Business Traveler articles from August 2005

Business Traveler archives from August 2005

Welcome to the august issue of business traveler magazine.(This month)
August 1, 2005... WELCOME THE AUGUST ISSUE OF Business Traveler magazine, which this month arrives with our annual Four-Hour Guide to cities around the world. This month sees us sharing your best business travel tips--everything from maximising your chances...

Feeling insecure.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I do a lot of travelling, both domestically and internationally. Because of security concerns, I recently purchased TSA-approved luggage locks. I have been uncomfortable with the idea of leaving my suitcases constantly unlocked, and I wanted to...

Exemplary employee.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... On April 22, I flew from London to Edinburgh on British Airways flight 1446. I was in seat 1A. As there was no seat in front of me, I put my slim briefcase under my own seat for take-off. When I felt for it as we were taxiing towards the runway...

Thanks to Dragon Air.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... On June 16, I was flying from Shanghai to Hong Kong then connecting to a China Air flight to Jakarta for a business meeting. I had almost two hours between landing in Hong Kong and my scheduled departure to Jakarta so I thought everything was...

The shower challenge.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Last month we ran a letter from Rama Varma who was flying with United Airlines en route to Sydney through Los Angeles. He highlighted the lack of shower suites in the United First International Lounge, although he praised the arrangement which...

IATA's recipe for future travel.(AVIATION)(International Air Transport Association)
August 1, 2005... THE INTERNATIONAL AIR Transport Association (IATA) is demanding that governments around the world cut taxes and lower regulatory restraints on the industry, warning of a projected global loss of $6 billion in 2005 that will impact on air...

United offers compensation.(AIRLINES)(United Airlines launches Business1)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... UNITED AIRLINES LAST month began offering dedicated departure gates and an on-time arrival guarantee to passengers flying on certain business routes from congested Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, which has been plagued with flight...

Indian options.(AIRLINES)(Jet Airways enhances service)
August 1, 2005... JET AIRWAYS, WHICH started flying from London Heathrow to Mumbai at the end of May, is seeking to change the image of Indian carriers on the world stage. Rightly or wrongly, Indian airlines haven't enjoyed the best reputation for service,...

Jumeirah expansion plans.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE NEWS THIS WEEK that Jumeirah International, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group behind the hotels Jumeirah Beach and the Burj Al Arab, is moving into hotel management contracts will be welcomed by business travellers who have visited...

Online improvements.(AIRLINES)(online booking system development)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... WHEN WRITING ABOUT the marketing alliance between Air France and KLM, Business Traveller (European edition) criticised the French carrier's online booking system, which lagged behind that of its Dutch counterpart. Both carriers should have had...

Brand new.(Upfront)(Marriott Renaissance Paris Vendome)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... MARRIOTT HAS TAKEN OVER A LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN Paris, complete with an award-winning restaurant. Now branded the Renaissance Paris Vendome, all 97 rooms are furnished in different contemporary styles and have the usual business touches,...

Charity corner: two good causes will benefit from "Faces from the Blue", a unique 2006 calendar profiling the men and women in the cockpit.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTES RESORTS)
August 1, 2005... The calendar focuses on current "War bird" display pilots, and raises money for two aviation charities. The first is The Royal International Air Tattoo Flying Scholarships for the Disabled, and the second The Mark Hanna Surgical Research...

Conference Cambridge.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTES RESORTS)(www.conferencecambridge.com)(Web site launch)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The University's official venue-finding service has launched www.conferencecambridge.com to help those looking for a venue for a meeting or event within the Cambridge Colleges or the University of Cambridge. The new site has comprehensive venue...

Rooms with those views.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTES RESORTS)(Hotel Caruso)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, BUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS HOTEL CARUSO IN Ravello on Italy's Amalfi coast is finally reopening after a six-year, $30 million refit by owner Orient Express Hotels. Built as a palace in the 11th century, the Caruso was...

Going private.(Travel updates)(Karma Resorts)(Le Touessrok)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... One&Only Resort's Le Touessrok in Mauritius has opened three private villas (left) in response to the high demand for the single villa at its sister property, Le Saint Geran. Each of the villas has three bedrooms (two master), private gardens,...

Dubai towers.(Travel updates)(IFA Hotels & Resorts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... IFA Hotels & Resorts, the company behind Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve, Portugal is in the process of creating similar resorts around the world. The company is already the largest investor in The Palm, Dubai, with The Fairmont Palm...

Just a drop.(Travel updates)(Vancouver international Airport)(L'Esprit de Courvoisier)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... For those with a little time (and a lot of money), the news that Vancouver international Airport now stocks one of the world's most rare and expensive cognacs, L'Esprit de Courvoisier, will be welcome. A combination of the world's best cognacs...

Space for hire.(Travel updates)(Riverbank Park Plaza)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Riverbank Park Plaza on London's South Bank is open for business, and is attracting meetings and events to its huge, attractively designed spaces. There are 10 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and the Thames Room with panoramic views of the...

Spa treatments.(Travel updates)(Rocco Forte, St. David's Hotel and Spa)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The trend for urban day spas continues. The Rocco Forte, St David's Hotel and Spa in Cardiff has added Thalgo to its spa offerings, a programme combining thalassotherapy treatments with nutritional advice. Men's needs are catered for with...

Finding the time: multi-time zone watches are intended to help you keep track of the time on your travels. Tom Otley tests some of the latest models to find out whether they really make life easier.(Watches)
August 1, 2005... For most of us, one set of hands is enough. We don't need our watches to have a Global Positioning System, altimeter, odometer or pedometer. Temperature is something we can estimate ourselves, and split-second timing is rarely needed. Yet if...

Patek Philippe world time 5110 watch.(Watch information)
August 1, 2005... The elegant solution. The design of this beautiful watch is inspired by Patek Philippe World Time watches dating back to the 1930s. The face is organised into three parts, with the hour and minute hands indicating the local time on the central...

Chopard dual TEC.(A WATCH FOR ALL BUDGETS ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Two displays synchronise two time zones, the upper part for local time and the lower for dual time, courtesy of two movements (one an automatic mechanical calibre, the other quartz). Cased in a solid rose or white gold case with a hand-stitched...

Seiko Sportura world timer.(A WATCH FOR ALL BUDGETS ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The hi-tech option. At the push of a button the Seiko tells you the time in up to 28 different countries. When the lights are dimmed on the plane, the jet-black dials with vivid orange highlights, and coated non-reflective sapphire crystal and...

The Omega Seamaster professional GMT.(A WATCH FOR ALL BUDGETS ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The sportsman's solution, this co-axial chronometer is known as the "Bond" watch after appearing in four Bond movies. Seamaster was designed as a robust divers' watch, and is water--resistant to 300m. The hour markers are filled with luminous...

Longines master collection GMT.(A WATCH FOR ALL BUDGETS ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... An elegant but more affordable option, this stainless steel watch houses a self-winding mechanical movement with a 28,800 vibrations-per-hour beat and a power reserve of 38 hours. The silver-finished "barleycorn" patterned dial allows the time...

Air France business class.(FLIGHT CHECK: PARIS TO DETROIT)
August 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS This was the official inaugural flight from Paris, Charles de Gaulle to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, marking the 13th US gateway city for Air France and an important one as it's the largest domestic hub for...

ANA business class.(FLIGHT CHECK: NEW YORK-TOKYO)(All Nippon Airways)(Club ANA )
August 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS I arrived at Terminal 7 JFK more than 90 minutes before the flight time of 1230. The ANA ticket counter issued my tickets and lounge pass quickly. Club ANA passengers have access to British Airways' Terraces Lounge, which...

Qatar Airways business class.(FLIGHT CHECK: DOHA-LONDON HEATHROW)
August 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS I arrived at 1030 for my 1225 flight from Doha to Heathrow (a seven-and-a-half-hour journey). I passed through initial security into the check-in area to find three free business class desks. After clearing passport control I...

La Reserve.(HOTEL CHECK: GENEVA)(Hotel Review)
August 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? Described as Geneva's first "contemporary" five-star hotel, La Reserve's unassuming 1970s exterior is no indication of what it's like inside. Transformed in 2003 by interior designer Jacques Garcia (also responsible for Hotel...

Golfing around New Orleans: plantation-style clubhouses, cajun cuisine and a legendary music scene make the Louisiana culture capital a unique golfing destination. Michael Shiels tees off in one of the most intriguing US cities.(Golfing around New Orleans)
August 1, 2005... CARTER PLANTATION Where is it? Near the historic town of Springfield in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The plantation is approximately one hour from New Orleans. How to get there Travel west on I-10 towards Baton Rouge. Travel North on...

Straight down the line: see the best of Houston city while avoiding the traffic. Alia Akkam heads south on the city's new metro system, METRORail, and charts the top sites along the way.(Houston)
August 1, 2005... As the fourth largest city in the US, Houston can pose challenges for visitors who don't want to spend most of their trip sitting in traffic, especially if you're not privy to those much-needed freeway shortcuts. Luckily, there's an...

Travel tips: every business traveler has their own ideas of how to make life on the move easier, so we asked for your top tips. Here is a selection from around the world.(Travel Knowledge)
August 1, 2005... When flying from Europe to the US, take advantage of cheap Irish airfares and easy hub access by arranging to leave from Shannon (SNN) or Dublin (DUB). US immigration is done in Ireland before you board, saving time standing in line at your US...

Grand designs: rich in history and effortlessly stylish, the latest generation of boutique hotels can bring a smile to the face of the weariest travellers to Amsterdam.(Amsterdam hotels)
August 1, 2005... The famous Dutch love of thrift, and aversion to all things different, is loosening judging by the latest crop of hotels in Amsterdam. These new entrants are everything the Calvinists of old would have hated: showcases of style and lavish...

The great wall street of China: an ambitious new financial centre is set to alter the face of Beijing.(Beijing)(Beijing Financial Street)(National Grand Theater )
August 1, 2005... There couldn't be a better time to be in construction," Jesson Tong, general manager of Beijing Johnson Controls tells me, his face wreathed with a large grin, as we drive from west to east Beijing. Johnson Controls is primarily involved in...

Paradise found: Tahiti is heaven on earth. It also just got a lot closer to the East Coast, thanks to new flights with Air Tahiti.(Tahiti)
August 1, 2005... Tahiti has never suffered from a lack of image or brand recognition. From Gauguin's signature artwork of the Tahitian natives> to Marion Brando's exploits on the islands in the 1960s, the name has a certain allure. Visions era tropical paradise...

Good fortune hunting: Ho Chi Minh City is thriving, thanks to the hard work of its business-minded citizens.(Ho Chi Minh)
August 1, 2005... No place in Vietnam reflects its bid to be counted as an economic powerhouse in Asia more than feisty Ho Chi Minh City (still known as Saigon to the stubborn among us). During recent celebrations marking the withdrawal of US troops from...

Sheraton hotels & resorts Latin America.(Subscriber offer ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Sheraton knows what Business Traveler readers need: we can make you feel at home when you're travelling on business in Latin America. Business travellers can enjoy a complimentary wine and cheese plate upon arrival, unwind in our plush...

Grande Bretagne, Athens.(Subscriber offer ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... After opening its luxurious doors in 1872, the Hotel Grande Bretagne quickly became host to royalty and heads of state, and has recently been restored to its former glory. The hotel is a short walk from Athens' business centre, major...

The Jefferson Hotel, Virginia.(Subscriber offer ...)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Since 1895, staff at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia have been welcoming visitors into its magnificent lobby and greeting them like family. The Jefferson is proud to be one of only 23 hotels in North America to receive both the Mobil...

Water ways: Lim Li Min climbs on board a former rice, barge to cruise the backwaters of Kerala, where a traditional way of life is preserved. (Great escape Kerala.
August 1, 2005... As our taxi rattled along the rutted road to Lake Vembanad in India's southwestern state of Kerala, the strangest view came into sight. Squat-looking houseboats of every size lined its shores, their concave upper decks and thatched roofs made...

Welcome to Business Traveler's: four-hour guide special for 2005.(This month)
August 1, 2005... Once again, our team of writers stationed around the world in Business Traveler's international offices have been busy, distilling their knowledge into handy four-hour guides. It isn't always easy to choose just a handful of highlights in...

4 hours in Santiago: Wayne Bernhardson visits old haunts of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and General Pinochet, in one of the few world capitals to boast a winery within city limits.
August 1, 2005... 1 Cerro Santa Lucia Until Mayor Benjamin Vicuna Mackenna made it a public park in the late 19th century, the knoll where conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541 was more notable as a quarry for the city's earthquake-prone...

4 hours in Helsinki: ice-cold showers, reindeer's tear cocktails and restaurants styled as Lapland cabins--it's all part of daily life in Finland's capital.
August 1, 2005... 1 Uspenski Cathedral and Tuomiokirkko Helsinki was founded in 1550 by its then-rulers, the Swedish, then in the early 19th century the country became an autonomous Grand Duchy of Russia, only gaining independence in 1917. The Swedish...

4 hours in Moscow: pay your respects to Lenin in his crystal casket, gape at Faberge eggs and drop some rubles among the now well-stocked shelves of GUM.
August 1, 2005... The name still has something of a sinister ring to it (think May Day parades, mass executions, Warren Beatty in "Reds"), but you can't visit Moscow--Moskva, to the locals--without going to Red Square, the rose-coloured stretch at the heart of...

4 hours in Washington DC: there's a lot more to the US capital than politics. Carol Sorgen pays a visit to the city's most famous sites before hopping on the metro to explore its charming, laid-back neighbourhoods.
August 1, 2005... 1 National Mall The National Mall, a tree-lined stretch between Constitution and Independence Avenues, is the focal point of many of Washington DC's attractions, including the US Capitol, the Freer Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and...

4 hours in Johannesburg: alongside its infamous townships and monuments to apartheid, Will Hide finds Johannesburg offers a rich cultural scene of local markets, bohemian hangouts and boutique stores.
August 1, 2005... 1 Apartheid Museum Johannesburg is a spread out city, so each one of these could take four hours--particularly The Apartheid Museum, which is 15 minutes' drive from the airport, traffic willing. The subject is presented through film...

4 hours in Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo may not have same allure as Rio but it has a wealth of art and music--not to mention a famous snake farm. Darren Foster seeks out the culture in Brazil's economic powerhouse.
August 1, 2005... 1 Instituto Butanta With over 50,000 reptilian inhabitants, this is one of the largest snake farms in the world. Popular tourist attraction though it is, the institute has far loftier aims: it is also charged with providing serum to...

4 hours in Buenos Aires: Visit Eva Peron's final resting place, dine in a smoky parilla and stroll the streets of La Boca. Darren Foster tours the cosmopolitan South American city where tango was born.
August 1, 2005... 1 Cementerio de la Recoleta Here lies Eva Peron, revered by many, reviled by some; wife of former Argentine president Juan Peron; and inspiration for a Broadway musical and later a movie starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Located in...

4 hours in Geneva: with the Swiss Alps as a backdrop and Lake Geneva on its doorstep, Switzerland's second-largest city has lots of natural beauty, an a cosmopolitan feel.
August 1, 2005... 1 Saint-Pierre Cathedral To get your bearings and enjoy a panoramic view of the city, head to Saint-Pierre Cathedral in the heart of the old town. Climb the 157 steps of the North tower (admission CHF4; $3), then take a look from the south...

4 hours in Lisbon: Darren Foster rumbles along the cobbled streets of Lisbon's historic neighbourhoods in a vintage streetcar, enjoying hilltop views, bustling cafes and a legendary shrine to Vasco de Gama.
August 1, 2005... 1 Oceanario de Lisboa Parque das Nacoes on the riverfront in the northeast of the city is the old Expo 98 site, the centerpiece of which is an aquarium of enduring architectural splendor. Matching its brilliant design is its impressive...

4 hours in Krakow: Alex McWhirter navigates Poland's second city by its shaded green walkways, visiting the sites where monuments and traditions recall the country's rich and varied history.
August 1, 2005... 1 Wawel Castle and Cathedral If you're staying at the five-star Sheraton (which opened last year) these two attractions are a five-minute walk away. Dating back to the 10th century, they lie adjacent to one another atop the 25-metre...

4 hours in Tokyo: Lauren Custance gets to grips with Tokyo's complicated metro system to explore the conflicting faces of this vast and powerful city, parts of which served to inspire Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.
August 1, 2005... 1 Shibuya station The best way to get around Tokyo is to use the metro, but it can be complicated. The main obstacle is that there are two subway systems and separate green JR overground lines and tickets, and one-day passes on these...

4 hours in Ontario, California: from gourmet olives to wine tasting and bargain hunting in one of the country's biggest shopping malls, there are plenty of diversions in southern California's thriving inland city.
August 1, 2005... 1 The Graber Olive House Located in a leafy neighbourhood just north of the city's business district, The Graber Olive House is the place to savour the small, delectable treat without which no martini is complete. Throughout the year,...

4 hours in London: Jill Dunninq leaves the bustle of the West End behind and heads east for a tour of London by the Thames that takes in London's architectural wonders, old and new.
August 1, 2005... 1 St. Paul's Cathedral You may have admired it from the outside, but have you ever been inside the magnificently baroque St. Paul's Cathedral? Now's your chance. Admission is 8 [pounds sterling] ($14.25), but it's worth it to gaze up at...

4 hours in Copenhagen: Oliver Bennett cycles through Copenhagen sampling its diverse culture, from royalty to erotica and Hans Christian Anderson, finishing off with a soothing glass of superior Carlsberg beer.
August 1, 2005... 1 Christiania Christiania is one of Copenhagen's key curiosities--an alternative society in a leafy inner suburb of the city. Imagine a permanent Glastonbury Festival in Manchester and you'll start to understand the nature of Christiania,...

4 hours in Bangkok: Sangeeta Mulchand escapes Bangkok's muggy streets on a river taxi, breathes in the scented air at a flower market and indulges in a spot of high tea at the stylish Oriental Hotel.
August 1, 2005... 1 Pak Klonq Talat This spectacular flower and vegetable market is a riot of colours. The combined perfume of jasmine, marigold, roses and lilies also makes it one of the few places in Bangkok that you would willingly breathe in the air....

4 hours in Seoul: organic cuisine, photography exhibitions and eccentric footwear--Soyoung Kang finds out what's currently in fashion in the South Korean capital's trendy Kangnam area.
August 1, 2005... 1 Suecomma Bonnie Cheongdam-dong, in the trendy area of Seoul known as Kangnam (also spelled Gangnam, meaning south of the River Hangang which divides the city), is the street for fashionistas and trend groupies. Not only are the brand...

4 hours in Rio De Janeiro: take a taxi tour of Rio's unmissable sights, from ancient monasteries to space-age architecture and Carmen Miranda. Michael Luongo experiences five centuries of history in four hours.
August 1, 2005... 1 The Copacabana Palace Hotel Opened in 1923, this is the hotel that put Rio on the map (though not on ours: see below). At Avenida Atlantica 1702 (+55 21 2548 7070) overlooking Copacabana beach, it's a good place to stop for a quick...

4 hours in Doha: Sarah Maxwell plots a tour by taxi through the capital of the tiny state of Qatar, soaking up the old and the new, and trying to resist the glittering temptations of the old souqs.
August 1, 2005... 1 City Center Mall Navigating Doha independently can be hard as there is no public transport--taxis can be hailed from the roadside, but it's easy to get stranded in a pedestrian-unfriendly area where it's difficult to flag one down, so...