Dreaming of picturesque, pristine countryside, romantic castles steeped in history, or the culture and energy of vibrant cities?
Scotland has all this and much more.
Come see what makes Scotland such a unique and popular destination for so many travellers.
We show you the best that Scotland has to offer, from specific destinations to theme-based tours.
There’s an ever-expanding body of scientific evidence that (whether behind a desk at work or during a long plane trip or
train ride), being seated for prolonged periods can be harmful. We provide tips to boost your health and reduce the
harmful impact on your body while travelling.
Alaska is slowly further integrating with its Oneworld partners.
Following the increase in code-shared routes with Iberia announced in early October, Alaska has now released its Partner Awards Table for
Iberia.
At first glance it doesn't offer the exceptional value obtainable with other partners (especially for business and first class).
Alaska seems to be retaining individual tables for its partners rather than a single unified table for all partners. So the program may continue to offer gems of redemptions.
There are still a few Oneworld partners that do not have tables in place, so keep watching this space.
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Jordanian
S7
SriLankan Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Buy Alaska miles with up to 50% discount
Alaska has an offer for Mileage Plan members to purchase miles with up to 50% bonus miles. This 50% bonus offer
runs until 23 December, 2021.
This is one of the better buy miles deals comes that Alaska Airlines has offered.
We don't recommend speculatively buying miles, but it can make sense if:
you need to top off your balance to complete a specific redemption.
the cost is considerably cheaper than paying for the product you want outright and you will make your reservation fairly soon, even if the
flight is further down the track.
Alaska mileage sales have been known to be targeted, so different members may see different bonus levels. You will need to login to your
account to see what applies to yourself.
We like Alaska Mileage Plan for international travellers, due to the great redemptions under its Partners Awards rates. This may change to a unified awards table now they have joined Oneworld, but currently there are great redemptions for long-haul flights on Qantas and especially
for business/first class fares with Cathay and Fiji Airways.
Historically, if you flew Qantas return Melbourne to London and assigned your points to Alaska, then redeemed Mileage Plan miles for a later
Qantas flight to London, your spend to earn & redeem those miles was cut by around 40%.
Should you buy Alaska miles using our link, at no additional
cost to you, we may earn a small remuneration.
Banyan Tree planning for growth
Banyan Tree has unveiled plans to to double its footprint of 54 properties across 23 countries by 2025 with the introduction of 5 new brands launching in the next 18 months.
In 2022, the group will introduce the new Garrya, Homm and Folio brands, as well as two brand extensions of
Banyan Tree named Veya and Escape. Each of the 5 new brands to be released are responses to macro and regional trends such as a greater desire for well-being and sustainability-minded travel offerings.
In readiness, it has
already opened 7 hotels so far this year, including:
last month's opening of the first Garrya Huzhou Lucun in China
the debut of Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong: and
a soft-opening of Banyan Tree Veya Phuket.
Four Garrya and two Homm have been signed in Asia with more in the pipeline.
This follows Banyan Tree Group this year signing 20 hotel management agreements worldwide including Benin, Mexico, Greece, Saudi Arabia,
Korea, Thailand, China and Vietnam.
Banyan Tree has along-established reputation for luxurious spa and resort properties with an ethos of sustaianabilty and supporting
local communities. These new destinations will add exciting options.
Banyan Tree's ethos of sustainability started in 1994 when they
transformed an ecological wasteland spoiled by waste from a nearby tin mine into a rejuvenated area with the first environmentally
sensitive Banyan Tree resort.
Stays at Banyan Tree spas and resorts (which I highly recommend) can be either booked
directly
or via Accor (to receive ALL member benefits).
Accor is one of our advertisers and at no additional cost to you we may receive a small compensation if you use our link (with
thanks).
The community of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals recently had their 2021 World MICE Awards
announced.
Votes were cast by MICE industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
Brands to win top honours included:
Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai -‘World’s Best Incentive Hotel’
Etihad Airways - ‘World’s Best MICE Airline’
InterContinental London – the O2 ‘Europe’s Best MICE Hotel’
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore - ‘World’s Best MICE Hotel’ and ‘Asia’s Best MICE Hotel’
Westin Surabaya, Indonesia - ‘Asia’s Best New MICE Hotel’
Bellagio Las Vegas - ‘North America’s Best MICE Hotel’
Destination winners included:
Dubai - ‘World’s Best MICE Destination’ and ‘Middle East’s Best MICE Destination’
Sao Paulo, Brazil - ‘Latin America’s Best MICE Destination’
Madrid - ‘Europe’s Best MICE Destination’
Jamaica - ‘Caribbean’s Best MICE Destination’
Congratulations to all the winners !
The complete list which can be found at the official website... Read More…
Raffles Hotel London | Accor confirms opening late 2022
Accor has confirmed Raffles London at the OWO will open toward the end of 2022.
A combined residential and grand new hotel in the landmark Grade II listed former Old War Office on Whitehall, are being completed in
partnership with Hinduja Group, which has been passionately committed to the meticulous restoration of the heritage features of the building
since 2016.
Hundreds of artisan craftspeople have been commissioned to restore the historic interior elements including delicate hand-laid
mosaic floors, oak panelling, chandeliers and a magnificent marble staircase.
The building will open to the public for the first time, having undergone a transformation to create 120 rooms and suites, 85 unique branded
residences and 11 destination restaurants and bars.
Located at one of London’s most historically significant addresses, originally completed in 1906 and designed by British architect William
Young, it has stood witness to many world-shaping events. The likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Haldane and the James Bond (is that
his Aston Martin DB5 out front?)
author Ian Fleming have all walked the corridors of what was the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
The OWO will be the first Raffles hotel in the UK and is located opposite Horse Guards, with views towards St
James’s Park, and is moments from Downing Street and UNESCO world heritage sites: The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey.
It will have an extensive wellness space featuring world leading spa and fitness partners and will be home to a rooftop restaurant and bar
with panoramic views across Whitehall, the Mall and on to Buckingham Palace.
I love when historic buildings are restored & repurposed so that their beauty can be appreciated by future generations.
Accor welcomes Hotel Belmont Vancouver into its MGallery Hotel Collection
Accor announced that effective today, December 1st, 2021, Hotel Belmont Vancouver (pictured) will join the Group as
the first Canadian property in the MGallery Hotel Collection of individual, boutique-styled hotels.
As part of the MGallery Hotel Collection, Hotel Belmont Vancouver will maintain its unique personality and bespoke design while also
featuring some of the MGallery brand's markers such as memorable character, luxury, innovation, local art, and music.
The 5-story, 82-room boutique property features retro-modern design, upscale finishings, and curated art throughout. Hotel Belmont Vancouver
has a glitzy past, famous in the city for hosting many performers over the years, including young crooner Michael Bublé at the start of his
singing career.
Another attractive option for Accor ALL members, it joins the other Accor properties in Vancouver of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont
Pacific Rim, Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Vancouver Airport.
Located in the Docklands precinct of New Quay, Melbourne Marriott Docklands is the first five-star property in the harbour
suburb.
It features 189 guest rooms, a rooftop infinity pool (pictured) and an exclusive M Club executive lounge.
Located just minutes from Melbourne's city centre by tram, it is also an easy walk to the bars & restaurants of New Quay and the Marvel
sporting stadium.
For Bonvoy members, it is a Category 5 hotel (at least until Bonvoy's
dynamic pricing commences) - identical to the Westin Melbourne, Sheraton Melbourne & Melbourne Marriott
(which are my personal order of preference).
Cash prices appear to be closer to those of Melbourne Marriott than those of the Westin or Sheraton which are both located on/near Collins
Street.
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