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Accor grows presence in regional Queensland

Accor has announced the Travelodge Hotel Rockhampton has been rebranded to Mercure Rockhampton under a franchise agreement.

Refurbished in 2008, Mercure Rockhampton is located in the heart of the city, just a short drive from the Rockhampton Airport.

The eight-storey, 74-room resort overlooks the picturesque Fitzroy River and features six versatile conference spaces, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, 24-hour reception, and easy access to Great Keppel Island and many other spectacular locations along the Capricorn Coast.

The hotel giant is also providing vital aid for employees and partners in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis thanks to its ‘ALL Heartist Fund’.

Across the globe, several million Euros have been awarded to help 14,000 people, and, in the Pacific region alone, Accor has supported 1,300 beneficiaries by awarding over $2.3 million in grants. 

Six Senses announces second new opening in Italy

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced its second Italian property, Six Senses Antognolla.

Set to open in 2023, Six Senses Antognolla will be housed within the 12th-century Castello di Antognolla, which is located on the site of a 10th-century Benedictine monastery and crypt, with traces of a Roman settlement.

The property is 20 kilometres north of Perugia, close to the regional border of Tuscany.

In line with Six Senses brand values, the castle, borgo and estate are being reincarnated with a sustainable focus and will feature 71 rooms and 79 residences, a diverse wellness and cultural offering, 18-hole golf course, equestrian centre, cookery school, and organic farm.

New five-star hotel opens in Croatia

Despite the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic, the five-star Rixos Premium Dubrovnik has just opened its doors in Croatia’s trendy beach destination.

Following a €20 million ($32.8 million) renovation, upgrade and rebranding, the property – formerly known as Hotel Libertas – is the eighth in the world by Rixos Premium Hotels.

Featuring 310 luxury rooms and suites, Rixos Premium Dubrovnik is a slick, contemporary beach resort built into a cliff in a secluded bay.

Facilities spread over 14 cascaded floors and include three bars and restaurants, a casino, a 2,000-sqaure-metre spa, and a large indoor and outdoor pool.

JA Ocean View Hotel Dubai reopens

Vibrant beachfront property JA Ocean View Hotel in Dubai has welcomed back international tourists after a brief three-month hiatus.

Popular with European tourists, the multi-award-winning hotel has 346 rooms and suites from 39 to 75 square metres, all boasting ocean views from elegant balconies.

Lifestyle hospitality chain launches in Vietnam

New lifestyle hospitality chain Wink Hotels is poised to redefine affordable luxury across Vietnam, as it readies to open its debut hotel later this year.

The first Wink-branded hotel will be the 237-room Wink Hotel Saigon Centre (pictured below), opening in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Properties to follow include the 243-room Wink Hotel Danang Centre and a third in riverside Danang as part of a mixed-use complex with a 60-metre façade along the Han River.

Lydia Nzayo promoted to GM of Singita’s lodges in Rwanda

Singita has announced the promotion of Lydia Nzayo to general manager at Singita Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Nzayo was among the first members of the team when she joined as assistant GM in January 2019.

She was involved in the opening of Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House, and has enjoyed success and global recognition alongside the Singita team in the year it has been open.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island feel the love from locals

Outrigger’s two Fijian resorts will be operating as of 31 July for the domestic market, and the demand from locals has been extremely encouraging.

Opening on 1 July, Outrigger Fiji Beach initially released 47 bures for sale for the first week of this, but due to increased demand, have opened a block of rooms online each week.

The successful reopening of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort has brought forward the much-anticipated reopening of the renowned Castaway Island to 31 July, giving locals the opportunity to stay at the luxury property.

Both of the Outrigger properties have released local offers in support of Tourism Fiji’s ‘Love our Locals’ campaign in a boost to stimulate the struggling industry across the country. This campaign has paved the way to allow locals, who may not have experienced either Castaway Island, Fiji or the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort in the past, a chance to experience Outrigger Hospitality Group warmth with a Fijian smile.

Soneva unveils August and October activities

Luxury resort group Soneva has announced its line-up of activities for August and the October half-term periods at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, and at Soneva Kiri in Thailand.

The program of activities includes a Summer Camp at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives. Making worm farms, glassblowing classes and pizza making classes are just some of the activities on offer.

To find out more, visit Soneva’s website.

Pacific Resort Hotel Group shares message of safety

As it remains hopeful of the day drawing closer to being able to welcome guests back, Pacific Resort Hotel Group has shared how it plans to be COVID-safe in a new video.

The Cook Islands hotel group is also offering a free date change or full cancellation up to 24 hours prior to arrival for any bookings made for travel to 31 March 2021.