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.

New Business Lounge For Qantas Passengers In Hong Kong

Australia’s Qantas Airways has opened a new International Business Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The new facility replaces the original lounge opened in 1998 and is the latest in a series of lounge upgrades for the airline, following Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Perth, Tokyo (Narita), Los Angeles and Honolulu.

 

To provide greater comfort and personal space for passengers, Qantas has rearranged the seating layout and furnished the lounge with a new furniture range. Plush armchairs, dining chairs and bar stools combining wood, leather and fabrics are paired with chocolate brown carpets, as well as designer elements such as Moooi lighting and an Akira Isogawa rug.

 

The food and beverage offering has been expanded to include a greater selection of hot and cold foods, beverages and snacks, while 11 bathroom and shower suites with Molten Brown bath amenities let passengers relax and freshen up before their flight. Complimentary internet access, power and data ports, as well as 14 individual workstations equipped with PCs support the needs of business travellers who need to catch up with work.

 

The Qantas International Business Lounge is open to all Business Class, Chairman’s Lounge, Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members and eligible passengers travelling on Oneworld marketed or operated flights. Qantas is also upgrading and expanding its First Lounge in Hong Kong, due to reopen in early December 2009.

 

From Hong Kong, Qantas operates flights to Brisbane, London (Heathrow), Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.  For more information, visit www.qantas.com.au.

Doubletree Opens Largest Property In Orlando

Hilton Worldwide’s Doubletree Hotels has opened its largest hotel in Orlando, Florida. Formerly the International Plaza Resort and Spa, the 1,094-room Doubletree Resort Orlando-International Drive has undergone a USD35 million transformation. The resort now features a Balinese-inspired theme with contemporary dark wood furnishings and Indonesian design accents again the tropical landscape. Located in the heart of the city’s tourism corridor, the property is easily accessible from Orlando International Airport, while the Orange County Convention Center and Seaworld, as well as shopping and dining facilities, are within walking distance of the hotel.

 

A variety of accomodation options, ranging from Resort Guestrooms, Tower Accomodations and Suites are available to guests. Each guestroom is furnished with the signature Sweet Dreams by Doubletree bed, bathroom with glass-enclosed shower and products by Neutrogena, 32-inch LCD television with clock radio featuring iPod connectivity, high-speed internet access, 2 telephones with voicemail capability, workdesk with power and connector ports, in-room safe, microwave, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. In addition to standard amenities, the Suites include a comfortable, oversized living room, separate dining room with table and a kitchenette.

 

The Doubletree Resort Orlando-International Drive presents 3 unique dining options for guests. Max’s Deli offers casual dining, with breakfast pastries and Starbucks coffee on the menu, while the Bamboo Grille is a full-service, 270-seat all-day dining restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine with an Asian fusion twist. For drinks, guests can head to the Red Parrot Pool Bar and Tropical Isle located by the resort’s swimming pool, where they can enjoy signature drinks and frozen specialties.

 

Catering to both business and leisure travellers, the resort offers  conventions and recreational facilities within its 28 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Over 5,574 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space, ranging from large ballrooms at the Oceans Convention Center to the elegant and intimate outdoor spaces at the Tower Terrace. Each facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, business services and amenities. Guests on vacation will enjoy facilities such as the 3 swimming pools, mini-golf course, full-service day spa and fitness center, or the quiet solace of a palm-shaded hammock or a Polynesian hut. A high-tech children’s lounge with computers and Nintendo Wii game consoles will entertain younger guests, while shuttle services to Orlando’s renowned attractions (Walt Disney World, Seaworld and Universal Studios) complement Doubletree Resort Orlando-International Drive’s facilities.

 

Doubletree boasts a portfolio of distinctively designed hotels and resorts in more than 200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, including Beijing, Boston, Chicago, Dar es Salaam, Lima, London, New York City, Qingdao, San Juan and Washington DC.

 

For more information, visit doubletree1.hilton.com.

Continental Airlines Now A Star Aliiance Member

Houston-based Continental Airlines has joined Star Alliance as its 25th member airline, completing its switch from rival alliance Skyteam. The entry of Continental Airlines is expected to enhance the alliance’s customer benefits of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless travel.

 

Passengers can now have access to 19,500 daily flights serving nearly 1,701 airports in 171 countries, with network enhancements in North and South America, transpacific and across the North Atlantic, including the prestigious London (Heathrow)-New York route. Continental adds its 3 hubs in Cleveland, Houston and Newark, offering greater connectivity and access to its extensive Caribbean and South American network. Across the Pacific, the airline adds flight options to mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, while affiliate Continental Micronesia offers services from Guam.

 

Apart from network enhancements, travellers will also benefit from Continental’s operational integration with other Star Alliance member airlines. Effective immediately, through check-in will be available for any itinerary involving a Continental flight with another Star Alliance flight at the originating airport, eliminating the need to repeat the process at connecting airports. The airline will also physically move airport operations to co-locate with other member airlines at locations such as Bangkok, Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Munich and Tokyo (Narita). In case of flight irregularities, Star Alliance Connection Centres will also include Continental-operated flights, looking after passengers and baggage transfers.

 

Continental’s entry also integrates its frequent flyer program with Star Alliance. OnePass Members can now accumulate and redeem miles on all Star Alliance member airlines, with Gold and Platinum Elite members automatically accorded Star Alliance Gold status and benefits while Silver Elite members will enjoy automatic Star Alliance Silver status. Members of the frequent flyer programs of the other 24 member airlines will also be able to earn miles when travelling on Continental Airlines.

 

Continental Airlines is the 3rd US member in Star Alliance, joining United Airlines and US Airways. For more information, visit www.continental.com and www.staralliance.com.

Refurbished Mandarin Oriental Jakarta Opens

Following a comprehensive 20-month renovation, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has reopened the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gala event attended by the Indonesian capital’s society elite. Located at Jalan M. H. Thamrin, the hotel is easily accessible to Soekarno-Hatta Interantional Airport and the business district.

 

The 272 rooms and suites have been outfitted in a classic, contemporary design by renowned interior design firm Lim, Teo & Wilkes, blending Indonesian culture with the group’s oriental heritage and modern amenities. Each room is furnished with luxury bedding, a large marble bathroom with mood lighting, separate rain shower and bathtub, in-room entertainment system with 42-inch LCD television, CD/DVD player and surround-sound stereo, iPod connectivity and multi-function data port, high-speed internet access, workdesk with telephone, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. 56 spacious Mandarin rooms measuring 64 square meters in size feature a living area that can be separated from the bedroom by sliding doors, while the luxurious Oriental and Mandarin Suites also offer guests complimentary use of the Executive Club Lounge facilities and the group’s renowned personalised service.

 

The hotel’s 4 new restaurants serve a range of international cuisine, including authentic Gallic fare at Lyon, the French fine dining restaurant. Each dish is carefully prepared according to traditional techniques with fresh seasonal ingredients, accompanied by the vintage selection from the wine cellar. Specialising in Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines, guests dine on authentic dishes, premium dim sum and a wide selection of Chinese teas amidst the ornate decor at Xin Hwa. For casual dining, Cinnamon showcases classic dishes from across Asia prepared at live cooking stations, while the signature Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop returns to offer guests freshly made pastries, cakes, chocolates and savouries, paired with afternoon tea in a casual and comfortable setting. Located on the 5th floor next to the swimming pool, guests will find exotic cocktails, smoothies, fresh juices and beverages at Azure, before partying the night away to the beats of the DJs at MO Bar.

 

Business travellers at the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta have a fully-equipped business center at their disposal, with a comprehensive range of secretarial, translation and interpretation services. The hotel also offers 9 flexible function rooms, including a Grand Ballroom which seats up to 350 guests for a dinner banquet. Following a day of meetings, guests can relax in the freeform swimming pool, or enjoy a workout at the state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel can also book a round of golf for guests at one of the numerous courses in Jakarta.

 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group currently operates hotels and resorts around the world in the Americas, Asia and Europe, including Bangkok, Geneva, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, New York, Prague, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington DC. The group’s portfolio is slated to further expand with new developments announced in Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Las Vegas, Macau, Marrakech, Moscow and Paris.

 

For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com.

Oman Air Unveils First Class Product On A330-300s

Muscat-based Oman Air has unveiled its new First Class product to be fitted onboard its new 3-class Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The announcement follows the debut of the airline’s new Business Class and Economy Class seats with the delivery of its first A330-200.

 

Referred to as a “mini-suite”, the new seat measures 82 inches in length, with a seat pitch of 85.5 inches and a width of 25.5 inches. The backrest, legrest, seat depth, as well as an 8-point massage system, are electronically controlled, with the seat converting into an full-flat bed. The cabin is configured with 6 mini-suites, ensuring passengers enjoy high levels of comfort, space and privacy.

 

Content from the inflight entertainment system is delivered through a 23-inch personal monitor and wireless handset, with a power outlet and 2 USB ports for passengers that prefer to use their own electronic devices during the flight. The system is also built with provisions to accomodate full wi-fi and mobile communications connectivity upgrades.

 

The new A330-300 aircraft also features Oman Air’s Business and Economy Class products announced earlier. The airline will introduce 3-class service to a range of routes across Asia and Europe, including its flagship Muscat-London (Heathrow) service.

 

For more information, visit www.omanair.aero.

W Hotels Debuts In Western Europe With W Barcelona

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has debuted its W Hotels brand in Western Europe with the opening of the new W Barcelona in Spain. Situated at Nova Bocana on the city’s waterfront, the 26-story sail-shaped hotel is easily accessible to Barcelona’s attractions and shopping districts such as the Barcelona Cathedral, Picasso Museum and FC Barcelona stadium.

 

Designed by renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, W Barcelona offers guests 10 accomodation types, ranging from the 39-square meter Cozy Rooms to the 295-square meter Extreme WOW Suite. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views of the cityscape and beachfront, each room is furnished with the W signature bed accompanied by pillow-top mattress, goose-down duvet and 350-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, as well as a spacious bathroom with rainforest shower and Bliss sinkside six bath amenities. Entertainment and communications is provided by a 32-inch LCD television, iPod docking station, high-speed internet access and a dual-line telephone with speaker and voicemail capabilities. Other amenities include an oversized work desk, in-room safe, minibar, munchie box and coffee-/tea-making facilities.

 

The hotel boasts an impressive array of food and beverage options, most notably a signature restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred Catalan Chef Carles Abellan and Eclipse, a glamourous rooftop bar with stunning views of the Mediterranean from London-based nightlife gurus Ignite Group. The WAVE all-day dining restaurant serves a selection of Arabic, Lebanese, Mediterranean and Spanish favorites, while guests are kept entertained at the W Bar with its cocktail list and tapas to the live DJ mixes. The poolside WET Bar, surrounded by fully-equipped cabanas, is ideal for a refreshing drink and snacks while spending time in the hotel’s swimming pool and terrace.

 

W Barcelona’s seaside location grants guests direct access to Sant Sebastiá Beach, the watersports site for the 1992 Olympics, where the beach ambassadors take care of their every need. Within the hotel, incarnations of the brand’s signature WET swimming pool, SWEAT fitness center and Spain’s first Bliss Spa, together with its array of treatments and products, are available to guests. For business, the WIRED business center is outfitted with workstations, laptops, printers, scanners, fax machines, telecommunications and audio-video equipment, as well as high-speed internet access. 11 unique meeting venues totalling 2,100 square meters of space can accomodate conventions and functions of all sizes, ranging from wedding parties to product launches.

 

There are now 34 W properties around the world and the brand is on-track to double its portfolio by 2011. In Europe, W Hotels have announced properties in Athens, London, Manchester, Milan, Paris and St. Petersburg, with plans to open a W Retreat in Verbier, which will be the brand’s first ski retreat.

 

For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

Singapore Airlines Inaugurates A380 Flights To Melbourne

Singapore Airlines has launched a daily A380 flight to Melbourne. The inaugural flight, SQ 227, departed from Changi International Airport Terminal 3 at 2101 hrs yesterday and arrived in Tullamarine International Airport at 0543 hrs this morning.

 

Melbourne is the second Australian destination and sixth city in the Singapore Airlines network to receive A380 service, after Hong Kong, London, Paris, Sydney and Tokyo. The airline currently operates 21 weekly flights between Singapore and Melbourne, using Boeing 777 aircraft.

 

Flight SQ 227 departs Singapore at 2100 hrs daily, arriving in Melbourne at 0610 hrs the next morning. The return flight, SQ 228, takes off from Tullamarine International Airport at 1550 hrs for a 2140 hrs landing back at Changi International Airport.

 

Singapore Airlines currently has 10 A380s in its fleet, with a further 9 aircraft on order. The airline is the second operator of the aircraft type in Melbourne, following Australian carrier Qantas, which flies the double-deck aircraft from Melbourne to Los Angeles.

 

For more information, visit www.singaporeair.com.

British Airways Begins London City – New York Service

British Airways has launched its much-awaited all-business class London (City)-New York (JFK) service today. Bearing British Airways’ most prestigious flight number, BA 001, the Airbus A318 aircraft took off from London (City) airport at 1244 hrs and arrived in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1654 hrs via Shannon.

 

Operating daily except on Saturdays, flight BA 001 departs London at 1250 hrs and arrives in New York at 1715 hrs. The return flight, BA 002, takes off from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1830 hrs, arriving back in London (City) airport at 0715 hrs the next morning. From October 2009, British Airways will add a second daily flight, BA 003, which departs London at 1600 hrs and lands in New York at 2025 hrs. Returning as flight BA 004 departing New York at 2150 hrs, the aircraft arrives in London at 1025 hrs the next day.

 

Targeted at business travellers, the flight offers passengers several features to ensure that they arrive at their destinations ready for business. Operating from London (City) airport, passengers can avoid the congestion at London (Heathrow) and enjoy the convenience of the airport’s proximity to central London. Check-in is also targeted to take only 15 minutes, in contrast to the usual 45 minutes experienced at London (Heathrow).

 

Onboard, the Club World cabin has been designed to feel spacious and contemporary with 32 full-flat beds. Passengers will dine on in-flight catering developed by the airline in partnership with London’s Roast restaurant. Inflight entertainment is provided through a portable media player available from the cabin crew, while passengers preferring to work will enjoy e-mail, internet and mobile connectivity onboard.

 

On the outbound leg, the aircraft will make a refueling stop at Ireland’s Shannon Airport prior to crossing the Atlantic Ocean. To expedite the arrival process at New York, passengers will pre-clear US immigration at Shannon, effectively turning the flight into a US domestic service which arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 7. Inbound passengers arriving into London will also enjoy complimentary health club access at the London Marriott West India Quay, to freshen up before continuing their journey.

 

For more information, visit www.britishairways.com.

Oman Air Receives First A330-200

Oman Air has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 aircraft this week. The twin-engined jet, registered A40-DA, was unveiled at Muscat’s Seeb International Airport on Wednesday, following a delivery flight from Toulouse where it was formally handed over to the airline.

 

The first of 7 A330s for Oman Air, the aircraft will form the mainstay of the airline’s long-haul fleet in support of its international expansion beyond the Middle East. The jet will initially be deployed on services between Muscat and Europe, flying to Frankfurt, London (Heathrow) and Paris (Charles de Gaulle). Oman Air currently operates 2 A330s leased from India’s Jet Airways on long-haul routes from Muscat.

 

Oman Air has configured the aircraft in a 2-class layout, featuring 20 Business and 196 Economy Class seats. Passengers will enjoy a full-flat bed, electrically-controlled backrest and legrest, ottoman and 17-inch personal monitor in Business Class, while a 34-inch seat pitch, adjustable headrest and footrest and individual 10-inch monitors await passengers in Economy Class. The advanced inflight entertainment system will offer live television, as well as access to e-mail and the internet onboard to every seat.

 

Muscat-based Oman Air currently flies to international destinations in Asia, Europe, Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and North Africa.

 

For more information, visit www.omanair.aero.