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KENYAN AIRWAYS
PREMIER WORLD
London Heathrow-Nairobi JKIA
The facts: daily from Terminal 4,
Premier World returns from £1,810.
Tel: 020 8283 1818, kenya-airways.com
IRU FUSHI
MALDIVES by Matt Parsons Style & substance: The front-end
product is five years old now, but
pened last August, this is one of the farthest islands from the capital admirably still holding its own. The
O
island of Male, and after the 45-minute seaplane connection from the decor played on the safe side and piped
international airport, the jetlag massage upon arrival was a welcome music was non-descript. Broad smiles
reprieve. But it’s that same distance which helps Iru Fushi maintain an from the Kenyan crew made up for it.
exclusive atmosphere, plus this is virgin territory, as the Noonu Atoll is a new area Top notch Could try harder
of development for the Maldives.
Despite having 180 villas, the resort manages to feel very private, and beach Feeling: Mixed messages in the
villas are cleverly disguised away from the beach itself, with each having direct How to sell it: privacy and three lounges let this service down a little:
access via a small path. Water villas are spread out along two separate jetties. intimate, romantic restaurants outbound, the Holideck lounge is
With so much water around, the idea of two hot tubs (one indoor and one would lure honeymooners. spacious enough and filled with snacks
outdoor) baffled me, and the constant gurgling of the outside one was annoying at Or use the sleep programme and reads, but business travellers may
night. What made up for this was the glass-covered hole in the floor: you can watch and impressive child-friendly be wanting something more formal.
the fish swim under your villa, and at night it casts watery reflections on the ceiling. facilities to target families In Nairobi, the lounge had more of a
Memorable touches included the karaoke bar, complete with glitter ball, and looking for relaxation. business feel but was tiny, though it did
the giant manta ray that glided past me during my first snorkel just outside my have a shower room.
water villa. Snorkelling and diving is impressive around the resort, but for How to book it: Thomson is VIP One of the masses
world-class reefs a boat trip is best. offering seven nights from
Also worth flagging up is Iru Fushi’s ‘Sweet Dreams’ package, a week-long sleep £1,149pp (half-board), including And so to bed: 2-2-2 configuration,
programme including yoga, massages, six types of pillow and “sleep concierge”. I flights from Gatwick and sea plenty to read and watch, and easy
didn’t have time to fully try this out, but there was plenty else to keep me busy: plane transfers. Tel: 0871 sleep on a comfortable flatbed. Nice
windsurfing, snorkelling, yoga, virtual golf – and, of course, a spot of karaoke. 2313235, thomson.co.uk touches included a place to pop your
Iru Fushi, Noonu Atoll, Maldives. Tel: 00 960 656 0591, irufushi.com shoes and a useful amenity kit.
Comfortable cocoon Cabin fever
On the menu: A champagne-and-
furniture, oak-panelled rooms and huge chandeliers. canapes service greeted me once
Plenty of nods to the modern include the feel of the seated, and drinks order was taken
Tower Suites, which are contemporary in design with a for post take-off. Food and good
large flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi and stylish, light-coloured choice of wines were served
furniture. The bathroom is enormous, in a black marble restaurant style, followed by the
design, with large bath and separate shower area, and a cheese and deserts trolley.
generous selection of Acqua de Parma products. The A fine feast Eat before boarding
views from here – 45 floors up – are breathtaking.
Higher still are the triplex apartments which form the Hi-tech vs low-tech: a good mix of
top of the building, 55 storeys up, each serviced by a international and ‘Hollywood’ films
private lift within the apartment itself. The rack rate is a shown on 7.5in screens, as well as a
NEW YORK PALACE
cool $15,000 a night – this gets you a huge living room, range of radio stations with African
MANHATTAN, NYC
three bedrooms, one of the biggest bathrooms in New options, plus in-seat laptop power. The
by Adam Coulter
York and on the roof, a second living room with a large inflight magazine Msafiri was packed
For fans of the cult TV series Gossip Girl (of which I am sundeck. Despite the downturn, the triplexes enjoy a with strong reading material.
one), staying in the New York Palace is a must. It was here steady occupancy by those who remain unaffected by the Switched on Switched off
where the two main characters, Serena and Dan, first met, credit crunch, such as film and music stars.
and where they first went for dinner. This hotel is where My only criticism is that the spa, which has just three Who’s it for: With its informal but
Serena and her family stayed, in the triplex apartment treatment rooms, is really not big enough for a hotel of efficient service, the cabin appeal ably
– one of four the hotel boasts. It’s where Serena and Blair this size and stature. Apart from that, the Palace is a provides for both wealthy safari fanatics
meet to scheme in the Gilt Bar, which adjoins the hotel’s stunning property, gilded and great – in fact it’s just like and local businesspeople.
two Michelin-star restaurant; and where the Debutantes stepping into a movie set.
Ball was held, in the wonderfully ornate ballroom. The New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, NY 10022. If it were a famous person…
complete with frescoes and flourishes on the first floor. Tel: 001 212 888 7000, newyorkpalace.com Barak Obama of course, for a long time
Part of the Dorchester Collection, the Palace was built diligently working, waiting for everyone
less than 30 years ago, but the ambience and decor in the HOW TO BOOK IT else to realise what it has to offer.
public rooms is straight out of the late 19th century, with Visit dorchestercollection.com/travelagencies.aspx
vast pillars, enormous windows and drapes, dark wood Room rates start at $500 per night (room only). by April Hutchinson
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