How good is a few pictures of stunning hotels to make you wish you weren’t stuck in the office on this fine Thursday? We apologise for any dread or sadness you may feel after reading this wrap.

Mantra Albury Hotel officially opens its doors

Mantra Albury Hotel has officially opened its doors with Mantra Group’s executive director of operations Mark Hodge and Albury Mayor Kevin Mack cutting the ribbon to celebrate the hotel opening.

The first hotel to open in Albury in more than three years, Mantra Albury took 18 months to build and provides style and convenience in the centre of the Riverina town’s CBD. The $40million development comprises of eight levels and 146 one and two bedroom studios and suites with views out to the beautiful Bongong High Plains and snow-capped Victorian Alps.

Amenities at Mantra Albury Hotel include a restaurant and bar called La Tierra, 24-hour reception, an internet lounge, a fully equipped gymnasium, conferencing and events facilities that can cater for more than 200 people, and an exclusive Sky Lounge available to hire on the top floor with sky lighting, wet bar and comfortable lounge seating.

For all-day in-room dining options, the property’s onsite restaurant La Tierra is located on the ground floor, and is open to hotel guests and the general public for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features a range of delicious tapas style Mediterranean meal options.

The Sebel expands in Perth

AccorHotels is pleased to announce a further hotel will join its Sebel network in Australia from July 9, following the signing of an agreement with Singapore-based ZACD Group Ltd. The Sebel West Perth Aire Apartments adds 64 new studio apartment style rooms to Perth’s resurging accommodation market.

The new hotel commands a prime position in West Perth, on the CBD fringe and is close to key tourist attractions including Perth Arena, Kings Park & Botanical Garden, and is accessible within 15 minutes by road from Perth International Airport. The Sebel occupies the first four levels of the 22-level Aire West Perth apartment tower.

Resort-style amenities include a 22m heated swimming pool, pool deck, fitness centre, sauna, and outdoor dining area. The hotel has a fourth floor conference room and undercover car parking.

Hotel interiors have been selected by ZACD’s in-house interior design team + Hotel Interiors, and feature modern, geometric lines set against a cool colour palate of blues, brown and grey.

Regal Hotels welcomes Ethiopian Airlines as its new Strategic Partner

Regal Hotels International is delighted to form a strategic partnership with ShebaMiles, the frequent flyer programme of Ethiopian Airlines, offering its guests enhanced benefits for staying at Regal Hotels and iclub Hotels.

Starting from 1 July 2018, ShebaMiles members are entitled to earn 500 and 250 miles respectively for each eligible stay at participating Regal Hotels and iclub Hotels* with specified qualifying room rates.

Apart from the existing seven other airline reward partners, Regal Hotels has been putting effort in extending its alliance networks to strengthen its global brand presence and attract a broader range of travellers around the world. This strategic partnership will leverage the synergy offered by both renowned brands and create greater benefits for mutual members.

Ethiopian Airlines serves a network of more than 100 international passenger and cargo destinations. Over seventy years of operation, Ethiopian Airlines has become one of the continent’s leading carriers.

Half-Off Waikiki Suites at Hilton Hawaiian Village

Starting this summer, travellers can holiday in Waikiki at half-price with a rare suite sale from Hilton Hawaiian Village. For a very limited time, an amazing deal of 50 percent off the resort’s spacious suites will be available. Guests will be able to enjoy the junior suites in Tapa Tower at the discounted rate of AU$320 per night (standard price is AU$640 per night).

This special offer can only be booked from Monday, July 23, at 10 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time to Monday, July 30, at 10 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time and is valid for stays Aug. 6, 2018-March 31, 2019.

The discounts also include one-bedroom suites in the centrally-located Tapa Tower and Diamond Head Tower, ocean view suites from the beachfront Rainbow Tower, and the secluded luxury suites in The Alii. In addition, this discount will be coupled with Presidential Suites in The Alii and Rainbow Tower, making the resort’s most coveted rooms available at a rare discount.

Guests can access all that the resort has to offer including five unique swimming pools, the longest waterslide in Waikiki, 20 restaurants and bars, Waikiki’s only five-night-a-week luau under the stars and a spectacular Friday night fireworks display. To book the 50 percent off suite sale and for full terms and conditions, visit www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/suitesale.

School holiday fun at Holiday Inn Auckland Airport

With New Zealand’s July school holidays on the horizon, an airport hotel is inviting families on a ‘mini-break’ before or after connecting to domestic or international destinations.

The newly refurbished Holiday Inn Auckland Airport has some ‘big wallet-savings’ on offer for families travelling during the school holidays with the creation of its new Very Important Kids (V.I.K.) Programme.

Not only do kids stay and eat for free at the hotel, but parents are also given a cool green wristband for each of the little darlings when they check into the property, unlocking up to $150 of savings (per child) at some of Auckland’s top family attractions.

There’s no such thing as an ‘I’m booooored’ day when youngsters can choose from paintballing at Lock N Load Adventures, rope climbing at Rocket Ropes, an afternoon of fun at Butterfly Creek or putting their way around Treasure Island Mini Golf. All parents have to do is plan the day’s activity or activities and show the kids wristbands on arrival to receive the relevant discounts.

Introducing InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, in Vietnam’s most idyllic island destination

Opening on 28 June, 2018, InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is the latest addition to the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand in Vietnam, and the 1000th IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) property to open within the Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA) region. It is located on the pristine Phu Quoc Island, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve off the southwest coast of Vietnam.

One of the most captivating features of the resort is its position on Long Beach, one of Vietnam’s most stunning white-sand beaches, enjoying glorious sunset views. It is an easy 15-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport, and only 20 minutes from the cultural attractions of Duong Dong town.

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort’s Opening Special Offer starts from VND 5,880,000 AU$345.00 per room per night, with a minimum two night stay, and includes:

• AU$147 credit to spend at the resort’s restaurants, bars and spa
• Daily breakfast for two people
• Airport transfers
• Children aged 12 years and below dine for free when accompanied by a paying adult
• 2,000 additional IHG Rewards Club points Prices are subject to five per cent service charge and 10 per cent VAT

The Opening Special Offer is subject to availability and valid until 31 October, 2018.

DoubleTree by Hilton debuts in Wellington

Wellington’s first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel has opened in the iconic T&G building, in the heart of the central business district. Located on Lambton Quay, in the city’s premier shopping area, the new DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington is just walking distance from the iconic cable car, vibrant cafes, the parliamentary precinct, entertainment venues, and the celebrated Te Papa Museum. The 106-room hotel will be managed by Hilton, under a franchise agreement with Sarin Investments.

DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington joins two other DoubleTree branded properties in New Zealand, which are located in Queenstown and Christchurch. “Opening a DoubleTree by Hilton property in the country’s capital is a huge milestone and really represents the brand’s confidence in the continued growth of the Wellington market, and reinforces our commitment to double Hilton’s footprint in New Zealand within the next five years.” said Heidi Kunkel, vice president, operations, Australasia.

The historic T&G building, which was built in 1928, was one of the city’s first office towers. The hotel design complements the rich history of the building; attributing Chicago-style architectural elements and fine art deco interiors with marble, copper and wooden accents throughout. The property features 106 stylish guest rooms, including 14 spacious suites, all accessible with digital key through the Hilton Honors app, a restaurant, a bar, a gymnasium, secure parking and a boardroom.

Spring Bar and Restaurant is an invitation to embrace the art of fusion dining with exquisite Asian inspired dishes, fine wines & glamorous cocktails in central Wellington. Spring is where eastern flavours meet western techniques to create mouth-watering fusion plates like the signature Angus tenderloin steak with masala kale.

El Questro announces end of season sale across all accommodation offerings

As the end of the dry season draws closer, the iconic El Questro in the heart of the Kimberley has announced an end of season sales across its three accommodation offerings, for guests looking to travel to a breathtaking region over the coming months.

El Questro will extend 20 per cent off the nightly accommodation rate across the luxurious Homestead, from the Garden Room overlooking the surrounding manicured lawns, through to the spectacular Chamberlain Suite, dramatically perched on the edge of the Chamberlain Gorge.

Guests staying at the Homestead will also enjoy complimentary access to the property’s 4WD transfer services, and as always, dining and selected alcoholic beverages are included in the accommodation rate.

For those travelling to the charming tented cabins of Emma Gorge, or the centrally positioned El Questro Station, the property is offering three nights for the price of two – an idyllic option for a family getaway. If that wasn’t enough, kids stay free at both Emma Gorge and the Station when staying with their parents.

The Mitchelton Hotel & Spa joins AccorHotels’ growing MGallery by Sofitel network

AccorHotels is pleased to announce The Mitchelton Hotel & Spa, a $16 million hotel on the banks of the Goulburn Valley in Victoria has joined its boutique MGallery by Sofitel network.

Located within the spectacular surrounds of Mitchelton Winery Estate, the 58-room hotel boasts a 4-treatment room day spa, sprawling restaurant, a 20m lap pool and extensive banquet and meeting facilities.

Designed by award winning architects Hecker Guthrie, the hotel’s interiors complement the property’s existing Robin Boyd structures and feature earthy tones and a minimalist aesthetic, with all guestrooms boasting floor-to-ceiling windows with views of either the Goulburn River or the vineyards.

The Mitchelton Hotel & Spa is the 10th MGallery by Sofitel hotel in Australia and joins other iconic properties such as Hotel Lindrum, The Como Melbourne, Elements of Byron, Harbour Rocks Hotel, The Reef House Resort & Spa Palm Cove, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills and the Playford Adelaide.

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc expands property

Phu Quoc’s only all-spa inclusive resort, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, is celebrating its first birthday by cutting the ribbon on new villas, new spa treatment rooms, an elegant function space, and an action-packed kids club, while guests enjoy additional summer savings.

Opened last June with 97 private pool villas, the five-star property has added eight new villas to its collection with 25 more to follow. The thatched roof abodes, a nod to coastal living, start at a spacious 128 square meters (1,378 square feet) and are one- or two-bedroom with verdant views of the neighboring river and jungle. Interiors feature a natural color scheme with earthy tones and custom-made sunken wooden tubs. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead to private walled gardens, plunge pools, and floating hammocks.

The 11,210-square-meter (120,664-square-foot) Maia Spa & Wellness facility, the largest spa on the island, has added six new treatment rooms, each featuring an outdoor shower, as a complement to the existing 20 double treatment rooms. The new spa therapy spaces, plus a new and improved manicure and pedicure room, will help with the increased demand as part of the resort’s unique all-inclusive spa concept.

As the first spa of its kind on the island, Maia’s menu of massages, reflexology, body wraps, scrubs and beauty treatments is available to all guests, without limits, at no extra cost.

Terrace of Modern Art (TOMA) features Matthew Allen, Nick Kuchar, Christine Shinn and Camille Izumi

The Terrace of Modern Art (TOMA) summer series continues Friday evening, July 20 at Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger. This month, TOMA welcomes artists Matthew Allen, Nick Kuchar, Christine Shinn, and Camille Izumi.

The Beachcomber Waikiki’s pool deck adjacent to Hawaiian Aroma Caffe will be transformed into an extraordinary outdoor art gallery – featuring the work of these amazing Hawaii-based artists. This exhibit will celebrate the artists with an evening of good vibes, delectable and vivacious cocktails, and soothing upbeat tunes.

Additionally, TOMA and Hawaiian Aroma Caffe will be donating 15 percent of the proceeds from the evening to AccesSurf Hawaii, a water-based nonprofit charity organization that offers a variety of programs, services, and events for people with a disability.

The event is free and open to the public from 6 – 9 p.m. TOMA could not be possible without these sponsors: Hawaiian Aroma Caffe, Sun Bum, RedBull, Aloha T-Shirt Factory, Hawaiian Paradise Coffee, Pualani and Desigual.