Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com Chat with the CEO Regional Vice President, China, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts Attribute to Julian van den Bogaerde Name your favourite airline. Why ? It's not easy to conf ine to jus t one! i t I s t i l l l ike Singapore Airlines, although if I travel back to Zurich then SWISS is best for me, being both eff icient and familiar. Turkish Airlines now also has some very nice touches with warm infl ections in their service, and on a recent trip to Toronto, Air Canada really surprised me with their well thought-out "pod" concept. What do you look for in an airline business class product? Being rela t i vely ta l l, the most impor t ant consideration becomes the comfort level of the seats, especially on long-haul destinations where I have to get some sleep. Too often, business class seats seem only to have been designed with shor ter people in mind. Though some airlines do have better seating solutions now, implementation has not necessarily been consistent across their fleets. And I'm someone who does eat the on-board meals and the experience is so much better when personalised to your needs and time rather than the all too prevalent "painting by numbers" approach. I also get pleasure in seeing a menu that has actually incorporated some of the country's dishes, produce or wines in the menu, wherever possible. What is your favourite mode of travel. Why? Here in China, for shor ter trips to neighbouring cities, I prefer to use the hi-speed rail network as it's a lot easier than other forms of transport and you also get a better view and feel of the country. Currently China has the world's longest hi-speed rail network with about 8,000km of track and with plans to increase this to 16,000km by 2020. Fascinated by the Royal Wedding? LONDON – British Royalty has fascinated the public across the world ever since radio, film, television and the internet have brought them into our homes, and with each passing royal occasion, audiences have continued to grow. Now royal wedding fans will be delighted to discover that they can actually stay at a 750 year old royal castle located close to the home of Prince William and his new wife HRH Princess Catherine. Mediaeval Ruthin Castle offers guests a rare opportunity as it is the only Edward I castle in Wales where you can sleep within her famous walls. A lucky few can even inexpensively 'buy into' the ancient castle walls and be personally linked with a unique piece of royal heritage. A truly majestic stronghold boasting a fascinating legacy that dates back to the legend of King Arthur pre 1277; notable owners of Ruthin Castle include King Edward I, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Steeped in magical tales involving kings, queens, nobility and epic medieval adventures, a wooden fortress stood on the Ruthin site until 1277 when it was replaced by a fort of red stone for King Edward as part of his fearsome 'Iron Ring' of castles. The 'Iron Ring' also included notable castles at Harlech, Conwy, Beaumaris and Caernarfon, which are today listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The castle now functions as a charming hotel and is perfectly located in an area of outstanding natural beauty close to where the royal couple are setting up their marital home. Notable royal hotel guests include HRH Prince Charles who stayed on his way to his investiture as Prince of Wales. Director of Hotel Operations, Liz Wheeldon stated that "Guests to the castle are always fascinated when uncovering the dramatic stories hidden within the centuries old stone walls. Visitors can Ascott signs second property in Doha DOHA – Ascott has secured a contract to manage a 229-unit premier serviced residence in Doha, its second property in the capital city of Qatar. The new serviced residence – Ascott Doha – is scheduled to open in the second half of 2011. The 24-floor Ascott Doha is located at the north end of Corniche Bay and offers views of the Persian Gulf. The serviced residence is in the heart of Doha's diplomatic district, nestled among key ministry headquarters, embassies and consulates. It is within walking distance to the City Centre Mall, one of Qatar's best known retail and entertainment destinations. Business travellers staying at Ascott Doha will also enjoy easy access to the city's top MICE venues with the Doha Exhibi tion Centre just a five-minute drive away and the upcoming Doha International Conference and Exhibition Centre within walking distance. Ascott Doha will offer one, two and three- bedroom apartments to cater to both short and long-stay travellers' different lifestyle needs. Each apartment will come with a fully-equipped kitchen, en-suite bathrooms, separate work and living areas as well as modern amenities. Residents will also be able to unwind and enjoy facilities such as two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a sauna and steam room, a gymnasium, a salon and a café. Ruthin Castle follow in the footsteps of leading figures that have died in battle, been tortured, or enjoyed sumptuous banquets or illicit love affairs. Ruthin Castle is where Edward, Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII) had numerous love affairs with Lillie Langtry, Lady Randolph Churchill (mother of Sir Winston Churchill) and Lady Cornwallis-West. The castle's rich history also includes owners who associated with George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and the very heart of British high society and nobility. The castle is a royal gem." Visitors will certainly feel the incredible heritage and magic woven into the foundations of Ruthin and can now become offi cially associated with the castle by buying into the ancient castle walls. Known as 'Your Piece' this exclusive gift allows purchasers to be personally linked with a unique piece of royal heritage. 6 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 24 MAY 2011 www.travelweeklyweb.com

• Cover