REVIEWS HOTEL Melia Palma Bay By Paul Revel AIRLINE Virgin Atlantic B787-9, Upper Class, LHR-SEA
Carrer de Felicià Fuster 4, Palma 07006, Mallorca • Tel: +34 900 373 254 •
melia.com
AN ELEVATED WALKWAY JOINS THIS SMART, CONTEMPORARY HOTEL to the Palau de Congresso – the new flagship convention centre, also operated by Melia. Both started operating with a soft opening in April this year. They enjoy a beachside location with spectacular views over the Bay of Palma, and are a 15-minute drive to the airport and under ten minutes to the city centre.
ROOMS: There are 268 guestrooms including 52 ‘Level’ rooms and suites. In my 9th floor seaview room, double electric shades effectively black out the room for a decent morning’s sleep. Open them and the sunshine floods in on a minimalist, bright space with room to work and relax. The rooms are simply decorated in Nordic style in pale wood, whites and taupe. The mottled white marble bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a glass wall with another electric blind. Bathroom products are by leading Greek natural beauty brand Korres. ‘Level’ rooms add items such as espresso machine, bathrobe and slippers. RESTAURANTS & BARS: The main restaurant and bar is Trasluz, which serves tasty fresh Spanish dishes and seafood such as squid croquettes, slow-cooked octopus with purple potato cream and chilled salmorejo with quail eggs and tuna belly. ‘Level’ and suite guests can access the pleasant Level lounge on the third floor, with sea views, workstations and complimentary food and drink throughout the day: breakfast buffet with chef cooking eggs and omelettes
94 BBT July/August 2017
to order; lunchtime canapés, afternoon tea, pastries, sweets, snacks, chilled wines and cava. MEETINGS & EVENTS: For many business guests, the working day will be at the adjoining convention centre, designed by renowned architect Francisco Mangado. It features a striking cube lattice of ‘alusion’ (aluminium foam) that helps soak up heat and noise to create a cool, quiet and naturally-lit environment. Two auditoria – the largest holds 1,900 people – have state-of- the-art acoustics and staging technology, and there is 2,340 sqm of expo space, plus flexible meeting rooms and an outdoor banqueting space. The hotel itself has three events spaces. LEISURE: In the basement is a spa and indoor pool, and small but well-equipped 24-hour gym. A highlight is the 7th floor outdoor pool deck and bar; a lovely place to soak up the sun, the views and a cold drink. VERDICT: Its stylish, functional design, good food and views, and free wifi throughout make for an enjoyable business stay. Easy access to the beach and the historic city centre, plus that pool terrace, help travellers make the most of downtime.
VIRGIN ATLANTIC LAUNCHED THE DAILY DREAMLINER B787-9 service from Heathrow to Seattle-Tacoma airport in March this year, replacing a flight operated by its JV partner, Delta. The additional capacity adds more than 38,000 extra seats annually on the route.
CHECK IN & BOARDING: My journey started well, when I was picked up from home in a chauffeured E-class Mercedes that whisked me round the M25 to Virgin’s Upper Class Wing private entrance, where I was instantly checked in and went through the private security lane. VA’s Heathrow T3 Clubhouse remains one of the biggest and best airport lounges in the world, with à la carte dining, complimentary hairdresser and spa services. On the return leg, Upper Class passengers can freshen up in VA’s arrivals lounge. A friendly welcome onboard included an offer of pre-takeoff water, juice or champagne, and coats taken to be hung up. THE SEAT: The B787-9’s Upper Class cabin seats are laid out in a 1-1-1 herringbone style. All ‘pods’ have aisle access and some privacy – the most private being the A row, as it doesn’t face the middle passengers. The seats feature universal plug socket, touchscreen remote for the IFE, noise-cancelling headphones and amenity bag. The 11in screen swings out from the pod wall and offers around 60 films plus TV shows, music and games. This was a day flight, but there’s always the option of donning the ‘sleepsuit’ and having the crew make up the bed with duvet and pillow, plus a lavender pillow spray – a nice touch. In the upright position, a large table folds out for dining or working, and an ottoman footstool can act as an opposite seat for meetings. THE FLIGHT: An iconic feature of VA’s Upper Class cabin is the bar. It’s a great place to hang out, but the seats near it wouldn’t be my first choice. Lunch included a choice of green Thai chicken kebabs and organic tomato soup for starters, and for mains, roast free-range chicken or lamb, salmon fillet or spinach and ricotta tortellini. With a decent wine list by Berry Bros, cocktail list, Birchall tea menu, and an anytime snack menu that includes cakes, scones and burger with chips, suffice to say you’re pretty well fed and watered. Wifi is priced at £4.99 to £14.99. VERDICT: The product is not new, but has had several tweaks and it feels fresh and modern in the Dreamliner – with its mood lighting, quieter engines, better climate and big windows with electro- chromatic blinds. With comfortable all-aisle access, attentive service and space to work and relax – not to mention sipping a classic dry martini at the bar – as flights go, this one’s pretty hard to fault.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM By Paul Revel
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