Reality Check ➔ TRAIN HEATHROW EXPRESS
THE TRAIN: The Heathrow Express from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington, travelling in First Class. THE TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased from a machine, ticket office or onboard staff, as well as online or through a new mobile app (available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Java-enabled mobile devices). Tickets booked online can be printed out or sent to a smart- phone in the form of a scanable barcode, which is the option I went for. Single tickets are valid for three days; returns for one month. However, tickets booked online or via the app are valid for up to six months. THE STATION: The dedicated terminus for Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect was well signposted from the Terminal 3 arrivals area, though the platform and ticketing areas were pretty spartan. Hence there was nowhere to buy a newspaper or coffee in the ten minutes I had to wait for the next train. THE CARRIAGE: The First Class carriage was at the far end of the train, meaning it was closest to the exit on arrival at Paddington. There's no step up from the platform onto the train meaning luggage easily rolls onboard. There were just a handful of passengers in the carriage so plenty of room in the luggage racks – there was also a rail for hanging coats,
suits etc. All seats were at tables, legroom is more generous than 'Express' class, and there were TV screens showing 'Express TV' and free reading material. Wifi access is free for all passengers, though by the time I'd sat down and accessed it we were virtually at Paddington! A member of staff came round checking tickets, and was able to quickly scan the barcode I'd had sent to my smartphone. THE VERDICT: It's the quickest way of travelling between Heathrow and central London and was a dream compared to the normal slog on the Picadilly line. Even for
➔ HOTEL THE TABLE BAY HOTEL, CAPE TOWN
THE HOTEL: Magnificently located on the V&A Waterfront of South Africa’s mother city, this grand hotel oozes five-star quality. On the quay side, the hotel has uninterrupted views of Table Mountain on one side and the Atlantic ocean and Robben Island on the other. The many shops, bars, restaurants and attractions of the V&A waterfront are two minutes away and it’s a five-minute drive to the city centre. THE CHECK-IN: Arriving by car, which was swiftly driven away and parked, we were greeted warmly, with a quick check-in. THE ROOM: The large superior luxury room was double aspect and had floor to ceiling windows, one perfectly framing a view of Table Mountain. The decor and soft furnishings were mostly in greens and creams. There was a large sofa and armchair with foot stool, large flatscreen TV, safe, internet, tea and coffee-making facilities and a mini bar. The large bathroom had a marble tub and seperate shower. THE BUSINESS: Flexible conference facilities for groups of up to 300, using the Ballroom, Pavilion, Boardroom (up to 24) and the International Business Centre. THE RESTAURANTS: There are several places to enjoy fine food and drink in the Table Bay Hotel including the very traditional
passengers travelling onwards to the south via Victoria – as I was – it still shaved ten minutes off the normal journey time on the Tube. THE DETAILS: The journey time is 15 minutes, with departures also every 15 minutes. The first service in both directions is around 5.10am. Passengers of around ten airlines can check-in for their flight before boarding the train at Paddington. Online fares are the cheapest: standard singles/returns are £16.50/£32; First Class singles/returns are £26/£50. See
www.heathrowexpress.com. ANDY HOSKINS
maritime Union Bar, The Lounge, The Atlantic Restaurant and the Conservatory and Bar. THE FACILITIES: The hotel has a great sun deck with Jacuzzi and outdoor salt-water pool heated to a constant temperature of 22 degrees. Located in the same area is a well appointed small gym facility and a health spa with five treatment rooms with views out to sea. The hotel concierge was more than helpful with recommendations and making bookings. THE VERDICT: Table Bay is a superb hotel with outstanding service and facilities in luxurious surroundings. Fine cuisine is
guaranteed and even the breakfast would be hard to beat anywhere in the world for quality, choice and service, plus, of course, the magnificent views. THE DETAILS: Table Bay Hotel, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town. There are 239 standard rooms, 68 luxury rooms, 13 standard suites, two executive suites, one superior suite and two presidential suites. Rooms rates are from R4,535 (£411) in the low season and R7,570 (£686) in the high season. See:
www.tablebay-hotel.co.za. MATT BONNER
74 I FIND MORE REALITY CHECKS AT
WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
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