Big Fat Hotel Wrap
Is everyone in your office ‘Bachelor-ed’ out and looking for new conversation topics? There’s at least 7 tidbits to impress colleagues with here.
Golden beaches, local fare and family fun – experience the Gold Coast with Oaks Hotels & Resorts
The Gold Coast is a vibrant sun-soaked city with long stretches of white-sand beaches, easy-going and fine dining eateries to satisfy any hard-to-please palate, a lush ancient hinterland, and world-famous theme parks to excite the whole family.
The Coast has long been considered, and continues to be, one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations with its evolving blend of city and sea activities, elegant beachfront dining and quirky cafes, along with friendly wildlife and easy-going locals forever tempting travellers to its golden shores.
Located on the southern tip of the city, nestled in the relaxed beachside suburb of Coolangatta, Oaks Calypso Plaza is inviting travellers to book a One Bedroom Apartment from $396* per night or a spacious Two Bedroom Apartment for $550* per night (minimum five-night stay).
Louis T Collection Signs Agreement with H&M Capital Pty Ltd to Manage Perth’s Historic New Esplanade Hotel
Louis T Collection and H&M Capital Pty Ltd have announced the signing of a management agreement pursuant to which Louis T Collection will oversee the operation of the New Esplanade Hotel. The hotel is located in Elizabeth Quay, Perth’s vibrant, newly developed mixed-use zone along the Swan River.
In addition to providing full management services, Louis T Collection, drawing upon extensive building solutions and architectural design expertise, will oversee the renovation of the 80-room property that will reposition the hotel in the market by returning it to its leading place among Perth’s top-tier hotels.
The original Esplanade Hotel, that opened on the site in the early 1900s, was for many years one of the city’s most prominent hotels.
International visitor count to the region increased by 12 per cent in 2016, with nearly a million tourists touching down in Western Australia, according to Tourism Western Australia. 95 per cent of those inbound travellers visited Perth. The number of travellers from neighboring Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, all increased as well as visitors from further afield such as those from China, India, and the USA.
IHG Achieves “2017 Aon Global Best Employer” Accreditation by Aon Hewitt
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced its “Aon Global Best Employer” accreditation by Aon Hewitt. The acclaimed accolade comes in the company’s first year of participation in the global survey and is complemented by country-level accreditation in 46 out of the 64 countries assessed by the professional services firm, representing 97 per cent of its workforce.
The accreditation is part of the “Aon Best Employers” programme which evaluates an employer’s effectiveness in creating a workplace environment that engages and enables its people to deliver competitive advantage. Assessment is done from survey data collected directly from colleagues based on four indices: Engagement, Leadership, Performance Culture and Employer Brand.
IHG participated in the global survey for the first time this year, contributing more than 126,000 responses from colleagues around the world. The survey results were then benchmarked amongst the industry by Aon Hewitt to determine whether it qualifies for the “Aon Best Employer” accreditation.
QT Hotels & Resorts Launch Travelshoot Staycations
Gone are the days of the blurry holiday selfies thanks to Travelshoot Staycations at QT Hotels and Resorts. Guests now have the chance to travel like a famous blogger and build an Instagram feed full of professionally shot photos.
Guests are invited to stay in a photo-ready QT guestroom for a two night Travelshoot Staycation and enjoy a complimentary breakfast for two adults.
During the stay, Travelshoot’s expert team will take guests on a one-hour photo shoot with a professional photographer which will result in a minimum of 20 high-resolution and very Insta-worthy shots.
Atlantis, The Palm launches AquaTrek by Night in the Ambassador Lagoon
Atlantis, The Palm announces the launch of another thrilling underwater activity this summer with AquaTrek by Night. Offering guests an experience of a lifetime, daring divers will descend into the world-famous Ambassador Lagoon for the unique opportunity to walk with 220 different species and 65,000 marine animals, as darkness approaches.
With sharks being notorious for their preference to nocturnal hunting, The Ambassador Lagoon comes alive once the sun sets, giving AquaTrek by Night guests 30 thrilling minutes exploring The Ambassador Lagoon as it’s never been seen before. Starting from AED650 and offering two walks per evening, trekkers will be amazed by the brilliant colors of the schooling fish and illuminated eyes of the marine predators as they pass by the beams of an underwater torch.
Perfect for anyone from ages 8 to 80 and with no previous dive or swimming experience necessary, AquaTrek by Night will see guests descend a ladder to a 3 metre shallow ledge in The Ambassador Lagoon, whilst wearing a specially designed helmet that supplies a continuous supply of air. As they walk along the bottom, the lagoons 65,000 marine animals are visible as they swim by the helmets “tri-view” lens, designed to give guests a clean, undistorted view through the flat front, left and right panels.
Perfect for non-swimmers and non-divers and with a minimum age limit of 8 years old, AquaTrek by Night will run two walks daily, starting from 19:00pm, with a maximum capacity of 4 guests per walk. As well as a professional underwater photographer on site, a GO-PRO can also be hired for AED 60 for guests who want to capture their own experience and take the raw footage with them.
Suite Temptation for Guests with Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s unique fine dining accommodation package in the heart of Lake Como
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a true Art Nouveau palace with a decades-long history of welcoming guests in opulence and glamour, is delighted to announce its newest accommodation package, Suite Temptations.
A memorable gastronomical holiday on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy awaits with the Suite Temptations offer, staying in one of Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s luxury Suites overlooking the water.
Here, a dedicated Lifestyle Manager is on hand to satisfy guests’ every whim, and there is no shortage of the finest gourmet delights to tempt with every meal throughout the day and night.
The hotel’s menus are conceived by star Italian chef ‘Maestro’ Gualtiero Marchesi and change with the seasons to take advantage of local produce and fresh water fish, serving traditional dishes enlivened with a touch of creativity.
Travel the World Chiva-Som Speciality Retreat Offer for August and September
Guests booking a Speciality Retreat for a minimum seven-night stay at Chiva-Som in Thailand for travel until 30 September 2017 will receive an additional complimentary night and an exclusive VIP Fast Track Service at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport with guests to be met on arrival by a personal porter and hostess and escorted through immigration for collection of luggage and transfer to the resort.
Chiva-Som is situated within seven acres of tropical gardens in the Royal city of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand, 185 km south of Bangkok.
This pioneering Thai health and wellness resort is a popular destination for Australians offering guests a total lifestyle transformation to achieve wellness and longevity with a full range of health and wellness Speciality Retreats, integrating naturopathic and conventional medicines, including A Taste of Chiva-Som, Optimal Performance, Spa Wellbeing, Yoga for Life, Fitness, Natural Renewal, Weight Management, Cell Vitality, Cranial Relief, Emotional Wellbeing, Tension Release and Sustainable Slimming.
The Library, Thailand, Travel Agent incentive August and September 2017
The Library in Thailand is offering 15 per cent travel agent commission on bookings made in August and September for minimum three-night stays until 20 December 2017.
Guests will also receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine during these stays at The Library which is set against the stunning backdrop of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach.
A member of Design Hotels, The Library presents 26 studios and suites and will unveil 20 fabulous Secret Pool Villas in November 2017.
Celebrate the House of Dior’s 70th anniversary with a collection of couture cocktails at Sofitel
This spring, the country’s leading fashionistas will flock to Melbourne to experience the never-before-seen The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture exhibition at the National Gallery Victoria’s (NGV).
In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the House of Dior, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, NGV’s Official Accommodation Partner, will serve a series of couture cocktails created by master mixologist and Atrium Bar Manager, Marc Dasan.
Sofitel’s Atrium Bar will serve the signature Code of Conduct Cocktails Thursday – Saturday from 1 September until 4 November 2017, coinciding with NGV’s The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture exhibition.
Ratings Record Set By Best Western Australasia
The lift in standards across Best Western’s hotel network in Australia and New Zealand has continued with a record 54 per cent of its properties rated four stars or above by consumers on TripAdvisor and awarded a coveted Certificate of Excellence for 2017.
It is the third consecutive year that the Best Western Australasia (BWA) network has improved its TripAdvisor ranking, up an impressive 17 per cent since 2015, when 46 per cent of BWA properties received a Certificate of Excellence.
A major factor in the sustained improvement has been BWA’s new Quality Assurance Program, lifting standards across all member properties, which now offer free high-speed internet, healthy breakfasts and the ability to earn or redeem Best Western Rewards points.
AccorHotels is giving away three million Rewards points to Le Club AccorHotels members!
AccorHotels is giving guests the chance to win their share of three million Le Club AccorHotels Rewards points.
Guests who book and stay at participating hotels, across the Pacific region before 23 October 2017, can enter the draw to win one of 15 prizes of 200,000 Rewards points. Each prize is valued at almost $6,000 and there are also monthly prizes, including overnight accommodation packages.
To be in the running, members simply register for the promotion and book to stay at any of AccorHotels participating hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Islands of Tahiti via accorhotels.com/win. Guests who aren’t yet members of Le Club AccorHotels won’t miss out! It’s simple to join when booking at accorhotels.com/win.
North Stradbroke Island adds a touch of glam to the great outdoors with launch of permanent ‘flash camping’
Following the success of last year’s ‘pop up’ Flash Camp on North Stradbroke Island, Straddie Camping has launched a permanent flash camping site on the beachfront near the island’s most popular tourist village, Point Lookout.
The mini-village of 10 flash camping tents is located at Adder Rock on the northern coast, in a shady area, sheltered behind native tea tree and pandanus forests, with a beach directly in front of the camping ground.
The glamping tents offer high-quality bedding, cotton sheets, fresh towels, two bamboo chairs and power, and are fully made up and ready for the arrival of guests, who also have access to the Adder Beach Camping Ground’s communal facilities. Restaurants and shops are within easy access of the camp site.
The launch of the permanent glamping tents is perfectly timed for visitors to take advantage of the whale migration season – with whales passing by North Straddie throughout the season to November – and also the annual Quandamooka Festival, which offers a packed itinerary of events on North Stradbroke Island, including many on weekends, till September.
Immersive Wellbeing Retreats with Balance Wellness by Anantara
Anantara Hotels and Resorts is giving travellers the option of healthy, immersive experiences across its award-winning resorts in Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Middle East with the launch of Wellbeing Retreat packages.
Find tranquillity in the Arabian Desert. Draw inspiration from Indian Ocean panoramas. Achieve balance in the emerald jungles of Thailand. Guests who stay for a minimum of two nights can embark on a personal journey of transformation under the guiding principles of Balance Wellness – Anantara’s global wellbeing initiative. Launched as a flexible approach to feeling good on holidays guests split their holiday time between comprehensive wellness activities as well as time to spoil themselves.
Each package is uniquely designed to showcase the resort’s own indigenous experiences and dynamic wellness offerings. Strengthen, tone and cleanse with both gentle and vigorous exercise and healthy cuisine. Heal and rejuvenate with spa journeys that draw on time-tested therapies of the Thai disciplines, fundamental to the ethos of Anantara.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
AccorHotels anantara hotels and resorts best western hotels chiva-som retreat H&M Capital house of dior 70th anniversary ihg Louis T Collection new esplanade hotel oaks hotels and resorts QT Hotels sofitel the grand hotel tremezzo the library thailandLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!