It’s not Thursday without a hotel wrap from your old pal Travel Weekly. Well, it would be, but it wouldn’t be as good.

Hilton reports exceeds net income and adjusted EBITDA expectations in Q2 results

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, system-wide comparable RevPAR grew 1.4 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively, driven by increases in both ADR and occupancy.

Management and franchise fee revenues increased 8 per cent and 10 per cent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as a result of RevPAR growth at comparable managed and franchised hotels of 1.3 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively, increased licensing and other fees and the addition of new properties to Hilton’s portfolio.

Net income and Adjusted EBITDA were US$261 million and US$618 million respectively for the three months ended 30 June 2019, compared to US$217 million and US$555 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. For the six months ended 30 June 2019, diluted EPS was US$1.42 and diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, was US$1.85 compared to US$1.21 and US$1.55 respectively for the prior corresponding period in 2018.

Net income and adjusted EBITDA were US$420 million and US$1,117 million respectively for the six months ended 30 June 30 2019, compared to US$380 million and US$1 billion in Q2 of 2018.

Vail Resorts to acquire Peak Resorts

Vail Resorts, Inc has announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the outstanding stock of Peak Resorts, Inc. at a purchase price of $11.00 per share, subject to certain conditions, including regulatory review and Peak Resorts’ shareholder approval.

Through the acquisition, Vail Resorts will add 17 US ski areas to its network of world-class resorts. Located near major metropolitan areas, including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, Kansas City and Louisville, the resorts include:

• Mount Snow in Vermont
• Hunter Mountain in New York
• Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain and Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire
• Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania
• Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Mad River Mountain in Ohio
• Hidden Valley and Snow Creek in Missouri
• Paoli Peaks in Indiana

Cross Hotels & Resorts continues expansion into global visitor hotspot

Flight Centre Travel Group’s hotel management business Cross Hotels & Resorts has continued its strategic expansion into the global visitor hot spot of Phuket, announcing today its third hotel management agreement on the Thai island.

Cross Hotels and Resorts is very pleased to announce the signing of a hotel management agreement with PT Three Land Co Ltd for its third Phuket property, X2 Vibe Phuket Patong Center.

The hotel enjoys a strategic location in the centre of Phuket Patong Beach. Set to open in mid-2021, it is only 50-minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport and a 10-minute walk to Patong Beach and the bustling Bangla Walking Street.

X2 Vibe Phuket Patong Center offers 323 guestrooms, all-day dining restaurants, café and bar, meeting room and fitness facilities. Key features include specially designed family rooms and state-of-the-art kids club, large, adult swimming pool with sunken DJ Bar, underwater speakers, relaxing music and cocktails.

Aussie billionaire Harry Triguboff opens his 19th Australian hotel

Meriton Suites, owned by Harry Triguboff and one of Australia’s best-recognised hotel brands has today opened the doors to Sydney’s newest hotel – Meriton Suites Sussex Street, Sydney. The opening of the hotel group’s fifth Sydney CBD property continues to strengthen its brand presence as the leader in large apartment-style hotels.

The new Sussex Street hotel maintains Meriton Suites’ modern ambience, with a refined and sophisticated palette of luxurious tones, while also focusing on delivering a superior guest experience. Located at 234 Sussex Street in the historic warehouse district adjacent to the Darling Quarter Precinct in Darling Harbour, Meriton Suites Sussex Street, Sydney has transformed the site into a brand new luxury hotel hub.

Towering 32 levels high and offering 301 world-class suites with a selection of studio, one, two and three-bedroom designs, guests will feel right at home with all the features and space one would expect from apartment-style living. All hotel suites include residential-size gourmet kitchens along with the essential utensils for a home-cooked meal, a separate living and dining space with designer furnishings plus HD TVs in all bedrooms and internal laundries complete with washing machine and dryer to continue Meriton Suites’ home away from home experience.

Including a five-story lobby that is designed to provide a grand entrance with an active central space whilst embracing the history of the original area, the lobby is the heart of the hotel. Its spatial configuration as a 5-storey void is enhanced by bringing light and nature into the centre of the surrounding podium.

Wild Bush Luxury announces exclusive offer in collaboration with El Questro Homestead

Wild Bush Luxury, Australia’s conservation tourism specialist offering exclusive and inspirational experiences that reconnect guests with the land, has announced an exclusive offer in collaboration with El Questro Homestead, fellow Luxury Lodges of Australia member property, in the Top End and the Kimberley.

Guests can book the new ‘Wild Frontiers of Northern Australia’ package and enjoy a six-night experience for the price of four across El Questro Homestead in the Kimberley and Wild Bush Luxury’s Northern Territory safari lodge Bamurru Plains, for travel through September and October 2019.

Radisson Hotel Group raises USD 480,000 to provide support for SOS Children’s Villages and local communities

For the 16^th consecutive year, Radisson Hotel Group organized its annual Community Action Month – a significant number of actions and activities carried out to support communities around the world. Once again, the group was proud to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to the global partnership with SOS Children’s Villages – taking part in close to 1,000 activities worldwide to provide food, shelter and a better future for the children and young people who need it most.

This year, the group organized almost 1,000 activities, dedicated more than 50,000 volunteer hours, and raised a more than USD 480,000 in cash and in-kind for SOS Children’s Villages and other local charities.

Radisson Hotel Group runs an ongoing project, encouraging each of its 1,100 hotels to sponsor the upbringing and education of at least one child per hotel – helping to establish meaningful relationships with the SOS Children’s Villages in their respective countries.

The Rees comes out with special ‘Winter Pride’ packages

The Rees Hotel Queenstown is offering two special packages specifically designed for couples or groups going to Queenstown for this year’s LGBTTI+ Winter Pride festival which will be held on August 30-September 8. Winter Pride encourages locals and visitors alike to come together and celebrate diversity, love, inclusion, community and visibility. Attracting over 4,500 visitors last year, Winter Pride is popular among local and international visitors, featuring music, dance parties, skiing, boarding, and mountain walks.

Visit the Rees Hotel’s website for more.

Fashion and sustainability collide in the Maldives

Soneva has teamed up with the producer of the world’s most innovative catwalks, Jessica Minh Anh. Jessica visited Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani as part of her Fashion x Sustainability photo and video series in the Maldives. Using her unique visual concepts, the supermodel turned entrepreneur told the story behind Soneva’s sustainability initiatives while exploring the islands that Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani call home.

The Langham, Sydney announces ‘Kitchens on Kent’

Enter Kitchens on Kent and diners will go on an exciting and vibrant culinary journey, tasting flavours from around the globe.

Whitting is betting on fresh seafood to be the restaurant’s showstopper. The enviable and luxurious display will feature Sydney rock oysters, blue swimmer crabs, tiger prawns, local tuna, salmon, kingfish and lobster, all supplied by Sydney Fish Market.

Mandarin Oriental’s guest recognition programme, Fans of MO, introduces new members-only experiences

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has extended Fans of M.O., its enticing guest recognition programme, with the addition of exclusive members only experiences.

Members of the programme already receive an extensive range of complimentary privileges and personalised recognition when staying at Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide, including Partner Benefits from global luxury brands and organisations. Now, members can also choose to participate in a wide variety of select hotel and partner experiences designed to further enhance their stay.

Only Fans of M.O. members have access to this exclusive range of both paid and complimentary experiences, which are updated every three months.

Examples include:

• A private cooking lesson at the famed Oriental Thai Cooking School at Mandarin
  Oriental, Bangkok*
• Learning the Art of Origami at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
• Meeting the ‘Queen of Design’ Rossana Orlandi at the Ro Gallery in Milan
• Hitting the town’s best nightspots at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London*
• An Urban Photography experience at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong*
• Stretching for Wellness at Mandarin Oriental, Doha

TFE Hotels’ ‘Winter Warmer Sale’

Gold Coast

The newly renovated Vibe Hotel Gold Coast is located in the heart of the Surfers Paradise, and is a perfect place to stay to be close to all of the action. Furthermore, for those looking for a place to sip champagne while they watch a sunset and enjoy mouth-watering food, head to Driftwood Social at the hotel. Driftwood Social extends the Miami pool club vibes to the Gold Coast, where you can savour retro cocktails from a poolside cabaña, or enjoy a healthy breakfast and barista coffee on the riverfront. It’s the perfect place to eat, drink and chill and with a menu of fresh and vibrant dishes and sharing platters. You won’t be disappointed.

Brisbane

Buzzing South Bank is another unmissable draw of the Sunshine State. This inner city gem is Brisbane’s premier lifestyle and cultural destination where locals and guests alike can unwind with 17 hectares of lush parklands, world-class eateries, and stunning river views. Whether you’re scouring handmade homewares at The Collective Markets or taking in the Botanic Gardens, the nearby Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square is primely positioned to give you direct access to the heart of the CBD.

Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square is available to book from $134 per night.

Darwin

When in Darwin, stay at Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront or Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront, both located on the doorstep of Darwin’s seafront promenade. The area is renowned for its recreational lagoons, array of restaurants and incredible wartime history precinct including Stokes Hill Wharf, The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Facility and Bombing of Darwin Attraction.

Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is available to book from $170.10 per night.

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront is available to book from $149.25 per night.

TFE is offering 35 per cent discounts across all Adina Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels and Rendezvous in Australia and New Zealand, as well as selected properties in the TFE Hotels Collection as part of their winter warmer sale. Stay dates: July 23, 2019 – 30th June 2020. Minimum one night stay required. Book by 6th August 2019.

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac to expand Southeast Asia footprint

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac, one of the largest hotel franchise groups in Asia Pacific, will further strengthen its presence after appointing Bangkok-based business, Krest Hospitality, as its preferred hotel management company in South East Asia.

With local expertise spanning hotel management and international branding, Krest Hospitality – an affiliate of Kosmopolitan Hospitality – expects to drive further development and expand the portfolio across Choice Hotels Asia-Pac’s Comfort, Quality and Clarion brands.

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac currently has several properties in the South East Asia region and as a result of this alliance hopes to see this number further increase by more than 20 properties over the next five years. This week, Krest Hospitality signed an agreement to build a new Quality hotel in Phuket, Thailand – a new build property to be named Quality Resort Kata Phuket – with an anticipated opening date of September 2020.

Banyan Tree Phuket celebrates 25 years with new serenity pool villas and residences

In September 2019, Banyan Tree Phuket, flagship property for Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, will proudly celebrate 25 years as Phuket’s premier holiday resort. From seasonal offers, to environmental initiatives, to a brand new selection of Serenity Pool Villas and Serenity 3 Bedroom Pool Residences, staying with Banyan Tree Phuket is now better than ever – so let the festivities begin!

California dreaming? Flat Stanley opens in Bali 

Fancy a trip to California? You can now immerse yourself in America’s sunny West Coast without stepping foot outside of Bali with the opening of Flat Stanley, an edible ode to vintage California. The Palm Springs-inspired restaurant has made itself at home in Petitenget, with the expansive 120-seater adorned in retro relics and vintage finds galore. The new restaurant was designed by EDG Design, a firm based in Singapore and San Francisco both who helped to create a mid-century modern space that fully embraces the soul of the American state.

The fare at Flat Stanley is just as American as the interiors, with a menu which merges Californian favourites with local Balinese produce and showcases a particular passionate about pizza. Of course it helps that at the helm of Flat Stanley is chef Matt White, a self-proclaimed ‘dough head’, who started Alt. Pizza and Extra Virgin Pizza in Singapore.

Check-in with one of Mantra’s biggest sales of the year

Mantra Hotels is set to launch one of its biggest sales of the year with massive savings across Art Series, Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree properties in incredible locations across Australia, New Zealand, Bali and Hawaii.

Whether you are looking for your next beach getaway, city break or country escape, these deals are not to be missed.

Check out the Mantra website for more.