2018 09 01 business traveler

S E P T E M B E R $4.99 SHANGHAI SURPRISES Celebrating a diverse culinary landscape MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Serviced apartments become ‘flexible lifestyle stays’ AUTO MAGIC Düsseldorf ’s unique world of classic motorcars SIZING UP ISTANBUL Turkey’s new airport is Europe’s largest and most high tech PLUS Tried and Tested • Lounges London & Hong Kong CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2018 R E G UL A R S UPFRONT Airline and hotel news from around the world 10 T A K E O F F S A N D LANDINGS Well Grounded Today’s high-design business aviation terminals are exceeding expectations 44 H O U R S I N TORONTO Finding little gems in Canada’s biggest city 58 WORLD WISE Eyes on You Airports discover a more discreet way of watching your every move ON TH E C OVER F E AT UR E S 16 A NORTHERN AFFAIR Tucked in between Paris and the Channel, the north of France is a world with its own iconic – and remarkable – charms 22 F E E D I N G A H E A L T H Y HABIT Turkey’s newest airport will be Europe’s largest and its most high tech Hotels worldwide are taking the initiative to support their guests’ well being 26 30 SIZING UP I S TAN BUL AUTO MAGIC Classic Remise Düsseldorf has carved out a unique niche in the world of vintage transportation 46 HISTORIC HAVEN Malta’s ancient citadels provide a theatrical backdrop for gatherings with gravitas THE REPORT 54 T R I E D A N D T E S T E D HOTELS 54 Arlo Soho, New York TRIED AND TESTED FLIGHTS 55 LATAM 767-300ER premium business class Miami – Salvador de Bahia, Brazil SMART TRAVELER LOOSE CHANGE 56 What you don’t know about the dynamics of Dynamic Currency Conversion could cost you when it comes to spending abroad 55 36 SHANGHAI SURPRISES Celebrating a city with a diverse culinary landscape 57 T R I E D A N D T E S T E D LOUNGES American Express Centurion Lounge, Hong Kong International, Emirates Lounge, London Heathrow Terminal 57 MAKE YOURSELF AT H O M E Serviced apartments become ‘flexible lifestyle stays’ 40 UPFRONT SEPTEMBER 2018 businesstravelerusa.com WELCOME Intermedia Travel Group Eleven Ryerson Avenue, Suite 201, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 P: (973) 839-6200 F: (973) 839-4390 www.businesstravelerusa.com Group Publisher Jerry Allison – (973) 839-6200 JAllison@businesstravelerusa.com Principal/Chief Content Officer Ross Atkinson – (703) 395-7145 RAtkinson@businesstravelerusa.com Subscriptions – (973) 839-0620 subscriptions@businesstravelerusa.com Advertising Sales – (973) 839-6200 advertising@businesstravelerusa.com Jim McGinley – (818) 712-0672 Mike Shevlin – (847) 749-0168 Editorial Director Dan Booth – (336) 766-1961 editorial@businesstravelerusa.com Editorial Assistant – Ralf Walters Contributors Becky Ambury Marisa Cannon Jerome Greer Chandler Harvey Chipkin Tamsin Cocks Kate Farr Valerian Ho Jasmine Ji Sam Kamel Akanksha Maker David O’Byrne Ramsey Qubein Rachel Read Juliet Rix Jenny Southan Designer & Art Director Michele Cameron ML.Cameron@comcast.net Production Marylee DeFerrari mdeferrari@businesstravelerusa.com Business Traveler® North America is published ten times a year at our address as above The magazine is independent of commercial interest Unsolicited manuscripts will not be accepted for publication The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part of the text, photographs or illustrations without permission is prohibited businesstravelerusa.com F or all the complaining we hear about airport security these days, the fact is this summer’s travel season went by with relatively few hiccups related to screening lines and wait times Nobody goes out of their way to stand in a line because they love it; we queue up – at the bank, at the license office, at airport security – because we have to in order to achieve an end But despite all the beefing, there is sense of relaxation that comes once that last landside hurdle is cleared and you find yourself on the ‘secure’ airside, all snug and safe In fact according to a recent global survey, only about a third of business travelers (34 percent) say they’re nervous in an airport, as opposed to half who are most worried about being in subways and train stations Having spent the better part of this summer just past traveling by all sorts of different conveyances, I can relate Travelers are left to fend more or less for themselves on crowded train station platforms And driving in big city rush hour traffic is enough to make anybody’s blood pressure cuff explode By contrast once we’re in the airport we are guided (some cynics would say ‘herded’) and guarded (those same cynics would call it ‘policed’) as we docilely find our way to our assigned gate In a way all this unsolicited solicitousness seems to be counterintuitive to the sense of anticipation that should be ours when we launch out on our voyages of discovery In the past few months my travels have had their share of transportation adventures The autos of Classic Remise Düsseldorf inspired a bit of yearning (and a story, see Auto Magic, page 26) about the days when cars were sleek and powerful expressions in sheet metal and chrome and lots of glitz More recently we journeyed to Colorado to experience the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad A trip up that mountain is an experience of real steam and real history Now I’ve returned to the here and now Having made it through security, I’m sitting in yet another airport, snug and safe along with several hundreds of my closest friends My aircraft has just pulled up to the gate, and soon we’ll all be boarding some snug and safe airplane Then we’ll hurtle at nearly the speed of sound to some other snug and safe airport thousands of miles away Nothing extraordinary; just another ho-hum day in the business of business travel But no matter how mundane it seems, travel is forever an adventure to me The road calls and I for one am ready to answer Dan Booth Editorial Director Keep In Touch Stay Informed: sign up for the Business Traveler weekly newsletter at www.businesstravelerusa.com SEPTEMBER 2018 UPFRONT SMART ROOMS INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP has announced a collaboration between InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Baidu to introduce the next generation of Smart Rooms powered by artificial intelligence Guests staying at InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun and InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Centre will be among the first to experience the AI Smart Rooms The solution developed by Baidu’s DuerOS Platform integrates AI technology with hotel operations, supported by hardware upgrades and cloud service A total of 100 AI powered Club InterContinental suites will be available at InterContinental hotels in gateway cities and key destinations across China within the year Learn more at ihg.com Marriott Loyalty MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL has integrated its three loyalty plans, Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, onto one platform A new name for the program will not be announced until 2019 Until then, the unified program will operate under the three current names Along with the unified program, Marriott will introduce a single points currency For details visit marriott.com SEPTEMBER 2018 PROPERTY PIPELINE AND OPENINGS businesstravelerusa.com UPFRONT TSA IN 3-D THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) is rolling out new airport scanners with computed tomography technology to reduce the number of bag checks for passengers In 2017 the agency began testing the new CT scanner at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Boston’s Logan International Airport Recently, an additional scanner was employed at JFK in New York The agency plans to have an additional 40 scanners in place by the end of the 2018 By 2019 fiscal year, over 145 units will be in airports across the country Among the airports scheduled to install the next 15 units are Chicago O’Hare, Houston Hobby, Boston Logan, Los Angeles International, McCarran International in Las Vegas and Washington-Dulles International Airport MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL has announced plans for a third Ritz-Carlton property in the New York area The 500-foot tower at Broadway and 28th Street in the NoMad neighborhood is set to open in 2021 The property will offer 250 rooms and 11 residences, a fine-dining restaurant, Club Lounge and a rooftop bar ritzcarlton.com businesstravelerusa.com HOTEL INDIGO IHG is planning three new Hotel Indigo properties in the Pacific Northwest The Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown is a newbuild 138-room hotel, as is the Hotel Indigo Everett, WA, offering 142 rooms The Hotel Indigo Spokane, originally built in 1911, is a conversion All are scheduled to open in 2019 and 2020 ihg.com LHR GREEN LIGHT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT has approved plans to expand Heathrow Airport, a project whose centerpiece is a third runway Under the proposal, passenger capacity at Heathrow could jump from nearly 80 million passengers per year to 110 million by 2030 The proposed new airstrip would cross over London's congested M25 motorway, and could result in the demolition of some 750 homes in nearby villages However, the project still faces significant hurdles The airport is Europe’s busiest and operates close to capacity, but critics say that the plan is environmentally unsound Some opponents have tried to make the case for developing some of Heathrow's rival airports Without expansion, government officials say London's airports will reach capacity by 2034 W HOTELS W Nashville plans a 2020 opening with 346 guestrooms including 50 suites and two WOW Suites The new-build property located in The Gulch plans to offer guests two dining concepts, 13,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, plus 5,000 square feet of pre-function spaces and an outdoor terrace w-hotels.marriott.com HYATT REGENCY Hyatt is heading to Budapest with its Regency brand Located in the former postal office, Postapalota, the 231-room Hyatt Regency Budapest is slated to open in the beginning of 2020 The property will feature a nearly 4,200-square foot ballroom and more than 6,600 square feet of meeting and event space hyattregency.com SEPTEMBER 2018 UPFRONT THE STAY IS A STOR Y BT: You have designed luxury hotels and resorts across Asia and the globe Time magazine even called you the “king of exotic luxury resorts.” As both a designer and landscape architect, where you start when you’re designing a resort? BENSLEY: It’s like writing a movie with a beginning, main plot, and an ending with a central theme and storyline woven throughout the property This resort is located on “Monkey Mountain” so you’ll notice a running theme of monkeys throughout But we get to have some fun with them in places like the bar and nightclub where we imagine what the monkey’s life would be like if he traveled afar There are pictures of some of the monkey’s relatives and some of his keepsakes on display It’s all about sticking to the storyline and providing a variety of special moments where guests interact and notice the theme in subtle ways ONE ON ONE Celebrated designer and landscape architect Bill Bensley shares thoughts on hotel design and a monkey’s travels BT: What is your biggest pet peeve in a hotel room? BENSLEY: It’s the worst when you’re paying big bucks to stay in a fancy hotel, but you’re on your hands and knees looking for a power outlet I also think it’s imperative to have a bedside master light switch so you don’t spend forever trying to turn off the lights at night BT: What is your biggest pet peeve about hotels in general? BENSLEY: It’s disappointing when a hotel tries to be something for everyone A hotel built for everyone is really built for no one You can’t always please every taste and style; in fact, some people may hate the style of some of my hotels But the ones that love it, really love it That’s what a hotel should – know your audience and stick to it without trying to please every possible guest BT: Do you check review sites like TripAdvisor when you travel or about hotels you design? BENSLEY: Sure, everybody does, right? You can’t ignore it these days BT: The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is often listed among the top ten in Asia by many magazines What you think is so special that people are willing to travel across the globe to stay there? BENSLEY: I think the key to a good hotel is putting people into situations that are not normal to them This resort has beautiful villas and suites surrounded by nature, facing the stunning private bay, and amid frolicking monkeys You pair that with signature Vietnamese hospitality and you have something truly unique Luxury is no longer about pillow menus and butler service It’s about giving people exceptional experiences that make them eager to travel Fare Rules AMERICAN AIRLINES has announced changes that are coming to Basic Economy fares Beginning September 5, the fare includes both a personal item and a carry-on bag According to the airline the move will make the fares more competitive in the industry Learn more at aa.com SEPTEMBER 2018 businesstravelerusa.com UPFRONT CHINA DEBUT THE HYATT REGENCY SHENZHEN AIRPORT has opened in southern China’s Guangdong province The hotel is located on the west side of the terminal hall at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport The 335-room property offers free high-speed WiFi, four restaurants and bars, Regency Club accommodations and a Regency Club lounge on the 11th floor The property also offers 18,000 square feet of event space, plus a spa, a gym and an indoor pool Visit hyatt.com for details businesstravelerusa.com REOPEN IN PHILLY THE RENAISSANCE PHILADELPHIA DOWNTOWN HOTEL has reopened after extensive renovation The property offers 152-guest rooms in the heart of the Old City Philadelphia and pays homage to the 350-plus year history of this oneof-a-kind destination Food and beverage options feature a French brasserie called Chez Ben Restaurant after favorite son Ben Franklin, and a cocktail bar named M Brown’s Other amenities include 24hour fitness facilities and 4,300 square feet of meeting space For additional information visit renhotels.com SEPTEMBER 2018 TA K E O F F S & L A N D I N G S → SEPTEMBER 2018 RALF WALTERS/SHUTTERSTOCK 10 businesstravelerusa.com Historic haven ISTOCK 46 J U LY / A U G U S T businesstravelerusa.com D E S T I N AT I O N S Ancient catacombs and medieval citadels provide a theatrical backdrop for gatherings with gravitas WORDS JULIET RIX I n the past few years, the Mediterranean islandnation of Malta has leapt into the 21st century A Smart City business park is under development in Kalkara, for example, and Renzo Piano, architect of London’s the Shard, has redesigned the main gateway into the walled UNESCO World Heritage capital city, Valletta But at the same time, Malta has not abandoned its remarkable history – in fact there has been a frenzy of restoration and renovation, protecting and enhancing its range of historic buildings and fortifications, spurred on by Valletta’s designation as a European Capital of Culture this year Lying in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, just 60 miles south of Sicily, Malta, with its superb natural harbors, has been visited, owned or besieged by every power with designs on the Mediterranean – and each culture has left its mark From extraordinary Stone Age temples (older than Stonehenge and a lot more sophisticated) to Roman villas and medieval citadels, Malta has it all But it was 1530 when the island was given to the Knights of St John Hospitaller, who soon became known as the Knights of Malta, and their unique architectural and artistic legacy still characterizes the islands today businesstravelerusa.com These warrior monks ran Malta, and its little sister island of Gozo, until Napoleon kicked them out in 1798, only to find himself ejected in turn by the Maltese together with the British The result of all this fascinatingly checkered history is that Malta has the greatest density of historic sites of any nation And more are now open to the public – and for private events – than ever before Within the towering bastion walls of Valletta, historic houses and palazzi are being renovated and turned into boutique hotels as tourist numbers keep increasing Malta, with a population of just 435,000, has welcomed a rising number of visitors – more than two million visitors last year, some 140,000 of them for meetings and events An English-speaking nation well-connected with Europe and the UK, yet surrounded by azure seas and blessed with 300 days a year of sunshine, Malta will continue to attract visitors of all kinds Its USP, however, is undoubtedly its history, so here is a selection of historic venues you can book for your next event MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE CENTRE Malta’s flagship conference facility, and a member of the exclusive group of Historic Conference Centres of Europe (HCCE), this venue began its life in the 1570s as the Sacra Infermeria, the hospital of the Knights of Malta Here, almost at the tip of the Valletta peninsula, the Hospitallers ministered to the sick Even their leader and ruler of Malta, the Grand Master, was expected to take his turn working in the wards The 508-foot-long Great Ward was, at the time of its construction, famously the longest room in Europe → SEPTEMBER 2018 47 It can now be used for meetings, presentations and dinners for up to 1,500 people The central courtyard of the Knights’ building has been enclosed to create a modern conference hall seating up to 1,400 attendees in theatre formation There are multiple other rooms of various sizes, as well as a business center and catering for up to 4,000 people a day Valletta; mcc.com.mt 48 FORTS ST ELMO AND ST ANGELO Malta’s two most iconic forts, their honey-colored limestone bastions glowing after recent cleaning and repairs, have renewed vigor and purpose Once the key defenders of the Grand Harbor, they now welcome the public to museums, tours and re-enactments – as well as hosting mid-sized conferences, seminars, meetings and events Each fort has historic rooms available, and dramatic cannon-studded terraces with space for up to 2,000 people amid stunning views over the Grand Harbor and colorful yachts St Elmo sits opposite the MCC on the Valletta peninsula, while St Angelo, Malta’s oldest castle, is on the opposite bank looking back at Valletta (beautifully lit at night) Both were central to the Great Siege in 1565 when the Knights defeated the invading Turks St Angelo was the Knights’ first base in Malta and the Royal Navy’s last The creek where the Knights moored their galleys and the British their warships is now a yacht marina and pleasant waterfront Both castles have halls suitable for conferences – St Elmo for up to 90 people and St Angelo for 160 – as well as more intimate rooms for smaller gatherings Forts St Elmo and St Angelo; heritagemalta.org PHOENICIA HOTEL Malta’s most historic hotel, built under the British in the 1930s, reopened last year after a major refurbishment The entire property has been refreshed and updated, including all the rooms, the opulent art deco ballroom, the Maryanski Porch (garden gallery) and four meeting spaces The renovations have retained and enhanced the 1930s foyer lounge and the cozy gentlemen’s club-style bar A favorite haunt of Princess Elizabeth (the Queen), the Phoenicia has long welcomed government officials and VIPs All six event spaces can be laid out in any way required The ballroom accommodates up to 800 people for drinks or 250 for a banquet, while the Porch can seat 70 to 80 guests and leads out on to the gardens, making it a pleasant (and expandable) place for a reception The hotel stands just outside the bastion walls of Valletta, within walking distance of everything in Malta’s tiny capital but outside the confines of the citadel, allowing space for a crescent driveway, parking and a long garden, and a new infinity swimming pool overlooking Marsamxett Harbor Dedicated check-in to the hotel’s 136 rooms and suites can be arranged, along with secretarial support, SEPTEMBER 2018 Malta has been visited, owned or besieged by every power with designs on the Mediterranean – and each culture has left its mark businesstravelerusa.com D E S T I N AT I O N S FOUR INCENTIVE IDEAS DIGITAL TRE ASURE HUNT For history-inspired teambuilding, take the “I-challenge” around either Valletta or Malta’s lovely medieval capital Mdina This digital treasure hunt sends teams to visit the sites of the city to collect iPad images, answer questions and complete GPStriggered challenges vonbrockdorff.com/malta SE A BAT TLE Divide into Knights and Turkish pirates (maximum 100 per team) – each on their own traditional gullet boat, liberally supplied with water balloons and catapults that can shoot up to a third of a mile vonbrockdorff.com/malta CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Phoenicia hotel; Mediterranean Conference Centre; Fort St Angelo 49 GRAND HARBOR BOAT RIDE Tour the Grand Harbor and its historic creeks on a colorful dghajsa water taxi (six people to a boat) Book the VIP trip and your captain will take you down secret waterways where other vessels don’t go maltesewatertaxis.com CHAMPAGNE PAL A Z ZO TOUR Groups of up to 25 guests can take a champagne tour of the aristocratic Valletta palazzo Casa Rocca Piccola, with modern-day knight and owner Marquis Nicolas de Piro The opulent home dates back to the 16th century and has been perfectly preserved casaroccapiccola.com For more information visit conventionsmalta.com, visitmalta.com → FROM TOP: Mdina; dghajsa in Vittoriosa Marina businesstravelerusa.com SEPTEMBER 2018 D E S T I N AT I O N S FROM TOP: The streets of Valletta; St Paul’s Catacombs; the Ggantija Temples translation services and customized catering from the five-star kitchen team Floriana; phoeniciamalta.com CASINO MALTESE This is not a casino but, instead, Valletta’s most prestigious members’ club Founded in the 1850s under British rule, it occupies a Knights-period building in the heart of the capital Well used to important visitors, from British royals to Emperor Hirohito of Japan, the club has a huge double stairway, the elegant landing of which can be used for coffee breaks The ballroom, rimmed with cream and gold stucco, and lit by Murano crystal chandeliers, accommodates up to 275 people theatre-style or 200 for a sit-down dinner There are three connecting rooms that can be booked individually for small meetings or all together Valletta; thecasinomaltese.com 50 ST PAUL’S CATACOMBS It might seem eerie to hold an event in a place where people are buried, but the Romans themselves were happy to eat deep in these catacombs Nowadays events are held above ground, in the recently constructed Audio Visual Hall (set up as a cinema and seating 60 guests) and outside in a newly developed paved area among entrances to multiple small catacombs A few can be opened for your event, so between drinks your guests can step down underground to discover a fascinating variety of gravestones cut into the rock, as well as unusual agape tables around which the Romans sat for funerary/ memorial meals Most are Romano-Christian dating from the fourth to the ninth century (when the Arabs took Malta) but a few are Jewish Rabat, Sant Agata Street; heritagemalta.org GGANTIJA NEOLITHIC TEMPLES For a truly remarkable setting for an al fresco dinner for up to 200 people, hop over to the lovely rural island of Gozo (30 minutes by boat) and travel more than 5,000 years back in time to the UNESCO World Heritage Ggantija Temples Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, these two adjoining temples with concave faỗades, central aisles, paired apses and carved furniture are constructed from limestone blocks that weigh up to 50 tons Long thought to have been built by giants (who else?), they make an extraordinary glowing backdrop to any event Tables can be laid out on the temples’ terrace, on a flat-topped hill overlooking fertile valleys By the village of Xaghra, the temples are set away from habitation, secure in their landscaped compound, peaceful and suitable for musical accompaniment and dancing, as well as presentations and speeches Xaghra, Gozo; heritagemalta.org BT SEPTEMBER 2018 businesstravelerusa.com the eport 53 Tried, Tested, Tasted TRIED AND TESTED TRIED AND TESTED SMART TRAVELER PLUS Arlo, SoHo New York LATAM Airlines premium business class Loose Change Currency Conversion Airport Lounges 54 57 55 56 Centurion Lounge Emirates Lounge 57 businesstravelerusa.com SEPTEMBER 2018 TRIED AND TESTED ARLO SOHO Arlo SoHo, New York BEST FOR Admirable attention to detail when it comes to design DON’T MISS Doing a spot of work or relaxing in the inviting communal spaces B A C K G R O U N D Opened in September 54 2016, this was the first hotel launched under the Arlo brand by investment firm Quadrum Global The brand was created by Brand Bureau and, boy, they know how to dream up a hotel concept that captures New York cool Located in a new-build property, Arlo Soho is one of a new breed of “micro boutique” hotel; translation, rooms are on the small side but are designed to the Nth degree to utilize space and evoke a luxury feel Brace yourself – as The brand has partnered with local businesses to soon as you enter provide everything from Arlo SoHo you are uniforms to toiletries W H E R E I S I T ? Set among the cool kids in Lower Manhattan, near the ultra-hip areas of SoHo, Tribeca and the West Village, and not far from the financial district W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? Brace yourself – as soon as you enter Arlo SoHo you are among the cool kids On the left is the “Soho Bodega” selling juices, coffee, snacks and on the right is another which features on-trend knickknacks, from cards to soaps to jewelry Reception is between the two and is attended by a chipper and accommodating staff in the hotel uniform of dressed-down smart created by neighboring tailor Miller’s Oath The industrial/warehouse look rules, with open spaces divided by screens and sliding doors, bare brick, mismatching modern furniture, and gray upholstery that is illuminated via large floor to ceiling windows While rooms are small, communal space is plentiful with several distinct work/play areas, including large tables for Mac-using hipsters, comfortable sofas and chairs SEPTEMBER 2018 PRICE A mid-week stay starts at $259 a night CONTACT 231 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013; +1 212342-7000; arlohotels.com for relaxing, and a central courtyard filled with outdoor seating and quirky objects R O O M S There are 325 rooms – Kings or Queens with courtyard or city views, Two Twin rooms, and the Bunk room with twin bunk beds I’m in a Courtyard King room, which is finished in white paint and tiles and warm walnut The space is exceptionally well thought-out The bed is at the end of the long, relatively narrow room in a window alcove Instead of a closet there’s a pegboard, beneath which is a mini fridge (there’s no mini bar) USB ports are located on each side of the bed, which is very comfortable with crisp white linens And the two sets of blinds, lighter ones for privacy and blackout blinds, are both controlled by handy switches The bathroom, which is sectioned off with frosted glass, features a good rain shower and handmade ceramic tiles, with bespoke toiletries from Blind Barber All in all, it’s totally comfortable, stylishly hip and ergonomically designed to be a pleasure to use F O O D A N D D R I N K Other choices besides SoHo Bodega is the Arlo Liquor Bar for cocktails and more The main food offering is Harold’s Meat +Three at the back of the property A continental style breakfast buffet (not included) is also served here Then there’s also A.R.T (Arlo Roof Top) which, as the name implies, purveys drinks and small plates with skyline views M E E T I N G S The communal spaces in the hotel can be divided off with sliding doors to provide private meeting areas In addition there are three Studio spaces on the second floor that can be screened off, or combined to provide more room L E I S U R E Several events take place in the hotel throughout the week, including live music, exercise classes and movie nights Guests may use the hotel’s bicycles for free V E R D I C T A beautifully designed space, with everything in its place, in a great location for both business and pleasure Rooms are comfortable and pleasant despite their wee proportions, and there’s a buzzing atmosphere that makes a stay here fun but equally appropriate for business Becky Ambury businesstravelerusa.com TRIED AND TESTED FLIGHT BEST FOR Brazilian Hospitality PLANE TYPE Boeing 767-300ER V2 FLIGHT TIME hours and five minutes PRICE Internet rates for round trip premium business class flight Miami International Airport to Salvador Bahia, Brazil in August start at $2,960 C ONFIGURATION LATAM Airlines 767-300ER Premium Business Class MIAMI (MIA) - SALVADOR DE BAHIA, BRAZIL (SSA) B A C K G R O U N D Salvador de Bahia is a vacation hotspot on Brazil’s Atlantic coast popular with Brazilians and international guests alike LATAM Airlines Brazil, a oneworld member, offers the only nonstop flight from the US to Salvador de Bahia from Miami The once per week direct service began out of Miami on April 29 The move shaves six hours off LATAM’s 14-hour flight which is offered multiple times per week, but which has a stopover in Bogota C H E C K - I N At an hour before the 4:55 PM departure, I was surprised to see how many people were waiting to board My flight was “week two” for the new Sunday nonstop service (Monday return flights) and it was apparent LATAM’s new direct route was a hit Check-in went smoothly; Premium Business was first to board B O A R D I N G Flying Premium Business class, I was one of the first to be seated The two-aisle 767-300 has 16 flatbed seats in the Premium Business cabin, configured 2-2-2 I was seated in the second row, conveniently next to the right-side aisle Barely settled in, I was greeted by a sharply dressed flight attendant who offered almonds and nuts businesstravelerusa.com and a glass of sparkling white wine Later, we were given fashionable black and white striped personal care kits, including sleep mask and comfort socks T H E S E A T My flat bed seat had a lighted console and digital buttons for customized back and leg support when seated upright The armrest is cleverly designed with a pull-up partition screen and meal tray as well as a handy drink and snack table which unfolded on top A pillow and a heavy white comforter fostered a deep sleep A decent selection of audio and visual entertainment were at my fingertips using a tethered remote Good quality headphones, USB port and charging outlet for accessories were useful as was the floor-level storage cabinet and shelf in front of the seat The Premium Business Class space accommodated my nearly six-foot frame neatly T H E F L I G H T The service offered in Premium Business was personal, friendly and professional More than one flight attendant hovered around me, offering plenty of snacks and beverages and presenting an inviting dinner menu and wine selection I chose King Prawns 2-2-2 SE AT PITCH 74 SE AT RECLINE 180 degrees; 23 inches wide and up to 76.5 inches long CONTACT LATAM.COM Agnolotti in a roasted tomato sauce with almonds The dinner salad came with seasoned vegetables, and for dessert, I ordered Pisco Mousse in port wine sauce, all of which were very satisfying Savoring world-famous Brazilian coffee and chocolate is a must Fifty minutes before landing, I was offered a choice of an express or full breakfast to carry me through the morning A R R I V A L The eight-hour flight arrived at Salvador Bahia’s Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport right on time Going through customs was uneventful and the wait for baggage was average One note of caution: Be sure to allow ample time to apply for a Brazilian visa before leaving the US V E R D I C T LATAM offers a world- class experience in Premium Business, punctuated by a genuinely friendly crew, delicious food and beverages, and Brazilian hospitality Ralf Walters SEPTEMBER 2018 55 SMAR T TR AVELER Loose Change Understanding the dynamics of Dynamic Currency Conversion W 56 hen you are paying for something abroad, sometimes you are given the choice of either paying in the local currency or having the transaction take place in dollars using your credit or debit card What should you do? The advantage of paying in dollars is you can immediately see what the item will cost The disadvantage is that it might turn out to be more than you would have paid in the local currency When you pay in the local currency, as well as taking into account the rate of conversion as applied by your credit or debit card provider, you may also have to pay a foreign transaction fee, which will then be added into your costs W H AT H A P P E N S WHEN YOU USE YOUR CARD ABROAD? When you buy something (or withdraw cash) abroad in the local currency, it will be subject to the exchange rate the banks apply and, in addition, a foreign transaction fee will probably be levied This fee will depend on the card you are using (Some cards not charge fees for foreign transactions, although this may be part of a limitedtime promotion or the card may charge an annual fee.) SEPTEMBER 2018 Both the transaction in the local currency and the foreign transaction fee will be converted into dollars based on the exchange rate the day your transaction was processed The exchange rate can fluctuate day to day depending on supply and demand in the currency markets The two dollar amounts are then added together and divided by the original currency payment amount to work out the applicable exchange rate Simple, huh? HOW DOES IT WORK? For example, you travel from the US to, say, Paris, and buy something nice for your significant other back home You spend €100 using your credit card On the day the transaction is processed, the daily exchange rate is €1 = $1.16074 So your purchase is converted from €100 to $116.07 In addition your bank charges you a 1.60 percent transaction fee on the $116.07, which comes to $1.86 Add together the purchase and the fee, for a total of $117.93, and then divide that by the original €100 purchase amount to work out the new exchange rate (which includes the foreign transaction fee) – €1 = $1.1793 Your credit card statement will simply show the original charge and this new exchange rate W H AT I S DYN A M I C CURRENCY CONVERSION AND SHOULD I USE IT? Dynamic currency conversion is the term used for paying in your own currency, dollars Paying in dollars makes the price you’re paying clearer and means you don’t have to pay the foreign transaction fee (1.60 percent in the example above) But the retailer may still be charging you a conversion fee, and the exchange rate – set by the retailer – will almost certainly not be as competitive as the ones set by Visa or American Express – so paying in dollars could end up costing you more – in some studies as much as 10 percent more W H AT S H O U L D YO U D O ? Check the current exchange rate on credit cards, which is reset daily by Visa or American Just say no – and insist on paying by card in the local currency Express Failing that, just say no – and insist on paying by card in the local currency You will still pay the rate of the day plus the foreign transaction fee (unless you have a card that waives this fee, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred), but you will not be blindly shelling out even more for what is a substantially worse exchange rate WHEN IS DYNAMIC CURRENCY CONVERSION A SCAM? It’s a scam when you’re not given a choice to pay using it; you have the right to ask! For instance, when settling the bill in a restaurant, check that the conversion has not already been made when the point of sale machine has recognized your card as “foreign.” You can insist on paying in the local currency, no matter what the retailer, hotel or restaurant says, but you may later see a voided transaction on your bill Further, it is often a scam because it relies on “knowledge asymmetry” – namely that we are unable to easily and quickly assess the overall extra cost of paying in dollars rather than the local currency To learn more: businesstraveller com/forums/topic/dynamiccurrency-conversion businesstravelerusa.com TRIED AND TESTED AIRPORT LOUNGES American Express Centurion lounge H ON G KO NG IN T ERNAT IO NA L B A C K G R O U N D Unveiled last September, the 8,000-square-foot Centurion lounge was the first to open outside of the US (additional locations include Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston and Dallas) It’s near Gate 61 in Terminal The bright, open reception stands behind sliding glass doors, in front of a “living wall” of foliage Amex platinum card and Centurion members get free access for themselves and up to two guests One-day passes for additional guests cost $50 W H A T ’ S I T L I K E To reach the main part of the lounge, guests walk down an open corridor with views over the concourse On the way is a reading and meeting room containing a long table, TV and computer bar, as well as a private phone room The central part of the lounge features restaurant seating, a staffed bar and a buffet of local and international dishes The breakfast menu, available until 11:00 AM, features French toast with maple syrup and mixed berry compote, and assorted dim sum Lunch and dinner options include gnocchi with tomato sauce or pan-fried sole fillet with caper cream sauce A free bar serves signature cocktails inspired by the surrounding region, and there’s a good wine selection chosen by expert Anthony Giglio of Food & Wine magazine There is one unisex shower cubicle with L’Occitane amenities A more private area is exclusively available for Centurion members and their guests This includes more seating options and staff to help with any travel or card service requests The section also features an la carte menu created by Chef Lau Yiu Fai of the Michelin-starred Yan Toh Heen restaurant at the Intercontinental Hong Kong Cantonese dishes include spring rolls with kimchi and pork, prawns with black truffle, and baked egg tartlets with bird’s nest Emirates lounge LON D ON HE AT HR OW T ERMINA L B A C K G R O U N D The Emirates’ lounge in Terminal was last renovated and expanded in October 2015 and accommodates 400 guests F A C I L I T I E S Up a spiral staircase, the lounge is a vast, U-shaped space that includes numerous living areas furnished with posh artwork and glossy coffee tables Armchairs upholstered in caramel and gray leather line the space, offering passengers the option to work in privacy, watch the news or recline facing the runway Passengers can board the aircraft directly from the lounge There are power plugs at every armchair, and there is a business center near the boarding door businesstravelerusa.com Veuve Clicquot bubbly is free-flowing but there are also reds and whites including two buttery Burgundies with four Lenovo computers There are men’s and women’s shower facilities where towels, dental kits and toiletries are conveniently provided The food and drinks offering is impressive, with a dedicated dining area at the back of the lounge and well- The private Centurion area features an la carte menu created by chef Lau Yiu Fai of Michelin-starred Yan Toh Heen restaurant V E R D I C T The menu was a highlight, while the open design and color scheme create a stylish place to relax The lounge is a great perk for Amex platinum and Centurion members Tamsin Cocks stocked bars at intervals throughout Veuve Clicquot bubbly is free-flowing, but there are also red and white wines When I was there, these included two buttery Burgundies, a Mosel Riesling, a big-hitter of a Bordeaux red from 2006, and a younger Spanish Priorat with strong red berry flavors There is also a good selection of quality spirits next to a coffee maker and a wide variety of teas The back wall of the canteen is reserved for hot dishes such as braised lamb, roasted peppers, fish pie and salmon teriyaki Juices include kale, spinach and apple, tomato, and cloudy apple A free-standing station is dedicated to cold dishes, including pulled duck confit, grilled tuna salad, caramelized goat’s cheese and beetroot horseradish salad There is also a dessert station with a broad cheese selection, pavlova and rhubarb crumble V E R D I C T A well-equipped lounge with outstanding food and drink, and plenty of secluded spots to work or relax The facility to board directly from the lounge is also a huge plus Marisa Cannon SEPTEMBER 2018 57 WORLD WISE EYES ON YOU 58 I A single LiDAR sensor is capable of capturing the exact coordinates and velocity of every person within an area of over 300,000 square feet Airports are discovering a more discreet way of watching your every move WORDS SAM KAMEL f your intuition tells you that you’re being watched at an airport, you’re not wrong Like most busy public venues today, airports and the Transportation Security Administration understand human surveillance is a critical aspect of public safety However, it’s a practice that makes passengers feel a little uneasy nonetheless Some view it as an invasion of privacy, while others worry about the information being collected about them and who sees it These are very real and understandable concerns in today’s era of database hacks and rogue back-room behavior However, several airports around the United States are exploring a new way of following passenger journeys that watches more discreetly and protects people’s identity McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, San Jose International Airport, Miami International Airport, and a handful of other forward-thinking airports are experimenting with something called LiDAR to monitor passenger flows and behaviors LiDAR is a 3D imaging technology best known for its application in autonomous vehicles With it, airports can observe in real-time the flow of passengers through their facilities This technology, which uses safe, invisible laser beams to detect objects both in motion and at rest, is more accurate than Bluetooth- or WiFi-based indoor location technology LiDAR is also better at safeguarding passenger identities than stereoscopic cameras, which actually capture pixSEPTEMBER 2018 elated passenger images In contrast, LiDAR converts positional data into anonymous 3D point cloud data, fully protecting passenger identities A single LiDAR sensor is capable of capturing the exact coordinates and velocity of every person within an area of over 300,000 square feet And unlike stereoscopic cameras, which require ideal lighting conditions (i.e., enough light to see), have a narrow field of view and perform best in high-ceiling environments, LiDAR sensors can operate in challenging lighting conditions, across all ceiling heights, and their accuracy is not affected by sunlight through airport windows or by poor lighting conditions Using the data captured by LiDAR, airports can adjust their operations to help reduce wait times and improve the passenger experience They can identify foot traffic bottlenecks or see where passengers are moving more quickly They can understand how wait times build or how long it’s taking passengers to get through TSA checkpoints Passengers armed with this airport information may more confidently plan their trip to the airport stress free for this phase of travel Utilizing LiDAR-generated data, airports can accurately predict “time-to-gate” for their passengers This data can also be valuable to other travel providers, such as Uber or Lyft, allowing them to suggest alternate pick-up times for their passengers, or point them to the shorter security line, ensuring passengers make their flights on time The popular travel planning app, TripIt, is among the first to tap into this airport-generated data in Austin, Orlando, Denver and Phoenix TripItPro users receive an alert three hours before their flight with current wait times, as well as real-time updates Airport maps in the app also show the nearest security checkpoints and identify the ones that have the shortest lines With a better understanding of “time-togate,” airports can also improve their bottom line Getting travelers to their gates expeditiously gives them more time to spend shopping in retail stores, or grabbing a bite at the concessions – both major revenue-drivers for airports Airport operators can also use the data to intelligently position their storefronts and indoor advertising to take advantage of foot-traffic flows While some people may never appreciate having “big brother” looking on at an airport, the use of LiDAR technology certainly makes the practice much more palatable for passengers – and it’s improving their overall travel experience So the next time you sail swiftly through a TSA checkpoint, or you’re alerted to leave for the airport a little early, or you have a few spare minutes to eat and shop before heading to your gate – you may actually thank a LiDAR solution for making that all possible BT Sam Kamel is the President & CEO of iinside (www.iinside.com), a leading provider of Indoor Motion Analytics for SMART Airports businesstravelerusa.com I F T O Y O U H A D E X P L O R E W H A T 1/3/5 H O U R S H O N G W O U L D Y O U K O N G D O ? 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