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REALITY CHECK FLIGHT MALAYSIA AIRLINES A380, BUSINESS CLASS
THE FLIGHT: MH1 from London Heathrow's Terminal 4 to Kuala Lumpur, departing at 22.00 and arriving 18.20 the following day. The flight was operated by an Airbus A380. THE CHECK-IN: There was no queue at the Malaysia Airlines business class desk located down the far end of Terminal 4, so I was checked in quickly and directed to fast-track security – which didn't really live up to its name. The Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge was a pleasant space in which to wait before boarding, with far more seats than there were people, plus shower facilities, computer terminals, reading material, buffet with hot dishes, and a bar whose drinks list included a signature 'A380' cocktail. The first class area of the lounge was behind a glass dividing wall. THE SEAT: The business class cabin was located on the Super Jumbo's upper deck in a traditional 2-2-2 seating configuration which meant no direct aisle access from my window seat. On the plus side, there was additional storage space to the side as well as the compartments in front. The seat and cabin upholstery were in an attractive plum colour and looked very new. There were some 16 buttons to adjust the position of the seat which converts to a 72-inch flatbed. There were around 90 films and 70 TV
programmes available for viewing on the 17-inch seatback screen, plus music options. THE SERVICE: Couldn't fault the service, nor the onboard cuisine. Drinks and hot towels then amenity kits and noise-reducing headphones were handed out either side of take-off, and a dinner menu featured a choice of four dishes. I went for the lamb biryani which was preceded by a superb chicken satay and prawn brochette. A choice of three light meals was served before arrival in KL. The washroom at the front of the cabin – in the aircraft's nose – was enormous!
THE VERDICT: This was a good business class service, the highlight of which was the excellent cuisine. The flatbed seat enabled me to get some quality shut-eye, but the lack of aisle access was a minor inconvenience. THE DETAILS: Malaysia Airlines flies twice daily between London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur. Both flights are operated by A380s. Return economy fares on the route are from £914 and business class is from £3,594 including taxes and charges. For more information see:
www.malaysiaairlines.com. ANDY HOSKINS
HOTEL ST ERMIN'S, LONDON
THE HOTEL: One of London’s most interesting hotels with long links to MI6 (once headquartered next door) and secret agents who used the hotel’s Caxton Bar. Summer 2012 saw the completion of an 18-month, £30million renovation which turned it into a four-star deluxe hotel with 290 rooms and 41 suites. It is a member of Accor's boutique M Gallery collection of hotels. THE CHECK-IN: On a cold February evening, St Ermin’s spacious lobby was warm and welcoming with plenty of sofas and easy chairs. Equally so was the check-in procedure that included an offer to book a table for dinner. For warmer weather, St Ermin’s offers a terrace overlooking the courtyard entrance and its immaculately tended gardens. THE ROOM: As business was combined with leisure I had a family room, with two Queen beds plus a day bed and easy chair. The small entrance hall’s wardrobe included mini safe plus tea/coffee-making equipment. Room 614 came with a second wardrobe on the other side of the room, two tiled bathrooms (much bigger in most other rooms including, in some cases, walk-in showers) with bath/ shower, toilet, basin and mirror. The room had a work desk with power/data ports and nearby widescreen TV.
THE BUSINESS: A small business centre is just off the lobby on the ground floor with three computer terminals for guests’ use. There is free 256kb wifi throughout the hotel although for those who need greater bandwidth – 556kb – the hotel levies a charge of £12 per day. St Ermin’s has 15 high-tech meeting rooms plus the ballroom, Cloisters suites and the outdoor terrace. Delegate rates for meetings/conferences start from £80 per person including VAT. THE FACILITIES: There’s a gym on the first floor and a local spa is available. A limited number of parking spaces is available. Meals
are served in the Caxton Grill while cocktails and informal meals are available in the Caxton Bar, also served on the terrace. THE VERDICT: A beautiful and superbly renovated hotel a world away from the standardised group hotels, and oozing with associations to the world of espionage from the 1930s through WWII and beyond. All staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. THE DETAILS: St Ermin’s Hotel, 2 Caxton Street, London, SW1H 0QW. The lead-in price is £199 or from £349 for a family room, including VAT. See:
www.sterminshotel.co.uk. ALAN ORBELL
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 77
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