Travel & Leisure readers have voted The Oriental, Bangkok as the world's leading hotel for outstanding service. The hotel, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, received the highest ranking for the World's Best Service with a score of 93.6%.
WIN A MILLION MILES
To celebrate the launch of its new frequent flyer partnership with BA Miles, Millennium Hotels and Resorts is offering all British Airways Executive Club Members the chance to win a million BA Miles by staying in a Millennium or Copthorne Hotel. All 57 of these hotels, including the Orchard Hotel Singapore and the Heritage Hotel Manila, will be participating in the program, giving guests the opportunity to earn BA Miles when they stay in any of their hotels worldwide at a qualifying rate. British Airways' frequent flyer members can earn double miles on each stay, and will be entered automatically for the grand prize draw for one million BA Miles. The draw is open to members of BA Miles staying until the end of December 2001.
MORE TAIPEI FLIGHTS
Cathay Pacific has added five new flights a week between Hong Kong and Taipei. The new services have been added daily from Wednesday to Sunday, bringing the total number of Cathay flights between the two destinations to 100 a week. The planned schedule for the new flights is: Hong Kong - Taipei, depart 1.50pm, arrive 3.35pm; Taipei - Hong Kong, depart 3.15pm, arrive 5pm. To book, tel: (852) 2747-1888.
SIR STAMFORD SHINES
Luxury boutique hotel, Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, in Sydney has been voted the Number One Hotel in Australia by readers of the US Condé Nast Traveler magazine, making the publication's prestigious Gold List for 2001. The hotel was also voted Number One in Australia for service by American Express' Travel and Leisure magazine in the US.
SUPER SAVINGS AT SHILLA
The Shilla Seoul is offering a Business Package priced at 261,000 won (US$201) per day plus government charges until August 31. The package includes: Business Deluxe Room; buffet breakfast; use of the Fitness Club; pressing of one business suit; 20% discount on laundry; in-room fax and voice mail; wire and wireless LAN communication service. The double occupancy charge is 300,000 won. Guests must stay a minimum of two nights. For reservations, tel: (822) 2230-3310; fax: 2230-3720; or www.shilla.net.
GOLFING GETAWAY
Anantara Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand is offering a special Golf Package from US$359 nett per room from now until September 30. The golfing package includes two nights' accommodation and a set dinner including a bottle of wine in the resort's Baan Thalia Restaurant. Other benefits such as free green fees and transfer to the property's three golf courses are thrown in. For bookings and inquiries, tel: (6602) 477-0800; fax: (6602) 476-6165; or send an email to: info@anantara.com.
SYDNEY SHUTTLE
Doing business in Australia? Qantas has launched an express service between Sydney and Melbourne. Flights leave every half an hour from Monday to Friday.
MORE FLIGHTS TO GUAM
Continental Airlines has increased services to its Pacific hub in Guam. The new flight schedule has been added to Continental's regular service from Hong Kong to Guam, bringing the total flights per week from three to four. Flight CO986 will now operate on Saturdays in addition to its weekly Monday, Wednesday and Friday service. From now on, the Hong Kong-Guam service will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
NEW SERVICE FOR PAL
Philippine Airlines has launched a regular service between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City. PAL will fly twice a week to Ho Chi Minh and also code-share on Vietnam Airlines' two flights a week on the route. PAL-operated flights depart Manila every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:20am, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at 8.45am. The return service departs Ho Chi Minh on the same days at 9.55am, arriving back in Manila at 1.20pm. The flights operated by Vietnam Air depart Manila every Monday and Saturday at 4pm, landing in Ho Chi Minh at 5.40pm. The reverse leg leaves Ho Chi Minh at 11.30am the same days, touching down in Manila at 3pm.
SUITE SUCCESS
Until the end of this month, you can stay in a suite at the Watergate Century Hotel in Shenzhen, China, for 800 renminbi (US$96.80) nett. Benefits include buffet breakfast for two; 24-hour stay; one free extra bed; use of in-room internet; access to gym; 20% discount in hotel's food and beverage outlets. For details, tel: (755) 2137-999-8888 or fax (86) 2137-311
BONUS POINTS
Members of Southern Airlines' frequent flyer program, Sky Pearl Club, can enjoy reduced room rates at some Shangri-La and Trader hotels. They can also pick up 800 bonus kilometres per stay. The promotion tion lasts until September 16.