Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the Fairmont Mara Safari Club has opened following an extensive renovation programme. Surrounded on three sides by the Mara River, and on the edge of the world's Seventh 'New' Wonder of the World - the Masai Mara - Fairmont Mara Safari Club is the epitome of tented luxury. The resort will be joined by two additional renowned Kenyan properties in the coming months, in total, US$35 million of phased enhancements have been invested into Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, providing rich and distinctive offerings to guests.

The location provides a perfect base for visiting the Masai Mara, one of the world's richest wildlife reserves, and home to an astounding array of animals including zebras, cheetahs, wildebeests, gazelles and of course the 'Big Five'. Guests can choose from a wide range of activities including game drives and balloon safaris.

www.fairmonthotels.com  

10/30/2007 4:59:36 PM UTC    Comments 

Silversea Cruises is extending its Northern European and Baltic collection with a ten day voyage departing from the heart of London and exploring the beautiful coastlines of Scotland, Ireland and the English Channel, including a stopover in Brittany in France.

Departing 22 May 2008, the ten day cruise will depart from London’s Tower Bridge to the port of Edinburgh, Invergordon in the Scottish Highlands, and Oban on the West coast of Scotland, Dublin and Cork, then on to Portsmouth and St Malo before returning to London.

All inclusive fares start from £2900.00 per person, double occupancy, when fully paid six months prior to departure, a saving of up to 35% off the standard. Port charges, government fees and taxes are additional.

www.silversea.com

10/30/2007 9:20:05 AM UTC    Comments 

Men sleepwalking in the buff is on the rise according to a new report released by Travelodge. Results from the company's annual 'sleepwalker audit', has reported a seven fold increase in sleepwalking customers, compared to 2006.

An astounding 95% of the hotel chain's sleepwalkers have been naked men. These night time sleeping wanderers were found in Travelodge reception areas across the UK, requesting information such as ‘where’s the bathroom’ and ‘can I check out I am late for work’.

To further the budget chain's analysis of sleepwalking, Travelodge also conducted an independent sleepwalking study amongst 3000 British adults. Research revealed that three million Brits were now sleepwalking on more than one occasion each week.

The survey also showed that Norwich has the highest number of sleepwalkers in the country followed by, Belfast, Newcastle, Coventry and Edinburgh.

Travelodge is re-issuing its 'Sleepwalkers Guide' to all of its hotels. It includes tips on how to handle a sleepwalker as well as hotel procedures including, requests to keep a supply of towels in reception to preserve a nude sleepwalker's dignity.

www.travelodge.co.uk

10/29/2007 6:09:34 PM UTC    Comments 

Top specialist operator Flexiski is offering four-and seven-night breaks at its three stylish flagship chalet properties in Chamonix, Courchevel and St Anton for Christmas and the New Year. But you don’t need to leave the traditional celebrations behind.

Chalet managers will contact guests in the run-up to their trip to find out what they can offer to design a memorable stay to enable guests to spend Christmas Day on the slopes without having to worry about what time to put the turkey on or how many potatoes to peel, before returning to the chalet for a welcome glass of mulled wine.  

Chalet Bornian in Chamonix, France, sleeps eight guests and is available for sole occupancy over Christmas and New Year and costs from £6,130 for four nights valid for bookings beginning on Sunday 23rd December.

The Amalien Haus in St Anton, Austria sleeps up to 31, has a prime position on the resort’s main street is ideal for party animals and from cost £600 per person at Christmas and £790 New Year (beginning 28th December).

In Méribel, Chalet Leonardo accommodates up to 22 guests and a Christmas break departing on 20th December costs from £600. A four night New Year break from 28th December cost from £790 per person.

The above costs do not include flights.

www.flexiski.com

10/29/2007 5:47:02 PM UTC    Comments 

To celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of its London – Hong Kong service Air New Zealand is offering passengers a great deal. From 26 – 31 October, passengers can book a trip to Hong Kong for just £374.00. The fare includes taxes and is valid for outbound travel in Pacific Economy, Monday to Thursday, between 1 - 30 November. All travel must be completed before 5 December 2007. Just right for a quick business trip or Christmas shopping!

www.airnewzealand.co.uk

10/26/2007 2:14:45 PM UTC    Comments 

SWISS are to operate a new daily service between Zurich and Delhi, which will start on November 25. It becomes the airlines second destination (after Mumbai) to a growing Indian market and comes after demand from the business traveller and tourism sectors.

www.swiss.com

10/26/2007 1:55:37 PM UTC    Comments 

A year ago Oasis Hong Kong Airlines launched the first low cost service between London and Hong Kong with a headline lead in price for a one-way economy ticket of £75.00.

A year on the airline now flies daily and will increase to 10 flights a week from December 16^th.

In London this week to celebrate its first anniversary CEO Stephen Miller said. “We are incredibly proud of our achievements in the last 12 months. The figures reveal an increasing demand and appetite for value-focussed, non-stop, long-haul travel. Oasis has huge growth potential; we have bucked the trend and proved that mixing low-fares with a high-quality service is possible and here to stay. We are looking forward to announcing further growth plans in the very near future”.

He went on to say that 60% of booking from the UK had been made via the airline’s web site. Business as well as leisure travellers have been taking advantage of the low fares and the company have reported 74% load factors in the businessOasis cabin.

In celebration of its 1st birthday, Oasis will be giving away a range of prizes including one year of unlimited free travel to any Oasis destination, details of which can be found on their special birthday web site.

www.happybirthdayoasis.com

10/26/2007 12:17:34 PM UTC    Comments 

The new ‘Perfect Kiss’ package offered by Mandarin Oriental, Prague encourages couples to design a customised getaway in the heart of one of Central Europe’s most beautiful cities. Armed with an insider’s guide to Prague’s most ‘kiss-worthy’ spots, guests can explore the city’s legendary romantic appeal and then relax with a range of additional benefits at the award-winning Mandarin Oriental, Prague.

The Perfect Kiss package requires a two-night minimum stay and rates start at EUR 637 per room per night based on double occupancy, including service charge and excluding VAT and includes: Round-trip airport transfers in a Mercedes S-class limousine, two tickets to a private box at the opera (subject to availability) including return limousine transfer and a box of chocolates to provide nutrition during performance, chilled champagne, chocolate-dipped fruit and fresh flowers upon arrival, daily English breakfast, choice of a romantic ride through Prague by a horse-drawn carriage, or by vintage car, or an 80-minute massage for two in a couples’ spa suite, afternoon tea, and directions to Prague’s most romantic spots.

www.mandarinoriental.com  

10/25/2007 4:24:50 PM UTC    Comments 

Langham Hotels International's first resort hotel is to open on Lanta Yai Island in Krabi, Southern Thailand on January 1st 2008. 

The Langham Place Eco Resort + Spa is a five-star resort with 185 rooms and villas extending directly from the beach up the hillside overlooking Klong Tob Bay. Most have magnificent sea views and the villas have their own private plunge pool and sala area to relax.

The resort has a vast array of facilities for sporting and leisure interests and Chuan Spa, where healing hands will pamper, soothe and reinvigorate guests with a wide variety of natural treatments. It also boasts of its own mini cinema.

Langham will open a further two Langham Place hotels in China next year. The 440 room Langham Hotel Beijing is located in Chao Yang District, the prime business and leisure precinct in Beijing, close to Chang An Avenue and the foreign embassy district. 

Langham Place Beijing Capital Airport Hotel with 400 rooms is located next Terminal 3, and just minutes away from the new China International Exhibition Centre and Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone.

www.langhamhotels.com

10/25/2007 4:03:56 PM UTC    Comments 

This Sunday (28 October) Virgin Atlantic Airways launches its first non-stop service between London Heathrow and Mauritius. The first flight will arrive in Mauritius in the morning of 29 October and will receive the traditional ‘water salute’ from the Airport Fire Brigade in celebration of its arrival.

Services will operate twice a week on Fridays and Sundays from Heathrow and Saturdays and Mondays from Mauritius. This destination is the airline’s 29th route worldwide.

www.virgin-atlantic.com

10/25/2007 11:30:10 AM UTC    Comments 

Singapore Airline flight SQ 380 has landed at Sydney airport after a seven hour flight from Singapore Changi Airport.

Not much of a story you might think other than that it maked the historic maiden commercial flight of the new A380 superjumbo.

"The A380's commencement of passenger flights marks a new milestone in aviation history," said Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).  Mr Lim added, "Changi Airport is excited and proud to be the first airport in the world from which the A380 experience begins."

www.caas.gov.sg www.singaporeair.com

10/25/2007 9:18:22 AM UTC    Comments 

Marriott International is to introduce the Courtyard by Marriott hotel brand in Hong Kong this December with the opening of the 245-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Hong Kong.

The hotel is located on a harbour front site in the Sai Ying Pan district on Hong Kong Island. Conveniently situated near the Macau Ferry Pier, the hotel is within reach of the financial district in Central as well as the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai.

Each guestroom will feature marble appointed bathrooms with rainforest showerheads, plush bed and bath linens, stylish oversized glass top work desks, and high-speed internet access. There is also a full business centre, executive lounge and 24 hour state-of-the-art fitness centre.

To celebrate the opening, the hotel is offering a special introductory rate of HK $1300.00 (£82.00) per night.

www.marriott.com

10/24/2007 8:13:36 AM UTC    Comments 

Luxury villa specialist Sanctuary Villas and Apartments has added new properties in Capri, Croatia, Mykonos, Santorini and Mallorca, as well as apartments in Venice and Paris, to its 2008 brochure, which is out today. These additions to next year’s portfolio reflect the success of Sanctuary Villas and Apartments, which was launched in the UK in January 2007 offering properties in mainland Italy, France and Spain.
 
The 2008 brochure features a total of 57 European properties, of which 25 villas and apartments are new to the collection, the majority only available through Sanctuary Villas & Apartments.
 
Highlights of the properties include a charming Croatian villa situated on the stunning island of Vis, just off Split. The property is only accessible by boat, providing a completely discreet and idyllic place to relax and ‘Villa Ortensia’, which is beautifully located just a few minutes walk from the famous piazetta, where the dolce vita lifestyle of Capri was born.
 
The newly featured apartments in Paris and Venice are both in city centre locations, making them ideal for those looking to enjoy these cities’ social calendars such as the Carnival in Venice in February, for which Sanctuary can even arrange tickets and period costumes.
 
www.sanctuary-villas.com

10/23/2007 10:28:55 AM UTC    Comments 

From November 20 passengers arriving in Japan will be subject to new anti-terrorism measures that will require them to be fingerprinted, photographed and asked a number of questions regarding their stay.

In the event of any foreign national refusing to submit to these new provisions, that person will not be permitted to enter Japan, and will be required to leave the country.

For an information booklet passengers can email the Japan National Tourist Organisation on info@jnto.co.uk or watch the online video released by the Japanese Government,

http://nettv.gov-online.go.jp:80/prg/prg1203.html

10/23/2007 9:58:12 AM UTC    Comments 

Thomsonfly is to become the first low-fares airline to offer flights to Israel when its new service starts flying to Tel Aviv on November 1st from London Luton and Manchester.  Prices start from £79.99 one way or £139.98 return including taxes and charges.

Thomsonfly will operate three times per week from both London Luton and Manchester airports, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 

Guy Stephenson, Thomsonfly's Commercial Director, comments: "Our decision to launch into Tel Aviv will satisfy the huge demand for direct flights to this exciting Israeli city.” 

www.thomsonfly.com

10/23/2007 8:58:46 AM UTC    Comments 

British Airways is to launch flights from Gatwick to Poznan in Poland and Antalya in Turkey next summer. The airline will operate daily flights to Poznan from March 30, 2008 and three flights per week to Antalya from April 10, 2008.

Robert Boyle, British Airways' commercial director, said, "The demand for business and leisure travel between the UK and Poland continues to grow and Poznan joins Warsaw and Krakow on our network. All three destinations will operate from Gatwick next summer when our Warsaw flights move from Heathrow."

The airline will also start daily flights from Gatwick to Genoa from April 4, 2008.

www.ba.com

10/18/2007 9:53:58 AM UTC    Comments 

The Singapore and British government's have agreed to boost air links between the two countries.

Singapore Airlines has been granted unlimited access to direct routes into Britain as of March 2008, thus gaining access to onward services on the lucrative trans-Atlantic route.

In exchange, British airlines will no longer face any limits on their flights into Singapore.

10/18/2007 9:50:16 AM UTC    Comments 

From January 1^st 2008 passengers at Changi Airport will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi. The move is in line with the Singapore government's goal of introducing complimentary access across the island.

Coverage at the airport will extend to both of the existing full-service terminals, to the budget terminal and the new Terminal Three, which opens in January.

www.changiairport.com

10/18/2007 9:45:43 AM UTC    Comments 

When it opens next summer the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee promises to be the first boutique hotel geared toward both motorcycle enthusiasts and business travellers.

The 102-room hotel close to the future Harley-Davidson Museum, which is also scheduled to open next summer, will not be a motorcycle-themed hotel but will include an on-site bike wash and covered motorcycle parking.

Guests will be welcomed whether they are walking through the lobby decked in business suits or riding leathers and boots.

Rooms will however include shelves for helmets and strong hooks that can handle the weight of leather jackets and there will be benches on which to sit while removing boots.

The property will be managed by Desires Hotels who have a range of other boutique hotels in New York, Atlanta, Miami and San Juan in Puerto Rico.

www.desireshotels.com

10/17/2007 2:54:26 PM UTC    Comments 

Budget hotelier Travelodge has today offered the general public a £25m bounty to help search for new hotels across the country. The budget chain plans to open an unprecedented 500 additional UK hotels by 2020.

Travelodge is offering up to £150,000 to any individual that finds a new location or existing building in the UK that results in a new Travelodge hotel opening*. The size of the bounty depends on the number of bedrooms that the proposed hotel can accommodate. Travelodge will pay £500 for each bedroom, up to £150,000.

Travelodge Property Director, Paul Harvey said, "We are on a mission to open more UK hotels than any other company in history and would like our customers, staff and the general public to get involved. We have a fantastic property team that is already working on hundreds of sites, but you cannot beat local people for local knowledge.

Travelodge is targeting almost every major town in the UK, with a major push in Greater London, the South East of England, and big increases in the North West and Midlands. The hotel company believes that two thirds of the hotels will be brand new developments and the rest will be converted from existing office buildings and hotels.

*There are a number of criteria that needs to be fulfilled to gain the finders' fee. This information is available on the Travelodge property website.

www.travelodgedevelopment.co.uk

10/17/2007 1:56:53 PM UTC    Comments 

To coincide with the winter schedule, from 28 October 2007, British Airways will be introducing a new minimum check-in time of 45 minutes for all flights departing from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with the aim to ease your journey through the airport and provide a consistent check-in time. All British Airways and GB Airways airport check-in desks and kiosks at Heathrow and Gatwick will therefore close 45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart.

Online check-in is not affected and will continue to close 60 minutes before departure, and check-in times for flights from all other airports, both UK and worldwide, remain unchanged.

Customers are advised to view the check-in times that apply to their individual bookings by logging onto ‘Manage my booking’ and selecting  ‘At the airport’.

www.ba.com

Editors note: Is this actually an indictment of the ability of BAA to process passengers at these airports in less than 45 minutes?

10/17/2007 11:35:51 AM UTC    Comments 

Air France and Delta Air Lines are to sign a joint venture agreement to share revenues and costs on certain trans-Atlantic routes that will be implemented in April 2008.

It will first apply to all trans-Atlantic flights between the Air France and Delta hubs, as well as all flights operated by either carrier between London-Heathrow and the U.S. These flights will be offered by both carriers on a code share basis.  

“This agreement marks an unprecedented move to offer our customers a greater choice of routes and schedules”, announced Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and CEO of the Air France KLM Group, and Richard Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Air Lines. “Together, we will be able to provide our customers with an outstanding transatlantic service, both in terms of routes, capacity, frequencies and quality of service”.    

 www.airfrance.com  www.delta.com  

10/17/2007 10:48:59 AM UTC    Comments 

EgyptAir is set to become a full Star Alliance member carrier within the next 18 months. EgyptAir will add nine additional unique airports into the Star Alliance network, bringing the overall total to more than 17,700 daily flights serving 944 destinations in 161 countries

EgyptAir and Star carriers serving Cairo will all move to the airport’s new terminal three when it opens next year.

www.egyptair.com

10/17/2007 9:33:11 AM UTC    Comments