It has been a busy summer for me, with vacations and business trips around the globe and locally, ending the season with a Labor Day trip to Cape San Blas, Fla., for a few restful beach days. Prior to this, the GTteam attended the Global Business Travel Association convention in Denver to meet and mingle with airline and hotel executives and see their latest products and services.
At the convention, United Airlines displayed its new Polaris business-class product. I received an overview of the service and seat from a United flight attendant who served on the research panel alongside many top United customers. Polaris represents a big change for the airline, offering completely lie-flat bed/seats, each with aisle access. The design rethinks everything from the meals served to the entertainment — a big step to making United more competitive on overseas routes.
As we get down to business this fall, our subscriber Globility Board will meet at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in October to present ideas in focus group sessions. It is a wonderful way to get inside the heads of entrepreneur travelers who make their own decisions about which airline to fly and which hotel to book. Any subscribers interested in joining the board can reach out to me directly at [email protected] to receive an application and take part in the vetting process.
In addition, we are well into planning for the GT Tested Reader Survey awards gala, to be held in December at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. This marks the 13th year of our reader-voted awards and the sixth year celebrating them at this grand hotel. Last year we moved the event up to the pool level for a beautiful night under the stars and a splashing success.
I am thinking about an autumn adventure around the date of my birthday, Oct. 10. At this stage, I’m still considering many options, and I welcome your suggestions.
With the fall in full swing, we’re headed for more events, travels and golf — join the adventure!
Read This Next
All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSeptember 2023
Sep 25, 2023More Cruise Lines Move Toward Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Voyages
Less than five years ago the world’s first hybrid cruise ship, Hurtigruten Expeditions’ MS Roald Amundsen, set sail for Antarctica in November 2019 with 450 passengers. The battery-hybrid-powered ship, named for the first man to cross the continent and reach the South Pole, was built specifically for voyages in polar waters. Its battery-hybrid power reduces the ship’s consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared to equally sized ships.
Sponsored Content
The Ultimate Itinerary in The Islands of Tahiti
The Islands of Tahiti are among the most beautiful and sought-after vacation destinations in the world. The endless images of overwater bungalows with Bora Bora’s majestic peak towering over waters of every shade of blue have an intrinsic pull. But with 118 islands and atolls to explore, there is so much more to this spectacular region of the Pacific.
Daily
Sep 25, 2023What to Do If You Leave Something Behind on a Plane
A few months ago, I flew Polaris business class on a United flight from Dulles (IAD) to Paris (CDG). It was only when I got to my hotel in Paris I realized that I didn’t have my iPad or its bag or accessories. Since I had been working on it in the restaurant in the Polaris lounge and then went directly to the gate, I knew I either left it propped up on my table when I packed up or in my business-class seat. But what was the best method to alert the airline about my careless mishap and (hopefully) retrieve it? With spotty data and WiFi, searching for information on my phone was frustrating and slow. Here’s what I learned from the anxiety-inducing experience (and unexpected ending) about what to do if you leave something behind on your flight:
Daily
Sep 25, 2023This 5-Star Resort Forms a New Identity on the Pacific Ocean
Solmar Hotels & Resorts introduces Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes, previously known as Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The hotel renewed its name and image to highlight the property’s natural attributes while maintaining the quality of its services and experiences.
Sponsored Content
IHG® Business Edge: A Better Way to Travel
Many small- and medium-sized businesses face time and budget constraints when organizing corporate hotel travel for employees. To address this problem, IHG® Business Edge emerged as a cost-free business travel solution for small- to medium-sized enterprises, offering travel managers exclusive access to enticing perks, handpicked educational resources and comprehensive company travel metrics. IHG Business Edge connects our loyal customers to our portfolio of 5,800 hotels and resorts across 18 brands in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Sep 25, 2023Up Norway Announces New Sustainable Journeys
Specializing in bespoke adventures in some truly spectacular locations, Up Norway proves sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand. Ideal for families and small groups, the newly launched Coastal, Rural and Urban Norway Journey takes travelers on an immersive, eight-day expedition embracing the concept of slow travel.
Daily
Sep 21, 2023Soak in Philadelphia’s Charm with This Epicurean Lovers Weekend Getaway
If fabulous food and beverages are a must-have for any weekend getaway, then look no further than the City of Brotherly Love. Whether your palate has a penchant for vibrant Latin American fare or cozy French cuisine, whether you're an oenophile looking to swirl, sniff and sip your way around the globe or you’d rather sample farm-to-glass cocktails, Philly’s got it all this fall. (With the exception of Bolo, which is a short taxi or Uber ride away and definitely worth the trip, the rest of these spots are all within walking distance of each other.)
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Annual Travel Insurance?
One affordable plan can protect an entire year of trips: business or pleasure, short or long, domestic or international.
Daily
Sep 21, 2023These Hotels Have Some of the Best Room Views in the World
From Santoríni to Dubai to New York, some hotels just have that “it” factor that draws visitors far and wide. For some hotels it’s their proximity to popular landmarks and attractions, for others it’s their amenities. But these hotels have something few can claim: a true room with a view.
ShareThis