andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge boasts brand new look

Recently reopened following a USD$2 million rebuild and refurbishment, the old family favourite of andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge is boasting an elegant new look.

The lodge’s thatched cottages have been extended to offer a more spacious room layout while retaining their genteel and romantic safari feel. The ensuite bathrooms have been enlarged, with al fresco showers and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the natural light. Discrete walls of natural stone and carefully contoured pathways between the rooms ensure plenty of privacy. The private verandas of each cottage have been enlarged to provide plenty of space for private dining.

In keeping with Ngala’s reputation as a family favourite, three family cottages have been created at the lodge. These back-to-back cottages are connected by an interleading door and can be sold as a family unit or as two separate rooms.

App allows hotel guests to order drinks poolside with the tap of a button

Peppers properties in Australia, New Zealand and Bali, plus tech-savvy BreakFree on Cashel in Christchurch, have launched a new user-friendly and feature-rich mobile device application giving guests access to hotel services and destination-specific information in the palm of their hands.

With just a few taps on the app, travellers can check in on the go before they arrive, as well as access a host of other hotel services, such as ordering a drink poolside without leaving the comfort of their sunlounge (select properties), ordering in-room dining anytime anywhere and booking a selection of local tours.

Mantra Group Chief Operating Officer Tomas Johnsson said the apps utilise the latest technology to enhance their guests’ experience even further as the Group strives to set a new standard in digital service delivery in the accommodation sector.

New Look Bora Bora: the Pearl of the Pacific Gets a Fresh Polish

The Pearl of the Pacific will soon be more polished than ever, with several hotel updates giving Tahiti’s famed island of Bora Bora a stylish new look and feel.

A new hotel player will soon join the exclusive list of properties that call Bora Bora home, as Conrad Hotels & Resorts prepares to take over the franchise for the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa.

The property will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before re-opening as the stunning Conrad Bora Bora Nui in early 2017 – the first Conrad hotel in Tahiti.

The Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, operated by Pacific Beachcomber, is also set to undertake renovations, constructing four new two-bedroom overwater villas with private pools.

Scheduled to begin in September and last for approximately 10 months, the work will also include the addition of swimming pools to 10 overwater villas in the south branch of the resort, as well as a general refresh of all villas.

Meanwhile, Le Meridien Bora Bora has just completed a refurbishment with a focus on refreshing its bungalows and food and beverage outlets, including a revamp of its picturesque Miki Miki and Pool bars.

Schwartz Hotels establishes “green corridor” in NSW/ACT

Hotelier Jerry Schwartz has launched a ‘green corridor’ between his hotels in NSW and ACT to highlight the potential of environmental initiatives in the tourism industry.

Electrical vehicle charging stations have been installed for free usage by guests in Schwartz Family Company properties in the Hunter Valley (Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley), Blue Mountains (Fairmont Resort and Leura Gold Club), Sydney (Mercure Sydney, Rydges Sydney Central), and Mercure Canberra will be shortly added to the network.

In addition, the Blue Mountains has been turned green with the installation of 100kw solar panels on the rooftop of the Fairmont Resort and 30kw solar panels on the adjacent Leura Golf Club. The Blue Mountains installation follows the inauguration of a major solar plant at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley earlier this year.

The solar installation (376 panels) at the Fairmont will produce CO2 savings of 155,658kg per annum.

“The measures that we have introduced will have long term benefits for the environment and our energy management,” said Dr Jerry Schwartz.

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac launches new discounted rate, exclusive to Choice Privileges members

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac has announced that members of its loyalty program, Choice Privileges, will soon be able to enjoy a discounted rate as part of their membership. The new rate plan will ensure Choice Privileges members are guaranteed the best non-restricted rate in market when booking through Choice Hotels direct channels.

Speaking at the 2016 Choice Hotels Asia-Pac Momentum Conference, currently being hold in Hobart, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac CEO Trent Fraser said, “We are thrilled to share this significant announcement with our franchisees, as this will be an important tool we utilize in our quest to drive more business through our direct channels.”

“We look forward to making this exclusive rate available to our Choice Privileges members in Q4 this year and it will be bookable at all of our 270+ hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore,” added Mr Fraser.

With the conference theme ‘Momentum’, almost 250 delegates are hearing presentations and participating in workshops all aimed at giving franchisees the tools and resources needed to continue the momentum that Choice Hotels has established in the market over the past decade and a half.

Shangri-La International Festival of Gastronomy returns

The acclaimed Shangri-La International Festival of Gastronomy will return for a second year with an illustrious line-up of celebrated chefs at 11 Shangri-La hotels from 25 October to 1 November 2016.

The 12 chefs – three of whom have restaurants listed in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants – hold a total of 20 Michelin Stars between them and will headline Shangri-La’s culinary event, which will be simultaneously launched in 11 of the group’s hotels in ten cities: Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Manila, Paris, Taipei, Tokyo, Shanghai and Singapore.

The gastronomy festival, co-sponsored by evian and BADOIT, will spotlight the chefs’ remarkable talents and techniques as they elevate guests’ dining experiences through culinary artistry and excellence.  Details about the chefs and prices can be viewed at www.shangrilalovesfood.com from 1 September.