Dynamic businesses are travelling smarter, faster and cheaper, too June 7, 2009 BUSINESSES are spending 20-25 per cent less on travel than they were this time last year. The average cost of a business hotel room is down 18 per cent. There are 15 per cent fewer business trips being made than 12 months ago. So says Egencia, the corporate travel management company. The recession has had [...]
Q&A: TRENDS June 7, 2009 Paul RobinFOUNDER & EVENT DIRECTOR, BUSINESS TRAVEL MARKET Q. What are the most important things for businesses in terms of travel this year. Is it all about cutting costs?A. For some, but more important is that they are getting their people to where they need to be efficiently and in good shape. People are under [...]
Bang for your buck: what the world’s best business hotels offer June 7, 2009 BUSINESS hotels often promise the world, but they often disappoint. Small things like a slow internet connection, a restaurant that closes early or trouble getting hold of an iron can play havoc with your plans. To work, they have to get so many things right. Let’s face it, you’re only going to remember the one [...]
The best seat in the house June 7, 2009 WHEN you are travelling on business, there are certain things that you don't need to worry about. One of them is the quality of the seats on your plane. There is little more depressing than that sinking feeling when you realise that your seat on a 10-hour flight is going to be interrupted by people [...]
Spoiled for choice: the skies are full of options for business travellers June 7, 2009 Iberiawww.iberia.comSeating: Ergonomically designed with a double back pillow and additional massage function. Once you get comfortable the seat can be programmed to remember the setting. Adjustable lighting for reading as well as a satellite phone, laptop plug and a 10.4 inch touch screen for sending texts and email. Entertainment: 15 audio channels and 26 video [...]
Central flats are the future of luxe London living June 4, 2009 THERE is something distinctly un-British about city apartment living. The Americans and the Europeans see it as perfectly normal, even desirable, but we Brits like our houses, simply because it is what we are used to. We would much rather have a small house with smaller garden and a longer commute to work, instead of [...]
Ascot is all about hats with a big H June 4, 2009 I’M sitting on a gold baroque-style seat in a small boutique on Great Queen Street, surrounded by hats that look more like sculptural cakes than headwear. There is an otherworldly hush in the shop, and each hat is a sophisticated creation. Celebrity milliner Stephen Jones’s hatworld is daunting. After all, it is about what he [...]
GENTS, GO FLORAL June 4, 2009 Sara HollambyStyle CounselIT’S Ascot time again, and this is the moment for guys to shine with a fabulous waistcoat (don’t worry about the expense – it’ll last you years) and a fragrantly fabulous floral tie. Go to Favourbrook waistcoat shop in Piccadilly Arcade. This summer they have a new collection of real “vintage” embroidered fabrics. [...]
FOCUS ON: CAMBRIDGESHIRE June 4, 2009 MANOR FARM, 10 NORTH END, BASSINGBOURNPrice: £2mThis stunning Georgian house is located outside Cambridge and is three miles from Royston railway station – 40 minutes from Kings Cross. Sitting next to a 14th century church, the grounds could not be more picturesque. The property has seven bedrooms, of which two have en suites. The kitchen [...]
Q&A: RENTING June 4, 2009 Louise SavageDIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL LAND Q. I rent out a house and the neighbours have complained to me more than once now about my tenants making noise. How should I bring this up? I feel embarrassed and don’t want to ruin what is otherwise a good relationship with my tenants. A. In this kind of situation, [...]