Grab your knife and fork, because we’ve got news for all tastes and budgets with this week’s smorgasbord of hotel delights.

Pier One Sydney Harbour offering a fresh look at Sydney with special industry offer

Pier One Sydney Harbour is welcoming back travel agents with a special industry offer.

Pier One is encouraging travel agents to experience the completion of its five-year, $15 million design refurbishment of all rooms and suites in the property.

The special rate will be available for bookings for stays before 30 September to all travel agency staff via Elliott Miller (elliott.miller@autographhotels.com) from $175, with complimentary early check-in and late check-out.

Raffles Bali opens

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced its 15th Raffles hotel with the launch of the lavish Raffles Bali, which offers unparalleled views over the Indian Ocean and the famous Jimbaran Bay sunsets.

With just 32 private pool villas, Raffles Bali said the property epitomises “distinguished charm” for “well-travelled connoisseurs” seeking elegant spaces, privacy and cultural discovery.

Shangri-La Group partners with Diversey to upcycle hotel linen into masks

A refugee creating masks for the community at Cedar Learning Center, Bangkok (source: supplied)

Vulnerable members in communities across twelve cities in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka will soon have greater access to reusable face masks with the regional Linens For Life Face Masks (L4LFM) partnership between Shangri-La Group and Diversey, a leading global hygiene solutions provider.

As part of the L4LFM program, 12,500kg of used linen donated by 21 Shangri-La hotels will be repurposed into reusable fabric face masks by local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Colombo, Hambantota, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Surabaya, Jakarta, Manila, Cebu, Singapore, Bangkok and Yangon.

In some cities such as Yangon, Manila, Johor Bahru, Jakarta, Surabaya and Bangkok, the upcycling of masks will also generate employment opportunities for members in low socio-economic community groups.

The half-a-million face masks will subsequently be distributed to local communities in need, providing vulnerable members of society with a basic piece of protection that is now mandatory in many countries in the global fight against COVID-19.

The upcycling of clean, used linen into face masks also provides Shangri-La a meaningful way to help reduce environmental wastage, the group said.

If new linen was produced to manufacture this quantity of fabric masks, it would have incurred 60 million litres of water (the equivalent of 23 Olympic-size swimming pools) and a carbon footprint of 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 63,000 litres of petrol being combusted.

Meanwhile, Shangri-La in Australia is offering two staycation packages for stays in 2020.

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney: winter staycation

Book and stay dates: 26 May to 31 August

This offer includes:

• Overnight accommodation in a room or suite
• Daily $100 food and beverage credit
• Daily complimentary car parking
• Early check-in at 11am and late check-out at 2pm
• Complimentary high-speed and restriction-free Wi-Fi and broadband internet access.

For more details, click here.

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns: staycation offer

Booking dates: 16 June to 30 December

This offer includes:

• Early check-in or late check-out
• Antipasto and cheese platter with a bottle of house wine
• Complimentary parking
• An upgrade to the next room tier (subject to availability).

For more details, click here.

Get three nights for the price of two at Stanley’s Ship Inn

The Ship Inn Stanley, which has seven luxurious suites on the north coast of Tasmania and recently went through a revamp, is offering three nights for the price of two for stays up to 31 December 2020.

Prices for rooms at the Ship Inn range from $190 to $250 per night, with the property welcoming agency bookings. For more information about the Ship Inn, click here.

Stay and dine at Stillwater Seven Accommodation

Stillwater Restaurant and Stillwater Seven Accommodation, a transformed 1830s flour mill, is offering a menu of Tasmanian seasonal indulgence (choose two to three courses from $80 per person) in a private space, alongside room rates $330 per night (including a full Stillwater breakfast and onsite parking).

Normally a $680 price point, the property said the new offer is “our way of saying thank you to everyone for supporting our takeaway options that have kept the team going in these challenging times”.

The offer is valid until 31 October 2020.

Just before our world shut down in mid-March, Stillwater Seven Accommodation was awarded the silver medal at the Australian Tourism Awards, with judges noting the attention to detail in the rooms details, pantry and bar offerings. Book now to experience it for yourself with rooms starting at $330.

Guests are also encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for the property’s in-room truffle service, ahead of the beginning of the truffle season in late June or early July.

Little National Hotel Sydney to open in September

DOMA has officially announced the upcoming opening of its latest hotel, Little National Hotel Sydney.

The renowned Canberra property group will be bringing its innovative hotel concept to Sydney’s CBD this September.

Set among Barangaroo, Bridge Street and Martin Place, the property will target five-star guests who spends most of their time outside of their hotel room enjoying the city and hotel amenities, and offer affordable luxury.

DOMA has continued to work closely with Bates Smart architects to ensure this signature concept is reflected throughout the new Sydney property, creating a compact yet efficient space that requires no compromises, all while reflecting the distinctive Little National brand.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World announces ‘Stay Small, Stay Safe’ initiative

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has launched the ‘Stay Small, Stay Safe’ initiative, offering enhanced health and detailed safety guidelines for all 520 member hotels in 90 countries.

The program aims to provide peace of mind for guests as they prepare to travel the world once again.

In order to safeguard standards, SLH has entered a partnership with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) for its hotels to pursue GBAC STAR accreditation – a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program that helps hotels minimise risks associated with infectious agents and biohazards.

GBAC STAR accreditation provides third-party validation to ensure hotels have the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices in place so guests can truly relax during their stay.

Additionally, a ‘Stay Small, Stay Safe’ module will be launched on the SLH website, www.SLH.com, helping guests and travel advisors make informed decisions and guide their journey through the site.

Soneva Fushi in the Maldives announces new ‘island buyout’ offer

World leading luxury resort Soneva Fushi in the Maldives has just announced an exciting new ‘island buyout’ offer, meaning your clients could have a whole island to themselves in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Starting at an eye-watering US$100,000 (more than $143,000) per night, travellers can whisk their families and friends away to the tropical oasis, truly immersing themselves in the private, barefoot luxury that Soneva is so well known for.

The island buyout offer is valid for stays between now to 1 September 2020 and is inclusive of accommodation in any of the one- to nine-bedroom villas for as many family and friends as desired.

This offer does not include meals, experiences or transfers.

First look inside QT Auckland

QT Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a first look at the highly-anticipated QT Auckland.

With its doors set to open later this year, QT Auckland is now accepting bookings to stay and play in Viaduct Harbour’s newest hub for quirky luxury from 1 November 2020.

Creating a world less conventional in the heart of Auckland, the new waterfront playground will bring a transformative escape to each individual guest, with the property celebrating its city surrounds and reflecting the harbourside locale.

Complementing the much-loved QT Queenstown and QT Wellington, QT Auckland is the third QT property in New Zealand and has been designed with the natural, wild beauty of the city’s surrounding landscape in mind.

Long-time QT collaborator and designer Nic Graham in conjunction with the Event Hospitality and Entertainment design team have curated the contemporary yet timeless design.

The design flows through the 150 rooms and suites, public spaces and meeting rooms, and carries through to the restaurant and rooftop bar. Harnessing the idea that beauty lies within, the theme of discovery is a central narrative throughout the designer hotel experience.

Daydream Island reintroduces membership privilege

Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef has reintroduced its ‘Daydream Island Privilege Club’ with the reopening of the island on 1 July.

Valued at over $2,000, the Privilege Club membership is currently priced at $380 and includes the following, which are fully transferable to family and friends:

• 50 per cent discount on food and beverages (maximum of five guests per card per visit)
• 10x resort day passes
• 1x complimentary night in a Deluxe Ocean View Terrace Room.
• 1x gift voucher offering 50 per cent discount on accommodation
• 1x gift voucher offering 50 per cent discount on food and beverage (discount is for up to 10 guests in one transaction)
• 1x gift voucher offering 25 per cent discount on accommodation.

To purchase – call the membership hotline toll free number 1800 075 040 or click here.

Membership is valid for 12 months from the day of purchase.

Ultra-luxe lodge Sequoia at Mount Lofty House to open in November

Photography at Mount Lofty House by Aaron Citti

Mount Lofty House, which claims to be Australia’s most awarded hotel in 2019, will welcome the return of interstate guests from 20 July.

The 30-acre estate in the Adelaide Hills offers the luxury of space, privacy and exclusivity. Known for its spectacular rolling hills and super-premium wine and produce, the region is quickly becoming a popular choice for Australians looking for an escape from everyday life.

Separate to the original house with its own dedicated guest relations team and secure entrance to attract VIP guests, Sequoia Lodge will offer “the ultimate six-star experience” and be the first of its kind on mainland Australia.

A temporary pause in construction on the estate’s new super-luxe offering, Sequoia, because of government restrictions will now see the $15m lodge officially open in November.

Work is continuing on the luxury lodge’s guest reception and lounge, breakfast room, gardens, sundeck and natural spring-fed hot pools which will form a secluded sanctuary with uninterrupted panoramic views across the patchwork Piccadilly Valley.

Named after the three giant Californian Redwood trees planted by the original owner Arthur Hardy, Sequoia guests will have access to all of the property’s lavish amenities including Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, Arthur Waterhouse Lounge and Stables Day Spa.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort supports domestic “Love Our Locals” initiative by opening its doors for locals

Local favourite Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort has reopened its doors to welcome local domestic guests who have taken advantage of the great value “Outrigger Fiji Bure Getaway” campaign exclusive to Fijian residents for travel during July this year.

The first guests to check in since the resort was forced to suspend its operations due to the worldwide health pandemic were mother and son, Zubeda Bibi and Dean (pictured above, alongside resort manager Russel Blaik, far left, and general manager Darren Shaw, far right), who are staying to celebrate a special birthday.

A message from the PRHG family

The team at Pacific Resort Hotel Group (PRHG) in the Cook Islands has shared a video showing how much they are missing their guests, and what they are looking forward to in the future.