arrived light, and left even lighter, managing at the end of a four-day trip to leave a long black coat, two pairs of trousers, a shirt, two handkerchiefs and four pairs of socks. But he wasn’t a completely useless packer – he did manage to take back to England my four-year-old’s pants, though on reflection, I’m sure he’d rather have had the coat when he landed in Birmingham. We’ve all done it, if not perhaps on such a spectacularly incompetent scale. Clothing, watches, footwear – I’ve left the lot at various stages on the road in the last 20 years – and that’s before the mountains of press trip paraphernalia, from releases and CDs, to USB sticks and model aeroplanes, that have ended up on rubbish tips the world over. All the items executives leave in hotel rooms this year alone will probably fill quite a few A380s and conference halls, and that’s before you

74 | MAY/JUNE2011

take into account the ‘black hole’ which is airport lost luggage areas. I remember returning from one trip and having the dubious pleasure of trying to reunite with my suitcase in the lost luggage area (it had somehow slipped off the departure carousel four days earlier so sadly it’s journey ended before it even began). I don’t

All the items executives leave in hotel rooms this year alone will probably fill quite a few A380s recommend it at the best of times, but especially when you’re feeling jet lagged and weary; it was like walking on a water bed, as I vainly slipped and slided around this confined area, with case stacked upon case and not an inch of floor tiling visible. I did find it though after 20 minutes of rigorous rummaging, so there was a happy ending of sorts. In an age of unending technological connectivity, it would be nice to think that a bar coded bag with someone’s

name on it could still catch up with them – or at worst, be returned promptly – without ending up in these neglected strap-and-wheelridden graveyards. The only thing more distressing than lost luggage must be statistics about lost luggage. While some travel websites claim ‘98 per cent of all misplaced luggage is returned’, or ‘only 0.005 per cent of all checked luggage is permanently lost’, I prefer to reach for the altogether more authoritative Airport Transport Industry report (2010), which found an astonishing 25 million items of luggage are misplaced every year – that’s about one bag for every 100 passengers. My failure-to-make-it-airside bag experience is not that unusual on closer examination, with a surprising 16 per cent of all bags that go AWOL never making it from check in to plane. So that means on average every five trips, you have no choice but to take a deep breath and cross your fingers. You have to sympathise with airports, many of which can’t afford to clutter their premises. Bags lost in Heathrow are apparently sold at a South London auction site called Greasby’s at bargain basement prices – although call me old fashioned, but I’m not comfortable with the notion of making off with someone else’s lost gear. I remember going to a car boot sale once and the vultures descended before I’d even opened the car; but at least there’s a bona fide ‘I’m-selling-you’re-buying’ code at car boots, which isn’t necessarily the case in a lost luggage auction. Which brings us to the deeper existential question of why people are failing to recover their luggage. Are they purely lazy, or is the mechanism of recovery for everyone simply too arduous? Assuming they had the energy and foresight to buy the items in the first place, then they presumably have the motivation to retrieve them. In an online age, there must be room for a more integrated recovery approach. ■ Visit businesstravellerme.com