Tag: Class

These Are The Top 3 Off Path Alternatives To Dubai That Offer World Class Luxury
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 1 second ago

There’s no doubt that Dubai is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. In fact, the city won the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for the second time in a row this year.

But with overwhelming crowds of over 14 million visitors per year and ever-rising prices topping the global daily tourist spend charts, some travelers are looking for alternatives.

So why don’t tourists try someplace else? Well, Dubai really knows how to do luxury, and everybody knows it. With over 150 five-star properties with excellent reputations, it comes as no surprise that travelers think first of Dubai when looking for a taste of the good life.

However, there are a few elite gems in the Gulf giving Dubai a run for its money.

For those willing to get off the beaten path, here are the top three alternatives to Dubai that offer world-class luxury.

1. Muscat, Oman

Prices in Muscat are about 40% lower than in Dubai while still maintaining top-quality luxury and world-class hospitality.

Top award-winning five-star properties in Muscat include:
- The Chedi Hotel – Palm trees line a sleek pool with ocean views, while minimalist clean lines blend seamlessly with Omani architecture in a true oasis of understated opulence.
- Kempinski Hotel – This splashy beach resort can do no wrong but can give the properties of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah a run for their money.
- Al-Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel – If the record-breaking crystal chandeliers and fascinating history of the building weren’t enough, guests will be impressed by the peerless quality of meticulously curated experiences throughout their stay.
- Shangri-La Al Husn – This adult-only clifftop retreat on the bay of Barr Al Jissah recalls Arabian royalty in its indulgent brand of luxury.
But the luxury doesn’t stop at accommodation. Oman Air is ranked in the top 10 business classes and first classes to fly in the world and was awarded the most comfortable seat in the Middle East.

Like Dubai, Muscat airport is a convenient (albeit smaller) hub connecting flights between Europe, Asia, and Africa, featuring a business class lounge ranked in the top ten globally.

Muscat doesn’t have anything like the Burj Khalifa, but it has something that ultra-developed Dubai is missing: the balance between old and new.

While modern world-class hospitality is still the name of the game, Oman is absolutely steeped in a depth of tradition missing from other luxury destinations. Maintaining its organic character in its architecture, hospitality, and way of life sets this Gulf nation apart from the competition.

The Sultanate is predominantly Ibāḍī, practicing a branch of Islam that is less conservative in social practice than many neighboring societies.

Muscat’s social climate is relatively relaxed and tolerant of other cultures. Tourists can enjoy alcoholic drinks on their trip and have peace of mind knowing that Oman is widely regarded as the most female-friendly country in the region.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

While the extraordinary service and striking architecture of Muscat’s luxury properties might tempt you to never leave your hotel, Oman’s true gems lie in the excursions.

No trip to Muscat would be complete without marveling at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, wandering around the Royal Opera House, or shopping in the vibrant maze of Muttrah Souk. Just an hour southwest of Muscat lies the ancient capital of Nizwa, surreally frozen in time yet welcoming to visitors.

Venture an hour and a half east along Oman’s coastline, and you’ll be blown away by the natural beauty and refreshing waters of Wadi Shab, Wadi Bani Khalid, and Wadi Tiwi. The nature here also knows a little something about true luxury.

2. AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s new tourist magnet AlUla offers a unique brand of exclusive luxury. The Kingdom describes this desert retreat as “a living museum of preserved tombs, sandstone outcrops, historic dwellings… that hold 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history.”

Detox and reconnection with nature are AlUla’s specialties. (Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, so you might as well go all in on the cleanse.)

From ancestral Bedouin healing practices to trendy oil therapies and yoga practices, the wellness centers at AlUla’s top resorts are fully equipped for desert rejuvenation.

Luxury properties in AlUla offer something for every kind of traveler. Award-winning Habitas Alula is nothing short of other-worldly. Self-proclaimed “luxury for the soul,” this resort hosts 96 five-star villas, each with unique interiors, scattered across the desert sand alongside a miraculous swimming pool and yoga deck.

Focused on seamless integration with the show-stopping scenery, Banyan Tree Alula features 47 sand-colored tented villas and an infinity pool filling an organic space between towering Martian cliffs.

3. Doha, Qatar

Qatar is quickly making a name for itself as a leading luxury destination, starting with its capital city of Doha.

Banana Island Resort by Anantara offers a private island stay with uber-Instagrammable floating meals served in the pool. Private villas here sit on stilts above crystal clear waters and come complete with a private butler, boat, and pool.

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som provides a secluded oasis where desert meets nature and traditional Qatari architecture meets modern clean lines. Just an hour from the capital, this five-star property is the first luxury wellness destination in the region to focus on Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine.

Other top resorts include:
- Mandarin Oriental, Doha – Home to opulent pearl-based spa treatments, twin rooftop pools, and a restaurant specializing in Italian white truffle
- Mondrian Doha – An award-winning art hotel in the West Bay with a bustling social scene and creative interiors at every turn
- Marsa Malaz Kempinski – A European-inspired beach resort on an artificial island featuring 281 ocean-view rooms and 7 restaurants, a popular choice with families
For excessive luxury, look no further than The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made peninsula packed with the finest dining, trendiest cafes, and most lavish hotels in the country, cementing Doha’s place as a worthy rival to Dubai.

From Nobu to Morimoto to Hakkasan, truly world-class Asian-inspired fine dining is one of the many elite tricks Doha does best.

Travelers can revel in top-tier private excursions like helicopter rides, luxury yacht charters, 24-carat gold spa treatments, or personal stylist-led shopping trips to the designer wing of the Mall of Doha.

When it’s time to fly home, don’t be too disappointed. Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline seven years in a row, not to mention the best airline in the Middle East and one of the top business classes in the world.

It’s safe to say you’ll leave behind your luxury vacation in continued comfort with outstanding service.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
[ad_2]

Source link
June 10, 2023
These New Business Class Seats Are Worth The Upgrade

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 16 mins ago

Whether you want to fly in style on Delta Air Line’s latest eco-friendly airbus or experience the “French-style art of travel” on Air France starting this fall, these 4 new business and first-class seats look so luxurious that they will be worth the splurge.

Air France’s New Business Class Seats For Long-Haul Flights

Air France recently revealed its latest business class seats on 12 of its Boeing-777-300 fleet. Travelers will be able to enjoy the redesigned cabin on certain long-haul flights with the French airline, including a direct flight from Paris’s CDG Airport and New York’s JFK Airport come September.

Some of the luxuries on board will include meals created by French Michelin-starred chefs, a personal 17-inch high-def TV screen complete with noise reducing headphones, WiFi, and a bluetooth connection in case you want to connect any of your devices on board.

The redesigned seats in this new business class cabin will follow the 3 “F”s: full flat, full access, full privacy. Much to any long-haul travelers delight, these new full flat seats are designed to recline to make a two-meter long bed. For an easy bathroom break, all seats also have direct access to the aisle.

And sliding doors, but of course! In what is perhaps the most innovative new design on board, these upgraded seats will each come with a personalized sliding door to ensure optimal privacy for all cabin passengers.

Fly First-Class On Delta’s Latest Airbus

Delta Air Lines latest airbus took to the skies this month and is 20% more fuel-efficient than previous models. And, the new Airbus a321neo (neo: new engine option) comes with a new and stylish first-class cabin that makes for a tempting upgrade.

This new first-class experience on Delta features 20 seats made with memory foam and come with winged headrests. Passengers can purchase satellite WiFi streaming at $5/device or enjoy the in-flight entertainment on their personal 10-inch screens.

The airline’s new premium cabins will also offer travelers a bit of indulgence with their eco-conscious amenity kits by the socially conscious brand Someone Somewhere. Kits come with an eye mask and sustainability-focused products such as a lip balm, hand cream, and a bamboo toothbrush.

At the time, the only flight on this fleet is between San Francisco International and Boston Logan Airport. Beginning July 11, flights on the airbus will expand to Boston-San Diego and Boston-Denver, with select trips between Boston-Seattle starting July 20.

KLM Reveals Latest Business Class Seats On Boeing 777

This week, Dutch Airline KLM revealed plans for its restored business class cabins on its Boeing 777 aircraft.

Similar to Air France’s updated business class seats, the KLM model will also have fully reclining seats, full access to the aisle, as well as the innovative sliding doors to give passengers full privacy.

The seats will be offered on all of KLM’s 777-300E and 777-200 international business class flights. And on top of a revamped business class experience, a new Premium Comfort class will be added to the aircraft. KLM’s upgraded fleet are scheduled to launch in 2023.

Finnair’s New Business Class Seats For Long-Haul Passengers

Enjoy Nordic culture in the clouds. Finnair’s latest business class experience for long-haul flights features new Collins’ Air Lounge seats with a contoured shell design for maximum movement and space. When you need to rest, the seat can turn into a lay-flat bed complete with a mattress pad. And of course, the textiles and amenity kits offered on board are exclusive from Finnish luxury designer Marimekko.

Just launched this week, travelers on Finnair can enjoy a Nordic-inspired signature cocktail on board called “Northern Blush.” The upgraded meals on board the flight offer local, international, as well as Nordic flavors served on chinaware from local Finnish company littala.

The roll out of Finnair’s renewed business class cabins for long-haul flights will continue throughout 2022 and into next year.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

US State Department Issues 12 New Travel Advisories

12 New International And Domestic Flight Routes To Amazing Destinations

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

May 30, 2022
Southwest Airlines Launches New Fare Class With Various Benefits For Travelers
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 19 mins ago

Southwest Airlines will add a fourth category fare to attract more business travelers and revenue this year.

The new fare will cost slightly more than Southwest Airlines’ cheapest tickets but below the airline’s top two fare categories. Southwest Airlines hopes the fare will offer more flexibility to travelers.

The airline will call the new fare category “Wanna Get Away Plus.” It will sit above the “Wanna Get Away” fares, and it will go on sale in the second quarter.

It’s Southwest’s first major fare change in 15 years.

The Details Of The New Fare Class

The “Wanna Get Away Plus” fares will allow travelers to make same-day changes to their tickets without paying the difference in fares that the lowest tier demands. Customers who select the new fare class—or classes above the fare class—will earn 33% more frequent flyer miles than the lowest tier.

Passengers can transfer flight credits to another RapidRewards member, a new feature for the airline.

Passengers also have the option to check two bags for free.

The new fare class is the latest effort by the airline to boost revenue after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline hopes it will help to bring back pre-pandemic passenger levels to Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines hinted at the fresh changes before Christmas, but they didn’t give any details. The new fare class is among various moves—including a brand new credit card deal with Chase Bank—that the Texas-based airline hopes will boost revenue by over $1 billion to $1.5 billion next year.

However, executives refused to comment on how much more “Wanna Get Away Plus” seats will cost compared to their cheaper alternative. But they said it would vary by flight.

In recent years, various airlines—such as Delta, JetBlue, and United Airlines—have rolled out no-frills basic economy tickets. These tickets don’t include perks that were once free, such as advanced seat selection.

The Current State Of U.S. Airlines

Air travel demand—especially for domestic travel in the United States—and growing fuel prices from the increasing energy crisis have already pushed up fares. Unfortunately, airfares in the Department of Labor’s inflation index rose 12.7% last month from a year ago. However, the overall consumer price index rose 7.9%.

In February, bookings by both number and value on U.S. airline websites surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time. As a result, many of the cheap flight deals during the COVID-19 pandemic are over.

The Current Travel Rules In the U.S. Airlines

Although U.S air travel is coming back to pre-pandemic levels, airlines haven’t removed all COVID-19 restrictions. There’s still a mask mandate on all U.S. airlines until at least April 18, 2022.

However, in a letter sent to U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, leaders of various major U.S. airlines demanded the government end the mask mandate along with the testing requirement for all incoming travelers to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of departure.

Various major airline heads signed the letter, including:
- Ed Bastian: Delta Airlines CEO
- Scott Kirby: United Airlines CEO
- Gary Kelly: Southwest Airlines executive chairman
- Robin Hayes: JetBlue Airways CEO
- Ben Minicucci: Alaska Airlines CEO
- Peter Ingram: Hawaiian Airlines CEO
- Robin Hayes: JetBlue Airways CEO
The airlines wrote: “At the outset, we voluntarily implemented policies and procedures — mandating face coverings; requiring passenger health acknowledgments and contact tracing information; and enhancing cleaning protocols – to form a multi-layered approach to mitigate risk and prioritize the wellbeing of passengers and employees,”

“However, much has changed since these measures were imposed and they no longer make sense in the current public health context.”

The airlines hope the U.S. will end the mask mandate in April and U.S. air travel will return to full normality.

Read More:

TSA Extends Mask Mandate For Flights And Airports Until April 18

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2021

U.S. Issues New Travel Advisories For 14 Countries

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
March 26, 2022