Big Fat Hotel Wrap
This week in the world of hotels sees a new appointment for booking.com, Halcyon House is hotter than ever, Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney ups its accessibility game and ibis just makes us all want to stay for the milkshakes.
ibis making epic milkshakes
AccorHotels ibis brand has jumped on the freakshake bandwagon, inviting guests to shake up their stay and tastebuds with its dangerously decadent new Shimmy Shake range.
Made to please with social media-minded millennial fans and milkshake aficionados in mind, the indulgent new menu is bursting with personality.
Three retro-inspired flavours have been designed to meet the demand for quirky, visually over-the-top drinks that will prompt customers to ‘virtually’ share and enjoy with their friends and followers online.
Not for the fainthearted, flavours include:
- The Salted Caramel – a showstopper topped with caramelised popcorn and waffle
- The sweet and salty Nutella shake – served with rocky road and pretzels
- A classic Strawberry shake with a twist – with pavlova meringue and fresh strawberries.
Priced at $7 each, all ibis Shimmy Shakes are served in vintage mason jars with fresh cream and are available now at participating ibis hotels across Australia.
Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels Pacific said the trend for fun, oversized beverages doesn’t seem to be fading primarily thanks to millennials who love social media bragging rights, and families who’ve embraced the ‘freak shake’ phenomenon as a special treat for their kids.
Halcyon House just gets hotter
Halcyon House, one of Australia’s most unique beachside hotels, is celebrating with the announcement it has been awarded the 2016 Condé Nast Traveler HOT LIST Award. The former surf motel turned luxury hotel, situated at one of the country’s best surf breaks in Cabarita Beach, Northern NSW, is in an extraordinary region that remains one of the country’s best kept secrets.
Since purchasing the site in 2011, Halcyon House’s owners, Brisbane-based sisters Siobhan and Elisha Bickle always believed the hotel would hit the right note. “We are thrilled to win this award. Our vision was to create something that was completely different to what was currently being offered in Australia, a boutique hotel with a low key Australian feel, one which pairs the beauty of location, with relaxed understated elegance and intuitive service. Such an accolade in our first year of opening doors is testament to the team holding true and achieving this vision.” said Siobhan Bickle.
The hotel has shot to stardom since opening its doors in May 2015 for its distinctive interior design by acclaimed designer Anna Spiro, complete with every room’s grouping of vintage cameos, mirrors, seascapes and collected coastal ephemera, that is so distinct that it has joined Instagram and Pintrest fame as the ‘Halcyon Hang’.
Booking.com appoints new Oceania regional manager
Booking.com has appointed Tracey Foxall as its Oceania Regional Manager. Foxall will oversee operations across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Island in her new position, while her incumbent Alberto Yates returns to Italy to take on a new role with the company.
Alongside the teams in Booking.com’s four Oceania offices (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland), Tracey will be responsible for ensuring the continued growth of Booking.com whilst continuing to play a key role in the support of the company’s existing accommodation partners. Having previously managed Booking.com’s New Zealand operations, Tracey’s appointment comes alongside the announcement of colleague Luke Ashall’s promotion to her past role.
Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney to offer accessible stays for disabled guests
Accomable, a global platform for finding adapted hotels and vacation rentals for disabled and elderly people, has teamed up with the five-star Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney as the first metropolitan hotel on the website to offer guests innovative, design-led and accessible accommodation in the heart of Sydney.
Through the Accomable website, disabled travellers will be able to see and book Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney’s new accessible hotel rooms, which have been upgraded as part of the hotel’s $12 million re-design, and feature trademark large windows and high ceilings, as well as larger showers, an accessible toilet and an adjusted bed, desk and basin height.
Currently featuring over 500 specially adapted properties for disabled and elderly people worldwide, Accomable worked with popular Australian blogger, Julie Jones of Have Wheelchair Will Travel. Julie, who writes about travels with her family and son who has cerebral palsy, recommended Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney, and advised the hotel during its re-design project.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
booking.com Halcyon House ibis Radisson Blu Plaza SydneyLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.