This hotel wrap is one of our best and brightest. Although we’re not saying you need sunglasses to read it.

TFE Hotels to open Travelodge Hotel in Auckland

Auckland’s newest waterfront neighbourhood, Wynyard Quarter, will soon be home to a new Travelodge Hotel, managed by TFE Hotels, on the corner of Pakenham Street West and Halsey Street in mid-2020.

The hotel will add a much-needed mid-tier accommodation offering to the precinct, which attracts thousands of workers and visitors each week. A number of multi-national companies have head offices there including Air New Zealand, Microsoft, Datacom, IBM and Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest company.

Wynyard Quarter was first redeveloped seven years ago and has a host of new upmarket retail, residential and commercial developments in its pipeline, ahead of the America’s Cup in 2021. It is home to the chic bars and restaurants of North Wharf, as well as Silo Park, ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and the Auckland Theatre Company.  It is estimated that up to 5000 residents and 25,000 workers will be based there in the next decade.

TFE Hotels has partnered with energy, transport and infrastructure investor Infratil, who will develop the striking new Travelodge Hotel as part of a development of six new buildings. Construction is about to begin on the 6 storey L-shaped hotel, which will have 154 guest rooms and a ground floor restaurant. The design by Peddle Thorp Aitken architects includes 1800 square metre ground floor retail area and an adjoining multi-level car park.

Swiss-Belhotel celebrates grand opening of first international hotel in Serang, Banten

Swiss-Belhotel International, the global hospitality management chain, has celebrated the grand opening of Swiss-Belinn Modern Cikande, a stylish new midscale hotel in Banten, the westernmost province of Java, Indonesia.

This landmark opening marks the arrival of the first internationally-branded hotel in Serang, Banten’s capital, and to mark this occasion a major launch party was held on 27 September 2018 featuring traditional dance performances, speeches from top executives and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Ideally situated within a business park in Serang, and with a choice of accommodation for short and extended stays, Swiss-Belinn Modern Cikande will be perfectly suited to corporate travellers. The hotel is also just 100km from downtown Jakarta and easily accessible from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, while the industrial city of Cilegon and the new corporate hub of Karawaci are just a short drive away.

Swiss-Belinn Modern Cikande features a total of 165 contemporary rooms and suites, all featuring work areas and international amenities including 42-inch LED TVs, Wi-Fi, universal power outlets, laptop-sized electronic safes and rain showers. There are also 12 one-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and separate living areas for guests who need to stay a little longer.

Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket introduces Sanctuary Wellbeing

Award-winning international hotel brand, Banyan Tree, has launched Sanctuary Wellbeing at Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket to bring greater awareness to one‟s body and balance modern urbanites‟ lifestyles by combining enriching wellbeing activities, indulgent spa treatments and inspirational cultural immersions in one holistic holiday experience.

Inspired by Nature, Sanctuary Wellbeing is built on the value of sustaining a harmonious balance to all aspects of wellbeing. Each week, there are 50 different activities designed to achieve improvement in multiple aspects of one‟s life. Guests enjoy the flexibility and freedom of choice to participate in unlimited wellbeing activities that raise body awareness, encourage mindful practice, improve fitness and support lifestyle enrichment. Each activity is interactive, teaches simple changes for maximum impact and benefits overall wellbeing. Insightful cultural immersions are also interspersed throughout Sanctuary Wellbeing‟s weekly calendar, each providing a unique insight to the local culture with opportunities to experience the quintessential elements of Thai wellness practices and the local community‟s way of life.

Apart from wellbeing activities, Sanctuary Wellbeing also adopts a multi-pronged approach to wellbeing with indulgent spa treatments by the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa for sensorial rejuvenation and curated sleep rituals for deep restorative rest. A wealth of experience, knowledge and activities set the stage for a fulfilling holiday experience with take-home insights to continue and maintain a sustainable and enriching wellbeing journey.

Bannisters Port Stephens Opens for Spring 

Occupying the beachfront of Soldier’s Point in Port Stephens, Bannisters has opened the doors to its third luxury boutique hotel in NSW. Featuring 78 rooms; four luxury suites; a penthouse; fifty rooms with picture frame waters views and forest and bushland outlooks, the latest Bannisters has been designed to make the most of its position and the best views of Port Stephens and its landscape.

The lofty, double-height lobby opens onto a stunning infinity pool and bar. Bannisters Port Stephens has two distinct food offerings featuring the celebrated Rick Stein at Bannisters by Sarah and Rick Stein, which has been designed to transition seamlessly from light filled lunches enjoying the water views, to intimate and textured interiors in the evening. The Terrace Bar, best suited for casual dining includes steamed bao buns, fish tacos, haloumi salad, burgers, grilled barramundi, scotch fillet and Archie Rose gin and tonic cheesecake.

Bannisters general manager, Peter Bacon, says: “Bannisters by the Sea and its sister property Bannisters Pavilion, both in Mollymook on the NSW South Coast, have become favourite destinations for Sydneysiders, Canberrans and international visitors, many of whom are drawn to the barefoot luxury on offer and Rick Stein’s cuisine. It was a natural progression to expand to the Port Stephens area when the right site became available.

Countdown To Chiva-Som Re-Opening

The much-anticipated re-opening of Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Hua Hin on 1 November 2018 is on schedule with this acclaimed Thailand property nearing completion of its current refurbishment program which commenced in May for the temporary period of closure.

New and refreshed guest experiences will include the unveiling of more spacious Thai Pavilions in a contemporary Thai style and stunning new Thai Pavilion Suite accommodation featuring a glass-walled private space for around six guests, set amidst the tranquil gardens and suitable for private breakfast, lunch and dinner, meditation or just for relaxing.

The Emerald Room will be brighter to give a fresh and relaxing ambience inside or on the terrace for breakfast, lunch and dinner while The Orchid Lounge will offer a new layout and style that includes a juice bar and live music corner as guests enjoy an extensive choice of mocktails, teas and other refreshments.

All components are set and overseen by expert health professionals including consulting doctors, naturopaths, fitness instructors, spa therapists, nutritionists and alternative health practitioners.

Reservations are available to book throughout from 1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019 when Chiva-Som will again close temporarily for the next phase of refurbishment for re-opening 1 November 2019.