Our fave thing about Thursdays? Hotel wraps. Oh, and the actual wrap we get to eat for lunch. So this is our second favourite wrap of the day.

Novotel Melbourne Central and ibis Melbourne Central welcome guests for soft opening

Melbourne’s newest central dual-branded hotel accommodation, Novotel Melbourne Central and ibis Melbourne Central, will accept guests from 12 November as part of a soft opening, ahead of an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday 10 December.

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the integrated new-build Novotel and ibis hotels add 483 midscale and premium economy rooms to Melbourne’s booming hotel industry.

Housed in a 35-floor tower on Little Lonsdale Street, the property is home to restaurants Goldie Asian Canteen + Brews and Pretty Boy Italian Steakhouse, as well as Floyd’s bar.

Employing over 120 local staff, the opening comes as inbound tourism continues to grow, with tourism from international visitors set to increase by 75 per cent before the end of the next decade. Since construction began in December 2016, the new build has employed 1,126 Australian builders and contractors for 243,000-man hours, with a contract value of $94,000,000.

Emporium Hotel South Bank raises the bar with unveiling of Frangipani Suite

Emporium Hotel South Bank has once again raised the bar in luxury boutique accommodation with the unveiling of its opulent Frangipani Suite; which is the pièce de résistance in its range of stunning premier room offerings. Starting from $2,800 per night, the breathtaking 150sqm retreat exudes extravagance and is available for booking now.

Located on the 20th floor of the hotel, the truly one-of-a-kind Frangipani Suite is the epitome of lavish style and comfort. Lusciously appointed, the expansive space provides a superlative experience for the luxury traveller, with a range of contemporary touches. A formal double entry with marble flooring leads to an elegant living room with baby grand piano, double-sided fireplace, a spectacular handmade bronze bar with seating for three people, and a private balcony with seating to take in the magnificent, uninterrupted views of the Brisbane River and the city skyline.

A karaoke/media room delivers endless entertainment, whilst a separate study caters to the executive business traveller. Additional lavish finishes include 3m high coffered ceilings, a full-bottle Eurocave wine fridge, mini-bar, two 55-inch mirror-finish LED televisions Bose Soundbar, king-size bed, spacious walk-in wardrobe/dressing area, and powder room.

The generous, immaculately finished ensuite features a free-standing bath with a city/river outlook, double marble shower with both handheld and rain shower heads, a 32inch mirror television, white marble double vanity and separate toilet compartment. An interconnecting River City King Suite is also available to book, increasing the total space to 190sqm.

The Westin Brisbane welcomes its first guest

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, today announced the official opening of The Westin Brisbane, marking the brand’s debut in Queensland, Australia. Located in the heart of the River City, the hotel offers an urban retreat for leisure and business travellers, who prioritise their wellbeing.

Thoughtfully designed to capture the laid-back sophistication of the city, The Westin Brisbane features 260 guest rooms and 39 expansive suites with floor to ceiling windows, bathing the rooms in natural light. The hotel feels residential and intimate, yet open and airy: designed with a biophilic-focus, suggesting that a connection to nature enhances well-being.

Colours found in nature inspired the sophisticated palette coupled with natural materials and patterns that add textural layers to the interior design. Guests can enjoy a range of signature in-room Westin comforts, from the world-renowned Heavenly® Bed to the complimentary Sleep Well lavender balm.

The Westin Brisbane offers an array of experiences for guests and day visitors to rejuvenate, revitalise and improve their health and well-being. Australia’s first Heavenly Spa by Westin™ offers five treatment rooms, including two couple’s rooms, steam room and idyllic relaxation pods. Designed as a modern and tranquil oasis, the spa offers a full menu of signature services, including body treatments, massages and facials and has partnered with Kerstin Florian to be the only provider of the company’s premier product line in Brisbane.

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort supersizes its popular breakfast package

Serving up a reminder that your first meal of the day is the most important, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort has enhanced its popular “Beach + Bed + Breakfast” value-added package with a new option sure to delight travellers.

Outrigger guests staying a minimum of four nights can now wake up to breakfast or brunch – or lunch. Fresh brewed Kona coffee and an array of locally inspired foods await with a complimentary breakfast or lunch buffet at world-famous Duke’s Waikiki; as well as breakfast or brunch at Hula Grill restaurant. Additionally, guests receive the fourth-night free to stay longer and embrace more Waikiki Beach adventures.

As part of the “Beach Bed Breakfast” special – daily breakfast, lunch or brunch will be offered to two guests per room a day along with one-time complimentary use of the beachfront resort’s lounge chairs and umbrellas for two hours. Guests can dine from 6:30am – 2pm at Hula Grill and 7am – 2pm at Duke’s Waikiki.

Radisson Hotel Group Asian Pacific region announces latest Make a Difference campaign

Working in collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages International, Radisson Hotel Group™ will be launching a new charitable initiative, ‘Make a Difference’, from 22 October to 31 March 2019. During this period, for every night booked under this campaign in a participating hotel in Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group will donate US$1 directly to SOS Children’s Villages, helping fund the education of underprivileged children across the region.

In addition, guests can enjoy 15 per cent off Best Available Rates on select room categories. Radisson Rewards™ members will also be presented with an additional 5% off and earn 1,000 Bonus Points for each stay.

SOS Children’s Villages International is an independent, non-governmental, nonprofit international development organization working to meet the needs and protect children’s interests and rights around the world. Founded in 1949 by Austrian philanthropist, Hermann Gmeiner, SOS Children’s Villages International works with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children, in every society, are fulfilled.

NSW’s first luxury dome accommodation has opened

A personal project of grazier’s Jamie and Belinda Munsie, Faraway Domes is the most recent luxury accommodation for those wanting their own exclusive get-away. Set on the owners 9,000-acre working beef and sheep property in the region of Warialda, New South Wales, Faraway Domes will offer guests first-class comfort with minimal carbon footprint in a truly unique and private environment.

The Munsie’s have experienced the driest conditions in 100 years and knew they had to diversify their 9,000-acre mixed farming business to safeguard the future of their family operation for generations to come.

Developed to attract more visitors to the region and boost local tourism while preserving nature, Faraway Domes is an east facing, self-contained private geodesic dome structure perfectly built for two. The structure is the first of its kind in New South Wales, featuring a luxurious king size four poster bed, open plan living and kitchen area, private bathroom and four-meter high elevated deck with outdoor bath, the result is unlike anything the region has seen before.

IHG opens first voco™ globally on Australia’s Gold Coast together with owners, SB&G Group

The Mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate and CEO of Destination Gold Coast, Annaliese Battista were among the dignitaries that officially opened voco Gold Coast at a packed ribbon cutting ceremony at the hotel this morning.

The opening of voco Gold Coast represents IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) first hotel globally for its new upscale hotel brand: voco™, just five months after it was launched. Owned by Australian property investment firm SB&G Group and located on the shores of the Gold Coast, voco™ Gold Coast is now open for guests to soak up the sun, sand and sea in Australia’s beloved Surfers Paradise.

voco™, inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin, will combine the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. The public spaces of voco™ Gold Coast emphasise this social element, fittingly named Social House Café, which collectively houses a bar and lounge within the venue, offering a space for everyone.

With 389 rooms, the property is situated in the heart of Australia’s iconic Surfers Paradise precinct and steps away from Queensland’s famous beaches. The hotel offers all the features that guests can expect from the upscale voco™ brand including two swimming pools, gym facilities, L’Aqua Day Spa, 800sqm of meeting space and expansive views of both the ocean and hinterland. Multiple dining options are also available in the hotel’s three unique restaurants – Waves, Clifford’s Grill & Lounge and Social House – all designed to offer vibrant social experiences for voco™ guests to enjoy.

AccorHotels extends partnership with the AFL

The AFL is proud to announce AccorHotels has extended its partnership, as the AFL’s Official Hotel Partner, for the next four years.

In an exciting new addition to the current partnership, AccorHotels will provide career opportunities in hospitality to AFLW players allowing them the flexibility to compete at the elite level, and a shared commitment to increasing employment and development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through AccorHotels’ Indigenous Employment Program.

The Indigenous Employment Program provides direct and program specific recruitment from casual, part-time and full-time roles. Confirmed program candidates will undertake a five-day employment program followed by mentoring, feedback and a job offer.

Radisson Hospitality, Inc. issues statement following completion of acquisition by Jin Jiang International Holdings Co., Ltd 

Today, a consortium led by Jin Jiang International Holdings Co., Ltd (Jin Jiang International) announced that it has completed the acquisition of Radisson Hospitality, Inc.

In response to the announcement, John M. Kidd, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Radisson Hospitality, Inc., issued the following statement:

This marks yet another incredible milestone in our company’s storied history and one that I’m confident will elevate Radisson Hotel Group to a new level of strength as a global leader in the hospitality industry. When we announced our re-branding earlier this year to Radisson Hotel Group, we shared our vision for the company, which was to be the company of choice for guests, owners and talent.

We are now owned by one of the leading travel and hospitality companies — the fifth largest hotel company in the world.1 Additionally, Jin Jiang’s loyalty program encompasses more than 100 million members. This type of size, coupled with the record number of Chinese consumers traveling abroad, provides a number of new opportunities for Radisson Hotel Group.