By golly, don’t we all wish we were relaxing with some breakfast in bed in a suave hotel room?

Well, for those of us stuck in the office, this is as close as it’s going to get.

From around Australia and the world – my word, we’re adventurous – we bring you all the latest in hotel news.

See the best of Brissy

The weather dial is hotting up, holidays are front of mind and AccorHotels’ Best of Brisbane package is providing an affordable getaway for leisure and business travellers.

The Best of Brisbane package includes free breakfast for two plus a $20 hotel credit per night, to be used during the stay. Guests can choose how to spoil themselves whether it’s a room upgrade, a pre-dinner glass of wine and nibbles or a dish from the room service menu.

Available for bookings at Novotel Brisbane, Mercure Brisbane or ibis Brisbane, rates start from $139 per night at ibis Brisbane – bookable online at accorhotels.com/brissy.

Guests can get in early and book their Christmas and summer getaway as the package applies to bookings made from now until 31 January 2016, for stays up until the 31 January.

AccorHotels appointment

Photographed by Dominic Loneragan. Please Credit Dominic Loneragan.

Dino Mezzatesta has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Accor Plus Asia Pacific, AccorHotels’ travel, dining and lifestyle program.

Dino joined AccorHotels in March 2005 as Director of Sales & Marketing for The Menzies Hotel in Sydney. He then moved to Ibis Sydney Airport where he spent almost two years as General Manager. In March 2008, Dino moved to the AccorHotels’ Sydney regional office where he spent the last seven years leading the franchise operations for Australia and New Zealand, whilst also playing a key role in the implementation of the group’s strata business and integration of the strategic Mirvac acquisition.

Dino most recently held the position of Vice President Franchise Operations, overseeing a portfolio of over 70 hotels. In his new role, Dino will bring his sales and management experience to Accor Plus and continue to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit which remains the basis of the success of Accor Plus over the last 21 years.

He replaces Louise Daley, former CEO of Accor Plus who has now been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer AccorHotels Asia Pacific.

Starwood springs into sales

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is about to launch its spring sale!

Book between 26 October – 8 November for up to 50% off at 18 properties across the Pacific including Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort, Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa and Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki Island, Fiji.

The deal includes complimentary breakfast and is valid for travel between 26 October and 30 April, 2016.

Meriton opens in Sydney’s north

Meriton has opened its 14^th apartment hotel and first in Sydney’s North. Located in Chatswood, the tower designed by PTW architects spans 33 stories high, featuring one, two and three bedroom suites plus first class recreational facilities.

The first stage opening today includes 105 suites up to level 15, with the remaining 337 to open in January 2016 offering spectacular views of Sydney’s CBD, harbour and vast surrounds.  A new colour scheme with a contemporary take on hotel living completes the apartment hotel with highlights of timber and touches of blacks.

Later this year a retail promenade will open at the foot of the hotel offering an open pathway for both guests and the public to access Chatswood’s transport interchange.

Meriton is set to open another 4 brand new apartment hotels over the next 12 months to include; North Sydney, Mascot, Parramatta and Southport, Gold Coast.

Get cultured with Sofitel

Collaborating with Sydney’s elite partners of the arts, the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Sydney Sofitel Wentworth is relaunching its ‘So Culture’ package to time with the upcoming exhibition, The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland.

From 24 October to 14 February 2016, guests can combine a luxurious stay at Sofitel Sydney, just a short walk from the gallery, with a historical journey through The Greats exhibition.

From $433 per night, the So Culture package includes an overnight stay in a classic room, two tickets to the exhibition of The Greats and a two-course dinner for two with some of the finest Scottish food, inspired by renowned Executive Chef Boris Cuzon. To complete the stay a decadent breakfast will be served in Sofitel’s Garden Court Restaurant.

License to thrill

To celebrate the highly anticipated release of Spectre, the latest film in the 007 saga, W Retreat & Spa – Maldives has launched the ultimate James Bond themed package; perfect for adrenaline junkies who want to step into the slick shoes of the famous double agent.

Guests will slip into character as soon as they land, with a seaplane transfer to the luxurious resort where they’ll flirt with adventure by day and Bond Girl by night. The following activities will get any double agent’s heart racing:

• Jet skiing
• Sea bob lesson
• Parasailing
• Night snorkelling
• Martinis
• Private dinner to the “best of bond” soundtrack

Outrigger wins in the Maldives

The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has won first place for Single Asset Transaction of the Year at this year’s HICAP (Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific) Deal of the Year Awards held October 16 in Hong Kong.

In September 2014, OKM Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Outrigger Enterprises Group, purchased the partially completed Konotta Maldives Resort from Aima Construction and Platinum Capital Holdings. In just 10 months, the property underwent an aggressive completion program that included the total redesign of all public areas and rooms product, opening on August 1 with 29 beach pool villas (four newly constructed), 21 overwater pool villas and a new 509sqm three-bedroom overwater Presidential villa.

The transaction involved disposal of a non-performing loan and a complicated sale process requiring intense co-operation between the principals, lending consortium and creditors for a successful outcome. The entire redevelopment was delivered on time and on budget.

Grand opening for Peppers Adelaide

Peppers Waymouth Hotel celebrated its grand opening this week, inviting Adelaide’s key tourism, business and industry contacts to experience an evening celebrating regional food and wine – a key focus for the newly branded hotel.

Formerly the Rendezvous Hotel, the property rebranded under Peppers last month and with it brought the brand’s rich history of celebrating fine food and wine.

The hotel offers 202 five-star hotel rooms and suites, two food and beverage outlets – The Cafe and Lounge 55; a heated indoor lap pool, spa, sauna, and fitness centre. For meetings, events and private functions the 120 square metre conference room caters for up to 150 guests (cocktail) and can be divided into two smaller rooms.

“We are looking forward to a long and happy partnership with all things gourmet and see the hotel becoming involved in the local food and wine related events and festivals on the tourism calendar,” said Peppers General Manager, Victor Faisca.

“Likewise it is our aim to see our restaurant come alive with food and wine tasting events; guest chef evenings; and wine challenges that we affectionately call ‘Wine Wars’ at Peppers, which sees rival winemakers compete for the audience preference. A lot of fun and what is sure to be a great celebration of one of South Australia’s greatest assets.”

Novotel all about the fitness

The new face of In Balance by Novotel Hotels & Resorts, pro surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, has unveiled how the hotel brand will make it easy for guests to stay on track with their health and fitness goals while travelling with her new in-room fitness channel, healthy travel tips and nutritious meals.

Available exclusively for guests with no fitness equipment required, Sally’s energising in-room workout will be available at Novotel’s across Australia, allowing guests to have a workout from the privacy and comfort of their hotel room.

Sally Fitzgibbons, pro surfer, fitness and wellbeing enthusiast said: “Travelling and staying in hotels shouldn’t have to mean poor food choices and no exercise. I have a simple approach to healthy living and together with Novotel, I hope to share my knowledge and experience so travellers can feel inspired and stay on track of their fitness goals, while away from home.”

Novotel’s commitment to health and fitness is evident throughout each hotel, with delicious and healthy menu options devised by Sally and the team of chefs at Novotel on the ‘Healthy Choices’ menu.  Guests also have access to walking and jogging maps at reception and state-of-the art gymnasiums. For visitors to Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour a new TechnoGym is available with up-to-the-minute equipment and motivating views over the city-skyline.

Wyndham takes on 7 in SE Asia

Wyndham Hotel Group’s aggressive growth in South East Asia is showing no signs of slowing down, as the world’s largest hotel company today announced the signing of seven new franchise agreements during ITB Asia in Singapore.

The properties will be located across tourist hot spots in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam under the hospitality giant’s Ramada^®, Days Inn^® and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts^® brands.

The news follows the signings of 26 managed and franchised properties for Wyndham Hotel Group so far this year in South East Asia. The announcement also coincides with the launch of the company’s new Explore Our World promotion in the region, which will give guests the opportunity to experience Wyndham’s growing portfolio of accommodations with discounts and other benefits.

Five of the newly signed properties will be located in Thailand: Days Inn Rest Sea Jomtien Beach Pattaya, Days Inn Siam Central Pattaya, Days Inn Patong Beach Phuket and Ramada Suites Wong Amat Pattaya, all of which are owned by Ratanakorn Asset and managed by KosMopolitan Hospitality, and Ramada ChaoFa Phuket. The flurry of development also heralds Wyndham Hotel Group’s debut in Vietnam with Wyndham Legend Halong, and its expansion in Malaysia with Ramada Resort Lumut.