TRAVELERS WEIGH IN ON POLICING CARRY-ONS In an interview, Gerard Arpey, the chief executive of American Airlines, expressed the industry's objection to making a federal case out of carry-ons. Mr. Arpey said American already tried to head off oversize bags at the lines approaching security. "I don't know why we need Congress to intervene," he said. Like many airlines, American has always had employees near the security check-in lines, though readers said enforcement was spotty. Mr. Arpey said he was recently flagged at security at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where his carry-on was measured in one of those box templates. "Luckily, it fit," he said. But many said that shifting the carry-on policing duties to federal security officers would create more delays at checkpoints, divert officers from their main jobs and add more confusion and frustration for anyone whose bags were rejected. Those people would then need to skulk out of line, march back to an airline counter to check the bags and then get back in the security line. While domestic airlines have raised more than $1.5 billion in extra bag fees from last year through the first quarter of this year, the charges have also resulted in passengers bringing stuff on board that they would have previously checked. AIRLINE HAS NOTHING TO HIDE. REALLY. The instructions in Air New Zealand's new in-flight safety video are given by employees who are nude except for body paint and strategically placed seat belts. Passengers on the video's maiden flight Monday — the 7 a.m. from Auckland to Wellington, on New Zealand's North Island — may have never paid more rapt attention to the line "undo the seat belt by lifting the metal flap." According to the airline, the point of the three-and-a-half-minute safety video and the 45-second commercial that started running last month is that unlike other airlines, which increasingly add hidden charges to fares in an effort to increase falling revenue, Air New Zealand has nothing to hide. "Which is why the price you pay includes everything — up front," reads the ad's tag line. The video and commercial are not as revealing as some might think. The realistic body paint makes it look as if the employees — flight attendants, baggage handlers and a pilot — are wearing uniforms. This year's cheeky ad campaign and the safety video, "Bare Essentials of Safety," have brought Air New Zealand a lot of attention that it hopes will put lots of bottoms in seats. The commercial, "Nothing to Hide," has been viewed nearly two million times on YouTube — the most-viewed clip ever to come out of New Zealand, Steve Bayliss, the airline's marketing manager, said by telephone Monday. CRUISE LINES GET BEHIND SAFETY BILL CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association, is supporting passage of the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2009. The bill was authored by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). If the bill passes, cruise ships would have to provide greater transparency in reporting any onboard crimes and would report those crimes on a website operated by the Coast Guard. Ships also would have to install peepholes for every cabin. The cruise safety bill (S. 558) is scheduled to be marked up by the Senate's transportation subcommittee today.
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The 203 room hotel offers travelers a stylish & sophisticated environment to stay in whilst visiting London. All rooms are fully air-conditioned and equipped with high speed internet access, business links and in-room entertainment of the highest standard. The Club rooms, King Studios and Signature Suites offer additional enhanced services to guests with complimentary access to the Club Lounge. Indulge with friends or colleagues at one of the hotel's two restaurants or stylish bar. The acclaimed Refettorio restaurant, directed by Michelin starred chef Giorgio Locatelli, is the place to be seen in the city. For those seeking fitness and relaxation, the Spirit Fitness Club with sauna is complimentary to all hotel guests and offers a range of cardio-vascular equipment. The hotel offers five modern and state-of-the-art meeting rooms with a maximum capacity for up to 160 guest theatre layout. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Crowne Plaza London –The City is £199 (compared to a corporate rate of £225).
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The Dupont Hotel: Moving in the best circles Taking pride of place at the heart of Washington DC's most desirable and cosmopolitan neighborhood is the newly-refurbished Dupont Hotel. Overlooking Dupont Circle and neighboring leafy, European-style avenues with embassies, cafés and bookshops, The Dupont Hotel is set to become an icon of understated luxury and style among Washington DC hotels. The warm, contemporary redesign has transformed every corner of this Washington hotel, from the 327 bedrooms and suites to the meeting rooms, catering facilities and conference suites. Guests at this Washington hotel feel elegantly indulged everywhere they go, from their table in the hotel's Café Dupont restaurant to the stunning new Bar Dupont, to their bedroom. Finally, the hotel the Circle has waited for. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Dupont Hotel is $249 including complimentary internet access (compared to a corporate rate of $319). OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM The contemporary hotel has 150 elegantly appointed guestrooms, including Fairmont Gold, the brand's exclusive lifestyle offering featuring warm and personalized service with amenities such as private reception and a comfortable guest lounge. Guestrooms are spacious with a large work area, marble baths and all of the technology features consistent with the highest of luxury service standards. The décor throughout the hotel is residential in style and inspired by the property's harbor side location, featuring pieces from local artists such as Robert Baart, Miriam Fired, Helen Shulman, Dorothy Arnold and Beth Donahue. Located adjacent to the North End, one of the city's top culinary destinations, the hotel offers guests Sensing, its restaurant from Michelin chef Guy Martin. Sensing offers an inspired menu of – incorporate fresh New England ingredients to deliver bright, clean flavors, from savory starters to exceptional entrees. Complemented by an expansive open kitchen, a chef's table for an up close and personal dining experience, and seasonal outdoor seating. In addition to Sensing, the hotel offers lighter fare in its Lobby Living Room, an engaging lounge atmosphere in the main lobby of the hotel, perfect for gathering with friends or an impromptu meeting, and 24 hour in room dining service. Additional amenities include water taxi service to Logan Airport and other Harbor-side locations and 300 linear feet of dock space. The hotel is also within walking distance of the Freedom Trail, New England Aquarium and new Institute of Contemporary Art, as well a variety of restaurants, shops and boutiques. Fairmont Battery Wharf is the newest addition to a luxury lifestyle destination which includes a luxury spa and health club opening in the second half of 2009, as well as 104 private residences. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Fairmont Battery Wharf is $235 including complimentary internet access (compared to a corporate rate of $254). OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM Come stay at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown Chicago, just steps from the Chicago Theatre, Grant Park, and Magnificent Mile shopping. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Hard Rock Hotel is $183.20 including complimentary internet access (compared to a corporate rate of $217.55). OVATION PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM Luxury Midtown Manhattan Hotel The Omni Berkshire Place, New York City's most exclusive Midtown Manhattan address, has become a haven for discerning travelers. A gracious host, this Midtown Manhattan hotel creates a sense of timeless elegance. Located on Madison Avenue steps from exclusive 5th Avenue shopping, 1 block from St. Patrick's Cathedral; 2 blocks to Rockefeller Plaza and Radio City Music Hall, and 8 blocks from Central Park, this luxurious New York City hotel blends memorable elegance with the excitement of Midtown Manhattan. Hotel Highlights: *Located on Madison Avenue steps from 5th Avenue Shopping *396 luxury guestrooms and suites *Fireside Restaurant *Watch favorite sporting events on Fireside's 18 square foot, 4 channel HD Video Wall *High-speed wireless Internet access *Check-in: 3 pm Check-out: Noon Awards and Accolades: *Awarded the Family Friendly Award from Where Magazine New York for the second consecutive year *New York Magazine awarded the Omni Berkshire Hotel the Best Room Amenities Award, 2006 *Meeting News readers named the Omni Berkshire Hotel the Best Family Friendly Hotel in New York for the third year in a row, 2005 The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Omni Berkshire Place is $255 (compared to a corporate rate of $299).
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As culturally vibrant as the neighborhood in which it sits, Rosewood Crescent Hotel is a refreshing experience of contrasts. Ideally located in the cultural heart of Dallas, the hotel consistently wins hearts and accolades as one of the best hotels in America. With a bold palette of rich colors, chic European-style guestrooms with modern amenities, innovative New American cuisine and the serenity of The Spa, Rosewood Crescent Hotel offers discreet and professional service with Texas charm. The hotel's 191 rooms range from 350 to 625 sq. ft., with a living area and bath. Each has a large closet with an automatic light, vanity with cosmetic lights, full–length mirror, individually controlled air–conditioning, flat–screen television, desk and down–feather love seat. The 29 one– and two–story suites range from 770 to 3,035 sq. ft., and some offer private kitchens. A variety of additional luxuries such as spiral staircases, hardwood floors, dining rooms, flat–screen televisions, original works of art, antique porcelains and HiFi sound systems are found in individual suites. With its signature transformative ambience and innovative menu, Nobu, the most innovative new style Japanese restaurant in America serves dinner and the Nobu Lounge is open daily for cocktails. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Rosewood Crescent is $215 (compared to a corporate rate of $225).
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As Atlanta's premier destination for business and leisure travelers, the exclusive hotel offers an unrivaled dimension of refined elegance, luxury and bespoke service at one of the world's best addresses. The St. Regis Atlanta features 151 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, Remède Spa, 40,000 square foot Pool Piazza, over 16,800 square feet of exquisite indoor and outdoor event space with innovative Business Center, the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an impressive selection of world-class cuisine. Dining and entertaining at The St. Regis Atlanta is a stylish affair, ranging from enjoying world-class cuisine at the hotel's signature two-story restaurant, complete with private seating and an exquisite outdoor patio, to savoring cocktail classics at the wood-paneled bar. Guests can also sample high-quality, international wine selections in The Wine Room or enjoy the soothing sounds of live piano in the Lobby Bar. The hotel's stunning Pool Piazza will offer private cabanas, a spectacular waterfall and a casual, yet stylish, Poolside Bar & Café. The St. Regis Atlanta features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to meet the needs of global travelers. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest's needs, customizing each stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences. Ideally located in the heart of Atlanta's exclusive Buckhead community, named by Robb Report as one of the country's "Top 10 Affluent Communities," the St. Regis Atlanta offers guests access to an impressive selection of culinary options, preferred golf courses and luxury retail stores. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is close by, and private aircrafts can land at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, just 15 minutes from the hotel. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at St. Regis Atlanta is $249 (compared to a corporate rate of $259).
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The semi-official private sanctuary of Hollywood's A-list and the epicenter of rock and roll history, the Sunset Marquis has served as a safe refuge for the famous, the infamous, and the nearly so. Set in almost five acres of verdant, peaceful gardens containing 4,000 plants and trees, it is more akin to a visit to a private, tropical estate. The 52 Villas and 101 Suites at the Sunset Marquis are one of the world's best kept secret havens. Which is quite remarkable considering that this garden oasis is a mere champagne bottles throw from the excitement of the world famous Sunset Strip. The Ovation Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas is $213 (compared to a corporate rate of $224.70). All rates are subject to availability. _________________________________________________________________ Ovation Corporate Travel |
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