Today’s Hotel Wrap is a little more pet-friendly than usual, and not just because our office dog ran across the keyboard several times while we tried to write it.

IHG makes its grand entrance into New Caledonia with three hotel signings

IHG will make a grand entrance into New Caledonia with the signing of three hotels that will open between 2021 and 2024.

The new-build InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort will be a 50-room luxury hotel located on the scenic Lifou, the largest island of the Loyalty Islands. Designed by both local architect, Atelier 13, and renowned interior designer, Chada, the resort is already under construction and will open in November 2021, featuring luxurious rooms, lagoon-front suites, all-day dining, a fine dining restaurant and bar, along with a gym, spa and an outdoor pool.

Hotel Paradis d’Ouvéa will convert to Holiday Inn Resort Ouvéa in November 2021 following a full refurbishment, bringing it to life as the highest quality accommodation offering available on the island. Located on the beachfront at the picturesque Mouli Beach on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ouvéa Island, the 34-room resort will offer all-day dinning, a bar and an outdoor pool, not to mention stunning views of the lagoon with its endless shades of turquoise.

Holiday Inn Resort Lifou will convert from the current Hotel Drehu Village in 2024, following an extensive refurbishment program. The 30-room beachfront resort is located in the heart of Lifou Island’s town centre of Wé and will offer direct beach access to the magnificent, sandy Bay of Chateaubriand. Once it rebrands, it will offer all-day dining and bar, as well as an outdoor swimming pool.

Accor strikes deal in Victoria’s former gold rush boomtown

Accor has announced the former Quest Schaller Hotel Bendigo will rebrand to Mercure Bendigo Schaller, and join Accor’s rapidly growing network of mid-scale regional Victorian hotels, on 6 December.

With 118 boutique-style guestrooms spanning over four levels, Mercure Bendigo Schaller will cater to both business and leisure guests, offering 99 standard rooms, 8 standard twin rooms, 3 standard access rooms and 8 superior rooms, with a café/bar, a meeting room and a fitness centre.

Save on Outrigger Resorts through cyber sale

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has announced a selection of great value offers to showcase its properties for less in 2020. As part of the annual Cyber Sale, the entire collection of properties will have incentive deals including savings of up to 30 per cent and it all kicks off on November 27, 2019.

With cyber deals ranging from free nights to free meals and activities, Outrigger offers a legendary beach destination to make for the ultimate warm-weather escape. Experience Outrigger’s breathtaking properties in Fiji, Hawaii, Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius and Guam.

Close to home for Aussies is a great deal with the popular Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort along the Coral Coast. Save up to 20 per cent on bookings as well as complimentary room upgrades, a spa treatment and dining credits. Prices start from FJ$235 plus taxes, per room per night.

For those looking to experience the Hawaiian culture, book a seven-night stay at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and receive two nights free.

Come to Mama in Zermatt

Welcoming the 2019/2020 winter season in Zermatt with a big warm hug this year is Hotel Mama.

After a complete revamp and transformation of the previous Hotel Admiral to what is now a fun, vibrant, modern and quirky hotel that aims to provide that longed-for cosiness and homeliness, Hotel Mama will be opening its doors in December.

Offering guests a selection of 29 beautifully appointed new rooms, a brand new co-working space and a contemporary ‘Zer Mama Bistro’, the hotel is an ideal oasis for individualists, explorers and mountain lovers.

Accessible and pet-friendly accommodation

Accessible AND pet-friendly accommodation – is that possible? Yes, it is! It used to be such a challenge finding accommodation that is truly accessible, let alone allowing guests to take their treasured pooch on a holiday, but anymore.

Accessible Accommodation has several pet-friendly holiday accommodation locations around Australia. Its tribe of property owners are dog lovers too.

The company also happens to be a finalist for the Innovation of the Year and Social Responsibility Award categories at The Travel Awards next Friday!

TRYP by Wyndham to Make Debut in Melbourne

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchisor and a leading provider of hotel management services with approximately 9,200 hotels worldwide, has revealed plans to launch TRYP by Wyndham, its urban lifestyle brand, in Melbourne.

TRYP by Wyndham Carlton Melbourne is a brand new 173-room hotel being developed by Manors Gate Group Pty Ltd and set to open in March 2021. Perfectly positioned in thriving Carlton, this contemporary hotel will be just five minutes’ walk from the vibrant restaurants and cafés of Lygon Street, and directly opposite the University of Melbourne.

Sovena Jani unveils new dining concept

Soneva recently unveiled Soneva Jani’s newest dining experience: Guess Who’s Cooking. This dining experience has a secret menu concept, where the diners won’t know which chef is cooking or what cuisine they will be enjoying until just before the meal. The kitchen is housed within the walls of a Bedouin tent, and while there is room for dining inside the tent in case of rain, the main experience is on the beach.

The chefs who will be featured include Soneva Jani’s specialty chefs, visiting chefs from Soneva Fushi and Soneva Kiri, as well as international visiting chefs. A rough idea of the menu will be revealed on the day of the experience, but only once diners are seated at the tables on the sand will the chef emerge from the cooking tent to present the menu in all of its glory – outlining the concept, ingredients and their inspiration for the dishes.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World introduces six new getaways around the world

With the year-end holiday season coming up, Small Luxury Hotels of the World is pleased to introduce six new members to its exclusive collection of independent luxury boutique hotels.  From a private hill retreat in Bali, a sophisticated eco-hotel hidden in the forest, a Zen-hideaway nestled in the wetland to an ex-hunting lodge fit for the royals, there is something to suit the tastes of all independently-minded travellers.

New additions include Hidden Hills Villas, Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia, Le Coucou Meribel, Meribel, France, Arima Hotel, San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain, Muh Shoou Xixi Hotel, Hangzhou, China, Ovolo Central, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong and Great Fosters, Berkshire, United Kingdom.

Ovolo’s ‘So fresh, so clean’ summer celebration

Ovolo is inviting guests to stay ‘So Fresh, So Clean’ in celebration of the end of a busy year, enticing vacationers and stay-cationers to reset, refresh and chill out across all their designer hotels in Australia and Hong Kong.

Guests will receive 25 per cent off the best available rate when they book a minimum 2-night stay at any Ovolo across Australia or Hong Kong, between 1^st December 2019 – 30^th June 2020.

Executed in true Ovolo style, this experience comes together to create a home-away-from-home; included as part of this summer sensation is a complimentary bottle of 2019 Yalumba “Wild Ferments” Rosé, the perfect drop for a summer escape. In addition to this, the first 600 bookings receive a premium Peter Thomas Roth Irish Mud Mask (valued at $50 AUD) to primp and pamper.

This exclusive offer is available when booked directly through Ovolo Hotels. Where guests will also receive its already o-mazing offering of staple signature ‘freebies’ (which include free in-room mini bar, social happy hour, WiFi, self-laundry, breakfast and 24 hour gym access), as part of Ovolo’s mission to deliver the ultimate effortless customer experience.

QT Hotels & Resorts launches power down 

QT Hotels & Resorts are offering to take charge of devices across Australia and New Zealand with the launch of the Power Down, its first digital detox package.

Encouraging guests to put themselves into flight mode and get grounded, the package will see guests hand over devices for a self-imposed minimum 12-hour break from screen time and a little self-care – because sometimes, the most important function on your phone is the off switch.

Whether losing hours to mindless scrolling on Instagram, suffering burn-out from too many emails, or just sick of being spammed with Becky from high school’s baby photos, the Power Down package offers guests the chance to truly log off. QT Hotel’s friendly staff will take care of participating guest’s phones from 7PM – 7AM, whilst they unplug and rewind with a range of mindful extras including complimentary wellness bowls, juices, supplements or a sneaky wine and cheese at QT’s award-winning bars.

Don’t leave your best friend behind… book your fur-friendly stay at Zagame’s house now!

Zagame’s House is officially accepting fur-friendly bookings and welcoming pets with paws, claws and everything in between to stay in its fur-friendly rooms.

Aside from guests being able to enjoy the pet-preferring city of Melbourne with their fur-baby right by their side, all companions will be treated to a range of bespoke services at the hotel.

This includes A “Treat Yo Fur-baby” bag of goodies, exclusive in-room dining menu for pets, a “Furry Movie of the Month” as part of a free movie selection, bonding sessions with the Dog of the House, Hugo the Groodle (subject to availability) and exclusive access to special fur-friendly services via their partners – including pet walking, pet sitting, grooming, and personal training.

Zagame’s House has sniffed out a worthy cause to partner with, donating $10 from every fur-friendly booking to The Lost Dogs’ Home – with plans for a longer-term charitable partnership in the works.

InterContinental Sydney celebrates 170-year Heritage with limited-edition cocktail, the treasury Martinez

InterContinental Sydney is proud to announce the launch of a limited-edition cocktail, The Treasury Martinez, created to celebrate the 170th anniversary of The Treasury Building in which the hotel stands today.

InterContinental Sydney has a rich heritage, dating back to 1849 when construction commenced on the Treasury Building, the first purpose-built government office in Sydney.

To mark this milestone, Max Babajev, The Cortile Bar & Lounge Manager at InterContinental Sydney, has crafted a cocktail that embodies the history, refined beauty and prestige of The Treasury Building. The cocktail is based on a classic Martinez, invented in 1849 as the forefather to the modern-day Martini, transformed with modern garnishes.

Alcyone Hotel Residences: pamper your pooch

Brisbane based Alcyone Hotel Residences has launched its Pamper your Pooch packages where you can stay with us and bring your furry best friend with you.

Included in the package is a number of items included such as a doggie bag with treats & toys, plush dog bed & mat, food & water bowls and so much more. The hotel has also partnered with Eat Street where guests can head down with their pooch and enjoy the live entertainment and a huge range of cuisines.

Usher in the festive season at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s inaugural Christmas light-up celebration

On 28 November, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will officially herald in the festive season with its inaugural Christmas Light-Up Celebration event. From festive dining to an elevated stay experience in the heart of Sydney that brims with celebratory activities, make festive “Fullerton Memories” with family and friends in the newly launched luxury hotel.

Hotel guests and the public will receive complimentary Christmas goodies, while carollers and a candle-lit march-in by hotel staff herald the start of the Christmas season in the hotel lobby. The light-up of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney Christmas tree will take place on 28 November at 5.45pm.

The Fullerton Christmas Santa Bears is priced at A$28 and available to purchase at the hotel’s Front Desk and The Place from 28 November to 25 December. The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will donate A$10 from the sale of each bear to The Girls and Boys Brigade, an inner-city children’s charity which has been providing care and help to children for over 137 years.

Following the Christmas Light-Up ceremony, Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, general manager of The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, and Mark Burns, general manager of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, will don chef’s whites and present their culinary skills in a charity culinary presentation at The Place, which is located at the mezzanine level of the hotel at 6.15pm on the same day.