Chatter over Claridge's

Rumours abound about Maybourne Hotel Group, the operator of London's luxury Claridge's, Connaught and Berkeley hotels. Although Lazard was appointed to look at expansion opportunities in December, most people reckon that Maybourne, which slipped into the red last year and is likely to be faring even worse this year, is more of a seller than a buyer.

There are vague whispers that JJW Hotels, controlled by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa al-Jaber, has been eyeing Maybourne, although, as the Saudi tycoon appears to be having trouble raising the money to buy France's Concorde Hotels chain, a deal that has been under discussion since October, a move on Maybourne looks optimistic.

Vacation deflation

The usual wave of travel promotions at this time of the year, as holiday companies seek to offload unsold stock, has turned into a flood. What is astonishing is the level of creativity that goes into many of them.

Take Abercrombie & Kent: the company is far too posh to have discounts. Today sees the launch of a Dutch auction, which is effectively an auction in reverse, in which the price goes down, rather than up. I guess it creates a bit of interest - and with savings of up to 70 per cent, it is not to be sniffed at. Especially when an 11-day holiday for two to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia starts at £12,390.

Room with a queue

Hangar Lane, in West London, is the stuff of nightmares for commuters. You have only to turn on the traffic news on the radio to hear about the latest snarl-up on this notorious stretch. Motorists who have had enough could do worse than pull over at Hotel 55, a trendy hostelry at (you guessed it) 55 Hangar Lane that has recently added a chic Japanese restaurant called Momo.

All of which sounds more Park Lane than Hangar Lane.

Pizza appointment

John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John's, the American pizza delivery operator, will be in East Ham tomorrow for the official opening of the company's 50th London store. The store, run by Muniba Lughmani, one of only a few female Papa John's franchisees, will be giving away 100 free pizzas to mark the event. With officials from the American Embassy expected to attend, it may be wise to turn up early to avoid disappointment.

businessfeatures@thetimes.co.uk

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