Australian Ascend Hotel Collection property comes out on top at international awards

Oceans Resort Hervey Bay, an Ascend Hotel Collection member is celebrating a major international accolade, winning the inaugural Ascend Hotel Collection Property of the Year award at the Choice Hotels Annual Convention in Las Vegas last week. Oceans Resort adds this latest prize to its long list of achievements, including the 2015 Choice Hotels Asia-Pac Ascend Hotel Collection Franchisee of the Year Award.

Located on the Fraser Coast in Queensland, the property features 54 one, two and three bedroom self-contained suites, two heated lagoon pools, two restaurants, conference facilities, day spa and fitness centre.

The Ascend Hotel Collection is Choice Hotels’ offering for unique, boutique and historic properties. It offers property owners the flexibility to position their hotel in line with their ambitions and outlook, while looking to Choice Hotels for specialist distribution, sales, marketing and operational support.

DoubleTree by Hilton Opens First Hotel in Fiji

Following multimillion dollar renovation, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island offers authentic Fijian resort experience blended with modern amenities

Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island, Fiji’s newest resort offering and the first DoubleTree by Hilton branded hotel in the tropical, South Pacific nation. The resort joins an existing portfolio of six DoubleTree by Hilton branded properties operating in the Australasia region, and opens as Hilton Worldwide’s 22^nd hotel in the region. The resort is owned by The Vision Group.

Paul Hutton, vice president operations Australasia, Hilton Worldwide, said, “DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island is ready to provide guests with an authentic Fijian experience whilst delivering the comforts and amenities of a full service resort. We are thrilled to be opening this unique and luxurious resort, and look forward to extending a warm Fijian welcome to all of our guests.”

Situated on a lush, private tropical island and surrounded by the pristine waters of the South Pacific Ocean, DoubleTree by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island is just a three-minute boat ride from the main island of Viti Levu and an easy 25-minute drive from Nadi International Airport.

Novotel’s new restaurant serves up the best of Barossa

After an extensive refurbishment, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort is thrilled to announce the opening of The Cellar Kitchen Restaurant and Bar. Previously Harrys Restaurant and Bar, the restaurant’s new name and complete interior re-design, supports its inspired ‘paddock to plate’ food philosophy, following Novotel’s collaboration with Saskia Beer.

As an artisan food producer, cook and food educator, Saskia Beer has been a pivotal part of the restaurant’s transformation. Her company, Saskia Beer Farm Produce, has successfully engaged local provedores, growers and farmers as produce partners, enabling The Cellar Kitchen to serve up an authentic Barossa Valley experience that is seasonal and references the long standing food traditions of the region.

Taking design cues from Saskia’s food philosophy, the restaurants décor incorporates market like characteristics with a relaxed garden feel. Fitted out with a Charcuterie section and fresh vegetable and herb displays, the produce is positioned as the hero of the restaurant.

The space is styled with natural materials including exposed steel edgings, stone bench tops and timber furnishings. The central fireplace adds a touch of warmth to the space, whilst the Terrace Lounge offers unparalleled views over the Barossa Valley hillside.

Hilton Puts the World on Sale with Largest Global Sale Ever

Hilton announced one of the richest deals in their nearly 100-year history, the Hilton World Sale. Running May 13 – September 6, 2016, the Hilton World Sale offers Hilton HHonors members great value with up to 30 percent off at participating hotels within the Hilton Worldwide Portfolio of more than 4,660 hotels worldwide in 102 countries across 12 of its 13 brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Hilton Worldwide Chief Marketing Officer Geraldine Calpin said “As the largest global hospitality company, we are making travel dreams more attainable so guests can have experiences ranging from eating sushi in Tokyo to taking surfing lessons in Bali.”

“We’re proud to be offering the best value we’ve ever offered guests.”

TFE Hotels and TEDXSydney design the hotel of the furture

Sydney-based hotel company TFE Hotels is launching an innovative plan to engage the TEDxSydney speakers and community to help design “the hotel of tomorrow” at the famous speaker forum at Sydney Opera House on 25 May 2016.

TEDxSydney this year is offering its commercial partners the opportunity to tap into the event’s unique curated audience for broader research and engagement.

TFE Hotels is leading the charge in this respect among the hotel industry by engaging a group of TEDxSydney’s keenest minds in an innovation session during the one-day program – among them a biomedical engineer and a neurogame designer.

TFE Hotels’ vision of the hotel of 2020 will be one where connectivity, social interaction, comfort, wellbeing and safety are taken to the next level – asking TEDx attendees to shape how that evolves.

TFE Hotels CEO Rachel Argaman said the session would delve deep into what the modern traveller truly desired from their hotel experience and would inform meaningful change around how the company designed future hotel experiences.