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Volume 2, Issue 6, February 5, 2009 |
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Holidaymakers and business travellers are being ripped off by high and confusing WiFi charges in airport lounges, cafés and hotels, with rates varying by up to 1,100 per cent within a single destination, according to an investigation by Expedia.
The study compares WiFi rates from 5-star to 2-star hotels and airport lounges across 10 top destinations and reveals that hotels with a lower star rating are more likely to offer free WiFi access than international or 5-star hotels, where rates can be up to GBP 21 per hour to connect. With a fifth (18 per cent) of U.K. travellers willing to downgrade their hotel star rating to safeguard their 2009 travel plans, free WiFi is yet another added benefit.
The variety of pricing models — from half hourly or hourly to day rates — makes comparison difficult. According to the study, destinations in Europe are the most expensive for WiFi, with Venice topping the list with an average charge of GBP 7.40 per hour, compared to just GBP 0.90 in Florida where most travellers benefit from an abundance of free WiFi.
Alison Couper, communications director of Expedia.co.uk said: “If travellers know that they are going to need to access the Internet while abroad, we are advising them to do their research before they go to ensure they know the cost of Web access upfront.” 
Cathay Pacific will increase its number of flights to three key destinations — Paris (CDG), Shanghai (PVG) and Jakarta (CGK). The service enhancements will be introduced in the airline’s summer schedule, effective March 29. An additional four flights a week will be added to and from Paris — departing Hong Kong (HKG) every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday — meaning the airline will provide a double-daily service to the French capital. In another change effective with the summer schedule, Cathay Pacific will add two more flights each day to Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, with early- and late-afternoon departures from Hong Kong, taking the airline’s total to three flights daily.
Wataniya Airways is offering passengers mobile in-flight passenger communications services across its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. Wataniya Airways passengers can stay connected inflight with phones to send and receive text messages and emails and access the Internet. A growing number of commercial airlines either currently offer in-flight communications services or plan to offer them in the near future. These include AirAsia, Airblue, BMI, British Airways, Jazeera Airways, Kingfisher, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, Shenzhen Airlines, TAM and TAP.
AirAsia has launched direct daily flights to Bali (BAJ) from Bangkok (BKK). The airline also launched flights on Tuesday between Guangzhou (CAN) and Bangkok. Both routes are operated by Thai AirAsia, an associate of the AirAsia group. The daily flights to Bali depart Bangkok at 06:15 to arrive in Denpasar at 11:25. Flights from Denpasar leave at 11:55 for a 15:20 scheduled arrival in Bangkok.
Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, Marriott International’s fifth hotel in Hong Kong, recently opened its doors. Located adjacent to the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and the Sky Pier ferry terminal and connected via a covered footbridge to AsiaWorld-Expo, the hotel’s world-class facilities and services help boost the attraction of the area. All rooms at the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel feature the latest in-room technology with unique views of the ocean or golf course.
India’s Jet Airways has introduced an additional free check-in baggage allowance of 10 kgs, over and above the normal baggage allowance offered to passengers. The offer is exclusively available to passengers using the airline’s Web, Kiosk or SMS check-in facilities. The additional baggage allowance, applicable at the airport of departure on all Jet Airways-operated flights only, is valid for those passengers checking in for travel between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28.
62, Sec.2, Bei-Yi Road
Hsintien City
Taipei, Taiwan
tel 02 22718891
A Taipei local told us there's a world-level restaurant in Xindian, about an hour’s drive from downtown Taipei. She had dined there last year and reckoned it was one of Taipei’s best-kept secrets.
Thus, on a recent trip to the Formosa, I headed away from the bright lights and scuffle of Taipei to the foothills that surround the city and followed a narrow, winding road to the restaurant.
The décor was simple but striking. Japanese prints and mandolins on the walls; plants and decorative ornaments placed sparingly around the room. Each table was cordoned off by bamboo screens and traditional Chinese music played softly in the background.
Over the course of three hours we sampled 10 intricately prepared culinary treats. Highlights included a seared pork neck with red yeast rice sauce and whole shrimps with roasted pumpkin and eggplant. Several fruity or floral vinegars are offered for cleansing palates between courses.
Chef and owner, Mr Yo, informed us that the menu changes seasonally and he often experiments with new dishes to keep his regular clientele happy. He has no Web site, never advertises and relies purely on word of mouth for business.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok is hosting the inaugural Annual Valentine’s Day Gala in support of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer. Tickets to the event are THB 10,000 per couple all inclusive or THB 45,000 for a table of 10. The evening begins with cocktails on the ballroom terrace followed by the five-course dinner with wines in the newly renovated ballroom. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer to raise funds for a new pathology lab, the future of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
When staying at the InterContinental Hong Kong between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28, enjoy complimentary access to the hotel's luxurious Club InterContinental Lounge, inclusive of buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails from 18:00: 20:00, plus complimentary high-speed Internet access and personalised concierge services. Club InterContinental Lounge access is normally a surcharge of HKD 900 per night per room. This offer is applicable for bookings made between Jan. 19 to Feb. 28.
British Airways and VisitBritain have teamed up to offer Singaporeans the chance to visit two cities in the U.K, including London, from just SGD 1,198. With this latest offer, travellers can fly to some of the UK’s hottest destinations — Aberdeen (ABZ), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA), Manchester (MAN) and Newcastle (NCL) — as well as enjoy a stopover in London. Valid for travel from Feb. 1 until June 30, the promotion offers passengers a twin-city getaway.
Air Tahiti Nui and Elegant Resorts and Villas have released packages with accommodations available at either the Pearl Beach Moorea from AUD 3270 or the stunning Pearl Beach Resort Bora Bora from AUD 5150. Available for travel from Feb. 1 to March 31, both packages are priced per person and include return economy-class airfares with Air Tahiti Nui, five nights at a Pearl Resort in a Garden Bungalow with a private plunge pool, daily breakfast and dinner, two nights at the Radisson Plaza Tahiti, all airport transfers and taxes.
Marriott has launched the Marriott Cheque Promotion which offers up to GBP 50 or USD 50 in Marriott cheques for guests staying two nights or more at any participating Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, and Courtyard by Marriott properties outside of the U.S. and Canada. Upon arrival, guests booked for at least two nights, Thursday through Sunday, using the promotion, will receive a cheque that can be used on their next visit. The promotion runs through March 15.
