Wyndham Hotel Group Set to Open Tallest Hotel in Danang

Wyndham Hotel Group unveiled plans at a recent signing ceremony for a five-star Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® location in Danang’s Son Tra district, set to become the city’s tallest building at 199 metres.

The four-tower condotel complex currently under construction will stand at 57-storeys at its tallest point and will consist of 3,200 apartments, studios and hotel rooms; extensive conference facilities; a retail and dining precinct; and recreation parks.

The US$446 million project, expected to open in September 2018, is being developed by PPC An Thinh Danang. Wyndham Hotel Asia Pacific Co. Limited will manage the condotel.

The upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand connects with guests by delivering comfort that exceeds expectations with the tailored services and amenities expected at a world-class hotel. Currently, there are nearly 100 Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® branded hotels located around the world in major urban and resort destinations.

Wyndham Soleil Danang, located just 100 metres from the white sands of My Khe Beach, will be the brand’s second location in Vietnam following the opening of Wyndham Legend Halong Bay in July of this year.

Best Service Win for Seabreeze Resort Samoa

Proving it’s the best place to dine, relax and holiday in Samoa, the luxury and adult’s only Seabreeze Resort has won ‘Best service’ at the 2016 New Zealand Restaurant Challenge as part of Friendship Week, which celebrates the Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa.

This year a record 18 restaurants competed in the New Zealand Restaurant Challenge that ran from the 5th to 15th August, 2016. Restaurants were judged over four categories with winners being awarded in each. Categories included; The Overall Winner, Best New Entrants, Best Innovation and Skill and Best Service.

According to Wendy Booth, Owner of Seabreeze Resort, “we are so excited and proud to have won ‘Best Service’ for the second year running, it truly is a testament to our dedicated staff that make our guests dining experience “Outstanding”.”

“For years we have been winning food awards and we regularly hear from guests that we turn ordinary into awesome so this year we showcased the full dinning package, providing the judges with service and an atmosphere that Seabreeze has become renowned for.

We believe it is so important for the guest to have a unique dining experience combined with amazing food and that starts with impeccable service.” Continues Mrs Booth.

Diners and a panel of three independent judges sampled the New Zealand Restaurant Challenge dish and experienced the restaurants. Judging was then decided based on the four categories.

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort reveals beach-inspired design following completion of robust $43 million renovation

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced the completion of an extensive AUD $43M renovation of one of Australia’s most iconic beachside resorts, the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas.  Comprising of all guest rooms, suites and public areas, the all-encompassing refresh also features the Sheraton brand’s debut of  SPG KeylessTM in Asia Pacific, the industry’s first truly mobile and keyless entry system that allows Starwood Preferred Guest members to use their smartphone as a key to their rooms through the SPG® app.
“The Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort renovation truly underscores the Sheraton brand’s new elevated and customised approach to design as part of Sheraton 2020, a 10-point plan designed to put Sheraton back in the global spotlight,” said Vincent Ong, Senior Director, Brand Management, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “From the Tropical North Queensland inspired colour palette, to the local-inspired dining choices, Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the destination from the second they step foot on property.”

Mantra Group announce 2016 awards for excellence

Leading Australian-based hotel and resort operator, Mantra Group, honoured its brightest stars and highest performers from its 127-strong network across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii at its annual Mantra Group Awards for Excellence gala ceremony held at Mantra on View Hotel, Surfers Paradise on 25 August.

The top team member accolade, General Manager of the Year, was awarded to Chris McIntosh. Chris, who was recently appointed General Manager of the Group’s new Peppers Kings Square Hotel in Perth (opening in October) after excelling in his Mantra on Murray General Manager position for the past 12 months, received the top gong for implementing a number of strategies to improve service levels and team engagement.

The region of North Queensland also prevailed on the night, winning the Corporate Social Responsibility award for their coordination of various Luke Batty Foundation fundraising events as well as the coveted Region/Area of the Year for their overall excellence in performance, guest sentiment, driving food and beverage initiatives, team culture and transitioning new properties.

Other major awards on the evening went to Peppers Gallery Hotel at Canberra, Mantra on Kent at Sydney and BreakFree on Cashel at Christchurch for Property of the Year for their respective brands. Mantra Group Chief Executive Officer Bob East said the Awards for Excellence cap off a big year for Mantra Group.

onefinestay to launch in Miami

onefinestay, the hospitality pioneer that offers guests the finest homes with boutique, personal service, today announced plans to open doors in Miami. The launch will mark the third market in onefinestay’s US portfolio which includes New York and Los Angeles, and will be the sixth city globally, in addition to London, Paris and Rome.

“We’re thrilled to be introducing the onefinestay experience to Miami” said Evan Frank, co-founder and President, Americas, onefinestay. “Miami’s vibrant, design-led community is already a favourite amongst our homeowners and guests and a natural next step for onefinestay.”

onefinestay brings together the best homes and the best service to deliver a high-end hospitality experience in our favourite cities. Guests stay in vetted, distinctive private homes with full-service hospitality from a personal welcome on arrival to a team on call 24/7. For homeowners, onefinestay provides peace of mind, convenience and flexibility, by taking care of everything from marketing, distribution and insurance to screening each guest, to professional cleaning, management and maintenance.

The launch is the first in a phase of significant expansion for the company following acquisition by AccorHotels earlier this year in a deal worth more than $240m including $70m committed to global expansion into more than 40 cities in the next five years.