Big Fat Hotel Wrap

Big Fat Hotel Wrap

Yet another week of amazing hotels and resorts to check out. If you need us, we’ll be packing our bags.

DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin commence multi-million dollar refurbishment

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DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin has commenced their million-dollar refurbishment to upgrade the 197 guest rooms and conference and events facilities.

Designed by CIRCA 2000, each guest room will feature a neutral and sophisticated colour palate; cleverly reflecting the tones of the Northern Territory, as well as complementing the hotels beautiful Esplanade and Harbour Views. Each room will see new carpet, custom-built furniture pieces, refreshed soft furnishings and an upgrade to the bathroom.

The design of the hotel’s conference and events space will complement the guest rooms with the use of neutral tones throughout, producing a versatile canvas to create any style of event, from sophisticated conferences and events to contemporary weddings and social celebrations.

DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin is set to re-welcome guests on 9 April 2018.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, is re-opening for the 2018 Season

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Grand Hotel Tremezzo will be re-opening its palace doors on 9 March, 2018, and to celebrate, the hotel is offering a Grand Opening Package for guests.

The iconic Art Nouveau property, set on the shores of sparkling Lake Como, will be open throughout the northern hemisphere spring through autumn seasons. During this time guests are able to enjoy the luxurious holiday destination, with a history as rich and as decadent as its sublime interiors; a combination of classical elegance and chic contemporary style.

Beyond the hotel is Lake Como, nothing short of awe-inspiring at this time of year, from which guests can explore the beautiful historical sites of the area on the hotel’s exclusive motor boats as nature reawakens for springtime, and the ‘Riviera of the Azaleas’ is in full bloom.

The Grand Opening Package includes:

• Luxury accommodation of your choice
• Daily buffet breakfast at Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s signature restaurant La Terrazza overlooking Lake Como, with the menu designed by leading Italian chef, ‘Maestro’ Gualtiero Marchesi
• Free room upgrade (subject to availability)
• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)

Amazing industry rates just released!

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Complete Travel Marketing have released their 2018 industry rate brochure featuring all their clients.

Boasting over 15 destinations, 25 travel brands and with prices starting from as low as AUD $40 per night^ there are properties to suit couples, friends and families alike. Destinations include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Choose from indulgent adult-only escapes or venture off with the clan to resorts made for family fun.
If you’re looking for ideas…why not soak up the sun with a day of snorkelling crystal-clear waters before retiring to a resort tucked among tropical rainforest and a pristine beach on Redang Island, Malaysia from $180.00 per room per night.

If discovering new cultures is more your thing, you can explore ancient cities in Hoi An before retiring to your five-star private pool-villa from AUD $210 per room per night or cruise overnight in style on the iconic Halong Bay from AUD $245 per cabin per night.

OMNIA Dayclub Bali and Sake No Hana Restaurant doors are now open

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Hakkasan Group announces that the world’s first OMNIA Dayclub opened its doors on 2 February 2018 on the idyllic island of Bali in Indonesia.

The first look at this highly anticipated and much talked about new star player in the global entertainment landscape has arrived.

The flagship OMNIA Nightclub opened in Las Vegas in 2015 and quickly established a reputation as one of the world’s greatest nightclubs with a diverse musical roster that features some of today’s most in-demand DJ’s. OMNIA Dayclub in Bali will be the first time this brand has opened as a dayclub.

Perfectly placed on the stunning limestone cliffs of Uluwatu on the Bukit Peninsula of the island, OMNIA Bali is a showstopper in every way. The dayclub and its restaurant, Sake no Hana, have been meticulously planned to maximise the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean that can be enjoyed from this 80-metre plateau.

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac announces Hotel of the Year

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac announced the winners of Hotel of the Year last night at a gala dinner at Crown Casino, Melbourne.

The awards recognise the hotel franchise’s top performing properties that demonstrated excellence in customer service and hospitality. More than 300 people attended the gala dinner where the contribution of franchisees and top performers were celebrated.

  • Ascend Hotel Collection: Oceans Resort, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member, Hervey Bay, QLD
  • Clarion: Clarion Hotel Townsville, Townsville, QLD
  • Quality: Quality Suites Banksia Gardens, Albany, WA
  • Comfort: Comfort Inn Deakin Palms, Mildura, VIC
  • Econo Lodge: Econo Lodge Beachside, Mackay, QLD

A Queenstown hotel is inspiring travellers to embrace the change in seasons

Feed your mind body and wanderlust this autumn

In celebration of the outstanding success of its first ever yoga series, the lakefront Crowne Plaza Queenstown is extending its free yoga classes to help shine a light on seasonal mood shifts.

Guests are encouraged to connect with the elements of air and space with an hour-long yoga practice to help elevate their time in the Southern Alps. Run by resident yogis from Peak Mountain Fitness, its tribe of health coaches take 60-minute classes on Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

Set in a calming space overlooking spectacular and panoramic alpine views, towels and mats are provided, so guests have to do little more than grab their spot, breathe in the clear air, and go with the yoga flow. The yoga series was introduced before Christmas to help travellers keen on ‘tuning in’ to their mind, body and nature to survive the season of excess.

It’s proved hugely popular with guests enjoying the best of Queenstown’s summer hospitality and activities. And as the business year gets into full swing it’s the perfect option to bring relaxation to the ‘workplace’ before a day of conferencing or meetings.

Macao world leader for luxury hotels and restaurants 

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Macao sits on a pedestal, surpassing Paris and nearby Hong Kong for having the world’s largest number of five-star hotels and restaurants respectively.

This year’s edition of Forbes Travel Guide officially named Macao as a world leader in the luxury hotel category with as many as 12, beating the French capital, its nearest rival, by two.

By boasting 12 five-star restaurants, Macao defeated its nearest rival Hong Kong by three.

News of this latest success rating couldn’t have been better timed as the Asian centre celebrates 2018 Macao Year of Gastronomy, further acknowledgment for being designated a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy.

Six hotels in Macao received the Forbes four-star award. They were Galaxy, Grand Hyatt, JW Marriott, Okura, St. Regis Cotai Central and The Venetian.

The Chen (Art Series) celebrates Chinese New Year with Special Offer

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To celebrate Chinese New Year, guests who sleep over at the hotel from 15th February to March 7th are being offered the chance to take home an original Zhong Chen masterpiece!

Zhong has gifted the incredible masterpiece to the hotel, which is appropriately titled “Lucky Dog” to reference to the Chinese Zodiac for 2018 that is the year of the dog. Its currently on show in the lobby for guests to enjoy.

To be in the running to win the amazing piece, guests simply need to book and stay between these dates and complete an entry form at the reception desk which tells the hotel in 30 words or less, why they should be awarded the artwork to keep.

Outrigger deemed ‘extraordinary’ during 61st Annual Adrian Awards

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This month, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts joined the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) in New York City for the 61st annual Adrian Awards Reception and Gala to celebrate excellence in hospitality advertising, digital marketing and public relations. A global hospitality organisation, the HSMAI “Top 25” awards showcase leaders in sales, marketing and revenue optimisation of IMG_1875hospitality, travel, and tourism organisations for their accomplishments.

With more than 1,000 hospitality professionals gathered for the occasion, Dan Wacksman – Outrigger Enterprise Group’s senior vice president of marketing and distribution, was honoured as one of the HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality, Sales, Marketing and Revenue Optimisation.

Additionally, building on the Gold Adrian Award won last year, Outrigger’s award-winning website took home the Silver Adrian Award for continuing to improve the customer experience, a goal for both online and on-property at the brand’s hotel and resort locations around the world.

Oaks Hotels & Resorts turns up the love with sizzling Romance Packages

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The month of love may be all but over for another year, but Oaks Hotels & Resorts is spreading the love for a little longer, offering couples a steamy selection of ‘Romance Packages’ for holiday escapes until May 2018.

Perhaps you forgot to spoil your significant other on Valentine’s Day, or you’re just looking for an excuse to get away – regardless of the reason, there’s no better time to whisk your loved one off to a dreamy destination with Oaks Hotels & Resorts. And with nine participating properties across Brisbane, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Broome, there’s a romantic retreat for every kind of couple.

Couples who book a one night stay from now until 30th May 2018 at any participating Oaks property will receive a free bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a complimentary room upgrade, and a 12.00pm late check out (hello sleep in!).

TFE Hotels gives couples the chance to tie the knot like Elton and David, Ellen and Portia, or Prince William and Kate

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Now that marriage is finally available to all in Australia, TFE Hotels is celebrating the year of love by launching a suite of new wedding packages themed around famous celebrity couples’ nuptials and a competition to give away a $10,000 wedding package.

TFE Hotels’ three new packages will be available at two of its key wedding venues, for anyone who wants to add a splash of celeb style to their big day. Each is modelled on a celebrity couple who hosted a headline-grabbing event – Elton John and David Furnish who made a song and dance about it, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia di Rossi who kept things intimate, and Prince William and Kate Middleton, who melded tradition with modern elegance.

TFE Hotels’ 18 wedding venues around Australia cater to any scale of event, from those planning a large extravagant occasion to one that is more discreet and intimate. Upcoming wedding expos will feature the new packages and offer a host of fresh ideas – at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough on April 29 and Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne on June 16. Hotel Kurrajong Canberra will also offer its own suite of packages on 6 May and 4 November 2018.

The Hunter Valley’s favourite fairway – Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort – adds another hole-in-one to its scorecard

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Iconic Hunter Valley resort, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, is continuing to cement itself as one of the country’s most revered golfing destinations – now ranking among Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses, as announced by Australian Golf Digest today.

The coveted Top 100 award comes off the back of an exceptionally successful 12 months for the property, which not only saw Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort celebrate its 25th anniversary, but also take out the title of Australia’s Best Golf Hotel 2017 at the Fourth Annual World Golf Awards against an outstanding line up of competitors.

To celebrate its recent string of achievements, the championship 18-hole course is rolling out several initiatives and special packages to suit every type of golfing guest – amateur to elite!

Green fee rates at the Steve Smyers-designed resort course start at just $35.00* for members and $70.00* for non-members, while annual Country Club Memberships are now starting from $300.00* and include exclusive access to all resort facilities, as well as private invitations to members only special events, and discounts on accommodation, resort dining and the Pro Shop.

Early Bird Offer at The Library, Koh Samui

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The Library in Koh Samui, Thailand is offering up to 30 per cent off rack rates commissionable at 15 per cent for travel agent bookings received by 30 March for guest travel to this acclaimed Thai property until 20 December 2018.

A 40 per cent discount off rack rates for the Secret Pool Villas, also commissionable 15 per cent, applies for agent bookings of these stunning new accommodation offerings for guest stays until 15 July 2018, excluding the Easter period.

For booking enquiries please contact Svetlana Jovanovic at The Unique Tourism Collection on 02 9211 6590 or svetlana@uniquetourism.com or rsvn@thelibrarysamui.com.

The Peninsula Hotels achieves 19 Forbes Travel Guide awards

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Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its annual Star Rating list this week, which saw nine of the Peninsula hotels achieve the prestigious Five-Star rating.

For the first time in 2018, The Peninsula Beijing, the only all-suite hotel in the capital city, was awarded a Five-Star rating. The accolade follows a glamorous transformation that was completed in mid-2017 and celebrates the luxury of space with 230 stunning suites.

The award sees The Peninsula Beijing join its sister properties The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Paris and The Peninsula Bangkok, all of which retained their Five-Star status.

Building on its 90 years as a global beacon of hospitality, The Peninsula Hong Kong also retained its Five-Star status, in addition to gaining a new Five-Star rating for Gaddi’s, the hotel’s French fine-dining restaurant; resulting in the hotel being named as one of only 13 hotels worldwide to be awarded a triple Five-Star rating in the 2018 listing.

Club Med | Last Minute Early Bird offer

May is the best month for Aussie’s to travel to their favourite Asian and Indian Ocean destinations with prices 10 – 15 per cent lower than the rest of the season.

Club Med’s Early Bird offer is making it even more affordable for Aussie’s to travel in May with up to 30% off Club Med’s premium all-inclusive packages. Club Med’s Early Bird offer is available until Wednesday 28 February for travel between May – October 2018 and is available for the following Club Med destinations:

  • Club Med Bali, Indonesia – Prices start from $1,200 per adult and $720 per child for 7-nights (based on 12 May 2018 travel dates).
  • Club Med Kani, the Maldives – Prices start from $1,980 per adult and $1,215 per child for 7-nights (based on 12 May 2018 travel dates).
  • Club Med Finolhu Villas, the Maldives – Prices start from $5,020 per adult for 7-nights (based on 5 May 2018 travel dates).
  • Club Med Phuket, Thailand – Prices start from $1,030 per adult and $620 per child for 7-nights (based on 12 May 2018 travel dates).
  • Club Med Cherating Beach, Malaysia – Prices start from $1,190 per adult and $720 per child for 7-nights (based on 12 May 2018 travel dates).
  • Club Med Kabira, Japan – Prices start from $1,470 per adult and $880 per child for 7-nights (based on 12 May 2018 travel dates).

Monkey Island Estate, Bray-On-Thames, Officially Launches at Threadneedles Hotel, Bank

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Last week, YTL Hotels was proud to officially unveil exclusive footage and details of its brand new Monkey Island Estate, set to open in late spring 2018. Hosted at one of YTL Hotels’ London properties, the five-star Threadneedles Hotel in Bank, the event saw 100 guests attend to celebrate this exciting launch, with speeches from Executive Director of YTL Hotels, Dato Mark Yeoh, General Manager of Monkey Island Estate, Lee Kelly, and Vice President of Development for YTL Hotels, Anthony Champalimaud.

The event took place beneath the hotel’s stunning original 19th century stained glass dome. Comprising incredible flora and fauna centrepiece, edible plant pots, and a rustic vegetable cart, the event transported guests from a February morning in the heart of the City to a gorgeous country garden on a warm Spring day, evoking the very ethos behind Monkey Island Estate.

Threadneedles served up delectable breakfast canapes and refreshing Bucks Fizz, while a traditional jazz band performed for guests throughout the morning. Exclusive drone footage of the hotel building was shared, alongside beautiful mood boards created by award-winning Champalimaud Design to show off sketches of the interiors and give a real feel for the design of the hotel. Guests were gifted a rich history of Monkey Island Estate, a sample of Monkey Shoulder whiskey, a slice of orange and walnut cake as a nod to the walnut trees native to the island, and a copy of Riverside Lane by Ginger Black, based on Monkey Island.

Healthy kids play, relax and dine at Novotel hotels with Brand Ambassador Sally Fitzgibbons and Play School’s Rachael Coopes

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This April, Novotel hotels will launch a range of new wellness offerings for kids including two in-room programs and a healthy menu. Available in time for school holidays, they have been designed to make it easy for the whole family to keep healthy and active during their stay at Novotel hotels across Australia.

Rachael Coopes, well known for her work on Play School and writing award-winning kids theatre, has created the two brand new interactive and fun in-room programs with her production company, Mini Productions. Rachel also stars in the programs alongside Novotel Brand Ambassador and pro-surfer Sally Fitzgibbons. ‘The Wonderful World of Shapes’ is energetic and encourages active play while also teaching kids about different shapes.

Fitzgibbons has also worked with Novotel to design a new kids menu, perfect for little tummies. The menu features classics including spaghetti bolognese with hidden vegetables, fruit smoothies and tasty desserts like berries and yoghurt. Kids can easily navigate the healthiest items on the menu, clearly marked with a thumbs up. And when they’ve eaten all their dinner the little ones can have fun colouring in the printed menus which feature a range of fun cartoon characters designed exclusively for Novotel hotels.

The Darling named Sydney’s only Five-Star Hotel for the 2nd year running by Forbes Travel Guide in Official 2018 Star Awards

Forbes Travel Guide has unveiled its annual 2018 Star Award Winners, again bestowing the highest ranking of five stars to The Darling at The Star, the first and only hotel in New South Wales to receive top honours for the 2nd year running.

A Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating is the most coveted award in the global luxury travel sector. Setting the gold standard in the hospitality industry since 1958, the iconic properties awarded five stars are considered outstanding with virtually flawless service and facilities.

First awarded five stars in 2017, The Darling continues to sit alongside top international luxury brands such as The Peninsula Hotel Group, Four Seasons Hotel Group, Rosewood, The Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental.

Located at The Star Sydney, The Darling has been a key feature of Sydney’s leading entertainment destination since it opened in 2011. The hotel was designed as a stand-alone structure, with its own arrival experience, amenities and alluring personality.

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