Why Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo Airport in Portugal is called the Kai Tak of Europe
- Crosswinds and a precipitous location frequently land the island’s airport on scary-runway lists
- Plus, the Park Hyatt and Aman brands are opening in Kyoto, adding to the city’s portfolio of international luxury hotels
Despite this, thousands of visitors arrive, by the white-knuckled planeload daily. Although closer to Africa than to Portugal – of which it is an autonomous region – Madeira was voted Europe’s Leading Island Destination for 2019 at the World Travel Awards last year.
This year’s long-awaited summer opening of the Savoy Palace was also headline travel-trade news. Built on the ruins of the original Savoy Hotel, which was demolished in 2008, its facade is somehow nostalgically evocative of 1970s package holidays, and offers a vague nod to its foundations with an ethereal tagline – “The Palace of Tomorrow and the Days Before”.
An authentic heritage hotel experience can still be had at nearby Reid’s Palace, a favourite with British visitors (especially prime ministers, for some reason) for more than a century, and run since 2014 by Belmond (formerly Orient-Express Hotels). Known for its striking scenery, hiking trails, gardens and colourful capital, Funchal, Madeira can be reached from Hong Kong with a single stopover in Frankfurt, with Lufthansa. Don’t forget to grab a window seat.
Park Hyatt Kyoto and Aman Kyoto to open in the Japanese city
Two luxury international hotel brands will be sliding open their doors in Kyoto soon. First will be the Park Hyatt Kyoto, a newly built, 70-room boutique property on the east side of town, near the Kodaiji Temple, that is accepting reservations from October 30.
Japanese hotel brand Prince Akatoki opens London property
While a number of Western hotel brands have appeared across Japan in the 21st century, Japanese hotel firms have been slow to reciprocate. Likely to be making headway in the near future, though, is the Prince Akatoki brand of hotels, the first of which has just opened in the British capital.
Offering guests a taste of the “Art, Ritual and Elegance of Japanese hospitality”, the minimalist-styled Prince Akatoki London is located on Great Cumberland Place, near Marble Arch, and was originally The Arch Hotel. Operated by Seibu Holdings, Japan’s largest hotel operator, Prince Akatoki properties are reported to be planned for other major European capitals, including Paris and Madrid, although the next one is expected to be opening in Guangzhou later this year.
Deal of the week – three nights in Jeju Island, South Korea
A choice between two tours includes a boat trip to Udo Island, off Jeju’s east coast, and a bus ride to Seongsan Ilchulbong, or Sunrise Peak, back on Jeju. The alternative is a tour taking in a chocolate factory, a traditional market and a tea plantation. English-speaking guides will accompany both tours.
