p58-59 ttg_lux_t&t reviews Wint09 27/11/09 15:00 Page 59
CATHAY PACIFIC
BUSINESS CLASS
Heathrow-Hong Kong
The facts: 28 flights a week from
Heathrow, with connections to 118
destinations worldwide. Return tickets
cost from £2,668. Tel: 020 8834 8888,
W
cathaypacific.com/uk.
BARCELONA
by April Hutchinson
Style & substance: A fishbone layout in
the cabin allows unrestricted aisle access
The new W is a dramatic scene-stealer for the Barcelona coastline – and it flies the for every passenger, and an ottoman
HOW TO SELL IT
flag for the brand in western Europe for the first time. provides a leg rest or extra seat should
In the planning and creation for many years, the W Barcelona has been crafted flyers want to chat face to face.
■ Incredibly, it’s the only hotel
by renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, making a 26-storey sail-like debut in Barcelona with direct Top notch Could try harder
and sitting at the vanguard of an urban renewal plan for Barcelona’s coastline. From access to the beach.
my 19th-floor room, I could see the rather more unattractive side of the coastline,
■ Boasts a Bliss Spa for anyone
Feeling: Staff are perfectly attentive
looking out over ferries and freighters in the port and a rather uninspiring view of
wanting some chic city and
– but also know when to disappear.
some car parks. But waiting for the lift, the view was more savoury: a vista of Nova
seaside pampering.
This, along with a contemporary decor
Bocana, a sun-kissed Barceloneta beach boardwalk and the sparkling Med beyond.
■ Signature restaurant by
and well-designed private space, create
Michelin-rated Catalan
The hotel is bound to attract a jet-setting European and international crowd, a relaxed but pampered atmosphere.
chef Carles Abellan.
but its success also relies on buy-in from the local market: Barcelonians were VIP One of the masses
definitely out in force for a “nosy” round. Judging by the overall reaction from
How to book it
the local visitors, it has met with approval.
Kuoni offers three nights at the
And so to bed: 78in-long by 23.5in-wide
But I’m not so sure. Maybe I’m getting jaded, but dramatic architecture aside,
W Barcelona from £759 per
seat transforms into a fully-flat bed with
the yawning lobby left me cold, there was quite a wait to check-in, quite a walk to person, including BA flights a two-way massaging function. A duvet,
the heart of the city, and not quite a lot in the shell of a room – the fixtures felt from Heathrow and transfers. pillow and high pod walls give a private
budget and the bathroom was an uninspiring open space. I didn’t like having to
Tel: 01306 747008, kuoni.co.uk
and cosy place to get some sleep.
shout to check in – there’s lobby music, and there’s feeling you’re in a nightclub. Comfortable cocoon Cabin fever
The hotel has 473 guest rooms including 67 suites – the most impressive is the
Placa de la Rosa dels Vents1,
WOW suites and one Extreme WOW suite, which live up to their names.
Barcelona 08039.
On the menu: Drinks begin flowing
Tel: 00 34 93 295 2800,
The highlight for me however was Eclipse, the 26th-floor bar with irrefutably immediately with champagne or soft
starwoodhotels.com/whotels
impressive vistas over Barcelona and designed by Ignite Group, who brought us options on offer, and once the seatbelt
famed London nightclub, Boujis. signs are off the full array of beverages
becomes available as frequently as one
likes. Food options are varied and staff
explain the menu. Snacks including
MISSONI
biscuits and nuts are also on offer
EDINBURGH
between meals.
by Paul Revel
A fine feast Eat before boarding
Missoni, the iconic Italian fashion brand, has landed with a “healthy” minibar (it does include beer). The hotel also
vibrant splash in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile features well-appointed meetings facilities (for up to 60) High-tech v low-tech: a 15in personal TV
district. Rosita Missoni, fashion guru and head of the design and a small gym – a spa follows at the end of the year. offers 50 movies, 100 TV programmes,
dynasty, has added her magical touch to all aspects of this In a city boasting several venerable five-star hotels, this 16 CDs, 22 radio channels and 96 games.
Rezidor-operated hotel, which opened in June. newcomer is not the grandest in town, but it could well The headset is designed to reduce cabin
The combination of vivid blocks of colour with a riot of claim to be the most fun. noise and enhance sound quality, and a
busy black-and-white prints sounds disastrous on paper, but Hotel Missoni, 1 George VI Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 AD. 110V AC power socket is suitable for
it’s actually all delightfully stylish and easy on the eye. Tel: 0131 220 6666, hotelmissoni.com laptops, PDAs and MP3 players.
The flower-shaped lobby bar is already a popular local Switched on Switched off
hangout, with its original art, cool cocktail list and prosecco
on tap, and the Cucina restaurant is a real highlight: Who’s it for: It has all the trimmings
excellent seasonal Italian food with special touches such and practicality a business traveller
as delicious home-baked breads and a knowledgeable would expect, with the informality to
“grappa sommelier”, his trolley laden with lethal treats. avoid a leisure traveller feeling the need
The rooms tend to be a fairly standard size, but so for airs and graces.
artfully done you don’t notice: funky white Bang&Olufsen
TV, flower-print espresso cups, rich fabrics everywhere – If it were a famous person… Tony Blair
guests are gently reminded all the items are available to (pre-Iraq war) – an everyman, perhaps
buy from Missoni’s homeware range. able to appeal as closely as possible to
A recession-busting touch is the “all-inclusive” concept. all people all of the time.
With prices from £200 a night, this includes breakfast,
Wi-Fi, local calls, movies on demand, some laundry and a by Rupert Murray
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