DAYDREAM ISLAND: A Destination with a Difference

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Recently reopened after an extensive $100 million refurbishment, the 4.5-star resort offers 277 well-appointed rooms and comprehensive resort facilities by sparkling bays and secluded beaches, and an array adventurous activities to stimulate and inspire guests, Daydream Island Resort is a holiday, conference, events and incentive destination with a difference.

There is an expanded food and beverage offering across the island with three restaurants and three bars including an exciting new Asian Fusion restaurant which joins the buffet and modern Australian restaurants.

The island’s standout man-made feature is its unique Living Reef. The Living Reef is a free-form coral lagoon that wraps 200 metres around the central building on Daydream Island and is home to over 100 species of local marine life including fish, small sharks, rays and other reef dwelling creatures.

Daydream Island’s unique Living Reef and Underwater Observatory.

Up to 15 metres wide and containing 1.5 million litres of filtered sea water this man made reef system offers a range of ways you can get up close to our resident marine animals.

The Underwater Observatory takes you 4-metres under the surface and showcases a large 7 x 3 metre window where you can watch the marine life going about their day. The open learning environment in the Education Centre has eight living displays showcasing various habitats from mangroves to corals, a theatrette and an interactive touch pool.

The resort is easily reached with direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane through the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island, or Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine, and is an ideal destination for conferences, events, meetings, trade shows, product launches and organisational incentive or team building activities.

Horizon Room at Daydream Island Resort.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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NEW VIBE Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour

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Opening Soon – Stay from 1 November 2019

The new Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour will feature a heated infinity rooftop pool, vibrant rooftop bar, and an enviable location on Sussex Street – close to one of Sydney’s top entertainment precincts.

Just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall Station, and 10-minutes from the International Convention Centre (ICC), the 145-room hotel will open at the upper end of Sydney’s Chinatown as a neighbour to the redeveloped entertainment precinct, the Darling Quarter.

“We look forward to Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour welcoming its first guests later this year”, said The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“It’s well located for guests conferencing at ICC in Darling Harbour, as well as business travellers and visitors looking to see a different side of Sydney”, added Hosper

With architecture and interior design by the experienced hotel design team at WMK Architecture, Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour will boast communal spaces typical of the Vibe Hotels brand as well as an all-day dining restaurant, fully equipped gym, and infinity edge rooftop pool.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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NEW RAFFLES HOTELS in China and the Maldives

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Raffles Shenzhen and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo continue the brand’s tradition of setting new standards for luxury hospitality.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts, renowned for bringing old world elegance, first class experiences and charm to the world’s most fascinating cities and holiday hot spots since 1887, has announced the opening of two important new landmark hotels, Raffles Shenzhen and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.

Raffles Shenzhen Deluxe Sea View Room

“The Raffles collection now includes 14 properties across 12 countries, with a carefully curated list of distinguished addresses in leading markets around the world,” said Chris Cahill, Deputy CEO, Accor.

“With a storied history spanning more than 130 years, Raffles is currently experiencing a renaissance, with a robust project pipeline that will see the portfolio add an additional 8-10 hotels over the next few years.”

Raffles Shenzhen brings luxury and service to the modern metropolis of Shenzhen. An extraordinary urban oasis on the top floors of a 72-storey tower in the One Shenzhen Bay complex, Raffles Shenzhen offers 168 spacious guestrooms and serviced residences with views of Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong.

Raffles Shenzhen Long Bar.

On the remote southern tip of the Maldives archipelago, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is surrounded by sparkling Indian Ocean waters and unspoiled reefs. The resort is a haven of 21 island beach villas and 16 ocean overwater villas.

Long Bar, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo.

Adding to the recent openings in China and the Maldives, Raffles has also developed a smart and strategic growth plan which will see the luxury brand add a number of new and exciting hotels, resorts and mixed-use projects to its global portfolio over the coming years.

  • Scheduled for opening in 2020, 101-room Raffles Udaipur will be the brand’s first hotel in India.
  • Scheduled for 2021, Raffles The Palm Dubai, with 125 hotel rooms and suites, will enjoy a coveted position at the tip of the Palm archipelago, providing 360 degree views of the Jumeirah coast and the Arabian Gulf.
  • Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences is scheduled to open in 2021. Located in the historical heart of the city in a new 33-story building, the hotel will have 147 rooms as well as 146 branded residences.

Raffles Maldives, Beach Villa.

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ACCOR Announces New Art Series Hotel for Perth

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Accor has announced that its ninth Art Series hotel will open in Perth’s CBD in October 2019, launching the Art Series brand in Western Australia.

The new-build, full-service hotel is aimed at both business and leisure travellers with 250 stylish guest rooms, a signature restaurant with terrace, bar and lounge, ground floor café, swimming pool, gymnasium and a function room.

The new 27-storey hotel at 900 Hay Street, Perth will draw inspiration from its incoming namesake artist, with custom contemporary furnishings and original artworks and prints adorning the walls and halls.

Accor Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath, said the opening of this hotel will mark the arrival of Art Series Hotels in Western Australia and represents the Group’s strategic direction to grow the brand.

“This announcement reflects the continued expansion and evolution of Australia’s only boutique hotel brand creating art inspired experiences for guests,” said McGrath.

“This major new asset will support the local tourism industry and create new jobs, which are both so vital to Perth and Western Australia”, added McGrath.

Further details, including the hotel’s namesake artist, will be released in the coming months.

“We’re intrigued about which artist will be named as the hotel’s namesake”, said Lisa Byers, General Manager of The Travel Authority Corporate & Resource, Fremantle.

“Art Series properties are really unique, and this one promises to add significantly to Perth’s evolving hotel scene. We’re sure it will be very popular with leisure and business travellers”, added Byers.

The hotel is currently undergoing an extensive internal fit-out and remains targeted for completion in September 2019.

The Art Series portfolio includes Melbourne hotels The Olsen, South Yarra; The Blackman, St Kilda Road; The Cullen, Prahan; The Larwill, Parkville; The Chen, Box Hill, along with The Watson in Walkerville, South Australia and The Johnson and The Fantauzzo in Brisbane.

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WE KNOW: Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts in London & Paris

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Emma Dalton, Senior Corporate Travel Consultant at The Travel Authority Corporate Sydney, recently returned from an educational (and luxurious) trip to Singapore and Europe.

Emma was invited by The Travel Authority Group’s friends at British Airways and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts to inspect their luxury offerings first-hand. As she travelled, Emma also put BA’s Club World Business Class and airport lounges through their paces.

Click Here to read about Emma’s British Airways immersion.

On the ground at the far end of the journey, Emma spent a great deal of time getting to know a pair of iconic luxury hotels:

  • Shangri-la Hotel, Paris
  • Shangri-la Hotel at The Shard, London

La Bauhinia, Shangri-La Hotel Paris.

In Paris, Emma sampled fabulous cuisine at breakfast in the Shangri-la Hotel’s La Bauhinia where she was joined by the hotel’s Sales and Marketing team beneath the restaurant’s stunning glass cupola. Another culinary highlight was dinner in the hotel’s Shang Palace restaurant—the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Paris.

Shang Palace restaurant, Shangri-la Hotel Paris.

Having inspected the property from top to bottom, and enjoying an unforgettable serving of French Toast, Emma recommends a morning swim in the hotel’s indoor pool.

“It is best in the morning as the indoor pool is bathed in the day’s early light. You’ll only manage this, of course, if you can drag yourself out of your spectacular room with a view”, says Emma referring to the hotel’s stunning accommodation.

She also recommends Shangri-La’s Chi The Spa.

“If you want to spoil yourself, the spa is also wonderful! A massage and facial is the perfect pick-me-up after a long flight! Just 30 minutes is all it takes to revive and get out to enjoy the city of love”, says Emma.

Chi the Spa.

Returning to London with British Airways, Emma transferred to the stunning Shangri-la Hotel at The Shard.

Once again, she caught up with the hotel’s Sales and Marketing team for lunch, this time at TING. Derived from the Chinese word for ‘living room’, TING is on the hotel’s 35th floor and serves the best of British fare with an Asian twist and views to die for.

TING at Shangri-la Hotel at The Shard, London.

From all reports, Emma was even more taken by the views a few floors up at GONG Bar—the highest hotel bar in all of Western Europe.

“Sunset drinks at GONG are a must. Situated on the 52nd floor of The Shard with uninterrupted views of London, GONG is the perfect place to watch the sun slowly slip away”, says Emma.

GONG at Shangri-la Hotel at The Shard, London.

The views are, perhaps not surprisingly, a real highlight of stays at Shangri-la Hotel at The Shard.

“Breakfast in the clouds is the perfect way to start your day in London. The view is postcard perfect, gazing down over London landmarks such as the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, all in the shadow of the Shard. If you have spare time (and need to walk off the bountiful breakfast) there is a lovely nearby walk along the Thames”, notes Emma.

Emma’s pics from Shangri-la Hotel at The Shard, London .

ON the ground in London, Emma partook in a gin tasting at Jensen’s Distillery, Bermondsey, and explored the cultural scene of the city’s South Bank area on a walking tour escorted by a Blue Badge Guide. The Blue Badge is recognised internationally as the qualification of excellence in site and heritage interpretation, and in communication skills.

For more information about Shangri-La’s brilliant portfolio of luxury hotels, leave us a note in the form below, or call us to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

WE KNOW: Singapore’s Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

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Emma Dalton, Senior Corporate Travel Consultant at The Travel Authority Corporate Sydney, recently returned from an insightful (and luxurious) trip to Singapore and Europe.

Emma was invited by The Travel Authority Group’s friends at British Airways and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts to inspect their luxury offerings first-hand. As she travelled, Emma put BA’s Club World Business Class and airport lounges through their paces.

Click Here to read about Emma’s British Airways immersion.

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

Before pushing on to London and Paris, Emma ran her discerning eye over iconic Shangri-La hotels in Singapore, as well as a pair of ‘Hotel Jen by Shangri-La’ properties.

First stop: Singapore.

“We arrived into Singapore Changi Airport from Sydney on BA016 at 21.30, then were transferred by Carey Limousines to Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, arriving at about 23.00”, said Emma.

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is consistently ranked among the world’s best hotels. Set in 15 acres of lush gardens, the legendary hotel offers a tranquil retreat from the buzz and bustle of Singapore and the Orchard Road shopping precinct nearby.

“Shangri-La Hotel Singapore enjoys a great location. This is a city hotel with none of the hustle and bustle you might expect knowing the city’s renowned Orchard Road shopping precinct is just a short walk away”, says Emma.

The hotel features 792 luxurious guestrooms and suites across three distinct wings as well as 182 spacious serviced apartments and residences. It has always been popular with leisure and business travellers alike.

A Valley Wing Deluxe at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

Emma stayed in a Valley Wing Deluxe room.

“The Valley Wing has its own entrance which makes it feel very exclusive, and the rooms are so opulent. My Valley Wing Deluxe room had a grand ambiance to it. The over-sized bathroom and huge chandelier really made me feel like I was somewhere special”, Emma recalls.

“The Tower Wing has a contemporary feel to it and, with large rooms, is suited to both business and leisure guests. There’s a floor dedicated to families, boasting five themed family suites and a room that has everything a parent would need if travelling with a baby or young child. Bottles and nappies, books and prams—you name it!”, says Emma.

Castle-themed Family suite.

Finally, a bit of a contrast, Emma described hotel’s Garden Wing as having a genuine holiday feel to it.

“Each Garden Wings room has a balcony—perfect for anyone looking for a city break with a resort vibe”, recommends Emma. The hotel’s pool—the largest in Singapore—will also certainly appeal to the holiday crowd.

Garden Wing Premier Balcony Suite

Highlights of Emma’s stay included:

  • The free-flowing Veuve from 11.00 in the Valley Wing Champagne Bar
  • Daily afternoon tea, dainty sandwiches and pastries, cookies and pralines at The Valley Wing Lobby Lounge
  • Daily evening canapes

Valley Wing Champagne Bar, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

“Also, the curated selection of cheeses and ‘Gins around the World’ at The Valley Wing Lobby are all great (and delicious!) selling points for this room category at the hotel”, Emma points out.

During her stay in Singapore, Emma also inspected Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa—a beachside resort on nearby Sentosa Island, Singapore’s playground. Even though the resort is just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, this is very much a leisure property popular with families.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa.

The beachfront Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is home to:

  • 454 rooms and suites
  • 6 restaurants and bars

Emma’s pick of the resort’s restaurants was Trapizza, a casual Italian eatery right on the beach.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort’s beachside Trapizza restaurant.

The inspections continued in Singapore at Hotel Jen Tanglin, and Hotel Jen Orchardgateway.

Previously known as Shangri-La’s Traders Hotels, Jen Hotels describe themselves as ‘fresh, friendly and fuss-free. Catering to a new Jeneration of independently minded business and leisure travellers.’

Club Room, Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore.

“The Jen Hotels vibe is fresh, local and vibrant. The rooms at both Singapore properties are modern and funky”, says Emma.

Her pick of Singapore’s Jens?

“The Hotel Jen Orchardgateway is in a perfect position for both leisure and corporate travellers. The rooftop pool is AMAZING and the rooms, although small, feel larger because of the well throughout floor-plan and loads of natural light”, says Emma.

Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore – Pool.

For more information about Shangri-La’s brilliant portfolio of luxury hotels, leave us a note in the form below, or call us to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

Andaz Sydney Looking at 2022 Debut

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A recent announcement from global architecture and design firm, Woods Bagot, points to a 2022 Sydney debut for Andaz Hotels by Hyatt, the Hyatt Hotel Corporation‘s contemporary lifestyle brand.

The new, 55-storey property’s design has been revealed by Woods Bagot, who developed the winning scheme in the competition to design Sydney CBD’s first major luxury hotel in 20 years.

A rendering of Sydney’s proposed Andaz Hotel in the city skyline.

The property is slated for construction at 4–6 Bligh Street.

When completed, the development will create two addresses—one for the hotel operated by Andaz Hotels by Hyatt, and the other for commercial uses—the project will be integrated among other commercial and hotel buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes.

Architect’s rendering of the Andaz Hotel entrance in Bligh Street, Sydney.

The 38-floor hotel will sit atop a nine-level commercial office podium, and will be home to hotel rooms and suites which stop at the fiftieth floor. There, guests will enjoy a rooftop restaurant, bar and garden with panoramic views of the Harbour, Sydney Heads and surrounding parks.

The upper-most levels of the Andaz Hotel are shown in this rendering from the design competition.

“We’re excited by this news”, says The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“It might feel like a long way off but, should this hotel open as planned, it will make a real impact on Sydney’s luxury hotel scene. We look forward to hearing more news”, added Hosper.

There are currently 19 Andaz hotels in the USA & Canada, Germany, the UK and Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Abu Dhabi, India, Singapore, Japan and China. New Andaz properties in Palm Springs and Austria are scheduled to open later this year.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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Brisbane Welcomes ‘The Fantauzzo’—Australia’s newest Art Series Hotel

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Australia’s newest Art Series hotel is set to open in Brisbane in late March.

Book now and you’ll be one of the first guests at to experience the city’s new $100 million flagship Art Series Hotel, The Fantauzzo.

Named after and inspired by artist Australian Vincent Fantauzzo, The Fantauzzo will make statement beneath the iconic Story Bridge at Brisbane’s rejuvenated Howard Smith Wharves. The six-storey hotel weaves creativity and contemporary luxury through every level and blends of architecture, nature and art.

The hotel’s creators describe it as “seamlessly entwining art with the surrounding landscape and urban fabric.”

Vincent Fantauzzo, is a Melbourne-based Australian portrait artist known for his portraits of Heath Ledger, Brandon Walters, Matt Moran, Emma Hack, Baz Luhrmann, Asher Keddie and the like.

Riverview Studio, The Fantauzzo.

Located directly under Brisbane’s imposing Story Bridge, a challenging location both from a design and construction point of view, SJB Project Director Tristan Wong said integral to the hotel’s design was the idea it did not compromise the heritage buildings along Howard Smith Wharves which would remain clearly distinguishable.

“Brisbane is emerging as a vibrant city with a growing interest in the arts and our design plays off this notion to create what is to become a landmark hotel for the precinct,” he added.

Inside the hotel, the lobby features a double-height wall of glass that brings the cliff-face inside, while the guest rooms enjoy spectacular city views of the Brisbane River, tumbling greenery or the sculptured rock wall.

Two-bedroom Penthouse, The Fantauzzo.

This will be the greenest Art Series hotel with some of the environmental friendly aspects of the development including: high performance glazing, low VOC materials, open corridors, cascading plants over the building’s facade, smart lighting and cross ventilated common spaces. All cars will be located underground so the riverfront is completely for human traffic, on foot or by bike, and tropical gardens.

The six-storey hotel will offer four distinct food and beverage outlets as well as an impressive rooftop pool boasting spectacular views of the Brisbane River and CBD, bar, gym and three conference rooms, fully equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology.

For more information about The Fantauzzo, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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QT Set to Bring its Unique Hotel & Style to Adelaide

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The latest announcement from the QT hotel group points to the 11th hotel in the group of QT properties across Australia and New Zealand slated for Adelaide.

QT Sydney, Twin/Double

QT’s first foray into South Australia will take shape at 62 Currie St in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD.

A design-led hotel with a luxurious and quirky flair, complemented by a distinctive signature service, QT Adelaide will be the city’s first lifestyle hotel, bringing a unique offering and a sweeping rooftop bar to the market.

QT Sydney, State Suite.

A unique mixed-use offering to Adelaide’s premier entertainment precinct—known for its hip bars and renowned restaurants—the $180 million development will incorporate QT’s latest F&B offerings, and feature 200 guest rooms and extensive conferencing and events facilities.

QT Gold Coast

Construction is likely to commence by the end of 2019.

The QT group of hotels is on a strong growth trajectory, with QT Queenstown opening in December 2017 and
QT Perth in July 2018. QT Auckland is scheduled to open in 2020, followed by QT Parramatta and QT
Adelaide in 2021.

QT Hotels recently celebrated a triple-win in the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, with three QT properties ranking in the top 15 hotels in Australia and New Zealand.

About QT Hotels & Resorts
QT Hotels & Resorts is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most loved and dynamic hotel brands, the family of properties includes: QT Sydney, QT Melbourne, QT Gold Coast, QT Perth, QT Falls Creek, QT Canberra, QT Bondi, QT Wellington and QT Queenstown, with QT Parramatta and QT Auckland scheduled to open in 2020.

For more information about any of the striking hotels in the QT group, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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Hayman Island Resort Re-Opening

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Be one of the first guests to experience Australia’s most iconic private island resort re-imagined when it re-opens this Winter.

A new era of luxury awaits: Hayman Island by InterContinental will open in July 2019, welcoming guests to a spectacular island retreat following significant refurbishment.

“We’re so pleased that we’ll soon be sending guests back to Hayman Island”, says The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“We can’t wait to see this fabulous resort back on its feet and wow-ing guests once again after two years and a $100 million face-lift. Hayman Island by InterContinental promises to set a new benchmark in Australian Island luxury”, added Hosper.

The resort’s unrivaled luxury begins with 166 elegantly-renovated rooms, suites and villas across three distinct wings of the Resort. An unforgettable collection meetings & event spaces, wedding venues, exciting new restaurants and bars, and an enriching new spa experience complete the heart of The InterContinental Life.

Rooms and suites are spread across three wings:

  • Lagoon Wing
  • Pool Wing
  • Beach Wing

Complete Resort facilities include five new restaurants and bars, private beach and pool cabanas, the iconic Hayman Pool, stunning family-friendly Aquazure Pool, the Rainforest Lagoon, private Coconut Beach, all-new Resort boutique and gift shop, private fashion and lifestyle boutique, World-class kids club and the InterContinental Planet Trekkers program, state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, premium sports and watersports activities including basketball court, squash courts, golf putting & chipping, soulful spa experience, private yoga, Pilates and health & wellness centre.

The iconic, reimagined InterContinental Hayman Island Resort will redefine five-star island luxury.

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