Big Fat Hotel Wrap
We bring you the best of this week’s hotel news that you can’t find anywhere else. Well, you could but it won’t come with any bad jokes or puns.
Asia Leisure – Prestigious Sri Lanka hotels now represented in Australia
With a growing portfolio of luxury hotels, Asia Leisure has selected Exposure Downunder to represent them across Australia New Zealand.
Asia Leisure, part of the Asia Capital Group of Companies, the largest investment bank to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, currently owns and operates four of the finest boutique properties in Sri Lanka.
Collectively as a group, Asia Leisure are recognised as being:
– A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
– A winner of Best Small Hotel at the International Hotel Awards
– A member of Mr & Mrs Smith
With each of the properties holding a distinct identity and unique personality, agents can be rest assured that Asia Leisure will cater to the unique tastes of their select and discerning clientele.
The River House, Balapitiya is an escape to sheer seclusion on the banks of the beautiful Madhu River. The River House has five uniquely designed spacious suites and is set in 13 hectares of lush garden.
The River House is ranked as one of CNN Travel’s ‘Sexy Skinny Dip’ spots of the globe and has also been handpicked into a collection of most special escapes in the world by Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Tamarind Hill, Galle. This charming 250-year-old manor house is today a colonial style luxury boutique hotel with 12 rooms (including two suites) and is a Small Luxury Hotel of the World.
Shinagawa Beach, Balapitiya, has an oceanfront like no other and is the epitome of a Sri Lankan beach getaway. You’ll revel in luxury while enjoying this secluded beach which stretches four kilometres. Shinagawa Beach is also a Small Luxury Hotel of the World.
Taprobana, Wadduwa. Located just 45 minutes away from the capital city of Colombo, this luxury beach resort offers a bevy of dining options and banqueting facilities too.
Asia Leisure is now set to offer yet another slice of paradise with The Habitat, in Kosgoda. This 28-room beach resort on a sparkling stretch of beach is set to open later this year. This vibrant and exciting luxury beach property promises a crystal blue ocean, experiences with sea turtles amidst tranquil and magnificent surroundings.
Asia Leisure’s signature āmoda spa, available at each property, brings an entirely new dimension to the spa experience using the ancient healing powers of Ayurveda to combat the stress and strain of today’s modern lifestyles. More than just a spa relaxation experience, the holistic science of Ayurveda leads to total wellness and rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit.
In addition to a “Best Price Guarantee” when booked direct, all guests booked from ANZ agents through Asia Leisure receive a welcome gift on behalf of the agency.
Agents interested in joining a select luxury small group famil’ to Sri Lanka early next year, are encouraged to register their details. For more information: Contact Mark at Exposure Downunder, info@exposuredownunder.com
Sydney’s Tank Stream Hotel becomes the first Australian hotel to use Duetto’s cloud-based Revenue Strategy solutions
Sydney’s newest international hotel, the Tank Stream Hotel, has become the first hotel in Australia to use Duetto’s pace-setting Revenue Strategy applications, complementing the hotel’s commitment to offering cutting-edge technology to its guests.
Duetto’s cloud-based applications, GameChanger and ScoreBoard, provide a comprehensive Revenue Strategy for the property that goes well beyond simply pricing hotel rooms.
GameChanger, the rate optimisation solution powered by Duetto’s Open Pricing philosophy, will enable the Tank Stream Hotel to yield room prices with greater flexibility, drawing on the latest sources of data to measure demand and guests’ price sensitivity. ScoreBoard, the revenue intelligence application, will let the hotel compile and centralise forecasts and performance reports, as well as create and share data visualisations in minutes, to make more informed decisions much faster.
Mantra Group Announce 2017 Awards for Excellence
Leading Australian-based hotel and resort operator, Mantra Group, honoured its highest performers from its 128 properties across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii at its annual Mantra Group Awards for Excellence ceremony held at Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff last week on Thursday 10 August.
The top accolade, General Manager of the Year, was awarded to Fabrice Grau – General Manager of Mantra Mooloolaba Beach. After a stellar year in performance and team member engagement, Mantra Mooloolaba Beach was also named Mantra Property of the Year.
The region of North Queensland also triumphed on the night, winning the Corporate Social Responsibility Award for the second consecutive year. The region raised over $51,000 for the Luke Batty Foundation in FY2017 through various fundraising events.
Announcing Four Seasons Hotel Sydney’s Ballroom Renovation
The city’s most prestigious events venue will be reborn next month, with Four Seasons Hotel Sydney undertaking a major renovation to its iconic pillarless Grand Ballroom.
Officially launching 7 September, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney’s new ballroom will feature a stunning contemporary design and some of the most exciting advanced technology available in Australasia.
Taking centrestage of the renovation is the installation of a 12-metre-wide by 3.5-metre-high LED screen – four times larger than a traditional projector screen – which will run impressively sharp 4K video and high resolution imagery with spectacular sound to match.
Delivered in partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Sydney’s in-house audio-visual specialists AVPartners, the new modular cinema-style screen will provide endless, cost effective visual, theming and transformative opportunities for events in the new Grand Ballroom.
To complement the technology, the ballroom and pre-function foyer will be transformed with elegant interiors by award-winning Australian architects, Bates Smart, featuring Art Deco-inspired chandeliers, fluted glass, polished stone and brass, and cream tones.
The Grand Ballroom renovation follows the July opening of the hotel’s much anticipated new restaurantMode Kitchen & Bar, and recent launch of the new Lounge 32 executive club overlooking Sydney Harbour.
FLASH SALE now on at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
A favourite with travellers from down under, Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur are offering Aussie and New Zealand travel agents 25 per cent off the contract rates on Premier category rooms PLUS upgrade to the Club premier category.
This means when you book clients into a Premier Room, not only do you save 25 per cent on the cost of accommodation, your clients will also receive a FREE upgrade to a Club Premier room.
The Club Premier Rooms and Club Premier Suites are located on the 17th and 20th floor of the hotel and enjoy impressive views over the Kuala Lumpur skyline.
Amongst the benefits guests can enjoy when booking Club room categories are: a convenient 24- hour personalised check-in and check-out service, complimentary access to the newly opened Club Lounge which includes daily breakfast, tea & coffee throughout the day and drinks and canapes of an evening.
The stars continue to shine in Port Douglas: Moonlight Cinema continues with big blockbuster Films until October!
Yatule Resort & Spa, Fiji
Yatule Resort & Spa located on the iconic Natadola Beach have a short life 35 per cent off special for travel 30 Aug – 30 Sept 2017 (closeouts 22/25 Sept) and sales to 25 Sept 2017.
The offer is valid on their Beachfront & Deluxe Beachfront Bures and include a daily breakfast and two ½ hour massages per bure. Wholesalers have details.
Aga Reef Resort, Samoa
Aga Reef Resort in Samoa currently has a 30 per cent off special for sales to 31 August 2017 and travel 01 November 2017 -31 March 2018 . In addition to the 30 per cent off , there’s free return Airport transfers from Faleolo International Airport to the resort , daily breakfasts & a free WST$200 food & beverage credit per room. Wholesalers have details.
Tangalooma hosts the superheros of the Kids’ Cancer Project on their 10,000km journey to raise awareness
Tangalooma Island Resort’s whale watching cruise was taken over by some of Australia’s unknown superhero last week as the Kids’ Cancer Project team made their way down the Eastern Coastline to raise awareness for their cause.
The Kid’s Cancer Project Founder, Col Reynolds, is driving his brightly coloured bus nearly 10,000kms starting in his hometown of Townsville and stopping in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT before arriving in Sydney on 1 September.
Cancer kills more children than any other disease in Australia which is why Col felt compelled to take to the road in what has been named ‘The Science Project’, with the mission to tell all Australians that kids with cancer need science.
The partnership between Tangalooma Island Resort and The Kids’ Cancer Project was driven by Resort Manager, Brianna Preobrajensky and her own personal experience with her son Oscar’s battle with cancer.
Oscar’s battle with cancer a few years ago inspired Brianna to initiate the partnership, which for the second year running sees five dollars donated to The Kids’ Cancer Project for every whale sighted from the Tangalooma Jet.
Luxury accommodation provider, Luxico, acquires technology startup, Hello Scout
Luxico, Australia’s leading supplier of luxury homes, has out-innovated competitors in the prestige “home-hotel” sector by acquiring Hello Scout, a personalisation and text messaging technology for hotels. The acquisition underlines Luxico’s commitment to delivering sophisticated concierge solutions to travellers staying at their premium holiday homes. The terms of the deal are undisclosed and Luxico plans to start using the technology immediately.
Luxico guests will receive an email on confirming their reservations and are invited to download the app. They can choose to contact their local expert via SMS or the app itself to access memorable local attractions.
Unlike in-lobby concierges, the Hello Scout development allows guests to use the service even when they aren’t in their accommodation. And there is no danger of being restricted to a shady network of concierge-commission establishments. Luxico’s 20 concierge assistants will be savvy, street-wise experts, sensitive to guest demographics, who can deliver a genuine local experience.
This may involve steering a Luxico guest to a landmark restaurant, a secret picnic spot, or a memorable craft beer trail – a raft of insider experiences that will allow the guest to share the favourite experiences of well-informed locals.
Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, set to introduce a new level of luxury to Sri Lanka
The world’s largest luxury hotel brand reveals insight into the globe’s most exquisite seasonal dishes
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has created a new global Culinary Calendar, designed to be a snapshot of five-star seasonal dishes for food and travel enthusiasts around the world. The new seasonal map showcases world-class dining experiences available to guests throughout the year, in every corner of the globe.
From unique dining destinations to signature dishes created by an enviable roster of renowned chefs, the Culinary Calendar illustrates the brand’s unwavering commitment to offering the best seasonal and local cuisines; a practice which over seven decades, has seen InterContinental Hotels & Resorts establish itself as the ideal getaway for luxury leisure and business travellers with a discerning palate.
Across the Pacific Ocean to Japan, the Winter menu at InterContinental-ANA Tokyo offers guests Tokyo’s highest grade Blowfish Sashimi. For lovers of lobster, InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam is the place to visit in Spring, with the famous and locally sourced Blue Lobster.
Plating up 81 million meals annually, it takes a team of highly skilled and dedicated chefs to maintain InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ luxury dining legacy. With several Michelin-starred restaurants across the portfolio and a team of internationally acclaimed chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, Theo Randall, Jason Atherton, Alain Ducasse, and Martha Ortiz, who is soon to join the team, the brand remains at the forefront of luxury travel and dining.
The eighth annual Westin Princeville Jazz and Wine Festival: Kaua‘i’s Best Chefs, World-Class Wines and Live Jazz
Hawai‘i kama‘āina and visitors are invited to mingle and savor an evening under the stars at the eighth annual Westin Princeville Jazz and Wine Festival on Saturday 16 September, presented by The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the resort’s main lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean high above Anini Beach.
The evening will feature an array of wine, island-inspired cuisine and lively jazz music headlined by Adagio. The proceeds from the event’s annual silent auction will benefit the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association (KLA).
Set against a backdrop of Kaua‘i’s pristine north shore, the Westin Princeville Jazz and Wine Festival offers a wide range of dishes from the island’s premier chefs, including the resort’s Nanea Restaurant & Bar and Wailele Bar, Kauai Marriott Resort, Hukilau Lanai, Piazza, April’s Aloha Cakes and more.
Guests will have the chance to pair the delicious fare with more than 30 wines from a variety of sought-after vineyards. The night’s entertainment will kick off with taiko drumming by Joyful Noise, an ‘ukulele jazz performance by Benny Chong and guests, and Adagio’s feature performance.
Dive into Paradise with new Club Med Manta Exclusive Space, Maldives
Leader in premium all-inclusive holidays, Club Med, has relaunched the Manta exclusive space at Club Med Kani in the Maldives. Located on the island of Kanifinolhu, the luxury space features 75 overwater suites and is a refined private extension of the existing Club Med Kani. With a range of exclusive new services and activities for guests, Manta offers the ideal getaway for Australian couples.
Surrounded by aquamarine waters, white sandy beaches, abundant marine life and endless sunshine, the natural beauty of the Maldives creates a slice of paradise on earth. Located in the northern Atolls, the Manta exclusive space is about 35 minutes away via boat ride from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Malé.
Guests are pampered the moment they arrive to the Manta exclusive space, with exclusive VIP check-in at the Manta Concierge, priority reservations at the Kandu Specialty Restaurant, exclusive cocktails by the beach, weekly private snorkelling tours, and more. Designed with romance and seclusion in mind, guests will experience the perfect union of exclusivity and excitement.
QT Melbourne partners with Melbourne Fashion Week 2017
With a stellar line up showcasing the very best in Australian fashion, QT has packaged together the ultimate fashion experience for those wanting to immerse themselves in the fashion event of the season.
Peter Kuruvita and Pan Pacific Perth team up for a High Tea Inspired Dilmah Taste Journey this August
Pan Pacific Perth is delighted to be again partnering with Peter Kuruvita, Restaurateur and Dilmah Ambassador for a special High Tea Series in Origins restaurant on 26th and 27th August 2017.
The long-standing collaboration between Pan Pacific Hotels Group and Dilmah has seen guests partake in a high tea revolution that has taken the afternoon ritual to a whole new level. Guests will enjoy an arrival tea cocktail and then indulge in a unique array of tea-infused sweet and savoury bites crafted by Peter himself. This is taking tea beyond the cup and the world famous chef will be on hand to chat and meet guests for these four special High Teas.
“I can’t wait to get back to Western Australia and the beautiful city of Perth. Join me for delicious treats matched with Ceylon’s finest single origin Dilmah tea while I share my experiences with this ancient herb” comments Peter Kuruvita
High Tea with Peter Kuruvita is held on the 26th and 27th August for two sittings each day at 11:30am to 2:00pm and 2:30pm to 5:00pm. Cost is $65 per person. Bookings essential. To purchase your tickets please call: 08 9224 7777 or go to the website.
Latest News from Dorchester Collection
Located in some of the most iconic destinations in the world, Dorchester Collection hotels are offering a selection of exciting packages for guests to enjoy. From the polo experience days at Coworth Park and the Chef Dinner series at Hotel Bel-Air, to the unique ‘Discover Italy’ package combining a two-city stay at Dorchester Collection’s Italian hotels, the below is a taster of what Dorchester Collection has to offer:
Discover Italy
This summer, Dorchester Collection has created an enticing new package, encouraging guests to explore the ancient and fashionable sights of Rome and Milan. The package includes a first-class ticket on a high-speed train between the two cities and overnight accommodation at Hotel Eden and Hotel Principe di Savoia for two nights or more. Guests can also enjoy access to the hotels’ luxury spa and complimentary limousine transfers to discover the historical centres of Rome and Milan.
The Dorchester, London
Dorchester Collection’s iconic hotel, The Dorchester, is encouraging guests to experience London with the Step into Summer package. Indulge with a luxury spa treatment and treat yourself to dinner in one of our acclaimed restaurants.
45 Park Lane, London
Coworth Park, Ascot
Le Meurice, Paris
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
Hôtel Plaza Athénée’s executive pastry chef, Angelo Musa, and pastry chef, Alexandre Dufeu, have collaborated to create three deliciously refreshing desserts, especially for diners at La Terrasse Montaigne. The almost guilt-free delicacies, ideal for being low in sugar and calories, include a delightful combination of Strawberry Granita, Exotic Fruits and Coconut Granita and Raspberry and Lychee Granita, excellent for cooling down on a hot summer’s day.
Le Richemond, Geneva
Dorchester Collection’s Genevan property, Le Richemond, has launched a new and original experience, inviting guests into the enigmatic world of coloured stones with the jewelry house Gübelin. Known for its jewellery, gemstone and watch expertise, Gübelin will provide guests with a comprehensive and interactive gemology masterclass. While enjoying a carefully selected seasonal ‘Diamond Cocktail’, a lucky guest will have the opportunity to win their very own diamond.
Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan
Hotel Eden, Rome
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
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