| March 3, 2011
top story Lufthansa A380 Touches Down in New York  On Monday, February 28, Lufthansa began regular A380 service to New York’s JFK Airport from its Frankfurt hub. Although unusually heavy incoming air traffic at Frankfurt got the flight on its way thirty minutes behind schedule, the passengers and crew were received in New York amid fanfare and enthusiasm. “John F. Kennedy International airport is excited to welcome Lufthansa’s first A380 aircraft that is flying a North American route,” said Jerry Spampanato, general manager of John F. Kennedy International Airport for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “We have invested a lot of resources to make JFK A380-ready, and Lufthansa’s daily flight is great news.” The 526-seat double-decker plane is arranged in a three-class configuration, with premium first- and business-class seats on the upper deck. Stay tuned for Business Traveler’s in-depth Tried and Tested review of the new and improved business-class product onboard—which features more storage space, universal power outlets and a new in-flight entertainment console. New York’s JFK airport now is Lufthansa’s fourth A380 destination after Tokyo, Beijing and Johannesburg, with twice weekly services on Mondays and Fridays. Lufthansa plans to increase frequency to daily flights to Frankfurt by mid-April. Ally Miola
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find us online! Follow Business Traveler on Facebook! Follow Business Traveler on Twitter! more news Singapore Airlines Now PayPal-Friendly  Booking your flight on Singapore Airlines just got easier now that the carrier has entered into an agreement with PayPal that will apply to customers in up to 17 countries. With the new collaboration, registered PayPal users booking their flight online can pay for their tickets in as few as three clicks using their PayPal accounts, eliminating the need to type credit card information or other financial details. To mark the occasion, Singapore Airlines and PayPal have launched a year-long global marketing campaign that will give travelers who pay for their Singapore Airlines flight with PayPal the chance to win back the price of their flight, up to $2000. One lucky winner will be selected daily from March 7 to April 6, 2011. For more information on the promotion, visit paypal.com/sg/sia. AM MSP Airport Offers New Services for Deaf Travelers Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) has introduced audio paging services for travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing. When an audio page is made from the airport’s Information and Paging Office, that same message is posted in text form across the bottom of weather screens co-located with the airport’s flight information displays. The same message is simultaneously posted to a “paging history” screen located at each of the airport’s information booths. The scrolling messages continue for several minutes, while the historical messages typically stay visible for several hours following the original page. “While visual paging benefits all our customers, it is particularly important to customers who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Jeffrey Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “Our partnership with the Commission of Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans has helped tremendously in understanding better the needs of this community. We look forward to continuing our work with them to improve services for all our customers.” AM
BT Auction Going Strong  Business Traveler’s online charity auction continues into its second month with plenty of bargains on offer, including a two-night stay for two at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia. The offer, valued at $1,200, includes daily breakfast for two and, at the time of publishing, is available for a bid greater than $255. For more information on the item, see the Tried and Tested review below or click here. For those seeking an international adventure, Star Alliance has generously donated two Star Alliance Circle Pacific Business Class tickets, covering up to 18,000 miles per ticket. The fare covers destinations in 25 Pacific-Rim countries served by the network, with the flexibility to plan your dream trip. For more information, or to bid on this prize, click here. And of course, proceeds from all winning bids will benefit Pencils for Kids, Inc., which helps children in developing countries benefit from the education they deserve by providing much-needed school supplies. Visit auction.btusonline.com for more information on Pencils for Kids, Inc. or more auction items. AM
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deal of the week Introductory Hotel Rates in Bangkok Located in the heart of Thailand’s bustling metropolis, Anantara Bangkok Sathorn is the latest jewel in the brand’s crown, with 425 rooms, an infinity pool and tennis court. Anantara Bangkok Sathorn has special opening rates for guests who book and stay at the new luxury resort by May 31, 2011. Starting at THB 2,900 per night for a Deluxe Room and TBH 5,900 per night for a two-bedroom suite, the introductory offer also includes daily breakfast and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. For more information, visit anantara.com. AM
more deals Love Paris in the Springtime OpenSkies has special Biz Seat fares starting at $799 each way, based on a round-trip purchase, between New York or Washington D.C. and Paris. Fares exclude taxes and fees of approximately $120, and the sale ends March 11, 2011. You’ll not only get to enjoy the vibrant city in bloom, but also have the chance to take in two limited-time museum exhibitions in the City of Lights: The Musée d’Orsay is hosting the first major Manet exhibition in France since 1983, “Manet, the Man who Invented Modern Art,” from April 5 to July 3, 2011, while The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is showcasing visit “Van Dongen. Fauve, Anarchist and Socialite” from March 25 to July 17, 2011. For more information, visit flyopenskies.com. AM
Double Down at the Spa  If it seems that every week there’s another birthday, anniversary, holiday, wedding or other event that demands a gift, why not give something that always fits, while getting a little something for yourself in the process? Visit SpaFinder.com between now and Wellness Week (March 21 to 27, 2011) to earn double SkyMiles on gift certificates purchased for spa treatments at thousands of day spas, medical spas and getaway spas worldwide. In other words, for every dollar spent, SkyMiles members can earn double miles. For more information, visit spafinder.com/delta. AM AA Gives A Million Reasons to Book Right now, American Airlines is hosting the “Million Reasons to Book” Sweepstakes, which offers the chance to win one million AAdvantage miles for a few moments spent online. To enter, participants must register at aa.com/promo and, afterwards, watch a short video with customer testimonials about AA.com. Participants can then post travel tips on the site, forward the sweepstakes to a friend or book on AA.com for additional Sweepstakes entries, which will be accepted through 11:59 am CDT on May 2, 2011. AM
tried and tested The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA   
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Emulating Rome’s Pantheon and made of 9,000 tons of Georgia marble, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia exudes a regal air made accessible by a dash of local charm. The building was converted into a Ritz-Carlton in 2000 and dates back to 1905, when it was the home of Girard Trust. Perhaps it was the Indian wedding taking place at the hotel (the groom arrived on horseback, and the attendees dressed in extravagant traditional frocks were milling about the lobby), but the staff was more than just helpful: they seemed genuinely cheerful. The concierge, for example, remembered us whenever we passed by and even asked about our sushi dinner when we were leaving. Also, within minutes of my arrival, an amiable gentleman delivered the Champagne bucket I’d requested upon check-in. The genial air of the hotel made it a comfortable place to return home. WHERE IS IT?
The hotel is next to City Hall, a national historic landmark, and within walking distance of Rittenhouse Square, with a spectrum of shops and restaurants along the way. HOW MANY ROOMS?
There are 299 guest rooms and 28 suites. ROOM FACILITIES
The first thing that caught my eye was City Hall, just outside my window. I grew up in the area and was more than familiar with the building’s elaborate architecture, but never before had I seen it so close. It was a truly memorable view, and while sitting at my work desk, I found myself looking out more than once at the vaguely Parisian statues and columns. The bathroom had a separate shower stall and soaking tub, with a bath butler and bath menu available from $40, as well as a pillow menu, free morning newspaper and overnight shoeshine, plus complimentary pressing of one item upon check-in for Club Level guests. Rooms are also equipped with Wi-Fi for $9.95 per day, while it’s free in the lobby. The Club Lounge, which served as the original boardroom when the building was still a bank, has historic touches like the original clock above the doorway. The lounge features a laptop and printer, and serves breakfast from 6:30 to 11 a.m., while lunch, snacks and cocktails are available at various times until 10 p.m. MEETING FACILITIES
The hotel has more than 25,000 square feet of stately meeting space, including a 6,300-square-foot Grand Ballroom, 13 meeting rooms and four boardrooms. A conference concierge and a technology butler are available, and a business center is equipped with computers, printers and fax machines. With the hotel located next to City Hall, the staff has become particularly adept at setting up arrangements for settlements and other legal needs. LEISURE AND MEDICAL FACILITIES
Richel D’Ambra Spa and Salon has a complete menu of treatments available, from massages, manicures and pedicures, makeup application, facials and more, with in-room services available for most menu items. Additionally, the hotel works closely with nearby hospitals for its medical concierge program. With so many top facilities in the area, many guests come to Philadelphia for surgeries and outpatient treatments. The program coordinates on-call nurses, transportation to and from the hospital, and special equipment guests may need in their rooms. BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Modern design elements and bright shocks of color mix brilliantly with the towering marble columns on the main floor, creating a dazzling backdrop for a drink at The Lounge at 10 Arts. To the side is 10 Arts, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hollandaise sauce on the eggs Benedict was perfection, and staff accommodated special requests with grace and ease. I can’t wait to return for dinner to sample the Chesapeake Bay crab in truffle vinaigrette. Just off the main dining area is The Reserve, a private dining room that can accommodate up to 35 guests. VERDICT
The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia serves up a rare cocktail of history, luxury and service. Maintaining the professional ambience of its former incarnation as a bank, it makes an excellent meeting destination, but its proximity to the restaurants, shops and city sights also lends itself to the leisure set. PRICE
Rates start at $389 for a Superior Room. CONTACT
The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, 10 Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa.; tel.215-523-8000; ritzcarlton.com/philadelphia. — Ally Miola  |
