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Business and first class airline lounges may offer comfort, free food and beverages, hot showers and beds in some cases, but they no longer offer peace, thanks to the cell phone. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has declared war on mobile users after being inundated with complaints from passengers about the disturbance that the phones cause at its Copenhagen Business lounge. Offenders are now being shunted off into soundproof boxes at the lounge in Denmark's international airport. SAS says of the booths: 'Mobile phone users not only need to ensure that they do not disturb others, but it's also good for their own privacy. Many confidential things are discussed in these calls.' Humorous signs pointing out that chatterboxes can annoy others are proving so popular that they are becoming a collector's item. They quickly disappear into carry-on luggage. SAS says it may introduce the booths in all its Business class lounges.
The general manager of Shanghai's Portman Ritz-Carlton, Mark DeCocinis, is a bit of a biker. He's offering guests a tour of his favourite spots in the city as sidecar passengers on his limited edition Chang Jiang 750cc motorcycle for, ah-hem, US$3,888 (HK$30,000).
Mind you, a few extras are included, such as two nights accommodation in the presidential suite where Bill Clinton stayed during his 1998 visit, round trip airport transfers in a Mercedes-Benz, Cantonese lunch for four, a 1993 bottle of Taittinger champagne presented with a set of crystal glasses and tickets for the Centre Theatre acrobatic performance. The 'Presidential Bike Pack' is for four persons (the suite has two bedrooms). A similar package for three nights costs US$4,888. There is a 15 per cent service charge. The package will run from July 1 to August 31.
The Ritz-Carlton is on Nanjing Road, the city's busiest shopping area. Mark DeCocinis' bike is a replica of a 1938 BMW R-71. Interested and rich? Then call the toll-free number (800) 241 33333 For those of us who can't be spendthrifts, it is interesting to see that Japan, notoriously expensive for accommodation, is starting to build Sleep Inn budget hotels for business travellers. The first of several which are planned has been opened in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. Single and double rooms are US$51 and US$79, and that includes continental breakfast.
The rooms are well equipped and there are complimentary parking facilities for up to 80 vehicles. The hotel, which has 110 rooms, is in the centre of Fukuyama, a short drive from the business district and less than two kilometres from the bullet train station. There are more than 380 Sleep Inns operating or being built in the US, Canada, and Asia Pacific region.
