Our favourite thing about Thursdays is the hotel wrap. Ok – it’s mostly that it’s almost Friday. That, and the fact that we get to look at pretty pictures of hotels.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali listed as a Top Resort in Asia

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is delighted to be listed as one of the Top Resorts in Asia in the 31st annual Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali graces the beautiful beachfront in Nusa Dua, attracting guests from around the world, drawn to supreme comfort and modern luxuries in a choice of spacious suites and stunning pool villas. Upgrading to The Ritz-Carlton Club level elevates the guest experience by unlocking exclusive benefits, including access to the Club Lounge with private pool where complimentary cocktails, gourmet food service, and personalized check in are offered.

The resort also offers the opportunity to discover the essence of Bali through unique heritage dining experiences at Bejana the resort’s signature Indonesian restaurant, deluxe spa treatments inspired by ancient healing traditions at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and customized tours to discover the island’s mystical temples and stunning hinterland through the Concierge service.

Hilton announces innovative new hotel brand; ‘Motto by Hilton’ will deliver affordable style in coveted urban destinations

Hilton today announced the launch of Motto by Hilton, its newest affordable lifestyle brand that will empower guests by giving them the freedom to create their own experiences in the world’s most sought-after cities.

As Hilton approaches its 100th anniversary, it continues to pioneer the hospitality landscape with a new brand to address the needs and desires of the evolving global traveller.

Motto by Hilton hotels around the world will show off their flexibility through spaces that have been cleverly designed, technology that makes traveling seamless and a standout sleep experience that makes recharging easier than ever.

While Motto by Hilton prices will vary by market, each property will offer competitive rates that will make it a viable option for travellers who typically stay with friends or family or seek out temporary housing options when travelling to urban markets.

Karma Group introduces Karma Chang in the spiritual heartland of Thailand

Karma Group has announced the addition of Karma Chang in Chiang Mai to it’s portfolio of Karma Retreats in the world’s most spectacular locations, giving guests the opportunity to experience Thailand’s spiritual heart and old world charm. Karma Chang is located close to the riverside in Chiang Mai, one of the city’s most popular locales.

Just four km from the city centre and five km from Chiang Mai International Airport, Karma Chang is an oasis of relaxation and the ideal launchpad from which to explore Chiang Mai’s numerous attractions including Wat Ko Klang Temple, Wat Chedi Liem Temple, 14th-century Wat Phra Singh Temple and the serpent adorned 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang Temple as well as various authentic markets such as Warorot.

Karma Chang offers equal measures of comfort and convenience with a range of contemporary conveniences. Guests can dine at the resort’s restaurants, relax over a drink in the bar, or unwind in the refreshing main pool between adventures. Accommodation options include a range of hotel-style units and studio apartments, tastefully decorated in traditional Thai and Lanna style.

Holiday Inn Sydney Airport’s popular ‘Park, Stay & Go’ package flying high after 25 years

One of Sydney’s longest running hotel leisure packages – Holiday Inn Sydney Airport’s ‘Park, Stay & Go’ package – has clocked up 25 years of providing travellers with a stress-free solution to departing from Sydney Airport.

A new season of ‘Park, Stay & Go’ is taking off in time for the pre and post-Christmas holiday breaks and end-of-year business trips.

The package includes one night’s accommodation for two people, return airport shuttle tickets, buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking for the duration of your getaway. Additionally, with Holiday Inn’s Kids Stay & Eat Free guarantee, children under 12 are included in the package price.

There are packages covering four, seven or 15 days parking, with the option to extend your parking for only $15 per day. The packages start from $234, inclusive of seven nights parking.

Former tennis pros with 32 Grand Slam wins between them to offer lessons at Soneva Resorts in the Maldives

Soneva, the world-leading luxury resort operator, is set to welcome one former Australian tennis pro (Todd Woodbridge) and two former Swedish tennis pros (Thomas Johansson & Jonas Björkman) to Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives during the festive season to offer guests one-on-one coaching lessons and friendly matches.

Australian, Todd Woodbridge, is best known for his successful doubles partnerships with Mark Woodforde and later Jonas Björkman (who is also visiting Soneva during the festive season). Todd has won 16 men’s doubles Grand Slams (nine Wimbledons, three US Opens, three Australian Opens and one French Open). He also won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics with Woodford to complete his career Golden Grand Slam.

Their visits are part of Soneva’s Festival of Colour; a year long campaign that celebrates Soneva’s diverse array of visiting chefs, artists, athletes, wellness practitioners and more across all of its resorts.

CastaDiva Resort & Spa Lake Como announces detox spa offer 

CastaDiva Resort & Spa in Lake Como, taken over by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, has put together a program of detoxifying spa treatments designed to prepare the body for the change of season as part of their Remise en Forme on Lake Como by CastaDiva spa offer.

The change of season is always a critical moment for the body, mind and soul but it is also an opportunity to detoxify the organism, making it work as best as it can. CastaDiva’s expert spa therapists suggest a few “must-do” treatments to ensure the body is fully prepared for the change of season as part of the resort’s Spa package.

This spa offer included two nights’ accommodation, daily buffet gourmet breakfast, daily entrance to the wellness area of the CastaDiva SPA featuring the Finnish Sauna, an Aromatherapy Associates facial Treatment, a “Sleep Deeply” Body Massage, 20 minutes Private SPA Experience, a “Body Refiner” treatment, light lunch and one four-course dinner at L’Orangerie Restaurant. Prices start at 1720.56 Euro (approx. AU $2791.15) for a Classic Garden View Room.

WRD Unveils new spa menu so good you’ll want to eat it… and you can!

Resort Creative Agency, World Resorts of Distinction (WRD), is excited to announce the launch of a new edible spa menu by one of its award-winning, boutique resort brands in the Maldives.

Coco Collection partnered with UK-based Chloé Morris, the Creative Experience Director and founder of Edible Stories, to create the innovative menu now available at the Coco Spa at Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.

All treatments in this menu use homemade spa products created entirely with edible ingredients such as coconut, papaya, kiwi, turmeric, avocado, honey and yoghurt. With treatments such as Chocolate Cake Scrub, Papaya Panna Cotta Mask, Banana Ice Cream Wrap, and Coco Rice Pudding Scrub, this menu offers a truly unique and tempting experience.

The Coco Spa edible menu was inspired by the growing global trend of creating immersive journeys through food, which is a niche market that founder, Chloé Morris, specialises in.