Tom Newcombe AIR ASTANA B757 business class/Heathrow-Astana
AIR ASTANA LAUNCHED ITS DIRECT SERVICE to the capital of Kazakhstan in 2013, operating the route three-times weekly. Business class passengers can now make use of the recently opened Air Astana lounge at Astana airport.
CHECK-IN AND LOUNGE: I arrived for check-in at the airport two hours before a 1630 flight. Staff at the dedicated business-class desk processed me quickly and there was no queue through security. Before the flight, I used the Etihad lounge. (On the return journey, I went to the new Air Astana lounge located just outside the departure gate at Astana airport, which has a minimalist design with canapé-style food, a selection of cheeses and a large variety of alcoholic and soft drinks). THE SEAT: Air Astana offers an angled lie-flat seat with comfortable duvet and pillow set, and a packed Payot amenity kit. The 757 doesn’t have built-in TV screens, but instead you are given a personal
entertainment system on an tablet which has a good selection of movies and music, but a lot less choice than the newer B767. This makes watching a film while dinner is served quite difficult. SERVICE: A choice of champagne, wine or soft drinks were served before take-off and food orders were taken about an hour into the flight. Dishes included smoked duck breast and sweetcorn chowder for starters, a choice of four options on the main course – chicken breast with foie gras, roasted lamb cutlets with potatoes and spinach, sea bream and sweet potato and goat cheese agnolotti. I had the lamb, which was excellent and accompanied by a small portion of vegetables. Desserts included
chocolate brownie, fresh fruit and a selection of English cheeses. Service during the flight was excellent; the cabin crew regularly came round with the drinks trolley, but it was quiet and dark enough to sleep without the need for the amenity kit’s earplugs and eye-mask. Landing cards, which were needed at the passport desk in Astana, were handed out an hour before arrival. VERDICT: The quiet cabin and comfortable seat ensure you can sleep well, with the food and service at a very high standard. However, the in-flight entertainment was disappointing with a small selection of films compared to the hundreds offered by other airlines. Although that is the only criticism about an otherwise very enjoyable flight.
Tom Newcombe ALOFT LIVERPOOL
1 North John Street, Liverpool L2 5QW • Phone: +(44) (151) 294 3970 •
aloftliverpool.com
CLOSE TO POPULAR VENUES (such as Liverpool One, the Echo Arena and the Docks), Aloft Liverpool hotel is housed inside the iconic Royal Insurance building, a 10-minute walk from Lime Street station. This Grade II-listed building has many original features intact – stained-glass windows, circular stairwells and wooden pillars. The Starwood-owned hotel markets itself as a mid-market ‘boutique’ property aimed at generation Y travellers.
ROOMS: The 116-rooms are split into standard and ‘savvy’. All have a modern, urban, minimalist design with neutral colours. Standard rooms include a 42-inch flat-screen, free wifi and oversized shower, slightly larger savvy rooms offer better views of the city. All rooms have an iPod dock, fridge, Bliss toiletries and safe. BUSINESS FACILITIES: Despite the youthful converse-and- jeans-wearing staff, pool table and bring-your-own-pet scheme, the hotel does have a corporate feel. There are
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
three ‘tactic’ rooms with capacity for 15 theatre-style or 10 boardroom. A function room holds up to 100 theatre-style and an ‘anti- space’ room can cater for 16 people boardroom-style. The mezzanine bar has a capacity of 100. The hotel provides AV equipment, 50-inch flat- screen TV with laptop connection and DVD player. LEISURE FACILITIES: The hotel boasts a games room with PlayStation console, wide- screen TV, large beanbags and board games. There is a
24-hour gym with all the usual facilities – treadmills, free weights, exercise balls. BARS AND RESTAURANTS: The lobby area has a 24-hour ‘grab and go’ shop for drinks and snacks. The WXYZ bar is an open-plan space with a break-out acoustic area. There are also regular weekend DJ slots to appeal to the younger audience. The NYL restaurant serves all-day New York style dining with a brunch, lunch and dinner menu. VERDICT: Aloft Liverpool is a boutique-style hotel, set in the
centre of a thriving city and housed in a regenerated 18th-century city landmark. However, despite the comfy beds, super-fast wifi and friendly staff, for me, the hotel just has too much of the Starwood corporate touch. For many guests and creative companies, the hotel – and particularly its meetings and events spaces – is perfect. But for some it will feel like it was designed by middle-aged American businessmen attempting their last shot at being cool.
BBT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 123
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