Electronic System For Travel Authorisation (ESTA)

We recently advised that it is now mandatory for all passengers travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) 72 hours prior to departure. However, for each subsequent visit, within the validity of the ESTA, details including departure city, address while in the US and airline & flight number will require updating. To do this, go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, enter your reference number and then the new information.

Promotional fares with LOT Polish Airlines to Vilnius in Lithuania and Kiev, Odessa and Lviv in the Ukraine.  Book between now and 2 March for travel 15 April to 15 December 2010.  Fares start from just £45 plus all applicable taxes.

Return Economy and Business fares with Etihad from London and Manchester from as little as £45 plus all applicable taxes.  Bookings must be made by 1 March for travel by 30 June.

Hilton has opened its first core-brand property within the Liverpool One shopping and retail complex, next to the city’s regenerated Albert Docks.  The Hilton Liverpool is located on the edge of the Liverpool One project, with rooms overlooking the development's Chivasse Park and the docks.  Features include a walkway in the lobby made from timber taken from the docks, and a specially-commissioned piece of art representing the river which is positioned above the hotel’s reception, 215 rooms and twelve suites, a seventh-floor executive lounge, a business centre, gym, wifi internet access throughout, eight function rooms plus a ballroom for up to 400 delegates theatre-style.  Food and bar options include the Exchange restaurant and Pima bar.  There are also plans to add a spa facility in the near future.

Virgin Atlantic’s Drive Thru facility in Johannesburg will be closed with immediate effect.  The Upper Class limo service, however, remains unaffected and a Virgin Atlantic representative will meet each car and escort passengers to a dedicated Drive Thru check-in desk within the terminal building.  Virgin Atlantic apologise to all customers for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Pierre, New York – the US flagship property of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, is fresh from a $100m renovation.  The hotel now features 189 new guestrooms and bath interiors.  Public spaces include Two E, a new destination bar and lounge and Le Caprice, the first US location of this popular London restaurant.  The Pierre is just steps from Central Park, world-class museums, galleries and the fashionable boutiques of Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue.  Commodore currently offers special rates with $50.00 credit to be used in any outlets.

Milan Malpensa users will be pleased to learn that the double track tunnel on the Castellanza line has now finally opened and has significantly reduced the Malpensa Express journey time from Milan Cadorna station to the airport’s Terminal 1.  The €150m tunnel involved upgrading the infrastructure and building a twin track line allowing an increased frequency from 74 to 80 runs per day of the express service and reducing the journey time from 40 to 29 minutes.

Renaissance, a Marriott brand, has made its Scandinavian debut in Malmo, taking the title Renaissance Malmo Hotel.  The hotel combines three preserved historical buildings. All 128 rooms are fully air conditioned and the property has three restaurants.  The property is located at the vibrant Lilla Torg (Little Square), just a five-minute walk to Malmo Central Station which offers a short 30-minute train ride to Copenhagen International Airport.

Hilton Worldwide has signed a franchise agreement to open a new hotel in Gelendzhik, Russia in summer 2010.  Hilton Gelendzhik Resort and Spa will be the brand’s second property in Russia, following the opening of the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya in 2008.