The luxury of the outward journey began the moment I stepped into the British Airways? Club World lounge at the Bermuda International Airport. Here, the quiet elegance of this exalted cocoon exerted an immediate sense of being a VIP ? a feeling enhanced by the attentive and charming staff who greeted their passengers warmly and sincerely.

There were discreet racks for hand luggage, newspapers to enjoy, and a well-stocked bar to cater to every taste. Neat little dishes of olives, sliced lemon, baskets of assorted biscuits and a variety of cheeses all helped to whet the appetite for the journey ahead.

The hurly-burly of the brightly lit corridors with their milling masses seemed a world away from this plush, soundproofed oasis.

Curiosity turned to downright excitement as, once aboard the aircraft, the new Club World seating was revealed for the first time.It is like no configuration ever seen before. Instead of the traditional rows, these fat, royal blue beauties are arranged in forward and rearward facing pairs to create a lounge style environment and maximise personal space.

Window passengers fly backwards, which of course gives them control of the window shades and therefore views of the outside world. An unavoidable design feature means they also have to step over the extended footstools of the forward facing passenger, and creates some awkward reaching for the cabin crew.

A touch of the Orient in the form of a folding privacy screen is bliss for anyone not wishing to see or converse with their neighbour.

Club World seats are a byword in ergonomic comfort. They include a TV screen which folds around a corner, a dinky little one-drink/two peanuts shelf which folds out like a fan, and a perfectly positioned personal reading light. The entertainment control is tethered so it never gets lost,and the leg room is limitless. Separate controls adjust the pitch of the seat and the lumbar support, and the semi-distant foot stool is both adjustable and foldable. Tiered pockets hold the usual selection of literature.

A welcome nicety on take-off was an easing of the regulation bolt-upright position of the seat back to an acceptable 15-degree slope, which really made a relaxing difference.

Cabin service was unfailingly attentive and gracious, and began immediately after take-off with a choice of champagne, cocktails or wine. A complimentary toiletries kit and warm face cloth soon followed. There was a choice of main courses and wines for the evening meal, and bottled water was freely distributed throughout the journey.

Here, meals are served with more class than ?further back?. There is real china, the regulation plastic cutlery is discreetly rolled in a linen napkin, and the appetiser and main course arrive separately. Dessert is followed by a fresh fruit basket.

In overall charge on my flight was Cabin Service Director David Page, the quintessential English gentleman who seemed to have escaped from a royal residence.

As befits a 15-year airline veteran, his uniform was as immaculate as his manner, and he revealed that years spent growing up in the Far East had given him a lifelong fascination for the art of service, which he has parlayed into a career that is much enjoyed and executed to perfection. His passengers have included the rich and famous: film stars, presidents, prime ministers and the late Princess Margaret.

Among the many things he tells me is that ?Bermuda is a very important route for us. It has one of our highest (number of) corporate customer gold and silver card members?. Small wonder, then, that BA can charge $4006, excluding taxes, per round trip and still do a roaring trade.

Inevitably, we Clubbies succumbed to the deepening of the night, and one by one transformed the cosy cabin into what looked like a grown-up cr?che filled with king-sized basinettes. The press of a button dissolved the erstwhile armchair, with its curved back, into a flat, six-foot bed when combined with the footrest. A small pillow with crisp linen case and light blanket completed the process of settling down for a good night?s sleep. If the width of the ?bed? seemed a tad narrow for the upper torso, it was a small point in an otherwise superb new way to arrive refreshed and rarin? to go in London following a tasty Continental breakfast.

As always with British Airways, it was the little touches that were memorable: fresh flowers in the rest room, and a constantly attentive and solicitous cabin crew.

The passage through British Immigration, Customs and baggage formalities was as smooth as the ride on the Gatwick Express train to London. Bright sunshine lit the long taxi journey past historic landmarks to the Great Eastern Hotel, a Grade II listed property adjacent to Liverpool Street railway station in the heart of the City of London?s financial district, and near to the Tower of London. Here, a warm welcome, including complimentary fresh fruit in the room, was extended by Director of Communications Simon Willis and his team.

Popular with Bermudian businessmen, this 267-bedroom hotel has retained its original exterior, but the interior has been completely revamped into a modern, classic five-star hotel with 24-hour room service, superior staff eager to address one?s merest whim, and where the daily newspaper arrives on the doorknob in a discreet bag.

Every room is different and includes an advanced IT infrastructure. My room was spacious and comfortable, well appointed in minimalist style, and as quiet as a dodgy creditor. The king-sized bed, with its sea of soft pillows, was the last word in sumptuous sleeping.

Chic, subtle lighting, including illuminated bedside cabinets, was good for setting a relaxed ambience but definitely not for reading in bed ? but then, perhaps that is not what businessmen do in bed....

The modern en suite bathroom, with its vacuum drainage, luxurious towels, robes, slippers and toiletries, was very bright indeed.

As befits a top grade hotel with a predominantly corporate clientele, there was no roomside tea/coffee-making facilities, so for anyone whose sense of decorum includes appearing properly dressed for room service, having to desert the duvet to greet the Darjeeling is a drawback.

Overall, the Great Eastern was a fine facility, as impressive for its attentive hospitality and varied restaurants as for its exciting interior design concepts, particularly in the main Aurora restaurant, where the very old and ultra modern meet in spectacular harmony.

Assignments beyond its doors included enjoying a spectacular overview of London, including the majestic Houses of Parliament, St. Paul?s Cathedral, the mighty river Thames, and even part of Buckingham Palace, while rotating imperceptibly under a cloudless sky. Owned by British Airways, the London Eye is the capital?s most popular attraction, and a not-to-be-missed adventure, even by those who traditionally don?t like heights.

Afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer of the Savoy hotel was outstanding. Its d?cor includes chandeliers with hand-carved French porcelain roses, original Art Deco mirrors, and a marquetry screen by the Queen?s grandson, Viscount Linley. Joining London?s smart set, including corseted society matrons, ?It? girls and turgid retirees, proved a fascinating study in human nature, to which the tiered plates of finger sandwiches, scones and tea cakes, exotic teas and live piano music were perfect grace notes.

The design concept of the ground-breaking Giorgio Armani couture exhibition at The Royal Academy of Art was as stunning as the garments themselves ? and made all the sweeter by the controversy it has generated in the art world, where purists contend that fashion is not art.

Arriving at Gatwick Airport early for the return journey meant a smoother, queue-free check-in, leaving plenty of time for duty-free Christmas shopping. Again, the British Airways staff were friendly and helpful, both at counter level and upstairs in The Terrace, the Club World lounge.

This lounge is another well-appointed oasis of quietude and hospitality which again features many amenities, including an open bar; a wide variety of hot and cold drinks; light food and fresh fruit ? all complimentary. A large water feature gurgles soothingly, and smokers and children have their own, glass-enclosed areas, the latter with a dazzling array of toys. Glass walls give uninterrupted views of arriving and departing aircraft of all nations. The Ladies room is immaculate and beautifully appointed, with fluffy towels and showers available.

Aboard the aircraft, the route to World Traveller Plus (WTP) is through the Club World ? a great way to create the desire to upgrade! Nonetheless, WTP is very comfortable. Here seating is limited to five rows in a two-four-two configuration, again creating an intimate, restful atmosphere. There is more leg room, the armchair seats are wider with additional recline and adjustable footrests. Extras include laptop power points and complimentary newspapers. Apparently, the food and service ? both good ? is the same as in World Traveller, but water is apparently not served in individual bottles. Indeed, my innocent request for my own bottle produced a nervous reaction, with it ultimately being smuggled down from Club in a plastic bag with orders to ?keep it out of sight? !

Cabin service director Gordon Riggens was a delightful Scot with impeccable charm who graciously treated me to a tour of First Class, which included a sampling of the sumptuously upholstered seats, which are to die for. Here, service is unregimented because the passenger is king (or queen).

A choice of meals is ?prepared? and served at the passenger?s whim; bedtime includes a down comforter and regular pillow, and a choice of 25 personal videos is among the perks. Fresh flowers and a full-length mirror are features of the lavatories, while vintage aviation photographs remind of British Airways? history and technological advances.

Our captain apologised for the flight deck being out of bounds post 9/11, but servings of champagne, vintage port and a superb cheese platter more than compensated.

Looking out of the window at the sun-topped, meringue of fluffy clouds while savouring the luxurious comfort and unexpected hospitality, one could only imagine what it must be like to travel first class everywhere. But that?s another story.

In the end, the choice of travelling in Club World and World Traveller Plus will be determined by price. For obvious reasons, Club World is extremely popular with corporate customers, but for anyone else willing to pay for the privilege of sleeping flat out, as well as all the frills, Club is definitely the way to go.

The quiet intimacy of World Traveller Plus, with its comfortable seating and generous leg room, is the next best thing. Both are highly recommended.

Round trip fares Bermuda/London/Bermuda are as follows: Club World BD$4006 excluding taxes. World Traveller Plus: Excursion fares range from BD$1044 midweek low season to BD$1379 midweek high season for the seven-day advance purchase fare. The regular fare is BD$2332. Contact the airline or your travel agent for further information.

According to figures supplied by British Airways, the Club World round trip fare to London from Bermuda is significantly cheaper than from the following gateway cities in the US to the same destination: New York/London US$7644; Boston/London US$7800; Washington, DC/London $8194.