Flydubai Touches Down In Sudan

Low cost carrier Flydubai has added its eighth route since its inaugural flight in June 2009. The airline commenced services from its base in Dubai to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan on Sunday, 8 November 2009. Onboard the inaugural flight was Flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith al Ghaith, who was welcomed by a Sudanese delegation on arrival.

 

From now until 16 December 2009, flight FZ 631 departs Dubai daily at 1845 hrs, arriving in Khartoum at 2150 hrs. The return flight, FZ 632, will depart Khartoum International Airport at 2235 hrs and land back at Dubai International Airport at 0340 hrs the next morning.

 

The outbound flight will be retimed to take off at 2045 hrs from Dubai for a 2350 hrs arrival into Sudan from 17 December 2009, with the return leg departing Khartoum at 0035 hrs and arriving back in Dubai at 0540 hrs. All flights will be operated with Flydubai’s 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

 

Khartoum is Flydubai’s third destination in Africa, after Alexandria and Djibouti. The airline is on an aggressive expansion and is set to launch flights to Baku, Azerbaijan later this month.

 

For more information, visit www.flydubai.com.

W Hotels Opens 35th Property

W Hotels has opened its 35th property with the unveiling of the new W Boston, marking a milestone in the brand’s ongoing expansion. Located in the heart of Boston near Chinatown and the Theater District, the hotel is designed as a ‘virtual garden’ concept and is the result of a collaboration between local architect William Rawn, TRO Jung|Brannen and New York-based Bentel & Bentel. The building’s glass facade enables light to be subtly transitioned as it filters through into the interior spaces, while the designers have made use of falling water and a modern fireplace to create visual interest of the interior.

 

The hotel features 235 guestrooms and suites, ranging from W Hotels’ signature Wonderful Room to the Extreme WOW Suite, vividly-designed with high-energy interiors familiar to guests at sister properties around the world. Each room is furnished with the W bed and pillow menu, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower complemented by amenities from Bliss, flat-screen televisions with CD/DVD player and iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, dual-line cordless telephones with voicemail feature, workdesk and a munchie box/minibar.

 

Dining at W Boston promises to be a gastronomic experience with outlets offering gourmet food and drinks from Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and master mixologist Sasha Petraske. Market by Jean-Georges serves a multicultural menu inspired by Asian, French and Italian influences and prepared with ingredients from the New England region. The cozy W Bar boasts stylish spaces to mix and mingle over drinks and light snacks, while Descent, scheduled to open early next year, will be an exclusive underground spot with cocktails created by Sasha Petraske of New York’s Milk & Honey fame.

 

Business travellers at W Boston requiring conference facilities will have 9 spaces available to them, including the 177-square meter Great Room. Each meeting space is equipped with complete audio-visual support and a teleconferencing system, with business and secretarial services provided by the WIRED business center. Guests seeking a workout can do so at the SWEAT fitness center, or indulge in the variety of spa treatments available at Bliss Spa.

 

W Boston is the brand’s ninth hotel to open in 2009. W Hotels is on track to double its portfolio by 2011, with new hotels scheduled to open in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Hollywood, Koh Samui, London, Marrakech, Paris and Shanghai.

 

For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

Air Astana Begins Almaty – Kuala Lumpur, Tiger Airways Resumes Singapore – Hat Yai

Air travellers in Southeast Asia now have greater options when flying beyond and within the region. Kazakh national carrier Air Astana has commenced flights from Almaty to Kuala Lumpur, while low cost carrier Tiger Airways returns to the southern Thai city of Hat Yai.

 

Air Astana Links Malaysia With Kazakhstan

Travellers now have a direct link when flying between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty. Air Astana has launched a weekly, nonstop service using a 2-class Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 30 Business and 190 Economy Class seats.

 

The inaugural flight on 31 October 2009 was welcomed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, YB Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, and officials of Malaysia Airports. Onboard the flight was the Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Committee for Civil Aviation, Talgat Lastaev, accompanied by Ibrahim Canliel, Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at Air Astana and members of the media from Kazakhstan. 

 

Flight KC 935 departs Almaty International Airport every Saturday at 0055 hrs, arriving in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 1055 hrs. The return flight, KC 936, takes off from Kuala Lumpur at 2335 hrs, landing back in Almaty at 0625 hrs the next morning.

 

Kuala Lumpur is Air Astana’s 7th international destination in Asia and the Middle East, joining Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, Seoul and Urumqi. From its hubs in Almaty, Astana and Atyrau, the airline flies to 44 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of Airbus A319, A320, Boeing B757, B767 and Fokker 50 aircraft.

 

For more information, visit www.airastana.com.

 

Tiger Airways Returns To Hat Yai

Singapore-based Tiger Airways has resumed flights to Hat Yai in southern Thailand. The low cost carrier will operate 3 flights a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 

Flight TR 132 departs Singapore at 1325 hrs, arriving in Hat Yai at 1350 hrs. The return flight, TR 133, takes off from Hat Yai International Airport at 1420 hrs, landing back in Changi International Airport at 1645 hrs. Tiger Airways will operate a 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.

 

The resumption of flights to Hat Yai increases the number of Thai destinations in Tiger Airways’ network to 4, including Bangkok (served triple daily), Phuket (served double daily) and Krabi (served 4 times weekly), which was also recently restarted in October 2009.

 

For more information, visit www.tigerairways.com.

New Hotel Openings In UAE

The UAE has continued its hotel boom with the opening of 2 new hotels this week in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The spectacular Yas Hotel welcomes its first guests in support of this weekend’s Formula One race while The Address Hotels+Resorts have opened The Address Dubai Marina.

 

Yas Hotel

Positioned on the Yas Marina Circuit that will host the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 499-room Yas Hotel is the latest addition to the accomodation offering in Abu Dhabi. The international airport is 10 minutes away from the hotel, while the city centre, corniche and Dubai are easily accessible via a network of highways.

 

The rooms and suites at the hotel boast views of the race track, marina and the island at large with large floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to private balconies and have been designed to be contemporary and comfortable. Accomodation options range from the 54-square meter Deluxe and Executive Rooms to the magnificent 572-square meter, duplex Diwan Suite. All rooms are furnished with luxury bedding, an all-glass bathroom with rain shower, 42-inch LCD television with facility panel for iPod, laptop and device connectivity, high-speed internet access, telephone with voicemail feature, work area, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. In addition to the standard amenities, all suites also feature private terrace access, separate living and dining areas, while the 2 Diwan Suites have a dedicated elevator and a full chef’s kitchen.

 

Dining at the Yas Hotel promises to be a gastronomic experience with a selection of unique restaurants serving the finest specialties from around the world. The all-day dining Origins restaurant offers an international buffet and succulent rotisserie, while Amici serves rustic and classic Italian fare. At Atayeb, guests can sample foods from the bordering regions of the Mediterranean and the Middle East accompanied by Moroccan and Lebanese wines. The best of Asian cuisine is offered at Angar, Kazu and the Noodle Box, serving Indian, Japanese and traditional street food respectively, while seafood lovers can indulge in the freshest catch from the region’s waters including oysters, Gulf shrimp and Omani lobsters at Nautilus. Guests seeking a light meal can head to the Yas Lounge where pastries, cakes, house chocolates and desserts are served with freshly brewed coffees. After sundown, the Rush Bar, Skylite Lounge, Latitude & Longitude pool bars provide ideal venues to relax and mingle over drinks.

 

Set in the newest recreational districts of Abu Dhabi, the Yas Hotel showcases a diverse range of recreation and leisure facilities, including a state-of-the-art gymnasium with sauna and steam rooms, a luxury spa with 10 treatment rooms and 2 rooftop swimming pools. Beyond the hotel, the 143-berth marina and yacht club promises watersports activities and guests can also play a round of golf at the Middle East’s first 18-hole links golf course. Yas Island will also be home to shopping malls, a Warner Brothers theme park and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first theme park dedicated to the Italian carmaker.

 

Meeting and event space at the hotel total 962 square meters and include the 509-square meter Al Manaar ballroom, as well as 6 meeting rooms and 4 boardrooms. Each venue features advanced audio-visual equipment, with the meeting rooms and boardrooms also enjoying natural light. A fully-equipped business center is available to support guests and meeting planners with their individual requirements.

 

For more information, visit www.theyashotel.com.

 

The Address Dubai Marina

In neighbouring Dubai, The Address Dubai Marina is the latest addition to the portfolio of The Address Hotels+Resorts. The 200-room hotel offers easy access to Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi and is a short ride from the Dubai Media and Internet Cities, Knowledge Village, Jebel Ali Free Zone and some of the city’s business hubs.

 

Each of the stylish rooms and suites feature luxury bedding with pillow choices by Muehldorfer, spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, accompanied by bath amenities from Angelo Caroli, flat-screen televisions with iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, telephone with voicemail capability, workdesk, fully-stocked minibar and coffee-/tea-making facility. 5 accomodation types are available, including the 280-square meter Presidential Suite with a residential-style living area, dining room, 2 bedrooms, study, kitchen and exclusive access to the Club Lounge.

 

5 outlets at the hotel offer guests a variety of dining options, with the signature restaurant, Mazina, serving Asian, Arabic and European dishes prepared in front of guests in the show kitchens. Rive Gauche blends the charm of a classic French brasserie with the modernity of Dubai, where guests can dine on the outdoor terrace to views of the marina. Located in the lobby, Kanbaa, serves snacks and freshly baked sweets and savouries, as well as afternoon tea. Shades, the poolside restaurant offers light meals in the day, turning into an urban retreat for cocktails and live DJ sets after sundown, while the aptly-named Blends is a mix of 3 innovative experiences. The trendy lounge offers champagne and fine wines displayed in magnificent floor-to-ceiling cellars, with a dedicated cigar room stocking limited edition Cuban and South American cigars, while the mixologists concoct creative beverages in the cocktail lounge.

 

As a business hotel, The Address Dubai Marina features meeting facilities that cater to events of all sizes. The Constellation Ballroom can accomodate up to 1,000 guests, with an adjoining poolside terrace that is ideal as a pre-function or breakout space. 15 other meeting rooms feature private balconies overlooking the marina and can accomodate groups from 10 to 100 guests. The hotel’s event planners are on-hand to assist guests in planning their event, ranging from audio-visual support to gourmet banquets.

 

After a day of business, guests can relax at The Spa, where they can indulge in signature treatments using essential oils from Aromatherapy Associates. There are 12 tranquil treatment rooms with luxurious shower facilities and views of the marina, while the sauna and steam baths provide a deep and relaxing cleanse. An infinity pool, modern fitness center and hair salon complement the wellness facilities, while the beach and waters of the Arabian Gulf is a short walk away.

 

The Address Dubai Marina joins other The Address properties in Dubai, including The Address Dubai Mall, The Address Downtown Burj Dubai and The Palace – The Old Town. For more information, visit www.theaddress.com.

Media One Hotel Opens In Dubai

Frankfurt-based WORLDHOTELS has added a new property in Dubai to its hotel portfolio under the Deluxe collection. Located in the heart of the emirate’s bustling Media City district, Media One Hotel occupies the first 23 floors of a 43-floor mixed-use tower and is minutes from Dubai Marina and the iconic Palm Jumeirah.

 

Each of the 260 rooms and 10 suites feature comfortable bedding, a bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, satellite television and high-speed internet access. Other amenities include a workdesk, telephone, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities.

 

3 restaurants in the 4-star property offer guests various dining options. At The Med, guests can indulge in mediterranean favorites throughout the day, while CafeM and Z:ONE serve international cuisine.

 

Targeted at professionals, Media One Hotel boasts 7 meeting rooms capable of accomodating up to 90 guests, supported by a fully-equipped business center. For recreation, there is an outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna and steam room.

 

A collection of unique, independent hotels, WORLDHOTELS has almost 500 affiliated properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide.

 

For more information, visit www.worldhotels.com.

Garuda Indonesia To Reopen Jakarta – Amsterdam Service

Following a 5-year absence, Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is to return to Europe with the reopening of its flagship Jakarta-Amsterdam route, operated via Dubai, from June 2010. Amsterdam is the first of several European services planned by Garuda Indonesia, which was recently permitted to operate in the European Union following improvements to its safety standards.

 

Flight GA 088 departs Jakarta at 2100 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0209 hrs the next morning before departing again at 0315 hrs for a 0800 hrs arrival into Amsterdam. The return service, GA 089, takes off from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 1000 hrs, landing in Dubai at 1830 hrs and departing for Jakarta at 1945 hrs, where it lands at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 0710 hrs the next morning.

 

Garuda Indonesia will operate a 2-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured with the airline’s latest cabin products. Passengers will enjoy 36 full-flat beds in Executive Class, while the Economy Class seats feature a 32-inch seat pitch and 6 inches of recline. Individual touch-screen monitors deliver audio-video on-demand entertainment in both classes.

 

The airline joins several airlines already established on the route, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. Garuda Indonesia currently flies to 17 international destinations including Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Osaka, Perth, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

 

For more information, visit www.garuda-indonesia.com.

Cruise To Seychelles In December 2009 With Silversea Cruises

Luxury cruise operator Silversea Cruises will operate an exotic voyage from Dubai to Mahe in December 2009. The 16,800-GRT Silver Wind will call at ports in India, Maldives, Oman and Sri Lanka during the 16-day cruise as it makes its way across the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles.

 

Departing Dubai on 4 December 2009, the vessel makes its way to Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman, before spending 2 days at sea as she cruises to India. Silver Wind arrives in Mumbai on the morning of 8 December 2009, where guests opting for a shorter 12-day voyage can join the ship, before continuing to Cochin, Colombo and Male. From the Maldives, the vessel explores the ports of Curieuse Island, La Dique, Praslin in the Seychelles, arriving in Mahe on the morning of 19 December 2009.

 

Silversea Cruises has planned a series of shore excursions and activities for guests on the cruise, including private city tours in Cochin, Colombo, Mahe, Male, Mumbai and Muscat, as well as visits to Agra and the magnificent Taj Mahal. Onboard Silver Wind, guests will enjoy all-suite accomodation, gourmet meals accompanied by fine wines and champagne, as well as the attentive service the cruise line is known for.

 

For more information, visit www.silversea.com.

Flydubai Announces Flights To Qatar

Low cost carrier Flydubai has announced it is to grow its network and begin flights to Doha, introducing the first low-cost service on the popular route. The Qatari capital is the airline’s first destination within the Gulf Cooperation Council and will be operated twice daily.

 

From 18 October 2009, flight FZ 001 will depart Dubai at 0730 hrs, arriving in Doha at 0730 hrs before returning as flight FZ 002 at 0830 hrs, landing back in Dubai at 1030 hrs. The evening service, FZ 007, takes off from Dubai International Airport at 2020 hrs and arrives in Doha International Airport at 2020 hrs. The return flight, FZ 008, departs Doha at 2120 hrs, arriving back in Dubai at 2320 hrs.

 

Both flights have been scheduled to target peak travel times on the route, which is one of the busiest in the Middle East. Flydubai will operate the services with its Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 180 seats.

 

Launched in June 2009, Flydubai currently flies to 6 destinations (Aleppo, Alexandria, Amman, Beirut, Damascus and Djibouti) within the Middle East and Africa.

 

For more information, visit www.flydubai.com.

Increased Baggage Allowances From Gulf Air

Gulf Air has announced it will increase checked baggage allowance across all travel classes. The 10 kilogram increase will give passengers one of the most generous allowances for checked luggage in the world and brings Gulf Air in line with its Middle Eastern rival Emirates, which has been offering the same allowances since May 2009.

 

From 1 October 2009, passengers will enjoy 30 kilograms, 40 kilograms and 50 kilograms of checked baggage allowance when travelling in Economy, Business and First Class. Gold members of Gulf Air’s frequent flyer program will be entitled to an additional 20 kilograms of allowance, while Silver members will be allowed 15 kilograms more free of charge.

 

The new allowances apply to flights operated by Gulf Air. On codeshare flights, passengers will be subjected to the checked bag policy of the airline operating the flight. Additionally, flights to the USA and Canada by the airline’s partner American Airlines will follow a piece concept.

 

Bahrain-based Gulf Air flies to over 45 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

 

For more information, visit www.gulfair.com.

Malaysia’s First Hard Rock Hotel Opens

The Malaysian island of Penang is home to the newest addition to Hard Rock International’s hotel portfolio. Adorned with pieces from Hard Rock’s world-famous memorabilia collection and set amidst the beaches of Penang’s famed Batu Ferringhi district, the 6-storey Hard Rock Hotel Penang is 45 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from Georgetown.

 

233 guestrooms and 17 suites feature contemporary design and modern amenities. All rooms feature the brand’s signature Sleep Like a Rock bedding, a spacious bathroom with Hansgermany rain shower, 32-inch LCD television, CD/DVD player, iPod docking station, complimentary streaming music, high-speed internet-access, in-room safe, IDD telephone, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. Guests staying in the Kings Club enjoy privileges such as the exclusive use of the Kings Club Lounge and premium room amenities, while Suite guests enjoy the privacy of a separate living room. Most rooms offer private balconies and views of the beach, with the ground floor rooms facing the swimming pool having swim-up patios with wood trellis covers.

 

Leading the selection of dining options at the hotel is the signature Hard Rock Cafe serving authentic American specialty dishes, with live band performances every night. An all-day dining venue, the Starz Diner, offers Asian and International cuisine with a show kitchen for guests to observe the chefs at work, while the Lobby Lounge commands an unsurpassed view of the Andaman Sea. The Pizzeria and The Shack ensure guests enjoy pizzas, snacks and beverages by the hotel’s poolside.

 

Hard Rock Hotel Penang is home to the island’s largest free form swimming pool at 2,400 square meters, complete with its own sand islands, water slides and poolside cabanas. The hotel also features the Body Rock Gym and Rock Spa, where guests can have their treatments in gazebos facing the sea, before finishing with a hair and beauty session at the Hair Salon. Younger guests have their own spaces at the Lil’ Rock Kids Club and Teens Club to keep them busy with activities while the adults shop at the 2 Hard Rock merchandise stores.

 

Meeting and event planners have up to 350 square meters of space at their disposal, including a unique marquee ballroom capable of accomodating up to 300 guests, pre-function garden area and 3 meeting rooms. All venues feature state-of-the-art audio-visual techonology and are supported by a full service business center.

 

The Hard Rock Hotel Penang is the brand’s 3rd property in Southeast Asia, joining the Hard Rock Hotel Bali and Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya. There are now 12 Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos around the world, with new properties upcoming in Atlanta, Dubai, Hungary, Palm Springs, Panama and Singapore’s Resorts World integrated resort.

 

For more information, visit www.hardrockhotels.com.