Strictly for the gals

TUESDAY, February 18, 2014

Gender-specific hotel accommodation, which has caused controversy elsewhere in the world, has arrived on the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca, where part of a hotel can be declared women-only on request.

The Illetas Albatros, which is part of the Barcelo hotel chain, is offering rooms equipped with all the things it says are necessary for a perfect woman's holiday, such as a full-length mirror, padded coat hangers, women’s magazines and aromatic candles. Yoga, pilates and hairdressing appointments can be supplied, while a pyjama party has also been planned. – DPA

Hobbits move to Russia

Russia may soon be the place to go to get a feeling for JRR Tolkien’s fantasy world, the Middle Earth, with a Hobbit village planned where tourists can sleep in a cosily furnished burrow. Zaraysky district, 140 kilometres southeast of Moscow, is reportedly planning a 6.5-hectare holiday village near the Osyotr River. The site would be designed with the help of stills from “The Lord of the Rings” films directed by Peter Jackson. The earth-topped houses would accommodate between 50 and 60 visitors and would be primarily designed to host families, but could also be used for corporate retreats. – DPA

Relief for little legs

Families flying with very young children can now take advantage of a growing trend: A number of airports are providing loaner strollers to ease the stress of travelling. Frankfurt Airport in Germany introduced free strollers in October as part of its “Great to have you here!” programme. Charles de Gaulle, serving Paris, introduced 60 strollers at Terminal 2E, and there are plans to offer additional ones at all terminals. Zurich and Copenhagen airports give parents a breather before flights by providing playrooms; strollers are also offered. In Singapore, Changi Airport in offers complimentary strollers in its three terminals. Countries in the Middle East established the trend: Emirates offered several umbrella-fold Maclaren buggies at every airline gate in Terminal 3 at the Dubai International Airport.

All abroad for Iran

Gulf Air is resume flights to Tehran with four weekly flights to Iran’s capital from March 3 onwards. As one of the Middle East’s largest network carriers, Gulf Air is well-positioned to connect Iran to several key destinations in the Middle East and Europe with excellent connectivity within three hours through its efficient hub in Bahrain. For the flight schedule, visit www.GulfAir.com.

Covered up in Sanya

The Chinese authorities are now banning nude sunbathing on public beaches in Sanya, a popular resort in tropical Hainan province. Police officers will patrol the public beaches, telling people to wear bathing suits, and can detain those who refuse to do so. Surveillance cameras would also be installed on beaches. The resistant nudists will get five to 10 days in detention. In recent years, more people have come to Sanya for nude swimming and sunbathing. However, nudism on public area is considered uncivilised in China. – CHINA DAILY/ANN

Art and accommodation

The Gateway, Prince Hotel and Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong will host the Asia Hotel Art Fair Hong Kong 2014. This free public art exhibition, which is available from late February to mid-March, is designed to draw art buffs and tourists and showcases the finest collection of Asian artists including Lee Eunsook and Shoji Ueda. Mega art installations, sculpture works, paintings and photographs by representative Asian contemporary artists from Korea, Japan and Taiwan will also be displayed. Visit http://HotelArtFair.byus.net.