Playing the slots at Heathrow

ROAD WARRIOR:If Etihad has paid $70 million for Jet Airways' three Heathrow slots as part of a sale and leaseback deal, how much does that value Aer Lingus's 23 slots? Just as well they will be hanging on to the potential $500 million-plus asset.

Jet Airways will continue to use the slots for their routes to India and has applied to the Indian government to take over other routes formerly operated by Kingfisher Airlines.

Exclusive and reclusive

For the reclusive business traveller a new trend may fit the bill – the one-room hotel. A number of singular properties have begun springing up around the world. The tallest is the One Room Hotel, with views from 66m in the Park Tower in Prague. Another is 155m deep in a former silver mine in Sweden, salasilvergruva.se. The Hotel Droog in Amsterdam is an experience in art, entertainment and then sleeping, hoteldroog.com

Exercise the option to borrow running gear

No excuses for not getting some exercise when you stay in the Westin Hotel in Dublin. If you forget your gear, or a spring moment encourages you to explore the city on foot, you can borrow New Balance fitness gear for €5.

The hotel will have running shoes, with disposable insoles, and a selection of shorts, shirts, socks and pants.

The gear lending programme was launched yesterday with a 5km fun run around Dublin for the Barretstown charity.