Much like Garfield, we hate Mondays. But one thing we hate more is trawling through the slog of emails to find out what’s new in the travel world.

Grab a coffee, close your inbox, and check up on all the latest hotel news, courtesy of your friends, Travel Weekly.

We know it’s a tough day to push through, and we’re all about keeping it short and sweet. Get amongst it.

qualia wins luxury titles

qualia, Hamilton Island’s world-class luxury resort, has once again been named Australian Lodge of the Year and Best Day Spa at the 2015 HM Awards.

qualia has a long-standing record of taking out the top spots at the annual HM Awards, and this year the judgment panel of the awards – a selection of travel writers, experts and practitioners – once again recognised qualia’s exceptional standards.

Hamilton Island CEO, Glenn Bourke, said it is gratifying to know the island’s jewel in the crown, qualia, continues to be recognised by industry and peers.

Minor expands into Dubai

Minor Hotel Group has announced a strategic partnership with Nakheel to co-invest and develop a 500-key AVANI hotel in Dubai, to open in 2018.

AVANI Deira Dubai Hotel will be located in Deira Islands, a unique waterfront entertainment, tourist and residential destination being developed in alignment with Dubai Vision 2020.

Comprising four islands situated adjacent to Dubai’s Deira district, with a total area of over 15.3 square kilometres, Deira Islands, master developed by Nakheel, will feature a variety of beachfront resorts, hotels and residential communities, a shopping mall, a waterfront night market and an impressive amphitheatre able to accommodate up to 30,000 people.

The AVANI hotel will be close to Dubai International Airport, with views of the Dubai skyline and across the Arabian Gulf.

TFE deals of the week

Put a spring into your step and get travelling to help diminish those leftover winter blues, with TFE Hotels’ latest sale, spanning to great locations across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Get 30% off stays at Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Apartment Hotels, Travelodge, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels and TFE Hotels Collection when booked by October 9 2015.

Visit TFEhotels.com for details and available dates.

Outrigger dives deep

The Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, which opened on August 1, and Best Dives Maldives, have announced a long-term partnership to provide all water-based activities and tours to guests.

Outrigger management chose to partner with Best Dives Maldives due to the company’s commitment to marine life education and conservation, which fits in with Outrigger Resorts’ global coral health and conservation program, OZONE (Outrigger’s zone).

Best Dives Maldives will function as the resort’s full-time activities and tour provider. It will be responsible for conducting an extensive range of snorkeling, scuba diving, water sports, island discoveries, fishing trips and cultural excursions to nearby islands.

Langham boasts GM of the year

Sonia Lefevre was named the prestigious title of 2015 Australian General Manager Of The Year at Friday night’s Sydney Town Hall Award Ceremony for The Annual HM Awards.

“I am privileged to be acknowledged as the General Manager of Sydney’s newest luxury hotel, The Langham, Sydney” General Manager, Sonia Lefevre commented.

“I’ve been enamoured by hotels from a young age, so it was a surreal moment on Friday night.”

2015 General Manager Of The Year comes after a string of success only months after doors opening last December.

This includes prestigious US Robb Report’s Top 100 Hotels In The World List which saw The Langham, Sydney as the only property featured for Australia and New Zealand. There was also a trifecta win at The 2015 Gourmet Traveller Awards earlier this year that included 2015 Hotel Of The Year and NSW Deluxe Hotel Of The Year awarded at last month’s TAA Awards.

Become a Best Western Rewards Point Millionaire

Best Western is giving one lucky member of its hotel loyalty program, Best Western Rewards the chance to win one million rewards points.

As part of the promotion, the hotel chain is also offering 300 instant win prizes for the next four weeks (until 8 October) including Best Western Travel Cards (a pre-loaded debit card that works like cash at any Best Western worldwide), Visa Universal Gift Cards and Best Western Rewards bonus points.

Entrants must register and enter their Best Western Rewards number online at bestwestern.com.au/points-millionaire to go into the competition draw. They’ll then be able to open one of three doors to see if they’re an instant winner.

The competition ends 8 October 2015 and is open to all Australian, New Zealand, Fijian and New Caledonian residents aged 18 years or over. Entrants must sign up for free to Best Western Rewards or be an existing cardholder to participate. Go to bestwestern.com.au/points-millionaire to sign up to Best Western Rewards and enter.

Book, pay and save at Ascott

The Ascott Limited in Australia (Ascott), is offering guests up to 15% off the Best Flexible Rate when bookings are made at least 30 days in advance by December 31 2015.

The earlier you book, the less you pay! Guests who book in advance will benefit from Ascott’s advance purchase promotion in Melbourne, Hobart and Perth.

The promotion is valid at all five Ascott properties in Australia – Citadines St Georges Terrace in Perth, Citadines on Bourke and Somerset on Elizabeth in Melbourne, and Somerset on the Pier and Somerset on Salamanca in Hobart.

For bookings and enquiries:  Please call 1800 766 377 (Australia toll-free) or visit www.citadines.com or www.somerset.com.

Novotel Parramatta’s new look

Novotel Sydney Parramatta, one of Parramatta’s premier hotels located on Church Street has unveiled its new look restaurant which boasts a new name and new menu.

Formally Two Forks, the new 350 Restaurant and Lounge breaks away from the traditional hotel restaurant look and feel, and features new furniture and a new menu concept which includes a dedicated ‘design your own’ pizza menu, share plates and ‘big bites’, designed to appeal to locals as well as guests of the hotel.

Situated across the road from the Riverside Theatre and at the start of ‘Eat Street’, Parramatta’s restaurant district, guests are encouraged to enjoy the new, contemporary surrounds either pre-show or stay longer and enjoy the hospitality and seasonal food prepared by executive chef Kiki Kiki.

Signature dishes on the menu include the Grain Fed Angus Rib Eye served with potato gallete, cherry tomato and grilled mushroom, pork belly bites and a Bailey’s Brulee.