Just to make you feel even worse about the cold weather, Travel Weekly hand-picked a host of tropical hotel news for this week’s wrap, topped with a sprinkling of hospitality deals.

Accor announcements

Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort by Sofitel reopens luxury overwater bungalows

Accor announces the highly anticipated reopening of Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort by Sofitel’s luxury overwater bungalows, following a complete multi-million-dollar rejuvenation project. Each bungalow has received a makeover in line with the Sofitel brand’s renowned refined and understated sense of modern luxury, with a signature touch of French decadence.

Each of the resort’s 12 deluxe overwater bungalows are the epitome of a Tahitian getaway, having received a stylish makeover incorporating a chic soft neutral palate, and natural materials throughout, working harmoniously to form the perfect zone for sleep and relaxation whilst enjoying the iconic water views.

For more information, visit www.accorhotels.com

Tasmanian residents on a high after surprise Wintervention with AccorHotels

Residents from Waratah, Tasmania one of Australia’s coldest and wettest towns were whisked away on a surprise Wintervention to the Gold Coast by AccorHotels to mark the first weekend of winter.

The group registered with Channel 7’s Sunrise for their chance to escape the cold to a surprise destination. AccorHotels and Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac pulled off an ‘Oprah moment’ revealing their lucky moment live on air, with the only catch – residents had to leave immediately.

AccorHotels is encouraging Australians across the country plan their own Wintervention by offering $25 off each night, with breakfast for just $1 at AccorHotels.com/Winter.

Accor reaches 1100 hotels in Asia Pacific with opening of new Sofitel Beijing Central

Accor has opened its 1100th hotel in Asia Pacific, with the launch of the new Sofitel Beijing Central, bringing the group’s APAC network to more than 210,000 rooms. The announcement comes just six months after Accor celebrated its 1000th hotel and shows how rapidly the group is expanding in Asia, with the region now representing 50 per cent of global growth.

It features 345 spacious luxury rooms and suites, with Sofitel Club floors providing generous circular bathtubs and access to the brand new Club Millésime Lounge that will be launched towards the end of 2019. The property boasts three impressive dining outlets that epitomise Sofitel’s authentic and lively food and beverage culture.

Sofitel Beijing Central includes an all-day dining restaurant attached to an outdoor garden, which focuses on western and international cuisine with a French twist; a signature Chinese Restaurant; and a lobby lounge, which provides elegant afternoon tea and evening cocktails.

The hotel has more than 1,500 square meters of event space including nine flexible meeting rooms for up to 400 delegates. Each space offers state-of-the-art technology for gatherings of any type. The hotel’s recreational facilities include a day spa, fitness center and stunning indoor pool.

Hilton announcements

100th Year anniversary celebration and new awards won at 2019 Hospitality NT Aristocrat Technologies Awards for Excellence

The four Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in the Northern Territory of Australia have joined in on Hilton’s 100th anniversary celebrations with a variety of activities at the hotels and in the local community alongside four major wins at the 2019 Hospitality NT Aristocrat Technologies Awards for Excellence.

As the hotels are dedicated to supporting the community and the environment, Team Members have planted 200 trees (100 trees for Hilton Hotels & Resorts and 100 trees for DoubleTree by Hilton) across the NT, including a special garden called “Conrad Hilton Garden” at Ludmilla Primary School in Darwin and DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs.

Partners with OSK Property and Employees Provident Fund Malaysia, strengthens Melbourne presence with signing of Hilton Melbourne Square

Hilton has announced the signing of Hilton Melbourne Square, which will be a major meetings and events hotel to join the recent signing of Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, reinforcing Hilton’s push to strengthen its presence in the Melbourne market.

Hilton will manage the 600-room hotel under a management agreement with Yarra Park City, the joint venture company between OSK Property and EPF, and is slated to open in early 2023, with construction to commence 2020.

Located in the centre of Melbourne’s Southbank precinct, on the corner of Power and Kavanagh Streets, the new-build hotel is part of a $2.8 billion mixed-use development comprising of residential, commercial, speciality retail and 3,700 square meters of open space parkland.

TAA celebrates hotel history with Hilton team 

Michael Johnson (left), pictured at the event with Heidi Kunkel, Vice President of Operations – Hilton and Ronald van Weezel, GM of Hilton Sydney.

Michael Johnson, newly appointed General Manager for Australia’s peak accommodation body, Tourism Accommodation Australia has been spending his first few weeks in the role holding discussions with key contacts in the hotel industry.  On Thursday night, along with Dr Adele Lausberg, TAA’s National Policy and Research Adviser, he celebrated hotel history with the Hilton team at the Marble Bar in Sydney as the renowned hotel group marked 100 years.

TAA NSW and TAFE NSW join forces to address skills shortages

A brainstorming session to address the chronic skills and labour shortages in the tourism and accommodation sectors was the focus of a special meeting at Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW headquarters in Sydney this week.

The TAA NSW Hotel Advisory Group (which includes hotel operators from Rydges, Ovolo, Radisson, Langham and Marriott) met with representatives from TAFE NSW on Tuesday.

Club Med announces new resort in the French Alps in time for early bird sale

As the end of Club Med’s “infamous Early Bird sale” looms, the premium all-inclusive resort provider has announced the opening of a brand new luxury chalet offering in the French Alps. The Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon Chalet-Apartments will open for the upcoming 2020 snow season and, as part of the Early Bird Offer, your clients can experience the ultimate snow holiday for up to 30 per cent off – hurry, sale ends 25 June, 2019!

Travel Agents can find offer terms and conditions, sales resources including a ski holiday video guide, on the Club Med Travel Agent Portal: www.clubmedta.com.au.

IHG announces new, symbolic InterContinental Hotel in Yokohama, Japan

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) has announced InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 will open its doors to guests in November 2019 in the Minato Mirai area of Yokohama.

The franchise agreement was made by IHG’s domestic operating company, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (Head office: UK, Japan: Tokyo; CEO: Hans Heijligers) and Yokohama Grand InterContinental Co., Ltd. (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Nishi-ku Minato Mirai 1-1-1, President and Representative Director: Azuma Umemura).

InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8 will be built on the premises of the ‘Yokohama Hammer Head Project’ which is developed by SHINKO PIER CRUISE TERMINAL Co.,Ltd. in collaboration with Yokohama City. The new-build luxury hotel will be located in the same building as a cruise ship terminal where large cruise ships will be anchored. Together, the precinct will offer guests a new luxury experience that blends both the InterContinental brand, and Yokohama’s distinct history and colourful lifestyle.

Six Senses announcements

Össurá Valley to open in Iceland

With Iceland enjoying clean air, sustainable energy and high national happiness, it is no surprise that Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is daydreaming about the country of fire and ice for its next development: Six Senses Össurá Valley. It will be a hub for people passionate about nature, wellness and adventure by day, and indulgent dining, comfortable beds and perhaps a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis by night.

Six Senses Össurá Valley is located a 30-minute drive from the airport at Hofn. Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, one of the most popular sites in the country to watch the otherworldly color displays of Northern Lights, is an hour’s drive away. Six Senses Össurá Valley is slated to open in 2022.

First Central American resort to open ­ encapsulating Costa Rica’s Pura Vida lifestyle

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas brings its sustainable and ultra-luxury footprint to Central America as it teams up with The Canyon Group to announce the development of Six Senses Papagayo. It offers a new adventure for those seeking love of life and health in a private, eco-conscious and away-from-it-all destination.

The breathtaking 2,300-acre (930-hectare) Papagayo Peninsula consistently ranks as one of the finest mixed-use luxury developments in the world. With 24 kilometres of pristine coastline and exotic beaches, the peninsula features discreetly-sprinkled hotels and residences. Perhaps the greatest attribute of Papagayo is that even when fully developed, 70 percent of the land mass will be preserved as nature intended.