A complimentary eight-minute helicopter transfer from New York's Newark Liberty airport to a choice of two locations in central Manhattan is being offered by Continental Airlines to top-tier customers flying on transatlantic routes in its BusinessFirst cabins. Available to passengers travelling on fares booked in the airline's J, D and Z categories, it applies to flights originating from any of the 29 cities in 16 countries served by Continental's transatlantic route network. Customers travelling on return tickets qualify for complimentary flights for helicopter transfers in both directions between New York Liberty and Manhattan; those on one-way tickets qualify for a single transfer. The normal US Helicopter one-way fare to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport is US$159, while that to the East 34th Street/Midtown Heliport is US$169. While the fare is waived, customers are liable for applicable taxes. The offer is subject to availability and to changes or cancellation, and travellers should also be aware that US Helicopter has a different baggage allowance policy than Continental. For details, visit www.flyush.com Apartment savings
Savings of up to 50 per cent on apartments in a number of UK cities, including London, Bath, Birmingham and Glasgow, are available over the Christmas and New Year period. Apartment specialist SACO is offering one-bedroom units in central London from £117 per night throughout December, just over half price. In Bath, the company's elegant apartments, close to the city's new Thermae Spa, recently received a 4-star grading from VisitBritain. Rates are from £59 per night. Birmingham offers a choice of two locations – Brindleyplace, for the city centre, and at Edgbaston – with rates from £70 a night, which is also half-price. Similar rates apply in central Glasgow, as well as Bristol, Camberley, Cardiff, Derby, Farnborough, Nottingham and Reading.
www.sacoapartments.co.uk Midweek corporate rate
A special corporate rate for midweek stays is being offered by a leading Scottish hotel. Channings, a stylish 41-room townhouse property, 10 minutes' walk from the centre of Edinburgh, is offering its standard double rooms for £85 per night from Sunday to Thursday. This rate, which applies to single occupancy in a double room, includes continental breakfast, newspaper of choice and a one-way taxi ride of up to £5. For those who don't have time to sit down and savour their breakfast, the hotel will organise a 'breakfast-to-go', which includes takeaway coffee, a bacon roll and fresh fruit. A three-course dinner and coffee at the Channings Bar & Restaurant can be included, increasing the overnight rate to £105. Winter warmth package
Shanghai's first designer boutique hotel – the JIA – is is offering a special winter warmth package until the end of February. Rates range from RMB1,895 (US$257) a night for a studio and RMB2,695 (US$365) for a suite, plus tax and service charge, and include a welcome cocktail, continental breakfast, all-day soft drinks, afternoon cakes and evening wine in the lobby. Guests are also treated to a gift of a special winter 'woven' tea blend. Located in the centre of the city on the corner of Nanjing Road and Tai Xing Road, JIA Shanghai is set within a 1920's-style building.
Introductory rate
A special introductory rate of HK$1,300 (US$167) is being offered at the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel, which opens in Hong Kong this month (December). The 245-room property, located on the Island, close to the Macau ferry pier, is convenient for both the financial district of Central and the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai. As well as a business centre with two work stations and an executive lounge, the hotel has a round-the-clock fitness centre.
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