If you love travelling (like we do), we’re sure you like looking at new hotels or destinations for your dream getaway. Read on for the latest hotel deals, resort openings and other travel titbits to check out for your next escape – it’s going to be the best one ever!
United Takes Off Again!
Some good news from a return-to-travel perspective: United Airlines resumed its first non-stop service to and from Hong Kong on 6 March. This marks the airline’s first passenger flight service out of the city since the start of the pandemic. The daily service from Hong Kong to San Francisco directly connects HK travellers to the airline’s largest hub airport on the US West Coast, as well as numerous American cities, and Canada, Mexico and Latin America.
Flight UA862 leaves Hong Kong daily at 12.20pm, arriving in San Fran at 8.45am the same day. The return flight, UA877, departs daily at 10.40pm and arrives in HK at 6am two days later. All flights utilize the B777-300ER aircraft, offering 60 seats in the United Polaris business cabin, 24 in the United Premium Plus cabin, and 266 seats in United Economy.
Find out more about the flights here.
The Regent Returns
After almost three years of restoration work, harbourfront icon Regent Hong Kong has unveiled an initial preview of its new look with a glimpse at its Classic Harbourview Room (pictured). Led by HK-born design visionary Chi Wing Lo, the transformation takes on a serene aesthetic featuring neutral tones and subtle details evoking harmony, warmth and tranquillity. The rooms feature stunning views of Victoria Harbour (some from the bathtub!) and a spacious open-plan design. Bookings are now open with a further unveiling of more guestrooms and suites.
New Kit for BA
From spring 2023, more than 30,000 British Airlines employees will have a new uniform. Designed by British Savile Row fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, OBE, this is the first new collection for BA for 20 years. More than 1,500 staff including engineers, ground operations agents and cabin crew gave design input to Boateng, who incorporated elements that reflected the airline, its people and the art of flying. The current Julien MacDonald garments will be donated to charity, recycled or gifted to BA’s museum. BA flies daily from Hong Kong to London.
Cruises are Back!
In exciting news for cruise fans, Resorts World Cruises has restarted trips from Hong Kong. Offering two- and three-night high-sea cruises, as well as a new four-day/three-night cruise to Taiwan, Resorts World One (formerly Explorer Dream) has a choice of accommodation to suit all budgets across more than 900 rooms. Expect all the hallmarks synonymous with the brand, including the signature luxury “ship within a ship”, The Palace, with its own 24-hour European style butler service. The two- and three-night cruises depart Hong Kong every Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. The Taiwan cruise (fares from HK$1,699) departs Sunday, arriving in Kaohsiung on Monday and calling in at Penghu on Tuesday before returning to HK on Wednesday.
For details, visit rwcruises.com.
More Great Cruise Options
Bookings are now open for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ “2024 World Cruise”, an incredible 132-night voyage that spans 34,500 nautical miles, and 66 ports of call across 31 countries and four continents, including 61 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nearly-five-month trip offers – wait for it – 442 different free shore excursions. That should get the travel juices flowing again!
Orient Express Heads Out to Sea
Known for its luxury trains, Orient Express is now launching the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas, which will set sail in 2026. Inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera, this extraordinary 220-metre-long ocean treasure will feature 54 suites – one of them a monumental 1,415-square-metre Presidential suite – along with two swimming pools including a lap pool. There’ll even be an amphitheatre and a private recording studio for those in a musical mood!
Deep Diving
While Dubai is hardly a destination that comes to mind for diving, the city’s newest attraction will allow you to plunge into the depths of a mysterious sunken city. Deep Dive Dubai’s 60-metre pool is the world’s deepest underwater attraction, with experiences for divers of all ages and skill levels. Its discovery packages for snorkelling, free-diving and scuba diving are excellent for first-timers who want to learn in a warm, controlled environment. More advanced divers, meanwhile, can explore the deepest reaches of the submerged city.
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