Ritz-Carlton to develop luxury ski residences at Mammoth

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC and Cypress Equities have agreed to develop and operate branded luxury residence in the heart of California's Mammoth Mountain ski resort. The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Mammoth Hillside will feature a lavish spa and fitness center, swimming pool, several cozy fire pits, gourmet and express restaurants, ski valet services, and more. There will be approximately 180 whole-ownership units with one to four bedrooms ranging from 1,100 to 4,500 square feet. The residences are set to be open for the 2010 ski season and will be located adjacent to The Village gondola. The luxury properties can be expected for offering during the 2007/2008 ski season with prices starting at $2 million per unit.

Over the past decade, Mammoth has begun a transformation from a weekend destination for Los Angeles-area residents into all-year-round resort. The Village at Mammoth Mountain, where the new Ritz-Carlton will be located, is a key component of the resort’s new image.

Continental to launch Heathrow flights

Continental Airlines is to make Heathrow debut by launching twice-daily nonstop service from both its Newark and Houston hubs on March 29. The world's fifth largest airline revealed plans to begin services to London’s Heathrow Airport under the new US-European open skies rules. The airline will operate at Terminal 4, which will be the future base for all SkyTeam group carriers operating at the airport. Continental’s Heathrow flights will be flown on the 283-seat Boeing 777-200 and the 174-seat Boeing 767-200ER. The airline said it will continue to offer its existing flights from Newark, Houston and Cleveland to London/Gatwick.

Continental had been prevented from operating from Heathrow by the restrictive US-UK bilateral air services agreement. The Houston-based airline has served Gatwick since 1985.

Armani Hotel at Burj Dubai to open in 2008

In late 2008 Giorgio Armani is due to open the first of the brand's luxury hotels at Burj Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The world’s first Armani Hotel will occupy the lower 37 floors of the 124-storey Burj Dubai and will offer 160 guest rooms and suites, several restaurants and a luxury spa. In 2004 Giorgio Armani S.p.A. and EMAAR Hotels & Resorts LLC agreed to develop a unique series of international 'Armani Hotels & Resorts'. The construction and management part is administered by EMAAR, with Giorgio Armani overseeing all aspects of content, design and style, including interiors and amenities.

A second Armani Hotel is set to be completed in Milan in 2009, while the first Armani Resort is planned to open the same year in Marrakech, Morocco.

Free WiFi access at New Orleans International

Louis Armstrong International Airport on Tuesday began offering free WiFi access in its terminal lobbies, gates and dining areas. The airport has invested $400,000 in the new service, covering about 85 percent of the terminal’s main level. So far, the only dead spots are at the airline ticket counters and the baggage claim area.

New Orleans airport is now among many other US airports in offering WiFi access. Many small airports offer the service for free, while most hubs, which are generally larger airports with a significant passenger traffic, charge a fee for wireless service. For example, both Houston Hobby and George Bush International Airport in Houston charge $7.95 per day for WiFi access through Boingo. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta charges $7.95 to $10.95 for 24 hours depending on the service provider. Dallas Forth Worth International Airport offers WiFi for $6.95 an hour or $9.95 a day.

Louis Armstrong International is considering charging for the service in the future, but first will measure user demand for the free service to determine if a paid version would generate enough revenue to be worthwhile.