Hotel and restaurant news

Tomorrow’s colloquium hosted by the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), within the Faculty of Management at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), will highlight the invaluable role that tourism and mega-events can play in destination growth and development.

The 2011 STH Colloquium, with the theme “Building leaders and managers for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry”, scheduled for 14 September 2011 at the UJ’s Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus, Johannesburg, incorporates the views of leading South African and international educators, researchers and industry executives engaged in the day-to-day reality of South African tourism and hospitality.

Speaker at this year’s colloquium … Read the rest

Tallying the final figure for raised funds for the Bidvest World Chefs Tour held last week revealed that R8-million had been raised by 250 international chefs to help feed hungry children. This will amount to 821 250 meals over five years for needy children.

The Tour, which began on 20 August and ended in with a gala dinner in Johannesburg last week, saw chefs from as far afield as Thailand, the USA, Myanmar, South Tyrol, Russia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia coming to South Africa to help fight hunger.

This was the third time that World Chefs Tour Against Hunger … Read the rest

Lamb's Conduit Street, Bloomsbury

A partially pedestrianised street in bookish Bloomsbury, this is as civilised as shopping gets in the capital: it's not unusual for shop owners to dispense a free glass of wine to customers. First stop has to be Darkroom (52 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1, 020-7831 7244, darkroomlondon.com), a geometric palace full of exquisite modern craft: handmade accessories for men, women and home, lovingly curated. Next door, at the start of Rugby Street, Ben Pentreath (17 Rugby Street, 020-7430 2526, benpentreath.com) is a titchy interiors shop full of ceramics, fabrics and nostalgic knick-knacks. There's also Folk (49 … Read the rest

10 Greek Street, Soho

Getting a table at the legion of hip "no booking" places that have opened in recent years in Soho – the five restaurants in the Polpo stable, among others – can often mean queuing for an hour. Not so, for now at least, at 10 Greek Street, the place to go for polenta with girolles and burrata (?13), or vine leaf wrapped mackerel (?14).
• 10 Greek Street, W1, 020-7734 4677, 10greekstreet.com. Open Mon-Sat noon-11.30pm. Bookings taken for lunch only

Koya, Soho

Delicious udon noodles inspired by those from Sanuki island, rolled in the traditional … Read the rest

Aside from work, my London life revolves around food and fitness. Or trying to work fitness in to make up for enjoying the indulgent lifestyle this great city offers.

On my perfect day, I'd wake up well-rested and without a hangover. I'd try and pre-empt the hedonistic strike ahead by going for a run.

Starting at Victoria Park, I head down Regent's Canal, passing the ever-excellent Palm Tree pub in Mile End and carrying on to Limehouse Basin, where I take in the port-side flats, yachts and the DLR rumbling by on the bridge above.

My alternative healthy start … Read the rest

Air travel can be a stressful and sometimes dangerous experience for pets, especially if they travel in the excess baggage or cargo holds. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which governs air travel for pets along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), estimates that half a million dogs and cats travel on commercial airlines in the United States each year.

Of those, a reported 99 percent arrive at their destination without incident. However, that leaves approximately 5,000 airline mishaps a year -- enough to make any pet owner very cautious. The best way to ensure your pet's … Read the rest

In which country would one find the world's most famous bike race? Now there's an easy point in the pub quiz. But, of course, there's a catch. The Tour de France has often strayed over the borders of La Republique and even, on three occasions, made it into Britain, although always in the south of England. But now, at last, there is a bid to host the opening stage further north.

When I heard that Yorkshire was bidding to host the opening stages in 2016, I felt like jumping on my bike. I wanted to ride. A friend said: … Read the rest

Visit the easternmost city in the United States -- Eastport, Maine.

Where: Eastport, about 240 miles from Portland, Maine, is America's easternmost city. It's scattered across several islands, most of which can only be reached by ferry. The downtown area, on Moose Island, is connected to the mainland by a tidal-dam causeway.

Why: Still undiscovered by the sunburnt crowds that jam Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor every summer, Eastport's surroundings are as scenic as the more popular downeast destinations. It's not a tarted-up-for-tourists town and it has a wonderfully eccentric vibe -- many of the two thousand or … Read the rest

Emirates reinforced its commitment to support the growing trade and tourism relationship between Dubai and South Africa by landing its first scheduled A380 service at O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The 489-seat superjumbo was welcomed by a traditional water cannon salute as South Africa became the 16th destination in Emirates’ global network to be served by the environmentally advanced aircraft.
Emirates is proud to announce the arrival of the A380 in Johannesburg, its first destination in Africa. Our expansion into Africa demonstrates our commitment to support emerging economies, and this is further supported by the … Read the rest

In this issue: Hong Kong, San Juan, Malibu, South Beach, Shanghai, and Buenos Aires...

In this issue: Hong Kong, San Juan, Miami, LA, Buenos Aires, and Shanghai

Eat: A Hong Kong trifecta
After five years of additions and renovations, the InterContinental Hong Kong is finally ready for business. Among the many fine new features of the place are three world-class restaurants: Spoon, serving contemporary French cuisine (try the "Sexy Spoon" six-course tasting menu); Nobu Hong Kong by Nobu Matsuhisa (photo, right) (order the famous rock-shrimp tempura with creamy-spicy sauce); and Yan Toh Heen, an award-winning Cantonese restaurant offering breathtaking … Read the rest

The joint travel and tourism industry conference, which was scheduled to take place from 23 to 25 October 2011, has been postponed to next year.

The conference will be hosted by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) in collaboration with five of its member associations: Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA), Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa), National Accommodation Association of South Africa (NAA-SA), Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) and Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA).

Named the “Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Conference Southern Africa”, the event is designed to combine the … Read the rest

London is arguably the most diverse metropolis in the world, with more than 300 languages spoken and over 30% of the population born outside of the UK. A world in one city. Travelling across it, via its neighbourhoods and communities, is exciting, eye-opening, surprising, sometimes frustrating, but never staid or boring.

It does pomp and ceremony like no other - as the world will see this summer during the Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic games. These two mega events are the big, headline stories this year, but there are thousands more stories about London that won't hit the headlines, … Read the rest

Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg has been undergoing massive refurbishment and expansion for some time now. Its new expansion is set to launch on 10 November.

Added to the already comprehensive shopping options will be a number of leading international retail brands.

The super-regional shopping centre’s landmark expansion and refurbishment project involves interior refurbishments and 30 000sqm of newly built retail space.

“Sandton City is one of the largest shopping centres in Africa. Its popularity, robust mix of local and international leading fashion brands and its successful trading record have made it a first choice for retail groups … Read the rest

In terms of why people visit York – history, atmosphere, romantic seclusion – Grays Court could be the city's quintessential bolthole. You will find it down a narrow cobbled street, in the shadow of the Minster, its entrance – a heavy, seemingly ancient wooden door – recessed on a quiet courtyard. The whole thing is a rare portal into that York beyond hog roasts, ghost walks and shuffling anorak-clad tourists.

Sections of Grays, which was bought, seven years ago, by Helen Heraty and John Edwards (an English Heritage architect, who sadly died in January), date to 1080. On the … Read the rest

45 minutes west of Marseilles lies this undiscovered gem of rustic charm...

Where: Beaucaire, in the heart of Van Gogh country, mid-way between St. Remy de Provence and Nimes.

Why: For hundreds of years this pretty little pleasure port, at the intersection of the Rhone and the Canal du Rhone a Sete, hosted the richest commercial fair in Europe. Fabulous 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century town mansions crowd narrow lanes and shady squares as evidence of the fortunes made.

The surrounding open countryside segues from fragrant garrique---rock - strewn hills covered with wild thyme, rosemary, rock roses and pine---to the … Read the rest

Theatre

You Me Bum Bum Train, Empire House, E15, to 19 Sep, bumbumtrain.co.uk Not for the faint-hearted, but if you choose to take part in this "physically challenging interactive experience" you'll be left dazed and confused by this singular spectacle.

The London Open, Whitechapel Gallery, E1, to 14 Sep, whitechapelgallery.org This busy snapshot of the city's art scene features 35 up and comers, including feted sculptor Alice Channer and film-maker Charlie Tweed.

Mind The Map: Inspiring Art, Design & Cartography, London Transport Museum, to 28 Oct, ltmuseum.co.uk Remarkable posters, designs and cartographic artwork from the past 100 years, all … Read the rest

The second, and largest phase, of the Protea Hotel Vineyards Estate in Cape Town’s northern suburbs is set to open on 1 October.

This phase comprises 64 apartments; 32 one-bedroom units and 32 two bedroom units and brings the total number of rooms to 125 in 93 units.

The new hotel in Tyger Valley, surrounded by the vineyards of the D’Aria Wine Estate, first opened its doors in June 2011.

Facilities include the Great Room which doubles as a lounge with seating areas and a bar that services the lounge and the extensive courtyard terrace that surrounds the swimming … Read the rest

The finalists in the 2011 FASA Awards for Excellence in Franchising, presented by the Franchise Association of South Africa, have been released ahead of the awards taking place on Saturday 15 October at Montecasino in Johannesburg.

Finalists this year are:

Vera Valasis, FASA’s executive director, applauds those franchisors and franchisees who entered the awards despite the tough economic conditions. “It is natural, that in good times, franchisors are eager to feature their phenomenal growth but, as we have seen in these tough times, many franchisors chose not to enter the awards. Although understandable, one must applaud those of our … Read the rest

Porthmeor Beach Cafe, St Ives

If indeed the much-bandied-about concept of "cool Cornwall" exists, the Porthmeor is a good place to come looking for it. This beachside terrace in front of Tate St Ives offers a kind of casual eating that fills the gap between the seriously priced offerings of Fifteen, Porthminster Beach Cafe et al, and the cheap but not always terribly cheerful fish 'n' chip shops of old. Breakfasts are big here – scrambled eggs with Cornish crab and creme fraiche, buttermilk pancakes, toasted artisan Vicky's Bread.

Lunches are nicely presented croques, simple grilled local fish and … Read the rest

Priceless London Wonderground, South Bank

Among the cabaret, circus shows, collection of preserved freak animals and other Coney Island-style attractions at the South Bank's Priceless London Wonderground is a terrifyingly high-spinning swing ride, the Star Flyer, the tallest travelling ride in the country at 60 metres, offering amazing views (tickets ?7, minimum height 1.2 metres). Or see children's shows such as Handa's Surprise, a theatre production of a tale set in Kenya (17-26 August, ?7.50), and Hairy Maclary (3-6 September, ?10).
• Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, London, SE1, 0844 545 8282, pricelesslondonwonderground. Until 30 September

Watch free family … Read the rest

The winners of the 2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards were announced on Friday, 16 September at a gala dinner at the Regent Esplanade Zagreb Hotel in Croatia.

Hotels are recognised for their commitment to the highest standards of quality service and the awards, founded in 2006, congratulate hotels that had taken extra steps to provide guests with outstanding experiences.

Marinique Truter, manager of the World Luxury Hotel Awards, explains: “Outstanding properties are those that surprise the guest with unexpected experience bonuses, experiences that are more about recognition of the guest other than the thread count.

“Growing numbers of luxury … Read the rest

Editor Andrew Moth says in his Viewpoint of then called Hotelier & Caterer: “Trade unionism, with all its irritations for people who want to run a business and make a living, is a fact in the hospitality industry. It will not be long before every single hotelier in the country finds that he has to devote part of every day to it. The paperwork will become a burden but it must be done.”

The July 1987 issue of H&C ran the first in a series of articles entitled: “From the Fedhasa Industrial Relations Desk.” Moth described it as: “They … Read the rest

Picture yourself sailing all summer aboard a $10 million yacht with one of Italy's wealthiest couples. Money is no object, and the itinerary takes in the poshest ports along the Côte d'Azur, the Italian Riviera, and Capri. There's no one on the boat but you, the tycoons, a small crew, and a brave chef who has agreed to the owner's conditions, namely that he prepare all meals using only local ingredients found in ports and that no dish be repeated. Sounds like paradise, right?

Sure, unless you're the chef. That man was David Shalleck, whose resume includes stints as … Read the rest

Africa Albida Tourism has recorded its best July in nine years at its flagship establishment Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, with the property as well as The Boma – Place of Eating recording increased bookings.

Ross Kennedy, chief executive, says, “At Victoria Falls Safari Lodge we’ve had the best July occupancy in nine years at a 70% increase, and at the Boma Place of Eating, only July 2007 had seen better covers. 2007 showed 183 covers per night and July 2011 delivered 163 per night. This result is fantastic and everyone’s hard work at the lodge to maintain an excellent … Read the rest