The very swish Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge has recently been renovated at the cost of £60 million, under the guidance of an Irishman, Liam Lambert. He has spent many years in Canada and the Far East, managing top hotels, but he feels the Mandarin Hyde Park will be the ultimate in luxury.
The hotel fronts on to Knightsbridge, near Harvey Nicks and Harrods: if you have breakfast in the restaurant overlooking Hyde Park, you can watch the Horse Guards pass by. A new spa opens next month. Details of special packages from 0044 207 2352000 or email: reserve- molon@mohg.com.
Two cyber cafes in Dublin, Global Cafe at 6 Lr O'Connell Street and Central Cyber Cafe at 8 Grafton Street, have installed terminals reserved for those booking Ryanair flights. The service is free - pay for the flights by credit card - and lately Ryanair has been offering some fantastic deals with seats for £1, £5 and £9 (excluding taxes etc). Both are open until late, Monday to Sunday.
Eurosites camping and mobile home holidays in France are giving 10 per cent discount for holidays booked this month in the Vendee region. There are 11 sites to choose from. You can book through your local travel agent and brochures are available from 1850 232322.
If you are planning a trip to Connemara then get a copy of a book recently published by Connemara Tourism. Connemara for All Seasons has details of all the areas to visit, descriptions of accommodation, places to see, and restaurants. The book is available from Connemara Tourism, Letterfrack, Co Galway, 095- 41117 or e-mail conamara@indigo.ie.
The Sunway Morrocan Golf Classic will take place this year from November 18th-25th. The professional for the trip is Martin Sludds, twice Irish professional champion and former European tour player. The group will be based at the four-star Argana hotel. The cost, £659, includes three days competition fees and golf clinics by Sludds. Nongolfers welcome, cost £559. Details from Sunway, 01 2886828.
This is the first anniversary of Malev Hungarian Airlines's service from Dublin to Budapest. Its flight times allow visitors to Budapest to arrive before midday and depart at 7 p.m. Packages to Budapest are very keenly priced, details from your travel agent.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie