This week’s Hotel Wrap is so huge that we’ve nicknamed it ‘Goliath’. However, that’s not to suggest you should start slingshotting stones at it if your name is David.

Crowne Plaza readies return to Sydney CBD

As the countdown to its opening draws closer, Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour is offering a city staycation deal of 50 per cent off its best flexible rate from now until 31 October 2020.

The deal is in support of the #holidayherethisyear campaign and comes as a celebration the property’s imminent arrival. Bookings for Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour’s staycation deal can be made at crowneplaza.com/darlingharbour.

Crowne Plaza Adelaide (source: supplied)

In other news Crowne news, Crowne Plaza Adelaide is also set to open in November.

Both properties are also expected to introduced new environmentally-friendly practices, with Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour introducing MyCheck technology throughout its restaurant and bars for a digital dining experience where guests are able to interact with digital menus.

This will allow guests to make orders and payment through their own device – ensuring zero paper waste or disposable menus, as well as enhanced safety with contactless ordering, Crowne explained.

Marriott Bonvoy launches marketing partnership with the National Park Foundation

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel program, has announced its marketing partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official non-profit partner of the United States’ National Park Service.

The introduction of a dedicated travel planning website makes it simple for members to take advantage of discounted rates for stays at Marriott’s 406 properties located near national parks, Marriott explained.

It also gives Bonvoy members the option to redeem points for ‘America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Passes’ and to donate points to the NPF.

The website will also provide travel tips and inspiration from Marriott Bonvoy Traveller, offering trip planning guides from local experts.

Marriott Bonvoy is also launching an opportunity for members to purchase or gift points with a bonus toward future redemptions.

From now through 22 October 2020, members who purchase or gift more than 2,000 points will receive a 50 per cent points bonus. Marriott is also tripling the annual points limit, so members can purchase or gift up to 150,000 points annually during the promotional period.

For more information, click here.

The news also comes as Marriott International celebrates the opening of the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong South, marking its further expansion into China.

Penthouse dining at W Brisbane’s Extreme WOW Suite

Travellers can now book stays for up to 14 guests at W Brisbane’s ‘Extreme WOW Suite’ – a penthouse the hotel unashamedly describes as “the epitome of over-the-top luxury”.

As part of a new $2,300 10-person package (with an addition $230 per person, to a maximum of 14 guests), travellers will experience a four-course plated menu and three-hour beverage package.

The package comes with a fully stocked bar and Spritz cocktail on arrival, as well as a curated menu.

Accor releases footy deals as AFL Grand Final fever hits Queensland

With Queensland winning the opportunity to host the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Gabba in Brisbane on 24 October, a bout of footy fever is spreading throughout the Sunshine State.

Accor has a selection of hotels located nearby which are calling all fans to take advantage of their winning rates for the event.

Mantra South Bank is offering hotel rooms for the grand final weekend from $235 per night (minimum two-night stay – total spend $470).

Or, stay at the ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street in the heart of the CBD from $319 per night on the hotel’s ‘Kick-to-Kick’ package, which includes a complimentary room upgrade to a Superior River View Room, breakfast and a Sherrin AFL Replica Game Ball to take home.

For a dose of culture with your sports, stay at The Johnson Brisbane – Art Series for two nights and enjoy 15 per cent off. Prices start from $347 per night in a Studio for the footy final weekend (minimum two-night stay – total spend $694).

Supporting local at Potts Point

Sydney Lodges’ ‘Stay Local Package’ aims to support the many local businesses that make Potts Point such a popular destination year-round.

Through the package guests are invited to come and stay at Sydney Lodges, spend at local businesses including bars, cafes and restaurants.

Sydney Lodges will then reimburse up to $50 per day of their daily local spend, to help revive participating Potts Point local businesses.

Aman paves the way for wellness with new brand SVA

A hotel brand with wellness at its heart, Aman has launched a new skincare brand, SVA, which offers a range of holistic formulas and supplements developed to aid in maintaining optimum health in “a modern and frenetic world”.

Created with high quality all-natural ingredients, the SVA range combines traditional knowledge with contemporary science and nutrition, responding to those seeking Aman’s on-property equilibrium in everyday life.

Both natural and sustainable, SVA formulas can help to support immunity, digestion, circulation and to sustain a healthy mind. A total of 19 products have been formulated in three ranges: Chinese Herbal Formulas, Micronutrient Supplements, and Botanical Tonics.

SLH welcomes three brand new hotels

Image source: Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is opening three new small, independently owned hotels this September.

Located in Italy, France, and Spain, each showcases themes that are relevant to today’s traveller – from absolute privacy to pure mindfulness, considerate living and the fact that small, now more than ever, is beautiful.

These include Galleria Vik Milano, Italy; Les Sources de Cheverny in the Loire Valley, France; and Torre Del Marques in Matarrana, Spain (pictured).

And in the Maldives, SLH welcomes back a former member hotel which is home to the world’s first and only under-the-sea spa at Huvafen Fushi Maldives.

Shipping containers the ‘future of luxury travel’

In what NRMA claims is an Australian first, the company has converted two shipping containers into ‘Glamtainers’ – luxury accommodation options that can be easily moved between holiday parks.

The seven-metre extendable Glamtainers, kitted out with two queen beds, kitchen, living area, full-sized bathroom and luxury finishes, are now available to book at NRMA Ocean Beach on the Central Coast before being relocated down to NRMA Jindabyne for the 2021 ski season.

Made popular in Europe, Glamtainers are perfect for couples and families seeking the luxury of hotels with the ‘back to nature’ experience of camping without a blow-up mattress, NRMA said.

In fact, all Glamtainers have a queen sized ‘King Coil’ mattress for a good night’s sleep.

COMO Conversations continues with ‘Out of the Blue’

As part of the ongoing COMO Conversations series, COMO The Treasury has announced an evening focusing on the future of our oceans entitled ‘OUT OF THE BLUE’ for October 6 October 2020.

Jeff Hansen and David Carter will discuss their passion for marine conservation, stories of the high seas, the Sea Shepherd’s role in supporting the elimination of poachers.

Carter will also discuss his experience achieving carbon neutral status for Austral Fisheries, and where their environmental commitment will take them next.

For more information, and to book, click here.

S Hotels & Resorts wins major green leadership accolade

S Hotels & Resorts (SHR), the flagship hospitality arm of Thailand’s Singha Estate Plc, was named the region’s leading company the ‘Green Leadership’ category for ‘Sustainable Hospitality with an Edutainment Approach’ at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2020 virtual awards ceremony.

Now in its milestone 10th year, the event, which was held on 23 September, recognises and rewards businesses and leaders that advocate sustainable and socially responsible business practices throughout multiple industries within Asia.

The 2020 event marks the first time SHR has been recognised by the event, organised by Enterprise Asia, a leading non-governmental organisation for responsible entrepreneurship in Asia.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and Lelewatu Resort Sumba win big Preferred awards

Preferred Hotels & Resorts has announced the winners of its annual Preferred Awards of Excellence and GIFTTS Pineapple Award initiatives, including:

• Hotel of the Year Overall: Windsor Court Hotel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Hotel of the Year – Asia Pacific: The Fullerton Bay Hotel (Singapore)
• Hotel of the Year – United States & Canada: Hotel Californian (Santa Barbara, California)
• Hotel of the Year – Latin America: Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel (Cusco, Peru)
• Hotel of the Year – Mexico & Caribbean: Galeria Plaza Reforma (Mexico City, Mexico)
• Hotel of the Year – Europe: Hotel Regina Louvre (Paris, France)
• Hotel of the Year – India, Middle East & Africa: The Leela Palace New Delhi (India)
• New Hotel of the Year – Resort: Lelewatu Resort Sumba (Sumba Barat, Indonesia)
• New Hotel of the Year – City Centre: Amerikalinjen (Oslo, Norway)
• I Prefer Hotel of the Year – Co-Winners: Galeria Plaza Reforma (Mexico City, Mexico) and Royal Plaza on Scotts (Singapore)
• Hotelier of the Year: Sally Beck, general manager, Royal Lancaster London (London, United Kingdom)
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Rajiv Kaul, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts (India).

Nanuku Resort celebrates Fiji Ozone Week

To celebrate Fiji’s Ozone Week, Nanuku Resort donated more than 1,100 mangrove seedlings to Fiji’s Ministry of Environment to support their team’s continuous investment in coastal protection, which the resort said would assist with erosion and degradation prevention of coral reefs.

Throughout this year’s downturn, Nanuku has continued to assist local villages by donating mangrove seedlings, which have been harvested in recycled bottles in the resort’s nursery until they are primed for planting.

Australia’s newest penthouse offering – The Parklands Suite

Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane is set to launch what is currently one of the country’s largest penthouse offerings – The Parklands Suite.

Guests at the property’s penthouse suite can enjoy four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a powder room, multiple dining areas, a 15-metre infinity pool, a full size commercial kitchen, private lift access, ambassador service, a grand piano, and access to the hotel’s Maserati for day trips.

Songbird launches Sunday Brunch

Sunday Brunch is coming to iconic rooftop bar and lounge Songbird, at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth.

From 4 October, hotel guests and locals can enjoy views of Elizabeth Quay while enjoying free-flowing wine or Veuve Clicquot alongside local foods from Western Australia.

Local cuisine from suppliers across the region have been hand-selected and curated into a special menu by executive chef Jed Gerrard – paired with three hours of free-flowing beverages.

Guests will have a unique opportunity to interact with the chefs at the live seafood and barbecue stations, while live entertainment sets the scene for a stylish way to end the weekend.

Hotels to benefit from energy technology investment: AHA

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) have congratulated the federal government for investments that the associations claimed would help hotels “lower their emissions” and “reduce operating costs”.

AHA National chief executive Stephen Ferguson welcomed the allocation to hotels through the additional $1.62 billion investment in the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

“Today’s announcement includes the provision of a sector specific grant program for hotels to support equipment and facilities upgrades,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s comments come as TAA encourages Sydneysiders to take a staycation across NSW, with the association’s chief executive Michael Johnson said regional areas like Byron Bay, the South Coast, Blue Mountains and Hunter were starting to see intrastate travellers.

Travelodge Hotel Auckland Wynyard Quarter set to open 28 October

TFE Hotels is getting ready to open Travelodge Hotel Auckland Wynyard Quarter on 28 October in Auckland’s up-and-coming, industrial-chic waterfront precinct.

The new ‘heavy metal (and glass)’ superstar property offers a rock star lifestyle without the hefty price tag. It’s big on style, but even bigger on heart, thanks to its refreshingly simple customer service philosophy, delivering ‘more of what you want, minus the unnecessary extras’.

Sandals South Coast unveils new design plans

Sandals Resorts International has unveiled the design plans of a multi-million-dollar renovation at its Jamaican property, Sandals South Coast.

Set to debut this December, the resort will showcase what Sandals claims is the world’s first ‘Swim-up Rondoval Suites’, positioned on a 17,040 square-feet “pool oasis”.

Guests will also revel in a completely reimagined 112-room Dutch Village with direct access to two new swim-up pools. A modern wedding venue is being added to adorn the garden in the resorts Italian Village.

For more information, and to take a virtual tour of the property, click here.

The Beverly Hills Hotel’s new ‘Live Like Marilyn’ package

Whether sipping on Dom Pérignon in your luxury bungalow, unwinding with a relaxing bubble bath, or enjoying DiMaggio’s Spaghetti and Meatballs, the ‘Live Like Marilyn’ package recently introduced at The Beverly Hills Hotel aims to make travellers feel like Marilyn Monroe.

The package is inspired by her long history with the hotel, which includes living on and off in her favourite bungalows 1 and 7, staying in bungalow 20 and 21 with Yves Montand when filming Let’s Make Love over at Fox Studios, and dining at Table 6 in the Polo Lounge.

Guests who book the package will appreciate Marilyn Monroe-themed services and amenities.

Reflections Holiday Parks welcome Queenslanders back to their Far North Coast parks

Reflections Holiday at Evans Head (source: supplied)

Reflections Holiday Parks in Queensland’s Far North Coast is excited to welcome guests from Queensland again with the announcement that Queensland is expanding its border bubble with NSW from Thursday 1 October 2020.

The expansion of Queensland’s border zone will allow Reflections Holiday Parks located in Byron, Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley to accept bookings from Queensland-based guests.

Soneva announces ‘Namoona Tutorials’ gardening series

Soneva has announced the launch of a gardening series called ‘Namoona Tutorials’, which aims to help communities across the Maldives and beyond become more self-sufficient, develop useful skills and sustainable practices, while also advancing the Soneva Namoona program.

Over 10 episodes, the Namoona Tutorials, which were all filmed onsite at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, cover a range of topics from preparing a growing space, planting, maintenance and harvesting, with additional episodes focused on enhancing the quality of the vegetables.

The tutorials seek to make gardening more accessible and to help grow nutritious vegetables at home, while also learning to make compost to complete a self-sustaining cycle.

Hotels stay the course in opening during pandemic

Zentis Osaka (source: supplied)

Zentis Osaka, the first hotel of a new hospitality brand, opened in July this year, right as travel came to a grinding halt as COVID-19 was making its presence felt the world over.

Top UK designer Tara Bernerd was tapped for the property’s modern interiors, while Café Co. – the esteemed operator behind the one Michelin-starred CRAFTALE in Tokyo – developed and operates the hotel’s restaurant, bar, and lounge.

Alma Resort on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Peninsula opened in May at the very height of the world’s anxiety over the coronavirus.

Years in the making, the resort unveiled 580 ocean-view and ocean-front suites and pavilions, a broad spectrum of restaurants, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar.

Two days before Meliá Koh Samui, the first property in Thailand launched under Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International, celebrated its grand opening on 10 January, the first suspected case of COVID-19 was detected in Thailand.

This case was confirmed as the first outside of China three days after the luxury 159-room and 41-suite resort cut the ribbon.

Features of this property include a lagoon pool that meanders through the resort’s grounds like a river, a two-level infinity pool with sunken seating, two restaurants, an executive lounge, a swim-up bar, lobby bar, spa, fitness centre, ballroom and other MICE facilities and, for families, a kids’ club, outdoor playground and mini water park.

As the world was tuning into the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, Tanah Gajah was getting ready to open its doors as the first resort in a new group by Hadiprana.

Moored among the rice paddies of Bali’s spiritual heart at Ubud, the idyllic 20-key property was once the private family estate of noted Indonesian architect Hendra Hadiprana. After 20 years under management by GHM, this hotel came back into the Hadiprana family’s fold in January this year.

Karma Kasa Sunshine Village makes its debut this September

Within an easy drive of India’s Bangalore, only 45 minutes from the closest international airport, resides the first Karma Kasa resort from the much acclaimed Karma Group.

Karma Kasa Sunshine Village sits nestled among the famed tourist attraction of Nandi Hills, among a scattering of ancient temples, and is set to open in September.

The latest addition to Karma Group’s array of accommodation, Karma Kasa was born from a rising domestic travel market and will include a slew of regionally based resorts focused on local travel.

Sunshine Village, the first of the Karma Kasa resorts, merges luxury accommodation with ample facilities in a rustic-style getaway.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama readies for open

Resorttrust, Inc. has announced that The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama will open for business on 23 September 2020.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama represents a first step toward growing the Kahala brand worldwide.

Enjoy introductory rates at ONYX Hospitality Group’s ‘The Five Residences’

To celebrate its official opening, The Five Residences is offering a special introductory rate starting from US$154 per night.

With its prime location on Doi Can Street, The Five Residences invites travellers who are looking for both privacy and functionality into its sanctuary for rest and revitalisation amid the hustle and bustle of the big city.

The offer is valid for bookings made by 31 October 2020 for a stay period from 30 September 2020 to 31 March 2020. For reservations and more information, click here.

Featured image: Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour city view guestroom (source: supplied)