This week’s hotel wrap is here, and Travel Weekly‘s editor reckons it’s got a bit of a tangy taste to it. No, wait… that’s just from the key lime pie he just ate.

Raffles Singapore officially reopens 

Raffles Singapore has today officially announced its reopening, heralding a new chapter in the property’s history and heritage.

A flagship property within Accor, Raffles Singapore is now welcoming guests and visitors, following the hotel’s careful and sensitive three-phased restoration, which began in February 2017.

The revitalised Raffles Singapore offers luxurious all-suite accommodations, across nine distinct suite categories: State Room Suites, Courtyard Suites, Palm Court Suites, Personality Suites, Residence Suites, Promenade Suites, Grand Hotel Suites and Presidential Suites.

Residence, Promenade and Studio suites, are the three latest additions to the hotel’s existing line-up. The total suite count increases from 103 suites to 115 suites.

The Raffles Arcade has also been newly outfitted with a Raffles Boutique and various bespoke retail brands.

IHG opts for bulk-size amenities to reduce plastic waste

Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) on Tuesday announced that its entire hotel estate of almost 843,000 guest rooms will switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities, with the transition to be completed during 2021.

Building on its efforts to reduce plastic waste as part of a broader sustainability agenda, this pledge reportedly makes IHG the first global hotel company to commit all brands to removing bathroom miniatures in favour of bulk-size amenities.

IHG currently has an average of 200 million bathroom miniatures in use across its entire hotel estate every year.

As the new brand standard is adopted between now and 2021, the company expects to see a significant reduction in plastic waste. This commitment builds on IHG’s pledge to remove plastic straws from its hotels by the end of 2019, and several broader waste reduction initiatives already in place.

IHG remains a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index, and recently joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy 100 network, signalling its commitment to working with cross-industry partners to build a more sustainable world.

Leanne Harwood, IHG managing director for Australasia and Japan, will speak at Travel Weekly’s upcoming sustainability summit Travel DAZE, and joining the likes of former Greens leader Bob Brown, TV presenter and Logie winner Costa Georgiadis, and Google travel boss Michelle Allen onstage.

Travel DAZE takes place on Wednesday 28 August at the NSW Teachers Federation in Sydney to talk all things sustainability at Travel DAZE 2019. Check out the full list of awesome speakers here.

Plus, we’ve got a cracking deal for those wanting to attend: buy two tickets to Travel DAZE and get one FREE! Now that’s sustainable budgeting!

Click here to secure your spot at the industry’s most disruptive event HERE now!

Renowned hot spring destination welcomes its first international luxury resort

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced the opening of ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa.

Located in the Oita Prefecture in Southwestern Japan, the world-class resort opens as the region’s first international luxury resort, offering sophisticated travellers a unique fusion of traditional hot spring culture and the InterContinental brand’s promise of modern design, award-winning dining and world-class service.

The opening strengthens the long-term venture with ANA and IHG in Japan and joins over 200 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

To celebrate the opening, a curated once-in-a-lifetime package will be accessible – the Beppu Luxury Collage – offering “luxurious” and “authentic” Japanese experiences including access to outdoor and private onsens, indulgent Japanese spa treatments as well as immersions into Japanese art and craftmanship.

As part of the package, foodies can expect elevated dining experiences including dinner at Atelier restaurant with a private sommelier, a private English picnic lunch, and a sunset dinner on-board the resort’s private yacht. The package is priced from approximately $20,159 (US$13,800) for two people.

ibis Styles East Perth scheduled to open next month

Accor and Rehawk Property Group have teamed up on the new-build, ibis Styles East Perth – reportedly the world’s largest high-rise modular hotel, in terms of room numbers offered, which is scheduled to open this September.

Consistent with their hotel designs, ibis Styles – Accor’s economy brand – has embraced the “rising modular construction trend”, which allegedly sees entire rooms built in modules in half the time of a regular build and constructed like pieces of Lego.

ibis Styles East Perth will add 252 guest rooms to East Perth’s hotel supply, spanning 18 floors, beating the world’s current tallest modular hotel, in terms of room numbers offered.

Focusing on embracing “the unusual and delightful”, every room has a uniquely styled entrance, with splashes of vibrancy highlighted throughout the build, complementing the hotel’s fresh, innovative and fun-loving brand.

Located within walking distance to Optus Stadium and a short walk to the WACA, ibis Styles East Perth is the perfect destination for sports and live music fans, or those seeking a scenic city stay close to the Langley Park action and events such as Polo in the City and the Sky Show.

Minor Hotels takes ownership of Golden Door Spa, Hunter Valley

Minor Hotels has announced its acquisition of a health and wellness retreat in Pokolbin, NSW, currently operating as the Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat and Spa, after purchasing the business from Lasseters International Holdings.

Moving forward the property will operate as Elysia Wellness Retreat, named for the famed spa to which it is home, effective from 30th July 2019.

The property has 74 villas and is reportedly renowned for the Golden Door lifestyle and wellbeing programs, and spa treatments at the Elysia spa.

In the short term it’s business as usual with the continuation of the current accommodation packages, spa services and wellbeing programs offered by Golden Door extending to summer 2020 when additional programs and packages will launch expanding on the existing wellbeing philosophy. Existing bookings will not be affected.

Shaun O’Bryan will take on the role of General Manager for the property.

The Peninsula Hong Kong partners with Hello Kitty creator Sanrio

Hello Kitty is headed to Hong Kong to sprinkle her unique brand of light-hearted cheer over The Peninsula, thanks to the legendary hotel’s new partnership with Hello Kitty creator Sanrio.

The collaboration celebrates Hello Kitty’s friendship with The Peninsula’s own iconic mascot, The Peninsula Bear (Pen Bear), to offer guests a variety of unique experiences and special treats.

From 15 July until 22 December 2019, the Hello Kitty – Limited Edition Luxury Stay Offer allows guests to immerse themselves in the character’s charming world while enjoying all the trappings of elegant luxury for which The Peninsula is famed. The family-friendly package includes a limited-edition Hello Kitty and Pen Bear plush toy set as well as a specially themed amenity including bathrobe, slippers and more.

Available at The Lobby from 1 August to 30 September 2019, the Hello Kitty Culinary Adventure Afternoon Tea takes inspiration from Hello Kitty’s signature style to offer an extraordinary twist on the world-famous Peninsula Afternoon Tea tradition.

Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane to reopen in November 2019

The Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane is set to take its place among Brisbane’s best and brightest when it reopens its heritage-listed doors in November this year.

The Adina was forced to shut its doors in September 2018 after an incident, “beyond the hotel’s control”, but will be back “better than ever” and open for bookings from 25 November.

Nestled in the Heritage-listed former Queensland Government Savings Bank building, The Adina Brisbane has 220 rooms and suites and includes an extra five levels designed to complement the historic building with expansive views and balconies.

Quest and Pellicano announce new mixed-use property in Melbourne’s North 

Pellicano managing director, Nando Pellicano and Quest Apartment Hotels general manager – growth

Quest Apartment Hotels and property developer Pellicano are moving in on Melbourne’s booming northern suburbs with a new mixed-used property in Preston.

Valued at more than $38 million, the six-storey property will feature ground floor retail tenants, a basement car park and 79 Quest serviced apartments over three floors. Twenty-one one and two-bedroom private apartments will make up the top two floors, providing residents with hotel-like services in the heart of Melbourne’s north.

New UK hotel The Newt in Somerset to open this month

Bookings are now open for The Newt in Somerset hotel and spa which will open on 29th August 2019. The hotel will include a world-class spa with indoor/outdoor swimming pool, gym, bar, restaurants and 23 bedrooms.

The Newt in Somerset captures the essence of a Georgian country home. It’s bucolic setting inspires a garden-led menu in the restaurant, and garden-scented treatments in the Spa. Guests are encouraged to embrace country living and explore the Estate, while enjoying home comforts and superb service.

For the exclusive use of hotel residents, the Spa offers international treatments with an English country feel. Treatments include an authentic hammam and mud therapy in a private couples’ chamber, while facilities include an indoor/outdoor pool, halotherapy room and Wild Pool.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World launches preferred agency program

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is bolstering its ties with the travel trade through the development of a new travel agency program aimed at gathering the best travel agencies in the world.

Hand-picked agencies have been invited to join SLH’s new exclusive travel community curated by a specialist global sales team to enjoy “best available rates” with the inclusion of “special benefits and upgrades”.