businesstraveller.com
UPFRONT
PLEASE DON’T TELL
Iconic “secret” New York Bar PDT has opened up its first
permanent international outpost in Hong Kong’s Landmark
Mandarin Oriental. Guests reach the intimate venue
through an entrance disguised as a phone booth
to enjoy creative cocktails and bar snacks.
mandarinoriental.com/landmarkJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018THE NEXT TIMEyou have a “Eureka!” moment in the
shower, you may be able to jot it down there and then.
Marriott is currently testing a touchscreen shower
door at the Irvine Marriott in California, which
enables users to trace their ideas in the build-up
of condensation and digitally record their notes by
sending them to their email address for future use.
The hotel group has also been developing a new
“smart room” that uses IoT (Internet of Things)
technology to enable guests to speak to a virtual
assistant to set alarms, play yoga routines in their
mirror, or start their shower at the desired temperature.
Marriott isn’t alone in the quest for future tech –
Hilton has also unveiled its new “Connected Room”
concept that enables users to control their in-room
services through their own mobile devices.QANTAS
Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3 is
now home to a new Qantas
lounge, modelled on the
same design as the airline’s
Hong Kong, Singapore and
Brisbane facilities. While
the lounge is split over
two levels – the bar is on
the upper level – there
aren’t separate areas for first
and business class passengers.AIR NEW ZEALAND
The Kiwi carrier opened its first
lounge in Western Australia
in December. The Perth
Airport lounge, located on
the second floor by Gate
52A, follows the design of
the airline’s other facilities
in Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane, and is divided into
four sections: a café, business
zone, lounge zone and quiet zone.CHINA EASTERN
The new China Eastern V01 Lounge in T
of Shanghai Hongqiao International
Airport is located on Level 4 in
the departure hall’s VIP lounge
area. It has a relaxing area,
food and drink counter, bar,
business centre, shower
room, free wifi and many
USB ports. It also highlights
China Eastern’s signature
noodles and teppanyaki,
prepared at the live
cooking station.CATHAY PACIFIC
Hong Kong’s flag carrier was the
first to move into Singapore
Changi Airport’s new
Terminal 4 and its lounge
there is modelled on its The
Pier offering in Hong Kong.
Simply dubbed the “Cathay
Pacific Lounge”, the space
is one of the airline’s largest
outside of Hong Kong and
features favourite touches
such as the Noodle Bar, serving
dandan noodles and Singapore laksa.LOUNGING AROUND
SMART ROOMS
11