BTME - April 2022

MIDDLE EAST

APRIL 2022

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CONTENTS

APRIL 2022

REGULARS 06

UPFRONT

The latest airline, hotel and travel news 14

AIR MILES

With Bonnie Comley, founder of BroadwayHD 16 RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

Dubai Can initiative tackles single-use plastics 24

OPINION

Why it’s time to measure the impact of investment on ESG factors 37

POSTCARD

UAE SNAPSHOTS

‘UAE’s Coolest Winter’ photo comp winners 46

4 HOURS IN... NYC

Exploring the Big Apple’s trendy SoHo district

Voting is now open for the 2022 awards ahead of May ceremony 26

PEAK PERFORMANCE

Body transformation specialist Kirk Miller reveals his successful ‘Built to Last’ approach 30

MARK ARNALL

F1 performance coach launches hotel fitness programme 32

DINE ALUL A

One Central

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BUSINESS TRAVEL, THE RESPONSIBLE WAY

How airlines and Travel Management Companies are helping business travellers make planet-friendly choices

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COMEBACK CIT Y

Los Angeles revived with new openings, exhibitions and events 48

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ROAD TO RECOVERY

Thai Airways’ rehabilitation plan and new features in business class 54

FERRARI ROMA

The Prancing Horse’s new V8 2+ coupé offers style and substance

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TRIED & TESTED FLIGHTS, HOTELS, R E S TAU R A N T S

61 25hours Hotel Dubai

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Fresh dining experiences in Saudi Arabia’s newest gastro destination

THE REPORT 60 Hyde Hotel Dubai

ON THE COVER

11 BUSINESS TRAVELLER MIDDLE EAST AWARDS

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Etihad’s new mangrove adoption scheme 38

FEATURES

62 Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi

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63 Canopy by Hilton London City 64 Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre 65 Pendry Manhattan West 66 Mimi Kakushi, Dubai

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WELCOME

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ne of the buzz words to emerge in 2022, or rather a ‘buzz abbreviation’ is ESG – Environmental, Social and

Corporate Governance – and in this issue we start to explore how what steps the travel industry, including airlines and Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are taking to help their corporate clients fulfil their ESG commitments.

Etihad Airways is an airline making huge strides in this arena with its Corporate Conscious Choices programme, giving both organisations and individual travellers the chance to invest in a range of initiatives designed to offset carbon emissions and protect the environment. The carrier’s mangrove forest programme launched last month piqued my interest, offering the opportunity to sponsor a mangrove tree and if you so wish, talk to it via a chatbot – a kind of virtual tree hug, I guess. You can also access data including CO2 consumption metrics, which can be tracked and offset against emissions.

Looking at ESG from a different perspective, Tom De Waele, Managing Partner at Bain & Company Middle East, has contributed a piece on ESG for asset managers and their investor clients in this issue. He raises the point that asset and wealth managers are finding it increasingly difficult to carve out ESG strategy that will appeal to investors. He notes that as investors get more sophisticated about ESG matters, they are questioning the claims of commitment to sustainably invested assets, concerned

their fund and wealth managers are only paying lip service to these themes. Greenwashing adds to the suspicion, he says, so becoming transparent and learning how to measure ESG is crucial.

Talking of greenwashing, while many hotel groups are making grand claims about sustainable practices, there are still too many plastic bottles in hotel guest rooms, gyms and restaurants.

I spent a week at four different UAE hotels recently, and only one had glass water bottles in the guest rooms. Two used refillable bathroom amenities, which I hope to see more of, but there is a long way to go in eradicating single-use plastic in the travel sector.

Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan, recently launched the ‘Dubai Can’ initiative, encouraging all UAE residents and visitors to use their own water bottle, with plans to roll out water fountains where they can be refilled across Dubai. Let’s hope the hospitality sector rises to this challenge, reducing plastic bottle use and offering refill stations. During my recent stay at Canopy by Hilton in London, every guest had a carafe in their room, which could be refilled at a water station in the corridor. This is one way that hotels can start to make difference, which importantly, encourages guests to make the right choices during their stay.

Gemma Greenwood, Editor

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

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Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published

by Motivate Media Group and Panacea Media Ltd M OT I VAT E M E D I A GRO UP

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner and Group Editor Ian Fairservice Editor Gemma Greenwood Art Director Clarkwin Cruz Editorial Co-ordinator Londresa Flores Contributors Tom Otley, Hannah Brandler, Laura Millar General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Assistant Production Manager Binu Purandaran Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Group Director Andrew Wingrove Group Sales Manager Chaitali Khimji PAN ACE A M E D I A LT D

Managing Director Julian Gregory Associate Publisher Middle East Rania Apthorpe Global Editor-in-Chief Tom Otley

b us i n e s strave l l e r. c o m

GOING GREEN How airlines and TMCs are helping corporates meet sustainability targets (Page 18)

PEAK PERFORMANCE Learn a ‘Built to Last’ training approach (Page 26)

DINE ALULA New restaurants and cafés to check out in Saudi’s emerging gastro hub (Page 32)

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APRIL 2022

UPFRONT

UAE CARRIERS RAMP UP SERVICES

Global air passenger numbers to recover in 2024 says IATA THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (IATA) expects

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EMIRATES AND ETIHAD have announced several new or resumed services, upped frequencies, and deployed larger aircraft on multiple routes. Emirates has increased its Gatwick service to twice daily, added a second daily A380 service to Sydney, resumed its A380 services to Brisbane, confirmed a codeshare deal with Garuda and set a June 23 launch date for its Tel Aviv service. Etihad has added flights to the French city of Nice to its summer schedule. The airline will operate a twice-weekly B787 service on Wednesdays and Sundays from June 15 between Abu Dhabi and Nice Côte d’Azur airport.

This marks the fifth summer route announced

by Etihad, with flights to Crete, Malaga, Santorini and Zanzibar also starting in June.

passenger numbers to reach four billion in 2024, exceeding pre-COVID levels.

The recent update to the association’s long-term forecast revealed traveller numbers in 2021 were 47 per cent of 2019 levels. This is expected to improve to 83 per cent this year, followed by 93 per cent in 2023, 103 per cent in 2024 and 111 per cent in 2025.

International traveller numbers were 27 per cent of 2019 levels in 2021. This is expected to improve to 69 per cent this year, 82 per cent in 2023, 92 per cent in 2024 and 101 per cent in 2025.

“The trajectory for the recovery in passenger numbers from COVID-19 was not changed by the Omicron variant. People want to travel. And when travel restrictions are lifted, they return to the skies,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.

“There is still a long way to go to reach a normal state of affairs, but the forecast for the evolution in passenger numbers gives good reason to be optimistic.”

The Middle East will see a slower recovery than the global average, said IATA, with numbers forecast to reach 81 per cent of 2019 levels this year, 98 per cent in 2024 and 105 per cent in 2025.

IATA continues to urge governments to remove all travel bans and ease restrictions, including the removal of quarantine and testing for fully vaccinated travellers and the introduction of pre-departure antigen testing for quarantinefree travel for non-vaccinated travellers.

Qatar Airways heads back to Gatwick QATAR AIRWAYS will resume daily flights from Doha to London Gatwick from June 5. The airline will operate a B787-8 Dreamliner service featuring 22 seats in business class and 232 seats in economy. This comes after its joint business partner British Airways relaunched daily flights from Gatwick to Doha in December 2021. Passengers will be able to earn Avios points when travelling on both airlines by the end of the month. Qatar Airways already operates a five-times daily service from London Heathrow, 18-times weekly from Manchester and four-times weekly (rising to daily from June 2) from Edinburgh.

APRIL 2022

UPFRONT

UAE TRAVELLERS CAN NOW VISIT ISRAEL ISRAEL IS NOW OPEN to all travellers residing in the UAE, the Israel Ministry of Tourism announced last month.

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All vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists of all ages are permitted to enter Israel upon presenting a negative PCR test before departure and after arriving in Israel. The announcement follows a recent agreement between the UAE and Israel extending visa-free entry to all UAE nationals as part of the ongoing strategic partnership between both countries.

Air connectivity between the UAE and Israel is ramping up: flydubai operates 14 flights a week, twice a day, between Dubai and Tel Aviv-Yafo and both Etihad Airways and Wizz Air offer direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv-Yafo. Travellers can also opt for Israeli airlines like El-AL, Israir, Arkia Airlines for direct connectivity between both destinations.

Emirates has confirmed that it will be commencing daily services to Tel Aviv from June 23, operating a three-class Boeing 777-300ER on the route from Dubai.

MICROSOFT TAKES BOLD STEPS TO REDUCE BUSINESS TRAVEL IMPACT

UK removes all travel restrictions THE UK GOVERNMENT lifted all remaining restrictions on international travel for all passengers on March 18, including the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) for arrivals into the UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated.

This change removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-departure test and a day two post-arrival test. The removal of restrictions is part of the UK government’s Living with COVID plan and reflects the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout, with 86 per cent of the population having received a second dose and 67 per cent of the population with a booster or third dose.

APRIL 2022

MICROSOFT HAS TAKEN a bold step to further reduce its impact on the environment by upping the cost of internal penalties for business travel.

The technology giant will raise its carbon emission fees by 567 per cent this year, in what it has called “aggressive measures” to slash the Scope 3 emissions it produces, with corporate travel falling under this category.

The company currently charges a business travel fee of $15 per metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (or “mtCO2e”), but from July 2022, this will increase to $100 per metric tonne.

The money raised is invested in initiatives that enable Microsoft to become a greener company.

Employee travel is one of the business world’s greatest contributors to carbon emissions, dominated by car and air travel. This was clearly demonstrated during the pandemic, which halted most commuting and travel, resulting in global cardon emissions dropping seven per cent, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

See page 18 for a closer look at the steps airlines and Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are taking to help corporates make greener travel choices.

UPFRONT

SAUDI ARABIA HOTEL UPDATE

Citadines makes its Oman debut THE ASCOT T LIMITED has opened Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat, its first

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Citadines property in Oman.

To mark the occasion, guests are being offered Triple ASR points and up to 60 per cent off on bookings as part of the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) loyalty programme. Business travellers can opt to stay in Studio Deluxe apartments, ideal for extended stays and featuring a kitchen, or Studio Premier apartments with views of the city’s scenic skyline. Other options include One-Bedroom Executive and Premier apartments.

Amenities include a swimming pool, gymnasium, residents’ lounge, restaurant, ballroom, meeting rooms and a coffee shop. Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat is close to Sultan Qaboos Road, Muscat’s arterial link to Muscat International Airport, as well as key business districts, exhibition centres and embassies.

SECOND STUDIO M FOR DUBAI MILLENNIUM HOTELS & RESORTS MEA has opened its second

Studio M lifestyle hotel in Dubai.

Studio M Al Barsha offers 155 rooms and has been “thoughtfully designed” with vibrant colours, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and premium amenities to suit modern travellers. The hotel is close to Mall of the Emirates and the Mall of the Emirates Metro station. Dining venues include Hello Grab N Go for dining in or out, Level ONE for breakfast, and a café. There are co-working spaces available at the restaurant and in the lobby, while leisure facilities include an ‘M FIT’ gym with Technogym equipment, a temperature-controlled rooftop pool, and a spa concept.

The highly anticipated JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh (pictured) will make its debut in the Saudi capital’s new commercial and business district in early Q2, Marriott has announced.

Occupying a coveted address in the city, and a stone’s throw away from King Abdullah Financial District, the new property will stand tall amongst Riyadh’s skyscrapers of the city.

The flagship hotel, spanning 66 floors, will feature 349 rooms and suites, world-class dining outlets, and “exceptional” business and wellness facilities.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), the developer of the Diriyah master plan, have announced plans for the Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The luxury property will include approximately 150 rooms and suites, expansive meeting and event spaces, a wellness spa with seven treatment rooms and a fitness centre, as well as two outdoor pools with private cabanas. It will also offer four culinary outlets, including a poolside restaurant and Sunset lounge.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is to relaunch its Holiday Inn brand in Narjan, Saudi Arabia.

The hospitality firm has signed an agreement with Al Rabea Hotels and Trading Co. to manage the Holiday Inn Najran – a conversion property. This hotel is returning to the IHG family having operated as a Holiday Inn property from 1995 to 2015. The new hotel is expected to be fully rebranded by end of 2023 and will offer 82 rooms, five villas, an outdoor pool, gym, sauna, steam rooms, and Jacuzzi, four meeting rooms, and four dining venues.

APRIL 2022

Voting for the Business Traveller Middle East Awards is live

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Don’t miss your chance to vote for the best in travel

he nominations are in, and voting has started for the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2022.

Hundreds of nominations have been made across the 41 categories being contested, with readers now able to cast their votes for the best in travel at btme.ae This year’s programme is bigger and better than ever, with several new categories added and the event’s hotly anticipated awards ceremony taking place live for the first time since 2019.

Now in its 20th year, the awards programme will culminate with a gala event on May 9, 2022, at a five-star hotel in Dubai, with more than 200 guests set to attend.

Each year, the coveted ceremony attracts a high-profile crowd comprising industry heavyweights, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), C-Suite executives and key decision makers from the hotel, aviation, tourism and transportation sectors. The 41 awards categories for 2022 include 10 airline awards, four airport awards, 19 hotel awards and new for 2021, eight leisure and lifestyle awards.

Reflecting business travel trends and traveller priorities, categories contested at the 2022 awards will range from Best Airline in the World, Best Hotel Brand in the World and Best Serviced Apartment Brand in the Middle East to Best Dining Experiences in the UAE, Best Mobile Travel Application and Best Golf Club in the Middle East.

The best business hotel category will be applied to every major Middle

The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on May 9

East destination, recognising the high quality of accommodation and services to business travellers provided in each, with locations covered including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt, Israel, Jeddah, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Riyadh and Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2022 celebrate the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives.

The 2022 awards build on the momentum of the highly successful 2021 event, which took place virtually, recognising leading airlines, hotels, airports and other providers to the business travel sector across 33 categories.

Several travel companies were crowned with more than one title including Emirates Airline, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Dubai International Airport (DXB), Four Seasons and Hilton, all of which received at least three awards.

Notable achievements included Emirates being voted ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ and partner carrier, flydubai, recognised as ‘Best LowCost Airline serving the Middle East’; Rotana scooping ‘Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ and for its Centro Hotels by Rotana concept, ‘Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East’; The Ascott Limited being crowned ‘Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East; and Marriott Bonvoy being named ‘Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East’. The coveted ‘Best Hotel Brand Worldwide’ title went to Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

In 2022 we give you, our valued readers, the chance to vote for companies who you consider the best in travel – those who have gone above and beyond during what has been another challenging year for the sector. Get voting now!

Visit btme.ae and for sponsorship opportunities and/or table sales, contact chaitali.khimji@motivate.ae

APRIL 2022

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UPFRONT

REGION’S LARGEST HOLISTIC WELLNESS RESORT OPENS IN QATAR ZULAL WELLNESS RESORT BY CHIVA-SOM , the region’s largest holistic

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wellness resort and the world’s first contemporary showcase of Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine (TAIM), opened on March 29.

The resort is managed by Chiva-Som, a globally acclaimed pioneer in wellness and lifestyle transformation with 26 years’ experience honed at its flagship resort in Hua Hin, Thailand. The Zulal wellness experience is built on six pillars of wellness: Nutrition, Fitness, Spa, Physiotherapy, Holistic Health and Aesthetics.

TAIM will be infused throughout each, together restoring body, mind and spirit to optimum health in a sustainable manner. At Zulal Wellness Resort, there are two distinct paths to achieving wellness goals.

Zulal Serenity is the adults-only area of the resort for guests aged 16 and above, with 60 rooms and suites and programmes tailored to individual health needs. Extensive wellness facilities include thermal and hydrotherapy suites, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa suites, a well-equipped gymnasium, exercise studios, a state-of-the-art physiotherapy studio and an aesthetics centre.

Zulal Discovery caters to guests seeking family experiences and to make wellness an integral part of the family bond, with programmes customised for multi-generations and specific age groups. Facilities have been designed by child and family specialists. Accommodation is offered in a range of set-ups across 120 rooms and suites.

New Taj on The Palm Jumeirah Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah has opened featuring 325 rooms and suites. The third Taj-branded hotel in the UAE showcases Taj’s award-winning Jiva spa, a private beach, the longest pool on The Palm Jumeirah, the Popsicle Kids Club, and F&B options including Indian fine dining at Varq; a unique gastropub experience at the Roaring Rabbit; Arabesque atmosphere at Raia, the rooftop bar and lounge; Palm Kitchen, serving international dishes; and The Coast, a beachside bistro offering coastal delicacies.

There are also two expansive ballrooms and multiple meeting rooms at the luxury resort.

EDITOR’S PICKS Last month I was lucky enough to stay in five different hotels. Here’s a quick run-down what impressed me at each.

Best for sustainability: Canopy by Hilton London City, where plastic and even glass water bottles are shunned and instead, guests fill up a carafe in their room from a water filter in the corridor.

Best for a power shower: The walk-in rain shower at Hyde Dubai in Business Bay was phenomenal – hot and powerful, so a great start to the day.

Best for bathroom amenities: Hyde Dubai, followed closely by Four Seasons Al Maryah Abu Dhabi.

High-quality products make a big difference to our travel-weary – and dehydrated – skin and hair and Hyde had the edge with (Malin+Goetz) products leaving my hair and skin super smooth and silky.

Best gym: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, without a doubt. Guests have complimentary access to Volt Fitness, a standalone gym in the building next door, featuring extensive resistance, functional and cardio equipment. There was every piece of kit you could ever wish for in that gym, as well as takeaway coffee, protein shakes and bars, and other refreshments to maximise your workout.

Best for co-working: 25hours Dubai (pictured), the most ‘out there’ hotel in Dubai. From dedicated co-working spaces in the lobby and on the first floor, to the dining venues, and even the rooftop spa garden, there are plenty of places to work, eat, drink, meet, or just hang out. The 25hours Social Hub – the lobby, which merges into the indoor and outdoor café, is a haven for those on remote work days.

See our Tried & Tested reviews in the back of this issue for more details (P60-66)

APRIL 2022

AIR MILES

AIR MILES WITH

Bonnie Comley Bonnie Comley is a Tony Award-winning theatre producer and founder of BroadwayHD, a digital streaming service

WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

Which theatre production has left a lasting impression?

The show that I keep returning to is The Lion King. It was a significant show for me for many reasons. I was pregnant on the opening night and the family themes resonated with me in a very special way.

I was at the Tony Awards when it won six Tonys and Julie Taymor became the first woman to receive a Tony for Best Direction of a Musical in 1998 – the year my daughter was born. It was exciting to be there for this historic moment and it felt like the start of a more inclusive Broadway for women, a principle that is very important to me. I have returned to see The Lion King many times; it’s just a show that is so special to share with family and friends. I wish I had produced it!

Do you prefer Broadway or the West End? I live and work in New York City. My office is in Times Square, which is home to the 41 APRIL 2022

Broadway theatres – so Broadway always feels like my hometown and I have a strong connection to the professional community.

Although I have spent months at a time in London working on shows [in the West End], I am always a visitor, which has its pluses and negatives.

Where have you visited when touring productions?

As the founder of BroadwayHD, I have been asked to speak at conferences and universities about the intersection of live theatre and filmed theatre. I have been fortunate enough to work on Broadway shows and touring productions that have taken me across the United States, Canada, China, Japan, and the UK. Which set has been the most impressive?

I loved the set for Priscilla Queen of the Desert. There was a full-size bus on a turntable on the stage,; the perfect backdrop for the outrageous costumes. But as over-

And most challenging?

A trip to St Lucia for a TV show called NightlifeTV, which ran on The Travel Channel. I was the host and reporter for the show for several years, but we always covered nightlife, cabaret, theatre, and restaurants in NYC. This was the first time the show’s producer decided to try another location.

The crew lost some equipment, a camera fell into the water, and I was scheduled to do all the watersports in one afternoon – I kite-boarded, water-skied, jet-skied, and snorkelled, not for fun, but for the camera.

The crew was mad anytime I fell off the equipment because it meant less time for them on the beach. The segment looked great on TV, but the producers decided not to do any more travelling because it was too expensive, and New York City was the perfect location for NightLifeTV! What’s your indispensable travel gadget?

I am a shutterbug! I always need the latest camera or camera accessory. I love taking photos and reliving the experience through pictures.

What’s your in-flight entertainment pick?

I enjoy catching up on the latest movies, but I am a people watcher. You can observe kind gestures like passengers helping each other store luggage in the overhead, sharing magazines, or recommending movies to each other. It inspires me to do the same.

YOLANDA PEREZ

W

What is BroadwayHD? Everything I do begins and ends with sharing great stories and making theatre accessible. It’s why I started BroadwayHD, to make Broadway shows available to a global audience with the technology of streaming. Bringing the magic of Broadway over the magic of the internet!

What’s your dream production?

I have been developing a musical using the songs of John Denver for many years. It’s an original story and the music is familiar, but with new orchestrations, so it’s both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. It’s called Back Home Again, and I will be announcing a production soon.

What has been your most rewarding travel experience?

My trip to Beijing to speak at a conference. I don’t speak any Chinese, and it’s a 12-hour time difference, but I was confident I had the experience and knowledge to share. My lecture was included in a subsequent book on commercial theatre. It was thrilling and extremely rewarding.

hat attracted you to the world of theatre?

I believe that the stakes are always higher for live entertainment. There is a sense of anticipation that this story could be life-affirming for you, that you will come out of the theatre humming a new personal anthem or an actor in the show could be the next Meryl Streep and you were part of that discovery. It’s a risky business, but it’s very rewarding and I love it.

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the-top the set was, it couldn’t outshine the talent of the incredible cast.

450

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plastic water bottles used per UAE resident annually

‘Dubai Can’ initiative to reduce single4 billion use plastic bottle use launches

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is Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has launched ‘Dubai Can’, a citywide sustainability movement designed to inspire people to make a difference through a series of initiatives.

It’s being implemented by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), encouraging UAE residents to turn the tide on plastic and inspire mass action to actively reduce the use of singleuse plastic bottles. ‘Dubai Can’ seeks to motivate communities across the city to undertake simple changes such as using refillable water bottles and public water stations and installing water filters

APRIL 2022

in their homes, offices and schools.

“The initiative seeks to encourage citizens, residents and visitors to be active players in building a more sustainable future, and to contribute to saving wildlife and the marine environment,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the DET. “We hope Dubai Can will set in motion a new environmental movement across our city and the wider UAE, transforming the mindsets of people so that we can achieve positive change for a more sustainable future.”

‘Dubai Can’ bolsters Dubai’s drive to become one of the world’s most sustainable cities, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan.

The initiative also supports Dubai’s commitment to meeting

plastic water bottles used annually in the UAE

400 years is the time it takes for one plastic bottle to decompose

1.1 million

marine creatures globally die per year due to plastic waste

94kg of plastic consumed annually by the average person in the UAE Sources: DET and Emirates Nature WWF1

the UAE’s UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and achieving UAE NetZero 2050 initiative. ‘Dubai Can’ also complements the policy recently approved by The Executive Council of Dubai to limit single-use bags.

As per the policy, a tariff of 25 fils will be imposed on single-use bags used for carrying goods, starting from July 1, 2022. The policy will be evaluated over several stages until single-use carrier bags are completely banned within a span of two years.

With Dubai’s 2040 Urban Masterplan set to increase the length of public beaches by as much as 400 per cent and Dubai’s nature reserves and natural areas to be boosted to 60 per cent of the emirate too, ‘Dubai Can’ will help lay the groundwork for positive change and support sustainable communities for generations to come, said DET. Residents and visitors to Dubai will have access to more than 30 water stations across the city as part of this initiative, with prime public locations including beaches, parks, malls and major attractions. The drinking water from the stations will be kept cool at a temperature of 10°C offering people a refreshing, clean and safe alternative, while also driving a ‘refill culture’.

All water stations across the city will provide the highest standards of hygiene and maintain strict adherence to municipal, healthcare and federal regulations.

This includes providing clean and safe drinking water, which will be tested in accordance with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), GCC and World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

RE SP ONSIBLE TR AVELLER

MSC Cruises to base its new and most environmentally advanced ship in the UAE THE UAE WILL BE the base for the largest and most environmentally high-performing passenger ship to sail in the Middle East, MSC World Europa, from next winter.

The vessel’s Swiss-based owner and operator, MSC, will also dedicate a second ship, MSC Opera, to the Gulf region for the 2022/23 sailing season with a view to becoming the region’s number-one cruise line for holidays at sea.

From December, MSC World Europa will be based in the UAE, offering seven-night cruises from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Sir Bani Yas Island, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha in Qatar.

MSC Opera will operate a different itinerary from Dubai and Abu Dhabi with visits to Sir Bani Yas Island, as well as Muscat and Khasab in Oman. The seven-night cruise finishes with an overnight stay in Dubai.

MSC World Europa is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France and will be delivered in October 2022 before she sets sail for the Arabian Gulf to operate cruises from December until March 2023.

The 2,626-cabin vessel will be able to accommodate up to 6,762 passengers and will be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), the first vessel in MSC Cruises’ fleet to use the cleanest fuel currently available at scale for ocean cruise ships.

MSC Cruises said shares the UAE’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and the LNG-powered MSC World Europa represents a major milestone in the company’s strategy to achieve its goal of eradicating carbon emissions.

Etihad Airways adopts Boeing digital solution to up B787 efficiency BOEING HAS BEEN selected to provide Etihad Airways with the

Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor digital solution for the carrier’s 787 Dreamliner fleet to optimise operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

Etihad has already found benefits from the use of FliteDeck Advisor. During a trial on several of its 787 Dreamliners, the airline found that the digital solution delivered cruise fuel savings of 1.4 per cent, saving an average of 350 kilograms of fuel and 1,100 kilograms of CO2 per flight.

Since 2019, Boeing and Etihad have collaborated on sustainability efforts focused on the airline’s B787 Dreamliner fleet, including on Etihad’s participation in Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator programme, where the FliteDeck Advisor solution was initially trialled. In 2021, the two companies renewed and expanded their sustainability alliance to focus on enhancing the efficiency of navigation and flight operations, airframe technologies and sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

With 39 Boeing Dreamliner airplanes currently in operation, Etihad is the largest operator in the Middle East of the 787, a family of airplanes designed with superior efficiency which allows airlines to profitably open new routes to fly people directly where they’d like to go in exceptional comfort.

Boeing’s strategy to decarbonise aerospace is focused on four key areas spanning fleet renewal, operational efficiency, renewable energy and advanced technology.

DID YOU KNOW? The 18 ‘energy trees’ around Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, are made from 97 per cent recycled steel, supporting more than 1,055 solar panels, while Terra, designed by UK studio Grimshaw, is topped with a 135-metre-wide solar-panelcovered canopy. The pavilion can generate up to 4 gigawatt hours of electricity a year — enough to power about 370 average households.

APRIL 2022

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Business travel, WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

the responsible way

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HOW AIRLINES AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANIES IN THE GULF ARE HELPING COMPANIES MEET SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS

Employee travel is one of the business world’s greatest contributors to carbon emissions APRIL 2022

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

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mployee travel is one of the business world’s greatest contributors to carbon emissions, dominated by car and air travel. This was clearly demonstrated during the pandemic, which halted most commuting and travel, resulting in global cardon emissions dropping seven per cent, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

With travel now resuming – to the office and to meetings and business events domestically and overseas – there is an opportunity for businesses to introduce and implement policies that prioritise sustainable travel.

However, evidence suggests uptake of such policies is patchy.

A recent report by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) found companies want to make their travel programmes more sustainable, with almost half (48 per cent) of those surveyed expecting an increased focus on the social and environmental impact of business travel post-pandemic.

But only 25 per cent cited social

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and environmental impact as one of their top three priorities and only one-third (35 per cent) have a sustainability programme that includes business travel.

GBTA found the most common practice was to measure the carbon footprint of all travel (58 per cent), but less than a quarter of those surveyed were implementing other sustainable travel measures.

Companies with large programmes were most likely to have a sustainable travel policy and to mandate sustainable suppliers, while those with mid-size programmes were more likely to use data to drive greener decisions.

While sustainable travel and actively seeking sustainable suppliers is not as common practice as it should be, in the GCC, key travel industry stakeholders, including airlines and Travel Management Companies (TMCs), are doing their utmost to help companies and their employees travel more responsibly and meet their carbon emission goals.

In the aviation sector, Abu Dhabibased Etihad Airways has earned a

ABOVE: Etihad’s Boeing 787 Greenliner LEFT: Employee travel is one of the business world’s greatest contributors to carbon emissions

reputation as a sustainability pioneer, having rolled out several groundbreaking initiatives over the past few years, most recently programmes that make it easy for corporates to offset their travel and meet their Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) targets.

“Most corporates have now netzero goals, but it’s hard to champion sustainability alone,” says Mariam Musallam AlQubaisi, Head of Sustainability and Business Excellence at Etihad Aviation Group (EAG).

“You can have more meaningful impact if you join hands with those who are like-minded; we need to do this together, and at Etihad, we work with our partners to help people make conscious choices.”

Choose Well

“As the national carrier of the UAE, we have a strong mandate to transition to maintain sustainable development, and Etihad has evolved into a carrier that is eco-friendly, without compromising on quality,” continues AlQubaisi.

APRIL 2022

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ABOVE: Emirates and GE Aviation will operate a B777 test flight with 100 per cent SAF later this year

“Rebounding from COVID, organisations worldwide are beginning to resume travel with the added pressure of reducing their carbon impact.”

Erik Magnuson, VP Product Management, Mobility & Payments, CWT

APRIL 2022

“We carry 90 million passengers annually; that’s the eyes and ears of a captive audience of 90 million people who we can educate to travel sustainably. This is reflected in our new slogan, ‘Choose Well’.”

Etihad’s overarching sustainability ambition is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and halve 2019 emissions by 2035.

Since 2019, the carrier has been working with Boeing and GE to test new green technologies – including the use of sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) and ecofriendly in-flight products, as well as optimising flight paths – on its Dreamliner fleet, with a speciallythemed Boeing 787 Greenliner at the helm.

At November’s Dubai Airshow, Etihad announced it would be complementing its Greenliner programme with a similar initiative

focused on maximising the opportunities presented by the inclusion of the Rolls Royce XWBpowered Airbus A350 fleet. The airline’s first A350 entered service at the end of last month.

Etihad has also received IATA Environmental Assessment stage 2 accreditation in four key operational areas: facilities management, flight operations, Etihad technical division, Etihad Catering Services.

The IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme is a blueprint for airlines to achieve sustainability in all air and ground operations.

These initiatives pave the way for Etihad’s sustainable growth, set benchmarks for other airlines, and of course, serve to reassure passengers that Etihad is doing its utmost to operate a green fleet in the air and on the ground.

Conscious Choices

Building on this momentum, the airline has recently ramped up its activities to help travellers and businesses make ‘green’ choices, providing options to reduce their carbon footprint.

In December, its loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, launched Conscious Choices, rewarding travellers with Tier Miles and additional benefits for carrying less baggage on board and offsetting their flights’ carbon emissions using Etihad Guest Miles.

In their daily lives, when not flying, members can earn Tier Miles by offsetting everyday emissions such as driving, cooling their home or cooking meals; donating miles to a green cause; and by purchasing sustainable products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

Hot off its heels, in January, Etihad launched Corporate Conscious

Choices, designed to facilitate and deliver corporate partner sustainability goals through carbon offsetting, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments and green surcharge fares.

The programme specifically targets organisations committed to reducing emissions and operating sustainably, with rewards and incentives designed to proactively support ESG initiatives and employee behaviour. Benefits span four core sustainability pillars: SAF Investment, Green Surcharges, Corporate Conscious Miles and Carbon Offsets.

This was quickly followed by the February launch of the Etihad Mangrove Forest in collaboration with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (see page 13), offering guests, corporate accounts and partners the opportunity to adopt mangroves in Abu Dhabi to reduce their carbon footprint. Using a digital platform,

ABOVE: Etihad Mangrove Forest

the Etihad Mangrove Forest will enable guests and partners to invest in carbon removal for AED 18.5 (US$5) per mangrove, where the individual trees can be tracked online or through an app. The guest receives a unique tree code, geolocation, and virtual access to their tree for the next 10 years, with the option to gift the tree to their loved ones and name the tree to create a one-of-a-kind experience and bond. The Etihad Mangroves Forest site has been chosen specifically due to its protected status under the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, which guarantees its ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere for at least 100 years. Using the platform’s app, investors can ‘chat’ with their chatbot-enabled tree, while also being able to track every tree with satellite maps and access data, including CO2 consumption metrics, which can be tracked and offset against emissions.

APRIL 2022

“The value of a TMC is to consolidate this data from multiple sources, make sense of it, and provide trusted advice and recommendations for our customers to achieve their sustainability goals.”

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Savio Vaz, Vice President – Government & Corporate Travel at dnata Travel Group

Emirates tests new fuels

Fellow UAE airline Emirates is also mapping out its strategy in support of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) industry commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“We do this through investment in the newest generation of aircraft, which are set to be delivered from next year, maintaining a fleet of young aircraft that provide greater fuel efficiencies, supporting initiatives that contribute to the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and we intend to operate a Boeing 777 test flight on 100 per cent SAF later this year for future certification,” it says.

Emirates will partner with GE Aviation to conduct the test flight, operated by an Emirates Boeing 777300 ER, powered by GE90 engines, and is expected to demonstrate how widebody commercial aircraft using jet fuel made from alternative sources can lower lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels with no operational issues.

APRIL 2022

Emirates is also participating in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), as an interim strategy to address emissions that cannot yet be reduced by other means such as technology and SAF. The carrier says that while its current efforts are focused on reducing its own impact, it is looking into “various options to help those customers who would like to make more sustainable travel choices”.

“We are conscious that any programme that Emirates offers must be of high quality, transparent and verifiable,” adds the airline.

Like Etihad, Emirates acknowledges that in pursuit of net zero, “it is going to take the unified efforts of all stakeholders across the aviation and travel ecosystem to get there”.

TMC guidance takes centre stage

Travel Management Companies are playing a pivotal role in helping their clients make sustainable travel decisions.

For global Business Travel Management Company CWT, “seeking and surfacing environmentally responsible travel solutions is a primary focus”, according to Erik Magnuson, the firm’s VP Product Management, Mobility & Payments. “The company has offered robust sustainability analytics to its global customers for more than 10 years now and we continue to innovate in this space.”

In September 2020, CWT, which in the UAE is represented by CWT United Arab Emirates, independently owned and operated by Orient Travel, introduced responsible consulting to its clients, facilitated by its awardwinning ECO (Employee Climate & Organisation) framework.

“It provides guidance towards a truly balanced and sustainable approach to business travel,” says Magnuson. “Our recommended approach to responsible and sustainable travel to our clients is to remember their triple bottom line – People, Profit, Planet.

BELOW: Companies require a holistic view of the carbon emissions impact of their corporate travel programmes

ECO measures employee wellbeing, climate impact and organisational performance.

“Most organisations would measure cost for profit and carbon for planet, but the people element can often get left behind in reporting and decision making,” says Magnuson. “That is why we created a Traveller Wellbeing Index to numerically evaluate the impacts travel can have on an employee. This ensures that every recommendation or strategic change made to reduce climate impact will not have significant negative impacts on employee wellbeing, which we feel is critical in measuring sustainable success.”

In 2022, CWT plans to introduce built-in sustainability and traveller wellbeing initiatives.

This responds to customer demand for sustainability information at point-of-booking and to help reinforce responsible travel choices

S US TA I N A BI L I T Y

to their employees, with a CWT survey finding 87 per cent of global customers want this.

Net Zero targets

Magnuson says investors, employees and partners are scrutinising closer than ever before, a business’ targets and commitments to sustainability.

“Europe has led the way in sustainability standards and regulations, and we expect other regions to follow suit as demand for corporations to demonstrate tangible commitments increases in line with ‘net zero’ targets,” he says.

“Complete and accurate carbon reporting is therefore the number one tool for measuring sustainability progress and promoting best practices.”

CWT has developed a carbon emission calculation methodology specifically for travel and notes that once organisations have an

accurate CO2 data source and full understanding of their current travelrelated carbon footprint, they are “able to venture into more advanced levels of sustainability management”.

“For example, CWT helps deliver goal tracking and predictive analytics modelling to clients around their travel volumes and carbon footprint. Rebounding from COVID, organisations worldwide are beginning to resume travel with the added pressure of reducing their carbon impact.”

Magnuson says CWT’s clients are becoming much more sustainable travel policy savvy, with a global survey conducted last year revealing 67 per cent of customers acknowledged sustainability goals as more important since the pandemic.

Building on this momentum, educating CWT’s customer counsellor community to effectively guide clients to develop the right policy components now is a focus, adds Magnuson, and to ensure they are housed within the TMC system, so they are accurately reflected at the point of booking.

Making the right supplier choices is crucial too, notes Magnuson.

“That’s becoming table stakes in what customers are expecting,” he says. “We recently launched an innovative offsetting programme with Etihad however, we are working with all carriers in the region and globally by helping our client’s access and choose suppliers against a common sustainability standard to establish a responsible travel programme.”

Data-driven results

Thinking on a similar wavelength, Savio Vaz, Vice President – Government & Corporate Travel at dnata Travel Group, part of the Emirates Group, says “purchasing corporate travel is a complex process, which includes multiple stakeholders and suppliers in the value chain”.

“Our approach at dnata Travel Management is to review every element of the customer journey, from airlines, hotels, transport providers, and others, to see how we can

proactively drive positive change with suppliers and align to global standards when it comes to CO2 tracking and reporting,” he says.

“We are very proud our destination management division is a Travelifeaccredited partner, giving further creditability to the sustainable offerings we are providing to our customers across the board. We have also partnered with preferred technology providers to offer seamless hybrid meetings and events.”

Sustainable travel policy guidance is a key focus at dnata Travel Group, he notes, with account management teams providing information and guidelines around direct routes, working with greener fleets and suppliers, and providing green travel options at the time of booking.

“We can also support our customers to accurately track travelrelated emissions baseline and future emissions targets. With this in mind, we are in the process of creating a ‘green’ dashboard for our customers through our online travel reporting solution, Travel Insight. This reporting enhancement will provide deeper insights into the key drivers that contribute to emissions, based on customer data. By making proactive changes to travel policies and traveller behaviour, our customers will have the ability to predict the positive impact that such changes will make on their emissions output.”

Vaz says the provision of quality data aligned to global standards will continue to remain a key priority for sustainable travel solutions in the foreseeable future.

“Customers require a holistic view of the carbon emissions impact of their corporate travel programmes.

This is only possible if suppliers can provide accurate and timely data, which meets a benchmark in terms of standards,” he says.

“The value of a TMC is to consolidate this data from multiple sources, make sense of it, and provide trusted advice and recommendations for our customers to achieve their sustainability goals.”

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OPINION

The importance of measuring the impact of investment on ESG factors Tom De Waele navigates the complicated world of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance for asset managers and their investor clients

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sset and wealth managers are finding it increasingly difficult to carve out an Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) strategy that will appeal to investors.

As investors and the broader public get more sophisticated about ESG matters, they are questioning the claims of commitment to sustainably invested assets and ostensibly sustainable products.

With the growing demand for ESGcompliant assets, more investors are concerned that their fund and wealth managers are only paying lip service to these themes. The ambition to stake out ESGfriendly territory may have even led some well-intentioned companies to overstate their actual commitments, Bain analysis shows, or at least push the boundaries of what investments could be considered sustainable. At the same time, the number of business press articles on greenwashing – conveying a misleading impression about how an asset is environmentally sound – has soared at a 147 per cent compound annual growth rate over the past three years.

Marketing efforts may miss the essence of sustainable finance, which boils down to acting with intention and measuring the effect of those actions. This situation stems in part from the lack of common reporting and audit standards – there is simply too much room for interpretation of ‘sustainable’ investments. Elusive regulations and standards don’t help either. A portfolio manager could do every possible thing to focus on ESG and still be told that not enough has been done – or that what has been done doesn’t satisfy important stakeholders. It’s a pressing problem for asset management firms. By 2030, we would

TOM DE WAELE M A N A G I N G PA R T N E R , B A I N & C O M PA N Y MIDDLE EAST

argue, the measurable impact of investment on ESG factors will hold a similar level of importance to financial return and risk level, thereby complementing the traditional risk-return approach. Clients deserve solid information on progress in the ESG component in question, such as reduction of carbon emissions or water usage, enhancement of employee diversity, or transparency of governance.

Fund managers can’t ignore this push for information because the demand for ESG-related assets will only continue to expand as evidence accumulates of superior

There is simply too much room for interpretation of ‘sustainable’ investments

financial performance. Public companies with top ESG ratings, for example, tend to show higher than average multiples, suggesting the imbalanced demand/supply for ESG assets.

However, the growth of ESG-linked investments is running into limitations because of a dearth of standard metrics and the opaque methods used to derive ratings.

There are no global standards in ESG reporting, so ratings remain inconsistent, with the number of ESG factors used to derive them ranging from about 40 to 280, depending on the sponsor of the data set.

Moreover, established ESG ratings hardly allow for customisable evaluations at scale and rarely support thematic strategies. Many companies have thus developed their own methodologies, given these shortcomings.

Asset owners and investors also assign different relevance to specific ESG factors, with the greatest attention paid to environmental factors and governance; social factors tend to be less relevant. ESG factor measurability also varies widely.

Given the state of ESG definition and tracking, asset and wealth managers should start developing capabilities to quantify and report the impact of a given asset on a selected set of ESG factors.

They should focus on the factors most of their clients feel strongest about. For the other factors, fund managers could consider outsourcing to specialist firms that assemble a respective basket of assets.

Greenwashing might sound benign, but it can confuse investors and prevent them from supporting truly meaningful ESG initiatives. With more ESG marketing claims questioned by clients, asset and wealth management firms can no longer tout ESG without convincing evidence.

The solution to this strategic challenge lies in prioritising ESG factors for specific target clients and building an operating model that reliably quantifies the impact on those factors. Only then will fund managers be able to differentiate themselves and carve out a stronger, enduring position in the market – and move from marketing to real results.

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Dubai-based body transformation specialist Kirk Miller outlines his ‘Built to Last’ training approach that has helped hundreds of business leaders improve their fitness, mental health, nutrition and personal development

APRIL 2022

WELLNESS

TOP 10 TIPS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS

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op UK transformation specialist, Kirk Miller, has travelled all over the world to work with high-profile personalities such as the Gypsy Chef David Myers, actor and producer Mahesh Babu, and ABC News’ James Longman.

Over the past 22 years, the health and fitness guru has helped the world’s corporate giants, business leaders and athletes, using a custom ‘Built to Last’ approach to training that improves fitness, mental health, nutrition and personal development.

Having recently relocated to Dubai, Business Traveller Middle East put him through his paces to find out how highflyers can up their game.

What type of clients do you work with?

High performers, business leaders and celebrities. They are generally people at the top of their game who want to build the ultimate life for their family, friends and teams. They come to me to make sure their own personal standards with their mindset, body, health, confidence and energy are to the same standard as their career.

ABOVE: Kirk practices what he preaches LEFT: Kirk teaches business leaders a ‘Built to Last’ strategy for life

Why do clients choose to work with you?

They work with me because I deliver what they haven’t been able to achieve up to that point – lasting change. Just like business, anyone can have a great week or great month, but it’s pointless if you can’t sustain growth or success.

Improving mind, body and health is no different. Unfortunately, we can’t delegate sleep, eating better, moving our body or training more effectively.

The difference with me and my team is that we make sure the system that houses what our clients need to do, complements rather than complicates their personal, professional and social lifestyle.

Tell us about the ‘Built to Last’ approach – how do you teach lifestyle habits to last a lifetime?

I believe life is all about who you become and how much you can contribute along the way.

If we are not confident with how we feel internally and/or confident with how we look externally, we are leaving potential happiness on the table, and we will never maximise our impact in life. With ‘Built to Last’, we tick both boxes.

1. Do one thing that serves mind/body first thing in the morning, that sets you up to win for the day and is the catalyst for you feeling at your best.

2. Have a look at any hotel gyms before you travel so you can adapt workouts if needed.

3. Don’t end your workday without knowing when/where/ what to exercise the next day.

4. Don’t end your workday without knowing when/where you will get your steps in the next day.

5. Don’t end your workday without knowing when/where/ what you will eat (and who with) the next day.

6. Save more calories (at least 50 per cent daily allowance) for your evening meal when you are likely to be eating/drinking more at a restaurant.

7. Forward plan and pick from any menus ahead of schedule when eating out (don’t waste calories on sauces, dips or lots of oil).

8. Speak to hotels in advance to see if they can help you with any dietary requirements (ask and they will accommodate).

9. Have fun socially but never at the expense of how you want to feel emotionally or look physically the next day or two after (discipline).

10. Great question if ever stuck with decisions: ‘What would my best future self do/choose/ say in this situation?’

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A QUICK ‘BUILT TO LAST’ GUIDE FOR BUSINESS LEADERS FITNESS – daily and weekly 1. Schedule exercise as early as possible or take gym kit with you to remove friction to do it after work (think shorter sessions beats doing nothing and notice how good you feel!)

2. For your last work task or before bed, schedule for the next day: ■ When/where/what you will eat (and who with) ■ When/where you will walk ■ When/where/what to exercise What gets scheduled gets done 3. Set a weekly step target that’s more than your previous week (even if only 1,000 more). If you can’t do long walks, schedule shorter ones throughout the day. It will not only improve your fitness, but help with creativity, mood and focus when you return to a business activity.

MENTAL HEALTH – daily and weekly 1. Pick one thing that helps control your state first thing every morning, that helps your decisions and is the catalyst for you feeling at your best. It must serve your mind, body or both first thing so you are focusing on you and not someone else’s agenda.

2. Stay out of emails, WhatsApp, off socials, away from the news, first thing (they are other people’s agendas and can wait, even if 5 to 10 mins).

APRIL 2022

3. Anticipate days/times you feel stressed, anxious, bored, lonely or crave junk food most. Schedule a habit or activity you love doing at that time. This will help you counteract that negative feeling, and if you usually reach for food or booze, it will help you make smarter choices.

4. If struggling with visual fatigue and overuse of screens: Release tension and set intention between every major activity: ■ Close eyes for one to three minutes ■ Nasal breathing – four seconds in, four seconds out ■ Before opening your eyes, set an intention and feeling you want to bring to your next activity ■ Sleep more NUTRITION – weekly 1. Eat for energy. Look at the impact your food has and everything you eat as a vote for the energy you wish to live with.

2. Think of your food as currency. Pick a total weekly calorie budget in relation to your goals. For example, if you want to lose weight, make sure it’s a little less than your current weekly calorie consumption. (If you don’t know, log calories via MyFitnessPal with 100 per cent honesty for one week).

3. Then decide when/where do you want to

invest/eat more (which days)?

4. What days do you need to save more?

5. Which foods do you need to eat more of, to improve your energy?

6. Which foods do you need to remove or eat less of to protect your energy?

7. Think alcohol or added sugar/deserts (not both) if eating out. So don’t waste calories on sauces or dips.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - daily 1. Have a solid AM routine – practice gratitude and do one thing that serves mind/body first thing.

2. Speak out loud and/or write your why and mission statements every morning.

3. Use questions: Who do I want to be today? How can I make a difference and operate at my best? Why is this important to me?

4. Write the words, today, I am (finish at least one sentence with the person who you are trying to become).

5. Have a solid PM routine - reflect on wins, opportunities to improve, and things you can be grateful for.

6. Protect your environment: surround yourself with people who have the traits and habits that complement the health and energy you love, want and respect.

WELLNESS

The ‘Built to Last’ focus is on a constant state of improvement and week-on-week development, offering a detailed plan, world-class education, and full support throughout and accountability, which is second to none. The private Facebook community they are part of continually raises standards and pushes limits too.

This helps clients to get in the best physical and mental shape of their lives, but more importantly with the tools, awareness and knowledge to stay there year-round, every year.

For lifestyle habits to last lifetime, a deeper level of awareness and education is what’s needed and what we provide. A cookie cutter eight- or 12-week training and diet plan does not teach you this.

What are the common issues clients need help with?

Stress management from poor work/life balance and an all or nothing mentality.

These are without question the biggest culprits when it comes to problems with people in high powered positions.

This leads to erratic eating/drinking patterns (especially at weekends or after work) as a stress coping mechanism.

This can lead to weight gain, burnout, lack of energy for family and relationships, and confidence when leading or negotiating in business.

Clients tend to be very good at Dubai loves project managing business tasks, but being and having neglect project managing themselves. the best. It’s my This is what we help address.

How has the pandemic impacted client issues and priorities?

I believe the pandemic made clients evaluate their values, purpose and 100 per cent, their health.

They now realise there is no wealth, without their physical and mental health.

When charging through life it’s very easy to keep doing things that are meeting our needs short term, but not necessarily long term. Stopping to pause, made many of them pivot and create better systems for their business’, but now for their health also.

obsession to help anyone I meet to become their best

What have been the positive outcomes of your programmes for business leaders?

Gratefully so, I could write pages on this answer alone. It goes without saying they all take their mindset, body, confidence and energy to levels they had only previously dreamed of, after years of trying by themselves or with other coaches.

They become sharper in business and make more money by being more productive and focused with their decision making.

More significantly, those with families become better role models for their children and as they are happier within themselves, they become a better influence in their personal and professional relationships.

ABOVE: Kirk helps clients get in the best shape possible LEFT: Kirk has relocated to Dubai to help professionals reach peak performance

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What traits do top executives have that they can channel to achieve transformation?

All top executives, CEOs and genuine leaders I have coached are hard-working, obsessive, organised and highly focused.

These are all fundamental attributes anyone producing a world-class transformation needs. All these individuals need is a reminder and a training/food/movement management system (just like their business) they can channel these traits into, that guarantees progress.

What are you bringing to the Dubai community that’s new?

A unique personality, ruthless consistency staying in shape that has spanned more than 22 years, and a conveyor belt of success stories that fits the Dubai demographic.

The people of Dubai and business leaders here in particular, want to be successful, provide wealth for their family and want to look great without compromising their social life.

I believe I am as good as anyone on the planet with helping people achieve this. I understand what the community values and can provide the deeper level of awareness they need to take their happiness to another level with what they value most.

Dubai loves being and having the best. It’s my obsession to help anyone I meet to become their best.

Visit kirkmiller.co.uk APRIL 2022

WELLNESS

TRAIN LIKE A PRO IN SWITZERLAND F1 performance coach Mark Arnall has teamed up with Zermatt’s Hotel Zermama to offer guests a new elite fitness programme

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WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

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ark Arnall, the long-time personal trainer and sports therapist of F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen, has rolled out a new hotel fitness concept with Hotel Zermama in Zermatt, Switzerland, the launch property.

Mark Arnall TRAVEL F1T is based on his methods of keeping fit and ensuring Kimi, aka, the ‘Iceman’ and other F1 drivers remain in top shape while travelling around the world, staying in different hotels for around 240 days of the year.

Mark has created cutting-edge programmes on how to stay fit and healthy while travelling, incorporating exercise, nutrition, recovery, jetlag management, injury prevention and immune system support.

These elite solutions are available at Zermama from this spring, with a view to rolling out the concept in other properties globally.

“I’m really excited to bring these elite F1 fitness methods to a wider audience. I have lived and breathed this for the past 25 years so I know how hard it can be to stay fit and healthy on the road, but I also know that it’s possible and it doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Arnall.

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CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Mark Arnall; Mark Arnall and partner Tea Ros; Mark (far right) is trainer to F1 champs Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen (middle left and right)

Guests at Zermama will have access to Mark Arnall TRAVEL F1T programmes and equipment including: exercise and recovery equipment in all guest rooms; inroom workout and recovery programmes designed and instructed by Mark on all guestroom TVs; performanceenhancing food options such as F1 power bowls for breakfast, F1 signature superfoods for lunch/dinner and pit-stop refuel snack for après-ski; and recovery and immunity enhancing drinks created for and used by drivers such as Kimi.

Arnall will also be sharing his tips on how F1 drivers stay healthy while they are on the road to teach guests healthy habits.

Mark Arnall TRAVEL F1T is a joint venture with Tea Ros, Arnall’s life partner and hotel industry consultant.

Their mission is to improve hotel fitness solutions by offering elite experience-led programmes.

Hotel Zermama is a design and lifestyle mountain hotel, targeting “individualists, explorers and mountain lovers”.

It has 29 rooms, including two suites, each with a whirlpool; an all-day dining restaurant; a meeting place with cosy bar and fireplace; and a sun terrace with live music, ideal for après-ski.

It’s located opposite the Sunnegga funicular railway station in Zermatt, the perfect starting point for biking, hiking and skiing. markarnall.com, zermama.ch

The Future of International Travel

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Dine AlUla Home to world-class chefs and mouth-watering menus against a backdrop of spectacular scenery, AlUla is fast emerging as a Saudi gastronomic hotspot

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lUla’s restaurant scene is blossoming, thanks to growing demand for dining out by visitors and locals alike.

The ‘World’s Masterpiece’, which aims to attract two million visitors by 2035, has welcomed several new restaurants and hospitality outlets in the last year, 10 of which opened in the first two months of 2022.

From fine-dining experiences to farm-to-table concepts, here’s a glance at the new or freshly renovated restaurants and cafés you should check out in 2022.

APRIL 2022

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Myazu; Okto; Le Maschou; Sklt

Myazu

Located next to the pool at the Shaden resort, Myazu promises contemporary culinary art rooted in Japanese culture, blended with the most sophisticated international cuisine influences. The restaurant serves modern dishes made from the finest quality ingredients. The environment is luxurious and modern and for added entertainment, live DJs play every Thursday and Friday evening. Note, there is a SAR 500 minimum spend per person, so make sure you are hungry when you visit. shaden-resort.com

Okto

Okto is an upscale authentic Greek restaurant developed by top-rated chef Ntinos Fotinakis and located at the ‘edge of the Earth’ – at the top of a beautiful outlook area at Harrat Uwayrid. Arrive before sundown to soak up the sights and sounds of the golden hour at Harrat Viewpoint when the sky’s orange glow adds a magical touch to everything you see and do.

Stunning views and delicious food are perfect for sharing with family and friends at this special venue. Dietary needs can easily be accommodated, from vegan and vegetarian to glutenor dairy-free. mytable.sa

DINING

Tama at Habitas

Tama, meaning ‘here and now’ in Aramaic, is located at the Habitas eco-luxe resort in the Ashar Valley.

It is much more than a restaurant, embodying the essence of being present and keeping people in the here and now, which is a core value of the Habitas brand. The menu blends global and Middle Eastern cuisine, using local, fresh ingredients and spices once traded along the incense route, all sourced from local farms and communities, bringing Saudi Arabia’s unique flavours to life. myhabitas.com

Le Maschou

Le Maschou brings rich flavours and a sophisticated ambience from the old alleyways of France to AlUla. Diners are welcomed by a crackling fire, complemented by ambient music, designed to settle them in. The dreamy interiors are matched with superior homestyle cuisine including homemade country bread, a bresaola melon board and wood-fired grilled meats with Provençal herbs. mytable.sa

Maraya Social

One of Britain’s best-loved chefs and owner of multiple Michelinstarred restaurants worldwide, Jason Atherton has opened his latest restaurant in AlUla. It’s located on the rooftop of the world’s largest mirrored building, Maraya, and serves cuisine that takes inspiration from AlUla, with produce sourced from local farms, served with Atherton’s signature style. Maraya Social is open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday. Forward bookings are required. Valet parking is available. marayasocial.com

SKLT

Calling all meat eaters, SKLT opened in AlJadidah last month and tempts with high-quality cuts of meat, prepared and served on cast iron skillets. Sleek, stylish and fun, SKLT also has regular live music. experiencealula.com APRIL 2022

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Annabel’s AlUla

This exclusive venue, inspired by the famous Annabel’s private members club in London, is nestled among the date palms of Jabal Ikmah. This garden oasis, filled with citrus trees, palms and flowers, is a hidden gem, offering themed dining areas, a set menu, and AlUla-inspired cocktails that use locally sourced ingredients.

For groups of eight to 10 people, the private dining room offers a secluded space, covered by a canopy of tropical foliage. mytable.sa

Moon Shell

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Good vibes and organic food combine to create the perfect hangout spot in AlUla. Moon Shell is a peaceful café that serves delicious smoothie bowls, healthy dishes, fresh juices and the finest coffee. With playful dishes made from fruits, nuts and natural healthy sugars, Moon Shell makes vegan and vegetarian dining fun. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. experiencealula.com

Circolo

This authentic Italian restaurant, located in the beautiful AlJadidah District, which is bustling with art and activities, serves up a delicious menu of carefully crafted small plates, artisan pizzas from the wood-fired oven, and mains like citrus risotto and fried goat’s cheese salad with a blood orange dressing, black pasta lobster, and veal Milanese. Situated on the edge of the oasis, the valley and mountains provide a stunning backdrop, while the AlUla Oasis Trail is easy to access. mytable.sa

Acme

Acme’s signature burgers with colourful buns bring a fun new dining experience to AlUla’s Old Town, popular with adults and children alike. Menu favourites also include buffalo shrimp, plus healthy salads and vegan and vegetarian options.

Acme is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. acme.sa.com APRIL 2022

DINING

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Somewhere

A farm-to-table concept has popped up in the new AlJadidah Village (Cultural Oasis District), part of the AlUla Oasis. The farm with outdoor restaurant can host 200 people and is ideal for families and children who want to spend time enjoying authentic Mediterranean cuisine in the shade of swaying palms.

Somewhere is open from 4pm to 1am.

Walk-ins are welcome, and parking is complimentary. experiencealula.com

Pink Camel Pastry Boutique

Nestled amongst AlUla’s famous date palms and citrus trees, this authentic coffee shop with traditional wooden architecture and floors offers terracestyle seating and recycled paper menus. It serves delicious coffee and pastries, as well as healthy soups and

salads, and vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. experiencealula.com

Wacafe

Pair mouthwatering croissants and scrumptious cinnamon rolls with meticulously crafted lattes and strong cold brews at Wacafe in AlUla Old Town. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. wacafe.sa

Le Moulin Bakery

Delicate French pastries and fresh coffee are served all day long at Le Moulin Bakery in AlUla’s Old Town.

Inspired by sophisticated French cafés, the bakery’s delicacies range from flakey croissants and moist cakes to classic madeleines. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. experiencealula.com

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Salt overlooks the iconic Elephant Rock; Wacafe; Circolo; Somewhere

Salt

Salt is taking its food truck inspired menu off-road, parking its latest branch in front of AlUla’s iconic Elephant Rock. For juicy burgers and rich creamy shakes with a view, Salt is the place. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. Parking is complimentary at Elephant Rock. experiencealula.com

Entrecôte Café de Paris

Entrecôte is the newest fine-dining venue in AlUla Old Town. Hailing from Geneva, the Parisian-style restaurant is famous for its ‘Café de Paris’ sauce, developed by famous Chef Boubier in 1930 with the recipe remaining top secret, even today.

The restaurant, known for its simple but excellent single menu formula, opened for reservations last month. entrecote.me APRIL 2022

OPINION

Homes for hire Anna Skigin, CEO of property management firm, Frank Porter, says now is the best time to consider listing your property for short-term rental ANNA SKIGIN C E O, F R A N K P O R T E R

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ne thing many of us have learned over the past two years is that doing things differently can be a very good thing. While change is hard, changes that lead to new benefits become exciting. As the world begins to open, people are looking forward to new travel opportunities and new adventures.

And that means that now is the best time to consider something new: listing your home for short-term rental.

Short-term rentals put the homeowner in charge Here’s how it works. You list your home for let on booking platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. As part of that listing, you decide availability. We recommend times when you are away on holiday with your family so you can get paid while you are travelling.

If you like getting paid without doing any work, just have a property management company such as Frank Porter take care of all the details for you. You will get paid and come back to a home that’s perfectly clean and ready to welcome you back.

There are no minimums for booking platforms, so even if you only want to have your home booked for a week or a few weekends a year, you can still enjoy the rewards.

Safe spaces with minimal contact encourage bookings Since the beginning of the pandemic, short-term rentals have increased in popularity. Having access to a private residence and all its amenities makes guests feel safer. They have control over their

environment, and don’t need to worry about sharing hallways and spaces with strangers.

Many also love being able to relax in a private garden or on a balcony and give their children the freedom to stretch their legs without having contact with others.

Dubai also remains a destination for medical procedures. These medical tourism guests love the safety and comfort that a short-term rental provides and are always grateful for the benefits that Airbnbs and VRBOs offer. For those who need special

Since the beginning of the pandemic, short-term rentals have increased in popularity

to provide the maximum protection for themselves and their guests. This programme is another way that short-term rentals give people the confidence to travel without worrying about cleanliness and safety.

Remote work employees love short-term rentals With people continuing to work remotely, short-term rentals have enjoyed a new surge in popularity. After all, if you can work from anywhere, why not choose a new place every few weeks?

Remote employees make great guests. They appreciate the amenities that come with short-term lets while bringing revenue to local areas. When they find a place they love, they tend to rebook for another visit—it’s a great way to expand your income with guests while keeping in mind the dates when you are willing to make your home available.

And finally But perhaps the best reason that now is the time for short-term rentals is that there is no pressure. You’re always in control of when or if your property is available. It provides homeowners with total flexibility. And if you decide you no longer want to rent out your home, you can simply remove your listing.

diets or are not able to dine out in restaurants, having access to a private kitchen is ideal. It’s also great for families who don’t want to chase busy children around a restaurant.

And then there are the cleaning protocols.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Airbnb adopted an Enhanced Clean Programme.

These protocols give hosts very clear guidelines on how to clean their property

ABOUT FRANK PORTER Dubai-based Frank Porter Airbnb management services takes the hassle out of renting out your property on Airbnb and similar platforms, so you can sit back, relax and count your dirhams.

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Back to nat u re Etihad Airways, in collaboration with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, has launched the Etihad Mangrove Forest, enabling guests, corporate accounts and partners to adopt mangroves in Abu Dhabi to reduce their carbon footprint.

It is the culmination of multiple joint programmes between Etihad, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Jubail Island, The Storey Group and other partners to support mangrove conservation projects in the nation and develop new carbon sinks and natural resources to remove carbon from the atmosphere following the ‘Abu Dhabi for the World’ principle. Using a digital platform, the Etihad Mangrove Forest will enable guests and partners to invest in carbon removal for AED 18.5 (US$5) per mangrove, where the

individual trees can be tracked online or through an app.

The guest receives a unique tree code, geolocation, and virtual access to their tree for the next 10 years, with the option to gift the tree to their loved ones and name the tree to create a one-of-a-kind experience and bond. The Etihad Mangroves Forest site has been chosen specifically due to its protected status under the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, which guarantees its ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere for at least 100 years. Using the platform’s app, investors can ‘chat’ with their chatbot-enabled tree.

They can also track every tree with satellite maps and access data, including CO2 consumption metrics, which can be offset against emissions. Gemma Greenwood

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The UAE in pictures 38

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Winning shots from the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ photography competition

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he 2022 edition of the World’s Coolest Winter campaign highlighted the wonderfully diverse cultural and natural landmarks of the UAE and increased awareness of the variety of tourism activities on offer during the nation’s winter season.

Encapsulating the UAE in all its glory were the stunning winning images of the World’s Coolest Winter photography competition, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA) in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office.

The competition, which ran from December 20, 2021, to January 20, 2022, featured two main categories – One Photo, which was open to the public, and Portfolio, which was exclusive to professional photographers. During that one-month period, the competition registered more than 2,800 submissions by 2,176 participants from 89 countries.

Photo submissions were evaluated by a panel of expert judges with international awards for creative photography and photojournalism, including John Stanmeyer, whose photos were featured on more than 14 covers of National Geographic magazine and 18 covers of TIME magazine, co-founder of VII Photo Agency, and recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Robert Capa award and POYi Magazine Photographer of the Year; Canadian Photographer Barbara Davidson, three-time Pulitzer and Emmy Award winning photographer and a Guggenheim Fellow recipient; and Shadi Nasri, a photographer specialising in night photography, natural landscapes, and fine art landscape photograph, as well as a renowned trainer in space photography with several tutorial videos online. Here are some of the winning images.

APRIL 2022

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4 PORTFOLIO CATEGORY 1. Omar Almarzouqi from the UAE, winner of the UAE in Your Eyes category 2. Rahul Bansal from India, winner of the UAE Wildlife category 3. Tittu Thomas from India, winner of the Faces from the UAE 4. Crisencio Bernabe from the Philippines, winner of UAE Street Life

PHOTOGRAPHY 5

6 ONE PHOTO CATEGORY 5. Maurizio Casula from Italy, winner of the Desert category 6. Abdalla Mohamed Alraeesi from UAE, winner of the Mountains category 7. Ajay Ghosh Ramachandran from India, winner of the Emirates from Above category 8. Jason Balaba from Philippines, winner of the Sea category 9. Khaled Alkindi from the UAE, winner of the Valleys category

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D E S T I N AT I O N

Comeback

city

LARRY GIBSON/ISTOCK

Now that the US has fully reopened to most travellers, the City of Angels is set to put on a dazzling show for visitors in the post-Covid era, with a host of new openings, exhibitions and events

APRIL 2022

WORDS LAURA MILLAR

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Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Miracle Mile What do Dorothy’s red slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars’ R2-D2, and a 7.6m-long fibreglass great white shark called Bruce – last seen in Jaws – have in common? They’re just some of the compelling exhibits at the new seven-storey, 2,800 sqm museum run by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, otherwise known as the people who hand out Oscars. And you’ll see plenty of those little gold figures, too; 20 of them are gathered in a trophy room – including Clark Gable’s best actor award for It Happened One Night – while you can also experience a simulation of what it would be like to receive your own (remember to keep that gushing speech brief ). Permanent and temporary exhibitions cover the mechanics of movie-making, selected directors and film genres.

■ Sunday–Thursday, 10am to 6pm; Friday–Saturday, 10am to 8pm; academymuseum.org/en/

THIS PAGE: Oscar statuettes and the red slippers from The Wizard of Oz on show at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures APRIL 2022

D E S T I N AT I O N

The Broad Downtown With its avant-garde architecture, you’d expect the contents of this contemporary art museum in downtown LA to be equally arresting. While the permanent collection includes works by painter Jasper Johns, sculptor Jeff Koons and photographer Cindy Sherman, currently you can also view exhibitions of pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

Events, talks and performances are often scheduled – from a DJ set to cutting-edge ballet or a feminist poetry reading.

■ Wednesday–Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday, Sunday, 10am to 5pm; thebroad.org

Grammy Museum South Park If music is your jam, the Grammy Museum will definitely be your bag; exhibits take you through the history of music, musical genres, and the Grammys themselves (the name comes from the word ‘gramophone’, a small gold-plated model of which all winners receive). Fancy yourself a budding producer or recording artist? Interactive activities let you experience mixing technology and play with instruments, and there are performances, seminars and classes to choose from, as well as occasional musician meet-and-greets. You can even record your own singing or rapping track, and remix it to produce a cover of various pop songs (unlikely to trouble the Top 40, but you never know…).

■ Sunday–Friday, 12pm to 5pm; Saturday, 11am to 6pm; grammymuseum.org

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APRIL 2022

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Burbank WBSTH took advantage of pandemic shutdowns to expand its already impressive offering and unveil a host of new experiences for avid film buffs. The tour itself highlights almost 100 years of TV and film-making at the studio since it started as a cinema chain in 1923 (its evolution is showcased in a special exhibit, ‘Storytelling Showcase’). En route, channel your inner Monica or Chandler with a stop off at the Central Perk set from Friends, or visit Sheldon’s apartment set from The Big Bang Theory. There’s also a new grand finale, ‘Action and Magic Made Here’, which features the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series – think props, costumes and ’grammable photo ops – and the DC Universe, where you can explore the new Batcave, and check out three incarnations of the Batmobile. Geek heaven.

■ Thursday–Monday, 9am to 3.30pm; wbstudiotour.com

LACMA Miracle Mile

SoFi Stadium Tours Inglewood

It’s almost worth coming to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art just for what’s outside it: ‘Urban Light’ is a striking sculpture made up of 202 restored cast-iron antique street lamps, which come into their own at night. If you do manage to make it through the front door, a regular succession of captivating exhibitions keeps things interesting. April sees the launch of Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse (until October 9) – a delve into the life and world of the creative fashion genius, while both Francophiles and cinephiles will be drawn to City of Cinema: Paris 1850-1907 (runs until July 10), which explores how film emerged there as a visual culture.

■ Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 11am to 6pm; Friday, 11am to 8pm; Saturday, Sunday, 10am to 7pm; lacma.org

Having hosted the mighty Super Bowl on February 13, SoFi Stadium – home to the LA Chargers and LA Rams – will (hopefully) become even more prominent on the sporting scene. Last May, they introduced tours of the stadium, the biggest in the NFL, and one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the world – just check out its revolutionary Infinity Screen, a 360°, 6,500 sqm, dual-sided video board, which means every single fan attending can be immersed in the action. The tour will give you a feel of what it’s like to be a player on game day, run through a player tunnel onto the field, and even test out your (American) football skills before comparing how you fared with the pros.

■ Tours available on certain dates only; check for details at sofistadium.com/stadium-tours/

Running until June 5 at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s offshoot site is an edgy exhibition consisting of sculptures and video installations by Swiss media artist Pipilotti Rist. Never heard of her? Well, she likes to provoke; the unusual, oversized chandelier hanging above the ticket desk is made not only from underpants, but used ones, while one of her video works depicts a woman shattering the windows of parked cars. We like her style.

■ ‘Pipilotti Rist: Big Heartedness, Be My Neighbor’, Thursday–Sunday, 11am to 5pm; moca.org/visit/geffen-contemporary

ELON SCHOENHOLZ PHOTOGRAPHY 2015; 2020 GETTY IMAGES

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Little Tokyo

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D E S T I N AT I O N

Citizen Public Market Culver City A fairly recent addition to the Los Angeles food scene, the ongoing evolution of new restaurants within its halls makes Citizen Public Market one of the most exciting venues to open during the pandemic. It’s located in an attractive building which used to house the district’s Citizen Publishing Company.

There’s an alluring rooftop terrace (perfect for watching the sun set), 650 sqm of space and, currently, seven food outlets. From killer coffee and freshly baked pastries at Goodboybob, to sustainably-produced seafood at The Jolly Oyster or tacos galore at Mexicology, you’ll find something delicious to sate those jetlagged snack cravings.

■ Monday, 8am to 4pm; Tuesday–Sunday, 8am to 9pm; citizenpublicmarket.com

Girl and The Goat Arts District Renowned Chicago chef Stephanie Izard has opened a replica of her East Coast restaurant in an airy, glass-fronted brick building in one of the hottest neighbourhoods in town. And yes, goat does feature on the menu, in the form of goat liver mousse, and a Cali take on goat curry, with pickled veggies. Elsewhere, Asian ingredients, including yuzu and gochujang, pep up dishes such as lamb sirloin skewers and beef short rib.

■ Monday–Thursday, 5pm to 10pm; Friday, Saturday, 5pm to 11pm; Sunday, 10am to 2pm /5pm to 10pm; girlandthegoat.com/los-angeles

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■ For more info, visit discoverlosangeles.com and visitcalifornia.com

ANTHONY TAHLIER

Mother Wolf Hollywood Chef Evan Funke honed his pasta-making craft in Bologna, and first brought his glamorous take on Italian food to his restaurant Felix, in Venice (not the one in Italy). Now he’s just opened this Insta-friendly space – think vast globe lighting, mirrored pillars and giant pink booths – with a menu that’s an homage to Roman cuisine, from fried artichokes to cacio e pepe.

Order a negroni, follow it with a crispy pizza margherita, and imagine you’re on the Piazza del Popolo.

■ Tuesday–Thursday, 5.30pm to 9pm; Friday, 5.30pm to 10pm; Saturday, 5pm to 10pm; motherwolfla.com APRIL 2022

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RE A L E S TATE I N V E S T M E N T

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4 HOURS IN...

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New York: SoHo WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

Downtown New York has plenty to offer, from historic architecture to Mexican cuisine and independent cinemas

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ARCHITECTURE

The section of Lower Manhattan draws its name from its location south of Houston Street, a boho-chic locale which boasts cobblestoned streets and the world’s largest concentration of cast-iron structures. The area bounded

by Broadway, West Broadway, Canal Street, Howard Street, Crosby Street, East Houston Street and West Houston Street was designated the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District in 1973 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Cast iron was used for construction in the mid to late 1800s as a strong and affordable alternative to granite and marble. The spacious interiors, high ceilings and large windows appealed to artists in the 1960s and 1970s, who transformed

SoHo’s abandoned warehouses and factories into loft studios. Nowadays, high-end boutiques and galleries fill the walls. One of the best examples of the architecture is the EV Haughwout Building on the corner of Broome Street and Broadway. Built in 1857, it features two cast-iron street fronts and was home to the world’s first steam-powered, hydraulic, passenger elevator by Elisha Graves Otis.

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HOUSING WORKS

From EV Haughwout, walk northeast on Broadway until you reach Prince Street and then take a quick right and immediate left onto Crosby Street, until you reach Housing Works Bookshop at number 126.

This community bookshop raises funds for the namesake charity which

helps those living with and affected

by HIV/AIDS. The social enterprise was founded in 1993 and drew its name from its mission: to provide housing to HIV-positive people and end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through advocacy, the provision of life-saving services and funding from entrepreneurial businesses. This beautiful wood-clad bookshop is one such example of this, featuring everything from graphic novels to book proofs and a fifty cent cart. All books have been donated and the staff is almost entirely made up of volunteers, with 100 per cent of profits funding the charity’s services.

Winding staircases take you to further books on the mezzanine level while posters of benefit concerts and the beaming ‘Bar’ sign at the (temporarily

2 closed) café at the back of the shop give an idea of the lively events held in pre-Covid times. The charity also has a number of thrift shops throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, including one next door to the bookshop. housingworks.org

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TACO TIME

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SHOPPING

SoHo is synonymous with shopping – from high-end luxury boutiques, such as Chanel and Prada, to department stores and independent outlets. On the expensive side, check out the 279 sqm Lanvin boutique at 150 Mercer Street with its original exposed brick walls and clothes arranged against a 22 metre-long mural inspired by classical myths from British interior designer Luke Edward Hall. Indie bookstore McNally Jackson at 52 Prince Street offers a great range of literary works, including a section dedicated to New York books, while its sister store, Goods for the Study at 234 Mulberry Street, has a beautiful selection of stationery materials.

For a variety of brands, head to the downtown department store Bloomingdale’s, located in the former Canal Jeans building on Broadway, and leave with your purchases in the recognisable little brown bags. Plus, if you didn’t get a chance to visit the MoMA, a shop at 81 Spring Street sells contemporary home furnishings and gifts.

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ANGELIKA FILM CENTER

It’s been a difficult 24 months for cinemas, but film buffs have kept this iconic multiscreen theatre going.

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The Angelika Film Center occupies The Cable Building on the corner of Houston Street and Mercer Street.

It is renowned for its arthouse, independent and international films.

The Manhattan cinema opened in 1989 and has since expanded to Dallas and Plano in Texas, Fairfax in Virginia, Washington DC and San Diego. Cinemagoers can enjoy films with a craft beer or glass of wine alongside snacks from New Yorkbased suppliers. When you return home, you can rent or buy films on the Angelika Anywhere streaming platform. In-house February showings include Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or nominee The Worst Person In The World, a Norwegian film from director Joachim Trier. Tickets from US$18. angelikafilmcenter.com

NYC AND COMPANY; WDSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES; ROMAN TIRASPOLSKY/GETTY IMAGES

Return to Prince Street and take a right onto Lafayette Street, continuing until you spot the red LED ‘Corner’ light and retro façade of La Esquina, a Mexican venue on the corner of Lafayette and Kenmare Street. At first glance, the colourful flagship site on the edge of the Nolita neighbourhood is a bustling street-level taqueria with a takeaway counter, but hidden below is a dimly lit, dungeon-like brasserie accessed via an ‘employees only’ door.

Those looking for a quick bite should stick to tacos and quesadillas upstairs, while the generous rice bowls are prime for takeaway – filled with black beans, avocado, queso fresco, pico de gallo and salsa – topped with a choice of grilled fish, pork carnitas, adobo roasted chicken, grilled shrimp, ribeye steak or a sunny-side-up egg. If it’s an occasion, party subterranean-style with margaritas in the brick-walled restaurant. There are additional taquerias in Midtown and Uptown. esquinanyc.com

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APRIL 2022

Road to

recovery

It’s been a difficult time for Asian carriers. Business Traveller talks to Thai Airways as it charts its post-COVID flightpath

AV I AT I O N

WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

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APRIL 2022

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Thai Airways’ CCO Nond Kalinta speaking at the ‘Discover Brand New Sky’ seminar

t The Peninsula Bangkok’s Sakuntala Ballroom, the message was loud and clear: “Our willpower will generate the force we need to take off,” it said, as images of new generation aircraft and striking Thai landscapes were projected across the lavish room. The mission statement was part of a promotional video for Thai Airways International’s ‘Discover Brand New Sky’ seminar in early December, which reunited the company’s executive management team with local and overseas travel agents, travel trade and tourism partners, and a small number of international media for the first time in 18 months.

It was a highly optimistic occasion, with friendly faces (masked, of course) welcoming various delegates, and a sense of anticipation for 2022 following the country’s reopening to vaccinated travellers from 63 countries last November.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been tremendously difficult for all airlines but it came at an especially bad time for Thai Airways, which had been struggling financially since 2012, with debt ballooning to $12.3 billion in 2020. That year the airline posted a record loss of THB141.1 billion ($4.1 billion) and filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2020, with the Central Bankruptcy Court of Thailand approving a Rehabilitation Plan in June 2021 to fully restructure the company and regain profitability. The details of that rehabilitation plan – from cost-cutting measures and fleet efficiency to service improvements for business class passengers – will decide whether the carrier can indeed prosper in 2022 and beyond.

Before the onset of the Omicron variant in late November 2021, things were looking up for Thai Airways thanks to the reopening of the country and long-awaited return of tourism – see our feature on

The airline is replacing ageing aircraft with new generation and fuel-efficient models

FABIAN GYSEL/GETTY IMAGES

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the Test and Go and Sandbox schemes at businesstraveller. com/features. October marked the company’s highest operating revenue in 18 months, and the first nine months of 2021 had seen it post a net profit of THB51 billion ($1.47 billion), in large part due to “debt restructuring, sales of asset and organisation restructuring”, since revenue had slumped by 66.1 per cent compared to 2020, though with a smaller operating loss – THB21.5 billion ($626 million) compared with THB34 billion ($991 million) in 2020.

“Thai Airways is now healthier and leaner due to our aggressive cost-cutting measures and vigorous business reorganisation,” says Nond Kalinta, the company’s chief APRIL 2022

ABOVE: A Thai Airways International aircraft coming in to land

commercial officer. The company has undergone rigorous measures to ensure its survival, namely cutting its workforce by half and managerial levels by 35 per cent, leaving just 14,900 employees from the original 29,500 recorded in 2019. Along with staffing redundancies, the airline is also reducing its fleet size, replacing ageing aircraft with new generation and fuel-efficient models. It is in the process of selling 24 aircraft and terminating leasing agreements on 16 jets, leaving 58 aircraft across four aircraft types rather than the original nine. The current fleet includes three different widebodies – B777s, A350s, B787s – and 20 narrowbody A320s used exclusively for its regional subsidiary, Thai Smile.

New aircraft are coming: an additional three B777-300s will be delivered this year, and these will mark the return of the airline’s Royal First Class product, which had been removed last year when it retired its A380 and B747-400 aircraft. However, it is reported that the airline’s focus will remain on its business and economy cabins.

“I think that makes most sense because given the Thai market [and] given our customer profile, first class doesn’t really pay off. It’s not financially viable,” says Piyasvasti Amranand, administrator of the carrier’s Rehabilitation Plan and former president of Thai Airways International.

First class will therefore only be available on three of the 58 aircraft in the fleet.

AV I AT I O N

THIS PAGE: A plane taking off from Bangkok International Airport; A view of Bangkok at dusk

Newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft promise fewer emissions and the company hopes to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) when it is financially healthy to do so.

“Thailand is in a very good place to introduce SAF in the future with all the raw materials here,” says Amranand, who is also chairman of petrochemical company PTTGC. The company professes that “people and planet come before profit” but realistically, it does not currently have the means to be as innovative as some of its competitors.

LOW PRICES

Cost-cutting measures mean that the airline can introduce competitive fares which are dynamic to market demand.

“In the past we reduced price to get more customers and we made losses. But our cost base is really quite different now,” says Amranand. The reduction of the monthly personnel cost to THB600 million ($17.43 million), and a restructured fleet, aircraft lease and engine negotiation process saved the company a further THB23 billion ($652 million). “That’s why we’re confident that we’ll be able to make our fares competitive,” he adds. There is more information to come on this, but the airline plans to unbundle economy fares this year, charging additional fees for features such as baggage and seat selection.

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MJ_PROTOTYPE/GETTY IMAGES; VICHIEN PETCHMAI/GETTY IMAGES

After almost two years of flight cancellations amid travel restrictions, the airline and its sister carrier are flying to 28 international destinations from its main hub at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. Its eyes are firmly on Europe this year, which remains the carrier’s top market with particularly high demand from the UK and Germany.

“The flights in Europe will be our main bread and butter to support our revenue,” says Korakot Chatasingha, the company’s director of sales.

As such, the airline increased from four to nine destinations in Europe (London, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Milan, Munich, Paris and Zurich), with 32 flights per week in the first quarter of the year compared to 27 at the end of 2021. Its membership of Star Alliance will also help in transporting customers to gateway cities. Although traffic in Asia is still almost at a standstill due to border closures, the airline plans to operate 100 weekly flights to 19 destinations in the region, an increase from 38 weekly flights to nine destinations last year. Indeed, flights from Bangkok to Singapore under the Vaccinated Travel Lane arrangement launched

‘Business travellers need the flexibility in terms of conditions of fare, and frequency’

ANDREW LINSCOTT/GETTY IMAGES; WISAN224/GETTY IMAGES

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just before Omicron hit. Passengers can also use the airline’s partner All Nippon Airways to connect to transpacific destinations in Japan, Seoul and soon Taipei. There will also be daily flights to Sydney in the first quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, the airline will rely on its sister carrier Thai Smile for short- and medium-haul flights in Indochina and southeast Asia. The budget carrier flies to 13 domestic destinations, including popular destinations such as Chiang Mai and Phuket, and is now expanding its international reach. In December it launched flights to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and has plans to increase its network to 16 further destinations including Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Colombo. “At the moment, our main duty is to connect Thai Airways to the [regional] network,” says Viset Sontichai, acting chief executive at Thai Smile. The problem, however, is that European passengers can’t immediately connect to the carrier’s domestic destinations due to the Test and Go requirements – customers must stay overnight upon arrival in a designated hotel until they receive a negative PCR test result. “We’ll have to make sure the connectivity is seamless and that’s something we are working on,” says Amranand. The eagerly awaited introduction of antigen testing rather than lengthy PCR protocols is key to this – it had been planned for the end of last year but postponed due to the arrival of Omicron.

BUSINESS TRAVEL

With business travel recovery lagging, the company is targeting the faster recovery of leisure travel, aided by the country’s reopening strategy which favours beach destinations – travellers can visit several destinations APRIL 2022

THIS PAGE: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport; a Thai food market

across Thailand as part of the Sandbox scheme. At the moment, the airline is facing an imbalance of traffic, with low demand for Bangkok and more bookings for beach locations such as Phuket. For this reason, at the time of writing there are three weekly London-Phuket-Bangkok flights which, from my experience, empty when you briefly stop on the island. To make the most of the leisure traffic, the airline also plans to launch an ‘island hopping’ scheme in partnership with regional airline Bangkok Airways, allowing European customers to connect via Phuket or Bangkok with Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.

Nonetheless, the company is not ignoring business travel and plans to tailor its product to fit three factors which it believes to be important in the coming year: safety, realtime access to information, and bleisure.

The main issue, however, is that the airline’s Royal Silk Class (business class) is already full on many of its flights from Europe despite business travel largely being on hold.

The absence of first class (until this year) means that cabins are populated by leisure customers willing to pay more for a premium experience. As such, there have been instances where business travellers have flown with Middle Eastern carriers instead.

For those contemplating switching to a Middle Eastern carrier, the management team urges customers to recognise the value of Thai Airways’ nonstop flights from Europe. They speak of the convenience for passengers, a lower risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the elimination of transit, and reduction of CO2 emissions with just one take-off and one landing. With British Airways recently suspending all flights to Bangkok until October 2022, customers from the UK also have limited options for nonstop travel to the Thai capital.

How will the company fare when business travel eventually returns?

“Business travellers need the flexibility in terms of conditions of fare, and in terms of the frequency.

We are planning to accommodate that requirement,” says Kittiphong Sansomboon, executive director customer, brand and marketing. Frequencies are increasing in the first quarter of the year, with the example of the LondonBangkok route increasing from three-times-weekly to daily, though many of these developments will unfortunately take longer due to the onset of the Omicron variant and tightening of travel restrictions.

AV I AT I O N

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

Business class customers are also looking for high-quality service, something that Thai Airways admits has been lacking in recent times. Financial difficulties during the pandemic meant that the company was unable to pay for in-flight entertainment, booking agents and call centres, while lounges too were forced to close because of the fall in passenger numbers. Thankfully these services have returned over the past few months, though improvements are still needed. There is very little choice in terms of films, and customers are still having issues contacting the airline – our readers have voiced their frustrations on the forum (see businesstraveller.com/forums/topic/thaiairways-tantrums/). Amranand assures me that the team are working on these failings, stating that the company “was really caught unaware of the government policy to open up the country” while also adding that government restrictions have a part to play in downgraded service. He cites the “totally ridiculous” regulation which banned the serving of ice until recently, plastic covering on meals, and the lack of magazine and newspapers (which were replaced by an e-magazine in January) as examples.

“We think it’s time to reassess ourselves, who we are and what our brand personality and brand value is,” says Sansomboon. He’s

extremely enthusiastic about the new services on-board. While the airline does not have the budget to compete with flagship carriers on its wine offerings, it has used its creative juices to come up with an alternative, partnering with Chiang Rai’s Doi Tung Café brand to create a drip coffee specially for Thai Airways. ‘Black Silk Blend’, a play on the airline’s ‘Smooth as Silk’ slogan, launched in January and is being served exclusively to business class passengers, with plans to introduce it in the lounges, too. A coffee menu paired with a bespoke music playlist is also forthcoming. “We want to be a good craft café in the sky,” Sansomboon explains.

Those who don’t like coffee will be pleased to hear that the airline has also launched a series of signature cocktails, which include the gin-based 89 Aviation Spritz (with a purple hue to reflect the airline’s colour scheme), rum-based Smooth as Silk, and vodka-based Bangkok Noir.

Meanwhile, the airline is finally adapting to the modern era, introducing digitalisation to improve the customer experience. Business class passengers can now pre-select their meals ahead of flights, though this service is currently only available from Bangkok.

From my experience, the IFE system also needs updating as a section for the food menu simply brings you to a page saying it is unavailable. Instead, you are offered the choice between two mains by the cabin

staff at the start of the flight, but there’s no information on the other elements of the meal – it’s a bit of a guessing game – and there’s no drinks menu either. See our Tried and Tested reviews of the airline’s Royal Silk Class at businesstraveller.com/triedand-tested-category/airlines/. In order to compete with other long-haul carriers, such service issues will need to be ironed out and Thai Airways certainly endeavours to do so.

A DEGREE OF NORMAL

The Omicron variant had only just appeared during my visit to Thailand, not yet having triggered lockdowns or entry restrictions.

At the time, the company was keeping a close eye on developments, but Amranand reiterated that “quarantine is the worst thing” as it deters travellers.

Once things return to a degree of normal, Thailand will again see a return of tourists as well as business travellers with dealings in the region, though it will take years for the country to return to the 40 million visitors seen in 2019. Passenger traffic at Suvarnabhumi airport is predicted to recover in just over two years’ time, according to figures from AOT and IATA, with 66 million passengers expected in mid-2024 compared to 65 million in 2019. It is hoped that Thai Airways will be ready to reap the rewards once this takes place thanks to competitive pricing, improved customer service and a more manageable fleet. We’ll raise a toast of coffee in the meantime.

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I’m sexy The Ferrari Roma is a real beauty, inside and out

and I know it

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

CARS

LEFT: Signature Italian styling BOTTOM: The Roma is authentically Ferrari

A

s you have probably gathered by my headline, I’m all about the good looks, and let me tell you, the Ferrari Roma is a real stunner. When I walked out of the Ferrari showroom on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, this beauty – which is also a beast on the road – stopped me in my tracks.

Mine was white, which I think accentuated this coupé’s sleek and sublime form. Modern, yet timeless elegance epitomise the refined design of the latest model of the Prancing Horse’s Ferrari Roma, released around 18 months ago, but as showstopping today as it was at launch.

In Maranello’s words, its signature Italian styling is a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of 1950s and ‘60s Rome, from which it takes its evocative name. It’s authentically Ferrari,

that’s for sure, and if you like to turn heads, this does the job nicely.

Performance

Now, let’s talk performance and the many nuances that make the Roma unique. Ferrari’s engineers have gone to town with some leading-edge technologies, including a mobile rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen, designed to retain the car’s formal elegance when retracted and to guarantee the downforce essential for the Ferrari Roma’s extraordinary performance by automatically deploying at high speeds.

And then there’s the V8 turbo engine that punches out 620 cv at 7,500 rpm, making it the most powerful in its segment. A member of the V8 family that has won the International Engine of the Year four years in a row, it features Variable Boost Management for instantaneous throttle response. This was something

I noticed. There was definitely no lag, with 0-100 km/h effortlessly achieved in 3.4 seconds. Keep pushing it for 9.3 seconds and you’ll hit that 200 km/h. I did this once, on a quiet road, between speed cameras, on my way to Ras Al Khaimah. To feel the raw power and relentless speed was thrilling, to say the least. The moment lasted a few seconds, but I won’t forget them.

And we all like the roar of a meaty sports exhaust right? Well, meticulous attention has been paid to the sound of the Roma’s exhaust system. It has been completely redesigned, removing the silencers and introducing new bypass valves, so everyone can hear you coming, that’s for sure.

The nitty gritty

To get into a few more of the technicalities, the Roma’s new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is more compact and 6kg lighter than its 7-speed

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CARS

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predecessor. As well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions, shifts are faster and smoother, which makes the car even more responsive on the open road, but also especially comfortable in town and during stop-and-start driving situations.

While I haven’t driven the previous Roma model, I have driven the Portofino around Dubai, and the comparison in terms of response and shifts was noticeable.

The Roma was less growly, jerky and clunky. While both offer flexibility – they are just as good on long touring journeys as they are popping to the shops – the Roma offers a superior driving experience in my humble opinion. It was just so easy – and relaxing – to drive.

Its versatility meant a trip down to Expo 2020 was just as pleasant a driving experience as navigating traffic around the trade centre and DIFC to reach Dubai Mall.

It was simple to park too – the cameras and sensors do their job nicely, so there is no room for human error at all. It’s also really agile – tight responsive steering, which I like.

APRIL 2022

If you do take it on a long journey, don’t worry too much about when you will need to fill it up – the fueltank capacity is 80 litres (around 550km worth) and the car was surprisingly economical.

When I drove the Portofino, I bemoaned the fact it didn’t have a cup holder. I always carry a coffee or water, so this really put me off. Fortunately, the Roma has one in the centre console – and there’s a slot next to it for your ultra-cool Ferrari key too.

So are there any downsides? Apart from the paddles on the steering wheel to shift gears manually, or into neutral; the little reverse button; the dial common to all Ferraris to shift between comfort to sports to race mode; and the handbrake lever, all other functions were touch-screen. It takes a while to fathom this all out – you need to spend a good few hours pressing and pushing things – plus on occasions, it was glitchy.

Also, when you’re on the phone (hands-free of course), when you indicate, you sometimes unwittingly touch the panel on the steering wheel that cuts off your call.

One last thing. Do not expect to take this on a long holiday or road trip unless you travel extremely lightly.

The boot capacity is just 272 litres and did not fit my Samsonite case. My luggage ended up being my front-seat passenger from hotel to hotel.

Would I buy one?

If it was in my budget, then hell yeah.

This ticks all my boxes (once the kids flee the nest). It’s agile, moves with finesse, is ridiculously stylish inside and out (did I mention the sumptuous Ferrari red leather interior?) and it’s fun, but effortless to drive. I would be nipping to the gym and the shops in this little number, and then giggle with glee on the freeways of the UAE, or any other country for that matter. The strapline for the Roma is La Nuova Dolce Vita – the next-generation sweet life; it’s quintessential Italian style with Prancing Horse power wrapped up in the most exquisite packaging, with a nod to a bygone era, but with all the tech that brings it firmly to the present.

Life certainly doesn’t get much sweeter than when you are behind the wheel of this absolute beaut.

ABOVE: It’s agile and moves with finesse RIGHT: The Roma is a versatile everyday sports car TOP LEFT: A classic Ferrari red-andblack interior with modern touchscreen technology

AT A GLANCE Engine type: V8 - 90° turbo Max. power output*: 456 kW (620 cv) at 5750 - 7500 rpm Max. torque: 760 Nm at 3000 - 5750 rpm Max. engine speed: 7500 rpm Boot capacity: 272 litres/ 345 litres Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres Gearbox: 8-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox 0-100 km/h: 3.4 seconds 0-200 km/h: 9.3 seconds Max. speed: > 320 km/h

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HOTEL LISTINGS

HOTELS COLLECTION

B u s i n e s s Tr a v e l l e r M i d d l e E a s t m a g a z i n e i s a v a i l a b l e i n a l l o f t h e s e e x c l u s i v e h o t e l s

GRAND MILLENNIUM DUBAI HOTEL

MIRFA HOTEL

WALDORF ASTORIA RAS AL KHAIMAH

DUBAI The 340-room five star hotel features awardwinning restaurants and bars, spa and health club, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, a magnificent ballroom and exceptional banquet facilities. +971 4 429 9999 reservations@grandmill-dubai.com grandmillenniumdubai.com

AL MARFA Away from the bustle of city life, overlooking the azure blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Mirfa Hotel offers 114 newly renovated rooms. The hotel provides excellent accommodation for the business and leisure traveller, state-of-the-art conference facilities, a fully equipped gym and ample parking. +971 2 8953009 rsvn@mirfahotel.com

RAS AL KHAIMAH Cradled by the Hajar Mountains, a championship golf course, sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is 50 minutes from Dubai Airport and brings true Waldorf service to the most alluring beachfront location in the UAE. +971 7 2035555 rasalkhaimah.info@waldorfastoria.com waldorfastoria.com/rasalkhaimah

CROWNE PLAZA MUSCAT OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

CROWNE PLAZA DEIRA, DUBAI

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, DUBAI

OMAN Adjacent to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, this 295-room hotel is an integral part of Madinat Al Irfan, a product of an exciting ambition to establish a new urban centre within Muscat. Situated 10 minutes from the new Muscat International Airport, Al Mouj and Muscat Hills Golf courses and overlooking a Wadi - a natural reserve and home to about 260 variety of Oman’s exotic birdlife during the season. +968 2425 2000 rooms.cpmuscatocec@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/muscatocec

DUBAI Located in the cultural heart of Dubai, Crowne Plaza Dubai – Deira lies at the convenient gateway between the old and new districts of the city. Featuring 300 guest rooms and suites, and an array of meeting rooms, 6 restaurants and bars, a dedicated and fully equipped fitness centre with outdoor swimming pool, the hotel is the perfect place for both leisure and business guests. +971 4 262 5555 cpdeira.info@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/deira

DUBAI The award-winning Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai offers luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining and gracious hospitality in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The hotel’s 302 superbly appointed rooms and suites offer a combination of traditional luxury and modern functionality. Spatial elegance, awesome views and thoughtfully selected furnishings create an experience of unparalleled style and comfort. +971 4 3438888 shangri-la.com/dubai

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the

eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

■ Hyde Hotel Dubai

■ Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi

■ Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre

■ Mimi Kakushi, Dubai

■ Canopy by Hilton London City

■ Pendry Manhattan West

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■ 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

BEST FOR Dining experiences

Hyde Hotel Dubai B A C K G R O U N D Hyde is a lifestyle brand created by sbe in the US and now part of the Accor portfolio under its joint venture with Ennismore. Hyde Dubai, which opened in early 2022, is envisaged as a dining destination for guests and the community – a place to visit for a casual breakfast or coffee, a business lunch, after-work drinks with colleagues or clients, and fine-dining at global Japanese concept Katsuya, which recently hosted royalty for lunch; Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan.

PRICE From AED 994 ($205) per night in March

CONTACT sbe.com/hotels/ hyde/dubai

The standout venue is Katsuya of worldwide fame

described as a ‘hydeaway for the in the know’, and this is true of Hyde Dubai, which as a newcomer, is a hidden gem. Having said that, it was at 100 per cent occupancy when I stayed there, so those “in the know” are obviously spreading the word. It has a laidback lifestyle vibe, with the lobby area setting the tone with quirky design touches ranging from the ‘Anything can happen’ slogan adorning the flower wall at the entrance, to the abstract wall coverings and giant gorilla statues. Originally built as serviced apartments, to be operated by another high-end brand before Hyde jumped on the opportunity to make its name in Dubai, the rooms and suites exude classic modern luxury.

R O O M S I stayed in a standard ‘Hyde Away’ room and a ‘Hyde Me’ junior suite, both with an outdoor balcony, dark luxurious furniture, a work desk/dressing table, and large bathrooms with wonderful – and powerful – walk-in rain showers (the suite had a bath too) and very comfortable kingsized beds. Both offered a coffee machine, complimentary water, a mini bar, robes, and high-quality bathroom amenities by (Malin+Goetz), which stood out for their moisturising impact. The standard room, ideal for a business trip, was very spacious, with a small coffee table and chairs, while the suite was generously sized, with a sofa, coffee table and an outdoor balcony with sunbed, table and chairs, and outstanding views of the Burj Khalifa and Business Bay with its canals and impressive skyline.

W H E R E I S I T ? In bustling Business

F O O D A N D D R I N K This is where Hyde

Bay, with Marassi Drive on one side and the canal on the other. It’s easily accessible from Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road; Downtown Dubai and DIFC are close by; and Dubai International just 10-15 minutes by road.

excels. The standout venue is Katsuya of worldwide fame and the first in the UAE, serving high-quality contemporary Japanese, complemented by stunning views of Business Bay and Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building globally, which

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Hyde properties are

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DON’T MISS Lunch or dinner at Katsuya with Burj Khalifa views

APRIL 2022

lit up at night is a true spectacle. Menu highlights for me were the truffle edamame gyoza, eggplant with miso glaze and the miso-glazed black cod with kobe-style rice. As a palate refresher, the matcha mochi (green tea Japanese ice cream), was wonderful. Breakfast at Cleo is a buffet, but you order your coffee and eggs, just how you like them. The venue, next to the lobby, with outdoor seating available, serves Levantine cuisine at lunch and dinner. For coffee, snacks, sandwiches, snacks and pastries, The Perq, also by the lobby, is a grab-and-go concept, or you can have table service outside by the canal.

B U S I N E S S Five meeting rooms and a 190 sqm ballroom, plus plenty of spaces to work in the lobby, dining venues and at the desk in each room.

L E I S U R E An outdoor pool, ideal for laps, with sunbeds and Burj views, plus a gym that’s well-equipped with cardio and strength training kit, and the Cinq Mondes Spa with five treatment rooms. You can also have a nice stroll along the canal.

V E R D I C T Hyde ticks many boxes for business travellers. It’s convenient, the rooms are spacious and luxurious, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to set-up with your laptop, the leisure and business facilities are ample, and there’s the bonus of a fine-dining experience at Katsuya, which is a must-try whether you are an in-house guest or a Dubai resident.

The atmosphere is professional but laid back and the staff are friendly and helpful.

You feel at home, and so it gets the thumbs up from me. Gemma Greenwood

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

25hours Hotel Dubai One Central B A C K G R O U N D 25hours, an Accor brand under its joint venture with Ennismore, is known for its “individualised made-tomeasure hotels with personality in vibrant cities”, hence Dubai was the perfect location for its Middle East debut.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? It’s difficult to encapsulate the essence of this hotel succinctly, because it’s so different to anything else in this region. However, the ‘Come as you are’ slogan above the door speaks volumes for the 25hours vibe. It is purely lifestyle driven – you can walk in wearing what you like, to do what you like, whether it’s lounging in the swing chairs or

It is purely lifestyle driven – you can walk in wearing what you like, to do what you like sofas, grabbing something to read from the giant central fountain-style seating area, which is also a massive bookshelf, plugging in and emailing on the giant co-working table, grabbing a coffee indoors or outdoors – they merge into one in this magnificent space known as the 25hours Social Hub – or simply admiring the modern Bedouininspired décor and art with quirky touches everywhere. You need to see it to believe it, but I loved the almost psychedelic ceiling – look closely and you’ll spot a cartoon version of the man behind 25hours – Christoph Hoffman.

W H E R E I S I T ? It’s super convenient – on Trade Centre Street in Dubai One Central, within walking distance of Dubai World Trade Centre and opposite the new Museum of the Future (MOTF).

R O O M S I stayed in a funky 30sqm Bedouin Room, the design of which, as the name suggests, was modern Bedouin, with natural and earthy tones and special décor touches such as woven bags, mock artifacts, oldschool Dubai postcards, and nick-nacks like a chess set. Eco touches included

BEST FOR A fun business stay, for nomads at heart

DON’T MISS Drinks at Monkey Bar with city and MOTF views

PRICE From AED1,000 ($207) per night

CONTACT 25hours-hotels.com refillable bathroom amenities, while there was plenty of bottled (glass) water, tea, an innovative fresh coffee pouch concept and complimentary soft drinks and chocolate. A table and chair served as a work desk (with plenty of plugs) and a dressing table. There was a smart TV, king bed, rain shower, UE Boom Bluetooth speaker and a smart TV. It was fun, fresh and functional. Loved it. Oh yes, the view of MOTF was stunning.

F O O D A N D D R I N K There’s Tandoor

Tina, a fun and frivolous ‘younger daughter’ restaurant to London’s famous Tandoor Chop House. It’s northern Indian meets flame-oriented cooking, with a playful British twist. I loved the Indian version of a chicken Caesar salad. A buffet breakfast

is served here too. Other venues include Nomad Day Bar, an all-day café operated by local baristas Nightjar Coffee; Berlin import Monkey Bar on the top floor with museum views, monkey cages for groups, DJs, and Latin American-inspired food; and Ernst, a Bavarian Biergarten & Wirsthaus serving German beers on draught and house-baked pretzels and showing live sport.

B U S I N E S S A co-working table in the lobby and a dedicated co-working space with pantry on the first floor, plus three meeting rooms and two flexible venues where you can dine, work or party.

L E I S U R E A rooftop pool with MOTF

and city views, a indoor gym with outdoor training space, and The Extra Hour Spa. You can also rent Schindelhauer bikes.

V E R D I C T This is a busy – and buzzy – business hotel with a super cool nomadic theme. It’s perfect for a business stay, because you can work in social or quiet spaces, meet with colleagues or clients in the giant lobby or courtyard, or just sit back and enjoy the Dubai vibe, because this hotel really encapsulates the city’s dynamism, pursuit of the cutting-edge, and passion for innovation. I can’t think of a better place to ‘come home’ to after a day at the Trade Centre. Gemma Greenwood APRIL 2022

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi

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B A C K G R O U N D Fairmont Bab Al Bahr was the first Fairmont hotel to open in Abu Dhabi in 2009. The beachfront property has stunning views of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – a selling point that has stood the test of time with the hotel ranked 10th on the list of 25 of the most snap-worthy stays as part of TripAdvisor’s annual Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? “Fairmont Bab Al Bahr boasts a prime location at the mainland gateway to the cosmopolitan city of Abu Dhabi. With its striking, contemporary design, this hotel offers the highest level of comfort and elegance throughout its 369 rooms and suites,” says TripAdvisor in its description of the property. I agree; it’s a luxurious and comfortable hotel because it’s big on space and facilities and the entrance to the property, as well as its lobby, are grand, which create a real sense of arrival. What really makes this hotel stand out though, is its service. Staff are not only genuinely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, but intuitive.

W H E R E I S I T ? Known as the “hotel between the bridges”, this urban resort is situated between Al Maqta and Mussafa bridges (‘Bein Al Jesran’) on the creek at Khor Al Maqta. Abu Dhabi International Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

R O O M S I stayed in a Fairmont Gold View Room with creek and mosque views.

Fairmont Gold is the brand’s lifestyle hotel experience with extra privileges including complimentary Wi-Fi, twice daily APRIL 2022

housekeeping, a dedicated concierge and private dedicated check-in and checkout and butler service 24/7. Access to the Fairmont Gold lounge is included, but due to the pandemic, was closed during my stay. However, the Fairmont Gold area (floor seven with the best views) had lots of spaces to relax or work and admire the views. Complimentary breakfast was served in all-day dining venue Cuiscene and during my stay, the complimentary afternoon tea and sundowners were served in the Lobby Lounge and Marco’s New York Italian restaurant respectively. My room was spacious and comfortable with a great king-sized bed, large bathroom with walk-in shower and bathtub, a sofa, table, and work desk and chair, plenty of electrical sockets, and all the luxury in-room amenities I needed.

F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel offers nine venues and 24-hour in-room dining. Stand outs for me were dinner on the outdoor terrace at Majaz, with authentic Lebanese cuisine, shisha and a great atmosphere. Here, even a salad is a tasty feast, full of flavour and extras like warm bread and pickles.

Lunch at Marco’s was a refreshing experience because the service was truly personalised.

The fantastic host made menu suggestions cooked to suit my lifestyle preferences. She realised I like to keep fit and healthy, so asked the chef to grill my fish without the butter or sauce and prepared a special salad. I really appreciated it. Sundowners and snacks at

Staff are not only genuinely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, but intuitive the same venue, part of the Fairmont Gold experience (5pm-7pm), were a great start to the evening. Watching the sun set over the mosque was a special moment.

B U S I N E S S The flexible function space includes six meeting venues, an outdoor lawn and beach venue, and an elegant ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,100 guests.

L E I S U R E If you are into training, the

standalone gym, Volt Fitness, open to members and guests, is fantastic, with every piece of cardio and strength kit you could wish for. There’s also a large beach and a large pool with plenty of sunbeds around both, a kids’ club (closed at time of writing) and a beauty salon.

V E R D I C T You can seamlessly blend work and leisure into a stay at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, so it’s my kind of hotel. You have all the facilities you need to work, rest or play and I fitted in all three within my short stay.

Gemma Greenwood BEST FOR Bleisure and service

DON’T MISS Outside dining with Insta-worthy creek and mosque views

PRICE From AED525 ($143) per night

CONTACT Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi; +971 (0)2 654 333; babalbahr@fairmont.com

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

BEST FOR

Canopy by Hilton London City

Business or leisure

DON’T MISS Dinner at Penny Squares

PRICE

B A C K G R O U N D Hot off the heels of

Canopy by Hilton openings in Paris and Madrid in 2021, this London City property, with 340 rooms, launched in October.

Canopy is Hilton’s first eco-conscious lifestyle brand, designed as a neighbourhood spot where locals and guests can hang out.

For sustainable and economic benefit, two of the hotel’s three buildings have been reused in construction, while a green roof features solar panels and helps with passive heating.

There are 31 Canopy properties globally with 29 in development.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? There’s a distinct design edge. The exterior is modern and striking and as you step inside, there are quirky and imaginative nods to the East End, including its textile and arts scene. The brand’s mission to provide authentic spaces that are an extension to the neighbourhood shines here. An expansive lobby with bar and seating is inviting, and there are casual co-working areas that are private and social at the same time. The check-in was fast and friendly, with information on the hotel, including its design quirks and eco-conscious touches, provided.

W H E R E I S I T ? Set within the multimillion-pound Minories development, close to Aldgate station and withing walking distance of Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street stations. For business, the City of London is minutes away, and for leisure, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Thames are just up the road. Hip hangouts including Shoreditch are nearby.

It’s comfortable and convenient with a real sense of place R O O M S I loved this room due to the

design and thoughtful touches. It was spacious and modern with a comfy king bed, cosy sofa with furry throw and coffee table, the most gigantic in-room TV I’ve ever encountered, plus all the practical stuff – tea, coffee, iron and ironing board, mini bar, a Nespresso, tea, and instead of bottled

From £249 ($334)

CONTACT 11-15 Minories, London; hilton.com

water, a carafe that you fill at the mineral water station on the corridor. There was a huge walk-in shower and the bathroom door doubled up as a huge mirror. There were robes and slipper socks and plenty of electrical sockets to plug in devices.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Penny Squares is currently East London’s best-kept dining

secret, but I hope it doesn’t stay a secret for long because the chef here is outstanding.

East End inspired dishes (Arabic and Jewish flavours) made from local, sustainable ingredients were superb and very moorish.

There are dips to die for, small plates with punch, including beef cheek with zaatar and a crispy tempura-style cauliflower and stunning mains, with my favourite, the Tamarind cod. For breakfast, order poached eggs – the best I’ve had at any hotel – plus there is a hot and cold buffet. Other outlets including the Freedom Café, named after Freedom Press Publishing House in Whitechapel High Street, for drinks, snacks and cocktails in a chilled out social space that blends into the lobby. The hotel’s rooftop terrace, Florattica, is opening soon, promising uninterrupted views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London.

B U S I N E S S Flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces including Dunstan Den, a naturally lit room that can accommodate up to 40 guests, plus semi-private dining at the Retreat and Penny Squares.

L E I S U R E A 24-hour fitness centre

with cardio and strength equipment and complimentary Canopy bikes to explore the area.

V E R D I C T I couldn’t fault this property.

It’s comfortable and convenient with a real sense of place and has all the facilities you need for a great business o leisure stay. The service stands out – staff are friendly and very natural. If you fancy a chat, they will be up for it. It really does feel like you are part of the neighbourhood, so a business stay would be fun too. Gemma Greenwood APRIL 2022

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre B A C K G R O U N D Movenpick was originally a Swiss hotel brand dating back to the 1940s, well known for its restaurants. It expanded to 85 hotels worldwide and was bought by Accor in 2018, and so is now a member of the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) loyalty programme.

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W H E R E I S I T ? In the Eastern Docks area, about a 15-minute walk from Centraal Station to the waterfront of the river Ij. To one side of the hotel is the Muziekgebouw for classical music and the Bimhuis for jazz.

On the other side is the Cruise Passenger Terminal. It is a location I didn’t know before, but it is surprisingly central and very convenient for transport options, not least Eurostar, which is gradually increasing services from London.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel was opened around 15 years ago, designed by architects Claus en Kaan. It’s a solid block on the waterfront, with the Movenpick logo on top – useful if you are walking from Centraal Station as there is no chance of getting lost. In reception, there is a gift shop and seating area to the left, and the bar and one of the restaurants to the right.

Check-in was swift, and there are four lifts serving the 20 floors of the hotel. One of the major draws of this hotel is the views from the upper floors. Best of all are those looking back towards the Centraal Station and along the course of the wide river Ij, but they are all pretty special and very different

from what you would expect in Amsterdam being right in the heart of the 19th century port, albeit now redeveloped.

R O O M S The majority of the 408 rooms are a standard size (26 sqm) with the differences mainly in the views. There are 195 Classic rooms on the lower floors and 96 Superior rooms on the higher floors. On the 19th and 20th floors, 48 Executive rooms have better views and more amenities, such as a Nespresso coffee machine, and bathrobe and slippers. They also have access to the Executive Lounge on the second floor next to the Movenpick restaurant. Once Covid is behind us,

This is an excellent hotel with probably the best views of any hotel in Amsterdam breakfast will be served there along with drinks and snacks from 1700-1900. There are also 30 Junior Suites (38 sqm) and one Ambassador Suite on the third floor, which is 57 sqm. There are 38 rooms kitted out for the Movenpick Sleep Programme with soundproofing and adjustable beds – details at movenpick.com/en/europe/sleep Rooms have a split of showers or bath and shower combined, along with eco dispensers on the walls, though high category rooms also have individual toiletries. The refurbished rooms on floors 10-18 are extremely comfortable and have been very well designed. The work desk had three plug points, three USB charging points, an ethernet cable socket and a HDMI cable socket to connect a laptop to the large flat screen Samsung TV. There were further plugs on either side of the bed, including another USB charging point.

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L E I S U R E On the mezzanine floor is a

small gym with a sauna, which was closed at the time of writing because of Covid.

V E R D I C T This is an excellent hotel, centrally located and yet with probably the best views of any hotel in Amsterdam.

Perfect for arriving by Eurostar and with a quick connection from the station to Amsterdam Schiphol. Tom Otley BEST FOR The views and watching the passing ships going up and down the Ij

DON’T MISS Next to the hotel there is a cycle rental outlet – cycle out through the western docks away from cars, then cycle back into town like a local

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February 2022 started from $141 for a Classic King room

CONTACT Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre, Piet Heinkade 11, 1019 BR Amsterdam; +31 (0) 20 519 1200; movenpick.com

NICOLAS DUMONT

F O O D A N D D R I N K The Movenpick Restaurant on the second floor serves breakfast and, after Covid, evening meals.

For now breakfast is served there 06301030, and food is available at the ground floor bar from 1100-2200.

M E E T I N G S There are outstanding meeting facilities on the whole of the second floor, including an outdoor terrace with views across the river. The hotel has a strong emphasis on sustainability – a brochure can be downloaded from the hotel’s website detailing all its measures.

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Pendry Manhattan West B A C K G R O U N D This is the fifth Pendry Hotel from management company Montage International, joining properties in San Diego, Baltimore, West Hollywood and Chicago, with new ones for 2022, including Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf. It has a sister brand called Montage Hotels.

W H E R E I S I T ? Between Moynihan Train Hall and Hudson Yards in Manhattan West, an eight-acre and six-building mixed-use complex between 9th Avenue to 10th Avenue and 31st to 33rd Street. The hotel is on a corner of 33rd street and the pedestrianised Manhattan West Plaza.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Discreetly luxurious.

The entrance to the hotel is almost hidden by some small ornamental trees, giving it a residential feel. Doormen open the two sets of double glass doors and usher you into reception which features a fireplace.

There are floor-to-ceiling windows making this a bright and welcoming space, which isn’t always the case in New York hotels, particularly on the lower levels in canyons of shadows from the surrounding skyscrapers. The hotel has been designed by architectural design firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill with an undulating glass façade and interiors featuring art from Nancy Lorenz and John Wigmore. Staff are friendly, assured and professional. Room corridors have a golden glow to them and feel classic in a sort of art deco way, yet also very luxurious and modern.

R O O M S The hotel’s 164 rooms, including 30 suites, have interiors by Gachot Studios and range from 30 sqm to 118 sqm for the Pendry Suite. Rooms are on floors 6 to 21.

All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, and though views differ, for those facing the glass-faced building opposite, drawing the curtains is probably advisable. Entry level Deluxe City Kings are 30 sqm and have Fili d’Oro sheets, large LED smart HDTVs, a marble bathroom with a walk-in shower and Min New York amenities, while City Double Double rooms are 32 sqm and have two double-size beds. Alcove Studios

This is a boutique hotel that feels intimate and has the aura of a special secret are 34 sqm and then rooms on the higher floors (termed Skyline) have better views.

The lighting in the rooms by L’Observatoire International is beautiful, but not easy to use. There is complimentary tea and coffee in the room along with bottled water, and an extensive minibar.

F O O D A N D D R I N K On the ground floor just off reception, the Garden Room is good for working while sipping coffee

by Australian brand Vittoria. The space has lots of plants and benefits from the corner location with light coming in through the

floor-to-ceiling windows and feeling airy with its double-height ceiling and artworks, including John Wigmore’s white Moriki collage panels. Also on the ground floor, Bar Pendry has a high-end speakeasy feel to it, with a counter-height marble bar and a wall installation by New York-based abstract painter, Nancy Lorenz. There’s a large fireplace surrounded in floor-to-ceiling, oilrubbed bronze. The Vista Lounge is the allday dining venue with its own terrace, while Zou Zou’s is the signature restaurant, a 75seat modern Eastern Mediterranean eatery designed by AvroKo, with cooking from chefs Madeline Sperling and Juliana Latif. At the time of our stay it was days away from opening, but it looked inviting, with an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven, dark woods, off-white walls and vibrant blue and green tiles. The rooftop terrace and bar will open in early 2022, and is one to look forward to.

M E E T I N G S The hotel has 557 sqm of meeting space, including a ballroom, a breakout area with bar, a boardroom, and an outdoor terrace, one of four at the property on different levels.

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L E I S U R E There is a 24-hour, 158 sqm

fitness centre with Technogym equipment in one room and then a further movement studio for classes as well as the use of Peloton bikes.

V E R D I C T A boutique hotel that feels intimate and has the aura of a special secret, providing excellent service and situated in a great location. Tom Otley

BEST FOR The location right next to Hudson Yards in a hot new area of Manhattan

DON’T MISS Stepping out onto one of the terraces for stupendous views of New York

PRICE

CONTACT 438 W 33rd St, NY 10001; (212) 9337000; pendry.com/manhattan-west/

APRIL 2022

CHRISTIAN HORAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February 2022 started from US$548 for a Deluxe City King room

T R I E D & T E S T E D R E S TAU R A N T

Mimi Kakushi, Dubai B A C K G R O U N D Mimi Kakushi takes guests back in time to an age when jazz was swinging into 1920s Osaka, merging modern art and western fashion into the nightlife and street life of Japan. The space, imagined by the team behind La Cantine du Faubourg, Ninive and Twiggy by La Cantine, pays homage to the modernist Mavo movement, celebrating the radical and avant-garde. This artistic anarchy, that peaked in the 1920s, shattered conventions and confronted traditions, and that’s what the restaurant at Four Seasons has set out to do. It has succeeded, with the immersive restaurant and bar ranked 20th at the first MENA’s 50 Best Restaurant awards, staged in Abu Dhabi last month.

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W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Mimi Kakushi describes itself as Orient Nouveau – and that’s a good call. When you step inside, 1920s Japan beckons in an interior design masterpiece, with stunning décor dominated by tones of brown and gold that ooze authenticity. There is an air of intimacy, with fringed and sheer curtains, well-placed seating, including booths, so no matter where you sit, it feels private. Low-level lighting, palm-style Asian plants and bamboo touches in furnishings and menu holders set the classic-with-a-twist Japanese scene. There’s

APRIL 2022

HOURS Daily, 6pm to 2am; Friday and Saturday brunch from 12 noon to 4pm

LOCATION Restaurant Village, Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah, Dubai

CONTACT BOOK@MIMKAKUSHI.AE; +971 (0)4 379 4811; mimikakushi.ae

an air of laid-back sophistication combined with a buzz of excited diners who are thoroughly enjoying every bite.

T H E F O O D Mimi Kakushi claims to be

the best Japanese restaurant in Dubai and having dined at competing venues, I would argue that yes, it does have that edge.

Every dish was prepared and presented to perfection, packed with a fusion of wellbalanced delicate flavours. The menu theme is “playful twists to well-known Japanese classics”, and so hot and cold sharing plates of sashimi, sushi, tempura and gyoza are good starting points. My small-dish favourites included Wagyu beef tataki with yuzu daikon and truffle ponzu, which was melt in the mouth; crispy fried squid with jalapeno and Japanese curry dip, which was super moorish; while the miso-glazed eggplant, yuzu daikon and crispy sweet potato – both vegan and gluten-free – was bursting with flavour. The Wagyu and foie gras gyoza with pickled cucumber and truffle

This is contemporary Japanese fine dining at its best soy butter (pictured) is a top seller, but just as delicious was the miso-marinated black cod and tiger prawn with citrus miso gyoza.

Other popular dishes include larger plates such as oven-baked black cod or Kagoshima wagyu beef, and of course, dessert is a must.

There are many authentic Japanese options but highlights for me were mango and matcha cake with pina colada ice cream and mango tuile – there was nothing left on my plate as it was light, moist and refreshing. Of course, Mochi is a real palate cleanser and at Mimi, you get three delicious flavours – strawberry, mango and chocolate. I could not fault this cuisine – I just wish I’d had room for more.

T H E S E R V I C E It’s really on point. Waiting staff are courteous, professional, attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. They are happy to make suggestions to suit your palate and dietary requirements.

T H E W O R K S P A C E Best for a client

lunch; when you really want to pull out all the stops to impress.

V E R D I C T This is contemporary Japanese fine dining at its best and the place to wow your clients, or to enjoy a special meal with friends and family. Just plan your transport options carefully so you don’t get stuck waiting for your car, taxi or Uber at busy times. Gemma Greenwood