CATEGORIES

COMO Metropolitan Singapore

BACKGROUND Singaporean brand COMO Hotels and Resorts launched its first property in its home country in September 2023, integrating its lifestyle and wellness brands into the hotel space.

Voco Auckland City Centre

BACKGROUND New Zealand's first voco hotel opened its doors in May 2022.

Anantara Grand Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam

BACKGROUND Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas opened its first hotel in the Netherlands in 2022, though the property has been part of Minor Hotels group since 2000 - most recently as a 451-room NH Collection property.

Locke am Platz, Enge, Zurich

BACKGROUND Locke is a design-led serviced apartment brand from hospitality company edyn. It launched in 2016 and has properties in Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Berlin and Munich (see businesstraveller.​com/tried-and-tested).

AEGEAN A320neo, business class ATHENS-LONDON HEATHROW

BACKGROUND Greece's national flag carrier celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The Star Alliance member has launched a fourth daily service to Heathrow along with new flights to Sarajevo and Vilnius.

Iberia confirmed as A321XLR launch customer

IBERIA WILL BE THE FIRST carrier worldwide to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR (Xtra Long Range') later this year.

BRITISH AIRWAYS INTRODUCES DISCOUNTED THAMES CLIPPERS FARES TO LONDON CITY AIRPORT

BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS LAUNCHED a new partnership with the Thames Clippers service, offering customers discounted fares to London City Airport.

BRITISH AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO IVALO AND TROMSØ

BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS ANNOUNCED new winter routes to Ivalo in Finland and Tromsø in Norway.

Your attention, please

After a string of recent turbulence fiascos, we chart the history of the inflight safety video to see if the latest crop is up to the task...

Escape to the country

Save on the airfare and splash out on these gorgeous UK retreats this summer

Does aircraft age matter?

Short answer: it depends

Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore

BACKGROUND This biophilic property opened in June 2023 and is the second Pan Pacific hotel in the city, the other being the Pan Pacific Singapore. The hotel is a member of the Green Collection within the GHA Discovery loyalty programme. It is BCA Green Mark Platinum-certified for its sustainability credentials.

The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam

BACKGROUND The Hoxton brand debuted in London's Shoreditch in 2006 and is part of Ennismore, in which Accor holds a majority stake. The brand has 16 properties across Europe and North America, including two in Amsterdam - the first opened in 2015 in the city centre, followed by this property in the Eastern Docklands in August 2023.

Ruby Zoe, London

BACKGROUND Germany's Ruby Hotels launched in 2013, and operates 17 properties in locations including Amsterdam, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Zurich.

London Hilton on Park Lane

BACKGROUND The London Hilton on Park Lane opened in 1963 - the first Hilton property in the UK. To celebrate its 60th anniversary last year, the hotel embarked on an extensive multi-million pound refurbishment led by the GA Group.

Philippine Airlines A321 business class SINGAPORE-MANILA

BACKGROUND Philippine Airlines operates flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, using A321ceo aircraft, which stands for 'current engine option, indicating an older aircraft than the A321neo. My flight (PR502) was a morning departure at 1035, arriving 1425 local time in Manila.

Lima

Peru's coastal capital boasts colourful public parks, striking street art and generous plates of ceviche

The inside scoop

We chat to the president of luxury hotel and restaurant association Relais & Châteaux, which marks its 70th anniversary this month

Why business isn't better

Our 'columnist' this month explains why they believe economy class reigns supreme over business class

Here be dragons

For a city known for its densely packed streets and hectic pace of life, Hong Kong has a truly remarkable countryside

Provincial Provence

As Terre Blanche marks its 20th anniversary, we experience the resort's golfing and spa facilities as well as Michelin-starred food and blush rosé

Spain: an evolving MICE hub

There is plenty to discover beyond the main business centres of Madrid and Barcelona

UK spotlight: CARDIFF

Green fields and green tech are equal draws for doing business in the Welsh capital

MACHINE REVOLUTION

Artificial intelligence is transforming the travel industry, with huge strides in data analysis and generative AI set to create seamless, personalised travel for passengers

Manila's makeover

New infrastructure projects make it easier to navigate this bustling metropolis and discover the growing crop of creative districts

Does first class have a future?

With ongoing improvements in business, first class needs to outdo itself to survive

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

A highlight is the rooftop pool, which is a tropical oasis for post-meeting R&R

The Peninsula London

The design is all about natural light, greenery and open-plan spaces

Raffles London at The OWO

A stay at Raffles London at The OWO is bucket-list worthy

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 business class HO CHI MINH CITY-LONDON

The bedding was nice - with pre-attached seat protector plus soft pillow and silky duvet