This week’s Hotel Wrap is so big that you’ll probably need to take a break or two from reading it. Pace yourself.

Accor to bring Fairmont brand Down Under

Accor will bring the luxury Fairmont brand to Australia for the first time, with Fairmont Port Douglas set to open in Far North Queensland in 2023.

Set on the edge of two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest – the hotel has been sustainably designed to give back to the environment.

Fairmont Port Douglas will boast 253 rooms, several restaurants and bars, a decadent day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities, all designed around resort-style pools and built to blend seamlessly with nature.

In other Accor news, Members of ALL – Accor Live Limitless can earn up to 6,000 reward points when they complete three stays of two nights across Accor Hotels & Resorts by 15 December 2020.

Members of ALL are eligible to earn 500 bonus reward points on their first stay, 2,500 bonus reward points on their second stay and 3,000 bonus reward points for their third stay at participating Accor properties across the Asia Pacific.

Ovolo introduces South Yarra property

Ovolo Group has continued its expansion with the announcement of Ovolo South Yarra.

The latest addition to Ovolo’s collection is located right near the famed intersection of Toorak Road and Chapel Street in Melbourne’s cultural hub of South Yarra.

The new property is a blend of “past, present and progressive – a place where retro-chic and pop art meet”.

At the heart of the 123 rooms and suites is Ovolo’s ‘effortless living’ philosophy, experienced through seamless technology integration and intuitive design.

Each room will infuse retro-plush, with accents of chrome and colour, including four ‘Rockstar’ suites all named after the era’s most iconic, lyrical lovers.

They display an injection of energy through custom bold graphic wallpapers that jump off the walls, feature bespoke joinery pieces and plush pattern heavy furnishings.

Ovolo South Yarra is located at 230 Toorak Road, South Yarra and will launch in the first quarter of 2021.

In other Ovolo news, designer hotel Ovolo The Valley is offering guests the chance to immerse themselves in a creative collision of sound and art in a physical and virtual way with REMIX HOTEL​.

A COVID-safe festival experience, REMIX HOTEL has been curated to be a celebration of sound, and cultural response in support of the music industry.

In collaboration with ​Ovolo, XR Events​ has reimagined a music and lifestyle festival experience in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley on the second weekend of October.

Guests can heck in for a weekend of exclusive international DJ sets broadcast from ​Groove Armada​ (London), the father of house music ​Marshall Jefferson​ (Manchester) and ​Jason Bye​ (Ibiza) as well as local artists such as ​Rachel May, Groove Terminator​ and ​Mark James​.

Tickets are on sale now here.

In-room meditation now streaming at QT Hotels & Resorts

This week, QT Hotels & Resorts is rolling out ‘Get Grounded, Gorgeous’ – always-on, in-room meditations streaming nationwide in partnership with Soul Alive’s Luke Mcleod.

The guided practices are tailored to guests travelling/staycation-ing for both business and leisure and are split into three categories: Recharge, Relax and Kickstart. They’re designed to be listened to from the comfort of a QT bed or even a bathtub!

Byron at Byron launches ‘Crystalbrook Local’ for Northern Rivers residents

Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, has launched ‘Crystalbrook Local’, a loyalty program offering exclusive discounts to Northern Rivers residents.

Members of Crystalbrook Local will receive 15 per cent off restaurants, bars, stays and spa experiences at Byron at Byron. Local residents who join the program prior to 7 October 2020 will also receive a complimentary drink.

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley partners with Fluidform

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley has announced an exciting addition to its current wellness offering, created in partnership with Sydney-based Pilates studio Fluidform.

To celebrate the collaboration, Fluidform founder and renowned Australian Pilates instructor Kirsten King will host an exclusive wellness weekend at the resort from the 20 to 22 November this year.

During the Fluidform, wellness escape guests will have the opportunity to take part in a series of bespoke Pilates classes, treated to nourishing gourmet meals by newly appointed executive ehef James Viles, and access to the resort’s One&Only Spa.

Club Med offers further support for Aussie guests

Following the announcement by the federal government that international travel restrictions will continue until December, Club Med has announced further support for Australian travellers.

To ensure travellers have peace of mind, Club Med has introduced new flexible policies to allow guests to rebook and replan their international holidays with ease (conditions apply, of course):

• Rebook 2020 holiday the following year (same destination, dates and guests) for the same price.
• Receive a Future Travel Credit for the full amount paid for the resort stay, to be redeemed for travel to any Club Med resort worldwide.

Nanuku Auberge launches ‘Learn, Work and Play’ guest packages

As adults and children continue to work remotely, Nanuku Auberge Resort has unveiled ‘Remote with Auberge’.

A company-wide initiative across all 18 Auberge Resorts Collection properties aimed to provide guests with the comfort and space of home combined with luxurious resort amenities to work, learn and play seamlessly.

Working and schooling from home no longer need be tedious. Guests can simply pack their laptop and reinvigorate their approach to work; enjoying conference calls, online meetings and emails poolside – cocktails optional!

Check out the resort’s website for more details.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island, Fiji partner with Fiji Kids Learning for Life charity

Outrigger Fiji properties are proudly supporting Fiji Kids Learning for Life a registered kids charity (within Australia and Fiji), dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Fiji through education and assisting disadvantaged kids in local communities.

The renowned Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island Fiji have partnered with the charity by offering a seven-night accommodation package, including breakfast daily and local transfers, as part of a raffle prize.

There will be a live draw of the raffle on 5 December 2020 at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort announcing the successful participants.

For those interested in supporting the initiative, click here.

In other Outrigger news, Outrigger Konotta Resort is introducing PCR testing support for those guests required to provide a negative PCR test certificate upon their return travel journey.

Work underway on new TAA headquarters

Major construction work has begun on the brand-new NSW headquarters of Tourism Accommodation Australia in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

TAA national and NSW chief Michael Johnson said despite the challenges of COVID-19, work was “full steam ahead” refurbishing the top floor of the heritage-listed Culwulla Chambers in Castlereagh Street.

Johnson said the penthouse is 380 square metres and features a glass atrium, interconnecting terrace, full kitchen, bathroom and shower facilities, meeting areas, glass ceilings, and city skyline views.

In other news, the TAA has urged the Victorian government to provide greater clarity around the conditions under which accommodation hotels will be able to operate under the ‘Roadmap for Reopening’.

Dougall Hollis, general manager of the TAA for Victoria, acknowledged the health imperatives that underpin government decisions with respect to restrictions, but said clear guidance is necessary to prevent the state’s accommodation industry sustaining prolonged financial damage.

Aman Nai Lert Residences Bangkok to debut in 2023

Aman has signed a long-term partnership with Nai Lert Park Development to manage Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, which will comprise of branded residences as well as a luxury hotel slated for completion in 2023.

Nestled in the century-old tropical gardens of Nai Lert Park, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will offer a unique connection to the rich heritage and history of Bangkok enhanced by the gracious traditions of Thailand.

A haven of calm amid the leafy embrace of its namesake park, stylish and luxurious residences will rise from its leafy canopy alongside a 52-suite Aman hotel.

Chiva-Som offers trio of complimentary online wellness services

Chiva-Som, the international health and wellness resort based in Hua Hin, Thailand is offering three complimentary online wellness services for people around the world to join.

All they need to do is register and fill in their details for sessions they are interested in. Chiva-Som’s health and wellness team will then send across the link to the session for the date.

Visit the resort’s website for more info.

Hilton opens first Conrad property in Mexico

Mexico’s coveted Riviera Nayarit has welcomed the official opening of Conrad Punta de Mita – Hilton’s first-ever Conrad brand resort in Mexico, and the second Conrad brand property in the country.

Situated beside the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific on a two-mile-long beach, the opening of the 324-room property invites travellers to discover contemporary luxury.

AHA welcomes WA government’s latest tourism initiatives

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has applauded the state government’s initiative to encourage Western Australians to have a unique holiday in Perth’s metropolitan region using local hotels, hospitality and entertainment venues and tour businesses.

AHA(WA) CEO Bradley woods said the support of the WA government and Tourism WA comes at a critical time when some Perth hotels have occupancy at levels at less than 10 per cent.

“Without international and interstate business and leisure travellers, hotels and other businesses in Perth’s CBD are experiencing very low occupancy levels, so we strongly welcome innovative campaigns to encourage Western Australians to have short holidays,” he said.

The AHA (WA) has also welcomed the state government’s new ‘Work and Wander out Yonder’ campaign to entice Western Australians to complete a working holiday in regional areas of the state.

However, the association did warn that keeping the state’s border closed comes at a cost.

Woods said while WA is in a fortunate economic position, keeping its border closed means the burden is being borne by Perth hotels and some parts of the state’s remote tourism sector, with careers lost and employment opportunities sacrificed.

“If a vaccine for COVID-19 is still a long way off, there will be even more long-term negative implications,” he said.

“We must also plan to protect Western Australia from losing not just tourism, but also conferences and the convention industry.”

“As other states open borders and people are free to travel, they will be sure to steal business away from WA.”

Moxy Hotels expands in Japan

Nestled amidst one of the main city centres in Osaka, the 288-room Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda officially opened its doors last week.

Conveniently located in the Umeda district, Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda is just a five-minute walk from Fukushima Station.

Sabre sings new central reservations agreement with Yukai Resort 

Sabre Corporation has announced a new agreement with Yukai Resort in Japan, which is renowned for its Onsen Ryokan, or hot spring, properties.

Yukai Resort will use Sabre’s SynXis Central Reservations system along with the SynXis Booking Engine with Channel Connect and Voice Agent across its 29 properties to control all reservations in real-time from one platform.

Courtyard by Marriott makes its debut in Malaysia

Courtyard by Marriott has announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Penang – the first Courtyard debut in Malaysia.

Located along the bustling Jalan Macalister in the heart of Penang’s UNESCO-listed George Town, the new hotel features 199 rooms and suites designed to be smart and spacious, boasting 360-degree, unobstructed views of Georgetown and the Straits of Malacca.

Quest to manage new hotel near ‘Shark Park’

Rugby league fans will soon be able to book accommodation just metres from the famous ‘Shark Park’, located in the exciting $1 billlion Woolooware Bay Town Centre development in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

Quest has signed on to manage the new 71-room apartment hotel, which is set to attract interstate business travellers and international sporting teams.

Set over three levels, Quest Woolooware Bay will include conference facilities, a gymnasium and an external garden terrace with views overlooking the home of the Cronulla Sharks NRL team, officially known as PointsBet Stadium.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World reveals 500 global winners of #SLHFORHEROES

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced its 500 nominated winners of its global campaign #SLHFORHEROES, rewarding 1,000 room nights to those on the frontline who have supported their communities through the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.

The #SLHFORHEROES campaign recognised those that went above and beyond to help others during the coronavirus outbreak.

Winners, chosen on the merit of their nomination by the SLH team and an external judge have each been rewarded with a two-night stay at one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties.

Fresh perks for Ascott Star Rewards members

CapitaLand’s wholly-owned lodging business unit, Ascott, is offering members of its loyalty program more perks through a points exchange initiative with CapitaStar, Singapore’s leading lifestyle and shopping rewards program.

Ascott has also launched a new Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) membership status match initiative that will enable existing ASR members and members of other hospitality loyalty program to accelerate their progress to higher ASR membership tiers to enjoy even more benefits.

Existing ASR members or new members who are able to show proof of an elite membership status in a loyalty program with other hospitality groups and a stay with these other groups within the last 18 months will enjoy a matching elite membership status of either Silver, Gold or Platinum status with ASR.

Furthermore, Ascott has opened Citadines Islington London – the newest addition to its Citadines’ Apart’hotel portfolio in Europe.

The property in the heart of Islington was acquired in April 2016 through Ascott’s serviced residence global fund with Qatar Investment Authority.

The 108-unit serviced residence has been delivered by privately held real estate investment firm Cain International.

COMO Cocoa Island reopens in the Maldives after substantial renovations

COMO Cocoa Island – the Maldivian private island resort in South Malé Atoll, a 40-minute speedboat ride from the international airport – reopened to guests earlier this month after a substantial renovation.

The resort’s renovation emphasises the island’s natural elegance, while giving guests even more space and time to focus on their wellbeing.

A third of the private island is occupied by COMO Shambhala Retreat. Facilities are spread out to maximise feelings of privacy and quiet, with hammocks and swings strung from trees.

There are only four treatment rooms, two of which have been expanded to accommodate couples, and a new Pilates studio has been added.

The yoga studio, which sits in an elevated position to take in the 360-degree lagoon views, is open-sided to allow for the natural flow of sea breezes.

COMO Cocoa Island hydrotherapy pool is now among the most significant such facilities in The Maldives, and is used for specialised water-based treatments, including joint-mobilising massage and injury-free exercise.

COMO Hotels and Resorts has also shared the schedule for its ‘Keep Connected’ webinars to update the Australian travel trade friends live from its properties in Bhutan, Thailand, the Maldives, and Bali:

• Bhutan – Wednesday 16 September @ 2pm AEST
• Thailand – Wednesday 23 September @ 2pm AEST
• Maldives – Wednesday 30 September @ 2pm AEST
• Bali – Wednesday 7 October@ 2pm AEST