Big Fat Hotel Wrap
Can’t afford any of the luxe hotels you see here? Don’t worry – neither can we. In fact, we’ve taken up sleeping in our office to save money on rent.
Mandarin Oriental’s first hotel in Beijing to open this summer
Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, located in the heart of historic Beijing, with spectacular roof-terrace views of the Forbidden City, will open its doors in early 2019, the first Mandarin Oriental property in China’s capital.
It will be positioned as the city’s most luxurious boutique hotel and will feature the Group’s core pillars of chic design and architecture, exceptional dining facilities and a Spa at Mandarin Oriental, offering the latest wellness and beauty facilities. Above all, guests will be treated to the exceptional levels of legendary service for which Mandarin Oriental is renowned.
The hotel takes its name from the lively Wangfujing district in which it is located and is seamlessly connected to WF CENTRAL, Hongkong Land’s leading premium lifestyle retail destination with a dynamic mix of over 130 tenants including 20 brands debuting in Beijing or China. The hotel is just minutes from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, within easy reach of the CBD and financial district.
The 73-room boutique hotel is located on the upper two floors of WF CENTRAL with rooms that are a minimum of 55 sqm, which will be among the largest in Beijing, many with views towards the magnificent Forbidden City. The design is tailored specifically towards the sophisticated needs of the contemporary traveller, deftly combining residential style and luxurious amenities.
QT Hotel to open in Auckland
Event Hospitality & Entertainment (EVENT) today announced it has entered into a management agreement with the Russell Property Group and Lockwood Property Group for a QT hotel in Auckland. This will be the 10th QT hotel in the group and QT’s third New Zealand property, joining the hugely successful QT Wellington and QT Queenstown.
A design-led hotel with a luxurious and quirky flair, complemented by a distinctive signature service, QT’s newest New Zealand flagship will bring a unique offering that’s wonderfully far from ordinary.
Property Owners, the Russell Property Group and Lockwood Property Group, will be converting an existing building at 4 Viaduct Harbour into QT Auckland. The hotel will be perfectly located in the heart of Auckland’s downtown entertainment precincts, known as Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter and will feature over 150 rooms, several conferencing and event spaces, and a bold new QT signature dining concept and bar.
Soneva Kiri Launches its newest experience: Koh Kood by Sea
Soneva, the world-leading luxury resort operator, has announced the launch of Soneva Kiri’s latest experience, Koh Kood by Sea. This is a completely new way for guests to explore the coastline of Thailand’s fourth largest and least populated island entirely by speedboat.
The island itself is covered in verdant rainforest, with cliffs and secluded bays. The water around Koh Kood is crystal clear and has some of the most vibrant hues of blue found anywhere in Thailand. The whole experience takes around five hours and costs THB 20,000 (approximately USD 612) per couple and THB 12,000 (USD 370) per person.
The experience begins at Soneva Kiri’s arrival jetty and follows the eastern shore of Koh Kood, through the Ao Salad fishing village where guests can see the traditional Thai houses built on stilts and the brightly coloured fishing boats. Next, the speedboat can stop at AoYaiKert for some snorkelling, before continuing on through Ao Kuai to AoChak for more snorkelling.
Along the way, guests are encouraged to ask the captain to stop off at any of the private bays that pepper the coastline. This experience is also ideal for bird watching and for spotting marine life. At AoYai, the final stop along the route, guests will dine at a local seafood restaurant for lunch.
AccorHotels announce new-build hotel in Malvern, VIC
Australia’s largest hotel operator, AccorHotels, together with owners Dalmeera Group, today announce a new-build internationally branded apartment-style hotel is coming to Malvern, Victoria and scheduled to open in late November.
The Sebel Melbourne Malvern will add 98 serviced apartment-style rooms to Malvern’s limited accommodation supply. Spanning 17 floors, the property boasts 46 one-bedroom suites, 36 two-bedroom suites and four three-bedroom suites, all complete with full kitchen and laundry facilities. Featuring an executive lounge, fitness centre, jacuzzi, and an expansive sun-drenched outdoor recreation terrace complete with BBQ facilities. The ground floor space is home to retailers and restaurants, leased to external operators.
Located 8km south-east of Melbourne’s CBD, Malvern is an inner-city suburb oozing with charm – offering quaint cafes, deli’s and boutiques as well as larger shopping precincts housing major department stores. Malvern offers plenty of leafy streets, regal buildings and spacious parks like Central Park and Malvern Urban Forest, with easy access to the CBD, with a train station and three tram routes.
The festive season arrives in the kingdom of wonder at Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort
A holiday in Siem Reap is a feast for the senses. Guests can unwind amongst the palm trees as the Kingdom of Wonder undergoes a transformation with the approach of festive season.
The Kingdom’s majestic temples, including the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor Wat, are beautifully illuminated and sparkling decorations adorn the streets of Siem Reap, but the magic of the season is centered at Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort as it celebrates its first festive holiday.
The resort will deck the halls with scintillating lights, capturing the festive atmosphere this December and will host special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners with wonderful entertainment that features folk music, traditional performances, sing-alongs for the whole family.
An exceptional multi-sensory experience not to be missed! Join Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort for the Holiday Season and start a new tradition with a holiday package.
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa launches all-inclusive dining package
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa have introduced an all-inclusive dining package for the first time, giving guests the option to pre-pay for all of their meals when booking a stay at the luxurious five-star resort. Incorporating a buffet breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour and a two-course dinner daily, the packages represent great value for money and are the perfect option for those wishing to take care of their food expenses before leaving home.
From 1 November through to 31 May 2019, guests will be able to take advantage of this new deal, meaning they can sit back, relax and enjoy Hilton Fiji’s highly regarded food offering knowing that it’s all been pre-paid.
Located on Denarau Island and sprawled over 2.5 kilometres of private beachfront, Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa is home to three popular restaurants – all of which introduced new menus in August this year. The new menus have a strong focus on share plates and fresh ingredients and include a mix of Fijian and international cuisines.
Currently rated the number one dining venue in Denarau by TripAdvisor, the adults-only KORO, has a strong focus on shared plates, with a Mediterranean tapas menu and plenty of fresh seafood. This all-day venue, offers a peaceful poolside setting, ideal for those looking for a relaxed child-free day or night out.
Preferred Hotels and Resorts welcomes 17 new member hotels
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, announces the addition of 17 new members between July 1 and September 30 to its global portfolio of more than 700 distinctive hotels, resorts, and residences. From historic villas to all-inclusive coastal resorts, these new member properties promise to deliver #ThePreferredLife – authentic, one-of-a-kind independent experiences – across exciting global destinations such as the Cote d’Azur, Indonesia, and New York.
Highlights of the new additions include:
- The Sanchaya (Bintan, Indonesia) – The stately hideaway is cocooned amidst 10 hectares of tropical gardens and white sand beachfront on Bintan Island, less than an hour from Singapore by ferry.
- Villa del Quar (Valpolicella, Italy) – Situated in the leafy vineyards of the Veneto region, within easy reach of both Lake Garda and Verona, this national monument turned luxury hotel traces its origins back to the Roman Empire as a place where weary soldiers would stop to rest their horses and take a break from the road.
- Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico) – Overlooking Banderas Bay, this all-inclusive luxury resort presents an indulgent escape on Mexico’s chic Gold Coast.
- Aliz Hotel Times Square (New York, United States) – Opening its doors this month as one of New York’s tallest hotels, the upscale property is perfectly positioned for business travelers and tourists alike – and their pet companions, too – who want to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of buzzing Midtown Manhattan.
- Les Terrasses d’Eze (Eze, France) – Launched this summer on the glamorous Cote d’Azur, this new hotel located on a hillside facing the Mediterranean takes inspiration from its nautical setting with an architectural design that mimics the staggered decks of a cruise ship.
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