WARNING: after looking at this hotel wrap, you’ll definitely want to book into one instead of going home for the night. Unless your place has ocean views and a massive bath, in which case, can we come?

Mandala – no other place, except our other places

Mandala is a portfolio of privately owned, design-led residences in spectacular Balinese locations conceptualized around clean, flowing lines and open airy spaces that mix raw, industrial elements with warm, elegant and luxurious finishes to provide private refuges with a signature flair for the unexpected.

Mandala began as the vision of owner Ben Jones, Founder and CEO of the M.Development family of businesses and creator of an award-winning group of bars and restaurants, including Bali’s hottest new beach club, Ulu Cliffhouse. This trailblazing new villa brand establishes a new paradigm in luxury accommodation, bridging the gap between branded boutique hotels and one-off, fully independent villas for those who want to kick back with the creature comforts and consistency of a five star hotel while enjoying the exclusivity of a private home.

Each villa is a super-luxe, five+ bedroom property, with painstaking attention to detail throughout, from interior design, architecture and services to the exceptionally high standards of staff training.

Mandala started as a dream home in Canggu and the concept has evolved into a portfolio of superb sites with the launch of three more villas in Berawa, Uluwatu and Nusa Lembongan with further locations to follow in 2019.

Bellinzona Resort, Cellar Door & Dining

Located in Australia’s Spa Capital of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Bellinzona Resort, Cellar Door & Dining prides itself on being a truly unique and spectacular retreat.

Rich in history that dates back to the 1800’s, Bellinzona Resort presents style, elegance, sophistication and old-world charm combined with a picture-perfect backdrop of manicured gardens and enchanting forests.

Complete with 55 elegant appointed rooms, extensive cellar door wine bar, Heritage restaurant, woodfire pizza oven, fitness centre and indoor heated pool, spa and sauna–there is plenty to keep guests occupied in one prime location.

Located only 90 minutes from Melbourne and only two minutes from the township of Daylesford, Bellinzona is the perfect location from which to explore the region and immerse yourself in the Daylesford lifestyle. The region is renowned for its revitalising mineral springs, lively cafés and restaurants, acclaimed wineries, artisan markets, day spas and natural attractions.

IHG’s third Australian voco™ signing to be part of ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper

IHG has officially signed its third voco in Australia since the brand’s global launch in June, partnering with Brady Group to open voco Melbourne Central in July 2020.

Part of the under-construction ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper with a high-end residential offering that is being developed and built by Brady Group, the 252-room voco Melbourne Central will feature all the unique and playful hallmarks of the voco brand. Guests will get a true sense of arrival as they check in at the Sky Lobby on level seven, affording magnificent views of the city as they enjoy voco’s genuine welcome experience, including a locally-inspired welcome treat.

Once checked in, all the elements of the voco life will be on offer, including rooms that are designed around the ‘Me Time’ concept with indulgent beds for a premium sleep experience, high-quality showers, innovative lighting and user-friendly technology. Beyond guest rooms, the hotel will feature a pool, gym, meeting space, all day dining restaurant and bar, and – importantly for Melbourne – Barista served coffee and a great breakfast.

voco Melbourne Central will be located at 380 Lonsdale Street in the absolute heart of Melbourne, just moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station and the GPO.

The Calile Hotel debuts in Brisbane under TFE Hotels Collection Brand

The Calile Hotel, Brisbane’s most anticipated new address, has officially opened its doors as Australia’s first urban resort. With an award-winning restaurant, cocktail bar, day spa and fashion boutiques within the hotel, guests have the world on their doorstep. Located in the heart of the James Street precinct, the175 room new build hotel is managed by TFE Hotels under the TFE Hotels Collection brand.

The building is designed by Brisbane architects Richards & Spence to meld with the leafy, landscaped facades they created in the precinct, in a project imagined by brothers Michael and Cal Malouf.

The hotel’s 175 generous guest rooms include nine suites and two premier suites. Each is designed with the ultimate guest experience in mind, with an individual balcony, Bluetooth sound bar, motorised blackout blinds, 55” flat screen television and complimentary new-release movies. Leisure facilities are designed to help guests embrace the authentic charm of the sub-tropical locale.

Beautiful and flexible event spaces cater to intimate culinary soirees, poolside cocktail parties, a grand ballroom celebration or wedding for up to 500 people. Wedding guests and event delegates can unwind at the Lobby Bar, enjoy a poolside cocktail and dinner, energise in the fitness centre, or be pampered at the spa.

Marriott International launches new white menu in celebration of its partnership with Diner en Blanc – Sydney’s coveted secret soirée

In celebration of its partnership with chic French dining phenomenon Diner en Blanc, Marriott International has introduced a new cocktail and dining series across its Sydney properties, inspired by the event’s French heritage and exclusive all-white theming.

The talented chefs and bartenders at Marriott International’s five city properties – Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, The Westin Sydney, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Central Park, and Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection – have created their very own Diner en Blanc inspired menus, available from today, in the lead up to the white pop-up picnic, taking place on 17 November.

The new Diner en Blanc cocktails will be available at Sydney hotels until 26 January, 2019 and are designed to invoke thoughts of springtime picnics in the French countryside. Each hotel has its own guest Diner en Blanc cocktail, incorporating a signature French infusion of flavours like Lillet Blanc, Cointreau or St. Germain Elderflower eau-de-vie.

Marriott International’s all-white dining menu joins the cocktail menu for a limited period and will be available across the city until 30 November, 2018.

Westin Hotel debuts in Maldives

Westin Hotels & Resorts has announced the anticipated opening of the brand’s first hotel in the Republic of Maldives with the opening of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. Developed by Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan and Asia Capital PLC, Sri Lanka, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort heralds the Westin brand’s wellness positioning in the Maldivian oasis. We thought this would be of interest to you and your readers.

Nestled on a beautiful coral island in the Baa Atoll, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, guests of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort will experience a tranquil escape with uninterrupted ocean and pristine turquoise lagoon views. Led by award-winning Milan-based architects PEIA Associati, the resort’s design takes inspiration from the ocean with a visionary approach towards environmental sustainability.

All elements of the resort’s design take inspiration from the environment from the use of natural materials, such as unique shells to the movement and flow of marine life including sea turtles and whale sharks, providing guests with a link to the region’s exceptional enchantment.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort features 70 villas and suites, 41 on island and 29 over water. Each villa is shaped with an eco-friendly double roofing to create the perfect natural ventilation. Outdoor rainforest showers are a distinctive feature. Poised over the sea on stilts and with an area of almost 200 square meters each, the overwater suites are among the largest a resort has to offer in the Baa Atoll region.

AccorHotels to manage-back iconic French Polynesian resort

AccorHotels has announced it will take over the management of the iconic Le Méridien Tahiti and rebrand it as Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel.

Owned by Grey Investment Group since 2012, the hotel located on the West coast of the island, has handed over the management of the hotel to AccorHotels, effective October 15, 2018.

AccorHotels and Grey Investment Group have forged a long-term relationship through sale and manage-back agreements. AccorHotels sold off its French Polynesian resort portfolio to the Grey Investment Group in December 2015, yet continued to manage-back the resorts.

Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel is the fourth hotel to be managed by Accor Hotels for the Grey Investment Group in French Polynesia, joining Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort, Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort and Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island.

Flute Private Dining Pop Up Restaurant returns for 2018 festive season

Returning to Melbourne’s iconic food scene for the second consecutive year, Flute Private Dining in partnership with G.H. Mumm will launch an exclusive pop-up dining experience at Rydges Melbourne on 23rd November 2018. Brought to life by Melbourne’s leading event specialist, Belinda Fitzpatrick, the unique dining experience and venue will be available for event bookings until 25th December 2018.

Paul Griffiths, Executive Head Chef for Flute Private Dining, will showcase a menu of refined seasonal dining, demonstrating synergy between sustainable produce and modern design through both traditional banquet or cocktail setting dining options. The Private Dining pop-up accommodates groups up to 80 seated or 100 cocktail.

Flute Private Dining is now taking bookings for events from 23rd November to 25th December 2018.

Jewel in the crown of Sydney’s CBD opens its doors

SKYE Suites Sydney will open its doors October 18th 2018, Sydney’s first boutique serviced apartments in the CBD. Located at 300 Kent Street, the highly anticipated opening of the luxury 25 storey multi-residential tower will set new benchmarks for combining architectural excellence, luxurious amenities and will enhance the modern inner-city lifestyle.

SKYE Suites Sydney sits within Arc by Crown Group, offering serviced apartments for short-term and long-term stay guests. The first phase of Arc will see luxury hotel apartment rooms available in SKYE SuitesSydney, comprising of studio suites and two bedrooms suites. In total, Skye Suites at Arc by Crown Group will host 73serviced apartments; including studio suites, one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom suites.

The second phase of the project will see the remaining residential suites, rooftop and retail precinct complete in November 2018. Committed to luxury experiences for guests, each superior-sized apartment suite features timeless interior finishes, complete withDelonghi appliances, Vittoria coffee machines, Kevin Murphy toiletries and hair care products, complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, pre-stocked mini bar and a bespoke bedding firmness menu.

Modern facilities will delight even the most seasoned business traveller with an ice-cave-themed lobby and pool, and state-of-the-art gymnasium.

Hotel launches Gift Shopper Program; encourages guests to rest pre-holiday offering expert to shop for them

Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has made this a reality with the launch of the “Beachside Personal Shopper” package. With the help of prestigious personal shopping expert Kim Smith, this package will make friends and family think the whole vacation was spent scouring the renowned retail mecca that is Waikiki, but in reality the guest will never have even stepped foot inside a store.

How it works – Guests book the package and are sent a questionnaire, have a phone consultation with the expert who then shops prior to arrival and by the time guests arrive at the resort, a curated selection of gifts will be available in the room for review. Whatever they like will be wrapped and shipped, and anything they do not will be returned.

All the guest has to worry about is resting and recharging. From a day in a private cabana on the rooftop pool deck to incredible dining at Morimoto Asia, and so much more, they will be fully ready to take on the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.