Seven is this week’s lucky number – seven stories for the Hotel Wrap, and seven shots of espresso to help us through Thursday.

Club Med to build new sustainable resort in Borneo

Club Med has announced plans to open its first resort near Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state, in the northern part of Borneo island in late 2022.

Located at Kuala Penyu Beach – around 90-minutes’ drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport – the “premium” and “all-inclusive” resort will offer a “pristine paradise” where jungle meets white-sand beaches and “crystal-clear” waters.

Club Med is collaborating closely with owners Golden Sands Beach Resort City Sdn Bhd (GSBR) to create the brand’s first large-scale BREEAM-certified beach resort in the Asia Pacific.

This resort is Club Med’s second resort in Malaysia, after Club Med Cherating Beach, an eco-nature getaway located in Pahang.

Marriott celebrates return of Ritz-Carlton’s return to Australia

Marriott International is set to welcome the return of the Ritz-Carlton brand to Australia, with the opening of the Ritz-Carlton, Perth on 15 November.

Marking the occasion, the hospitality company welcomed business executives and brand leaders to a dinner celebration, including property developer John Boyd, and Carla Zampatti’s advisor board member Philip Corne.

The opening of the Ritz-Carlton, Perth will represent the brand’s 100^th property.

JW Marriott has announced the opening of the brand’s Maldives Resort & Spa on Vagaru Island, Shaviyani Atoll in the Maldives.  The opening marks the entry of the brand on Vagaru Island, which is around an hour’s journey by seaplane from the Maldives’ capital, Male.

Image: Aerial view of Beach Pool Villa Sunrise at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa/Marriott International

The resort features 60 spacious villas starting at approximately 234 sq. metres, including private pools and wooden sunbathing decks. Duplex Overwater Pool Villas and single-story Overwater Pool Villas are set on stilts overlooking the Indian Ocean, with a choice of sunrise or sunset views.

ATO levels the GST playing field for Australian hotel room sales

There is now a level playing field between domestic and offshore sellers of commercial accommodation, like hotels, thanks to a change in the way goods and services tax (GST) is charged, the Australian Associated Press has reported.

Offshore sellers of Australian commercial accommodation (including online sellers) now need to add GST when selling Australian-based accommodation, when these sales exceed $75,000 in a 12-month period.

The change means regardless of whether you book an Australian hotel room through a domestic or offshore seller, GST will now apply, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) deputy commissioner Deborah Jenkins told the AAP.

Donald Trump’s company to explore sale of Washington hotel

Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C./The Trump Organization

The President of the United States Donald Trump’s company is reportedly exploring the sale of its Washington hotel, after nearly three years of ethics complaints and lawsuits accusing him of trying to profit off the presidency, Skift reported.

The Trump Organization said it will consider offers to buy out the 60-year lease on the five-star Trump International Hotel, which, since opening in late 2016, has reportedly become a “magnet” for lobbyists and diplomats looking to gain favour with the administration.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World introduces winter sun escapes

Image: KASA Hotel Parota, Tulum, Mexico, which includes 39 rooms from US$163 (approx.. $238) per night.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has welcomed five new hotels that offer an abundance of winter sun and intense experiences designed to spark all the senses.

Your clients can revel in the pure indulgence of a Mayan Clay Bath Day at KASA Hotel Riviera Maya (Mexico); discover the beauty of Lago Di Como aboard a Riva motorboat at Vista Palazzo (Italy); or savour Caribbean delicacies by the pool at S Hotel Jamaica.

Accor ‘springs’ into partnership with Canberra Pride Festival

LGBTIQ individuals and groups will congregate to Australia’s capital from 2 to 24 November 2019 to celebrate at Canberra’s only month-long Pride Festival, SpringOUT.

This year marks SpringOUT’s 20th Birthday, making it a big year of pride celebrations in Canberra.

To celebrate, Accor hotels in Canberra is offering a 10 per cent discount to those visiting the region across the duration of the festival, with discounted accommodation available at Novotel Canberra, Mercure Canberra, ibis Styles Canberra, ibis Styles Tall Trees and ibis Styles Eaglehawk.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation invests $50 million in new era of urban hotels

Hotel accommodation will get a new twist on the concept of five stars with Australia’s first hospitality real estate fund to integrate energy sustainability in its investment criteria.

Pro-invest’s Australian Hospitality Opportunity Fund II (Fund II) is being backed by a $50 million equity investment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and will build hotels shooting for a 5-star rating under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS).

The Pro-invest Fund II will develop, operate and manage Holiday Inn Express (pictured above) and IHG lifestyle hotels in strategically selected CBD hubs.

With a minimum 25 per cent energy saving on new developments, the Pro-invest Fund II will aim to deliver lower emissions while dramatically reducing energy costs in up to 15 new hotels across Australia.

The new properties will have their own clean energy plans and the latest energy efficiency innovations to further reduce emissions, including low carbon construction techniques, such as cross laminated timber, energy efficient building management systems and heating and cooling equipment.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney launches complimentary heritage tours

On 1 November 2019, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will launch its complimentary heritage tours, offering hotel guests and members of the public a unique opportunity to discover the bygone tales of one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings – the former General Post Office (GPO).

For the first time, tour participants will be able to take a trip down memory lane to explore the building’s vibrant history which has connected Sydney to the wider world through letters, telegrams and the lively phone exchange.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is the latest opening from The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, the brand behind the rejuvenation of Singapore’s Fullerton Heritage precinct located in the heart of the Lion City, including The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.

Sabre announces new GDS media solutions for hoteliers

Sabre Corporation is enhancing the way hoteliers market to the travel agency community as part of its rollout of Content Services for Lodging.

Sabre will introduce a new GDS media solution for hoteliers that will help travel agents find more relevant hotel options based on travellers’ personal preferences including the ability to search by city name, airport code, city code, points of interest, geo location, custom polygons and amenities.

During the transition, which is expected to begin in mid to late 2020, both Hotel Spotlight and the new solution will be available to the Sabre GDS media customer base providing incremental value to our customers.

Additionally, Sabre will change the sales and services channels for Hotel Spotlight in an effort to simplify the process for hotel customers.

Beginning in January 2020, Sabre Hospitality Solutions will serve as the exclusive sales channel for Hotel Spotlight and its future iteration.

As of July 1, 2020, Hospitality Solutions will be the only provider able to service Hotel Spotlight and its future iteration. Hoteliers looking to secure the benefits and visibility the Sabre GDS Media offerings provide should work with Sabre now to ensure their placement for the entirety of 2020 and beyond.