Novotel Sydney Central unveils striking refurbishment as Haymarket transforms

Following its rebrand from Citigate Central Sydney to Novotel Sydney Central in February 2013, the 18-storey, 4.5-star hotel has unveiled a major refurbishment which has seen all of its guestrooms revamped, bathrooms redesigned and a new lobby installed.

On top of this, the hotel has just received Chinese Optimum Standard accreditation – fitting as the hotel is in the heart of Haymarket and China is one of Sydney’s fastest growing tourism markets. 

As part of the hotel’s multi-million dollar refurbishment, all of the 255-guestrooms have received either new king or queen size Novotel beds, new carpet, freshly painted walls and new furniture, while  the bathrooms have seen a complete overhaul with new tiles, vanities and fixtures and fittings installed.

The refurbishment of the lobby has seen new reception desks and backdrops created, with modern ottomans and lounge chairs taking up the expansive new space. An Apple web-corner is also a new feature of the lobby.

General Manager for Novotel Sydney Central, Danesh Bamji said: “The timing of our refurbishment couldn’t be better and the end result is a vibrant, cosmopolitan new look hotel. As construction work on Frank Gehry’s building is coming to a close and with The Goods Line set to stream right past the hotel, Novotel Sydney Central is in a prime position to take advantage of the regeneration of the suburb. 

Haymarket has come alive and there’s a great energy about the place which is bringing new people into the area which is good for business.”

“For a long time Haymarket was seen as a transient suburb and often overshadowed by Darling Harbour and Chinatown, however with the public works that are currently underway, Haymarket is going to become one of the city’s most exciting precincts, surrounded by cutting edge architecture, exciting new restaurant and retail areas. While the precinct is very much focused on the future there is still plenty of history to discover, with Paddy’s Market and Chinatown on the Novotel’s doorstep.”

“Being at the junction of Chinatown and Darling Harbour, now that we are Chinese Optimum Standard accredited we’re an even more attractive hotel for Chinese guests which sets us apart from our competitors in the area”.

Being accredited to provide Accor’s Chinese Optimum Standards, Chinese guests at Novotel Sydney Central will be welcomed with translated hotel kits, favoured Chinese menu options, Chinese newspapers, maps, guides and other enhancements.

Featuring its own slice of history, Novotel Sydney Central boasts its own heritage listed building – Field House, which is now the hotel’s restaurant. Named after Thomas and Herbert Field, two brothers who emigrated to Australia in 1885 and set up an Outdoor Relief and Stores Department which gave assistance to needy citizens of Sydney during the Great Depression, Field House Restaurant has been beautifully restored and with its heritage listed status provides old world charm and traditional style amongst a bustling inner-city high rise hotel.

After being awarded ‘One Glass Rating’ for its wine list in the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards in 2012, Field House has never been busier. The hotel is one of only a handful of hotels to achieve a Glass rating and the only 4-star property to be recognised in Australia.

Delivering on the Novotel&Family promise, the hotel has installed a new kids corner which is well stocked with toys, play tables, chairs and books. As part of the Novotel&Family promise and children under the age of 16 stay and eat breakfast for free. Twin rooms with two generous queen size beds are ideally suited for families travelling.

Other features of the hotel which have seen a makeover include the rooftop pool which boasts stunning views of the city, and the hotel’s gymnasium which features new equipment.

Novotel Sydney Central also boasts 12 well appointed function rooms, while the grand ballroom can cater for up to 350 guests. With a 600 car space carpark attached to the hotel, access to the hotel is exceptionally easy.

With a Thomas Street address and in the heart of Haymarket with Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay Wharf, Central and the city’s theatre and entertainment districts all just minutes away from the hotel, Novotel Sydney Central is set to thrive under its new look and as innovative new works continue to keep the southern end of Sydney CBD in the headlines, Novotel Sydney Central is set to soar.

Win 5 Day Motorhome Holiday

DRIVEAWAY Holidays is giving a lucky agent 5-days rental of a Britz Venturer 2-berth motorhome in Australia – all motorhome rental bookings made and paid with DriveAway Holidays during their September Motorhome Madness go into the draw for this fab 5 day incentive.

DriveAway’s September motorhome specials include discounts, free days and free weeks, upgrades and other promotions for rentals in Britain, Ireland, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia; details 1300 363 500 or www.driveaway.com.au

AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa opens in Vietnam

The Perfect Recipe for a Relaxing Escape

AVANI Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce that AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa has just been rebranded from Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon, offering a tropical beach and spa retreat in a prime location along Vietnam's south central coastline.

Travellers arrive to find a postcard perfect shore, with a backdrop of orchard covered mountains. The resort's kilometre long, palm fringed, private beach boasts some of Vietnam's most pristine sands and clearest turquoise water. Adding to the coastal allures, guests can reach the resort's private island by kayak or have a local fisherman ferry them across, and then unwind into a day of swimming, snorkelling, fishing, sunbathing and picnicking in a world of their own.

When it comes to a good night's sleep or simply hiding away for a few restful hours, 63 guest rooms and suites are designed to relax, entertain and inspire. Contemporary style is brought to life by hints of Vietnamese culture and Champa Kingdom heritage. Private balconies and bathroom windows reveal a spectacular sea view. Guests can sit at their balcony's table and chairs to watch the waves, or rest inside on a cozy sofa chair enjoying international satellite channels on the large LED television and catching up on emails thanks to WiFi. Guest rooms offer 42 to 48 square metres of total living space, and suites a more generous 51 square metres. All rooms and suites can sleep two adults and two children or three adults with an extra bed, and the option of adjoining rooms and suites caters comfortably for families and friends.

AVANI understands that a major ingredient for a great holiday is the pleasures of food and drink, and each outlet's minimalist naming highlights an honest approach to tasty satisfaction. DINE, the only international restaurant in Quy Nhon, is open all day from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. Picture open air, cliff-side tables, a fresh sea breeze and stunning coastal views. SIP provides a casual, tropical poolside retreat from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, where lazy days of sunbathing are refreshed by exotic juices, smoothies and iced teas, accompanied by delicious light lunches and a long cocktail list to indulge in as the sun sets. LOUNGE, as the name suggests, is designed with cozy sofas for quiet moments alone, as well as books and games for socialising and light replenishment from 10:00 am till late. Adding a fourth dimension, In-Room Dining allows guests to DINE, SIP and LOUNGE in total privacy.

In the tranquil surrounds of the resort, guests can play beach games, fly a kite, or snorkel, kayak, fish and cruise the waves aboard a traditional Vietnamese basket boat. Bicycles available at the resort can be ridden to a nearby lake and orchard or a local fishing village. Vietnamese cooking classes, cocktail making sessions and an orchard tour introduce vibrant local elements, and Vietnamese language lessons are free every day.

At the spa, an extensive treatment menu features therapies with nourishing indigenous ingredients, pampering special packages and the therapeutic benefits of extended programmes. The spirit of indulgence continues in the beauty treatment rooms, steam baths, Vichy showers and a Japanese dry sand and salt sauna, followed by healthy beverages on the spa deck overlooking the garden. A beachfront pavilion offers revitalising wellness activities, including daily complimentary sunrise yoga and afternoon Tai Chi. Private wellness classes are also available, including meditation and massage.

When it comes to exploring, Quy Nhon and the surrounding area offers a well rounded mix of culture, history, stunning scenery and local flavours. A fresh water lake in the nearby mountains is a great place to fish and a floating village restaurant dishes up superb seafood specialties. A local handicraft village is renowned for its pottery, woodwork, blacksmiths and rice hats, while Quy Nhon City is home to ancient Cham temples and pagodas, a bustling market and a fascinating history museum.

Getting to AVANI Quy Nhon Resort & Spa is a hassle-free experience. Quy Nhon Airport is a 50 minute drive away, with daily flights operating from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Guests can also catch daily trains from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, or take the regular bus service from Nha Trang, with the hotel able to organise transfers by hotel van or taxi.

AVANI Hotels & Resorts is a vibrant new upscale brand in exotic destinations. Holidaymakers looking for all the right ingredients for relaxation with attention to the details that really matter, have their dreams answered by this refreshing new hotel and resort concept. The name 'AVANI' stems from the Sanskrit word for 'earth' – a meaning which is expressed through a grounded personality and simple sense of style. Each charming resort exhibits a passion for design, an emphasis on tailoring details to deliver complete satisfaction, and service that is genuine and spontaneous, by listening to guest needs to create a seamless and pleasurable stay.

For more information see http://www.avanihotels.com/quynhon/

More ships for Viking River Cruises

World's Leading River Cruise Line Seeing Unprecedented Demand;
Will Launch 14 New Viking Longships® Next Year

Amid record levels of consumer interest in river cruising, Viking Cruises (www.vikingrivercruises.com.au) today announced it has increased its order for additional Viking Longships, bringing the total number of new ships launching in 2014 from 12 to 14 vessels. The increased order reflects the popularity of river cruising as the fastest growing-segment of the travel industry and the leadership position of Viking, the world's leading river cruise line. By the end of 2014, Viking will have introduced a total of 30 new ships in a three-year period – the most rapid fleet expansion program the cruise industry has ever seen. The 14 new ships in 2014 will sail Viking's most popular itineraries in Europe.

                  "We are working hard to match supply with demand, and with these new builds, we have the best designed, newest and most extensive offer of ships on the rivers – more than double all our competitors combined," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. "More than ever, travellers want experiences that bring them closer to the destination, which is why we continue to design ships and itineraries with destinations and enrichment as the focus."

                  Over the last few years, river cruising has grown at an average annual rate of approximately nine percent*. Within this segment, Viking has grown at a much faster clip than its competitors – an average of 22 percent* per year, compared to the estimated four percent* annual growth of other river cruise lines.

                  In March of this year, Viking set a world record with the inauguration of 10 new Longships for the 2013 sailing season in a first-of-its-kind simultaneous christeningceremony in Amsterdam. This made way for its most successful sailing season, with more than 90 percent of all available staterooms sold during the spring andsummer months and record sales for the holiday sailings. Customer satisfaction is also central to Viking Cruises' growth, specifically in attracting repeat travellers. In fact, for the 2011 sailing season, 97 percent of Viking passengers rated their experience as "above expectations."

Named "Best New River Ships of 2012" in Cruise Critic's® Editors' Picks Awards, Viking Longships integrate patent-pending design and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends. These new features include a revolutionary new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace that reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors and allows guests to enjoy the views and dine al fresco. Accommodating 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, Viking Longships have a patented layout that allows for two Explorer Suites – the largest river cruise suites in Europe – as well as seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom; 39 Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas; and 22 French Balcony Staterooms. Additionally, all Longships have sustainability upgrades, such as onboard solar panels and organic herb gardens, and energy-efficient hybrid engines that also reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.

For more information, visit http://www.vikingrivercruises.com.au/longships-feature/ or contact teresia.fors@vikingrivercruises.com.

*Source: Cruise Lines International Association, Inc.; http://www.cruisemarketwatch.com/growth/ Jan 28, 2013

 

A Snapshot Of The Men And Women Behind The Luxury That Is Shangri-La

Through the years, Shangri-La has welcomed guests into the sanctuary of its hotels and resorts with warmth and graciousness. 

The unique sense of arrival is created by attentive and caring colleagues who keep hospitality at the forefront and genuine from the heart.  The same level of dedication persists in all hotel areas so that whether it is a floral display, tea service or dining experience, a Shangri-La moment awaits every guest.  More than 40,000 colleagues worldwide bring Shangri-La’s signature hallmarks to life.

At the group’s flagship, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, guests are drawn to the hotel’s "green thumb" - Mohd Kassim bin Abdulla, or “Kassim” as he is known. 

 He has tended the hotel’s 15-acre garden for four decades.  Alongside 200 Japanese koi and tumbling waterfalls, Kassim and nine gardeners water and prune over 110 varieties of 133,000 plants, tropical flowers and fruit trees, ensuring the garden retains its widely known moniker as Singapore’s second botanic garden.  Even the hotel’s new Garden Wing herb garden - with 82 different plants that possess healing properties - is nurtured by the team of green fingers.

Having witnessed hotel milestones – the refurbishment of the Tower Wing, Garden Wing and The Valley Wing – Kassim delights in sharing memories of the transformations while highlighting notable herbs and plants on his garden tour every Friday and Saturday morning.  In addition to his days among the flora and fauna, Kassim creates vivid landscaping designs for the hotel’s public areas, returning the plants to the lush gardens after use.

Across continents at one of Shangri-La’s Canadian hotels is Sheena Brady.  As the tea sommelier for Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto, she understands that serving tea to welcome guests is a gesture and sign of respect that dates back thousands of years.  To ensure each cup of tea is at its best, Sheena tastes the teas daily as the leaves, like all natural products, can vary by season and storage conditions.  Her interpretation of the tea drinking culture extends to working with the hotel’s bartenders and culinary team to concoct tea-infused beverages and cocktails and tea-infused pastries from the hotel’s 68 premium teas.

When not crafting a brew to suit a guest’s mood, Sheena prepares bespoke tea amenities and gifts, and coordinates tea ceremonies for events.  This autumn, she will offer tea enthusiasts a series of classes on tea basics, tea history, cooking with tea, food and tea pairings, and tea cocktails.

Equally dedicated to elevating guests’ experience is Sheena’s counterpart, Kenneth Law, at Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong.  One of only a few qualified and nationally recognised tea masters in Hong Kong, Kenneth’s knowledge of the history of tea and how it is grown, harvested and processed is an appreciation he imparts with his peers-in-training.  Keen to keep traditions intact, Kenneth stocks the hotel and its long-established Michelin two-star Shang Palace’s tea collection with rare and aged teas, namely Private Reserve 1998 Fermented Ripe Pu’Er, which is exclusively owned by Shangri-La; Private Reserve 2000 Unfermented Raw Pu’Er and other fine classifications.

When it comes to artistic expression, Kerry Hotel, Pudong in Shanghai has a K-pop star of another genre.  François Pietri, the hotel’s executive pastry chef, has literately embraced the hotel’s spirited philosophy.  Inspired by his fast-paced adopted home, he created Kerry Pops - a dessert to be eaten on the go.  The sweet mini globes are made in either chocolate, vanilla or fruity biscuit and wrapped with dark, white or flavoured chocolate.  Decorated with multi-coloured sprinkles and swirls, the six varieties are a daily sell out at the hotel’s The Cook.

Art in another form is exhibited at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong.  Guests are greeted in the lobby by three octagonal-shaped chandeliers, each weighing three tonnes and spanning over two metres in diametre.  The hotel pays further homage to crystal with 606 Austrian chandeliers in the guestrooms and 161 chandeliers dotted around the public areas.  Hand-crafted by artisans to harmonise the hotel’s classic design, the chandeliers are largely pendant and tear drop styles, which are characteristic of the light installations at other Shangri-La hotels in Asia.

Keeping the chandeliers spotless is the responsibility of Executive Housekeeper Christine Wong.  Her task of cleaning the light features every three months turns into a meticulous melody when more than a million pieces of crystal are hand treated.

From crystals to corals: Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu in the Philippines was the group’s first resort to establish a six-hectare marine sanctuary for over 160 species of fish, clams and coral as part of Shangri-La’s Reef Care Project.

Managing the sanctuary and keeping its occupants “under her wing” is Irene Tan, the resort’s marine biologist.  With her caring nature, she observes the plant and animal life forms from above and below the water.  Her commitment to the surrounding marine life has enabled developments to be initiated for the sanctuary; when not on dry land, Irene is at coastal and dive clean-ups.  While directing tours of the sanctuary, she humbly shares details of the on-going coral recovery programmes and how ships were sunk to form artificial reefs and encourage coral and fish proliferation.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 34,000.  Over four decades the group has established its brand hallmark of “hospitality from the heart”.  

The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.  For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

Now, Wings Air flies to magnificent Lake Toba from Batam

In conjunction with the Lake Toba Festival, to be held for one whole week from 8 – 14 September, Wings Air, subsidiary of Lion Air Group, will start flying three times weekly from Batam to Silangit airport near Lake Toba, North Sumatra, commencing Friday, 6 September.

This year’s Lake Toba Festival promises to be an exciting week of dance, music, culture and sports competitions on land and on the water. 

PT. Lion Air Mentari Airlines, General Director, Edward Sirait announced that with significant economic growth in Sumatra and surroundings there is increasing demand for air transportation, which this airline now wishes to meet, reports Bisnis Indonesia.

Silangit is a small airport located at Siborong-Siborong in the 

district of North Tapanuli, providing easy access to Lake Toba. 

With a runway of 45 meters x 2.250 meters, the airport has been revived to serve communities around this magnificent lake and support the region’s fast growing tourism activities.  Other airlines serving Silangit are Sky Aviation from Pekanbaru (Riau), and Susi Air from Medan, Sibolga and Dumai (Riau) Wings Air serves Batam-Silangit every Wednesday, Friday and Monday, leaving Batam at 08.30 am local time and arrives in Silangit at 10.10 am. The return flight from Silangit leaves at 10.35 am and arrives Batam at 12.15 pm.

Canberra's Golden Summer of Arts and Culture

The first exhibition of Peruvian art ever staged in Australia headlines a diverse range of cultural experiences in the nation's capital this summer.

Gold and the Incas: Lost worlds of Peru opens exclusively at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on 6 December and reveals the splendour of ancient pre-Hispanic cultures of Peru, with more than 200 objects that will transport visitors back in time into the world of the famous Incan empire and their predecessors.

Art lovers will encounter the aesthetic depth, drama and beauty of the Incan empire through objects like large stone calendars, full-size gold armour, intricate jewellery, and elaborate embroidered and woven cloths. While art made of gold, silver, turquoise, stone, textiles and ceramics will excite visitors and provide a new experience at the National Gallery of Australia, according to senior curator Christine Dixon.

'We're thrilled to host some of the greatest works of art ever produced in ancient Peru,' Dixon said.

Ten private and public museums, including Peru's National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History, have generously lent some of their greatest treasures to the National Gallery of Australia. The exhibition is a ticketed event and closes on 21 April 2014. Tickets will go on sale soon through Ticketek.

As well as Peruvian treasures, Canberra will also play host to an incredible collection of rare maps, Indigenous bark paintings and a revealing collection of rock'n'roll photographs at its national institutions in the coming months.

After exploring these exciting exhibitions, why not discover some of Canberra's own hidden gems? The Canberra Wine District is home to 33 wineries within 35 minutes of the city, including Clonakilla, famed for its award-winning shiraz-viognier, which was recently awarded 97 points in the 2014 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion.

Experience Canberra's rich food scene and dine in Good Food Guide hatted restaurants like Aubergine, Pulp Kitchen, Courgette, Waters Edge and the long-running Ottoman Cuisine. Or why not sample the culinary delights of acclaimed newcomers like Eightysix and Mocan and Green Grout, which were both recently named in The Australian's Hot 50 Restaurants 2013?