There’s no need to hang around the work toilets to hear all the hotel industry gossip, when you can read it right here.

AccorHotels brings Indigenous culture to life during National Reconciliation Week

AccorHotels is proud to be celebrating National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June 2017 while continuing to be a passionate leader in encouraging cultural tourism within its hotels.

AccorHotels has identified cultural tourism as playing a crucial role in bringing greater awareness to Australia’s heritage and has developed a clear strategy to engage both employees and guests, through key cultural milestones such as National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week.

Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels Pacific, said: “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now represent 5% of our workforce in Australia and one of our goals is to build confidence in our 565 Indigenous employees and provide opportunities to lead cultural activities within our hotels. This may be done through sharing stories, educating guests on the cultural history of the land, or performing traditional ceremonies.”

Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour will be incorporating an Indigenous inspired menu throughout The Ternary which includes chicken and Lemon Myrtle sausages and hot smoked kangaroo with bush tomato chutney at breakfast. The hotel’s conferencing lunch menus will be designed each day round an Indigenous theme and the staff canteen will be stocked with indigenous style food.

Novotel Wollongong will be hosting a morning tea with local Indigenous school children and Novotel Brighton Beach will be hosting didgeridoo classes as well as Indigenous art classes.

Sofitel Wentworth Sydney will be raising the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Flag and will also be celebrating a Taste for Success cooking demonstration for hotel staff which will be hosted by Vic Cherikoff who is regarded as a pioneer of the native Australian food industry and has nearly 30 years of experience in commercialising wild food species – taking them from the wild as bush tucker to developing them into authentic Australian foods.

Ibis Styles Katherine is partnering with Top Diji Cultural Centre and is creating a local Aboriginal art display in the lobby while Novotel Barossa Valley Resort will be offering a two-course Indigenous inspired menu in its famed Cellar Kitchen restaurant while local Indigenous artists will have their works displayed in the lobby. A Local Elder will be speaking at a cultural bonfire to commence Reconciliation Week which is open to locals as well as resort guests.

Official opening of Friendly Beach Resort Tanna island, Vanuatu

Viewers of “Tanna the Movie” would have loved the celebrations given by Tanna people for the opening of Friendly Beach this week in Tanna, Vanuatu by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, the Hon Mr Joe Natuman. Over five hundred people attended the celebration, and the colour, the language, the sheer impact of custom and culture was unique and overwhelming.

Friendly Beach is a small resort on the east coast of Tanna owned by Australian Joanne Wade and her immediate family. The property was destroyed by cyclone Pam in 2015 and Joanne made the decision to rebuild only four unique villas and rebrand as Friendly Beach, a boutique luxury adventure resort.

Joanne Wade and her son, a landscape architect, took over one year to reclaim, rebuild and rebrand the property, using all local materials and local labour in the rebuild process. Joanne purchased the property approximately nine years ago, and has developed an excellent relationship with the Tannese people in the nearby communities who led the celebrations for the opening. 

The Hon Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Mr Joe Natuman and his delegation made the trip to Tanna especially for the opening ceremony.

AYANA Resort and Spa BALI – resort update

Following a period of major resort enhancements, AYANA Resort and Spa BALI has finally shared details of its new developments and forthcoming events – and the dates they’ll be up and running for guests to enjoy.

AYANA Resort and Spa BALI is a 290-room hotel with 78 private pool villas spread along a 1.3 kilometre coastline, with an additional 403 rooms and suites at sister property RIMBA Jimbaran BALI by AYANA. Features and facilities include the Thermes Marins Spa, Spa on the Rocks, 12 swimming pools, 18 restaurants and bars, a golf putting course, cultural activities such as batik, cooking classes, a private beach, and fitness and wellness programs such as yoga meditation.

Tresna Chapel

With a ocean backdrop, the recently redeveloped Tresna Chapel features a tranquil water entrance and a lavish sparkling aisle, as well as a new function suite below which is perfect for pre- and post-wedding celebrations. Weddings at the Tresna Chapel are bookable from 1 July.

New ocean view wedding deck at AYANA Villas

Now open for booking the new ocean view wedding deck is located in the gardens of AYANA Villas, where couples can exchange vows in complete privacy at the end of their own floating walkway.

Brand New Beach Club

For the exclusive use of AYANA and RIMBA guests, the fresh new beach club at Kubu Beach recreates the laidback vibe of traditional Kuta back in its 1960s heyday. Combining classic Balinese design, local cuisine and old-school activities such as raw coconut oil beach massages, the club can be accessed via the new inclinator. The new beach club opens at the end of May. 

Ravishing New Retail

From July 1, guests can enjoy browsing and buying from 13 hand-picked boutique leisure and lifestyle outlets right in the heart of the resort. From clothing, homewares and gift stores to hair and nail salons, gelato bars and fresh pastry pit-stops, this new hub is bound to become a hive of activity for all ages.

Upgraded Spa Zone

With a new spa reception to set the tone, there are fresh spa treatment rooms, a retail outlet stocking spa products and take-home gifts, and a café dishing up post-spa snacks.

Ayana welcomes families with escape to Bali school holidays

Valid from 20 June until 14 July 2017, Australian guests are invited to experience the AYANA lifestyle with a VIP packed stay & play school holiday deal.

Friends and family traveling together during the school holidays are encouraged to take advantage of the fantastic package which starting from as little as AUD $228!

Located along Jimbaran’s cliff-top sunset coast, and featuring 18 restaurants, 12 swimming pools and 2 spas; guests staying at AYANA Resort and Spa BALI or RIMBA Jimbaran BALI by AYANA will have a delicious daily breakfast buffet and a one-time wellness and relaxation session in AYANA’s  Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pool. Guests staying for 3 nights or more will also receive priority access and table reservation at Rock Bar BALI during sunset, with a cool complimentary mocktail to enjoy as the sun goes down.

For guests with larger groups The Villas at AYANA start at AUD $1250 per night. Guests receive the red carpet experience in a pool villa with ocean views, private garden and personalised butler service. Villa guests enjoy convenient golf buggy transport and signature benefits such as AYANA’s Floating Breakfast.

For those enjoying the school holiday deal, both AYANA Resort and Spa BALI and RIMBA Jimbaran BALI by AYANA offer a host of kids club activities, either a full day or half day available with activities ranging from temple visits, Japanese origami, exploring science and nature, paper mask and flower making, and junior master chef.

Atlantis, the Palm Dubai announce an exclusive summer offer for Mastercard holders

MasterCard Summer Offer 2017

Enjoy 25-40% Off at Atlantis, The Palm

• 25-40% off Deluxe, Imperial Club, Club Suites and Signature Suites
• Book Dates: 4th June 2017-30th  September 2017
• Stay Sates: 4th June 2017-15th October 2017

Stay offer:  

• Booking dates available from 04 June till 30 September 2017
• Stay dates available from 04 June till 15 October 2017
• Offer must be paid in full using a valid MasterCard or debit or credit card
• Blackout dates and minimum night length stay may apply
• Rooms, special rates and special requests are all subject to availability
• Offer must be paid in full using a valid MasterCard debit or credit card
• MasterCard debit or credit card used to make purchase must be presented upon check-in or else full room rate will apply
• Offer is subject to availability.
• Offer valid via Atlantis, The Palm website, mobile site and Atlantis Reservation Office
• Offer valid for new reservations only
• Offer cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount

Bookings open 4 June.

Seabreeze Resort releases amazing booking bonuses

Stay a minimum five nights at the adults only Seabreeze Resort Samoa and receive resort bonuses to the value of AUD$1,315 per room, per stay. The bonuses are valid for all bookings made by 30 June 2017 and for travel between 1 November 2017 and 31 March 2018.

Seabreeze boasts 12 air-conditioned villas, all with ocean, lagoon or reef views including the ultimate Honeymoon Point House. Villas have been designed to provide an ambience of relaxation and tranquillity.

A five-night stay at Seabreeze Resort starts from AUD$1979 per room and includes the added bonuses of one three course dinner for two with a bottle of wine, return airport transfers for two and one 30-minute massage per room per stay.

Regular rate inclusions include a la carte breakfast daily, nightly turndown service, complimentary mini bar replenished daily, use of new smart phones during guests’ stay, complimentary food platter in room for arrivals after 9pm and before 7am and complimentary use of glass bottom kayaks and snorkelling equipment.

Accor Hotels announces exclusive partnership with TEG and Cirque du Soleil

AccorHotels has announced a partnership with TEG and TORUK The First Flight by Cirque du Soleil which will be touring Australia and New Zealand for the first time from 1 September 2017 and performing close to 100 shows.

As the Official Accommodation Partner for Cirque du Soleil’s Australia and New Zealand tour, Le Club AccorHotels and Accor Plus loyalty members will receive access to pre-sale tickets, VIP opportunities and money-can’t-buy experiences which will include meet and greets and behind-the-scenes tours. Hotels will also be offering unique animations and benefits to guests when the show is in town.

Inspired by James Cameron’s record-breaking film AVATAR, TORUK The First Flight by Cirque du Soleil will make its Australian debut at Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre in October before heading to Sydney (Qudos Bank Arena), Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena) and then Adelaide (Entertainment Centre).

Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort reveals its Crystal Marquee for MICE & Wedding Sectors

Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort has unveiled Crystal, a unique meeting space in the south of the island. This new concept opens opportunities for the resort in the events and MICE sector, from meetings and conferences to gala dinners and weddings.

Crystal is a fully air-conditioned transparent marquee. It measures 33 x 17.5 metres, can seat up to 250 people in banquet style and sits on a rooftop area of the hotel giving a wonderful view of the Bel Ombre coast.

The resort setting is ideal for events: 181 sea-facing rooms offer a beachfront location alongside the lagoons of the Indian Ocean. A permanent structure, Crystal can be adapted for many needs. It can be used as a classic conference venue with pitch-dark option, or semi-transparent with ocean views, both incorporating the latest audio-visual technology. It offers customised menus for beach parties and weddings, all the way up to wine and gala dinners; advanced audio-visual services; technical and secretarial services for businesses; lighting and ambience support; live entertainment, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort has a dedicated MICE team that tailors proposals and accompanies groups during their events. This team has created a range of original MICE services including team-building activities, nature retreats, personalised wellness experiences, themed gala dinners and private outdoor events.

Usher in a new era of entertainment at Marina Bay Sands with Spectra 

Marina Bay Sands is set to unveil an unprecedented entertainment experience with a new, state-of-the-art light and water show, Spectra, on 2 June. The city skyline will glimmer with a kaleidoscope of colours and spectacular lights each night with Spectra, a free-to-public outdoor light and water show displayed over the water at the Event Plaza along the promenade. Combining an array of state-of-the-art lasers, lighting, water effects and projections, the show promises to be a multimedia extravaganza set to an orchestral soundtrack composed by award-winning local music producer Kenn C.

The world-first production, which took two years to create, is designed to take viewers on a four act journey, beginning with Singapore’s origins as a cultural melting pot, and ending with a glimpse into its future as a global city and beacon of innovation. Key to this narrative is a selection of innovative water fountain technologies, including pyramids, gyroscopic arcs and straight jets, as well as lava and mist effects, many of which create a canvas for vibrant projections.

The creative force behind the production is Australian-based experience agency, Imagination, which is behind some of the most definitive shows in Australia, including Sydney New Year’s Eve, the city’s official celebrations and biggest public event.

The show is also energy-efficient – besides the use of energy-saving LED lights, the production’s water effects are powered using water from the bay, which is filtered and recycled with each performance.

The new show will perform twice every night (Sunday to Thursday) at 8pm and 9pm, with a third show added at 10pm on Friday and Saturday. It can be viewed 50 meters across the waterfront promenade, complementing the stunning nightscape of Marina Bay.

‘Green’ Nanuku appoints Fijian marine scientist to manage on-resort environmental programs

Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji’s resident marine scientist, Kelly Dawn Bentley

Pacific Harbour, Fiji – Nanuku Auberge Resort has recruited high profile Fijian marine scientist Kelly Dawn Bentley to manage all activity revolving around the luxury resort’s ‘Planet Auberge’ environmental program.

Announcing Ms Bentley’s appointment, General Manager, Sascha Hemmann said her focus would revolve around the resort’s coral planting, reef conservation, Mangrove replanting and shore protection activity. She will also be very hands-on with Nanuku’s turtle conservation activity, which all guests staying at the resort can readily play a role in.

A Fijian national, Ms Bentley holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific. She has also coordinated local mangrove restoration and reforestation projects and is well known on both a local school and community basis for her work in building awareness on climate change, marine pollution, mangrove and coral reef conservation.

See whales at play in Hervey Bay with a stay at Mantra or Breakfree 

Two of Hervey Bay’s best located resorts, Mantra Hervey Bay and BreakFree Great Sandy Straits, are offering a range of deals for holidaymakers. This year, all deals include a 20 per cent discount off Hervey Bay Whale Watch Quick Cat Two Tours when booked through hotel reception.

Renowned as the whale watching capital of Australia, the Queensland coastal haven is preparing to welcome thousands of humpbacks over winter when they take time out from their annual migration in the calm waters of Hervey Bay.

Stay at Mantra Hervey Bay: from $115* per night in a Hotel Room (Sunday to Thursday. Minimum two night stay– total cost $230*) including the tour discount, a bottle of wine and a whale watching gift pack on arrival. Mantra Hervey Bay also features a heated outdoor pool, sauna and day spa.

BreakFree Great Sandy Straits: from $129* per night in a One Bedroom Apartment (Sunday to Thursday. Minimum two night stay– total cost $258*) including the tour discount and a whale watching gift pack on arrival. BreakFree Great Sandy Straits also offer pools, tennis courts, a kids’ playground and games room.

Mercure Auckland rebrands to ‘Grand’

AccorHotels New Zealand have announced that Mercure Auckland will rebrand to the Grand Mercure Auckland from June 1, following an extensive NZ$22 million refurbishment, the second Grand Mercure announced this month for the region.

With 207 guest rooms and suites in total – all room types have been fully refurbished. A new library provides the ideal venue to relax and read from a collection of some of New Zealand’s finest literature. With a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, the Grand Mercure Auckland offers the largest event space of any hotel in the Britomart area with capacity for 350 cocktail style.

On street level, a new alfresco social eatery has been added, Custom Lane, which transforms from café to bar as day shifts to night, capturing a sense of lively Britomart. Take the lift to the hotel’s rooftop Vue Restaurant & Attica Bar, which boasts unobstructed views of Auckland’s skyline and harbour, matched by fine cuisine showcasing New Zealand’s outstanding produce and wines.

Experience the newly rebranded Grand Mercure Auckland from just $204 including breakfast.

Enhance Your Vivid Sydney Experience With PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney’s Upgrade Offer

Conveniently located on the city-side of Darling Harbour, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney offers unsurpassed views of the Vivid Sydney action in the Darling Harbour precinct from their Club Lounge, Club rooms and Darling Harbour View rooms.

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney is within easy reach of Barangaroo, The Australian National Maritime Museum, as well as the Opera House and Customs House for guests to really take in the full Vivid Sydney experience.

In addition to a room upgrade, this offer also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and is fully flexible, allowing you to cancel the reservation up until 6pm on the day of arrival. Kids also eat breakfast free when dining with an adult.

Taveuni Palms Resort, Fiji win’s Luxury Travel Guide Award

The opulent Taveuni Palms Resort, Fiji Islands has won best Private Luxury Hotel of the Year – Fiji at the recent 2017 Luxury Travel Guide (LTG) Asia & Australasia Awards.

The LTG awards identify the best hotels and accommodation options throughout the continent with its criterion focused on innovation, design, rooms and facilities, gastronomic achievements, service excellence, use of technology, sustainable development, marketing & branding, employee satisfaction, and location.

The judging panel for the awards included TV personalities Shane Green (Resort Rescue) and Marianela Pereyra (Resident Beach Expert), luxury travel photographer Antonio Cuellar, as well as the in-house team at Luxury Travel Guide.

Chiva-Som announces special Thai Pavilion offer 

Chiva-Som has announced an all-inclusive accommodation offer across its exclusive range of Specialty Retreats. The offer applies to guests staying a minimum 3 nights at the resort, which is situated within seven acres of tropical gardens in the Royal city of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand, 185 km south of Bangkok, from 1 June to 30 September 2017.

The Thai Pavilion Off-Peak Season Offer is priced from AUD2648 per person twin share and AUD3531 per person single occupancy –representing a reduction of AUD589 on normal rates inclusive of:

• Individual health and wellness consultation
• 3 wellness cuisine meals per night
• Optional skin consultation
• Optional physical analysis
• Daily fitness and leisure activities (8 classes daily)
• Unlimited use us Water Therapy Suites (Steam, Sauna, Jacuzzi)
• One daily treatment per night of stay selecting from Thai Massage, Invigorating Massage, Relaxing Foot Massage, Oriental Scalp Massage, Chiva-Som Skin Haven Body Polish)

The Chiva-Som advisor will assist guests in achieving the most out of their stay by devising a personal programme of treatments and services. The retreats include A Taste of Chiva-Som, Optimal Performance, Spa Wellbeing, Yoga For Life, Fitness, Natural Renewal, Weight Management, Cell Vitality, Cranial Relief, Emotional Wellbeing, Tension Release and Sustainable Slimming.

The resort features 70 treatment rooms at Niranlada Medi-Spa, a kinesis studio, gym, watsu pool, flotation pool, large outdoor swimming pool, bathing pavilion with kneipp bath, sauna, steam, Jacuzzi and indoor swimming pool. Spa cuisine presents organically-grown fruits and vegetables from the Chiva-Som garden and guests can enjoy the elegance of fine dining in the Emerald Room or relax outdoors at the Taste of Siam restaurant by the sea.

Cocktails and Coconuts in the heart of the city… Bloomsbury’s very own beach bar is back

Fairmont Monte Carlo unveils a new suite dedicated to racing legend Ayrton Senna  

Fairmont Monte Carlo, a luxurious hotel located on the Côte d’Azur and in the heart of the Principality of Monaco, provides travelers with unparalleled access to  views of the Fairmont Hairpin turn during Formula One’s famed Monaco Grand Prix.

Already allowing guests to take in all the race action from three incredible suites honouring former F1 icons, the hotel has debuted a fourth racing suite dedicated to World Championship driver Ayrton Senna. The suite, decorated with signed photos and memorabilia of Ayrton‘s six victories in Monaco, was officially inaugurated with a special tribute that was attended by Bianca Senna, member of Ayrton Senna’s family and HSH Prince Albert.

Travel Lodge taken over by minions ahead of Despicable Me 3 Release

Travelodge Hotels will team up with Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures to celebrate one of the most anticipated family feel-good releases this winter, Despicable Me 3. The partnership will drive a number of creative marketing activities, which will highlight the brand’s appeal to families.

The undisputed stars – the Minions, will take over Travelodge Sydney with a huge, five storey high projection of one of the yellow characters being cast on the front of the hotel on Friday and Saturday nights from 26 May to 10 June.

A family room at the hotel is getting a total Minion-make-over from 8 to 22 June, complete with themed walls, bedding, toothbrushes and toiletries. Guests will take home a plush Minion and a hamper.

The partnership will also see travellers receive 20 per cent off if they book a night at any Travelodge Hotel on a Tuesday, as part of the hotels’ wider ‘Travelodge Chooseday’ offer, available now until the 20th June. Families taking up the deal will also receive a Minion pack, which includes a family pass to Despicable Me 3, a sticker sheet, a toy and the famous Minion goggles.

Selected Travelodge hotels will also host a ‘Find My Minion’ Treasure Hunt where the film’s resident mad scientist, Gru, has instructed the kids to find his lost Minions in their hotel rooms. These recovered Minions can be taken to reception to redeem a Despicable Me 3 prize pack including a family movie pass and Blu-ray. Hotels hosting the ‘Find My Minion’ Treasure Hunt are Travelodge Hotel Sydney, Travelodge Hotel Wynyard, Travelodge Hotel Perth, Travelodge Hotel Newcastle ,Travelodge Hotel Melbourne, Southbank, and Travelodge Hotel Melbourne, Docklands.

The film will be out in cinemas from 15th June.

Mantra Group donates $100,000 to the Luke Batty Foundation 

Cherie McGill and Rosie Batty

Mantra Group properties and team members from across Australia have united to raise $100,000 in the past year for the Luke Batty Foundation, the Group’s official charity partner.

The FY17 donation, which was presented to Rosie Batty at a fundraising event at Peppers Soul on 26 May, will benefit the Luke Batty Foundation in their work of building awareness of family violence in our community. The partnership creates a platform for Mantra Group’s 5,500+ team members across its Australian hotel network to actively undertake fundraising activities throughout the year in their respective regions.

Mantra Group is a proud supporter of the Luke Batty Foundation, as passionate advocates against family violence. The foundation brings awareness to the social issue of domestic violence. It works to achieve empowerment of women, give voices to the children and hold accountability to the perpetrator through education, advocacy and campaigning.

Sydney Film Festival And PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney Celebrate Four Year Partnership With Dining Deal

Hot on the heels of the 64th Sydney Film Festival Program Launch, long-term hotel partner PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney is offering guests dining deals at the award-winning ABODE Bistro & Bar pre and post screenings.

Since 2014 PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney has supported the Festival as a distinguished partner and hosted the Festival at the city hotel as well as accommodating many critically acclaimed filmmakers, award-winning actors and cultural leaders. This year the program promises more of the same unique storytelling with  over 288 films from 59 Countries including 37 World Premieres that will inspire, enlighten and entertain.

Mantra launches mystery hotel deals for bargain Surfers Paradise accomodation  

Mantra has launched a new Mystery Hotel deals offering for Surfers Paradise accommodation, providing guests the opportunity to bag a bargain by booking at an unnamed Mantra hotel or resort.

On the Mantra website, only the barest of property details are displayed but guests can be assured they’re getting a fantastic room in a location close to the beach with great amenities and service.

There’s even a selection of room types to choose from including hotel rooms and spacious one, two and three bedroom self-contained apartments. Guests can see bedding configuration options and the key facilities the hotel has… and the name and address of the hotel will be revealed within 24 hours of booking.

Stay in a Hotel Room from just $99* per night, a One Bedroom Apartment from $119* per night (minimum three night stay – total cost $357*), a Two Bedroom Apartment from $169* per night (minimum three night stay – total cost $507*), or a Three Bedroom Apartment from $199* per night (minimum three night stay – total cost $597*).