Reality Check ➔ FLIGHT QANTAS BUSINESS CLASS
THE FLIGHT: QF002 from London-Heathrow to Sydney, via Bangkok, aboard a 747-400. Leaving London at 22.15 it arrived in Sydney at 06.30 (plus two days). Total journey time was around 21 hours, including a 90-minute stop in Bangkok, where we left the plane. THE CHECK-IN: Qantas flies from Heathrow Terminal 3. There's a separate check-in area for Business and First Class Passengers. A helpful assistant changed my ticket so that I was able to sit in the same seat all the way through to Sydney. THE LOUNGE: Qantas Business Class passengers use the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge, which was spacious and quiet. It was well-stocked with newspapers and magazines, and offered a wide range of snacks, hot food like chicken curry and macaroni cheese, and premium wines. The fast-loading wifi was free. THE SEAT: I had a (lie-flat) window seat, upstairs in the 'bubble', which is exclusively a Business Class cabin with a 2x2 configuration. Particularly useful was the 'bin' placed underneath the window, which was large enough to store my rucksack, laptop and other items. THE SERVICE: Before take-off we were offered a choice of Charles Heidsieck
Champagne or orange juice, and handed a 'pre-order' form for breakfast. Dinner, which was delicious, included a choice of four main courses. I went for the snapper poached in coconut milk, followed by a cheese platter. Qantas has an extensive list of on-board wines, although the choice was limited to two reds and two whites. Breakfast included the finest omelette I've had on a plane. THE ENTERTAINMENT: The video-on- demand system featured over 500 options and 60-plus movies, including recent Oscar winners The King's Speech and The Fighter.
➔ HOTEL THE METROPOLITAN, LONDON
THE HOTEL: Situated on London’s Park Lane, close to Hyde Park Corner and Green Park tube stations. The 150-guestroom hotel has superb views over Hyde Park. THE CHECK-IN: The check-in process was swift, with the receptionist escorting me to the room and taking time to explain about the facilities and amenities. THE ROOM: My Park Suite had great views of Hyde Park through full-length windows. The king-size bed was not over-dominating in a very spacious room which also offered good seating and a large wide-screen TV situated on the facing wall. Other amenities included an iPod docking station, iron and ironing board and hairdryer. A minibar offered a range of drinks and snacks. There was a range of Shambhala toiletries in the bathroom. THE BUSINESS: The hotel has six meeting rooms including the Como Penthouse Suite with impressive views from the 10th floor. The largest meeting space, The White Room, can accommodate 80 people theatre-style while Met Space can take 40. Three smaller rooms offer boardroom-style meetings. There is wifi internet available throughout – a code is provided by reception to access it. THE FACILITIES: The hotel’s Nobu restaurant serves high-quality Peruvian-Japanese cuisine
THE VERDICT: The time, quite literally, flew by. The in-seat comfort, endless entertainment options, nicely-paced attention from the cabin staff and superb cuisine and drinks made the long journey a seamless, enjoyable and almost timeless experience. THE DETAILS: Qantas operates a triple-daily service between London Heathrow and Sydney, with stopover options in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Business class fares are currently £4,132, for travel year- round. See:
www.qantas.com.au. STEVE HARTRIDGE
while the iconic Met Bar is, as ever, the place to be seen enjoying early evening cocktails or Champagne late into the night. The Met Bar also serves a selection of food from lunchtime through until 3am. The Como Shambhala Urban Escape presents a well-equipped gym, steam room and treatment rooms where a range of therapies are available. While there is no on-site parking, valet parking is available. Alternatively, one of Park Lane's many secure car parks is just a short walk away. THE VERDICT: A good experience from start
to finish. The welcome at reception was warm and genuine and one was immediately made to feel at home. The hotel’s prime position at the foot of Park Lane is a big plus, with easy access to nearby tube stations. THE DETAILS: The Metropolitan, Park Lane, London. A range of rooms and suites are available with best available rates starting from £229; advance purchase rates also available, from £195. Tel: 020 7447 1047; see:
www.metropolitan.london.como.bz DAVID CLARE
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