Reality Check ➔ FLIGHT UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
THE FLIGHT: Ukraine International Airlines flight PS501 from Kiev Boryspil Airport to London Gatwick, departing 10am, arriving 11.20am local time. The flight was operated by a B737-300 with a duration of 3hrs 20mins. THE AIRPORT: Our group made tracks for UIA's premium check-in desk where there was just a short queue. After an initial problem with the tickets, we were each checked in successfully while passengers in the queue that had formed behind us were prioritised by staff behind the economy counters. Progress through security and passport control was swift. Just five departure gates, a TGI Fridays restaurant and bar, a Costa Coffee outlet and an obligatory duty free shop comprised the airport's smart Terminal F which opened last year. THE SEAT: Business class was configured 2x2 across a row of six seats – in dark blue leather upholstery – where the middle seat is not sold. A moveable curtain separates business from economy, hence it was comprised of three rows on the way out and six rows on this return leg. THE SERVICE: The affable cabin attendants came round before take-off with a choice of drinks and newspapers, followed by a refreshing towel once in the air. A breakfast
of warm croissants, fruit, cheese and a choice of omelette or pancakes was served soon afterwards. By way of distractions, there was an inflight magazine, but no audio/video options – but the flight is only three hours. THE ARRIVAL: Time lost on the ground in Kiev – due to four UIA departures scheduled within five minutes of each other – was clawed back in the air and the flight landed at London Gatwick bang on time. THE VERDICT: A smooth, comfortable and hassle-free service in both directions, from airport check-in through to arrival at the other end. While Gatwick might not be
➔ HOTEL HILTON SA TORRE, MALLORCA
THE HOTEL: This is like no other Hilton, and that’s its attraction. Converted into a 90-room property from a sprawling 50,000m2 family estate, it centres around a beautiful 14th century manor house, 19th century neogothic chapel and 15th century working windmill. Finding it is a challenge however, unless you’re coming from Palma airport 15 mins away where the signposting en route is better. THE CHECK-IN: Reception is not immediately obvious on arrival as parking is outside the high walls of the estate but, once found – across a cobbled courtyard and through sliding glass doors – check-in was seamless. THE ROOM: I was in one of the newly-added rooms, contemporary in style, neutral in tone with high-spec fittings throughout, particularly noticeable in the bathroom. A small outside terrace overlooked gardens and the covered walkway to the pool. The main manor house has stunning individual rooms with lots of original features and antiques and those on the first floor have terraces. THE BUSINESS: This property groans under event space: the vaulted-ceiling Old Stables; Ses Bovedes, a dinner venue for 125 banquet style/250 theatre-style with six meeting rooms upstairs; the octagonal-shaped chapel and grounds for cocktail receptions or
everyone's preferred departure point, it does at least present a more serene airport experience than Heathrow. Business class passengers have access to a good Servisair lounge at Gatwick. THE DETAILS: UIA operates a daily service between London Gatwick and Kiev Boryspil airports. Lead-in return economy fares start from around £168 including taxes. Business class fares are from around £435. UIA offers onward connections from Kiev to Moscow, Samara, Tbilisi, Almaty, Astana and destinations across the Ukraine. ANDY HOSKINS
presentations (40 banquet style/100 theatre); or any one of six rooms inside the purpose- built conference centre, including two large banqueting spaces for up to 250 guests. FACILITIES: A Michelin-star restaurant, Zaranda Sa Torre specialises in Spanish and Majorcan cuisine and has an extensive wine cellar. A more informal eaterie is Arxiduc, with an outside terrace, and specialising in local produce. Sa Clastra bar has a great choice of sparkling wines and Champagnes, while the vaulted former wine cellar has been turned into a library. Outside are two floodlit tennis courts, full-size professional football pitch,
children’s pool and adult pool, spa, gym and hydrothermal water circuit pool. THE VERDICT: This hotel is a beautiful marriage between old and new, is a fabulous chill-out venue and/or meeting spot and run with the efficiency of a large hotel operator. THE DETAILS: Cami de Sa Torre 8.7, 07609 Llucmajor, Balearic Islands, Spain. Standard rooms start at 350 euros; one-bed suites in the main building are from 750 euros; and others are from 600 euros. Rates include breakfast and tax. Tel: +34 871 963 700; or see:
www.hotelsatorremallorca.com. GILLIAN UPTON
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WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM I 93 THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE I 17
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