Honours for Canada hotels and YVR, WestJet teams w/ Iceland Air, Deal of Day

A couple of Toronto's newest hotels have made a mark. 

Conde Nast Traveler the other day issued its hot list of the top new hotels in the world. The new Four Seasons in Yorkville and the new Shangri-La on University Avenue both made the grade, as did the Ritz Carlton in Montreal and La Ferme in Baie-St. Paul, the new hotel built at the Le Massif ski hill by Daniel Gauthier of Cirque du Soleil fame.

The magazine described the look of the Four Seasons (see photo below right) as "uber-polished and somewhat austere, with huge, dark wood columns and 1,700 commissioned pieces of art." They said the "taupe and beige colour scheme and stone floors lend a somewhat chilly atmosphere to public spaces" but that "rooms are softer, with flowered fabric headboards and sweet little framed prints of Canadian wildlife."

They also said the new Four Seasons is a "clear departure from the old-fashioned, out-of-date original," that the sleek Daniel Boulud restaurant is "a magnet for Toronto's upwardly mobile" and that the 30,000 square foot spa is the largest urban spa in the Four Seasons chain.

I gotta admit I find the lobby area a bit cramped and not overly welcoming, but I'm a big fan of old-fashioned hotels with welcoming chairs and don't really like the artsy, austere look.

I personally much prefer the lobby space at the Shangri-La, with its Asian touches and sofas and open spaces. It seems like the Conde Nast folks agree. They call the look "urban zen" and commented on the subtle Asian elements, such as the Japanese watercolours and orchids that dot the property. They said the hotel "feels illuminated and airy thanks to a soaring lobby space with plenty of blonde wood and travertine stone (and the occasional pop of magenta from a silk pillow or rug).

"Guest rooms are painted in soft cream, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Toronto skyline create a cheery atmosphere, even on overcast winter days. Enormous bathrooms are swathed in veined marble and include the now almost ubiquitous TV in the mirror."

Although it may attract biz types, the magazine noted the Shangri-La "has all the necessities for a city vacation, including indoor cabanas surrounding a whirlpool, a gorgeous hammam spa and the excellent lobby-level restaurant, Bosk."

Heady praise, indeed.

In addition to citing both hotels, Conde Nast also named their respective spas as blissful hot spots for 2013.

Heading to Quebec? Conde Nast called La Ferme's look "eclectic and whimsical," with rooms that vary wildly in style. They seemed to like the French comfort food at the restaurant, Les Labours, but cited the lack of a good spa. They had lots of great things to say about the Ritz Carlton in Montreal, citing it's "turn-of-the-century grandeur" and the "Gilded Age fantasy" of the Palm Court, combined with modern, sleek rooms. They said the pool and gym feel cramped, but overall gave the place a very solid review.

WORLD'S BEST AIRPORTS

The folks at Skytrax, who do regular airline reviews, have issued a new list of the top airports on the planet. Vancouver's YVR was, understandably, named the best airport in North America, finishing eighth overall. YVR was the only North American airport in the top ten.

It marks the fourth straight year Vancouver was named tops in North America, based on a survey of 395 airports that looked at everything from comfort to efficiency to signage and amenities. The Vancouver airport has a bright, lively feel to it, with great shops and a large fish tank and even a liquor store on the way out. It beats the living daylights out of Toronto Pearson. which came 46th to finish second in Canada. Also in the top 100 from a Canadian angle were Halifax/Stanfield at 58 and Montreal/Trudeau, which came 83rd.

I said Vancouver was the only North American airport in the top ten. Actually, it was the only North American airport in the top 29. The next best facility in North America after YVR was Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky at number 30. Other American facilities in the top 50 were Denver (36), San Francisco (40) and Atlanta/Hartsfield (48).

Changi Airport in Singapore came first overall in the world, a common occurrence for the renowned facility with shops and spas and all kinds of attractions. Next was South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, followed by Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Hong Kong International and Beijing Capital International Airport.

WESTJET TEAMS WITH ICELAND AIR

WestJet continues to sign deals with world airlines to make things easier for Canadians heading out of the country. It was announced today that WestJet and Icelandair "have launched a new interline agreement opening up the skies for passengers connecting between the Americas and more than 20 Icelandair destinations throughout Europe." 

"Passengers can now book a single combined e-ticket for WestJet and Icelandair flights which includes the conveniences of single check-in for all flights and baggage sent through to the final destination. When connecting in the Americas, Icelandair customers will enjoy WestJet’s fleet of Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft serving more than 80 cities in North America, Central America and the Caribbean."

"Icelandair and WestJet share many of the same philosophies including offering our passengers a refreshing travel experience” said Helgi Mar Bjorgvinsson, Icelandair's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. "Our complementary customer service and connections through Toronto and Halifax make this a natural partnership. We also look forward to further opening the skies of Canada for both inbound and outbound passengers."

Earlier this year Icelandair expanded its seasonal service from Toronto to a year-round operation with plans to increase capacity next summer. Icelandair will also resume seasonal service from Halifax with two flights a week starting June 1, 2013. 

“We’re excited to welcome Icelandair as WestJet’s thirty-second partner airline,” said Todd Peterson, WestJet’s Director, Alliances. “Icelandair and WestJet share a reputation for quality service and great value. The new relationship between our airlines will enhance options for travel between North America and Europe.”

AIR TRANSAT IMPROVEMENTS

Missed this last week when I was away, but the Star's Vanessa Lu reported the other day that Air Transat  is rolling out Italian leather slimline seats on its newly revamped Airbus 330 planes, which are often used on transatlantic routes.

Joseph Adamo, Transat's vice-president of marketing (see photo), said while the pitch - the distance from any point on one seat to the exact same point on the seat in front of or behind it - doesn't change, it will feel roomier.

"We can't say it's more space, but it's a better experience," Adamo said as Transat  held a media event in Toronto to show off a mockup of its revamped cabin. "The seat is thinner with new generation foam."

The airline also is replacing its outdated entertainment system with individual seatback touch screens that feature movies, books and games like Sudoku.

It's adding LED lighting inside the cabin that switches colours, depending on the situation, including orange for when a plane is arriving in Europe to mimic a sunrise, and supposedly reduce jet lag.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for the sunny Dominican Republic for $836, including $387 in taxes.

• SAVINGS: Two travellers save up to $100 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer exclusive check-in/check-out, 10% spa discount, turndown service and in-room beach towels
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the Barcelo Puerto Plata, located in the Dominican Republic
• Includes return air from Toronto to Puerto Plata, with hotel/airport transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Double Room, featuring 1 king or 2 twin beds and a balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Beachfront property gives you direct access to the Caribbean sea
• The resort offers unique activities like dance lessons and horseback riding
• Barcelo is located directly on the beach at Playa Dorada, five minutes from downtown

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 8, 15 & 22, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $449
• Single: $500
  Triple: $423
  Child: $399
  Tax: $387
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
  Earn & Redeem Aeroplan® Miles, in-flight seat-back entertainment on most flights, airline service and reliability of Air Canada, and more!
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

Hilton's new spa in Markham ... Forbes snubs Canada ... Deal of the Day: Miami

Hilton will soon open its first branded Canadian spa.

Called Eforea Spa at the Hilton, it will open at the Markham Suites Hilton on Highway 7 on April 8. They'll feature organic products and all the latest treatments, including a "men's journey" program designed for guys. 

"We've never had a spa brand," said John Forrest Ales, senior director – global brand public relations. "Increasingly, however, guests say a spa has an impact on their hotel decision."

It will be only the third branded spa by Hilton in Canada, which now has 15 Hiltons in total out of more than 550 worldwide. Hilton also operates Hampton Suites and other brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.

The hotel chain also is helping boost their bookings from Chinese visitors, who (I mentioned this last week) now make up the second largest group of visitors to Canada after Americans. They created a program called Huanying with 20 hotels, offering a Chinese speaker at the hotel when guests arrive, Chinese language tour guides, Chinese televisioin stations, in-room tea, slippers and a Chinese breakfast menu.

There are now 70 or so such programs at various Hilton properties, including the Hilton Toronto, the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown and the Hilton Vancouver Airport.

Hilton is, of course, growing in China, where they set up shop 25 years ago. They also are opening their second hotel in Colombia soon and their first in Peru and also their first all-inclusive property in Mexico, on the Pacific Coast in Puerto Vallarta. Other all-inclusive's are being set up in Costa Rica and Spain.

The chain is having a bit of fun with North Americans who don't take enough vacations, sending out office survival kits and telling folks about the symptoms of "vacation-itis." If you go on their web site - www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com and type in your address and postal code you'll get various offers or suggestions. I plugged in my data and my typical workload this morning and was told I should come by the Hilton Toronto for an after-work cocktail and try the lobster mac and cheese at their Tundra restaurant, or perhaps take in a meal at Ruth's Chris Steak House, which I find horribly overrated and way too expensive.

Anyway, it's a fun site and it's interesting to see Hilton being a bit more edgy than I would've expected.

FORBES SNUBS CANADA

The latest Forbes' list of great hotels and restaurants is another in a long line of American-centric lists that drive me crazy. They recently came out with their five-star awards and managed to find 58 properties in the U.S. worthy of the designation. But nary a one in Canada.

Restaurants? Twenty eight five-star quality in the U.S. Canada? Zilch.

Utterly ridiculous.

For the record, they did list 13 four-star properties in the True North Strong and Free. Four are in Toronto: The Park Hyatt, The Hazelton, The Ritz-Carlton (see photo at left) and The Trump Tower. Likely they didn't have time to review the new Shangri-La or Four Seasons. Also on the list for Canada wwere the Four Seasons Vancouver, Four Seasons Whistler, Shangri-La Vancouver, Sutton Place Vancouver, The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino B.C. (a personal fave), Hotel Le St. James in Montreal (a great spot), The Ritz Carlton Montreal and the Kingsbrae Arms in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

Five Ontario restaurants got four-star ratings: Langdon Hall in Cambridge, One Restaurant, Splendido, Canoe and Scaramouche.

Still, gimme a break.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has an excellent deal on tap for the beautiful Deauville Beach Resort in fabulous Miami . It's a seven-night package that includes air fare for just $718.

• Two travellers save up to $120 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• 7-night stay at the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach, Florida
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to Miami
• Accommodations in a Double Guest Room, featuring 2 double beds or 1 king size bed, in-room wireless internet access and refrigerator. Max Occupancy: 4
  

• Only a 20 minute walk from the illustrious South Beach strip
• Prime shopping territory in the Art Deco district and at the Bal Harbour shops
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
  Earn & Redeem Aeroplan® Miles, in-flight seat-back entertainment on most flights, airline service and reliability of Air Canada, and more!

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on April 7, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $579 + tax
  Single: $956 + tax
  Triple: $482 + tax
  Quad: $435 + tax
  Child: $305 + tax
  Tax: $139
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $803 tax included
  Single: $1182 tax included
  Triple: $708 tax included
  Quad: $661 tax included
  Child: $551 tax included
  
  We also offer other DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.  
  
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

 

Romance blooms in Ontario (of all places!) - a look at Canada's romantic hotels

Well, what do you know. I'm often on the case of the poor folks at Trip Advisor, gently (sometimes) ribbing them about reader polls they do that seem to favour those lucky saps out in Vancouver who probably are already looking at crocuses and daisies popping out of their (wet) gardens.

Time after time, it seems, I get reader polls or what have you that give all the kudos to hotels in British Columbia and all but ignore Ontario and even Quebec. Let alone the poor Maritimes and Newfoundland. But now, just in time for Valentine's Day, comes a Trip Advisor Readers' Choice awards with more geographical balance, Canada-wise.

Their latest offering lines up the 10 most romantic hotels in Canada, and Ontario takes the top prize. I frankly don't know how they get such rewards on Trip Advisor, but Harbour House Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake got top spot for romance in Canada, followed by the Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa in B.C. The next four spots in a row, which I find unrealistic as well, went to Ontario: Woodland Echoes Resort in Magnetewan, Sterling Inn and Spa in Niagara Falls, The Charles Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Riverbend Inn and Vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In seventh spot came Hotel Kutuma in Montreal, followed by Le Relais Lyonnais in Montreal, Mercer Hall Inn in Stratford, Ontaro and Smugglers Cove Inn in lovely Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

This means Ontario grabbed six of the top ten spots, Quebec two, British Columbia a paltry one (heh, heh) and good old Nova Scotia one.

I put very little faith in these things, to be honest. They're fun to write about but I haven't a clue how people judge these things. Niagara is a romantic place that deserves some spots in the top ten, but 40 per cent?

It's fun to see Ontario beat out those romantics in Quebec, but I simply can't believe there's no place in beautiful Banff that doesn't deserve the top 10. Let alone places I've visited that are absolutely stunning: The Wickaninnish in Tofino, B.C. and Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec (see photo at left of Panache restaurant), which might be the top property in the country. Not to mention Toronto's Ritz-Carlton, Hazelton, Four Seasons, Trump and Shangri-La, or the lovely St. Germain on Mercer Street; still my favourite hotel in the city.

For what it's worth, Trip Advisor also listed the ten most romantic hotels in the U.S. and in the world. Here they are:

U.S. ROMANCE SPOTS

1. Bardessono, Yountville, California, 2. Koa Kea Hotel and Resort, Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii, 3. Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 4. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California, 5. Honor Mansion, a Wine Country Resort, Healdsburg, California, 6. Ocean Lodge, Saint Simons Island, Georgia, 7. Casa Laguna Inn and Spa, Laguna Beach, California, 8. Mountain Home Lodge, Leavenworth, Washington, 9. Tickle Pink Inn, Carmel, California, 10. Henderson Park Inn, Destin, Florida.

Lots of California content, for sure. And, once again, North Dakota gets robbed.

WORLD ROMANCE SPOTS

1. Anastasis Apartments, Imerovigli, Greece, 2. La Minerva, Capri, Italy, 3. Cranleigh Boutique, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom, 4. Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant, Windermere, UK, 5. Baros Maldives, North Male Atoll, Maldive Islands, 6. Casa del Mar, Langkawi, Malaysia, 7, Bardessono, Yountville, California, 8. Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai, 9. Layana Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta, Thailand, 10. Veligandu Island Resort, North Ari Atoll, Maldives Islands.

Nice, but no mention of Tahiti's overwater bungalows? For shame! On the other hand, I've actually been to one of these, Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai. It's stunning and I had an outdoor spa/tub overlooking the desert and a watering hole with, I think, a type of gazelle hanging about. Alas, I was alone...

TROUBLES IN MEXICO

Associated Press reports that six Spanish tourists were raped by a gang of armed, masked men in the Mexican resort of Acapulco, the latest chapter of violence that has tarnished the once-glamorous Pacific coast resort.

The attackers burst into a house the Spaniards had rented on the outskirts of Acapulco, in a low-key beachside area, and held 12 Spanish men and women and one Mexican woman at gunpoint before dawn on Monday. They tied up the six men with phone cords and bathing suit straps and then raped the six Spanish women, said Acapulco Mayor Luis Walton at a press conference later Monday.

"This is a regrettable situation, and of course it is going to damage Acapulco," said Walton. The once-glittering resort that attracted movie stars and celebrities in the 1950s and 60s has already been battered by years of drug gang killings and extortions, but except for a very few incidents, the violence largely has not touched tourists.

Walton said he believed, but wasn't sure, that the assailants in Monday's attack didn't belong to a drug gang.

"From what the attorney general has told me, I don't think this was organized crime, but that will have to be investigated, we don't know," Walton said.

Mexico's Foreign Relations Department issued a statement saying it regretted the attack, and suggesting it was not drug-cartel related.

That's nice. But it doesn't help their tourism situation.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY - JAMAICA

Snow's on the way, folks, so it's a good time to think about a sunny getaway. Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, is offering a deal for the lovely island of Jamaica, at the Grand Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer exclusive check in/late check out (subject to availability), 4 guaranteed à la carte reservations per week, 20% spa discount, nightly turn down service and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica, located in Runaway Bay, Jamaica
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Montego Bay, and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Jamaica
• Accommodations in a Junior Suite, featuring 1 king or 2 double beds and private balcony or terrace. Max. occupancy: 3 adults and 1 child, or 2 adults and 2 children
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited domestic alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Why We Love It:

• Continue the relaxation in your Junior Suite with your own hydro massage tub
• The experience of swimming in a 3-lake style interconnected pool
• The sleek and unique Victorian-style accomodations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departures:
  Toronto: March 12, 16, 17, 18, 20 & 23, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Single: $1449
  Double: $999
  Triple: $979
  1st Child (2-12): $879
  2nd Child (2-12): $399
  Tax: $377
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of bookin

 

Trip Advisor awards: are B.C. hotels REALLY that much better than Ontario's?

So, I guess Ontario hotels really suck.

Trip Advisor this week announced its 2013 Travelers' Choice Hotel awards, and British Columbia again kicked some serious booty. Topping the charts for all Canadian hotels was L'Hermitage in Vancouver (see photo below) followed by the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver and then Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City.

The next seven in the top 10 were The Loden in Vancouver, the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Sonora Resort on Sonora Island in B.C., The James Hotel in Saskatoon, Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino, B.C., First Tracks Lodge in Whistler B.C. and the Wedgewood Hotel and Spa in Vancouver.

That's eight of the top ten spots for British Columbia, and, frankly, I'm at a loss. I've stayed at several of the properties on the list and they're deserving of mention. But eight of ten? Only one in Quebec, and none in Ontario? Nonsense. Utter nonsense.

Conde Nast Travel magazine readers recently named Langdon Hall in Cambridge as the best hotel in the country. It often makes lists of best hotels on the continent. But not a sniff did it get from Trip Advisor.

So what gives? I haven't a clue, to be honest. Maybe the voting is dominated by rich folks from Seattle and North Vancouver. I don't know. But it doesn't make sense to me. And, frankly, all kidding aside about B.C. kicking butt, it makes me wonder about the voting for these awards. And that makes me wonder about Trip Advisor's content in general.

A spokesperson for Trip Advisor wrote to tell me that winners are based on more than 75 million reviews and opinions covering more than 650,000 hotels on TripAdvisor and there's no breakdown by region available.

Anyway, one probably shouldn't expect these things to be scientific. Or really very accurate. And there WERE some properties from Ontario in the top 25. Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square was #13, while the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto grabbed the 17th spot and the Hazelton Hotel in Yorkville was #18.

St. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario, a great spot, was named seventh best small hotel in the country. The WIndsor Arms in Toronto was named eighth best small hotel in Canada, while Woodland Echoes Resort in Magnetawan, Ontario was ninth and the Drake Hotel in Toronto was number 10 in small hotels. Tops in the small hotel category was Echo Valley Ranch and Spa in, wait for it, Jesmond, B.C. The next four also were B.C. properties: Abigail's Hotel in Victoria, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in Tofino, Eagle Nook Resort and Spa in Barkley Sound and, in the fifth spot, Hastings House on Salt Spring Island. Really? All of the top five in B.C.?

At least things were better for Ontario in the B and B/Inns category. Tops was Chesterman Beach Bed and Breakfast in Tofino, B.C., but then came Greystone Manor in Niagara Falls, Cecile's House in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Historic Davy House in NOTL and, in the number five spot, Serenity Ranch B and B in Hamilton, and good for Hamilton I say! La Toscana di Carlotta in Niagara-on-the-Lake was eighth in the B and B/Inns category.

As for the U.S., Hawaii did awfully well in the general hotels category. Tops was the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii (also named best in the world; see photo at left), followed by the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and Bardessono in Yountville in the Napa Valley of California. Once again, both Delaware and North Dakota got shut out of the top 10 in the hotels category. So I guess Ontario folks shouldn't feel too badly.....

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has the following deal for a four-star stay in Venice. The deal goes for $1,912 ($1,379 plus $543 in taxes) and includes air fare on rouge, Air Canada's new airline.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Extend your stay for no additional charge (based on flight availability)
• BONUS: Includes a Venice Walking tour complete with a scenic Gondola ride and a St. Mark’s Square Highlights Tour with line skipping privileges!
  
• 7-nightstay at the 4-Star La Fenice et des Artistes Hotel (or similar), located in Venice, Italy
• Includes return airfare from multiple gateways within Canada (see below)  to Venice, Italy
• Accommodations in a standard quest room (Maximum occupancy: 2 adults)

• Enjoy flying on rouge, Air Canada's new leisure airline designed for comfortable, stylish and easy travel
• Enjoy 7 nights to explore Venice on your own, with a guided walking tour and Gondola ride included
• Beautiful Venetian-style accommodations are included

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  All Gateways: July 7 and 14, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $1379 plus tax
  Tax: $543
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $1931 plus tax
  Tax included
  
  Ottawa:
  Double: $1379 plus tax
  Tax: $545
  
  Calgary:
  Double: $1659 plus tax
  Tax: $550
  
  Edmonton:
  Double: $1659 plus tax
  Tax: $550
  
  Vancouver:
  Double: $1659 plus tax
  Tax: $546
  
  Halifax:
  Double: $1509 plus tax
  Tax: $552
  
  St. John's:
  Double: $1509 plus tax
  Tax: $545
  
  Winnipeg:
  Double: $1549 plus tax
  Tax: $544
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

Qantas kills Wi-Fi trial ... China theme park in Australia ... Eurostar France deal

This doesn't bode well for those of us who'd like Wi-Fi on Air Canada.

An item on travelmole.com today says Qantas is killing its plan to provide wireless Internet access on flights. The airline has been trying the service on six of its A-380 long-haul flights to London and Los Angeles. But officials said only five per cent of folks on board bothered to sign up for the service, which cost about $12 to $35, depending on the package.

Officials said most folks seemed to prefer sleeping on the long-haul flights. Which I guess makes some sense. Being one of those people who can't sleep at home, let alone on a plane, I'd love to have the Wi-Fi. At least, I think I would. I don't know, really. I DO find that one of the only times I ever see a movie is on an airplane. And a plane ride is a great chance to dig into a good book, too. So maybe I wouldn't use the web all that much. And I certainly don't want to answer emails at 36,000 feet....

EUROSTAR LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE TO SOUTH OF FRANCE

The popular and fast Eurostar train service is launching a new direct program from London to three great spots in the south of France: Lyon, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.

The new weekly spring service will be offered for a trail period in May and June of next year, and tickets go on sale Dec. 11.

Return fares from London to Lyon start at $160 (about the price of two cab rides from downtown Toronto to Pearson Airport) and trains for Avignon and Aix-en-Provence (a beautiful town with lots of history and good food: see photo at left) start at $175.

CHINA THEME PARK FOR AUSTRALIA

Here's something I'm surprised Rob Ford hasn't tried. A regional council in the Australian state of New South Wales wants to rival the Sydney Opera House by building a China-focussed theme park.

Wyong Shire Council has signed a deal to sell 15.7 hectares of land to a company that proposes a full-size replica of the gates to Beijing's Forbidden City and a nine-storey temple. Construction on the  park, about 80 kilometers north of Sydney, is supposed to start in 2015.

"Outside the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, this has the potential to be among the biggest tourist attractions in the state," Mayor Doug Eaton told Agence France Presse. (Sounds like a relative of super salesman Mel Lastman, doncha think?)

It seems EVERYONE is after the Chinese market these days. Canada is trying to get more Chinese tourists. So is the U.S. So is Europe in its new Destination Europe 2020 program, which I outlined in this space yesterday.

It seems pretty cheesy and silly to try to build a Chinese theme park in Australia, though. I mean, what's next? A Disneyland in Tokyo or Hong Kong? Oh. Wait ....

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt, a division of Torstar, has a great deal on tap for The Rosseau, a J.W. Marriott resort in Muskoka. Packages start at $199 for a one-night stay from Sunday to Thursday and that includes two free cocktails and a $100 resort credit.

For a two-night stay on weekends, it's still just $399. Factor in the cocktails and the resort credit savings and you're looking at a room in a beautiful resort in a gorgeous part of Ontario for about $150 a night; not much more than what you might pay for a generic property along Highway 401.

The deal is valid from Dec. 4 to March 30 but there are blackout dates. For more information on this and other deals, go to www.jaunt.ca.

 

 

 

Star Travel writer honoured/Hazelton's $199,000 package/Jamaica Jaunt.ca deal

It’s quite the honour.

Long-time Toronto Star travel writer Heather Greenwood Davis has been named a “Traveler of the Year” by National Geographic Traveler magazine.

They’re the only family on the list and the only Canadians, Davis said. Davis and her husband, Ishmael, visited 29 countries during a full 12 months on the road with their two young boys, Ethan (10) and Cameron (8). The boys were 8 and 6 when they left home in June 2011.

They rode elephants in Thailand and India, toured the Galapagos Islands and visited the Eiffel Tower in France during what Davis describes as a life-changing experience and education of a lifetime for the whole family.

We're pretty excited," says Greenwood Davis. "We wanted to do this trip to live a dream and to show the kids that there was more to life than the neighbourhood they were growing up in. To be honoured by National Geographic Traveler in this way is incredible icing."

The trip, which started in June 2011 and wrapped earlier this year included  visits to orphanages in China and Mumbai, a harrowing moment outside a Chengdu China train station and moments of complete disbelief as they walked through Tahrir Square in Egypt.  The family says while they left home with some trepidation about some of the world's hot spots, meeting the people in cities like Cairo, Bogota and Sharm el Sheikh quickly changed their views.

Now that they're home and the boys are back in school, the family is readjusting to "normal" activities like making dinner and (soon) shoveling snow, but already planning their next world adventure.

"We figure we'll go again in about six years," Davis says. "The kids will be older then so there may be less movement but the goal will be the same: Time together as a family doing what we love."

It's a hugely impressive feat to undertake, let alone accomplish. I find it hard to organize MYSELF for a two-week trip; I can't imagine two adults and two kids around the freaking world over a year's time. Good on you, Heather. And welcome home.

Now, don't you have a story to file for me on Monday?

GOT A SPARE $199,000? THE HAZELTON HOTEL HAS A DEAL FOR YOU

The posh Hazelton Hotel isn't taking the invasion of the Trump, Four Seasons, Shangri-La and Ritz Carlton Toronto hotels lying down. The Yorkville property the other day introduced a $199,000 "bespoke holiday season shopping package."

Yes, lottery winners, you read that correctly. 199,000 shiny loonies for a deal at what's labelled as "Toronto's Most Exclusive Hotel," and it's not a bad label when you've got such heavyweight competition I think.

The deal, and I hate to use that word in this instance, is called "shopping at its very, bespoke finest," said GM David Mounteer.

The package includes private jet transportation from your home to Toronto, two nights accomodation in the Hazelton's Bellair Suite, which includes one of those wildly expensive Haastens beds), all meals catered in your suite's private dining room by ONE Restaurant at the hotel, a luxury sedan with drive at your disposal and added amenities. (I would hope so. I would also hope they'd expect you to take the shampoo from the bathroom. And maybe some of the furniture in the suite, too).

There's also three separate shopping trips. The man in the party (they're assuming something here) gets a private shopping experience at Louis Black, the watch store at the Hazelton that's billed as Toronto's most exclusive watch shop. (THey have one watch on-site called "Black Kite" that sells for $135,000).

The woman in the party (again, assuming something here) gets a stylist at her disposal for an afternoon of shopping in Yorkville, helping find unique items.

Both parties will get a personally escorted tour of Toronto's art galleries from the Hazelton's Art concierge. The concierge will "discuss their personal tastes in advance"  and select galleries that best reflect their wishes. Presumably this is the case even if, like me, you lean towards even if you like Elvis and Bob Marley and poker-playing dogs on velvet.

Oh, by the way. The Bespoke Holiday Season Shopping Package STARTS at $199,000. Plus tax. And the price is based upon factors such as watch selection and art purchases and the city you're flying in from. You might save a bit if you're coming from Oshawa, or it could cost a bit more if you're arriving from Australia.

For information on package and the hotel, go to www.thehazeltonhotel.com.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

 

The folks at Jaunt.ca, a subsidiary of Torstar, have a good deal going for a four-star resort in Jamaica, wiith a savings $676 per couple. Here's what you get 

• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer exclusive check in/late check out (subject to availability), 4 guaranteed à la carte reservations per week, 20% spa discount, nightly turn down service and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica, located in Runaway Bay, Jamaica
• Includes return airfare from Toronto, Montreal or Ottawa to Montego Bay, and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Jamaica
• Accommodations in a Junior Suite, featuring 1 king or 2 double beds and private balcony or terrace. Max. occupancy: 3 adults and 1 child or 2 adults and 2 children
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited domestic alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departures:
  Toronto: Feb. 5, 6, 7, 8 & 12, 13, 14, 15, 2013
  Montreal: Feb. 2, 6, 9, 13, & 20, 2013
  Ottawa: Jan. 26 & Feb. 2, 2013
• This is an exclusive offer brought to you by Air Canada Vacations
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto
  Single: $1749 plus tax
  Double: $1299 plus tax
  Triple: $1239 plus tax
  1st Child: $849 plus tax
  2nd Child: $459 plus tax
  Tax: $377
  
  Montreal (+ $50 for Saturday departures/ Feb 2 & 9)
  Single: $2126 tax included
  Double: $1706 tax included
  Triple: $1656 tax included
  1st Child: $1256 tax included
  2nd Child: $866 tax included
  
  Ottawa
  Single: $1599 plus tax
  Double: $1199 plus tax
  Triple: $1139 plus tax
  1st Child: $849 plus tax
  2nd Child: $459 plus tax
  Tax:$371
• This offer is 100% non-refundable

View the terms that apply to all Jaunt offers

TRUMP TRUMPS THE COMPETITION?

Speaking of Toronto hotels (don't you just love a good segueway on a Friday morning?), the folks at TripAdvisor have included the Trump Toronto as one of the world's ten hot new hotels of 2012.

Here's what they had to say: "In the midst of Toronto's financial and entertainment districts stands this stunning 65-story hotel.

Travelers can unwind at the luxurious spa and wellness facility, take a dip in the indoor saltwater pool or enjoy a mouthwatering meal at the restaurant and lounge located on the 31st floor.

"Everything from the service to the rooms was just phenomenal," said one TripAdvisor traveler. Average nightly rate is $456 and up."

 

 

A swanky 007 deal at the Trump Toronto; hey, who doesn't want a Bentley?

Full marks to the folks at Trump Toronto for their new "Shaken, Not Stirred: Bond on Bay" package.

The hotel, formally called Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto doncha know, is taking advantage of the new James Bond Skyfall movie and the Designing 007 show in Toronto by offering what it called the "ultimate Bond-lover's package that is lavish enough for 007 himself."

Here's the, um, deal: For $17,007 you get the following:

- A two-night stay in a "sumptuous" Trump Executive 30th floor suite; advertised as "the highest views in the city," plus personal Trump Attache service.

- Access to a Continental Bentley GT for the duration of your stay (hey, access for early check-in!)

- Breakfast, lunch and dinner for two of you with Champagne at STOCK Restaurant/Bar for your entire stay.

- Admission for two to the exhibition "Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style" and two movie passes to a Bond film at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, plus return limo service.

- You get to keep a designer cocktail dress and Hugo Boss tuxedo, complete with a private fitting courtesy of The Bay.

- Spa experience at Quartz Crystal Spa, including a couples massage, hair and makeup for her and manicure for him.

- Martini "shaken not stirred" lessons at Suits Lobby Lounge.

Oh, there's also "bespoke chocolate," which sounds silly to me, and a complimentary fruit and cigar box.

How do you like them apples? All for $17,0007.

Reservations? Call 855-88-TRUMP or visit ww.TrumpTorontoHotel.com.

ON A MORE MODEST NOTE

Since most of us don't have $17,007 (or even $17,0006) lying around waiting to be spent on a weekend retreat, here's a little more affordable deal. Starwood Preferred Guests members can book hotels today and tomorrow and get 25 per cent savings on previously discounted rates for arrivals Thursday to Saturday between Nov. 8 and Jan. 31 ,2013. If you want to book during the period Nov. 8 to 10, you'll save 15 per cent. If you wait to book on Nov. 11, you'll get 10 per cent off.

Not a Starwood Preferred Guest? It's free to sign up at spg.com, so there's no reason not to do it.

The offer is valid at a very solid 56 properties under the Starwood banner, including Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft and more. Rates are from a very low $79 in Montreal to $99 in Toronto and $104 in Vancouver.

Rooms are limited and may not be available at these rates and there are some blackout dates. But it's still a good deal, especially if you act now.

Participating hotels include the lovely Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, right on the water near Stanley Park (see photo above), The Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler (also lovely), The Westin Calgary, The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal, W Montreal, The Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax and the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.

SPA HONOURS FOR STE. ANNE'S

Ste. Anne's Spa announced on Monday that SpaFinder® Wellness, the global spa and wellness resource, has once again named Ste. Anne's Spa (see summer time photo below right) as the winner of the prestigious 2012 Country Award for Canada. This recognition is given annually to the number-one most-voted spa in Canada by spa-goers across the world in SpaFinder Wellness' Readers' Choice Awards.

If you've never been I highly recommend it. Ste. Anne's is a short drive from Toronto, near Grafton Ontario. Great food, beautiful grounds (400 acres in all) and a fabulous spa with 35 different treatments make for a wonderful retreat.

NIAGARA WINTER FEST STARTS

Yeah, it's a little chilly out there. But there's some good news, too.

The CAA Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls began on Saturday and there are more than 125 animated lighting displays and 3 million tree and ground lights which can be seen within the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, including the world-famous Enchantment of Disney displays and the world's largest illuminated Canadian-American flag. It runs til Jan. 31 so there's lots of time to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy still making a mess of things ... Langdon Hall makes top 15 in world hotels

Things are looking up as far as the Hurricane/Tropical Storm goes. But not for everyone.

I got a note from Air Canada at 6 p.m. Tuesday to say that, "Following the re-opening of the following airports in the U.S. northeast, Air Canada and Air Canada Express will resume their normal schedule of flights beginning Wednesday October 31 to/from: Philadelphia, Boston, Washington National, Washington Dulles Baltimore, Harrisburg PA, Providence RI and Hartford CT.

"However, pending resumption of airport operations at New York City area airports: LaGuardia, Newark and J.F. Kennedy, flights to and from these three airports remain suspended until further notice," officials said.

To facilitate rebooking for affected customers, change fees have been waived for flights to/from US northeast airports until Wednesday October 31, and to/from New York City area airports until Friday November 2, Air Canada said. "Customers are strongly encouraged to consult the latest information online at
aircanada.com and rebook themselves online using our self-service rebooking tool in order to avoid longer call centre wait times."

Air Canada’s domestic Canada and international flights continue to operate normally. 

Porter flights were cancelled to and from US northeast today as were WestJet flights to LaGuardia.

I got a note at 6:20 p.m. Eastern time to say that WestJet has cancelled all flights tomorrow to New York/LaGuardia because of the continued closure of the airport. The first two flights on Thursday, Nov. 1 also were cancelled, officials told me.

Guest have received notifications by phone and email and we will continue to accommodate these guests as they require until we can get them up and on their way, WestJet said.

It's not just the airports, of course. Due to treacherous road conditions, some folks are finding it hard to even make their way to the airport, let alone hop on a flight.

Some cities appear to be returning to something approaching normal. Baltimore officials today lifted a travel ban. A few flights, meanwhile, were getting out of Logan International in Boston.

Scott Armstrong at Pearson told me terminals are quiet and 25 per cent of flights were cancelled today, although that still leaves 1,000 flights in and out for the day.

Folks have been very understanding but Armstrong said there's no way yet to predict tomorrow's schedule. The best thing is for folks to use the flight search tool at torontopearson.com, where you can get real time info by plugging in a city or a flight number. Individual airline websites have similar information.

Of course, Porter flies out of the Island airport so checking the Pearson flight won't help would-be Porter fliers.

Stay tuned, as this likely will remain a fluid situation (pardon the pun) for a couple days...

CONDE NAST BEST TRAVEL LISTS

It's that time of year, when the magazines pull out their best-of lists. One item that caught my eye is that Langdon Hall (officially, just so ya know, Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa) in Cambridge was named the 15th best hotel/resort in the world. And, yes, tops in Canada, too.

The only North American property to top Langdon Hall was the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, so that's mighty heady company. And something to be proud of, for sure.

Also in the top 100 were King Pacific Lodge in British Columbia (21st in the world) and the Four Seasons in Whistler (62).

If you look strictly at hotels, the top three in Canada were Langdon Hall, then the wonderful Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City and Queen's Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which means two of the top three for Ontario.

Top resorts in Canada were King Pacific, The Four Seasons Whistler and the Long Beach Lodge Resort on Vancouver Island, giving BC a sweep of the podium.

 

 

American tourism/travel types have seen the future ... and we're it.

They’re after us.

I caught up with a dozen or so representatives of various U.S. states and cities at the annual Discover America Day in Toronto on Tuesday. It’s a day with a series of ten-minute appointments for U.S. tourism folks to meet with writers/editors and other travel journalists and fill them in on what’s happening in their region.

At the end of the morning your head is spinning from trying to keep track of which city is adding the 85-story Frank Gehry condos (oh, wait, that’s us) and which has the new transit line to the new gallery aarea with the cool new restaurants and mixologists and farm-to-table cuisine next to the awesome boutique hotel with a micro-brewery and a Hammam spa using all local, natural ingredients. But several things were fairly clear when I checked my notebook this morning, the main one being that a lot of places in the U.S. have their eye fixed directly north of the border, and not because they’re worried about a cold front coming down from Canada. No, it seems many folks in U.S. tourism have seen the future of travel. And, to borrow from the famous line about Bruce Springsteen, its name is Canada.

Arizona tourism officials told me they’re launching consumer advertising for the first time in Mexico and Canada; mostly Ontario, Alberta and B.C. Arizona gets a lot of visitors from out west but Ontario is such a huge base that we end up sending a lot of tourists to the golf resorts, spas and ranches of Arizona, as well.

It’s a number I heard over and over again at the meeting, but Arizona officials said Canadian visits have jumped by 10 per cent or so in each of the last two years.

There were some 700,000 Canadian visits to Arizona last year and they’re aiming to boost that to a million in the next couple years if they can by pushing their glorious nature, growing wineries and their food scene, including a Salsa Trail down near Tucson where you can visit small food places with their own cuisine.

A Phoenix tourism official told me they’ve gone crazy building a new rail line in the valley and that there are several new hotels, including a new Westin and a Kimpton, which has a hotel in Chicago, The Burnham, that I just love.

They’re also pushing spa treatments for guys, one of which, I kid you not, is a hot golf ball massage. I’ve heard of hot rocks being put on your back, but I love the idea of a hot golf ball. All you need to complete the guy-spa trifecta is a cold beer and a pulled pork sandwich.

Down Virginia way, I was told that Canadian overnight visits this year are up 10.6 per cent. Flights on Porter from Toronto to Washington Dulles (located in Virginia) and Air Canada flights to Dulles and to the under-appreciated city of Richmond have helped a lot, of course, as has the fact you can reach the northern part of the state from Toronto in 10 hours of driving, or get to the state’s beaches in 12.

The Washington D.C. area Metro line is slowly being extended all around the city and by 2017 should reach Dulles airport. Virginia folks also are excited about the coming release of Lincoln, the Steven Spielberg film shot in their state that features Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.

The wine scene also is growing in Virginia, where Donald Trump recently opened a winery (see photo at right).

A touch further south in North Carolina, figures show Canadian spending last year was up 17 per cent and that there were more than one million Canadian trips to the Tar Heel state. Unfortunately for Carolina, less than half of those visitors stayed the night. Which is why they’re launching a “Get Off The Highway” program aimed at convincing visitors to see more of what the state has to offer.

North Carolina, not unlike Virginia, has both beautiful mountains and rolling, pastoral hills and big, fun cities and fabulous beaches. So there’s no shortage of stories to tell.

There’s lots happening down in Vegas, too. Canada’s Shania Twain starts her rotation Dec. 1, joining Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and Elton John.  Faith Hill and Tom McGraw also will be regulars in town, along with Taylor Hicks and others.

A spokesperson for Las Vegas tourism told me a lot of the credit for the resurgence in town goes to Dion for her commitment and continuing musical presence.

In Orlando, they're always thrilled to see Canadians. They're also stressing family travel but reminding folks they can do a family travel but still allow mom to sneak out for a spa treatment or a round of golf with her girlfriends, or for dad to get some alone time. Which makes sense.

Officials say there are more and more hotels with suites so folks can spread out or do multi-generational trips.

Orlando folks call their city the "no compromise vacation" spot, as folks can not only do theme park visits but also shop at everything from boutiques to outlet malls, as well as take in fine dining and all sorts of other activities. They'll be doing their "Made for Canada" deals in November, so have a look for those.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few things happening in San Francisco, one of the favourite American destinations for Canadians. They just completed the new Pier 27 Cruise Terminal on the waterfront. It’ll be used for the America’s Cup in 2013 and then will be made operational for cruise ships. San Francisco may not be the first city that comes to mind for cruises, but it’s a very active port and the new terminal will accommodate vessels up to 1,200 feet in length carrying 2,600 passengers.

The Port of San Francisco celebrates its 150th anniversary next year. The Golden Gate Bridge, for those of you keeping score at home, celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. The renowned San Francisco Symphony celebrates its 100th season this year, too, and the Walt Disney Family Museum (located in the restored Presidio army base) celebrates the 75th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s first feature-length animated film, from Nov. 15 to April 14 of next year.

Elsewhere, there’s a new “Earthquake” exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences, where you can experience a high-magnitude jolt in an an earthquake similar and learn all about quakes and plate tectonics and other cool stuff. They’re also redesigning Jefferson Street in Fisherman’s Wharf (completion date 2015) to make it more pedestrian friendly and bring in “mini-plazas” where folks can stop and relax or take in a street performance (see design/drawing above left).

I sometimes find tourism folks – and travel writers like me – get all caught up in what’s new in a particular city. But in some ways it’s a ridiculous question. I mean, it’s great that the symphony is 100 years old, I guess, but what most tourists want to do is ride cable cars halfway to the stars and stroll past the Italian cafes and shops of North Beach or drive down Lombard St. or ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. None of those activities is remotely new, but they’re what makes San Francisco what it is, and often folks in the business, myself included, forget that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diseases, drunk flight attendants and rude bosses ... maybe we stay home?

Yesterday I was touting travel to lots of great places in the world for "shoulder season."

I take it all back.

Why? Because perusing (or even reading) this morning's headlines makes me think we should all stay home, at least for a while. Folks seem to be getting sick all over the place, flight attendants are showing up dead drunk and the head of RyanAir in Britain is accusing passengers of being idiots for not printing their boarding passes in advance. More on that at the bottom of this posting, including some hilarious quotes from RyanAir chief Michael O'Leary from over the years.

Travelmole.com reports that "British holidaymakers who visited the US over the summer are being contacted by the Health Protection Agency following the outbreak of a deadly virus in Yosemite National Park (in California, see photo) which has killed two people and infected six.

The agency said it was not aware of any cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) - which is carried by rodents - in Britons who had been there on holiday. But it sounds a little scary.

In case you missed it, three folks who visited a downtown Chicago Marriott hotel died of Legionnaires' disease, city officials announced the other day.

The Chicago Department of Public Health released test results that showed that the primary source of the outbreak at the Marriott, located at 151 W. Adams St., was likely the spa and a decorative fountain in the main lobby. Samples taken from the fountain, the men's and women's locker rooms, and the spa's whirlpool all tested positive for the same type of Legionella bacteria found in the sick patients.

Marriott said it has removed the fountain and also closed parts of its luxury spa. The hotel said it is working with a water safety consulting company to install cleaner water systems and, according to Dr. Kathleen Ritger, medical director of communicable disease at the Chicago Department of Public Health, the hotel is now safe.

It's a little better in the air, but not much. Travelmole reports an air stewardess who was drunk on a UK-bound flight from Dubai has been fired "after she was found to be eight times over the drink flying limit."

The 24-year-old (no doubt a freshman at a Canadian university?) as arrested when her Emirates plane touched down in Birmingham after fellow cabin crew members raised the alarm over her behaviour.

Yeah, I guess so.

Folks in airline management don't appear to be a whole lot better. Michael O'Leary, the oft-quoted, often silly chief of RyanAir, has been quoted as calling passengers "idiots" if they fail to print their boarding passes in advance.

According to the Mirror in London, his launch-code attack "came after mother-of-two Suzy McLeod complained about being hit with $370 worth of fees when she arrived for a return flight home without printed boarding cards."

Ryanair users are supposed to print their boarding passes up to two weeks in advance. McLeod said she was at a rural villa in Spain without internet access for 15 days and couldn't print the passes. So she was hit with the (in my opinion, inordinately high and ridiculous) fees for printing out boarding passes for her family.

She launched a Facebook complaint that got the attention of thousands of folks. Including, apparently, O'Leary.

O’Leary (see photo) was taking no prisoners Monday, issuing a statement that said “Mother pays £200 for being an idiot and failing to comply with her agreement at the time of booking.”

He went on: “We think Mrs McLeod should pay 60 euros for being so stupid."

“She wasn’t able to print her boarding card because, as you know, there are no internet cafes in Alicante, no hotels where they could print them out for you, and you couldn’t get to a fax machine so some friend at home can print them and fax them to you.

“She then comes home and gets on Twitter, God help us all, and somehow we are going to change our policies. No we’re not.

“She wrote to me last week asking for compensation and a gesture of goodwill.

“To which we have replied, politely but firmly, thank you Mrs McLeod but it was your f***-up and if you screw up, you compensate us and you send us a gesture of goodwill.”

Asked if Mrs McLeod was its only passenger to behave in this way, Mr O’Leary replied: “No, there are 0.02% of passengers who are equally stupid.

"We say quite politely to those passengers, bu**er off.”

Unbelievable, eh?

The Telegraph listed a few of O'Leary's top quotes. Here are a few:

O'Leary on his idea of charging folks to use washrooms on board his planes: "One thing we have looked at is maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in the future. If someone wanted to pay £5 to go to the toilet I would carry them myself. I would wipe their bums for a fiver."

On overweight passengers: "Nobody wants to sit beside a really fat ****** on board. We have been frankly astonished at the number of customers who don't only want to tax fat people but torture them."

On environmentalists: “We want to annoy the ******* whenever we can. The best thing you can do with environmentalists is shoot them. These headbangers want to make air travel the preserve of the rich. They are luddites marching us back to the 18th century. If preserving the environment means stopping poor people flying so the rich can fly, then screw it.”

On turbulence: "If drink sales are falling off we get the pilots to engineer a bit of turbulence. That usually spikes up the drink sales."

On travel agents: "Screw the travel agents. Take the ******* out and shoot them. They are a waste of bloody time. What have they done for passengers over the years?"

On ordering aircraft from Boeing: “The message to Boeing today is: ‘You keep building them, we’ll keep buying them’, and together both of us will kick the crap out of Airbus in Europe. We love Boeing. **** the French.”

On not ordering more aircraft from Boeing: “Boeing had their chance. Eventually you lose interest, dealing with a bunch of idiots who can’t make a decision. They are a bunch of numpties out in Seattle.”

Personally, I'd love it if one of our top Canadian airline officials were half this colourful. Then again, we here in Toronto have Rob Ford so we can't be greedy.