Reality Check ➔ HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL PARK LANE, LONDON
THE HOTEL: The five-star Intercontinental Park Lane is located in Mayfair on the corner of Piccadilly and Park Lane. There are 447 guest rooms and 60 suites across the eight floors. THE CHECK-IN: I was ushered into the gleaming lobby by a cheery doormen but had to wait a few minutes while the check-in staff attended to other guests. The usual paperwork was soon completed and I was shown to my room on the second floor. THE ROOM: The door opened into a large living area in shades of brown and beige, complete with table, chairs, desk, wall- mounted flatscreen TV, Bose CD player, DVD player, sofa, separate toilet, plenty of framed artwork and the usual over-priced – but cleverly camouflaged – minibar. There was also a kettle, tea, coffee and a complimentary pack of Duchy biscuits, fruit and mineral water. Double doors led through to the bedroom area with a chaise longue, large double bed, wardrobe, safe, several mirrors, a second TV and bathroom with Elemis toileteries and separate bath and walk-in shower. Windows in both areas were virtually floor-to-ceiling. THE BUSINESS: Club Intercontinental on the seventh floor is open to guests staying in Executive rooms and suites – or there's a £90 premium per standard room. There are views
over Wellington Arch and Hyde Park Corner towards the Thames, and it is open for breakfast (07.00-11.00), afternoon tea (15.00- 17.00), and Champagne, cocktails and canapes (17.30-19.30). Elsewhere there are 19 rooms for meetings and events, all benefitting from natural daylight. They range in capacity from 1,000 delegates theatre-style to small board- rooms. A business centre is open 24 hours and is staffed by day for secretarial services. THE RESTAURANT: The eponymous Theo Randall restaurant is a multiple award-winner (the hotel has been named Condé Nast Traveller's Best Hotel in the UK for Food) featuring Italian-influenced menus and plenty
➔ FLIGHT BMI ECONOMY
THE FLIGHT: The 90-minute flight from London Heathrow to Vienna was flown by an Airbus A319. I sat in seat 6B in Economy. This is the slightly smaller version of Airbus’ A320 jetliner with the same single aisle fuselage. I returned in Business Class on a mid-morning flight in seat 1F. Unfortunately the flight was delayed by 90 minutes due to a technical fault. THE CHECK-IN: bmi has a central check-in area at London Heathrow's Terminal 1 which was welcoming and efficient on a quiet Sunday afternoon. THE LOUNGE: We were given access to bmi's Great British Lounge which opened 12 months ago. There is a 'kitchen-style' buffet area complete with black Agas; a long wooden 'lunch' table; a hotel lounge area; a business area with internet access; and a large windowed area with reclining seats overlooking the runway. The effect was a great sense of space with mood lighting to suit the time of day. The Business lounge at Vienna is shared with Austrian Airlines. THE SEAT: The Economy cabin is configured 3x3 and the dark grey seat is perfectly adequate for short-haul flights, with an approximate three-inch seat recline. THE SERVICE: In Economy class I was
of seafood. The surroundings are smart and stylish, the atmosphere is pleasingly relaxed – with a mix of well-heeled tourists and business folk – and there's barely a whiff of pomposity. I enjoyed Devon crab and calamari with chilli and rocket, and a main course of sea bass with spinach, capers and deep-fried zucchini. Flooded with natural light, the Cookbook Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, or there's the excellent market table lunch (£18) with a wide choice of salads, pastas, cold meats, seafood, sushi, cheeses and breads. THE FACILITIES: The Spa Intercontinental and fitness suite feel a world away from the streets of central London, and a wide range of massages, wraps and scrubs are available. THE CHECK-OUT: Would have been over in a flash but for a query with the bill which was quickly checked and rectified. THE VERDICT: A first class London hotel that really lives up to its lofty reputation. Dining options are top-notch, but perhaps most pleasing of all were the staff who were genuinely friendly and not at all stuffy. THE DETAILS: One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, WIJ 7QY. Tel: 020 7318 8593; see:
www.london.intercontinental.com. Rates start from £259 (+VAT) for a Standard Room. ANDY HOSKINS
served pre-wrapped sandwiches and hot and cold drinks from the trolley. The meal in Business class on the return leg was considerably more lavish. THE ARRIVAL: Vienna Airport was busy on arrival and we parked well away from the terminal and were transported in by bus. THE VERDICT: All you need for a short flight, with friendly and efficient crew. Just a shame that the return journey was delayed.
THE DETAILS: bmi flies twice daily between London Heathrow and Vienna. Flights are from £99 return in Economy (£581.10 in Business), including taxes. Passengers enjoy full service benefits such as free checked baggage to a total weight of 20kg (30kg in Business), allocated seating, complimentary food and a full bar service throughout the day. See:
www.flybmi.com. JO AUSTIN
96 I FIND MORE REALITY CHECKS AT
WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
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