MORE REALITY CHECKS...
WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
REALITY CHECK SERVICED APARTMENT GO NATIVE, COLLEGE HILL, LONDON
THE BACKGROUND: College Hill is a small development of one and two-bedroom apartments located in a private courtyard area within a two-minute walk of both Cannon Street and Mansion House stations. THE CHECK-IN: I was sent an email which gave me the codes to access the courtyard and a safe where the keys were located. Once collected I gained access to the main block via an entry fob and was soon inside my two-bedroom apartment. THE BEDROOMS: The large main bedroom came with a super king-sized bed, tall mirror, TV and ample storage space. There was an en-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower plus some toiletries and a range of towels. The second bedroom was slightly smaller but still had room for a king-sized bed. There was a separate bathroom next door to this bedroom. Once again toiletries and towels were provided. THE FACILITIES: The open-plan main room included a lounge, kitchen and dining area. The kitchen was well equipped with a range of appliances including hob, oven, micro- wave, fridge/freezer, toaster and dishwasher all of which had operating instructions in a folder. Washing-up liquid, some dishwasher tablets and tea towels/cloths were
provided. A television, music and DVD system were in the lounge area along with sofas and a coffee table. There was plenty of storage in the room plus a dining table for four people. A welcome pack was provided with information on the apartment’s facilities, advice on using the wifi, intercom and telephone, and a list of various numbers should there be any issues with anything. There was wifi throughout the property. THE VERDICT: A nice property tucked away down one of the side streets in the city, but
close enough to several transport stations for good access across the city. The lounge area was a generous size as was the en-suite bathroom in the main bedroom. THE DETAILS: Rates for a one-bedroom apartment are from £168 for a single night or from £144 per night for stays of 90 nights or more. For a two-bedroom apartment the rates are £217 for a single night or £179 per night for stays of 90 nights or more. See:
www.gonative.com DAVID CLARE
HOTEL NOVOTEL, NEW YORK CITY
THE HOTEL: Impressively located over- looking Times Square, the four-star, 480- room Novotel is bristling from a recent and massive, 18-month refurbishment project that cost a cool US$85million last September and which marks it as the company’s North American flagship hotel. THE CHECK-IN: Reception is on the first floor and the lift doors open up to a large open-plan space designed around hexagons, pentagons and octagons – illuminated in different colours – to reflect the significance of the hotel’s location and celebrations at New Year. There were no queues at the desk and I was soon waiting for the lift upstairs to my room. THE ROOM: Key card-operated rooms are sleek and contemporary in cool colours, with light-coloured wood units, oversize back-lit headboard, good-size work desk with iPad docking station, occasional chair, 46-inch flatscreen TV (with onscreen billing info), wifi access, laptop-size safe, iron and ironing board and, surprisingly, windows that actually open. THE BUSINESS: There are two small meeting rooms on the hotel's ground floor, called Broadway (for up to ten people) and Times Square, which is slightly larger and
accommodates up to 12 delegates. THE FACILITIES: The cavernous Supernova bi-level restaurant offers American comfort food and an extensive cocktail menu in the evening, plus those fab views over Times Square. The restaurant has 5,700ft2
of
open-air terrace on two sides, fitted out with fire pits and comfy seating for winter nights. There is also a fitness centre, video game area and multimedia internet corner in the lobby and gift shop. Parking can also be catered for.
THE VERDICT: This hotel is in a great location, there are fantastic views from the upper floors, and the open-plan lobby is very funky. My only whinge is the fact there are only two lifts from reception to street level, which means waiting is commonplace; ditto waiting for the lifts up to guest rooms. THE DETAILS: Room rates start from US$205 per night. 226 West 52nd Street, 10010 New York. Tel: (001) 212 315 0100; See:
www.novotel.com GILLIAN UPTON
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 89
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92