Business Traveller Middle East articles from March 2006

Business Traveller Middle East archives from March 2006

This issue.(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... Comfort is a key issue for business travellers, so it's little wonder that the big hotel chains are falling over themselves to come up with the most slumbersome, sleep-inducing designs. I'm too cowardly to get drawn into a debate about...

Chains launch pillow wars.(Sheraton Corp., Marriott Corp.)
March 1, 2006... SHERATON AND MARRIOTT hotels are investing millions in comfortable beds as they go flat out for corporate business. Sheraton is rolling out 40,000 new Sweet Sleeper Beds across the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The beds contain a...

Jumeirah casts its net wider.(Jumeirah International)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... JUMEIRAH'S RAPID international expansion will not be limited to major financial centres, its chief executive officer told Business Traveller. Gerald Lawless said its portfolio could include many of the world's top resort...

All change at Abu Dhabi.(Abu Dhabi International Airport)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Abu Dhabi International Airport's second runway and Terminal 3 are both on course to open next year. The runway is being built to accommodate the new A380s while the new terminal will be capable of handling up to 3 million passengers. ...

Etihad ramps up the routes.(Etihad Airways)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... ETIHAD AIRWAYS continues to grow its network rapidly, launching seven routes in the first three months of this year. Flights have started between Abu Dhabi and Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Manila, while services commence to Jakarta on...

Beach tower makes grand entrance.(Jebel Ali International Hotels opens its luxury hotel apartment Oasis Beach Tower)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... THE 45-FLOOR OASIS Beach Tower fully opens in Dubai in April, catering for short and long-stay executives. The luxury hotel apartment tower, managed by Jebel Ali International Hotels, comprises 180 large, fully furnished one, two and...

Last call for entries.(AWARDS)
March 1, 2006... DON'T FORGET THAT the deadline for submitting your forms for the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2006 is April 15. A draw will be made on April 28 for readers who have completed the questionnaire, offering two economy class return...

The InterContinental Abu Dhabi closes for renovations mid-April and will re-open early November.(HOTEL BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... The InterContinental Abu Dhabi closes for renovations mid-April and will re-open early November. The gym, private beach and Fishmarket (seafood restaurant on the beach) will remain open during the refurbishment.

Pay for a suite with your AMEX card at Starwood Hotels' properties.(HOTEL BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Pay for a suite with your AMEX card at Starwood Hotels' properties in Africa and the Middle East and receive 50 per cent off until March 31.

Al Diar Siji Hotel in Fujairah has continued its technological drive by recently installing LCD TVs in all its rooms.(HOTEL BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Al Diar Siji Hotel in Fujairah has continued its technological drive by recently installing LCD TVs in all its rooms. The 90-room hotel has also introduced wireless broadband Internet and digital phones.

The 146-room Crowne Plaza Estepona-Costa del Sol opens.(HOTEL BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... The 146-room Crowne Plaza Estepona-Costa del Sol opens on the famous Spanish coast in March.

Rotana on a roll.(Rotana Inc. hotels)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... ROTANA HOTELS has signed up nine more hotels worth Dhs3 billion--on top of the 10 properties under construction. The company, which is also rolling out its Centro budget brand (see previous issue), aims to operate 40 properties within two...

Club rooms at the Dusit.(Dusit Dubai hotel)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... CLUB AND GRAND Rooms have been introduced at the Dusit Dubai, following their implementation at the company's Bangkok property. Enhanced features include high-speed Internet access, large writing desk, 24-hour butler service, express...

Carriers unify but remain separate.(Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Swissair)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... FREQUENT FLYERS OF Lufthansa and Swiss are about to see more mutual benefits as the airlines' integration continues apace--although separate services and branding will continue to give the impression of independent airlines. Swiss...

Emirates raises lounge bar Down Under.(Emirates Airline)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... CONTINUING its international expansion at ground level, Emirates recently opened two first and business class lounges in Australia. The 880 square metre facility in Sydney provides up to 160 guests with an eight-station business centre...

W to make regional debut.(W Hotels)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... THE MIDDLE EAST'S first W hotel will open at Dubai Festival City in 2008. The waterside property, due to contain around 400 rooms, will be set around a quay in Dubai Creek. Roeland Vos, Starwood's senior vice-president and regional...

Sharq attacks KSA top tier.(Qasr Al Sharq, palace hotel)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... HILTON INTERNATIONAL'S first palace hotel, Qasr Al Sharq, opens its doors in Jeddah in March. The exclusive property--which has 60kgs of gold leaf adorning its decorative ceilings--will offer a highly presonalised butler service and contain...

Check in after a round of golf.(The Montgomerie, clubhouse)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... THE MONTGOMERIE Dubai's new clubhouse has opened, complete with 19 first-floor suites. One-bed suites and superior rooms overlook the 18th green while junior suites and superior rooms with courtyard rooms are available. Guests can enjoy...

Capital gains for SIA.(Singapore Airlines Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... SINGAPORE AIRLINES (SIA) is benefiting from the UAE's open skies policy by starting three-a-week services between Singapore-Abu Dhabi-Jeddah and Dubai-Moscow from early March. Both services are operated on B777-200s. Its launch economy return...

No more meals for one in Dubai.(Shangri-La Dubai)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... LONELY BUSINESS travellers looking for conversation or company can now find both at the Shangri-La Dubai. The hotel's 'interactions' dinner experience, available to in-house guests Saturdays to Thursdays, enables up to 10 men or women to...

Lufthansa passengers can watch four live TV channels (BBC World, CNBC, EuroNews or MSNBC) through the airliine's FlyNet service provided by Connexion by Boeing.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Lufthansa passengers can watch four live TV channels (BBC World, CNBC, EuroNews or MSNBC) through the airliine's FlyNet service provided by Connexion by Boeing. The previously multi-layered rating system has been ironed out with internet use...

Air France operates 13 flights a week between Dubai and Paris.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Air France operates 13 flights a week between Dubai and Paris from March 26.

A business class sleeper seat which reclines 170 degrees and on-demand entertainment system with movies, games and text messaging for business and economy class are among the features on board the A330-200 now operating on KLM's Abu Dhabi/Bahrain-Amsterdam route.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... A business class sleeper seat which reclines 170 degrees and on-demand entertainment system with movies, games and text messaging for business and economy class are among the features on board the A330-200 now operating on KLM's Abu...

Austrian Airlines will become the first European airline to fly scheduled services into Iraq when it launches Vienna-Erbil services on March 9. .(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Austrian Airlines will become the first European airline to fly scheduled services into Iraq when it launches Vienna-Erbil services on March 9. A319 aircraft will operate the service twice a week during March and April, rising to three-a-week...

Skywards' Silver Card members can speed through the Dubai Airport queues.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Skywards' Silver Card members can speed through the Dubai Airport queues by obtaining an e-Gate Card for 5,000 Miles.

Yemenia has ordered six A350s with options for four more.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Yemenia has ordered six A350s with options for four more. Deliveries will start in 2012.

Emirates starts six-a-week direct services between Dubai and Kolkata on A330-200 aircraft from March 26.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Emirates starts six-a-week direct services between Dubai and Kolkata on A330-200 aircraft from March 26, adds a second daily non-stop Dubai-Dusseldorf service on May 1, begins eight-a-week services to Bangalore from October 29 and increases...

Business class travellers can enjoy two nights' stay at the Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten or five days car rental in Hamburg before May 31 with Emirates.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Business class travellers can enjoy two nights' stay at the Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten or five days car rental in Hamburg before May 31 with Emirates as part of the airline's new route promotions.

Qatar Airways starts daily services from Doha to Hong Kong March 26 and Singapore on May 2.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Qatar Airways starts daily services from Doha to Hong Kong March 26 and Singapore on May 2. The Singapore service will have a 24-seat business class section offers 60 inches seat pitch and each seat converts into a two-metre bed. The airline...

Etihad Airways' economy passengers departing from Dubai or Al Ain can travel to Abu Dhabi on any of the 16 Mercedes-Benz coaches.(AIRLINE BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Etihad Airways' economy passengers departing from Dubai or Al Ain can travel to Abu Dhabi on any of the 16 Mercedes-Benz coaches (which contain DVD and CD players) and check in the day before their flight in Dubai.

Air France business class.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... FIRST IMPRESSIONS The journey back from the airport-side Sofitel to Terminal 2G was a lot better than the one on the way in, when it somehow took two hours from landing to check-in. Charles De Gaulle Airport is a monstrous hub, so allow time...

Emirates Palace Hotel.(Abu Dhabi)(Hotel review)
March 1, 2006... WHAT'S IT LIKE? Its exterior has been described as an architectural wonder in the style of India's Taj Mahal. It boasts 114 domes which are all covered in mosaic glass tiles while the colours of the facade represent the different sand nuances...

Grosvenor House.(Grosvenor House West Marina Beach Dubai hotel)(Hotel review)
March 1, 2006... WHAT'S IT LIKE? Dubai is growing westwards from the Creek area, and the rapidly sprouting mini-Manhattan that is Dubai Marina is likely to become a new epicentre. Opened in July 2005, Le Meridien's Grosvenor House West Marina Beach was one of...

Etihad Airways business class.(FLIGHT CHECK: ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT)
March 1, 2006... FIRST IMPRESSIONS I flew to Frankfurt to try out the new Etihad planes which will be on the London route from March. Arriving 90 minutes early at Abu Dhabi airport for the 13.20 departure on EY325 to Frankfurt, I passed through the X-ray...

Future perfect: the island kingdom of Bahrain is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history to become an upmarket tourist destination as well as financial centre.(Bahrain vs Dubai)
March 1, 2006... Understandably, no one in the Kingdom is keen to admit that Bahrain is playing catch-up with Dubai, but that's the impression you get. Residents and regular visitors to Dubai will recognise the construction and the giant hoardings with...

Making waves: Oman is basking in the travel industry spotlight but its long-term prosperity depends on balancing the natural with the man-made.(Oman)
March 1, 2006... Entering Oman's capital through tree-lined suburbs, immaculate hedgerows and flower sculptures to discover a remarkably relaxed and hospitable city is a pleasant jolt to the senses when compared to arriving at other more frantic Middle...

Rush hour: Bangalore's hi-tech-fuelled boom is continuing apace. Alex McWhirter watches as India's garden city blooms.
March 1, 2006... Bangalore, in the southern state of Karnataka, has become the software capital of India. Known as India's 'garden city', Bangalore's fortunes took off when IT firms set up shop some 20 years ago to escape the crippling costs and congestion of...

The female factor: special treatment or equality? More than 40 per cent of business travellers are women, but how well are they being served? Felicity Cousins investigates.(Women special)
March 1, 2006... We fly, we stay, we hire cars and we attend meetings, all in the name of business. Yet in a recent online Business Traveller survey we asked whether hotels cater adequately for female business travellers. Sixty-five per cent of respondents...

Dresden rebuild it and they will come! Volkswagen's new glass factory is a shining symbol of the former East German city's regeneration. Andrew Eames explores the city that has rebuilt itself.(Dresden)
March 1, 2006... At first it isn't exactly clear that they're making anything at all in the Glaserne Manufaktur. From the outside it looks like an art gallery. There are no tell-tale smokestacks or lorries with raw materials backing into the loading bay. On...

Fizzing capital: champagne has never been so fashionable--or so available--in London's restaurants, but do you know which brand to choose? Jennifer Sharp on sorting your Roederers from your Ruinarts.(London)
March 1, 2006... For a champagne lover, this is the best time to be alive and be in Britain. There is a huge variety and quality available, and it is increasingly easy to try rare labels and vintages. We are trading up and, as our tastes improve, champagne...

Ask Alex: Alex McWhirter answers your travel queries.
March 1, 2006... Dear Alex, Early last December I booked a business class ticket to fly with KLM's flight 407 from Amsterdam to Beirut. The flight was delayed a few minutes (which was not a problem for me) while there was a last minute change of plane....

Eastern delights: Istanbul's restaurants offer much more than meze and kebabs as chefs bring ancient Ottoman cuisine back onto modern menus, finds Sarah Maxwell.(Istanbul)
March 1, 2006... For a country that in western eyes is often perceived as the gateway to the mysterious east, Turkish cuisine is remarkably well known. Kebab shops abound on every high street and Turkish restaurants are now commonplace across European...

Gallic fare: serving up exquisite altitude-friendly dishes is as important to Air France as operating planes with reliable engines. Dominic Ellis dropped in on a culinary masterclass.(Food)
March 1, 2006... Where was the best lunch of your life? I'm guessing that it wasn't sat in the heart of one of Europe's busiest airports. But as I'm marvelling at the series of small-scale creations that are being served up by three-star Michelin chef Guy...

Just relax: six new spas in Bangalore, Moscow, Hong Kong Budapest and London: spa treatments aren't just for holidays; increasingly hotels are catering for busy business travellers. Tom Otley tries out six of the latest offerings around the world.(Spa focus)
March 1, 2006... LANDMARK ORIENTAL SPA HONG KONG LOCATED ON THE fifth and sixth floors of the new boutique Landmark Mandarin Oriental, this new Oriental Spa is a giant 1,950sqm, state-of-the-art facility set right in the heart of the Central business...

Win a superb weekend break in Moscow: enjoy two nights sleep in a new Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bbed in Russia's capital city.(Competition)
March 1, 2006... Some hotels have unbeatable historic locations, others are known for their exquisite interiors or history of famous guests. But all of this matters little to an average business traveller, whose primary concern is getting a good night's sleep...

Flying colours: this year has seen an eclectic mix of new gadgets guaranteed to enhance your mobile business lifestyle. Methil Renuka speed dials the best.(Gadgets)
March 1, 2006... Sony Walkman A-series Sony has reinvented its Walkman as a digital music player by personalising songs to suit your mood. Even as you are listening to a track, the NW-A3000 and NW-A1000 models can search for similar songs and artists and...

Branching out: plenty of environmental and gastronomic surprises lie in wait just three hours from Jo'burg, discovers Kevin Pilley.(Great Escape South Africa)
March 1, 2006... A tree is a pleasant place from which to watch the sun go down. But the inside of a tree--that really is the perfect place for a relaxing tipple after a hot day traipsing around the South African veldt. Doug and Heather van Heerden are...