Northstar

The Indispensable Travel Industry Read Cruising into a new decade Feature Vol. 13 | 18 January 2011 | www.travelweeklyweb.com | Published by Travel & Meetings Group, Ten Alps Communications Asia Pte Ltd Business travellers go for serviced apartments News Raffl es Residences launched in Seychelles and Makati News Page 3 Special Column: Ovolo's serviced apartments offer road wariors respite. Serviced apartments were once regarded as temporary 'in-between' homes ideal for settling-down in a new city, or as a base for a month or so on an overseas contract but this trend is changing according to cutting-edge Hong Kong boutique serviced apartment brand Ovolo. The Hong Kong based company reports that at their 245 trend- setting designer apartments in six buildings on Hong Kong Island – with another 63 opening in 2011 in West Kowloon – business travellers account for 75 percent of their guests. Apart from convenient locations for both business and leisure, price for space is one of the key at tractions. Nightly rates from HK$1,331 (US$171) are competitive for the equivalent of hotel suites in Hong Kong. Personal service and privacy are also increasingly appealing to 'road warrior' business travellers weary of 'anonymous' hotels. State-of-the-art technology and communications are also key elements. Libraries of books, DVDs and video games cater for 'down time', while in-house business centres cover after-hours work commit- ments, from faxing to printing. Latest technology from 42-inch plasma TVs and surround-sound home theatres to "smart lighting", i-Pod docks and wi-fi internet are included in all apartments. Ovolo also includes direct phone lines in every apartment enabling the visitors to make and receive calls without being directed through a receptionist or switchboard. An extra feature that guests fi nd useful is the ability to direct all mobile phone calls to their 'Ovolo Home' phone when in residence. Explaining the trend for short- stay travel lers to book into a serviced apartment as an alternative to a hotel, Girish Jhunjhnuwala, founder of Ovolo, one of the largest private players in the buoyant Hong Kong sector, says, "Business and frequent travellers want more than a hotel room. Frequent traveling makes guests yearn for a home/residence more than coming back to a hotel room." Serviced apartments have the edge because "they are usually much larger than a standard room in a hotel. There's a small kitchenette and larger fridge, to utilise on a daily basis, as well as have separate l iving and working areas. With various enter t aining areas, a serviced apartment allows business travellers to conduct meetings in their rooms" Jhunjhnuwala added. Ovolo also pays special attention to "creature comforts" such as extremely comfortable beds and pillows. Pricing is highly competitive for an equivalent suite in Hong Kong, with Ovolo daily rates ranging from HK$1,331 to $3,168. Insights into Phnom Penh Page 6 "But this is not just for a suite," he says. "Our upcoming West Kowloon property even incorporates a 24-hour gym, 'happy hour' lounge and complimentary breakfast – which are competitive with hotel club fl oors." The edge over hotels extends to personal service. "We're smaller and more private, more like a boutique hotel," he notes. "Our concierges also provide a much more personalised service. We treat guests almost like relatives, or old friends, and know everyone's name, plus their likes and dislikes. Our extensive concierge services go far beyond asking for directions at a hotel lobby; they include order- in food and wine, and free grocery deliveries, as well as laundry." Ovolo is also an instant ticket to 'in the know' social life – a resident's only 'Indulge' card offers discounts at some of Hong Kong's hippest bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

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