Jurys Doyle Group has just opened its fourth hotel in London. Located in Great Russell Street, it is ideal for the West End and Covent Garden. The building, formerly a YWCA, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and has been carefully renovated to be faithful to his original plans. You can book on 01-6070000.
Who can imagine an accolade for Internet business going to a small business located on a farm in west Cork? Well that's exactly what happened recently when 12Travel won the Golden Spider award for Best Use of the Internet by an SME. 12Travel was set up two years ago by two Conor Buckleys (not related) and their friend Cormac O'Neill. Using a borrowed PC and a text book, they designed a website which would be a complete travel resource for visitors to Ireland. Two years on and the company is now employing 23 people based in a converted outhouse on a farm in Skibbereen. You can see its website on www.12travel.ie.
The October bank holiday is not far off now, and if you want to see something spectacular you couldn't do better than go to War and Peace in the Paris Opera House. Harry Cahill has organised a luxurious trip to the City of Light for the weekend that includes day flights with Aer Lingus, the Opera, a city tour and three-nights accommodation in the Le Grand Intercontinental Hotel from £643 per person. Details from 01-6705123.
The Merrion Hotel has established itself as an oasis of luxury in Dublin. Over the winter it will have some special offers to tempt a visit to the capital. Located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, yet only minutes from Grafton Street for shopping, the Merrion is an ideal base for exploring the city. Overnight accommodation in the Garden Wing with breakfast and use of the Tethra Spa is £180 per room. Tel: 016030600.
Aer Lingus says it has been inundated with flight requests for the Tesco Winter Flight promotion, so if you are thinking of going somewhere, you should book soon.
Maersk Air is continuing the £149 fare to Billund in the heart of Denmark until November 4th. Legoland, which is close to Billund, is open until the end of October.
Sabena has increased services to Brussels from Belfast to three times daily. The extra flights will put many cities in Europe closer to Belfast, with excellent connections in Brussels. From the end of October it will also be possible to connect with flights to New York, Chicago and Washington.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie