Business traveller asia pacific edition july august 2016

Bạn muốn học ngữ pháp dùng trong giao tiếp hằng ngày nhưng không có hứng thú và động lực học hơn 10 từ mỗi ngày.Vậy những bài báo hay các cuốn tạp chí với nhất nhiều chủ đề gần gũi với cuộc sống sẽ giúp bạn có hứng thú học tiếng anh và luyện thói quen đọc để tăng kĩ năng Reading của bạn.

JULY/AUGUST 2016

ON THE COVER

68IWELL GROOMED

Men are finding new confidence in lookin

good through pampering sessions at dedic

men’s grooming centres We investigate th

phenomenon in Hong Kong

10 IUPFRONT

Airline and hotel news worldwide

18 IINBOX

Your letters and online posts

22 ITRIED & TESTED

Air New Zealand B777-200ER Business

Premier; Jet Airways A330-200 Première;

Anantara Siam Bangkok; Four Seasons

Seoul; Wanda Reign Wuhan

28 IIN THE ZONE

Perth may be Western Australia’s state

capital, but sharing a time zone with

some of Asia’s major cities gives it a useful

advantage that it is keen to exploit

34 ITHE RIGHT DIRECTION

Jakarta has had its problems in the past,

but reforms have bred a new optimism

and energy in Indonesia’s capital

40 IFRESH OUTLOOK

Twenty-one reasons to choose a serviced

apartment over a traditional hotel room

– plus the region’s new offerings

48 IGARDEN CITY

Examining the blossoming business

landscape of Xiamen, one of China’s

most attractive cities

58 I LIFESTYLE NEWS

Your global hotlist

60 I EXTRA TIME IN SINGAPORE

Exploring the Lion City’s many cultural, entertainment and dining options

64 I DYNAMIC MECHANICS

The latest laptops use clever design features to broaden their appeal

72 I BUY & FLY

Exclusive travel deals at airports in Asia-Pacific

74 I FOUR HOURS IN BIRMINGHAM

Canals, churches and trendy enclaves

in the UK’s Midland metropolis

76 I CAPITAL CUISINE

London’s dining scene benefits from

a fresh batch of upmarket eateries

READ MORE ONLINE

In addition to our magazine, since our last issue we have published more than

100

news stories about flights, hotels and restaurants

on our website

visit

businesstraveller asia/asia-pacific/

news

Jeremy Tredinnick

Editor

I n May I participated in the 2nd Global Tourism &

Hospitality Conference in Hong Kong, coordinated and run by students of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) It was held at Hotel Icon in East Tsim Sha Tsui district – a property also operated exclusively by SHTM and its students

This type of endeavour is praiseworthy, because it provides young people, who are just starting their careers

in the tourism and travel industry, with real experience in a fully functioning, professional set-up – an excellent place to learn your craft The creative input that comes both from the top down and bottom up has allowed Hotel Icon to become

a pioneer in Hong Kong’s hotel sector – especially in the areas of technology and the environment One example is the recent announcement that from July its fleet will be fully electric – consisting of two Tesla Model S saloons, a BMW i3 and Hong Kong’s first electric hotel shuttle bus –

an excellent idea in this compact, polluted metropolis (take note, Hong Kong hoteliers).

I stayed at this impressive property during the conference, and a tiny mistake made at breakfast (soon rectified) made

me think about the ways in which

we form judgements of a hotel –

or indeed an airline I review hotels and aviation products frequently, and I am therefore constantly looking for standout features or services to differentiate them

But ironically, it is when things go wrong that the quality

of a hotel or airline becomes most obvious There are two instances of this in my reviews of a Bangkok hotel and Indian airline in this issue – in both cases the speed, ingenuity and unflustered manner in which minor issues were overcome made me more appreciative of them.

In the service industry the stated aim is to strive for perfection – an admirable ideal, but realistically impossible

to attain Understanding and accepting that, it’s therefore the way in which hotels and airlines deal with the inevitable imperfections and irregularities that make me think “well done” and earn my loyalty.

I hope you enjoy this issue – and forgive any imperfections…

6 I Check-in

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by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers, who cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

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© 2016 Panacea Publishing International ISSN 0255-7312

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EditorJeremy Tredinnick

Deputy editorTamsin Cocks

News reportersClement Huang, Valerian Ho

Art directorLoretta Lam

DesignerJulia Yau

ContributorsChris Beanland, Helen Dalley,

Dominic Ellis, Catharine Nicol, Caramel Quin

Emaileditorial@businesstravellerasia.com

Group publisherIris Kwan

Regional sales directorsGracy Siu,

Iris Yeung, Juliet Lim

Sales managerQueenie Kwong

Admin & production managerRenee Chiu

Marketing managerCynthia Ng

Circulation managerAllan Chan

Senior marketing executiveCherrie Wong

Managing directorJulian Gregory

Editorial directorTom Otley

DirectorPeggy Teo

CATHARINE NICOLhas been

writing stories in Asia and

further afield for nearly

20 years Even though she has

been to Australia a number of

times, this was her first trip to

Perth (see p28), of which she

says:“I loved the emerging

creative energy of the city It’s a

great destination for business

trips, with work days followed

by inventive local cuisine

washed down with a craft beer

or glass of Margaret River

wine… or two.”

DOMINIC ELLISis the editor of

Business Traveller Middle East,

based in Dubai Although hefocuses on the hotel andaviation sectors in that region,

he enjoys reporting from otherparts of the world wheneverpossible On a recent trip toSingapore, he was pleasantlysurprised to find the range ofleisure and cultural attractionsfor single travellers andfamilies is a world away fromhis first visit to the Lion City

in the mid-1990s (see p60)

HELEN DALLEYhas beenbased in Hong Kong for

11 years and writes for

publications such as the South

China Morning Post, Travel + Leisure, Prestige and Tatler.

Researching Hong Kong’smale grooming centres(see p68) was an eye-opener:

“The hottest trends seem to beanti-ageing products, withcreams and facials that targetwrinkles Men are seeminglyfeeling the same pressure aswomen to look young!”

CHRISTOPHER BEANLANDisbased in London and writes

for The Independent, The

Guardian and The Telegraph, as

well as magazines worldwide.Having previously lived inBirmingham for five years, he

is always fond of going backand seeing what’s changed– and in this forward-lookingcity, the answer is usually

“everything”(see p74)

8 I Contributors

Clement Huang compiles the latest news from www.businesstraveller.asia

10 I Upfront

UNITED WILL INTRODUCE a slew of

business class improvements this December, transforming the existing Business First product into United Polaris

First on the list is a brand-new international business class seat Crafted as individual, forward-facing pods, the seats can be turned into fully-flat beds measuring 78 inches (183cm).The Star Alliance member will also introduce

a new United Polaris lounge concept when

it opens a new facility at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on December 1 The design will subsequently be introduced in eight other locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow in

2017 united.com

United Polaris set to launch

Cathay Pacific welcomes first A350

New Radisson for Suzhou

CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP has signed

a management contract for the Radisson Suzhou in China, which will boost the number of hotels in the Asia-Pacific pipeline to 87 properties

The 155-room hotel, slated for a Q4 2017 opening, will be part of a mixed-use development that also features an office tower It will be located in the Suzhou Science and Technology Town, about 30 minutes from Wuxi Sunan Shuofang Airport and a 90-minute drive from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport

“We aim to have 50 hotels in operation in China

by 2019, and grow our presence to deliver an even stronger growth trajectory,” said Thorsten Kirschke, the

group’s president, Asia Pacific carlsonrezidor.com

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS (CX) CELEBRATED the delivery of its first A350-900 aircraft – one of 22 on order for 2016 and 2017 – on May 29 The aircraft features all-new in-flight products and began its operational life

on the Manila route on May 31

The Airbus A350 is packed with engineering and technological innovations that increase its operational efficiency by 25 per cent Highlights include:

ss

s fibre construction

s and all phases in between

s

h&ROMFROMCAR vWHILSTTHAT FRIENDLY

#8S



4HEwere designed by Studio FA Porsche

!FTEROPERATINGONalso has 26 A350-1000s on order – the larger aircraft has an even greater payload and distance capability

FDWKD\SDFLÀFFRP

CX’S THE PIER BUSINESS

LOUNGE IN NUMBERS

Upfront I 11

American Airlines redesigns AAdvantage AMERICAN AIRLINES (AA) IS REWORKING the structure of its AAdvantage loyalty

programme to a revenue-based model – the latest carrier to follow this trend in the aviation industry

In addition, it is making changes to how members qualify for elite status, and introducing a new elite level in 2017 Platinum Pro will be placed between Platinum and Executive Platinum levels, with members receiving the following benefits:

s

ss

s

Members can begin qualifying for this new level in 2017 aa.com/aadvantage2016

Etihad opens first class lounge in Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS HAS OPENED

a new first class lounge at Abu Dhabi airport’s Terminal 3 The 1,700 sqm lounge incorporates Etihad’s “Facets

of Abu Dhabi” branding, including

an à la carte restaurant, bar, cigar lounge, spa, “relax and recline” area, fitness room, barber service, and a dedicated space for The Residence guests, which is served by a Savoy-

trained butler etihad.com

the maximum seating capacity

of the main Food Hall

65

the boarding gate the lounge is

closest to

18

the number of low loungers in

the Relaxation Room

CHRISTOPH MUELLER, THE DEPARTING

chief executive of Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB), is happy to leave the carrier on a high note

He confirmed that the restructuring effort – which saw the airline trim a third of its workforce, scrap unprofitable routes and renegotiate supplier deals – has yielded positive results and Malaysia Airlines is ahead

of schedule to be sustainably profitable

by 2018

Having posted its first positive return in years, the Oneworld member is now in a position to consider adding aircraft to its fleet

However, Mueller revealed that the airline

is mainly considering narrow-body aircraft

to boost its regional network MAB’s hub in Kuala Lumpur does not suffer from capacity shortage, which means the carrier can afford

to operate additional frequencies on routes – giving customers increased flexibility in terms

of flight times malaysiaairlines.com

Hyatt Place debuts in UK

WIN

COMPETITION

free hotel stays

For a chance to win, visit

www.businesstraveller.asia/competitions

QCourtyard by Marriott Hangzhou Qianjiang is strategically

located in Hangzhou’s Qianjiang New Town, next to the B1 Exit

of Metro Line 4 It features 360 well-equipped, comfortable

guestrooms, including suites, executive and deluxe rooms, plus

a room for the physically challenged Wifi is available throughout

the property The hotel is offering two lucky readers the chance

to win a complimentary two-night stay in a deluxe room,

inclusive of breakfast

MAY’S ONLINE COMPETITION WINNERS: Chun Kin Yau (Hong

Kong), Jan Karen Ku (Philippines) and Sonia Khoo (Singapore) won

two-night stays at Conrad Beijing, while Tian Chen (Hong Kong)

and Poh Lin Lim (Malaysia) each won three nights at Aroma Garden

Serviced Suites by Lanson Place, Shanghai

HYATT PLACE HAS DEBUTEDin the UK withthe opening of the 170-roomHyatt Place London Heathrow/

Hayes The select-serviceproperty is convenientlylocated just 16km fromHeathrow airport, and guestscan also connect to centralLondon within 20 minutes via the Heathrow Express

All guestrooms come with the brand’s signature Hyatt Grand Bed andinclude a media centre with a 42-inch TV and sofa-sleeper Complimentary wifi

is available throughout the property F&B options consist of the all-day diningGallery Café, the grab-and-go Gallery Market (open 24/7), and the Coffee toCocktails Bar Other facilities include the Stay Fit Gym and more than 191 sqm

of flexible meeting space hyatt.com

Beijing Airport introduces “Female Only” security lines

12 I Upfront

JET AIRWAYS HAS BEGUN

operating an A330-200 for one of itstwice-daily flights on the popularMumbai-Singapore route The switch

to a widebody aircraft from the B737previously used comes in response

to rising demand in this sector,particularly from business travellers

A new route is also planned betweenSingapore and Bengaluru (Bangalore)starting in November this year

This growth in connectivity between Singapore and India is part of a largerpicture for the Indian airline, which has seen a massive turnaround from loss

to profit in the last year (see businesstraveller.asia for more on this), and is now looking to expand its Asia-Pacific network, with Shanghai and Australia of

particular interest jetairways.com

Jet Airways strengthens in Asia-Pacific

CHINA HAS IMPLEMENTED

“Female Only” security lines atBeijing Capital International Airport,following a successful three-monthtrial The service has also beenextended to Shenzhen, Kunmingand Wuhan

The initiative was launched in anattempt to ease congestion and

protect women’s privacy duringsecurity checks – the lines will

be staffed solely by femalesecurity officers

According to airport officials,efficiency improves by about

25 per cent when the linesare segregated, since womengenerally have more cosmetics,etc, requiring luggage inspection.Female passengers wishing

to take advantage of the serviceshould look out for bright pink signsthat say “Female Only” in English

and Chinese en.bcia.com.cn

CX B747 gets one last hurrah

AIR INDIA will introduce a non-stop link

between London and New York (Newark)from August 15, as a fifth-freedom service that originates from Ahmedabad

ASIANA AIRLINES will increase the

frequency of its non-stop Seoul Incheon–

Delhi service from three to five timesweekly on July 3 Flight times will remain the same

CATHAY PACIFIC’S newly delivered

A350 will begin services to Düsseldorf

on September 1 and London Gatwick

on September 2 Later in the year thefuel-efficient aircraft will be deployed toAuckland (October 30), Paris and Rome(both October 31)

CHINA AIRLINES’ first A350 has been

delayed until September, due to a backlog

of aircraft at Airbus’s final assembly plant

The aircraft was originally scheduled for delivery in July

AIRLINE NEWS

EVA AIR will launch a four-times-weekly

service between Taipei Taoyuan andChicago O’Hare on November 2

JAPAN AIRLINES has started codesharing

on Alaska Airlines services departing fromits California gateways, plus Vancouver

JET AIRWAYS will make its Mumbai–

Singapore route an all-widebody service inAugust, when an A330-200 will be usedfor both its daily flights

SCOOT has started operations to India,

with flights from Singapore to Chennai andAmritsar Flights are served with the B787-

8 Dreamliner

SINGAPORE AIRLINES has started flying

its A350 to Johannesburg The aircraftcurrently serves the route on Mondays,Thursdays and Saturdays, but thefrequency will be progressively increased tocover all seven weekly flights

VIETJET AIR has signed a deal for 100

B737 Max 200 aircraft – the largest by anyVietnamese airline – and expects to start taking delivery from 2019

Upfront I 13

CATHAY PACIFIC IS POISED TOretire its B747-400

from active duty after almost three decades

The four-engine“Queen of the Skies”will operate

the Hong Kong–Tokyo Haneda route one last time on

September 30 (returning October 1)

Those members of Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club

programme who booked one of these flights before

June 30 will receive a limited-edition souvenir to

commemorate the special occasion A pre-flight party will

also be held at the departure gate cathaypacific.com

For more surveys visit

www.businesstraveller.asia/polls

People who recline their seats 20.6%

People who prevent you from reclining your seat 11.9%

People with bad hygiene 50.6%

People who hog the overhead baggage bins 12.5%

Other 4.4%

What do you think is the most annoying onboard passenger behaviour? Qantas to open new Brisbane lounge in October

14 I Upfront

QANTAS HAS STARTED REDESIGNING its

Brisbane International First and Business lounges,

with the new International Premium Lounge

scheduled to open in October

The new lounge will follow the same design as

the airline’s Hong Kong and Singapore lounges,

offering 25 per cent more space for passengers

The facility will provide seasonal menus by Qantas

chef Neil Perry, a bar serving Rockpool-designed cocktails and all-day barista coffee by Vittoria

Domestic terminal lounges at the airport are also set for a redesign in the coming months,

with a new Business Lounge and refreshed Qantas Club planned for launch from early next

year qantas.com

TAP PORTUGAL HAS DEBUTED its new flat-bed business class seat

on its non-stop flights between Lisbon and Boston, and those from Lisbon to New York JFK

The upgraded business class cabin features a staggered configuration in a 1-2-1 layout, with all business class customers enjoying direct aisle access – a significant improvement over the 2-2-2 layout offered previously Most notably, the seat is now capable of reclining into a fully-flat bed, which replaces the angled-flat model TAP’s new A330 features a two-class configuration with 20 seats in

business and 251 in economy Á\WDSFRP

TAP Portugal debuts flat-bed business seat

Minor Hotels brings Avani brand to Middle East

MINOR HOTELS HAS TAKEN over management of the Mövenpick

Hotel Deira in Dubai, rebranding the property as the Avani Deira Dubai Hotel

Situated just four kilometres from Dubai International Airport, the hotel is located close to several shopping malls and the Dubai Metro, which offers easy connectivity to the downtown area, Jumeirah Beach and Dubai Marina

Avani Deira Dubai Hotel offers 216 guestrooms, two F&B outlets, several meeting rooms, an outdoor pool and a fully equipped fitness centre It extends Minor Hotels’ global presence to 147 hotels in 22

countries minorhotels.com

Upfront I 15

HOTEL NEWS

MARITIM HOTELS is to open two

new-build properties in eastern Chinanext year – the 335-room Maritim HotelHefei and the 300-room Maritim HotelHangzhou

REZIDOR has announced plans for its

first Radisson Blu property in Durban The207-room hotel, scheduled to open in

2019, will be located within the 90,000sqm Oceans Umhlanga mixed-usedevelopment

LANGHAM HOSPITALITY GROUP has

celebrated the opening of The Langham,Haikou – the group’s eighth property inChina and its 20th worldwide The luxuryproperty is located in the Guomao district

in the city centre

BEST WESTERN has expanded its

presence in Bangkok with the opening

of the Best Western Plus Wanda GrandHotel The hotel is located close to a

number of key venues including the Impact Exhibition & Conference Centre, the Thai government complex, World Medical Centre and Central shopping mall

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL GROUP

has brought its Holiday Inn Express brand

to Malaysia with the opening of the key Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre

383-HILTON WORLDWIDE has signed to

manage and rebrand the Grand Nikko Bali as the Hilton Bali from December 1 The property will offer 389 guestrooms

as well as 19 one-, two- and bedroom villas with beachfront, ocean or garden views

three-CANOPY BY HILTON is to open a

property in Washington DC in late 2017 The 177-room hotel will be situated at the heart of new mixed-use development Pike and Rose, which places it one block from White Flint station on the Washington underground’s Red Line

Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour, but will be rebranded

as Hyatt Regency Sydney on November 30

As part of the management agreement, the hotel will

undergo a A$250 million (US$184 million) redevelopment

and refurbishment, which will see it add a new 24-storey

tower and 222 additional guestrooms – making it the

largest full-service hotel in Australia with 892 rooms

Additionally, the hotel will debut a 272-seat, all-day

dining restaurant, as well as the only hotel rooftop bar in

Sydney hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency brand returns

to Sydney

Thailand is famous for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, friendly people and

delicious cuisine – particularly signature dishes like yum nua or spicy beef salad.

With one bite of this local speciality, visitors get a true flavour of the country,

with influences from all five regions…

ADVERTISING FEATURE I 17

EAST

For the finishing touches, juicy tomatoes

and a hint of fish sauce are a must Both

of these crucial ingredients can be found

in the coastal eastern areas, along with

the enchanting waterfalls of Chanthaburi,

tropical beaches of Ko Samet, exciting

nightlife of Pattaya, and the markets and

temples in Chachoengsao

NORTHEAST

The dish originated from the northeast ofThailand, where the tastiest beef is to befound Premium French and Thai cattlebreeds, such as Charolais, Limousinand Pon Yan Kham, graze on the fertileplains of Sakon Nakhon One of themore undiscovered parts of Thailand,the picturesque northeast offers the best national parks and ancient temples

NORTH

Like other northern dishes, a true yum

nua has a fiery kick thanks to a generous

handful of bird’s-eye chillies If you find

yourself needing to cool off, why not

explore the lush jungles of the region,

or enjoy a leisurely tour of Chiang

Mai’s markets

CENTRAL

In Central Thailand, this popular dish

is served everywhere from local streetfood vendors to Bangkok’s high-endrestaurants You can even find it onthe river, at one of the famous “floatingmarkets” Locals have always had adeep connection to the water here,enjoying a unique way of life tradingwares on the river and living in houses along the water’s edge

SOUTH

In the south, you might find your spicysalad featuring shrimps, crabs or fishinstead, thanks to an abundance of freshseafood delicacies The south is alsohome to idyllic island paradises like KoSamui, and the mystical karst landscape

of Phang Nga Bay

For more information please visit d i s c o v e r a m a z i n g s t o r i e s c o om

Get in touch at editorial@businesstravellerasia.com

Star letter

STOP DAYDREAMING

I recently took my first flight on a new B787 Dreamliner, and I’m wondering ifthat name was dreamt up because some airline operators want you to sleep/

dream through the whole flight, irrespective of your internal body clock

I boarded United flight UA804 in Singapore at 0600, landing in Tokyo Narita

at 1400 Therefore, for the whole flight I was in daytime mode where, as mostpeople would agree – and certainly my circadian rhythm concurred – you need

to stay awake and alert by reading, eating, talking or enjoying the in-flightentertainment (IFE)

The new 787 no longer has manual window shades; instead, they arecontrolled by a somewhat complicated switch on the cabin wall that, as I foundout, can be overridden by the crew

Twenty minutes into the flight, with the sun just coming up on a brightnew day, the crew hit a button and all the blinds went to blackout mode,leaving the artificial overhead lights the only way to illuminate the cabin Noannouncement was made – the cabin was just plunged into darkness

My body clock was screaming for natural daylight at 7am I tried to overridethe blackout, which was tricky as I wasn’t in the window seat so had to leanover my neighbour But it didn’t work – the crew had an override system,

re was no allowance for individual choice

seven hours in a long, dark tube, without daylight, until 20ore landing It was just awful I didn’t need another seven hours

am to 2pm, and the whole effect just made it more difficult to sleepime in Tokyo I wonder if this just makes life easier for the crew,njoy a cabin full of docile, undemanding passengers

know if the crew has the right to do this, to override my needs asand what recourse I have when my body clock is disrupted for two

e of this behaviour?

diate solutions are“avoid 787s”and“avoid United in future” Haveaders had a similar experience? And exactly what is the etiquette of

s the blinds in a three-seat configuration Most passengers in the

of three seem to think they control it for the whole row and don’tfor anyone else’s preference.Andrew Wetton, Singapore

meaning the

We sat forminutes befosleep from 7a

at a normal twho must enI’d like to

a customer, adays because

My immeany other reawho controlswindow seatneed to ask f

This issue’s winner of Letter of the Month will receive a cabin-size suitcase from LOJEL’s Hatch collection The new-generation, ard-side suitcase is made from high-tensile polycarbonate and features a zippered bonnet designed for quick and easy access.

or the chance to win Letter of the Month, email us at editorial@businesstravellerasia.com and include your postal address and aytime phone number We reserve the right to edit letters.

Q ha Fo da

18 I Inbox

TOP MARKS FOR THAI AIRWAYS

My flight TG433 from Bangkok to Jakarta left on time at 8am

After reaching our cruising altitude I noticed that the aircraft seemed to be accelerating one minute and decelerating the next, with changes in engine noise and slow turns left and right… something did not seem right

About 45 minutes into the flight, the chief purser announced that due to technical problems with the aircraft, the flight would be returning to Suvarnabhumi Airport Shortly after, the captain came on the PA system to confirm engine trouble was the reason for the return

Upon landing, we were bussed to the arrival gate Business class passengers were directed to the Royal Silk lounge while economy class passengers were asked to remain at the gate I thought they were bound to lose some passengers, which would cause consequential delays

To my pleasant surprise we were back on a replacement aircraft, with the same crew, and in the air again less than an hour after landing We lost three passengers during the process and their baggage was offloaded

I have nothing but praise for Thai Airways, and the speed and efficiency with which they handled this turnaround We landed in Jakarta at 1415, just over two hours late

The flight crew were professional at all times and apologised profusely, laughing at my request that the extra three or four hundred miles we flew be added to my mileage for the flight! James Moloney, Hong Kong

UNITED RESPONDS:

Generally United customers have independent control over their window shades throughout a flight Depending on flight schedules and routes, in some cases flight attendants set the windows to dark after the first meal service There may be various circumstances that require flight attendants to lock the window shades from individual control based on the overall comfort and safety of all passengers on board However

if passengers have any issues with their window shade, they are encouraged to contact flight attendants for support.

Inbox I 19

SURPLUS SURCHARGE

I am a frequent flyer living in Asia and I’ve noticed that airlines

keep applying a fuel surcharge to the ticket price, even though oil is

at its lowest price in decades I wonder what that means and why it

is still in place?Antonia Cimini, Beijing

BUSINESS TRAVELLER ASIA-PACIFIC RESPONDS:

Thank you for your letter Antonia, there are a few things to

address on this topic For starters, each airline creates the

pricing structure of tickets individually – therefore charging fuel

surcharge is (to an extent) up to each airline’s discretion Air Asia

for example eliminated surcharges in January 2015 in response

to low fuel costs, while Qantas and Virgin Australia also scrapped

the levy by absorbing it into the basic ticket price.

Another factor is the different legal standpoints of each

country Hong Kong’s civil aviation regulator, for instance,

cancelled the fuel levy from February 1 – meaning all flights

departing from Hong Kong (regardless of the carrier) do not

include a fuel surcharge.

However, many carriers continue to apply a fuel surcharge.

One reason is that most carriers secure long-term deals based

on current oil prices as a form of risk management to negate the

effects of fluctuating rates Airlines that locked into deals before

oil prices dropped subsequently found themselves out of pocket,

which a fuel surcharge justifiably helps to offset However, IATA

(International Air Transport Association) recently announced that

most of these cases should be “unlocked” by mid-2016, giving

this excuse a short shelf life.

At the same time, some carriers dropped “fuel surcharges” but

introduced “carrier imposed surcharges” – a deliberately vague

and arbitrary term that essentially allows carriers to add extra

fees as they see fit This is common with US carriers, and also

the likes of British Airways and Lufthansa.

Having said all of this, according to IATA, ticket prices did

reduce overall in 2015 by about 5 per cent, with the same trend

expected for 2016 – which is good news.

The real losers, however, are frequent flyers who use their

reward points to purchase a ticket, as these points are only

applicable to the basic fare – with any additional taxes and

surcharges to be paid for in cash.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

I booked a redemption ticket with Singapore Airlines fromSingapore to Delhi in March, however the online seat map onlyoffered a middle seat, with all other seats “occupied” This was thecase for both the outbound and inbound sectors I was particularlydisappointed as my son had injured his foot and I was looking toget him an aisle seat

I am a very frequent flyer on this sector and knew that theseflights are never fully booked, certainly not to the extent thatonly a single seat was available in the entire economy class I had

a suspicion that Singapore Airlines was forcing me to choose amiddle seat because it was a redemption booking

To confirm this, I started a non-redemption booking for thesame flights on the same dates This time, I was offered a very wide selection of seats, including several window and aisle options

I was disappointed and felt cheated As a frequent travellerwith Singapore Airlines and a PPS club member for 12 years Ifeel that SIA’s Krisflyer loyalty programme has continually eroded

in value for the frequent traveller, and wonder where the loyalty programmes of premium airlines like SIA are headed

Rajesh Gadodia, Singapore

SINGAPORE AIRLINES RESPONDS:

We regret the inconvenience Mr Gadodia had when choosing the seat for his son At the point of booking, customers will

be able to see a seat map indicating all seats that are available for the flight There are some seats that have been blocked for operational and commercial requirements (this includes bassinet seats, group seats, etc) The remaining seats are dynamic as there are other passengers making their selection as well Between 48 hours to two hours before a flight departs, when internet check-in is open, any remaining unassigned seats will be released At any point in time, if a customer is unable to select a seat, our call centre officers may be able to help; if not they will send a request to the seat planners or operations team.

During the course of investigation, we were glad to find that our call centre staff were able to secure an aisle seat for

Mr Gadodia’s son Nonetheless, we regret that Mr Gododia was unable to choose the seat when he checked in online and apologise for the unintended disappointment caused.

Twells1961 May 25 13:08

DavidSmith2 May 25 13:31

TominScotland May 25 16:24

Posts from our online forum businesstraveller.asia/discussion

at Heathrow T5 I am utterly fed up with this

Looks like flight crews are as well

I’ve noticed that AMS boarding staff can

be quite strict They make passengers consolidate extra bags and it’s one of the few airports where I see boarding staff use the size machine to check I still think the best way to solve this problem is to charge for hand luggage and allow a bigger checked allowance – problem will be solved overnight

I think it’s very useful not to have to put things

in the hold (within reason) However, what I disagree with is people who cannot effectively fill the overhead bins by putting things in the wrong way around and blocking masses of space US domestic flights have lots of hand luggage but people are better at maximising space for all.

I understand your frustration I also can’t believe my eyes when I see the giant bags people lug on board My answer is – people will stop trying to take silly amounts of hand baggage on board when the airlines, and/or airports, stop people doing it One possible way would be to place airport/ airline staff at the security entrances with a size measure, and send people back to check-in desks if they have oversized hand luggage.

On my way back from Faro a couple of weeks ago, the ground handling agents were tagging small bags deemed suitable to be placed under the seat in front of you When approached, I firmly stated that my little holdall would not be placed under the seat – it would be going into the overhead bins The staff finally understood my position when I asked why I should be punished legroom-wise for clearly staying within the limits of cabin baggage rules I sat down and then watched the inevitable game of luggage Tetris unfold

in front of me What amazes me is the amount

of people who consider it totally acceptable

to treat other people’s property like a car in a demolition derby… infuriating!

HOW MANY AIRPORTS HAVE YOU BEEN THROUGH?

I appreciate that many of you have clocked upsome serious miles over the years but have youever wondered (while you wander) how manyairports you’ve travelled through? What is thenorm? Have most of you been to more than

100 airports around the world? Has anyone outthere been to more than 200? Feel free to listthem all and, of course, single out the very best and worst of them

Bit of a slacker – only 70 (and a couple are repeat visits to a city but into a new airport such as Doha and Bangkok) Best – Changi, LHR T5 (many will disagree), HKG, Copenhagen Worst (of the ones I remember) – Kuching (nothing there), Manchester, Jakarta, Mumbai (BA first class lounge was awful), Riyadh (nothing there), LHR T3, Manila.

I have counted 129 (including two repeats – DOH and HKG) Best – LHR T5, Seattle Worst – Manchester T3, Miami.

I have recalled a tantalising 97, with two new ones to come in October I must give some thought as to where to go for my 100th Best:

St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – 30-second walk from the outdoor beer garden to the plane Worst: Kinshasa – moved the threadbare armchair in the business lounge and two rats scuttled away across the floor.

I, very sadly, keep a record of this – 251 and counting UK and Ireland – 33, Europe – 68, Asia-Pacific – 70, Middle East – 12, Africa – 19, North America/Caribbean – 49.

A quick tot up would suggest in the region

of 70 Best for a one-off would be Boscobel Aerodrome in Jamaica – now renamed the

“Ian Fleming International Airport” Security was the pilot asking me if I had anything

I shouldn’t! Worst I think would be Cebu (depressing to the extreme, but perhaps improved over the past 20-odd years) and Heraklion on the island of Crete, a dreary welcome to a wonderful island.

Not sad at all Tom! I am at 162 and NOT counting I doubt if I will reach 200 A bizarre airport: try Seoul Gimpo.

icenspice May 25 19:48

with high-end beauty services, boutiques, and innovative thermal experiences.

A Fengshui master has also been consulted in regards

to the building layout An L-shape style was chosen to maximize exposure to the Southern sun and rounded corners purposely built to offer the best, most uninterrupted views The entrances on Dong Khoi Street, Nguyen Hue Boulevard and the ground floor entrance lobby between the two storied streets were positioned to bring optimal positive energy (chi) into and contained in the building

One of the distinguishing factors about this hotel is the intelligent toilet- a toilet that does it all Imagine becoming clean without the use of toilet paper but by merely pressing buttons on a remote control The feeling is delightful This TOTO Washlet is in every guest room, suite and apartment

It is a high-tech automated toilet seat incorporated with multiple eco-friendly comfort functions such as a spray nozzle, seat warmer, air dryer, self-cleaning nozzle and even a deodorizer You may even discover your own personal bathroom equipped with the premium NEOREST series combining luxurious TOTO toilets and Washlets together with silent flushing systems It is the world’s most advanced toilet

According to the General Manager, “TOTO represents quality which aligns perfectly with The Reverie Saigon’s vision to be the premium hotel in Vietnam featuring a collection of only the finest craftsmanship the world has

to offer The Washlet is a necessity in the international travel market in order to meet the needs of our diverse

Indulge in the most dizzying, high-octane city of Ho Chi

Minh, Vietnam that has driven the country and people

forward with its pulsating energy A chaotic whirl, the

city breathes life and vitality into all who settle there, and

visitors cannot help but go along for the ride The finest

hotel with the most luxurious experience is none other

than The Reverie Saigon – Luxury Hotel, the newest

hotel in the heart of the city’s central business district,

housed in a 164-meter multi-purpose tower, the Times

Square Building

The Reverie Saigon features twelve types of magnificently

furnished accommodations- 224 luxury rooms and 62

suites furnished by leading Italian design brands Suite

guests will be delighted by four of Italy’s leading furniture

designers – Provasi, Colombostile, Giorgetti and Visionnaire

that reflect a modern appeal The Reverie Lounge on the

thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth floors offer a serene escape

above the city with stunning vistas of the rising skyline and

the sweeping Saigon River

The Reverie Saigon particularly stands out in regards to

the exquisite craftsmanship put into every detail Moreover,

the hotel features five exquisite dining outlets inspired by

Italian, French and Cantonese cuisines, and an expansive

1,200 square meter spa offering traditional massage, spa

services, fitness centre, an expansive outdoor swimming

pool and sixteen versatile and elegantly decorated function

spaces Reflecting a sophisticated style and modern

design, is one of the largest and most comprehensive

lifestyle centres in the city, incorporating outdoor swimming

pools, a twenty-four-hour fitness centre, a luxury spa

hotel guests.” He continues to explain that the Washlet

in Vietnam is relatively new, however among high-end consumers, installation in not only hotels but also in homes and apartments is increasingly trending

From the incomparable views of the winding Saigon River and the distinctive culinary options, to the expansive facilities and innovative guest room amenities, be prepared

to be blown away by what The Reverie Saigon has to offer

The Reverie Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

All passengers were addressed by name, which wasimpressive and created a good atmosphere.

Dinner was served quickly: for the starter there was a

choice of either tea-smoked salmon or char siu chicken

– I chose the former, which had great flavour – and

of four main courses I plumped for the gourmet beefburger with caramalised onion, Swiss cheese and bacon

The bun was quite dry, but the filling was very tasty

I watched a new-release movie while I ate – thereare 580 hours of IFE available from the moment you sitdown till arrival at gate; the screen was clear and theactive noise-cancelling headphones very effective

After working, I used the bathroom while the crewlaid out my bed The mattress is excellent, a six-footer will be accommodated easily, and with two goodpillows I slept very well for five hours

Breakfast was served 90 minutes before arrival; for

me it comprised a smoothie, fruit and yoghurt, coffeeand an omelette plate – no complaints at all

As we began our descent, the purser asked everypassenger how the flight had been and if there wasanything they could improve upon – a touch of class

ARRIVALWe touched down at HKIA at 0616, just

11 minutes behind schedule – and were at the gatefive minutes later Priority disembarking saw me at anempty immigration in another five, and I was on the

train to Hong Kong by 0635 Jeremy Tredinnick

CHECK-INThepremium check-inarea (next to zoneA) offers self-service kiosks aswell as two staffedcheck-in counters The process was swift and efficient,

although I struggled with the e-passport channel

LOUNGEThe Air New Zealand Lounge is a cavernous

place, split into various sections The buffet had a fairly

meagre“hot”food offering (the pasta was barely warm),

but a much better cold plate selection Other lounge

amenities included a cinematic screen showing sport,

capacious shower facilities, a family room and an“alfresco”

area with a green wall of plants and swing hammocks

BOARDINGThe flight was called 30 minutes before

scheduled take-off Once on board I was offered

champagne, water or orange juice and my jacket was

hung up A flight attendant explained the seat’s functions

and pointed out useful details, such as the power outlet

in the side pocket The plane took off at 0020

THE SEATI was in 2K, a window seat at the front

Configurated in a 1-2-1 herringbone pattern, all seats

face towards the aisle A memory foam mattress and

bedding is stored behind the seat

The seat“pods”are constructed from

spacecraft-like moulded plastic in metallic light grey, while the

seats are white leather of a high quality – it’s a sleek,

attractive looking package My seat motor was quite

noisy but worked smoothly

An 11-inch screen comes with touch controls that

are easier to master than many The side pocket fits a

laptop and notepad, and there is more shelf space for

sundries in the corner of the pod The table offers a

large metal surface

The amenity kit comes in a bag made from recycled

material (the exact size to fit an iPad) and contains

socks, eye mask, toothbrush, pen, earplugs and

Antipodes skincare products – vanilla pod day cream

and paw-paw lip balm

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSEThe 26 seats, all with

direct aisle access, seem fairly equal in appeal Window

seats angle inwards making gazing outside the plane

difficult, while there are galleys and toilets at each end,

so perhaps a central seat is quietest

THE FLIGHTThe great differentiator for this airline

is its staff and their friendly but efficient manner

VERDICT The combination

of a quality seat product, good F&B and a great balance between friendliness and efficient service made this a great flight The airline punches above its weight and deserves the plaudits it often gets.

CONTACT

airnewzealand.com

22 I Tried & Tested Flight

Air New Zealand B777-200ER Business Premier

Auckland–Hong Kong

PREMIUM ECONOMY BUSINESS PREMIER

PACIFIC ECONOMY

Jet Airways A330-200 Première

Mumbai–Singapore

CHECK-INI was on an overnight layover for this flight

so stayed in the excellent Niranta Airport Transit Hotel,

which opened in mid-May After checking out at 0715 for

the 0955 departure of flight 9W10, it was a short elevator

ride and walk to the GVK lounge on Level 4 of Terminal 2

LOUNGEThe GVK Lounge is like a grand palace,

with high, gold-accented ceilings and marble floors,

plus enormous windows Access is for first and

business class passengers of all airlines, plus upper-tier

cardholders On the right hand side is a first-class only

seating area, as well as the dining area The hot and

cold food offerings are not huge but of excellent quality,

from spinach frittatas to steamed idlis (lentil rice cakes).

The bar area is glitzy, and barista coffee is delivered to

your seat There is a range of seating, from plush sofas

to single leather recliners There’s a spa and shower area

at the far end of the lounge, and a 15-minute massage is

offered free of charge to all lounge users A library area,

plus two iMacs and printers round off the facilities

BOARDINGMy flight departed from gate 74, a

10-minute walk away I was ushered straight onto the

aircraft at 0920 The airline has recently deployed an

A330-200 on the route, instead of the smaller B737,

due to rising passenger demand Two flight attendants

introduced themselves by first name, my jacket was

taken and a choice of orange juice, coconut water or

plain water offered The plane left the gate on schedule

at 0955 and we were airborne 18 minutes later

THE SEATThere are 18 Première (business) seats in

a 1-1-1 configuration I was in seat 2K High partitions

allow good privacy, and the seat itself is comfortable

and easy to adjust Less easy is access to the USB and

electric socket – under the armrest, behind the TV

remote My USB did not seem to work, but a

sharp-eyed attendant quickly took my phone and charged it

for me elsewhere There’s a good dimmable reading

light, but the side storage pockets are on the small

side and the tray table/work desk was quite bouncy

The swing-out touchscreen TV offered a decent IFE

selection – though not as extensive as some carriers

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSEThe central seats are allangled to the left, so all K seats on the right side of theplane have an extra level of privacy The lavatory is atthe rear of the cabin on this side so the front seats are probably best

THE FLIGHTMy meal order was taken before

we departed, and I was allowed to choose when Iwanted to dine (it takes 15 minutes to heat up yourmeal) I worked for 90 minutes then ate, choosing atasty hummus and cottage cheese salad, then pan-seared fish with Sichuan pepper sauce for my main(other choices included two Indian dishes and a pastaoption) – the fish was perfectly flaky and the saucenot too strong Two white and two red wines were onoffer, plus a Bollinger champagne My Italian Gavi laBattistina white wine went down particularly well

Every aspect of the meal was top class Afterwards, I set

my seat into a comfortable semi-reclined position andwatched a film Service from all staff throughout the tripstruck a nice balance between friendly interest and politeprofessionalism – when my computer adaptor did not work, a staff member kindly lent me hers

ARRIVALWe began descent 15 minutes ahead ofschedule at 1710, but air traffic congestion lost us thegained time We landed on time at 1810 and wereparked at the gate by 1815 Changi’s immigration was

smooth as ever Jeremy Tredinnick

VERDICT A roomy configuration, solid seat product and greater privacy than many newer designs combine with excellent F&B and service that equals the best major Asian carriers – impressive.

Anantara Siam Bangkok

BACKGROUNDThis venerable hotelstarted life as the Bangkok Peninsula in

1982, became the Regent, then a FourSeasons – under owner-management

by the Minor Hotel Group – untilMarch 2015, when it was rebranded again as the Anantara Siam

WHERE IS IT?A very centrallocation on Ratchadamri Roadfacing the Royal Bangkok Sports Club The Siam andSukhumvit shopping and dining districts are tenminutes’walk to the north, and Ratchadamri Skytrain station is right on the hotel’s doorstep

WHAT’S IT LIKE?This hotel has a lot of history, as isclear when you walk through the entrance into the hugecolonnaded lobby area, lavishly furnished with teakeasy chairs and sofas upholstered in royal purple andother tropical hues The famous fresco ceiling panelsare beautiful, as is the mural on the grand staircase Theeight-storey main building is book-ended by two wingsbuilt around open courtyards: Parichart Court houses themain function rooms as well as two restaurants, Biscottiand Shintaro, while Montathip Court boasts an opengarden with carp-filled pond, around which are variousrestaurants, shops and the alfresco Aqua bar

ROOM FACILITIESThere are 354 rooms and suitesranging from deluxe, premier and Kasara rooms togarden terrace rooms and six suite types I was in aPremier Kasara room (42 sqm) above Montathip Court

on the seventh floor – this wing has recently beenrenovated and rooms are reached via an open-aircircular balcony

On arrival in my room I tried to connect to the freewifi without success This is not unusual in Thailand,

so I went to the Kasara Lounge – I had access to thisexecutive area – and asked the staff to fix the problem

This they did in an efficient if unorthodox fashion,Bluetooth piggy-backing my computer and iPhone tothe room’s complimentary Handy smartphone The

wifi speed was excellent, and I was able to use my ownphone wherever I went in the city – a big plus

The room renovations are quite a change from themore traditional previous incarnations; the décor is ineither silver-grey or gold, with huge padded headboards and a couple of small paintings on the walls Theunderstated effect is balanced by a purple sofa andcushions providing the requisite Anantara accents.The old teak work desk and dark-wood wardrobefittings remain from the hotel’s older days – no bad thing– but the bathroom has been brightened up and is a goodsize, with a roomy walk-in shower and separate bath.L’Occitane shower products using pleasing Thai-stylescents are available, but unfortunately, each evening Icould detect a faint smell of drains in the bathroom

BARS AND RESTAURANTSTen F&B offerings includethe excellent Italian Biscotti and Japanese Shintarorestaurants, the Lobby Lounge for classic afternoon teasets, The Terrace bar by the pool, and Kasara Lounge

on the seventh floor In Montathip Court is the Aquaalfresco bar and dining area, where you can orderfood from the surrounding Madison steakhouse, SpiceMarket (Thai cuisine) and Pop-Up Wine & Charcuterie.It’s a popular nighttime haunt for young Thais, andputs on one of the city’s best Sunday brunches (Also in this courtyard is the Mocha and Muffins café.)

MEETING FACILITIESKasara Lounge guests benefitfrom the usual range of executive perks, while thebusiness centre is located on the second floor The hotel’sfunction spaces are numerous and expansive, including

a ballroom with a five-metre ceiling that caters to 1,000 people, and a separate outdoor garden area

LEISURE FACILITIESThe outdoor pool is accessedfrom the second floor – it has a resort feel and issurrounded by greenery Also on the same floor is theAnantara Spa – well known for the authenticity of its spatreatments – and descending some stairs brings you to alarge 24-hour gym, yoga studio and squash court Also

in this area is a traditional barbershop Jeremy Tredinnick

VERDICT One of Bangkok’s finest, this attractive hotel maintains the considerable appeal of its historic legacy whilst offering a contemporary product for the modern traveller Overall – and despite a couple of minor, typically Thai quirks –

it does this with aplomb.

PRICE Internet rates for a Premier Kasara room in mid-August start from THB11,705 (US$328) per night.

CONTACT 155 Ratchadamri Road, Bangkok 10330; tel +66 2126 8866; siam-bangkok.anantara.com

Four Seasons Seoul

BACKGROUNDFour Seasons’firstforay into Korea, this 317-room hotelopened on October 1, 2015, filling

an entire 29-storey, new-build tower

WHERE IS IT?Just off the mainboulevard that runs from City Hallnorth to Gyeongbokgung Palace,

at the western end of the CBD, it

is diagonally opposite CheonggyePlaza Gwanghwamun station (line 5) is on the doorstep

WHAT’S IT LIKE?A tall, angular building, there arefour entrances all leading to a stylishly modern lobbyarea in predominantly dark grey Staff are plentiful,polite, friendly and forthcoming; there is a sense thatwhatever your need, someone will be there to attend

to it On the accommodation floors the décor becomesnoticeably lighter, first in the corridors and continuing

in the rooms Four Seasons has steered clear of anornate, traditional Korean style to differentiate itselffrom its competitors (though Korean themes and accents are certainly present)

ROOM FACILITIESCategories range from Deluxe,Premier and Club rooms to Studio and Executive suites,and three larger signature suites including the top-floorPresidential suite My Premier King room was spacious(48 sqm), with creamy wood veneers, a light-grey carpet,sofa and headboard, and beige, textured wall coverings

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow light to flood in, whilethe whole effect is stylishly offset by use of dark wood forthe bedside tables, shelving (holding Korean ceramicsand books), work desk and the cabinet (containing thesafe) beneath the 55-inch, wall-mounted TV

In the large bathroom suite grey-flecked white marbledominates, with a deep-soak bathtub next to a slidingscreen that opens up to the living area, a walk-in showerwith bench, and an automated Korean-style toiletbehind a heavy frosted-glass door A TV screen is built

in to the mirrored wall and Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze

bath products are supplied A plethora of wardrobespace, comprehensive minibar section and Nespressomachine all add to the opulence – this is a very nicespace to be in, oozing luxury at every turn

A Launchport tablet by the bedside gives instantaccess to information and hotel services, and there areelectrical outlets spread throughout the room – my onesmall complaint was that the recessed panel by thework desk, containing two sockets, was too cramped

to fit either of my charging plugs… though USB portscatered to my iPhone needs and more sockets under the table (needing adapters) solved the problem

BARS AND RESTAURANTSOn the 12th floor is theJapanese restaurant Kioku, spread over three levels with

a sushi bar, sake bar and main dining area downstairs.The Chinese restaurantYuYuan (11/F) has a 1920sShanghai theme but serves Cantonese cuisine as well assignature Peking duck The second-floor Italian eateryBoccalino serves Milanese cuisine, and is also wherebreakfast is served for guests (6am-10am) Internationalbuffets are available in the Market Kitchen (lower level),while the lobby-level Maru all-day café rounds off thedining options Boccalino and Kioku both have bars,but the hotel’s real drinking secret is Charles H – ahidden cocktail and champagne bar (accessed on thelower level through an unmarked door) that is lavishly styled like a Shanghai speakeasy (open 6pm-3am)

MEETING FACILITIESSeven function roomsinclude a grand ballroom, the 28th-floor ExecutiveClub Lounge is a plush haven for suite and Club roomguests, with fantastic views of the city Executive Clubservices include use of the boardroom and all the usual F&B, concierge and room benefits

LEISURE FACILITIESA huge fitness room (815 sqm)and beautiful indoor pool are on the eighth floor, and onthe tenth is the Four Seasons Spa, with seven treatmentrooms and a nail bar Of particular note are the wonderfulKorean sauna (9/F), and a golf driving range simulator

(10/F) boasting five 3D screens Jeremy Tredinnick

VERDICT This is a classy establishment, with superlative service, top-quality rooms and excellent facilities all round It

is at the top end of the price spectrum so premium quality

is expected, but when a luxury hotel like this opens in a city, its competitors must up their game or lose out.

PRICE Internet rates for

a Premier King room in mid-August start from 439,450 won (US$383) per night including taxes and surcharges.

CONTACT 97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03183; tel +82 2 6388 5000; fourseasons.com/seoul

Wanda Reign Wuhan

BACKGROUNDOpened in March 2014, the Wanda

Reign Wuhan was the flagship property of the group’s

top luxury brand, followed by Wanda Reign Chengdu

in December 2015 and Shanghai’s Wanda Reign on the

Bund, which opened last month

WHERE IS IT?Situated near the beautiful East Lake

Scenic Area in Wuchang district, the hotel also sits at

the head of the“new downtown”– an entertainment

and commercial complex developed by the Wanda

group that contains shops, restaurants, Madame

Tussauds and the Wanda Movie Theme Park It’s about

a 30-minute drive to the airport, and 15 minutes from

Wuhan railway station

WHAT’S IT LIKE?Over-the-top luxury is the name of

the game, from the tuxedo-clad Bentley chauffeur who

greeted me at the airport (the“Imperial Welcome”) to

the spectacular 60-metre embossed jade wall mural in

the lobby – every element is designed to impress And

that’s before you enter the gilded guestrooms

ROOM FACILITIESThere are 413 luxurious rooms

and suites All rooms are 45 sqm, with categories

distinguished by floor and/or view The more premium

categories – such as my Executive Deluxe lake view

room on the 29th floor, enjoy enhanced furnishings

and amenities including a decadent leather massage

chair, as well as access to the executive lounge

Club Reign

In keeping with the theme of extravagance, rooms

are sumptuously bedecked in a flourish of golden

ornaments, varnished surfaces and handmade silk

tapestries The main crystal“pendant”light fixture

shimmered over a thick gold and silver carpet

Sinking into the custom-made“Reign Bed”with

goose-down duvet made for a deep sleep, while the

Dream Menu (offering a choice of pillows and reading

material) was the icing on the cake

The bathrooms are no less opulent, with gold taps,

marble surfaces and premium Hermès amenities

There’s a full rain shower,“smart” Toto toilet and deep

bathtub, and the bathroom mirror has an inset TV

The rooms have been packed with facilities including

Nespresso machines, ironing boards and an air

purifier The lacquered work desk is also bursting with

provisions, from stationery to a box of cables for the

comprehensive connection panel on the wall There

are plenty of universal sockets throughout the room,

including handy ports discreetly hidden in bedside

drawers to charge mobile phones, etc Technological

highlights include the fact that the TV automatically

mutes if the phone rings, plus a security camera that

shows the person outside the room onscreen

RESTAURANTS AND BARSThere arethree main F&B offerings available, plusthe lobby lounge, which serves afternoontea and hosts live music on Friday andSaturday evenings He Japanese restaurant,also on the ground floor, offers excellentsushi, sashimi and seasonal dishes It

is one of the most expensive Japaneserestaurants in Wuhan, with an averagecover costing around RMB1,000 (US$152)per person All-day dining is served at CaféReign, with a buffet and à la carte menu

Classic Chinese fare can be found at River Drunk onthe sixth floor, in either the main dining area or sevenprivate dining rooms, which includes the enormousWanda Room with a huge circular table seating 24, an outside terrace and lounge area

MEETING FACILITIESThere are 13 separatefunction rooms The 1,500 sqm ballroom is situated onthe third floor, featuring three enormous chandeliers,the largest LED screen in Wuhan (75 sqm) and sixintricately carved entrance doors that cost RMB5million (US$762,000) each Attached to the hotel isthe iconic Han Show Theatre – making it ideal for large corporate groups

LEISURE FACILITIESThe fifth floor is home to abeauty and hair salon, billiard room, ping-pong room,yoga studio and a gym with Technogym equipment Alarge indoor swimming pool pipes underwater music

Tamsin Cocks

VERDICT There is no subtlety in the Wanda Reign’s approach to luxury While it might be too much bling for some, the service and facilities are faultless and the location is superb

Tried & Tested Hotel I 27

Over-the-top luxury is the name of the game every element is designed to impress

PRICE Internet rates for

an Executive Deluxe room

in mid-August start from RMB2,320 (US$354) per night.

CONTACT 138 East Lake Road, Shuiguohu Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei province;

tel +86 027 5959 9999;

wandahotels.com

28 I Business in… Perth

Business in… Perth I 29

come through her gawky teenage phase, evolved andmatured She’s realising her allure and now she isflaunting it to the world.”

Scaffidi has faced the decline in mining head-on,saying that not only has it taught the city not to bereliant on commodities like oil, gas and iron ore, butthat it has allowed other industry sectors to shine, likepharmaceuticals, education and particularly tourism

“Nationally people are visiting Perth more They used

to write it off as the little city on the west coast, butword has spread as to the changing face of Perth.People are coming over and are blown away.”

Construction is noticeable around the city, particularlytowards the banks of the Swan River around ElizabethQuay, the new home for festivals, ferry tours toFremantle and dolphin watching Soon new hotel brandsRitz-Carlton, Westin and one of three Doubletree byHiltons will take shape The additional rooms combinedwith the mining downturn will ease occupancy levelsfrom a previous average of 80 and 90 per cent, allowing space for more MICE and leisure guests

“International business tourism is growing rightnow, with a lot of convention business,”says Scaffidi

“Extending stays pre- and post-business is an areawe’re looking to grow

”We are no longer looking east to Melbourne andSydney, more north to same time zone countries inAsia,”she adds.“We’re focusing on marketing ourselves

as the gateway to Australia for Asia With around 25international airlines flying in, access has opened upincredibly and with increasing FIT tourism we aregetting our fair share of leisure tourism too.”

Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates, Qatar andEtihad have increased flights to and from Europe,

and I’m standing on the hilltop ofPark overlooking a strip of skyscrapers,

g in the early sunshine, beside the wide,wan River Perth’s CBD may look small

e capital of a state that stretches overillion square kilometres, but the city hasgrown exponentially in the last decade, bankrolled by

a thriving mining industry Despite the mining decline,Perth’s relative proximity to the rest of the world,particularly Asia, suggests the Western Australia hubhas an exciting future ahead in business and tourism

Australia is famed for being far away fromeverything, but when you realise Perth is in the sametime zone as Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, KualaLumpur, Manila, Taipei and Bali, suddenly“downunder”is looking more“round the corner” Factor inthe laid-back but increasingly sophisticated lifestyleand it becomes a decidedly attractive option

When you arrive in Perth for a conference (theinternational airport being a convenient 20-minutedrive from downtown) you’ll notice the pace of lifeundergoes a sudden brake compared with many ofSoutheast Asia’s frenetic cities St George’s Terrace isthe main artery of the CBD, home to office buildings,business hotels, F&B outlets and retail space Calmstreets by day grow to a civilised buzz on weekendevenings, but weekdays you’ll be hard pushed to find

an independent restaurant that serves after 9pm

INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION

The city has transformed itself since its so-called

“Dullsville”days, and lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi tells

me she believes Perth’s time has come.“Perth is like

a sophisticated young west coast woman who has

I

From above:

The elegant Swan

Bridge; and sail-like

Swan Bells Tower

30 I Business in… Perth

my prediction is that China will be our number one inbound market, driven by business, migration and education

“In mainland China the consumer is shifting from group travel to FIT more quickly than many anticipated Perth and the wider region are really well placed to take advantage of this.”

She also highlights the increase in the cruising industry, with a lot of work done to ready ports like Fremantle for Chinese visitors

BOUTIQUE BLISS

The latest hotel to open in Perth is Como The Treasury (comohotels.com/thetreasury), a complex that’s spread across three beautiful 19th-century heritage state buildings The calming 48 guestrooms may have an executive-worthy rack rate starting at A$595 (US$430) a

hey come with perks like welcome glasses of

t pressing, shoe polishing, complimentary

d turndown canapés The 20-metre pool is

h light, a great way to start the day, and the piring city views too

beverage options are plentiful, with

er bar offering A$6 (US$4) craft beers, uring Margaret River wines, among others,

m Coffee’s A$3 (US$2) cups of joe Go large ning Post, larger at David Thomson’s wildly

i street food hangout Long Chim, and

e high-end Wildflower where Australian get superb, fine-dining treatment Talking

ts, the Como Shambhala Urban Escape is uary of aromatic peace and healing, there’s

a in the quiet basement, and several shops Western Australia products, from fashion to chocolates

e serious note, the 20-seat boardroom designed for exclusive meetings “We are

e executive level of guest and have had who have repeated their stays six times ays general manager Anneke Brown “The erfect for business travellers – they don’t eave the building with our boardroom and

e says

Located just west of the CBD action, Oxley says his hotel attracts celebrities, businessmen who don’t want the usual business hotel routine, and leisure guests The 74 spacious rooms and suites with balconies, indoor pool, The Spa, French dining at Opus, and breakfast and

Business in… Perth I 31

night, but thbubbly, shirtminibars anflooded withgym has insFood andPetition’s beEnoteca pouand Telegram

at all-day dipopular Thalargest at thingredients

of treatment

a true sanctuquality yogaall selling Wcandles and

On a mor

is perfectly dtargeting thcorporatesalready,”sahotel is pehave to le

so manyPrevi(thericworthJoe O

in ttoh

offering an alternative route to flying via Hong Kong or

Singapore The number of international, regional and

domestic airlines flying through Perth now counts over

30 Halfway through a A$750 million (US$560 million)

transformation, Perth Airport has recently celebrated its

new Terminal 1 expansion, with a new runway forecast

to be completed before the end of the decade

Asia is very much the focus at Tourism Western

Australia too Chief executive officer Stephanie

Buckland points out there are already

a large number of business travellers

from Singapore, Indonesia, Hong

Kong, China and Japan coming to

town With the softening in the

mining sector the city has an

increased capacity to host large

conventions; Shell’s recent

LNG18 event at the Perth

Convention and Exhibition

Centre in April is a

good example

“We are as close

to Singapore as we

are to Sydney,” she

says “Asia is our

primary consumer

and China is our

number one source

for international

students, second

for inbound

tourism after the

UK Ten years

down the track

rather than a dedicated eventsfloor, the hotel has niche spaces,meeting and conference rooms,plus a ballroom, dotted aroundits many floors Several Asiancuisines are served at Joe’sOriental Diner, with fine dining

at Café and casual coffees at

La Strada, and you’ll get theneighbourhood bar feel at PlainStreet Bar There’s a bijou ClubLounge with stunning views

of the Swan River, as well as

a rooftop pool, tennis court,spa and fitness centre to keepyou healthy between workappointments The 367 roomsand suites are modern and slick,and start with standard roomsthat are the biggest in town

32 I Business in… Perth

lunch at The Conservatory, are matched in style by

incredibly clued-in and helpful staff who offer exactly

the kind of welcome you’re looking for when you arrive

in a city

There’s also a growing band of boutique hotels

catering to the GenY movers and shakers The Alex

Hotel (www.alexhotel.com.au) is a Northbridge gem

Pared down to stylish basics, the 74 rooms have no

room service, wardrobes or minibar, so communal areas

on the first or ground floors include an honour bar,

free coffee and tables conducive to collaborating over

projects, and there’s a small rooftop terrace

At the other end of the accommodation scale,

James Packer’s Crown Towers (crownperth.com.au) is

scheduled to open in December, east of the CBD The

500-room tower is promising apartment-size villas,

smoking rooms and feng shui to appeal to Asian guests

For sports fans, the view over the Swan River looks

towards the new stadium

This will be the new addition to Packer’s already

successful casino resort complex Crown Perth, which

includes Crown Metropol and Crown Promenade The

dining options here are phenomenal – eat at Nobu, the

beautifully designed Guillaume or Chinese restaurant

Silks, among others Kick back at Isika Spa or in the

exclusive adult-only pool with butler service, cabanas

with flatscreen TVs and sofas, or crank it up with a

flutter in the casinos and Vegas-style entertainment

Back on the St George’s Terrace strip, go back in

history at the Parmelia Hilton Perth (hilton.com) First

opened in 1968, but recently refurbished, the hotel

boasts 284 contemporary rooms and suites (the King

suite is a spacious corner room), a rooftop pool and

the iconic Adelphi restaurant, which keeps the regulars

returning There’s a dedicated floor for meetings and

events with facilities that can host from five to 450,

including the Argyle Ballroom and the Outdoor Piazza,

while just across the road is the Perth Convention

Exhibition Centre

At the Hyatt Regency Perth (perth.regency.hyatt.com),

Opposite page from top: Crown

Metropol; The Richardson; and Alex hotel

This page:

Wildflower Beetroot Ash entrée and cocktail making at Treasury Lounge and Bar

Business in… Perth I 33

by WA Chef Russell Blaikie are also firmfavourites in the city, ideal for a client meeting or team celebration

Fine dining, varied entertainment and a growing hospitality scene – Perth is establishing itself as an ideal place to mix business and leisure “People from elsewhere in Australia and around the world come to live here for the lifestyle,” says Brown at Como, nailing what Perth’s priorities are all about these days “We have a good work-play balance, life is very outdoorsy and we get 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.” Q

WHERE TO KICK BACK AND DITCH THE SUIT

Fremantle

Historic Fremantle is a seaside town with style Stay at the arty boutique hotel Hougoumont Hotel (hougoumonthotel.com), named after the last ship to bring convicts

to Australia back in 1852 Eat and drink

at Little Creature’s hangar of a restaurant (littlecreatures.com.au), dine alfresco at Bathers Beach House (bathersbeachhouse.com.au) or in town at Bread in Common (breadincommon.com.au) There’s also a strip of cafés along South Terrace

PERTHIAN PALATE

You don’t have to head far for tasty treats in Perth

In fact, thanks to the one-time in-pouring of mining

money, the city has an extraordinary number of fine

dining and creative restaurants and bars

Fraser’s Restaurant (frasersrestaurant.com.au) in

Kings Park is a local fine dining favourite with an

alfresco terrace beside the majestic gum trees Chris

Taylor’s six-course degustation menu is a journey

through local produce that can be paired with wines

from the 500-plus label cellar Also spectacular is the

1800s Lamont’s Bishops House (lamonts.com.au) with

a veranda and à la carte French, tapas or fine dining

Tuesday to Fridays, private dining upstairs and space

specifically reserved for functions at weekends

For the district’s best cocktails head to Mechanic’s

Institute Bar (mechanicsinstitutebar.com.au), while

the Shadow Wine Bar (shadowwinebar.com.au) serves

up spectacular food, wine and brunches Quirky

Asian fare reigns supreme at Lucky Chan’s Laundry

+ Noodle Bar (luckychans.com.au) and innovative,

bordering on crazy, flavours of ice cream can be found

at Chicho Gelato (www.chichogelato.com) Fuyu by

David Coomer, Co-Op Dining by Kieran Mainwaring

34 I Spotlight on Jakarta

Facing page:

Central Jakarta buzzes with energy

alking through the gleamingCiputra World 1 mixed-usedevelopment in downtown Jakartawas an eye-opener The Indonesiancapital has always been known as

a retail destination, but things havebeen seriously upgraded, with international designerboutiques and premium lifestyle stores lining thespacious Lotte Shopping Avenue department store

Further inside the massive 2.2-hectare luxurycomplex are two major international hotels – the173-room Raffles Jakarta and the 185-room AscottKuningan Jakarta – a high-end art gallery, plus a

theatre, where Broadway-hit Shrek the Musical enjoyed

a sold-out opening night

It’s a far cry from the last time I visited Jakarta,

20 years ago, and an appropriate illustration of theleaps and bounds the Indonesian capital has made in developing itself as an important global city

Indonesia currently boasts the largest economy

in Southeast Asia, while the World Bank ranks it asthe tenth largest economy in the world (in terms ofpurchasing power) Other economic indicators of thecountry’s rising success include the drastic change inthe country’s gross national income per capita – risingfrom US$560 in 2000 to US$3,630 in 2014

Much of Indonesia’s rapid growth can be attributed

to its strength in financial services, trading andmanufacturing Commodities such as oil and gas have also played a major role in the country’s fortunes,although global downturns in recent times haveallowed other areas to take centre stage

Political changes have also helped to foster aneconomically friendly atmosphere The 30-year ironrule by President Suharto, dubbed“the most corruptleader of all time”by Transparency International,was plagued by controversy But as the 21st centuryhas progressed, Indonesia has transitioned from an

Clement Huang heads to the Indonesian

capital to take stock of recent developments

The right direction

Spotlight on Jakarta I 35

From top: MRT

construction site;

and Raffles Jakarta

authoritarian regime to a democracy, and is now

proudly referred to by locals as the most democratic

Muslim country in the world

New president Joko Widodo won the election in

October 2014, ushering in a feeling of optimism with

grand plans to reboot the country’s economy, by cutting

red tape, stimulating the rupiah and reducing the

wealth gap

In February this year, his administration underlined

its commitment to these objectives by unveiling

the“Big Bang”initiative, which aims to relax the

restrictions imposed on nearly 50 sectors and

encourage competition and foreign investment in an

economy that has so long been dominated by powerful

vested interests

This was officially put into action in May, with large

deregulation across the board, particularly focusing on

e-commerce, tourism, transport and foreign business

ownership of a range of industries

Economic stability, political optimism and more

foreigner-friendly policies have all contributed to

Jakarta’s rise and attracted the attention of some of the

world’s high rollers According to the 2015 Global Cities

Survey study conducted by Knight Frank, Indonesia’s

capital was ranked the 23rd most important city to

ultra high-net-worth individuals – placing it ahead of

regional rivals Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur and Auckland

A rising number of wealthy individuals and expats is

evidenced by the growth of affluent residential districts

like Pondok Indah – the“Beverly Hills of Indonesia”–

where houses cost in excess of US$3 million, and tuition

fees at the Jakarta International School that cost around

Rp430 million (US$32,258) per year

THE BIG HOTEL GAME

Hospitality is one area that has responded to the

number of high-net-worth residents and visitors

establishing their presence in Jakarta

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, whose

portfolio consists predominantly of hotels positioned in

the five-star luxury segment, opened its first

Raffles and Fairmont hotels in the capital last year

In June the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta opened, while

another upscale property on the horizon is the Regent

Jakarta Slated for a 2018 debut, the 126-room hotel

will be part of Mangkuluhur City – a mixed-use

development comprising the hotel, serviced residences

and office space

But while the increased number of international

visitors continues to drive demand for high-end

accommodation, Martijn Decker, director of sales and

marketing at Raffles Jakarta explains that there is also a

healthy appetite for mid-range accommodation to cater

to the vast domestic market

“Jakarta is still very much a developing market

when compared to other cities in the region,

where the corporate market is more established

The market here is still very much comprised of local and domestic businesses.”

Earlier this year, Intercontinental Hotel Groupcelebrated the opening of the budget Holiday InnExpress Jakarta Wahid Hasyim, while Starwood Hotels

& Resorts Worldwide announced the signing of AloftJakarta Simatupang – its third property under themidscale brand in the Indonesian capital

According to Rajit Sukumaran, Starwood’s senior vicepresident for acquisition and development, the group’scontinued investment in Jakarta is“a great testament to what investors and industry are seeing

“Starwood believes Jakarta has a long runway ofgrowth, given the size of the population, rising wealthand growing importance of the city to Indonesia as well

as other international economies

“We are looking at a city that has great potential from

36 I Spotlight on Jakarta

both domestic and international markets Given these

fundamentals, Starwood has been aggressively growing

its footprint and has witnessed significant growth

opportunities in Jakarta We currently have five hotels

in operation and will add another seven hotels in the

next three years.”

IMPROVING CONNECTIONS

A report by Statistics Indonesia has revealed that a

total of 9.7 million travellers visited the world’s largest

archipelago in 2015 – popular holiday hotspot Bali

leading the way with 3.9 million visitors, followed by

Jakarta with 2.3 million arrivals

Indonesia is aiming to increase this figure to

20 million by 2020, and like the rest of the world is

primarily looking to court the growing middle class in

China and India

Development around the country are well under

way, improving connections to the city to facilitate this

growth, with Indonesia’s minister of transportation

Ignasius Jonan committed to adding 15 new airports in

the country by 2018

The new“Terminal 3 Ultimate”extension at

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is slated to open

in July and will begin operating Garuda Indonesia’sdomestic flights According to state-owned airportoperator Angkasa Pura II, full functionality of theterminal, including dedicated premises for internationaloperations, should be completed by March 2017 – atwhich time it will be able to accommodate up to

25 million passengers annually and encourage newrelationships with international carriers

“Air transportation is a critical success factor forIndonesia Therefore, to attract as many foreign tourists

to visit the country, we have to cooperate with majorairlines that have an extensive worldwide network,” said Indonesia’s minister of tourism, Arief Yahya

CHALLENGES REMAIN

In order to achieve these goals, there are a number

of challenges that need to be addressed Securitycontinues to be an issue Indonesia has suffered fromnumerous“acts of terror”in the past; most recentlythe ISIS attack in March, which took seven lives Thecountry is still identified as a high-risk destination bymany governments’foreign offices

But arguably the number one problem faced by mosttravellers to Jakarta is the city’s nightmare congestion,

Spotlight on Jakarta I 37

Above: Rendering of

BSD City

the project is due to be fully completed in 2035, newdevelopments are already up and running, includingretail outlets, malls and the Indonesia ConventionExhibition (ICE), the largest exhibition and conventioncentre in the city The impressive facility consists of tenexhibitions halls covering 50,000 sqm, an additional50,000 sqm of outdoor exhibition space, a 4,000 sqmconvention hall, 29 meeting rooms and more than12,000 sqm of pre-function space

Since opening for business last year, ICE has playedhost to a number of high-profile events including

“Southeast Asia’s biggest auto show”, Indobuild TechExpo 2016, and even Indonesia’s first 24-hour book fair.ICE’s main advantage over other convention options inJakarta is a counter-intuitive one, says Adrian Nugraha,ICE sales manager exhibition

“In terms of connectivity, we are actually very wellplaced in Jakarta Despite being located away from themain CBD, the overground train services that link BSDCity with Central Jakarta only take 45 minutes, whichmakes it a lot more convenient than braving the traffic

in the city centre.”

MICE travellers flying into Jakarta are also attracted

by the prospect of being based away from the chaos

of the city According to Nugraha, connectivity fromSoekarno-Hatta International Airport to BSD City isbetter than a drive into Central Jakarta.“Despite beinglocated farther away [from the airport than CentralJakarta], the travel time is actually significantly shorter

as there is much less traffic when driving to BSD City.”Jakarta’s future appears to be bright, as the countryseeks to reinvent itself as a politically stable andeconomically thriving capital Recent measures arealready creating positive results, with an increase inforeign investment and higher inbound visitor numbers.Although the city will have to work hard to achieve itspotential and address inherent issues that continue toslow down progress, the signs are good and optimismonce again runs through Jakarta’s business landscape Q

with hour-long traffic jams the norm Measures tocounteract this have included the Trans-Jakarta busservice and a“3-in-1”carpool ruling, although both have failed to combat the crippling traffic – with the latterrule being recently abolished

However, there are new transportation developmentprojects in the works, with Jakarta set to see its firstunderground rail service beginning operation in 2018

“Once work on the first line of the MRT (Mass RapidTransit) is complete, it should ease the congestionproblems that Jakarta faces, and hopefully become areliable infrastructure that will help the city reach itsgrowth potential,”says I Putu Susenayasa, generalmanager of Alila Jakarta

It’s a very welcome development, and locals remainhopeful that this will not become one of the frustrating

“start-stop”projects that Jakarta has faced in the pastbecause of regulatory obstacles and financing issues,such as the US$5.5 billion China high-speed railway

to link Jakarta and Bandung in 40 minutes that wasprojected to begin construction this year, but has beendelayed indefinitely due to licensing issues

For those who prefer getting around in a car, Uberand Grab have recently launched in Jakarta and takenthe city by storm, as hailing a taxi is next to impossible

These transport service apps are a doubly attractivechoice for foreigners as it’s easy to input thedestination, remove language barriers and enjoycompetitive fare prices

Other plans to ease the unbearable levels ofcommuter traffic include moving developments out ofthe city centre The new satellite town BSD City (BumiSerpang Damai) is an example of ambitious urbanplanning by the government, as it looks to providecommercial housing, business and properties in arelatively undeveloped part of the city

Located just beyond South Jakarta, BSD Cityencompasses a total area of 6,000 hectares andrepresents a unique investment opportunity While

38 I Spotlight on Jakarta

Right: Oakwood

living room

Tired of staying in hotels?

Rose Dykins lists 21 reasons

to try an apartment instead

Fresh outlook

1 THERE IS ROOM TO

SWING A CAT

Rather than just being somewhere to lay your head,serviced apartments give you the room to sleep, work,cook and relax – so no need to perch on the end of your hotel bed with a dinner tray

2 THEY’RE

GOOD VALUE

Serviced apartment prices are typically 20 per cent lessthan hotel rates of the same standard – their runningcosts are lower, as they don’t need to operate a kitchen24/7 to provide room service, or fund a team of cleaners

to offer daily housekeeping

3 YOU CAN COOK FOR

YOURSELF

Sitting at a table for one, night after night, becomes adrag And queuing for the expensive breakfast buffetseems silly when all you fancy is some peanut butter

on toast Being able to cook in your own kitchen iscost-effective, convenient and handy for keeping your calorie intake in check

4 YOUR FAMILY CAN JOIN YOU

The extra space makes it easier and cheaperfor you to have several loved ones join you SimonMorrison, managing director of the UK-based SelectApartments, says:“If you want your family to stay withyou at the weekend, there’s no extra charge, and mostapartments have sofa beds, whereas a hotel wouldn’ttake kindly to you smuggling additional people in to your room.”

5 WIFI IS FREE

Unlike many hotel brands, the vast majority ofserviced apartment companies have offered free wifi

from the start Business Traveller was unable to find a

provider that charged for it

40 I Serviced apartments