The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Hong Kong. Courtesy Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Hong Kong. Courtesy Cosmopolitan Hotel

Travel news: A premium feel with Hong Kong stays



Travellers can get 20 per cent off rooms and a series of other benefits with a business package at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Cosmo Hotel and Dorsett Mongkok in Hong Kong. The additional perks include free use of a hotel-supplied 3G smartphone, Wi-Fi and a daily buffet breakfast. If you book three consecutive nights, you'll also receive three hours' access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, with unlimited food and beverages, plus shuttle access to key destinations around the city. The package costs from Dh417 per night for stays until the end of March. For more information, visit www.cosmopolitanhotel.com.hk, www.cosmohotel.com.hk or www.mongkok.dorsetthotels.com.

First Starwood hotel opens in Romania

The Sheraton Bucharest, the first Starwood property in Romania, is now open for business. The 270-room hotel is within walking distance of the Piata Romana subway station, which offers a quick connection to the Old Town, Victoria Palace, several renowned museums and the Palace of the Parliament – the largest parliament building in the world. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from the airport, and boasts a fitness centre, conference facilities and the 18th-floor Sheraton Club lounge with views of the city. Rooms cost from Dh760 per night, including breakfast and taxes. For more information, visit www.sheraton.com.

Head East for new Abu Dhabi deal

Book a short stay at Anantara's Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa in Abu Dhabi between now and December 31 and you'll benefit from a selection of discounts and add-ons. The offer includes an upgrade to the next room category, breakfast, a signature drink, a 4pm checkout and 20 per cent discounts on dining and massage treatments per couple. The package is only available for two-night stays, and costs start from Dh1,044 per room, per night, including taxes. For more information visit, www.anantara.com/abudhabisummer.

Experience the flavours of Oman

Al Bustan Palace in Muscat has opened its Six Senses Spa and is inviting guests to enjoy a Flavours of Oman experience to celebrate. The package includes a day trip to the historic souq in Nizwa and Jebel Al Akhdar, plus the opportunity to indulge in a traditionally crafted spa treatment. The property is home to the longest private beach in the sultanate, as well as an infinity pool and garden surrounds. The package costs from Dh3,912 per night, based on a twin share, including taxes, a deluxe sea-view room, full-day excursion and a 25-minute signature spa per person, and is available for stays until December 31 (excluding Eid and Christmas). For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/AlBustan.

mhealy@thenational.ae

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: SmartCrowd
Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)

SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

SPEC SHEET: APPLE M3 MACBOOK AIR (13")

Processor: Apple M3, 8-core CPU, up to 10-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 x 1664, 224ppi, 500 nits, True Tone, wide colour

Memory: 8/16/24GB

Storage: 256/512GB / 1/2TB

I/O: Thunderbolt 3/USB-4 (2), 3.5mm audio, Touch ID

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Battery: 52.6Wh lithium-polymer, up to 18 hours, MagSafe charging

Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD

Video: Support for Apple ProRes, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10

Audio: 4-speaker system, wide stereo, support for Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking (with AirPods)

Colours: Midnight, silver, space grey, starlight

In the box: MacBook Air, 30W/35W dual-port/70w power adapter, USB-C-to-MagSafe cable, 2 Apple stickers

Price: From Dh4,599

The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass

Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km

The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Results

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:

  • 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
  • 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
  • 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
  • 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
  • 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
  • 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
  • 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
  • 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
  • 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
  • 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4