Gulf Air announces a Royal offer for passengers in the GCC booking a First or business class ticket to London.
The airline has teamed up with the prestigious Royal Lancaster Hotel in London’s West End to offer two nights’ free stay for every first class ticket purchased and one night for every business class ticket booked up to until 31 October 2005 for travel up to 31 December.
“Over almost 30 years since its opening, the Royal Lancaster Hotel has grown to achieve an enviable position among London’s leading hotels and has become a name that is synonymous with quality,” said Danny Barranger, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Gulf Air. “As such it proves a perfect fit with the unrivalled premium products found on board our fleet. “In addition to the special offer of free nights stays, passengers can also avail themselves of a very special rate of PS105 per night (plus VAT), for any additional nights they would like to stay. This is less than half the published rate for a standard room,” adds Barranger.
The Royal treatment starts from the moment a passenger boards a Gulf Air aircraft. Inspired by its legendary ‘Five-star Tri-Star’ service of the late 1970’s and 80’s, Gulf Air is re-creating the golden-age of travel with luxurious seating, furnishing and service in its First and Business Class cabins.
Rich, deep-pile carpet extending right up to the entrance draws passengers into the sumptuous First class cabin, where warm ‘Arabian’ colours and the highest quality fixtures and fittings create a luxurious ambience in which just eight state of the art seats offer unrivalled comfort and style.
In a ‘private cabin space’, with only eight seats, each one fully reclines to be transformed into a fully functional bed, complete with sheets and duvets, over-sized pillows, silk cushions, pyjamas, eye shades, and socks.
The ‘total sleep experience’ begins in a unique on-board changing room, enhanced by natural light from its own window. The spacious spa atmosphere is tastefully enhanced with a designer worktop; luxurious timber flooring and exclusive, trendy ‘spa-to-go’ Temple Spa products, for the ultimate pampering before bedtime.
The specially trained crew lay out pyjamas and slippers, hang clothes in a suit carrier – just like a personal butler would, and magically transform the seat into a luxurious – and private - bed space mellowed by ambient mood lighting. which gives the cabin the feel of a five-star hotel room, rather than an aircraft cabin.
The finishing touches are provided by Sky chefs who offer bedtime snacks and hot drinks to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep.
When the seats are returned to normal, they are still extraordinary. Finished with leather armrests, they have large head wings, offer lumbar support and individual power outlets, for laptop use. On-board entertainment is delivered via an impressive 15-inch flat screen monitor and high-tech, noise-canceling headsets. Oversized tables create a comfortable space for work and dining.
Gulf Air’s already legendary ‘restaurant in the sky’ provides the finest dining in the skies with five star gourmet menus prepared on demand by the airline’s sky chefs.
The new cabin concept has been designed to allow a private companion dining option with space for up to four diners, who have access to 18 different menus and a world-class selection of vintage wines.
Traditional dining options are complemented by a stand up onboard buffet which offers a full range of drinks and snacks.
In Business Class the improvements are equally impressive. Just 24 ‘sky beds make up the cabin allowing an incredible 63 inches of leg room, and no middle seat - both industry firsts. The latter employs a lounge-bed profile, in as much as it not completely flat; this ergonomic design has been ‘scientifically proven’ to provide the healthiest and most comfortable sleeping position for air travelers.
Careful attention to detail is also evident in mood lighting, calming colour schemes and luxurious carpeting to create a beautiful and calming environment.
Upgraded and stylish bathrooms offer a similar range of exclusive Temple Spa beauty products to first class, while sleeping on board is made even more comfortable by a new range of fleece-backed cotton blankets.
Gulf Air’s Royal treatment continues back on the ground with free limousine transfers to and from London Heathrow and meet and greet services, to new premium check-in counters, with fast-track departures and arrivals, complemented by state-of-the–art e-kiosks and e-check-in.
Bookings can be made through any travel agent or by calling Gulf Air direct.
About the Royal Lancaster Hotel
Overlooking the tranquil beauty of Hyde Park, the four stars deluxe Hotel provides 416 elegantly furnished rooms, three stylish restaurants and a lounge. It is only minutes from the West End shops and theatres and ideally placed for leisure and business guests alike.
The Royal Lancaster is the perfect location for enjoying the very heart of Europe's most exciting city. Voted Best Hotel of the Year (Independent category) 1998 England for Excellence Awards. It also achieved "Independent Hotel of the Year", 1998, in the London Tourism Awards. Commanding panoramic views of Hyde Park and the London skyline, the Royal Lancaster Hotel has achieved an enviable position that has made its name synonymous with quality since its opening in 1967.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the region.
More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.
Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.
It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ‘boutique airline’ vision.
The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, which recognized the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:
Winner - Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
