BTME - July/August 2021

MIDDLE EAST

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24 HOURS IN ABU DHABI

RE SE T RE TRE ATS

OF POWER & FAMILIARITY

PLUS

How to make the most of a day in the UAE's capital

Top resorts to recharge your batteries this summer

There's more to Washington, D.C. than just politics

Tried and Tested • World Wise • Responsible Traveller

S TAR S O F T R AVEL Industry leaders crowned at Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021

Exclusive interview with H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum UAE DHS12 OMAN RO1.30 BAHRAIN BD1.30 SAUDI ARABIA SR12 KUWAIT KD1

President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group

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30 Hotel Brands. Endless Experiences.

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CONTENTS

R E G UL A R S 06

T HE R EP OR T

UPFRONT

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

RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

60 Turkish Airlines Business Class A320-200 and B787-9 Dreamliner Beirut–Istanbul–Washington, D.C.

Airline and hotel news from around the world 18

Travel industry stakeholders driving sustainability initiatives 20

62 VIDA Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain

24 HOURS... IN ABU DHABI

From culture and nature to adventure, the emirate has it all

63 Address Beach, Dubai

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

An exclusive interview with Emirates founder HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

64 The Hidden Hog, DIFC, Dubai

24

TOP OF THEIR GAME

66

International lodging owneroperator, The Ascott Limited 38 THE APPEAL OF REMOTE WORKING IN THE UAE

The country has much to offer professionals says The American Legal Center, based in Dubai

RESET RETREATS

The top destinations to recharge your batteries this summer

54

32

65 Amazonico, DIFC, Dubai

32 A HOSPITALIT Y GAME-CHANGER

42

ON TH E C OVER

The winners of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021 are revealed

F E AT UR E S 14

COVER IMAGE: JOACHIM GUAY

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WORLD WISE

Amen to Amenities

48

OF POWER,BUT FAMILIARIT Y

There’s more to Washington, D.C. than just politics 54

42

A BOND CAR FOR THE FAMILY?

Sporty and functional, the Aston Martin DBX is an SUV promising style and performance

48 J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

3

WELCOME

T

he rebound of the global travel sector is well under way and the Gulf is playing a significant role in getting the industry back on its feet. As I write, new travel corridors are opening between countries regionally and internationally, and some are even offering quarantine-free travel, particularly for passengers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

This easing of restrictions is being reflected across airline networks, with Emirates, for example, now operating more than 280 weekly flights from Dubai to cities in Europe, the US, Middle East, Africa and popular Indian Ocean getaways (as of July 1).

The airline is also scaling up its IATA Travel Pass capabilities on several services, in addition to offering customers travelling from Dubai, paperless verification of COVID-19-related medical records through its partnership with the Dubai Health Authority.

Emirates has been a trailblazer of multiple initiatives designed to keep people flying during the pandemic and its commitment to customer care, as well as its ongoing improvements to the passenger experience, have not gone unnoticed by the travelling public, including you, our valued readers, whose votes won the airline three titles at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021.

They included ‘Best Airline Worldwide’, while Emirates’ hub, Dubai International airport (DXB), also bagged three gongs, notably winning the ‘Best Airport in the World’ at the online ceremony, which took place on May 25. This was not only testament to DXB’s more than six decades of operations, during which it has

served some 1.115 billion passengers travelling on more than 7.47 million flights, but its efforts to enhance the customer experience, transforming an airport into a destination in its own right.

There were many more travel industry leaders recognised at the 2021 awards (see pages 24-30) and what they all have in common is their dedication to being the ‘best in class’.

They continue to invest in their product and their people, strive for innovation, and never rest on their laurels. The pandemic, while immensely challenging, saw them all rise to the challenge. They embraced change, implemented world-class health and safety standards and all the while, made their customers feel valued – a timeless winning formula.

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards are now in their 19th year and in 2021, the programme, which celebrates the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives, have never been more relevant – or more deserved.

I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our winners and shortlisted companies for their dedication to the sector and to you, our readers, who cast your votes and made this year’s awards possible. I look forward to seeing you at the 2022 ceremony!

Gemma Greenwood, Editor

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

4

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 Melanie Swan, Allyson Portee, Barbara Beckley, Nat Barnes, Ramsay Qubein General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Assistant Production Manager Binu Purandaran Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Group Sales Manager Dane Hills 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

24 HOURS IN ABU DHABI From nature and culture to all-out desert fun and sun (Page 20)

BUSINESS TRAVELLER MIDDLE AWARDS 2021 The winners are revealed (Page 24)

RESET RETREATS Resorts and destinations where you can recharge your batteries this summer (Page 42)

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UPFRONT

NEW AND REINSTATED AIRLINE ROUTES UPDATE

6

EMIRATES RAMPS UP NETWORK COVERAGE AS TRAVEL CORRIDORS START TO OPEN THE OPENING OF TRAVEL corridors between

the UAE and multiple destinations has seen Emirates boost its network, with the carrier operating more than 280 weekly flights from Dubai across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean from July 1.

In Europe, Emirates passengers leaving Dubai can now access quarantine-free travel to Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Spain, and France (introduced on June 9).

In the Middle East, the carrier has expanded its flight schedules to Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain and Egypt and from July 2, more convenient travel options will be available to The Maldives, Seychelles, and Phuket in Asia and Kenya, Tanzania and Morocco in Arica.

Emirates is also now flying to 11 destinations

in the United States and will add Miami to its network on July 21.

The airline is also continuing to enhance its partnership with flydubai, stepping up its joint network and schedule to offer 48 cities across 33 countries with quarantine-free entry this summer, providing more options than any other airline in the region, it claims.

Emirates is also scaling up its IATA Travel Pass capabilities on its flights to Barcelona, Moscow, Istanbul, New York JFK, Madrid and from London Heathrow with plans to scale up across all of its flights by July, in addition to offering customers travelling from Dubai paperless verification of COVID-19 related medical records through its partnership with the Dubai Health Authority.

AIR ARABIA is launching the first ever service from Sharjah to Phuket and resuming services to Bishkek on July 2 AIR ARABIA ABU DHABI will fly to Sarajevo from July 12 AIR ARABIA EGYPT will introduce three new domestic routes from July 2: Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo, Alexandria to Hurghada and Cairo to Hurghada AIR CANADA has resumed its three-times weekly Dubai service EMIRATES will operate a new service to Miami from July 22 and is resuming services to Venice from July 1, to Phuket and Nice from July 2, to Lyon from July 9 and to Malta via Larnaca from July 14 FLYDUBAI is resuming flights to Naples, Italy from July 1 and will fly to the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos until September 29 FLYNAS is introducing non-stop services from Jeddah to the Seychelles from July 1 OMAN AIR has launched a seasonal service between Muscat and Tbilisi QATAR AIRWAYS is resuming flights to Sharjah and Phuket on July 1 and to Malaga on July 2 WIZZ AIR ABU DHABI will launch services to Chisinau, Moldova from Setpember 4

Naples

Ireland opens up to vaccinated GCC travellers THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND has announced the adoption of the EU’s new Digital COVID Certificate, which will be extended to vaccinated visitors from outside of the EU, including the GCC countries, from July 19. This means all travellers with approved vaccinations can visit Ireland without the need for a test or quarantining from that date. Approved vaccinations accepted for travel to Republic of Ireland include two doses of Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca and one dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen. Travellers from the GCC will be able to travel to Ireland provided they have received the full course of any one of these approved vaccinations. These rules apply to Republic of Ireland only and exclude Northern Ireland, which is subject to the UK government requirements.

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TIME TO MEET AGAIN: Have a healthy journey with all precautions taken down to the smallest detail for your in-flight safety.

FETHIYE

UPFRONT

Airline alliances call for universal travel standards

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ONEWORLD, SKYTEAM AND STAR ALLIANCE have urged governments to agree on a common set of travel and health standards to enable the safe reopening of borders. Ahead of June’s G7 meeting, the alliances called on the government “to lead the world in aligning to the following travel measures to reconnect travellers with the world, safely and securely”: ■ Fully vaccinated passengers being exempt from quarantine; ■ Accessible, affordable and consistent testing; ■ Digital processes to manage travel health credentials including vaccine and test certificates; ■ G7 states to agree to common requirements and standards for health credentials as set out by the World Health Organisation and International Civil Aviation Organisation; ■ Connecting passengers at airports not being subject to additional testing or quarantine restrictions at the point of transfer if remaining in the transit zone.

The alliances cited a recent OECD study estimating that international tourism declined by around 80 per cent in 2020 and warnings from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) that up to 174 million jobs could be at risk globally. “International air travel and tourism are vital to the global economy,” said CEOs Kristin Colvile (Skyteam), Rob Gurney (Oneworld) and Jeffrey Goh (Star Alliance).

“With considerable data now available to support government decisions in managing risks, decisive action from G7 members to open borders and support clear, consistent, and datadriven measures, would remove uncertainty, particularly around testing and quarantine.

“Vaccination will have a key role in the restart of international air travel and tourism.

We strongly advocate for governments to accept accredited vaccination as a safe and appropriate reason to avoid quarantines. In the meantime, while we wait for the global population to be substantially vaccinated, it is important to have robust and consistent testing protocols, along with interoperable digital solutions developed to facilitate the customer journey.”

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IATA URGES GLOBAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS TO MANAGE THE REOPENING OF BORDERS THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (IATA) has urged governments to make data-driven decisions to manage the risks of COVID-19 when reopening borders to international travel. Strategies without quarantine measures can enable international travel to restart with a low risk of introduction of COVID-19 to the travel destination, it has argued.

“Data can and should drive policies on restarting global travel that manage COVID-19 risks to protect populations, revive livelihoods and boost economies,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General last month ( June).

IATA has cited evidence from multiple sources proving that vaccinations protect travellers from serious illness and death and ensure there is a low risk of introducing the virus into destination countries. The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) has said “the likelihood of an infected vaccinated person transmitting the disease is currently assessed to be very low to low” while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) has stated that “with a 90 per cent effective vaccine, pre-travel testing, post-travel testing, and seven-day self-quarantine provide minimal additional benefit”. In addition, between February 25 and May 5, 202, 365,895 tests were conducted on passengers arriving to the UK who had been PCR negative before travel. Only 2.2 per cent tested positive for COVID-19 infection during universal quarantine measures after their arrival. Of these, more than half had travelled from so-called ‘red list’ countries considered very high risk. Removing them from the statistics would result in test positivity of 1.46 per cent. “Many governments continue to require universal quarantine—either hotel-managed or self-managed. This impedes the freedom of movement, discourages international travel and destroys employment in the travel and tourism sector. Data from the UK tells us that we can and must do better,” said Walsh.

Jazeera Airways launches Heathrow route JAZEERA AIRWAYS has launched a

weekly service (every Friday) between Kuwait and London Heathrow. It’s the first low-cost carrier from the Gulf to operate a direct service from the region to the UK capital. The route is being operated by an Airbus A320neo. Currently, only fully vaccinated Kuwaitis can travel into and out of Kuwait. A widening of entry permissions to Kuwait, to include all UK originating passengers who have been fully vaccinated, is under consideration.

UPFRONT

REGIONAL AIRLINE PARTNERSHIPS UPDATE

ALL ABOARD FOR EXPO 2020 DUBAI DUBAI METRO’S new Expo 2020 Station has been revealed by Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). It’s part of Route 2020, a 15-kilometre extension connecting Jebel Ali Station to the Expo 2020 site, passing through communities such as Discovery Gardens and Dubai Investments Park.

Situated at one of the four entrances to Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Station provides direct access to Dubai Exhibition Centre, while Al

Wasl Plaza, at the epicentre of Expo, is a short walk away, making this the ideal transportation option for Expo visitors. The Expo 2020 Station, which can accommodate a peak of 22,000 passengers per hour in each direction, is currently open only to Expo staff and those with permission to access the site.

Members of the public will be able to alight here from October 1, 2021, when Expo opens its doors to the world.

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ETIHAD AIRWAYS AND SAUDIA have launched a reciprocal loyalty agreement, expanding on the existing codeshare deal between the two. Members of the Etihad Guest and ALFURSAN programmes can now earn and redeem miles on flights across both carriers’ networks.

They can also earn Tier Miles and Tier Segments, enabling them progress to the next tier level faster, as well as earn miles on Etihad and SAUDIA codeshare flights.

OMAN AIR AND QATAR AIRWAYS have also expanded their codeshare partnership to cover more than 80 destinations on Qatar Airways’ network, providing more convenient travel options for both airlines’ passengers.

Qatar Airways launches on Huawei’s App Gallery QATAR AIRWAYS has launched its mobile app on Huawei’s official app distribution platform, AppGallery. The airline has collaborated with Huawei to offer mobile users in more than 170 countries an easier way to plan and manage their travel while limiting physical contact and interactions at all stages of their journey. Innovative features enable flight bookings to more than 1,500 destinations worldwide across Qatar Airways’ and partner airlines’ network. Passengers can check-in, use mobile a boarding pass, select preferred seating and dining, access fast-track luggage, and get the latest travel information.

A stylish Istanbul escape BOASTING BREATHTAKING views in the quiet yet vibrant new Maslak 147 neighbourhood, Somerset Maslak Istanbul is great place to escape this summer. The property, which offers studios, one-, two, three-, and four-bedroom serviced apartments and lifestyle amenities, including a swimming pool, gymnasium, breakfast lounge, business centre and a children’s playroom, has launched an ‘Escape in Style’ promotion . Book now at the-ascott.com/offers and receive a 25 per cent discount. Somerset Maslak Istanbul recently awarded the Travellers’ Choice 2021 by renowned travel company TripAdvisor, while parent company, The Ascott Limited, was crowned ‘Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East’ at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021 (see p26).

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MONDRIAN DOHA ,

A WONDERFUL STORY UNFOLDS AROUND EVERY TURN! Best Business hotel in Doha and the Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East at The Business Traveller Middle East 2021 www.mondrinadoha.com

@mondriandoha

UPFRONT

Marriott and Quintessentially unveil new collection of luxury experiences in MEA MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL has teamed up with Quintessentially to launch a collection of exclusive luxury travel experiences and bespoke holidays in the Middle East and Africa, available from now until August 31. They include a ‘Family Reunion in Abu Dhabi’ at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa with experiences ranging from guided kayaking adventures and cultural visits to Louvre Abu Dhabi to desert activities and a falconry show; a ‘Doha, the Art Capital of the Middle East’ journey with a stay at Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, private helicopter and private yacht tour and trips to Souq Waqif, the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf

the Arab Museum of Modern Art and Katara Cultural Village; and ‘Family Fun in Jeddah’, including a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, snorkeling and diving experiences, a chance to swim with the dolphins at Al Fakieh Aquarium and visits to the floating mosque, Balad, the city’s historic quarter and Souq Al Alawi.

Lastly, the ‘Sand, Sun and Skyscrapers in Dubai and Seychelles, combines stays at Bvlgari Resort Dubai and North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, with a desert safari, private astronomy and chef experiences in Dubai, and a cruise to La Digue with its iconic granite boulders that frame Anse Source d’Argent beach plus an islands boat trip. For more information on the options available, visit quintessentially.com/Marriott-experiences

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ELEVATED STAYS AT THE LANGHAM

E-SCOOTER YOUR WAY AROUND THE GULF

TO MARK ITS 156TH ANNIVERSARY, luxury hotel brand Langham Hotels & Resorts has launched a series of elevated experiences. They include top-suite stays at The Langham hotels in New York, London, Chicago, Boston, and Pasadena; Australianstyle adventures inclusive of helicopter jaunts over the Great Ocean Road in Victoria combined with hot air-ballooning in New South Wales; sailing down Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in a luxury yacht, topped off with Michelin-starred culinary experiences, private destination tours and more; and, for the ultimate experience, the chance to live like royalty at The Langham Nymphenburg Residence in Munich, featuring a direct view of the majestic 490-acre imperial estate of Nymphenburg Palace, with unique handcrafted porcelain art pieces in every room.

Part of the proceeds of the 156th anniversary elevated experiences will be donated to local charities to benefit the communities where The Langham hotels are located.

NEXT TIME YOU’RE in the UAE, Qatar or Bahrain, why not

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hire an e-scooter to get you around town?

After a successful pilot launch in Abu Dhabi, micro-mobility operator FENIX is now offering its MyFENIX private e-scooter services in seven cities, covering communities across Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Doha and Manama.

You do need to subscribe with subscription packages available via the FENIX mobile application, available on the iOS and Google Play stores. It’s an affordable mode of transport, with a weekly fee of AED 100 or a monthly fee of AED 200. The service is inclusive of unlimited rides, a smart app to lock and locate the scooter, and free maintenance with vehicle replacements in less than 24 hours. Users who subscribe for 24 months will permanently receive their e-scooter, as a no-commitment lease-to-own product. Users can rest assured that FENIX prioritises the health and safety of each commuter and every FENIX e-scooter is equipped with integrated hand sanitisation packs.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh Promising luxurious experiences

I

n the pulsating city of Riyadh that is filled with history, shopping malls and business opportunities, travellers and residents are sure to find themselves immersed in exciting experiences. Matching this vibrancy, the awardwinning Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh is an address that promises indulgent moments for travellers and residents alike.

Part of the prestigious portfolio of properties by leading international lodging owner-operator, The Ascott Limited, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh appeals to wealthy leisure and business guests.

Featuring studios and one- and two-bedroom serviced apartments, guests are welcomed to comfort and style in their own private sanctuaries.

Each apartment boasts spacious living and dining areas, as well as a fully equipped kitchenette, for a comprehensive living experience.

Ideal for short or long stays, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh offers an array of wellness, leisure and business amenities. These include separate swimming pools for men and women, a stateof-the-art gymnasium and sauna, prayer rooms, an interactive children’s play area and modern conference facilities. The property is also home to two of the city’s renowned dining venues, ‘Don Puro’ and ‘Opaline’, both offering delicious cuisine and situated on the ground floor.

As part of the brand’s Ascott Cares initiative, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh has received the accredited ‘Bureau Veritas’ label for its alignment

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh; there are two expansive outdoor pools; guests can relax in comfort and enjoy city views; living areas are spacious and stylish

to international health and safety protocols. The property also takes part in the recent partnership between Ascott and International SOS, offering guests complimentary teleservices for health, counselling and travel security advisory.

Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh was crowned ‘Saudi Arabia’s Leading Serviced Apartment 2020’ at the renowned World Travel Awards.

Those looking to book a short escape can now benefit from up to 25 per cent off on stays with the ‘Escape in Style’ promotion when they sign-up for the brand’s loyalty programme – Ascott Star Rewards. For bookings visit the-ascott.com/offers.

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TOP STRAP

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Onwards and upwards In an exclusive interview with Ian Fairservice for Business Traveller, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group, provides insight into the current and future state of travel and Emirates’ pivotal role in getting the industry back on track

S

LEFT: HH Sheikh Ahmed ABOVE: Sheikh Ahmed: “It’s essential for Dubai to remain open for international flows of goods and people” J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

heikh Ahmed on the economic outlook for Dubai and the travel sector in 2021

Dubai’s economy has weathered the pandemic impact well. We are in a strong position and recently reported double-digit economic growth in Q1 2021 compared to a year ago. This achievement was made possible by the government’s stimulus packages and proactive policies, which helped contain the pandemic and mitigate its repercussions on different sectors. It also shows the resilience of the Dubai economy, which has been built on years of investments in infrastructure across diverse sectors, supported by good governance.

As a global business hub for trade, travel and tourism, it’s essential for Dubai to remain open for international flows of goods and people. That is something that we managed to achieve much earlier than most other countries, again thanks to good policies, clear leadership and public-private

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

DUBAI TOURISM

sector co-operation. A year ago, in July 2020, Dubai already opened for business and international travellers with health and safety protocols in place. When vaccines became available, our nation rolled out one of the world’s most successful vaccination campaigns.

All of this contributes to creating high levels of global confidence in Dubai, attracting visitors, major trade events, as well as businesses and investments.

On summer expectations for travel

Countries are progressing with their vaccination programmes and implementing protocols for the safe resumption of international travel. Markets like the US, France, Italy, and popular holiday destinations like the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Phuket are now open for quarantine-free travel, and we have seen a corresponding spike in travel bookings.

To meet this demand, Emirates is boosting its summer schedules with additional flights layered onto high traffic routes. By the end of July, we will have restarted flights to half a dozen more cities, taking our network to 90 per cent of what it was pre-pandemic. Our A380s will be flying to 15 cities, and we will have launched a new destination in the US, Miami.

On the prospects of the UAE being removed from the UK’s red list

Unfortunately, the UK has not really expanded its green list since April, and the UAE is still on the red list. It is frustrating for aviation and travel companies, but more so for the many people who are desperate to see their families and travel for work. There are many business and community ties between the UAE and UK, and those

ABOVE: HH Sheikh Ahmed with Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-inChief at Motivate

who must travel between both countries are forced to do so via a third stopover point, which doesn’t make much sense from a pandemic control standpoint.

The UAE continues to have regular dialogue with the UK and we hope to resume these vital air connections soon.

On digital health passports

We welcome any move to standardise document verification for travel and any initiative that will make things easier for travellers and airport teams, especially as travel requirements continue to change on a daily basis. The IATA Travel Pass was developed to address this issue and Emirates was one of the first airlines to trial it. Initially, we launched it on a few routes and monitored We are looking at the feedback to help improve the product. So plans to expand the far it is working well, and we are looking at plans to expand the use of IATA Travel Pass to use of IATA Travel more points across our network.

Pass to more points

across our network

On expectations for the events sector

Recent surveys conducted on the international exhibitions industry have delivered an optimistic outlook for the sector. Conference and events industry professionals believe exhibitions will be as important as they were pre-COVID, particularly for the face-to-face business opportunities at sector-specific trade shows.

Dubai also has earned a high vote of confidence from the events industry, having demonstrated its ability to safely host a range of large-scale international events and exhibitions over the past eight months.

Supported by our nation’s successful vaccination campaign and clear protocols to facilitate international visitors, we are seeing a healthy pipeline of events and exhibitions in the Dubai calendar for the coming months.

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15

On pandemic-driven travel trends

16

DUBAI TOURISM

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Travellers expect to be safe, comfortable and enjoy good service. Due to the pandemic, airlines and travel operators have had to adjust how they deliver on these expectations while still offering a great customer experience.

At Emirates, we have worked hard to meet our customers’ needs and remain their top airline choice. We have implemented bio-safety protocols, modified our services, and fast-tracked initiatives like biometrics processing and contactless check-in at the airport. We also provided generous waivers and flexibility in case our customers had to change their travel plans, offered free comprehensive travel insurance including COVID-19 medical cover, and invested resources to ensure that the latest travel information is easily available to our customers.

On Emirates’ future fleet requirements

Emirates’ business model remains unchanged. It will always be a full service, high quality, international hub airline that connects the world to, and through Dubai.

We have built our fleet and placed future fleet investments with that in mind, including our orders for A350, B787 and B777x aircraft. Emirates is constantly in dialogue with the manufacturers on our requirements. At this time there’s no change to our order book.

On the impact of COVID-19 on business-related air travel

Corporate and business travel took a hit during the pandemic as global meetings and events came to halt and companies froze business travel. But online meetings can never replace face-to-face interactions and we firmly believe business travel will recover when travel restrictions are lifted.

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FROM TOP LEFT: Emirates was one of the first airlines to trial the IATA Travel Pass; Emirates has fasttracked initiatives like biometrics processing; Emirates is optimistic business travel and events will bounce back

During the worst of the global lockdowns, Emirates worked closely with corporate and business customers to help their people get to where they needed to be – whether for repatriation or essential travel. We also offered generous waivers, rebooking flexibility, insurance cover and other value-added services.

As travel restrictions ease and business activity resumes across markets, we will continue to provide bespoke support for our corporate and business customers. Incentives and services will differ depending on the specific sector and organisational requirements; for instance, we have teams focused on MICE travel, the Cruise segment, and our Business Rewards programme, which caters to Small and Medium Sized companies (SMEs).

On the ‘Expo effect’

Dubai is already seeing healthy levels of visitation as one of the few global cities open to international travellers with the safe resumption of leisure and commercial activity.

We expect Expo 2020 Dubai to further boost visitor numbers and the event is definitely the highlight for ‘Destination Dubai’ for the remainder of 2021 until We firmly believe April 2022. The Expo team, Emirates, business travel will and all travel and tourism stakeholders are recover when travel gearing up to promote this mega event and restrictions are lifted to make it the focal point for accelerating the world’s post-pandemic recovery.

Our work to support and incentivise corporate groups and business travel to the Expo began months ago, in close co-ordination with the Expo team, event sponsors and partners. The response has been very positive so far. Broader consumer campaigns and marketing activity will ramp up in the coming months, so stay tuned!

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FSDubaiDIFC

Terms and conditions: Applicable for stays of two nights or longer. AED 300 credit valid only at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC restaurants and spa.

HOTEL UPDATE Zighy Bay creates Carbon Neutral Rate Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman (pictured) has partnered with Co2nsensus, a British company that measures and offsets the carbon emissions produced during a guest’s stay, in a GCC first. After calculating the amount of carbon produced per guest per night, the resort has pledged to donate $10 per room per night to a wind power plant based in Turkey, at no additional cost to guests. Visitors are also offered the chance to offset their flights. This ‘Carbon Neutral package’ joins other environmental and social initiatives at the resort, from growing organic food and contributing to community healthcare to recycling 80 per cent of waste on site.

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Dubai invites visitors to ‘Get into the Green Scene’

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ubai Sustainable Tourism (DST), part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has launched ‘Get into the Green Scene’, an initiative designed to promote the city’s sustainable attractions and highlight the ease of incorporating sustainable practices into everyday life.

Targeting visitors and residents, it includes a sustainability calendar featuring a series of environmental days throughout the year and ways in which people can engage within the theme of that calendar day. Included are simple but fun, eco-conscious actions that promote the city’s natural spaces and hidden gems.

It also spotlights advocacy organisations, partners and stakeholders that are working towards a more sustainable planet.

The launch of ‘Get into the Green Scene’ is aligned to the UAE’s ‘Year of the 50th’ campaign, with sustainability one of four strategic pillars highlighted to advance the country, support wellbeing and livelihood, as well as proactive development and opportunities.

DST’s sustainability calendar, which features eight environmental, wildlife and eco-tourism days throughout 2021, can be found at: dubaitourism.gov.ae

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July 1 sustainability deadline for Dubai hotels Dubai Tourism has issued a directive mandating that all of the emirate’s hotels comply with the 19 Sustainability Requirements for Hotel Establishments

by July 1, 2021, which include sustainable management approaches, performance metrics, energy, food and water management plans, guest education, employee training initiatives, the presence of sustainability committees within hotel establishments and corporate social responsibility programmes for local communities. They must also submit their monthly carbon emissions calculations.

Radisson’s new green goals Radisson Hotel Group has released its 2020 Responsible Business Report highlighting the group’s latest corporate responsibility targets as outlined in its strategic five-year plan. It includes the reduction of the company’s carbon and water footprint by 30 per cent by 2025, aligning with science-based emissions reduction targets, removing single-use plastics, and continuing to drive best practices in water stewardship and responsible consumption behaviours.

RE SP ONSIBLE TR AVELLER

ETIHAD OPERATES FIRST 2021 ECOFLIGHT

Etihad Airways has operated its first ecoFlight for 2021, continuing research and testing under the Etihad Greenliner programme to assess environmental sustainability initiatives during scheduled services.

Etihad’s fourth ecoFlight departed Abu Dhabi for Rome on April 17, testing a range of flight and engine optimisation initiatives, as well as onboard product enhancements to reduce weight and singleuse plastics, with successful trials to be incorporated into regular scheduled operations.

The flight was operated by the airline’s signature Greenliner aircraft, which is fully offset for all operations throughout 2021 as part of the airline’s mission toward carbon neutral flying.

On board, the trial focused on three key pillars: sustainable products, incorporating initiatives identified on past ecoFlights to reduce single-use plastics, and an overall weight reduction study.

The Rome ecoFlight saw the removal and replacement of 1,731 single-use plastic items from onboard service, with a weight reduction of 108kg, saving 60kg CO2 emissions. It also showcased Al Ain Water’s sustainable plant-based water bottles and Abu Dhabi based startup ‘The Concept’s’ sustainable inflight meal trays made from used water bottles, as well as up-cycled bamboo toothbrushes from the BambuuBrush.

This isn’t about solving only Etihad’s emissions, but about supporting the entire industry to address the biggest challenge we face over the next three decades.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group

VISTAJET COMMITS TO CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2025 Global business aviation company VistaJet has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025.

The company is also calling for change — working with and pushing the industry to go further than the current goal of a 50 per cent reduction of emissions by 2050 set by civil aviation industry bodies, IATA and the global business aviation community.

In 2020, more than 80 per cent of VistaJet Members offset CO2 emissions relative to their flights’ fuel consumption in partnership with South Pole, an award-winning project developer and global provider of climate action solutions.

By offering its clients a means to compensate for the impact of their footprint, VistaJet says it is supporting an industry-wide push for a greener recovery and channeling important finance to projects that help reduce emissions and improve livelihoods, today.

VistaJet has also partnered with SkyNRG, a pioneer and a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), to be the first to provide global access to SAF for business aviation.

Other initiatives include introducing the Global 7500, the first business jet with an Environmental Product Declaration; optimising routes to reduce fuel burn; and investing in AI technology for optimised fleet management.

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The Red Sea Development Company receives Green Finance credit facility Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia, has closed a SAR 14.120 billion (US$3.76 billion) term loan facility and revolving credit facility with four Saudi banks.

Green Financing accreditation was awarded due to TRSDC’s market leading approach to social and environmental sustainability and the Red Sea Project’s international recognition as a green project. The financing is the first Riyal-denominated credit facility to receive Green Financing accreditation.

The Red Sea Project will welcome its first guests by the end of 2022 when the international airport and the first hotels open.

Phase one, which includes 16 hotels, will complete in 2023. By 2030 the destination will comprise 50 resorts across 22 islands and six inland sites, plus luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment and leisure facilities.

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24 HOURS IN . . .

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

A diverse destination awaits, with the UAE capital offering everything from culture and nature to theme parks and desert fun

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or the modern-day traveller visiting a destination for either business or leisure, diversity of attractions, venues, hotels, restaurants and landscapes, is hugely appealing.

With three distinct ‘destinations’ in just one emirate, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offers experiential diversity in abundance.

Whether you want to explore a treasure trove of culture and heritage, embark on a journey of gastronomical indulgence, or simply get away from the hustle and bustle at a luxury beachside resort – or in the vast desert – the emirate, the largest in the UAE, fits the bill perfectly.

If you’re dropping by for just 24 hours, either alone, with colleagues, or with your family, you are spoiled for choice with Abu Dhabi offering world-class hotels, immaculate beaches, delicious and authentic dining options, rich history and culture and thrilling entertainment activities and cultural attractions galore. Here are a few themed itineraries to help you make the most of a quick trip to Abu Dhabi.

For culture enthusiasts

Abu Dhabi’s symbolic birthplace, Qasr al Hosn (qasralhosn.ae), is Abu Dhabi’s first permanent structure, once home to the emirate’s ruling Al Nahyan family. A permanent exhibition at Qasr Al Hosn tells the story of Abu Dhabi and its people through the city’s oldest building.

Open since November 2017, Louvre Abu Dhabi was born by an agreement between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France. The museum, designed by Jean Nouvel and inspired by the UAE’s palm groves, displays art, manuscripts, and objects of historical, cultural, and sociological significance. Spanning millennia, the items on display originate from societies and cultures all over the world, but universal themes and common influences are highlighted to illustrate similarities arising from shared human experiences transcending geography, nationality and history.

One of the world’s largest mosques, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque captures unique interactions between Islam and world cultures. Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the Grand Mosque was to incorporate architectural styles from different Muslim civilisations and celebrate cultural diversity by creating a haven that is truly diverse and inspirational.

For thrill seekers and families

Packed with some of the most famous and iconic characters in the world, Warner Bros.

World Abu Dhabi (wbworldabudhabi.com) features six immersive lands including DC’s Metropolis and Gotham City, as well as Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza. The sprawling theme park boasts 29 state-of-the-art thrill rides, interactive family-friendly attractions, and unique live entertainment, as well as a variety of dining and shopping outlets. It’s guaranteed fun for fans of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, the Flintstones and Scooby-Doo. There’s fast and furious fun for all ages at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (ferrariworldabudhabi.com) on Yas Island.

The expansive indoor theme park is home to more than 20 exhilarating rides and attractions, including Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller-coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 240kmph.

Splash down in Abu Dhabi with a trip to Yas Waterworld (yaswaterworld.com), a water park with 45 rides, slides, and attractions – ideal for children, and big kids, of all ages. Surf the world’s largest sheet wave, Bubble’s Barrel, drop through a 20-metrehigh funnel in a six-person raft on Dawama, or soak up Arabia’s longest suspended rollercoaster, the Bandit Bomber.

OUT OF TOWN If you’ve been to Abu Dhabi city before and fancy heading out of town, why not take a guided tour of Al Ain Oasis, one of UAE’s first places to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Explore the Al Ain Oasis Eco-Centre and discover the rich history of its palm orchards and ancient irrigation canals. Wander its paths under the cascading shadows of palm trees while enjoying the fresh breeze and the sound of water gently running through the Aflaj irrigation system, which is still in use to this day. Al Ain’s picturesque Al Jahili Fort, one of the UAE’s most historic buildings, is also a must visit. Built in 1891 to defend the city’s palm groves, the fort hosts regular exhibitions and is set in beautifully landscaped gardens, which visitors are encouraged to explore (abudhabiculture.ae).

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Jebel Hafit; Emirati traditional cuisines; Yas Links Abu Dhabi

stands guard over Al Ain and borders Oman, is forged out of craggy limestone that has been weathered over millions of years.

Significant fossil discoveries have been made in the area, which are vital pieces in the jigsaw of the city’s ancient history.

For foodies

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For sports and adventure lovers

Golf fanatics can tee off at any of Abu Dhabi’s fantastic pay-and-play golf courses, all of which have certified PGA professionals on the books. Three championship-standard courses are within a 20-minute drive of Abu Dhabi city, including the award-winning Abu Dhabi Golf Club, home of the annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, a European PGA Tour event; Yas Links on Yas Island, Arabia’s only true links golf course; and the Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the first ocean course in the region.

No trip to Abu Dhabi would be complete without having some fun in the desert. Arabian Nights Village (arabiannightsvillage.com) offers the full complement of desert activities, including dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles, sand surfing, camel trekking, and cycling through the dunes.

In an emirate comprising around 200 islands, perhaps it’s no surprise that water sports are everywhere. Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara (anantara.com) offers kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding through the city’s natural mangroves, activities that are also available at Yas Beach.

Snorkelers and divers can spot rays and barracuda among various wrecks and reefs, while surfing, wakeboarding and white-water rafting are among the watersports on offer at Wadi Adventure in Al Ain. A range of kayak tours are available from adventure specialist Noukhada (noukhada.ae), including mangrove tours, full-moon night tours, half-day island tours and an overnight desert island camping adventure. Kayaking around the Louvre Abu Dhabi is another inspirational option.

The emirate’s highest peak, and UAE’s second, Jebel Hafit

SHOPPING Abu Dhabi is home to a plethora of luxury brands including some regional firsts, so if you want to treat yourself or your nearest and dearest, you’ve come to the right place. Explore Nation Galleria’s exclusive collection of shops and restaurants; explore The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, with 130 of the world’s most renowned brand outlets; or head over to the Avenue at Etihad Towers for VIP treatment in one of the world’s most exclusive boutiques.

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Visiting a city and not trying the local food is unforgivable, so if you are interested in getting a real taste of local Emirati culture and a flavour of Abu Dhabi, there are loads of restaurants to check out. One such budget-friendly place is Meylas at Al Raha, ranked as one of the best places to eat Emirati cuisine. Some must-try dishes include khabees, fareed and machboos.

Another great place for a traditional Emirati meal is Mezlai at Emirates Palace hotel (mandarinoriental.com/abudhabi). With beautiful décor and ambience that showcases the best of Arabia, Mezlai is famous for its lamb machboos and fresh khubz (pita bread).

Another option is Yadoo’s House, which means ‘grandmother’s house’, a charming but contemporary restaurant inspired by family traditions and Arabian hospitality and serving a feast of Arabian flavours including salona (traditional stew using chicken, lamb or seafood) and kofta (meatballs). Save a space for kunafa, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with thin noodle-like pastry or fine semolina dough soaked in sugar-based syrup and layered with cheese and nuts.

Located behind Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, close to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, it’s the ideal spot for a meal if you’re attending an event or exhibition.

Top tip: Al Bateen Marina is fast becoming Abu Dhabi’s go-to café district and its new Meditteranean restaurant, Medi Terra, is considered a breakfast hotspot. Sit out on the covered terrace overlooking the luxury yachts, enjoying the cool breeze, while you tuck into signature dishes such as the truffle eggs Benedict or avocado toast on sourdough with a piquillo pepper marmalade.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

Work. Play. Rest. Repeat.

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hether it’s a business opportunity or the flamboyant lifestyle that brings one to the city of dreams, Dubai’s pulsating vibe is certainly inevitable for all. For lovers of global destinations of distinction, who also enjoy convenience, comfort and savvy living, Ascott offers the perfect home-away-from-home in the midst of this bustling metropolis.

Steps away from the Dubai Internet City Metro Station, Citadines Metro Central Dubai is a stylish property by leading international lodger owneroperator, The Ascott Limited. Offering studios and one-bedroom serviced spaces, accommodation is spaciously optimised with separate living and dining areas and a fully functional kitchenette: a seamless choice for solo or two guests.

Featuring a swimming pool, gym and business centre, Citadines Metro Central Dubai also offers comprehensive living solutions for expats and tourists. Both in-house guests and local residents

A vibrant address for savvy guests can enjoy fresh and delicious bites at ‘Brambles Café’, located on the ground floor of the property.

Citadines Metro Central Dubai has implemented several applaud worthy programmes following the onset of COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of its guests, as part of the brand’s Ascott Cares initiatives. These include the accredited Dubai Assured Stamp, contactless services, lodging initiatives, and the brand’s newly announced partnership with International SOS for health, counselling and travel security teleservices.

Citadines Metro Central Dubai has also received the Green Key label for the fifth

consecutive year in 2021, testament to its efforts to develop an environment friendly, sustainable and responsible business. The property was also recently recognised as the ‘2021 Travellers’ Choice’ by leading travel company Tripadvisor. Early birds looking to book a city escape anytime this year can enjoy up to 25 per cent off on bookings made 21 days earlier with the 'Advance Purchase' promo when they sign-up to the brand’s loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards. Download the ‘Discover ASR’ app to become a member and manage your bookings. For more information on the 'Advance Purchase' promo, visit the-ascott.com/offers

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Stylish and spacious bedrooms; well-optimised living spaces; easily accessible, just steps away from Dubai Internet City Metro Station

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Leading airlines, hotels and airports scooped accolades across 33 categories at Busines Traveller Middle East Awards 2021

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he winners of the hotly anticipated Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021 have been revealed.

Leading airlines, hotels, airports and other providers to the business travel sector were recognised across 33 categories in an exclusive online ceremony staged on May 25, 2021, with several travel companies 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.

For the first time in the event’s history, there was a hotel category recognising the ‘Best Business Hotel in Tel Aviv’, while ‘Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East’ went to the design-led Mondrian Doha in Qatar.

Notable achievements included Emirates being voted ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ and partner carrier, flydubai, recgonised as ‘Best LowCost Airline serving the Middle East’.

Rotana scooped ‘Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ and for its Centro Hotels by Rotana concept, ‘Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East’, while The Ascott Limited was crowned ‘Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East’ and Marriott Bonvoy was named ‘Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East’. The coveted ‘Best Hotel Brand Worldwide’ title went to Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

DXB dominated the airport categories, named ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’, ‘Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East’ and ‘Best Airport in the World’, but Qatar Airways made its mark for ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East’, with voters impressed by the Al Safwa First Class Lounge at its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport International travel providers recognised included Singapore Airlines, which won ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’ and

ABOVE: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group, receives trophies on behalf of Emirates and Dubai Airports

‘Best Asian Airline serving the Middle East,’ while German carrier Lufthansa took the ‘Best European Airline serving the Middle East’ title.

Now in its 19th year, The Business Traveller Middle East Awards celebrate the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives.

Due to ongoing regional and international travel restrictions, the event was staged virtually for the second year running, enabling winners, runners-up and viewers to sit back and relax in the comfort of their home or office to enjoy the awards presentation.

This included a comprehensive industry round-up video and a warm welcome speech from Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editorin-Chief at Motivate, The awards honour who stressed how the those who continue industry had come to delight and a long way since the start of the pandemic, surprise travellers in with the Middle East the face of adversity proving a pioneer during the crisis.

He noted how key stakeholders, from airlines and airports to tourism boards and hotels had been quick to “embrace change, pursue innovation and adapt to the new normal”.

“From world-class health and safety measures to the rapid roll out of

new technology, the region has set the benchmark for safe travel in a mid-pandemic world,” he said.

“This, coupled with exemplary efforts to reopen borders to international travellers, stage global business and sporting events and launch innovative programmes and initiatives, has set the region apart.”

Fairservice highlighted how the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021 reflected the pandemicdriven evolution of the industry in many ways, from the addition of new awards categories to the new virtual ceremony format.

“But perhaps most poignantly, the awards honour those who continue to delight and surprise travellers in the face of adversity; those who go the extra mile to serve their customers, putting their wellbeing, safety and satisfaction first; who turn challenges into opportunities while keeping sight of their long-term strategy; and who not only adapt to change, but pioneer new and better ways of facilitating travel,” he concluded.

The Business Traveller Middle East team would like to thank everyone who supported the 2021 awards, including The American Legal Centre, voteprocessing partner Jacobsons Direct, which helped to deliver the votes, and you, our readers and voters, without whom, the awards would not be possible.

Lastly, a huge congratulations to all of our winners and shortlisted candidates for making the cut.

To view the awards ceremony in full, visit bit.ly/BTMEAwards2021.

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THE WINNERS REVEALED It reads like a who’s who of the travel sector: the impressive 2021 winning line-up

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Emirates was crowned ‘Best Airline Worldwide’; Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, with Ian Fairservice; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group, receives trophies on behalf of Emirates from Motivate’s Ian Fairservice

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Airline with the Best Cabin Crew ★ Etihad Airways

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports with Motivate’s Ian Fairservice

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free with Motivate’s Ian Fairservice

Airline with the Best Economy Class ★ Emirates Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class ★ Singapore Airlines Airline with the Best Business Class ★ Qatar Airways Airline with the Best First Class ★ Emirates

Etihad Airways’ cabin crew with Captain Jihad Matta, Head of Crew Performance and Support, and Kawthar Boulaied, Manager Inflight Performance & Operations

Ryan Yeoh, General Manager, Gulf & Middle East, Singapore Airlines, with BTME’s Dane Hills

Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme ★ Etihad Guest Best Asian Airline serving the Middle East ★ Singapore Airlines Best European Airline serving the Middle East ★ Lufthansa Best Low-Cost Airline serving the Middle East ★ flydubai Best Airline Worldwide ★ Emirates

Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, and Kim Hardaker, Head of Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways

Rotana President & CEO Guy Hutchinson with BTME’s Dane Hills

Best Airport in the Middle East ★ Dubai International Airport Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East ★ Dubai International Airport Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East ★ Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge, Hamad International Airport

Lufthansa’s Heinrich Lange, Senior Director Sales, Lufthansa Group and BTME’s Dane Hills

Vincent Miccolis, Regional General Manager, The Ascott Limited, with BTME’s Dane Hills

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Best Business Hotel in Abu Dhabi ★ Park Rotana Abu Dhabi Best Business Hotel in Amman ★ Four Seasons Hotel Amman Best Business Hotel in Bahrain ★ InterContinental Regency Bahrain Best Business Hotel in Cairo ★ InterContinental Citystars Cairo

(L-r) Hilton Hotels’ Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, and Stijn Bastiaens, Vice President and Commercial Director (both for the Middle East Africa & Turkey region)

Best Business Hotel in Doha ★ Mondrian Doha Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island – parent company Hilton was voted ‘Best Hotel Brand Worldwide’

Best Business Hotel in Dubai ★ Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre Best Business Hotel in Jeddah ★ Jeddah Hilton Hotel Best Business Hotel in Kuwait ★ Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya Best Business Hotel in Muscat ★ InterContinental Muscat

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Best Business Hotel in Riyadh ★ voco Riyadh

The Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort team

Best Business Hotel in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates ★ Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort Best Business Hotel in Tel Aviv ★ InterContinental David Tel Aviv Best Leisure Hotel in the United Arab Emirates ★ The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East ★ Mondrian Doha

Jeddah Hilton hotel team

Leonardo Baiocchi (middle), Regional Vice President & General Manager, Four Seasons Hotels Dubai and Renan Astolpho (left), Hotel Manager, Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, with BTME’s Dane Hills

Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East ★ Centro Hotels by Rotana Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East ★ The Ascott Limited Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East ★ Marriott Bonvoy Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East ★ Rotana

(L-r) Four Seasons Hotel Amman’s Fadi Samaan, Director of Sales, and Randa Shaaban, Social Media & Marketing Manager

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Best Hotel Brand Worldwide ★ Hilton Hotels & Resorts Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya hotel team

The team at InterContinental Cairo Citystars

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Mondrian Doha was named ‘Best Business Hotel in Doha’

(L-r) Marriott Bonvoy’s Rania Chamoun, Director of Loyalty Operations, MEA; Jitendra Jain, VP Loyalty & Partnerships, EMEA; Virginie Liddawi, Senior Director of Loyalty, MEA; and Sina Laubli, Senior Manager Loyalty Marketing, MEA

The hotel team at InterContinental Regency Bahrain

InterContinental David Tel Aviv hotel team

Antonino Cardillo, General Manager, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, with BTME’s Dane Hills

Sponsor

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Rabih Melhem, General Manager, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, with BTME’s Dane Hills

Vote processing partner

Voco Riyadh hotel team

Presented by

Vibrant colors in Riyadh!

M O M E N T S T H AT L A S T F O R E V E R Step into a vibrant haven with uplifting experiences that will inspire you in every corner at voco® Riyadh an IHG hotel! One of the most sophisticated hotels in Riyadh, featuring 438 rooms and suites, located in Riyadh’s key business district and offering you a variety of fine restaurants and leisure facilities to indulge your senses. It also secures more than 400 underground parking spaces for guests. Dine in one of our six delightful restaurants and cafes; savor a refreshing juice on the sundeck after your swim or simply unwind in the sauna before a relaxing massage. Business travellers can use one of our 22 meeting rooms and a large hall that can accommodate more than 1,200 guests. At voco® Riyadh - an IHG Hotel, we promise you a heartfelt welcome and a comfortable stay.

One of the perks we certainly are proud of is our (IHG rewards club). With more than 5,600 hotels in nearly 100 countries, IHG Rewards Club provides more member-preferred features than any other hotel loyalty offering, combining more sought-after benefits into one powerful program that is simple and easy.

H O T E L I N F O R M AT I O N

King Fahad Road, Facing the Ministry of Interior, P.O. Box 13003, Riyadh 11493, KSA +966 11 457 9999 | vocohotels.com/Riyadh

SERVICE RESIDENCIES

A hospitality game-changer Embracing innovation, adapting to new guest needs, giving back to communities and pursuing strategic expansion is proving a winning formula for established international lodging owner-operator, The Ascott Limited

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hile 2020 proved overwhelmingly challenging for the global travel and hospitality industry, one brand stood out for its continued initiatives and sterling performance, receiving international acclaim for its effective and timely response to the pandemic and adapting to meet guest needs as a new normal emerged.

With properties in 190 cities in more than 30 countries globally, The Ascott Limited is a Singaporean company that has grown to become one of the leading international lodging owner-operators.

Regional General Manager for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, Vincent Miccolis, says confidence to travel is of “unmeasurable significance, especially in these times”.

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“People trust brands that can understand them, strive for them and promptly adapt to market conditions,” he says. “At Ascott, the safety of our guests and staff is of utmost importance. The pandemic brought with it the realisation of the ‘work-from-home’ trend as a measure of employee safety and security, bringing to perspective the altered needs of residents, guests, travellers and expats in general.”

As the leading serviced residence brand globally, Ascott upscaled its business model, which caters to short- and long-stay leisure and business guests.

Its sustainable, power-steering model focuses on the safety, security and convenience of its guests, staff and partners through lodging initiatives, contactless self-services, tele-services and more.

SERVICED RESIDENCES

VINCENT MICCOLIS Regional General Manager, Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, The Ascott Limited

Commitment and care

In April last year, Ascott unveiled ‘Ascott Cares’ in response to the global fight against the pandemic. The programme complied with the World Health Organisation’s standards and local regulations, assuring guests and staff of its stringent cleanliness and hygiene standards, as well as safe distancing measures to ensure health and safety. In May, the brand announced plans to redesign Ascott’s serviced residences concept to capitalise on the work-from-home trend.

Furthermore, in July, Ascott reinforced its health and safety measures through a partnership with Bureau Veritas, which conducts independent audits and issues certification for the hygiene and safety standards of its properties worldwide.

Strategising its value offerings, Ascott launched the ‘Discover ASR’ mobile app in October 2020 for members of its loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards (ASR). The app, a resounding success, with 130,000 downloads since its inception, enables guests to manage their reservations, perform self-check-ins and check-outs, redeem e-vouchers, and more.

“People trust brands that can understand them, strive for them and promptly adapt to market conditions”

LEFT: Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, opening soon FAR LEFT: Ascott Sari Jeddah

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SERVICED RESIDENCES

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ABOVE: Somerset Westview Nairobi, opening soon

“Residents of Ascott’s properties do not just return to a serviced space, they come home to familiar faces” J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

In June 2021, Ascott also announced a global partnership with leading health and security services company International SOS, becoming the first hospitality brand in the world to offer its guests global access to a comprehensive suite of telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory services.

The brand is providing these complimentary facilities as part of its enhanced ‘Ascott Cares’ commitment to improve the overall wellness and safety of its guests.

“Ascott continues to lead the serviced residences industry by ensuring guests feel safe and secure and further enhancing their experience at our properties.

The innovative partnership with International SOS will further improve our operational efficiencies, thus enabling us to serve our guests better as we strive to offer them the highest standards of hygiene and safety,” says Vincent.

Ascott is also committed to supporting global communities. Its properties in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India portfolio recently launched a ‘One Day for India’ donation drive, raising a INR 1.5 million (US$20,328) to support the country as it faces on-going pandemic-related challenges.

Part of this contribution was dedicated to procuring urgent medical supplies that were donated to King’s Institute, Chennai, with the remaining funds trans-

ferred to the Chief Minister’s Covid Relief Fund. Talent welfare and development is also a priority for Ascott, which is reflected in the brand’s renowned hospitality.

These include the ‘Serviced Residence Management Programme’ (SRMP), designed to create a pool of operationally ready staff to manage Ascott’s serviced residences as the group continues to enjoy unprecedented growth. The global programme has already been integrated at Ascott properties in the Middle East and Turkey, and will be aimed at training regional talents to higher positions within the group.

Unbridled ambition

In the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, Ascott boasts 13 operational properties. These include Ascott Park Place Dubai and Citadines Metro Central Dubai (Franchise property) in the United Arab Emirates; Somerset Panorama Muscat in Oman; Somerset Al Fateh in Bahrain; and Somerset Maslak Istanbul in Turkey.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ascott’s impressive portfolio comprises Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh, Ascott Sari Jeddah, Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, Ascott Corniche Al Khobar, Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah and Spectrums Residence Jeddah. In India, Ascott currently operates two properties – Somerset Greenways Chennai and Citadines OMR Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Five minutes with…

VINCENT MICCOLIS Regional General Manager, Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, The Ascott Limited

What makes Ascott unique as a brand and a hospitality proposition?

At Ascott, our major focus remains the longstay segment, but our sustainable business model perfectly caters to leisure and corporate guests too. Our properties feature luxurious global amenities that appeal to vacationers and staycationers all-yearround. The location of our properties is a selling point too, providing opportunities to tap into new source markets for business in the corporate and leisure segments.

Ascott’s strong customer-centric approach and focus in providing our guests with a truly unique and memorable experience sets us apart from the competition.

Residents of Ascott’s properties do not just return to a serviced space, they come home to familiar faces, welcoming surroundings, and the assurance that their needs will be taken care of.

Why is the Middle East an important market for the company?

As the largest owner-operator of serviced residences in the world, Ascott is currently present on every continent to service our guests wherever they travel to and stay.

Given the strategic location of the Middle East, between the east and west, the region has always been of extreme importance to us because of the large number of expatriates, its growing economies and the corporate travel it attracts. We have been servicing this demand in the region for more than 15 years now and will continue to expand our operations in cities where our presence is already strong, and to pursue new destinations.

What is your strategic vision for regional market expansion?

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be the development focal point for the foreseeable future. Our aim over the next four years is to double our current portfolio by entering new cities in these two markets. We are also in discussions with like-minded partners and investors

Somerset Maslak Istanbul

to expand our operations into Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan where we identify a strong emerging demand for our serviced residences brands.

The serviced apartment accommodation market is relatively untapped in the Middle East; what opportunities are there to capitalise on this?

At Ascott we have determined the need for internationally branded serviced residences in the Middle East as a result of mega ongoing projects and the presence of multinational corporate companies.

With our strong growth track record in the region and successful operating properties in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, we continue to be solicited by more owners in the Middle East for partnerships to develop new hotel apartment projects, or to operate their existing properties.

Ascott Park Place Dubai

How has the pandemic generated new travel trends and created demand for your properties?

The global travel sector remains impeded by various travel restrictions with hospitality brands consequently relying on local demand. Ascott leads the industry in the long-stay serviced accommodation segment and the onset of COVID-19 strengthened demand from the corporate market and local residents. Parallelly, the increase in demand for local holidays/staycations has worked in our favour, thanks to our ‘home and hotel’ service offerings.

How have you adapted your offering to meet new trends and demands?

On a regional level, Ascott has developed staycation packages to entice local markets. We are currently running a promotion to promote local escapes, offering our guests a discount of up to 25 per cent at all operational properties in the Middle East and Turkey.

Why do business travellers choose your brand and properties?

As serviced residences, Ascott brands/ properties boast the comforts of living in a home, due to their ‘furnished apartment’ look and feel. From separate living and dining areas to fully functional kitchenettes, our apartments offer guests their own privacy. Moreover, post-COVID, Ascott has undertaken lodging initiatives to ensure its apartments are ‘work-fromhome’ friendly. Our properties offer an array of business and leisure amenities, making them the perfect choice for business travellers who enjoy a wellbalanced lifestyle.

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SERVICED RESIDENCES

“Ascott has undertaken lodging initiatives to ensure its apartments are work-from-home friendly”

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Ascott’s resilient business model also attracts franchise partnerships. With a proven track record, operating the franchise model worldwide for more than 30 years, Ascott’s global portfolio currently comprises of over 260 properties under franchise agreements. In the Middle East, there are currently two properties under Ascott’s franchise model, the operating ‘Citadines Metro Central Dubai’ and the upcoming ‘Somerset Al Mansoura Doha’ slated to open in Q4, 2021.

On the growth front, Ascott has achieved resounding success, revealing dynamic regional expansion plans, with the planned addition of 1,856 units across elegantly designed and luxurious serviced residences by the end of 2022. In the Middle East, these upcoming properties include Citadines Culture Village Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat in Oman; Somerset Al Mansoura Doha and Somerset West Bay Doha in Qatar (re-opening property); and Somerset City Centre Atyrau in Kazakhstan. Ascott’s has an impressive expansion pipeline in Saudi Arabia with Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, the luxurious Ascott Villas Riyadh and Citadines Abha. In Africa, Ascott will launch Somerset Westview Nairobi and Somerset Rosslyn Nairobi in Kenya and Citadines Racine Casablanca in Morocco in 2022. The group’s tenacious growth pipeline puts it on track to achieve its regional target of adding extra 6,000 units to its Middle East, Africa and Turkey (MEAT) portfolio, to reach a

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total of 10,000 units by 2025. Ascott has received several accolades and recognition from prominent award platforms. These include being recently crowned ‘Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East 2021’ by the renowned Business Traveller Awards for the sixth year running.

Globally, the brand is also a recipient of the honourable World Travel Awards for its properties around the world, including those in the Middle East and Turkey.

Ascott has been named the ‘Middle East’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ for five consecutive years, with its properties in Riyadh, Dubai, Istanbul and Jeddah all recognised in this country-based category.

FROM LEFT: Citadines Culture Village Dubai; Ascott Corniche Al Khobar

ABOUT THE ASCOTT LIMITED The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is a Singapore company that has grown to be one of the leading international lodging owner-operators. Ascott’s portfolio spans more than 190 cities across 30-plus countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA. Ascott operates more than 71,000 units, with 51,000 more under development, taking the total to around 121,000 units in more than 770 properties. The company’s portfolio of serviced apartment, co-living and hotel brands include Ascott The Residence, The Crest Collection, Somerset, Quest, Citadines, lyf, Préférence, Vertu, Harris, Citadines Connect, Fox, Yello, Fox Lite and POP!. Ascott’s loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards, offers exclusive benefits to its members when they book directly with Ascott for stays at its participating properties.

EXPLORE A WHOLE WORLD OF

Experiences

Jeddah Hilton offers 388 rooms and suites with panoramic views overlooking the Red Sea. Whether you are here for Business or Leisure, indulge in our culinary journey and 5,000sqm of meeting and conference facilities.

Refresh, Unwind and Rejuvenate your senses.

JEDDAH.HILTON.COM

REMOTE WORKING UAE

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The ease and appeal of remote working in the UAE From new visa rules to a robust vaccination programme, there are a long list of factors drawing overseas professionals to relocate to the country, explains Shai Zamanian, U.S. Licensed Lawyer and Migration Specialist at The American Legal Center, based in Dubai

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eads of state from many western nations have proclaimed for their citizens to “come back home” and stay in isolation, while riding out the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the west continues lockdown measures, there is a sect of society that refuses to spend all their time reluctantly indoors. Many yearn for the drone of the passenger jumbo jets and the excitement of passing through passport control in search of the next adventure.

Notwithstanding the will and desire of passengers, countries hoping to attract lost revenue in tourism have turned to the appeal of longer stay travellers that could benefit from working remotely and escaping from what some perceive to be repressive lockdown measures.

Islands and remote destinations ranging from Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados and Bermuda to Estonia, Georgia and Mauritius have all launched remote work visas to attract long-term guests seeking an outdoor life while staying connected to the office via Zoom and other online plat-

forms. Yet, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates have a much different proposition. Perhaps a week on an island sounds great, but nothing beats being in a multifaceted city that allows a corniche of sandy beaches along with the entertainment of a bigger metropolis. Due to the less restrictive lockdown measures in the UAE, coupled with the dynamism of its cities, there has been greater demand for people extending their stay and working remotely.

Why are UAE lockdown measures less restricted?

There are two factors that give the UAE a cutting edge over the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for less restrictive lockdowns. The first is the vaccination rate of the population and the second is the demographics of the population.

As of late April, the global vaccination rate was approximately nine million people, accounting for around seven per cent of the world’s inhabitants.

In the UAE, a total of 95 doses of the COVID-19 vaccination per 100 people had been administered at this point, among the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate of all countries worldwide. This compares extremely favourably to countries such as Germany and India, which are trailing behind with a vaccination rate of 25 per cent and nine per cent respectively.

Understandably, when most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect protection – or population immunity, also referred to as herd immunity or herd protection. Thus, due to a higher vaccination rate within the controlled borders of the UAE, there is a greater sense of protection. Aside from the vaccination rate, understanding the demographics of the population provides a better picture of why the UAE can afford less restrictive measures.

Approximately 88.52 per cent of the UAE’s population comprises expatriates. Within this contingency, a sizable percentage are younger people – those under the age of 50 who are looking to jumpstart their careers.

Generally, younger populations are less prone to the serious complications of the COVID-19 disease. They stay in the UAE by virtue of their job sponsorship, which ensures their daily productivity. Prior to employment, they are medically screened for communicable diseases, which includes an X-ray for respiratory infections such as Tuberculosis.

Once employed, many of these youngsters are provided with health care benefits through private insurers. All-in-all, the average age in the UAE is about 30, whereas in the United States it is about 38, and in Japan it’s about 48.

Thus, having a younger population that remains productive is another reason why the UAE can maintain more lenient lockdown measures.

FROM TOP LEFT: Dubai launched a remote work programme last year; co-working spaces and free Wi-Fi are found all over town; Shai Zamanian

“After just a few weeks in Dubai, I realised this would be the perfect place to register my business”

What new visas have been introduced?

Perceiving this opportunity to attract remote workers, the UAE government has acted quickly in response.

It passed new resolutions that are among several initiatives approved by the cabinet during meetings chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position the UAE as an ideal work and tourist destination.

The UAE cabinet has both expanded visit visa eligibility and approved a new selfsponsored Remote Work Visa that enables employees from all over the world to live and work remotely in the UAE, even if their companies are based in another country.

The introduction of these new measures is set to contribute to the rebound of the country’s expat population, particularly the highly skilled and higher income brackets.

There are two types of visas: The multiple entry visa: This new visa can now be issued to all nationalities in a step that aims to facilitate the process for tourists and visitors. The fiveyear visa enables tourists to enter multiple times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit, which can be extended for another 90 days. This five-year visa does not require a guarantor in the way traditional residency visas are issued.

The remote work visa: This visa allows foreigners to enter the UAE under self-sponsorship and work in line with terms and conditions issued with the visa. In order to be considered for the new remote work visa, an applicant must currently earn a minimum of US$5,000 per month. The visa itself costs $287 per person per year.

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REMOTE WORKING UAE

Dubai promises a dynamic work and leisure environment

Notwithstanding property valuations, there is an understanding that the private sector will see a rebound and take the fiscal edge off from the pandemic.

Amir Nassiri, a director at JLL’s Dubai headquarters says the new visa initiatives represent “another positive step for the UAE as it will draw top talent into the region”. He adds: “It will contribute to a rebound of the expanded population, which should give a boost to the real estate market and the local economy.”

Among the sectors set to benefit from the new remote working visa are freelancers, entrepreneurs with e-commerce or web based businesses, and other consultants and those operating in the online sphere.

Among those that have untaken the proposition, many are happy with the decision of embarking on a new remote work environment in Dubai and the UAE.

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What has been the impact on the real estate and private sectors?

The real estate sector has seen an immediate response as foreigners first get settled into their new environment. Bardia Eshghi, managing partner of Grand Lux Properties, with offices in Downtown Dubai believes the initiative could go a long way in driving property sales in the UAE. “The global pandemic imposed a change wherein our homes became our offices too. This resulted in an uptick in demand for ready villas and townhouses as families searched for more spacious units. The upward prices are also reflective of increased demand over the last six months. Now, as overseas remote workers look to call the UAE home without the need for separate office space, we can expect continued increase all-around. End-users and investors alike should look to buy property in Dubai soon to reap the benefits over the coming years.”

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“The global pandemic imposed a change wherein our homes became our offices too”

Uptin Saiidi, a newcomer as a remote working entrepreneur and the founder of Up10 Media, describes his experience thus far: “I decided to leave California and come to Dubai once I heard everyday life was quite normal and the UAE is investing heavily in new media initiatives. The first thing I did when I landed in Dubai was join a gym and a co-working space, which felt amazing, considering these were closed in the US at the time. After just a few weeks in Dubai, I realised this would be the perfect place to register my business.

The forward-thinking initiatives, the incredible networking and the ambitious visionaries I’ve met have made me really excited for its future. I went from a ‘digital nomad’ visiting Dubai for a few months, to actually registering my business and now I’m excited to build and grow my career here.”

For those in the creative space specifically, they have found that remote working in Dubai and the prospect of daily interactions could result in greater productivity.

Sara Javadi, the founder of Waves by Sara, an online e-commerce platform providing artistic face masks and hair accessories, reveals how her daily interactions with Dubai and its people gave her business a boost and encouraged her to stay in the UAE for much longer.

“It’s unbelievable the diversity of this country,” she says. I’ve met people from around the globe, each with different points and perspectives on the pandemic.

My experiences working remotely here have positively affected and inspired my designs for next season.”

She initially travelled to Dubai in search of designer silks for her face masks, but ultimately extended her stay twice as the city provided all the means she required to run her online business: “Everywhere I’ve been, there is free Wi-fi and the world is now my office desk.”

PHOTOS: DUBAI TOURISM

What has been the response from remote workers who have taken the plunge?

WELLNESS

From ultra-luxurious wellness destinations to experiences that leverage the healing power of wildlife and nature, there is no shortage of places to recharge your batteries this summer

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

Reset retreats

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t’s official: 2021 is the year of the great ‘travel reset’, where travellers get back on the road and go “slower, nearer and more mindfully” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. That was the consensus at the recent Global Wellness Summit where experts in the field predicted that all travel may become wellness travel as professional and personal lives merge and body and mind health becomes a number one priority for many. The Global Wellness Summit also highlighted how travellers are increasingly embracing the healing power of nature with 2020-driven practices such as social distancing and a preference for outdoor activities giving this trend a boost.

Even before the pandemic, hotels were enhancing their wellness offering but today, its omnipresent, with most brands, particularly in the luxury sector, offering wellness packages and retreats to help us alleviate the stress and strains of recent challenges. Here we review a few of the current options.

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RIGHT: One&Only The Palm, Dubai BELOW: One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro BOTTOM: One&Only Mandarina, Mexico

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One&Only wellness retreats For nearly two decades, One&Only has been a high-end wellness trailblazer. With properties located in destinations that naturally lend themselves to holistic time out and rejuvenation, the ultra-luxury resort brand has long recognised that transformative travel and investing in physical and mental health is important to guests.

The hotel group is currently promoting six wellness retreats that it says are “redefining wellbeing for global travellers”.

One&Only Desaru Coast in Malaysia is the first resort in the One&Only collection to introduce the Chenot Spa. Offering a holistic experience that extends beyond its walls, the spa combines the latest advances in Western research and scientific diagnostics with the best in Chinese and alternative medicines, resulting in a curated menu of research-led programmes. Focusing on the ‘whole self ’ by truly understanding the individual needs of each guest, Chenot Spa curates its experiences around four pillars – Sport and Physical Activities, Emotional Wellbeing, Nutrition, and Aesthetics – all designed to work in synergy J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

to reset and strengthen body and mind. At the recently opened One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, guests can experience “industryleading, comprehensive wellness” alongside a vibrant and captivating Riviera-style lifestyle, in one destination. The resort is the first One&Only to offer Chenot Espace, a transformative journey of detoxing and resetting the body based on the renowned Chenot Method®, with tailored programmes and pioneering treatments scientifically designed to enhance guests’ vitality and optimum health, all year round.

Combining centuries of expertise in the quest for beautiful skin with sheer indulgence, the Guerlain Spa at One&Only The Palm in Dubai has designed three bespoke treatments exclusive to resort guests. Influenced by cutting-edge techniques from around the world, as well as time-honoured Arabian customs and ingredients only found in the Middle East, the treatments use Guerlain products to deliver “outstanding results”.

Isolated in a natural volcanic rock garden under the canopy of large Higuera trees, One&Only Spa at One&Only Mandarina in Mexico offers a range of treatments and spiritual experiences inspired by indigenous and pre-Hispanic culture, as well as the expansive natural wonders of Mandarina, guided by a principle of ‘oneness’ with nature and self. The consciously crafted wellness programme combines advanced therapies and personalised treatments to create a transformational spa experience that goes beyond traditional programmes.

Redefining ultra-luxury in the Indian Ocean, the One&Only Spa at One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius offers tailored holistic experiences, ranging from pure relaxation time to unique wellness journeys.

Signature treatments utilise indigenous techniques and include the ‘Mauritian Fusion’, a poultice treatment to soothe muscular aches and pains using a Mauritian herbal blend of neem, tulsi, moringa and lemongrass, and the ‘Chakra Balancing’, which aims to release deep-seated tension and blocked energy using local mint, citronella essence and volcanic hot stones.

The award-winning One&Only Spa at One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives offers a holistic programme of treatments, beauty, fitness and wellness. Harnessing rejuvenating therapies from East to West, therapists guide guests on a journey of wellness, combining ancient therapeutic rituals with modern-day research. To address a specific health concern or seek a higher level of overall wellbeing, bespoke journeys for restoration are available too. With programmes ranging from three to seven days, the ‘Reset in Residence’ Wellness Journeys begin with a personal lifestyle, fitness and nutrition consultation and target specific goal-orientated journeys, such as weight loss or anti-stress.

WELLNESS

RIGHT: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands BELOW: Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa Another Maldivian escape can be found on Thilamaafushi Island, with Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, set to open in August, marking the debut of this established Europeaninspired brand by Marriott.

It promises wellness seekers an “authentic restoration and rejuvenation experience set amongst one of the most diverse and abundant habitats in the world”. Guests will be inspired to take a break from their busy schedule, slow down and embark on a journey of discovery; a chance to savour the good life. The idea is to become immersed in “moments around the island”, including the exclusive Explore Spa by Le Méridien, which involves strolling

across the pannelled floors to reveal the magnetic energy of the Indian Ocean underneath.

After experiencing signature treatments, guests can visit the Waves Lifestyle Hub to express mindfulness through food, fitness and art; the Creative Arts Studio – a multi-sensory space to explore your inner artist; or The Greenhouse, ideal for green thumbs who want to know more about this sustainable state-of-the-art hydroponic farm model.

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is “wholly created for those seeking a one-of-a-kind travel experience”, providing the chance to achieve balance and be inspired by a property dedicated to “curating a holistic environment”.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands The Ritz-Carlton has also made its Maldives debut. Launched in June, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is located in an archipelago on the north-eastern tip of North Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport. The resort is inviting guests to embrace the beru, or circle of island life, reflected in the resort’s circular design by the multiaward winning Kerry Hill Architects.

With luxury wellness experiences a key offering, The Ritz-Carlton Spa has teamed up with renowned sustainable and holistic wellness brand Bamford to offer bespoke treatments using naturally sourced products. Its nine treatment rooms, including a spa suite with a relaxation room, are positioned on the turquoise lagoon. Cultural immersion for wellness is another element to this resort, with experiences focusing on Maldivian island life. They include adventures with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Programme, which inspires guests to connect with nature and ocean life and to safeguard it for future generations. It includes a ‘Wonders of Water’ ocean mystery experience facilitated by a resident naturalists.

There’s also a chance to take a boduberu drumming class, the heart of traditional Maldivian music and an integral part of island culture or for something more sedate, the resort’s resident expert on the sea, or Moodhu Edhuru, tells traditional tales of life on the Maldivian archipelagos while guests enjoy the mesmerising campfire at the Beach Shack.

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WELLNESS

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Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts Another newbie, Mango House Seychelles, which opens this month ( July), is home to ‘Anpe’, a wellness space that derives its name from the Creole word ‘at peace’. This spa aims to help guests disconnect, feel at home, and, of course, feel ‘at peace’, with personalised treatments that blend local traditions with western techniques, performed by Seychellois therapists.

Created by local artisans, products and ingredients used are carefully selected to harness the power of local plants and natural resources with a focus on sustainability. Treatment rooms overlook the Indian Ocean.

CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi; Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts; Mantis Impact Experiences

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Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Guests staying that this property can be among the first to try out the new elaborate Aqua Wellness Centre featuring a custom-built hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain, steam room and sauna. The pool is designed in zones, with each station of the pool targeting a different part of the body. The zones – which include jet bath, air jets, shower jets, and massage lounger – use varying levels of intensity and water temperature that aim to ease muscle tension, boost the immune system, increase blood circulation, speed up metabolism and improve deep sleep quality. Guests can enjoy a specially curated healthy lunch in the garden and a choice of massage, meditation or yoga sessions following the pool experience. With a capacity of two people, reservations for the hydrotherapy pool are required.

There’s a wellness concierge on hand too who guides guests through their wellness journeys, including customised treatments and private sessions with experts in a range of disciplines, from holistic medicine to martial arts, crystal healing to ayurvedic doctors.

Mantis Impact Experiences The healing power of nature through travel experiences cannot be underestimated, according to Paul Gardiner, CEO of Mantis, an Africanborn hospitality brand rooted in conservation and sustainable business practices. Speaking at May’s Arabian Travel Market virtual conference, Gardiner revealed how demand for its Mantis Impact Experiences – which offer travellers the opportunity to make a real impact on conservation and embark on transformative adventures in the wild – had rocketed as a result of the pandemic. Conscious travellers are looking to nature and responsible tourism for spiritual and mental wellbeing, knowing they are giving back to the destinations and communities they visit, he says.

With Mantis Impact Experiences, guests can find themselves behind the scenes at ongoing conservation programmes contributing to the protection of rare species, enrolling in a nature course, participating in wildlife operations, or even partaking in a tailored adventure expedition. Its described as “travel out of the ordinary, making lifelong memories through rare experiences”.

The first Mantis Impact offering is the Rhino Conservation Experience, with the first tour running from October 26 to 31 at the landmark Mantis Founders Lodge in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

It will enable guests to take part in an unforgettable, hands-on safari experience, focused on rhino conservation as part of a five-night/six-day stay, with an evening of bush camping on offer too, for a real taste of the great outdoors.

Abu Dhabi’s Best Business Hotel Having been awarded this accolade at the recent Business Traveller Awards, Park Rotana is your ideal “away-for-business” home in the UAE capital.

Located minutes away from Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, a short drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and the city centre, Park Rotana offers 318 spacious rooms and suites with a wide spectrum of facilities and services catering to all your business needs.

For more information, please email park.hotel@rotana.com

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There’s much more to Washington, D.C. than just politics

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city of power and influence, Washington, D.C. has been the centre of US domestic politics, international relations and global influence for decades. Espionage films, presidential movies and documentaries have all used the capital of the United States as the focal point of their screenplays. But the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) as it is known, for the political façade that the world sees, has so much more to offer. It’s full of quaint neighbourhoods, top-notch hotels, impressive shopping, some of the best collegiate institutions globally, waterfront views, restaurants that would sweep any foodie off their feet, and activities to keep families and tourists occupied for hours.

Of power, yes, and influence, yes, but Washington, D.C. can also feel like a small town with an air of familiarity. Here’s a mid-pandemic round-up of where to visit, stay and eat when visiting the US capital, which is slowly opening up and anxious for its usual hustle and bustle to return.

How to get to DC from the Middle East

Easy to access to from the Middle East, Emirates Airline operates four flights weekly to Washington, D.C. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways also fly directly to the US capital from their hubs, Abu Dhabi and Doha respectively and Turkish Airlines operates a daily service from Istanbul to Washington Dulles International Airport.

When to visit

The ideal time to visit is March to May when the weather isn’t hot or humid yet. Visit at the start of spring and the cherry blossom trees are without a doubt, the star of the show. You can also catch the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which this year took place virtually and in-person, from March 20 to April 11, 2021. Washington, D.C. is not the US’ first capital, it is its ninth after Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster (Pennsylvania), York (Pennsylvania), Princeton (New Jersey), Annapolis (Maryland), Trenton (New Jersey) and New York City. Its central location between the southern states and northern states was key in establishing it as the nation’s final capital city and because it was set up on cheap swamp land, its summers are humid and sweltering. That’s why a springtime visit is ideal. Autumn, around late September to November, is also doable, before the cold winter weather sets in.

Of power, yes, and influence, yes, but Washington, D.C. can also feel like a small town

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Where to stay – the Mayflower Hotel

The luxuriously elegant Mayflower Hotel, located in downtown Washington DC at 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW in the Farragut North Metro area, is a great place to stay, primarily because it’s central, making it easy to get to major city landmarks.

A Marriott Autograph Collection property, it offers 581 rooms, is steeped in history (it’s almost 100 years old) and its fabulous design and amenities make you feel at home. Former US President Harry Truman called it the “second best address in Washington, D.C.,” (after the White House, of course) and it has also hosted guests such as former British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill and former US President, Ronald Reagan. In 1933 former US President Franklin Roosevelt wrote his inaugural address the day before he gave his inaugural speech in room 776 and in 1957, the King of Morocco, Mohammed V, hosted a dinner for former US President Ike and Mrs. Eisenhower. Pre-COVID-19, the Mayflower was DC’s social hub, staging events every night of the week, including high-society galas, balls and receptions.

The hotel’s general manager, Kori Johnson, explains the role the hotel has played in US politics over the years, having seen many large policy reforms signed and sealed within its four walls.

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“The GI Bill was signed here, the Peace Corp was developed here with the Shrivers [President Kennedy’s sister and her husband],” he explains.

“We had all the presidential inaugurations here in our Grand Ballroom until Reagan, before they just got too big, and the restaurant downstairs is named after J. Edgar Hoover, who ate here for 20 years straight when he was director of the FBI. A spy turned himself into Hoover when he was here dining.”

The Mayflower’s historical narrative is unrivalled in DC, as far as hotels go.

There’s even a story behind its name.

The GI Bill was The building firm went bankrupt during the hotel’s construction, so the signed here, the insurance company stepped in, and one Peace Corp was of its heads’ forefathers had sailed on the original Mayflower ship – the vessel that developed here transported a group of English families, known today as the Pilgrims, from England to the New World in 1620.

History and politics aside, there is another angle to the Mayflower – “scandal” – says Johnson, revealing: “The Monica Lewinsky and former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer incidences all happened in these hallways.”

Today, the hotel hosts guests from all around the world, with the Middle East its fifth largest source market for business, prior to the Muslim travel ban imposed by the Trump administration. With this ban now overturned under the Biden administration and international travel slowly resuming, the Mayflower is hoping the Middle East market will bounce back.

The rooms and suites are spacious yet cosy, modern yet classic and the staff are friendly and helpful. What more could you ask for?

CAPITOL PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERS LLC; WASHINGTON.ORG

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Mayflower Hotel; The Mayflower Hotel’s grand lobby; Lincoln Memorial

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The view of the Capitol Building from National Mall; Washington Metro network; Arlington National Cemetery

How to get around

The easiest way to get around the DMV area is by the underground Washington Metro network, with maps available online and downloadable (wmata.com). Fare options include a one-day pass priced at US$13, a threeday pass ($28) and a weekly pass ($58). With trains running every five to seven minutes during the day, it’s the most affordable way to get from one monument or site to the next, hassle free.

What to see

The National Mall and Memorial Parks (nps.gov/nama/) is where the nation comes to remember and where history is made. As “America’s Front Yard”, the National Mall and Memorial Parks is home to many of the country’s most iconic memorials telling the story of people and events that shaped the nation. Each year, millions of people come to recreate, commemorate presidential legacies, honour its veterans, and make their voices heard. The Smithsonian offers 11 museums and galleries on the National Mall (plus six other museums and the National Zoo in the greater National Capital Area). They are all free to enter, but some special exhibitions are chargeable.

During the pandemic, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo were temporarily closed, but the outdoor gardens and exhibitions remained open to the public with no passes required. The Smithsonian museums gradually opened on May 5 and are operating with free, but timed entry passes.

The Capitol Building – the most recognised symbol of democratic government in the world, where Congress meets to write laws and presidents are inaugurated – is currently closed, but worth a visit to take that ‘Insta-worthy’ shot.

A walk or a bike ride from there to another Instagram favourite, the Lincoln Memorial, is highly recommended. The Lincoln Memorial is a US national memorial built to honour the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, located on the western end of the National Mall, just across from the Washington Monument, it was built in the form of a neoclassical temple and its architect was Henry Bacon.

Every memorial, including the Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Roosevelt, the Vietnam Veterans, the Korean War Veterans, War World II and Martin Luther King, Jr., are all free to visit and must-sees. Just as you go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, you go to Washington, D.C. to see all of these memorials. All located just off the National Mall, they are easy to access.

Arlington National Cemetery (arlingtoncemetery.mil) is a sight to behold and another must visit. Spanning some 630 acres, it’s the resting place of former US soldiers who served in the military. Former US president John F. Kennedy and his wife, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, boxer Joe Lewis, and former president, William H. Taft, are also buried at this cemetery. It’s a moving and educational experience. The cemetery is open for tour busses to drive through and for tour groups to visit.

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D E S T I N AT I O N S

Where to eat

For breakfast, Ted’s Bulletin (tedsbulletin.com) is the place to go, serving the best American breakfast with omelettes, pancakes, grits, toast and its famous homemade pop tarts all on the menu. The wait can be long, but are well worth it, with good quality food and friendly staff (505 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003).

Founding Farmers (farmersrestaurantgroup.com) is quintessential DC and an establishment in its own right.

Set up by American family farmers from places like North Dakota, the restaurant is BOTTOM: Don’t committed to all-natural ingredients and miss chicken meals made from scratch. and waffles Best-selling items on the menu include at Founding Farmers the fried chicken and waffles and the cornbread with honey butter as an appetiser (1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006).

The White House Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana (mezcalerodc.com) is the place to hit when and the Capitol you are hankering for antojitos, Mexico Building are global City-style street tacos, courtesy of Chef Alfredo Solis and his sister, Jessica, who must-visit icons have brought authentic Mexican cooking to DC’s Columbia Heights neighbourhood.

The sibling duo’s second restaurant in the city after El Sol, Mezcalero offers burritos; enchiladas; gorditas – traditional corn tortillas stuffed with chicharron or carnitas, onions, cactus salad, queso fresco and cilantro; 15 varieties of tacos; and ceviche – fish marinated in lemon juice with onions and fresh habanero. Offering outdoor dining for warm summer DC nights, the restaurants draws large crowds of people wanting real Mexican food (3714 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010).

ABOVE: The White House

Where to shop

For some retail therapy, Georgetown’s M Street (georgetowndc.com) and side streets are shopping hotspots, lined with a wide range of outlets, from boutique and quaint stores to retail giants such as J. Crew, GAP, Ralph Lauren, TJ Maxx and more. The area is bursting with restaurants and coffee shops too and is the place to catch the latest seasonal sales.

For more information on what’s open in Washington, D.C. and current restrictions in place, visit washington.org

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WASHINGTON.ORG; FOUNDING FARMERS

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The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (ushmm.org) is just as moving. The museum, which re-opened in May, tells the story of the six million Jews persecuted during World War II. The White House and the Capitol Building are global must-visit icons, but due to recent unrest and riots, it’s not possible to get close to these magnificent edifices as they are blocked off by large fencing. Usually open for public tours, it will be a while before this is possible, but they are recognisable from mile-off distances.

United Station (unionstationdc.com) is the city’s largest train station with Amtrak services operating up and down the Eastern seaboard.

It’s a two-hour train ride to Philadelphia and a fourhour train ride to New York City. Even if you don’t have a rail journey planned, it’s worth visiting the station for the architecture alone and there are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafés too.

Sporty and functional, the Aston Martin DBXC is A Ran S SUV with superior style and impressive performance

WORDS NAT BARNE S

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A BOND CAR

FOR THE FAMILY?

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CARS

W

hile SUVs may be the four-wheeled love-it-or-hate-it equivalent of Marmite, the fact is that we keep buying them.

They are one of the few growing sectors of the new car market (along with, ironically, electrified vehicles) and now account for more than a third of all new car sales.

It was inevitable too that the luxury and more exotic ends of the market were not going to ignore those kinds of numbers for long. Globally, for several years now Porsche has sold more of its Cayenne and Macan SUVs than its traditional sports cars and the same goes for others such as Bentley with its Bentayga, Lamborghini with its Urus and the RollsRoyce Cullinan. Even Ferrari is getting in on the act with its new Purosangue SUV Coupe due in 2022.

And here we have the Aston Martin DBX. As a company, Aston Martin has long been renowned for some of the most elegant and stylish sports cars on the market, so combining that with the shape of an SUV was never going to be easy.

Has it succeeded? Well, yes and no. The good news is that there’s no question that it’s an Aston Martin.

From the sharp nose and heading

back to the turned-up rear, there are noticeable traditional Aston styling cues everywhere. And it certainly turns heads – thankfully without managing to turn a few stomachs like some of its rivals. You won’t go short on admiring glances that’s for sure.

Thankfully, the DBX features plenty of power to match those striking looks.

With a more powerful version of the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine seem

in the Vantage and DB11, the DBX boasts a not-insubstantial 550bhp.

That’s enough to get the Aston from 0 to 60mph in just 4.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 181mph. Those are mightily impressive figures, even for a full-blooded sports car, let alone a 2.2-tonne SUV. But while those on-paper numbers are enough to raise an eyebrow or two, it’s actually the way that the DBX delivers them that is most interesting. Aside from the Rapide saloon, in recent years Aston Martin has been able to focus largely on cars with two seats (or two main seats plus a pair of tiny additional rear ones), but clearly it can’t do that here.

Where the likes of the Vantage and DB11 are most likely to be driven as weekend wheels, the DBX is far more likely to be driven on a daily basis, so more practical elements have to be taken into account.

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ABOVE: The Aston Martin DBX RIGHT: We’re not convinced about the back of the DBX J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

CARS

An obvious point to make?

Perhaps, but it’s especially pertinent for the DBX when it’s in the GT mode of its driving mode settings.

Pressing the central dash-mounted button to fire the DBX’s engine into life almost feels like an event in itself.

The V8 barks into life ahead of you before settling down to a deep burble.

There’s no mistaking it for any other everyday SUV – the sound is more like the sports cars in the rest of Aston’s line-up.

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On the move, the first thing that really strikes you is just how well the DBX rides especially with the huge 22-inch alloy wheels on each corner. But road imperfections are well insulated from the cabin and it’s surprisingly comfortable.

Almost too much so in fact. With all of that performance under your right foot, you almost expect the DBX to feel uncomfortably rapid and have to be driven with extreme care but, in that aforementioned GT

mode at least, that’s not the case. To be fair, this is for everyday driving and while the Aston Martin can accelerate quickly enough, it seems to lack the level of immediacy and intimacy that you might expect.

Having said that, while the look of the DBX is undoubtedly a good one overall (we especially love the pop-out lever door handles), it’s not perfect. We’re not convinced about the back of the DBX where the slim rear lights exacerbate what is a lot

CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW: An elegant and stylish SUV; there are acres of stitched leather; there’s good headand leg-room

of bodywork across the tailgate and rear bumper. In some darker colours especially, some reality TV stars would probably be envious of the size of its rear end.

But if you feel a slight sense disappointment of the DBX in GT mode, that’s soon erased when you flick the driving mode switch over to Sport where a very different car emerges. This is the car that you imagined the DBX should be. Every element of driving it is suddenly heightened to a much more involved level, where the steering is faster, the reaction to your inputs much sharper and, to borrow those

classic words of Spinal Tap, everything is turned up to 11.

The engine note is considerably more aggressive than before and that faster reaction to the throttle pedal and steering wheel means that the DBX is suddenly transformed into much more of a driver’s car than before.

No, you still can’t entirely ignore the SUV’s size and weight, but the DBX handles far better through corners than you imagine it would do and is actually surprisingly responsive. There are so-called sports cars that have less driving feel than this and it’s no exaggeration to say that it feels like an entirely different car. It’s still frustrating though that the gearchange paddles behind the steering wheel are mounted in a fixed position rather than moving with the wheel themselves.

There is even a more extreme Sport+ mode for track driving but, like the off-road modes (this is still a 4×4 remember), they’re unlikely to be visited all that often by the vast majority of owners. Again, given the DBX’s nature compared to the rest of the Aston Martin line up, it’s also unlikely that many owners will drive this car this hard that often but, as with most motors at this level, it’s about knowing that it can.

That’s also why the interior is so important, it’s here where DBX drivers will spend most of their time and, by and large, it doesn’t disappoint. There are acres of stitched leather throughout the cabin along with some lovely brushed dark alloy trim. Yes, some eager eyes might spot some Mercedes switches here and there (thanks to Aston’s tie up with Mercedes), but they work well, even if the steering wheel can feel rather overloaded with buttons.

There’s one element of the Mercedes switchgear that is disappointing – the central infotainment screen. When the entire market has moved towards touchscreens over the past couple of years, it seems odd to find that the one fitted to the Aston is Mercedes’s old rotary wheel and button system (something that will be familiar to any

FACT FILE Model: Aston Martin DBX Price: £158,000 (US$224,530) Engine: Petrol – 4.0-litre twin-turbo Power: 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds, 181mph top speed

drivers of the German firm’s cars in the past ten years or so). The system itself works well enough, but when there’s a £158,000-sized hole – the equivalent of US$224,530 – in your bank account, you expect the latest and the very best and this simply isn’t it.

That’s a shame when the DBX fulfils all the rest of the criteria that owners are likely to want from it. It goes without saying that it’s considerably more practical than the rest of Aston’s range, with good headand leg-room in both the front and rear seats. There’s also a decent sized boot (more likely to be used for golf clubs rather than any family detritus) and a space saver spare wheel too.

Ultimately, your opinion of the DBX comes down to whether you see it as an Aston Martin, whose cars are bought for emotional rather than practical reasons, or as an SUV, which tend to be the opposite. Of course, the reality is that the car itself is both of those and, whatever your general view of SUVs, the DBX is sure to be one of Aston’s best-selling models globally before long.

Whether you love them or hate them, the fact is that as long as their sales remain high, then SUVs are here to stay and the Aston Martin DBX is one of the best luxury SUVs there is.

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the

eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

TRIED AND TESTED

WORLD WISE

∙ Turkish Airlines Business Class, A320-200 and B787-9 Dreamliner

∙ VIDA Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain, UAE

∙ The Hidden Hog, DIFC, Dubai

∙ Amen to Amenities

Beirut – Istanbul – Washington, D.C.

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62 ∙ Address Beach, Dubai

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64 ∙ Amazonico, DIFC

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TRIED & TESTED FLIGHT

Turkish Airlines Business Class, A320-200 and B787-9 Dreamliner BEIRUT – ISTANBUL – WASHINGTON, D.C.

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B A C K G R O U N D My past experiences travelling with Turkish Airlines have all been good, mainly in the economy cabin, which in my opinion, serves the best economy class food of any airline, but I was intrigued to experience the business class offering.

During the pandemic, the airline received disappointing feedback from customers who were not happy with the cold boxed meals being served in both economy and business classes, especially when other international carriers were serving hot meals. Passengers also expressed their discontent with the limited premium lounge opening hours. Turkish Airlines, like many carriers, was forced to make cut backs in the earlier part of the pandemic due to market fluctuations and no government bailout, doing its best to save jobs. But in April 2021, the airline reinstated many services such as Exclusive Drive, the airline’s privileged transfer service for passengers travelling on flights to 11 destinations in the US and Canada and 20 destinations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Hot meals are also back.

C H E C K - I N My journey started in Beirut, Lebanon, on an A320-200 for a two-hour flight to Istanbul. Staff at check-in were helpful and friendly. The Ahlan lounge at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri caters to Turkish Airlines flights and while the food choices were limited due to the pandemic, there were good options ranging from yogurts to fruit, plus coffees and juices. On board, the cabin crew were very friendly and the breakfast menu was limited, but included fruit salad, jam for the warm bread options, a cheese plate and a cucumber and tomato salad.

The flight was so short, there was no time for a meaningful nap or to finish a film.

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The podstyle shape of the seats is designed to cancel aircraft and cabin noise T H E L O U N G E The Turkish Airlines business class lounge at Istanbul IST airport was busy, but large enough to spread out and walk around. For convenience, there were lockers where you could keep your belongings and for comfort, seating overlooking the terminal’s retail outlets. The food offering was a mix of a buffet (safety measures included individually covered bowls) and live cooking stations with chefs making Turkish-style soups and grilled beef, chicken and vegetables. There was a Lahmacun – Turkish pizza station – plus

Turkish salad and desert sections. Juice, sparkling and still water, and soda fridges, as well as a coffee stations, were dotted throughout the lounge. Seating options included café tables, red velvet sofas and pod-style high-backed chairs. Bathroom facilities featured luxurious marble sink areas, and a selection of soaps, lotions, hand sanitiser and eau de toilette sprays.

The gate section seating was comfortable too. It’s worth upgrading to business if you have a long layover – the buffet food and drink options are filling and tasty and there is plenty of space and seating.

TRIED & TESTED FLIGHT

BEST FOR Pod-style seating with noise cancellation

PRICE Return business class from US$1,850

FLIGHT TIME 12.5 hours all up

C ONFIGURATION 1-2-1

CONTACT turkishairlines.com

B O A R D I N G Some gates were a

dried fruits to thyme and olive crackers. Towards the end of the flight, Turkish mezze and sides were offered, as well as a hot meal choice of Turkish meat flavored ravioli or dolmas with rice.

15-minute walk from the lounge, so keep that in mind, plus check-in takes time. On this flight, business class wasn’t called to board first. Both economy and business boarded simultaneously and as we entered the aircraft, all passengers were given a hygiene kit with a mask, antiseptic wipes and hand sanitiser. On board, the cabin was quiet. I liked the eye-catching design, including the black and dark-grey seats.

T H E A R R I V A L The arrival

T H E S E A T I appreciated the

craftsmanship of the seats, made from Alcantara fabric. Aside from their striking colour combination, the pod-style shape of the seats is designed to cancel aircraft and cabin noise. It also maximises privacy. The seating configuration was 1-2-1. I was seated in the middle, but with no one sat beside me and an aisle next to me, I felt as though I had a window seat. Amenities included a pair of slippers, a blanket and noisecancelling headphones, plus the signature Versace amenity bag, which was temporarily suspended at the start of the pandemic, but is now back. Made by Versace fragrance, the bag was filled with a pair of socks, an eye mask, toothbrush/toothpaste, eau de toilette spray, lip balm, lotion and a refreshing mist spray. The business class bathroom featured a Molton Brown amenity kit, including hand soap and lotion, an infuser and an eau de toilette spray.

T H E F L I G H T The 10-hour journey from Istanbul to Washington, D.C. was smooth and relaxing, with snacks and drinks available throughout the course of the

flight. Following the meal service, a turn-down service was available, with the crew transforming the seat into a bed and providing a pillow and comforter.

This made it easy to sleep or to relax and to watch a movie.

T H E F O O D Thankfully the à la carte hot

and special meal services for business class passengers has now resumed on all international flights of more than two hours.

However, the buffet cart for which Turkish Airlines is known, is still unavailable. The first course, a potpourri of seafood, was delivered on a tray, along with hot bread and a selection of beverages. A seafood or pasta option was available for the main course, followed by cheese and profiteroles. Throughout the duration of the flight, movie snacks were available, from

was smooth. Washington Dulles International Airport’s (IAD’s) COVID-19 measures included carrying restricted numbers of passengers in pod cars from the terminal gate to US customs and immigration. Business class luggage had priority and arrived at the carousel first.

The Turkish Airlines lounge at IAD is a Zen space. From its waterfall entrance and décor in warm brown hues to its marble table tops and quiet corners, it does not feel like an airport lounge. You can choose from Turkish cuisine, fruits and salads and several dietary needs are met. There are showers and sleep stations too, so it’s ideal for long stopovers.

T H E V E R D I C T Turkish Airlines’ business class is worth paying for. I give five out of five stars for the friendliness and professionalism of the airline’s staff, the aesthetic and comfort of the business class cabin, and also the food, despite the reduced menu due to pandemic safety measures. It’s clear to see why Turkish Airlines is repeatedly voted Europe’s best airline. Allyson Portee

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

VIDA Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain open – Origins – offering a buffet and a la carte menu and serving both regional and international cuisine. With a terrace overlooking the beach, it’s a nice spot to enjoy the cooler weather, though it does not have the pull of a stand-alone dining destination. The hotel also has a lobby lounge café called Stage 2.

B U S I N E S S Located in the expansive lobby lounge, the business centre has six Apple devices guests can use, plus good Wi-Fi connectivity. At Origins there are some desk-style work benches where you can sit and work comfortably while you eat or do a little business over lunch.

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B A C K G R O U N D VIDA has so far offered a small number of boutique hotels around Dubai, each offering a more personal experience than some of the mega hotels in Emaar Hospitality Group’s (EHG’s) portfolio of brands, which include Address Hotels and Resorts and Rove. This VIDA is the first to open in another emirate.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Modern and

funky design is one of EHG’s fortes and at this low-rise hotel, it is translated into something more classic and timeless than eye-catching, with a distinct European feel. Neutral colours and furnishings with so much attention to detail demonstrate a clear connection to the group’s luxury relative, the Address hotels. Though rated five-star by the Umm Al Quwain authorities, it feels much more like a fourstar property when compared to its sister hotels in neighbouring emirates.

W H E R E I S I T ? Less than an hour

by road from Dubai International (DXB), VIDA Beach Resort is located in the UAE’s smallest emirate, Umm Al Quwain. A quaint coastal town, it’s a reminder of the country’s humble beginnings, with none of the highrise razzmatazz of the UAE’s glitzy cities.

R O O M S I stayed in a Deluxe Room with Sea View, which was fairly small, but provided enough space to spread out with two suitcases. There was a small table, a J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

No expense is spared on bedding and pillows, so you’ll get a good night’s rest. lounge chair and a modest desk to work at. The bathroom was quite cramped, but boasted a nice large shower. While there was no coffee machine, there was a kettle and teabags and instant coffee available.

I liked the funky retro Bluetooth speaker – ideal for those of us who like to take our music on our travels. No expense is spared on bedding and pillows, so you’ll get a good night’s rest.

F O O D A N D D R I N K I stayed here during Ramadan, so the poolside restaurant was closed and the rooftop bar had not yet opened. There was just one dining venue BEST FOR A change of scene and break from city life

DON’T MISS The rooftop bar, Socal, opening soon

PRICE From AED 925++ per night for a City Room Deluxe

CONTACT +971 (0)6 706 5000; hithere.uaq@ vidahotels.com; vidahotels.com

L E I S U R E During my stay the spa had

not yet opened, but the gym was a bright, well-equipped Technogym-fitted facility and perfect for a short stay. The pool is large and picturesque, which will have [after Ramadan] a restaurant and bar. open to sunset.

V E R D I C T This family friendly, pet friendly and business traveller friendly property is trying to be all things to all people and so it feels a little confused. For the price, it also seems expensive, considering there is not much to draw you to the area beyond the hotel. Views across the water are to the slightly tired looking town and the narrow strip of beach lacks the pull of other properties offering better value for money, especially in the current climate with deals aplenty. Melanie Swan

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

BEST FOR

Address Beach, Dubai

Decadent dining

DON’T MISS The 77th floor infinity pool (get there early!)

PRICE

B A C K G R O U N D One of the newest

Week-day rates for B+B start from AED 1,700 per night for a Marina View Room

properties in the Address (Emaar Hospitality Group) portfolio and the brand’s first beach resort. There has been no expense spared, with plush finishings and furnishings from floor to ceiling throughout the hotel, which is quite honestly, knocking its local competition out of the water.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Tasteful, but chic, the property occupies two gargantuan glass towers (one of which is home to residences). At first sight they look somewhat out of place in the low-rise Jumeirah Beach, but Emaar, developer of the Burj Khalifa, has made it towers its niche, and there is no way you can’t fall in love with this iconic hotel. Soft colours, modern interior design, but with a classical touch; everything is grand yet understated.

W H E R E I S I T ? At the end of the Jumeirah Beach Residence strip, overlooking the Dubai Eye (Ain Dubai) Ferris Wheel, the Palm Jumeirah and the Bluewaters Island.

It is within walking distance to a plethora of shops and dining venues and on the doorstep of the recently opened footbridge to Bluewaters. It’s also within easy reach of Dubai Metro.

R O O M S I stayed in a Deluxe Sea View Room on the 16th floor, overlooking Ain Dubai and Palm Jumeirah through floorto-ceiling windows. In-room tech was

CONTACT WhatsApp bookings: +9718002337377; addresshotels.com

There is no way you can’t fall in love with this iconic hotel fantastic with everything controlled by an iPad, from the air conditioning to the lights.

I love a Bluetooth speaker to play my music through, which this room had, so it was a winner for me. The large bathroom with a bath tub, shower and double sinks was beautiful and there was a work desk, as well a table and chair – the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee with views.

F O O D A N D D R I N K We ate dinner in the Li Brasil concept restaurant serving

Lebanese and Brazilian cuisine. We opted for the classic Brazilian dishes. The food quality was spectacular and the range wide enough to entice you back to try something new. The huge outdoor terrace setting was magical at night, though the very Latin-inspired indoor bar/lounge was very cosy, bedecked in timbers and low lighting. The Beach Grill restaurant specialising in seafood and meats was a beautiful lunch venue and overlooked the ocean, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Bright and airy with blues, whites and timbers, it would not look out of place in Greece. Breakfast was served at The Restaurant, offering a waiter service buffet for COVID-19 compliance.

B U S I N E S S The local business crowd has fallen in love with this property and I witnessed a sea of people holding casual meetings and working remotely in the lobby and lobby lounge café, which also has outdoor seating. The Wi-Fi connection was good too.

L E I S U R E The 75th floor gym was well

equipped and offered two studios. There was a spa and kids’ facilities too, plus multiple pools and a private beach. The only hitch is the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool on the 77th floor. If you’re not there by 10am, you may not get a spot, which is disappointing since it’s one of the hotel’s two world-record-holding assets.

V E R D I C T A luxurious hotel and despite its busy location, felt surprisingly like a city escape. Melanie Swan J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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

The Hidden Hog, DIFC, Dubai 64

B A C K G R O U N D One of the first new restaurants to open this year, The Hidden Hog does exactly what is says on the tin – it offers a little hideaway in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and a pork-dominant menu, although dishes featuring other meats, plus fish and vegetable options, are available too. It’s a modern bistro bar with an indulgent Italian menu and the only dining destination in DIFC to serve pork.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? I was disappointed

to walk in to the smell of tobacco smoke – which is not the norm for Dubai’s generally smoke-free dining scene. However, this is personal taste, and for smokers, this is probably what makes it a dream spot.

Tucked away inside the Capital Club, the venue is chic and classic, with dim lighting and a feel smart enough to justify the suit, but relaxed enough to feel comfortable.

T H E F O O D Chef Enrico Paiola is in

charge of the menu, which weaves in Italian and European inspiration. Hearty food is indeed the order of the day. We started with the sharing platter – the ‘signature board’ – which featured a delicious mix of cold meats, pickles and cheeses, served with fresh bread. Mains was a melt-in-

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HOURS 4pm to 1am daily

LOCATION Floor 3, Building 3, Gate Village 3, DIFC

CONTACT Tel: +971 (0)4 364 0126; email: reservations@thehiddenhog.com

It’s a modern bistro bar with an indulgent Italian menu

the-mouth slow-cooked pork shank and 36-hour overnight cooked ribs, which were all brimming with flavour. Sides were fries and Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, black olives, rocket and avocado). It is very much the place to experience comfort food – traditional homely dishes such as risotto, pork sausages, tuna tagliatelle, meatballs and buffalo ricotta ravioli. A separate pizza menu is also a tribute to the chef’s Italian roots. This is certainly not a place to come if you’re watching the calories, and the pezzo forte was indeed the dessert – a classic tiramisu, which truly hit the spot, plus satifsying classics such as apple strudel and crema Catalina.

T H E S E R V I C E The staff are excited to share their recommendations and really want guests to enjoy the menu, one that is a break from the Dubai norm.

T H E W O R K S P A C E More of an afterwork dinner and drinks spot than a work space, this restaurant is for those ultraprivate meetings where what happens in The Hidden Hog, stays in The Hidden Hog. Of course, it does not suit those who do not eat pork for religious reasons, or meat for that matter, so check your fellow diner’s dietary preferences before you book a table.

V E R D I C T This is an intimate venue where the food is filling, the atmosphere relaxed, and the service just right, but be aware that smoking is permitted. Melanie Swan

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

Amazonico, DIFC B A C K G R O U N D Despite being one of the newer kids on the block, Amazonico, located in a three-storey venue in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), only opened in late 2019, but is already considered on par with the likes of dining giants such as Zuma and LPM. It serves Latin American cuisine, with venues already open in European hotspots Madrid and London.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? With distinctive green interiors and a bevy of foliage from floor to ceiling that make you feel as if you’re in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, this restaurant, bar and lounge, which has outdoor and indoor seating, as well as a beautiful rooftop, is certainly defying the pandemic. I dined there on a Saturday evening and it was very busy; as soon as a table was vacant, there were new guests to take the spot. Even as I was leaving at 10.30pm, more diners were arriving. Openplan kitchens and natural materials mean the space, designed by artist Lázaro RosaViolan, is vibrant and though vast, still cosy.

With plant-covered ceilings and walls and luxurious seating, it feels more like a swanky tropical hideaway than an urban eatery.

Amazonico is certainly a great venue for a business lunch with a twist T H E F O O D The restaurant’s Amazon-

inspired menu has been led by chef and concept creator Sandro Silva and his wife, chef Marta Seco. For those familiar with the likes of Coya, the menu has that trademark fusion cuisine vibe, with everything from melt-in-the-mouth Brazilian-style rump steak (Picanha) to Peruvian sushi (pictured).

Innovative touches to Latin American favourites such as deep-fried plantain chips to dip in the guacamole, instead of nachos, show that every attention is paid to details.

The Mexican seabass ceviche – ‘Aguachile’ –was divine and bursting with flavour, as were the warm Brazilian cheese buns served as appetisers. For mains, alongside the Brazilian beef, the wild grouper - ‘Mero’ – was a light, healthy dish for something less heavy. Caramelised pineapple – ‘Pina Rostizada’ – served with coconut ice cream, was delicious, though the baklava, which we were told was an Amazonico take on the

Turkish traditional sweet, was sadly a little bit of a flop, more like a bowl of muesli with some ice cream on top.

T H E S E R V I C E The service was great but because it’s so busy, staff don’t work hard to keep you, knowing there won’t be a shortage of customers if you don’t come back. There were a little ‘snooty’.

T H E W O R K S P A C E Amazonico is certainly a great venue for a business lunch with a twist, providing respite from the corporate world. The three- or four-course weekday ‘Business Lunch’ menus are priced at AED 125 and AED 148 respectively and include a selection of ‘Raws & Salads’, ‘Bites & Wok’ and larger plates, as well as an indulgent ‘Hot Chocolate Fondant’.

V E R D I C T Something refreshingly different and quirky, with an exciting menu that fuses multiple flavours and regional cuisines, catering to everyone from the adventurous (think frogs legs) to the more conservative (ribs and steaks), or even vegetarian. Melanie Swan HOURS Open daily from 12 noon to 1am

LOCATION DIFC Pavilion

CONTACT Tel: +971 (0) 45713999; email: reservations@amazonico.ae

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WORLD WISE

AMEN TO AMENITIES

WORDS RAMSEY QUBEIN

For hotel guests, the little things that have gone missing can feel like a big deal

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ill our favourite hotel amenities disappear?

COVID-19 has dramatically changed our lives in major ways. In travel, there are plenty of minor adjustments, too. At the beginning of the pandemic, people accepted hotel service cutbacks to minimise touchpoints and interactions. As we learn more about how to interact with others safely, many hoteliers cling to those original (cost-saving) ideas as they fight to remain viable businesses. Others are getting creative about how they maintain safe, but high standards to impress cautious travellers in 2021. A balanced approach somewhere in between may help to keep future travellers (and hotel accountants) happy.

FREE BREAKFAST

Many hotels offered complimentary breakfast as part of their brand standard, which people may factor into the value proposition of where to stay. In many economy and midscale hotels, COVID-19 has led to a reduced offering, often a grab-and-go bag with uninspired packaged items. Other hotels nixed it altogether without lowering the rate.

Still, breakfast buffets shouldn’t be ruled out. K Bar S Lodge, an Ascend Hotel Collection property near Mount Rushmore, shifted to a served buffet with staff preparing plates from behind a Plexiglas barrier. Its rotating menu of hot items was a balanced return to normalcy that has been well-received by guests. In Charleston, SC, HarbourView Inn guests can still use a door hanger to place their complimentary, hot-breakfast order for swift morning delivery.

PADS, PENS, AND TOILETRIES

Gone are bedside pads and pens (a favorite take-home of some travelers) as well as other J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

marketing materials that often cluttered up desks.

Hotels were already moving away from single-use toiletry items in favour of eco-friendly, communal bottles. But there’s a new bathroom amenity these days. Choice Hotels & Resorts properties is one of many brands now providing takeaway hand sanitiser bottles on the vanity.

Omni Hotels & Resorts is sealing pads and pens in a plastic pouch along with sanitising wipes and a complimentary mask. Ritz-Carlton has not cut back on in-room supplies either.

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes continues to put pads, pens, shoe horns and polish, and other amenities in guest rooms.

These are in tandem with a long roster of impressive cleaning protocols that, like most other hotel brands, sanitise touch points in the room including these favored extras. At a certain price point, travellers expect the big (and the small) stuff.

AIRPORT SHUTTLES

Hotels that tout free airport transportation often earn business specifically for that service. During much of 2020, many hotels discontinued it without much notice to travelers citing personal safety. This has led to disappointment especially when other hotels have found ways to limit capacity while still offering it. Marriott’s new “What to Expect”

website tool lets guests review what amenities are still offered before reserving a room.

ELITE BENEFITS

This has been an easy snip as hotels shuttered club lounges, restaurants, and in-room services. Evening turndown is another cutback as hotels look to limit housekeeping, but many travellers say they would prefer the option to choose. Many hard-earned loyalty program benefits have been reduced. While the extension of elite status for another year makes up for it, it’s yet to be seen when or if these perks will return in full.

As travel slowly reboots, guests may be willing to forego some amenities in favour of others. Hotels should consider innovative solutions that don’t strip down the experience if they want to maintain their rates. Time will tell what makes the cut. BT