TRAVEL LOG

Big Easy adds new hotel

Downtown New Orleans, the district next to the French Quarter that is being retooled for tourists, this week will add a major hotel and a restaurant run by operators of the city’s landmark Commander’s Palace restaurant.

The Loews New Orleans Hotel, at 300 Poydras St., has been rebuilt from the 21-story Lykes office building.

Its 285 guestrooms, averaging 500 square feet, are among the largest in the city, with views over the Mississippi River and French Quarter, hotel spokesmen said.

In a nod to the Big Easy, each room will be stocked with pain relievers, energy drinks and a list of tips on avoiding hangovers.

A spa, fitness room and pool are expected to open in the next few weeks.

Kevin Vizard, formerly with Commander’s Palace and most recently executive chef at the city’s Indigo restaurant, will oversee the hotel’s new 164-seat Cafe Adelaide, described as a Creole bistro.

Published rates begin at $169 per room per night, although some lower rates are available through Jan. 19. (800) 235-6397, www.loewshotels.com.

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Faster train

trips between

Spanish cities

Train riders can travel between Madrid and Barcelona in four hours, 35 minutes, thanks to new high-speed track.

The trip between Spain’s two largest cities, which are 385 miles apart by rail, formerly took seven hours.

The new section is between Madrid and Lleida; trains between those two cities will depart 10 times instead of its previous three times a day.

In 2005, additional high-speed track, between Lleida and Barcelona, is expected to open.

One-way Madrid-Barcelona fares, which were raised after the new track opened, are $74 for second class and $144 for first class, which includes meal service.

For tickets, contact Rail Europe, (888) 382-7245, www.raileurope.com.

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US Airways

pulls tickets

off Expedia

Arlington, Va.

US Airways last week yanked its tickets off Expedia, complaining that the Internet travel seller was charging its passengers $8.99 per booking instead of the $5 charged for other airlines. Both parties said the action was related to a contract disagreement.

A spokeswoman for Expedia declined to discuss the issues, but she said the company was working diligently to resolve them.

From Associated Press

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Hotel chain

shapes up

its gyms

Coming soon to a Westin near you: better fitness facilities.

Westin Hotels & Resorts is spending $10 million to install new weight machines, stability balls, digital music, cardio equipment and more in its gyms. So far 23 hotels have the gyms, including the Westin Long Beach and Westin Horton Plaza in San Diego. All of the chain’s 77 North American hotels will have them by the end of 2004.

The chain even offers a yoga and Pilates regimen that you can do in bed.

-- Compiled by

Jane Engle