Eichardt’s Private Hotel New Zealand’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel

 

Three times a charm for Eichardt's Private Hotel at World Ski Awards

It was once, twice, three times a winner as Eichardt's Private Hotel took out the distinguished title of New Zealand's Best Ski Boutique Hotel at the annual World Ski Awards for the third consecutive year.

Acknowledging exceptional success in the ski tourism industry, the luxury Queenstown hotel was presented the award at a glamourous black tie Gala Ceremony held last night (November 21) in Kitzbühel, Austria.

The event was attended by ski tourism figureheads and market leaders from North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia and took into account votes from thousands of ski tourism professionals and members of the public to determine the best of the best across the globe.

Eichardt's Private Hotel owner Andrew Cox praises his team for their unwavering commitment to excellence across all levels of the hotel proposition.

"Queenstown is known as the skiing capital of the Southern Hemisphere so to be awarded three years consecutively as the best choice for premium accommodation is certainly a proud moment.

"Our team works hard to go above and beyond to identify the best in skiing experiences to our guests.  This can mean anything from private boot and board/ski fittings in their suite to heli-skiing on untouched powder, so it's great to see their diligence recognised on the world stage."

World Ski Awards Managing Director Sion Rapson launched the World Ski Awards in 2013 with the aim to drive up standards within the ski industry and reward the organisations that are leaders in their field.

"Each winner can take enormous pride – they have been voted the finest in class against stiff competition," Rapson said.

The hotel is part of the Imperium Collection, a collective of accommodation and dining offers including The Spire Hotel, Eichardt's Private Hotel, Eichardt's Bar, Eichardt's Lakefront Apartments, Eichardt's Residence and No5 Church Lane Restaurant and Bar. The Spire Hotel was recently awarded Oceania and Australasia's best luxury boutique hotel at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, which is the sister ceremony to the World Ski Awards.

Rates at Eichardt's Private Hotel start from NZ$1,250 per night for one-bedroom Apartments and NZ$1,700 for Suites.  In 2016 the hotel will launch a $10,000 per night accommodation package in its new penthouse currently under construction.

Location and rates

Eichardt's is located at 2 Marine Parade, in the centre of the township and 8km from Queenstown airport. 

Airlines including Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar fly direct to Queenstown from major ports in Australia and New Zealand.

Eichardt's accommodation starts from NZ$1,250 per night for one-bedroom apartments and NZ$1,700 for Hotel suites.

The hotel is part of the Imperium Collection, a collective of accommodation and dining offers including The Spire Hotel, Eichardt's Private Hotel, Eichardt's Bar, Eichardt's Lakefront Apartments, Eichardt's Residence and No5 Church Lane Restaurant and Bar.

For bookings, phone +64 3 441 0450 or email stay@eichardts.com

For further information visit http://www.eichardts.com

Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin voted Southeast Asia’s Best Design Boutique Hotel

Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin has been named 'Southeast Asia's Best Design Boutique Hotel' at the World Boutique Hotel Awards.

With over 300 hotels reviewed by the judges, this prestigious award is a massive recognition for the luxury property further enhancing its positioning as one of Thailand's top boutique hotels.

The judges' evaluation was based on various elements such as design and concept, emotional connection and impact but above all on flair, character and feel.

Set on the legendary Hua Hin Beach in the heart of Thailand's royal seaside resort, Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin offers a range of elegant pool suites featuring distinctive contemporary Asian design.  Member of Small Luxury Hotels, the exclusive 5-star property does not only excel in accommodation but also in personalised service, extensive facilities, tranquil comfort and unrivalled luxury.

All 59 suites are stylish, lavish and modern in design. Suite sizes vary with the smallest category, the Sky Pool Suite, featuring 80 square metres of living space and the hotel's top-end 'flagship' Nidhrarom suite featuring 300 square metres of contemporary sleek living space following an open-flow concept and coming with private butler service.

Hotel facilities include The Rocks Restaurant, On The Rocks bar, a fitness centre, a large swimming pool, Cape Spa and water sports.

While Hua Hin has become one of Thailand's most sought-after locations in recent years, it has still managed to keep the charm of a sustained seaside town appealing to those travellers who are after relaxation and authenticity. Cape Nidhra is only a short walk from the renowned Hua Hin night markets as well as shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Rex to Commence Services to the Snowy Mountains

Regional Express (Rex), in partnership with Snowy Mountains Airport Corporation Pty Ltd (SMAC), has today announced that it will commence Regular Public Transport (RPT) services between Sydney and the Snowy Mountains (Cooma) in March 2016.

Services will commence from Wednesday 23 March 2016 for the Easter period, with the core schedule of five return services per week commencing from Monday 28 March 2016. Additional services on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays will operate through the ski season.

The Snowy Mountains region has been without RPT air services since mid December 2013 when the prior operator Brindabella Airlines was placed into receivership.




Rex General Manager Network Strategy & Sales, Mr Warrick Lodge said, “Rex is thrilled to re-establish RPT services to the Snowy Mountains in partnership with Snowy Mountains Airport Corporation. We look forward to collaborating with SMAC to offer a quality service for the residents of the Snowy Mountains and for the many visitors to the region during both the winter and summer seasons. The air service is a vital link for the region, and will bring significant socio-economic benefits to the Snowy Mountains.”

“We have worked closely with SMAC to design the schedule and determine the seasonal timings of the service and will work with them and local tourism operators and organisations to promote the services.”

This is not the first time that Rex has operated RPT services to the Snowy Mountains. Rex operated services to the region for three years until the severe worldwide pilot shortage of 2007/08 forced Rex to suspend a number of services across its network. The Regional Express Group formed the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), its pilot training facility based in Wagga Wagga, to combat this issue.

Cooma: 16kms Berridale: 17kms Jindabyne: 46kms Adaminaby: 54kms
Skitube: 67kms Perisher Valley: 77kms Thredbo Village: 80kms
Charlotte Pass: 85kms Selwyn Snowfields: 98kms

Chairman of Snowy Mountains Airport Corporation, Kevin Blyton is delighted that Snowy Mountains Airport will again welcome Rex to the region.

“Rex delivered a very reliable and safe service in the past and the resumption of regular year round flights to and from Sydney provides an important link for the people of the Snowy Mountains.”

“We look forward to working with Rex in providing the best possible air service to satisfy the needs of both the business and tourism sectors for many years to come,” he added.

The services will be operated by Rex's fleet of 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft and fares start at $149 each way (plus a booking/services surcharge).

From today, reservations can be made on the web via www.rex.com.au, by phoning 13 17 13 or through your local travel agent. The confirmed schedule is shown in the Annex.

Regional Express (Rex) is Australia's largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of more than 40 Saab 340 aircraft on some 1,400 weekly flights to 54 destinations throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland. The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel-Air Aviation and Dubbo based regional airline Air Link, as well as the pilot academy Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

Traveloscopy | 

Qantas Celebrates 95 Years of History and Innovation Unveils “Retro Roo II” Livery on a B737

A newly reconfigured Qantas Boeing 737-800 painted in vintage 1960s livery has been unveiled in Sydney as the national carrier celebrates 95 years of flying.

Retro Roo II (VH-VXQ) has the same livery that featured on Qantas' Boeing 707 jets from 1959 to 1961 – when the flying kangaroo helped revolutionise long-haul travel.

The B707 represented a step-change in aviation and Qantas was the first carrier outside the United States to operate the jet. In 1959, Qantas used it to become the first airline to operate regular passenger jet services across the Pacific Ocean, connecting Sydney and San Francisco.

Qantas was also the first airline to offer a round-the-world jet service with the B707. The flying time was 70 hours compared to 127 hours with the Super Constellation aircraft that the B707 replaced. Today a Qantas flight from Sydney to London stops just once, in Dubai, and takes 21 flying hours.

Welcoming the freshly-painted jet into a hangar with more than 300 employees, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce described the vintage livery as a flying tribute to the airline's history of innovation.

“None of the past 95 years would have been possible without all those who have worked for Qantas with such commitment and passion. Tens of thousands of people have dedicated their whole careers to the national carrier and many who work here today are the third or fourth generation in their family to do so,” he added.

“As we celebrate our 95th birthday today, I hope this livery inspires a sense of pride in what our national airline has achieved during all those years of taking Australians around the world and bringing them safely home again,” said Mr Joyce.

“A large part of the national pride people feel towards the flying kangaroo comes from the fact it has been responsible for so many innovations in global aviation.

“We were the first airline to introduce business class, we have operated record breaking endurance flights throughout our history and we've helped pioneer many breakthroughs in aviation technology.

“Innovation is still at the core of Qantas and we're now looking to a new generation of aircraft with the arrival of Qantas' first B787 Dreamliners in 2017. Like the 707 in 1959, these aircraft are at the cutting edge of aviation and we're really excited about the opportunities they'll open up for our customers.

The arrival of Retro Roo II, which was painted in Townsville, is part of Qantas' 95th birthday celebrations. Events so far have included an Australia-wide Instameet and Qantas' charity flight to Longreach, which raised over $110,000 for drought relief. A gala dinner for over 1,000 people in the airline's A380 hangar in Mascot on Friday rounds out the activities.

Retro Roo II is the second Qantas 737 aircraft in vintage livery. Retro Roo I was launched last November, featuring the livery of 1971-1984, and regularly appears on social media as passengers photograph it at airports across the country.

Earlier this year, Qantas donated its record-breaking B747-400 (VH-OJA) to an aviation museum staffed largely by former Qantas employees. The aircraft was significant for operating the world's longest non-stop flight from London to Sydney in 1989, and is now a big tourism draw for the Illawarra region.

Vision of Qantas' inaugural Boeing 707 service from Sydney to San Francisco in 1959 can be viewed on Qantas YouTube

Traveloscopy | 

New Crowne Plaza for Sydney CBD

IHG expands Sydney CBD presence with signing of Crowne Plaza

160-room Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour to open in 2019

Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Beijing-based development company, Ausbao Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of BCDH Group, for a new 160-room Crowne Plaza hotel in Sydney's CBD.

Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour is in a key location in close proximity to the new Sydney International Convention Centre and key business and leisure redevelopments in the Darling Quarter and the Barangaroo south precinct.

The new hotel will feature a range of business and meetings facilities including five meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre. Guests can enjoy food and beverage at the hotel's all-day dining restaurant and unwind at the bar. To keep energised during their stay the fully equipped fitness centre and outdoor pool provide the ideal places to relax.

Matthew Tripolone, Head of Development, Australasia, IHG said: "With the strategic expansion of the Crowne Plaza brand into the Sydney CBD we looked to work with partners who understand our brand, and we're delighted to be working with Ausbao due to their track record of success with hospitality and mixed-use projects.

"Sydney's CBD is undergoing some exciting redevelopment and the location and proposition of the new Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour will make it a leading choice for both business and leisure guests. The hotel will form part of an exciting mixed use development in a strategically important growth corridor within the Sydney CBD."

Jason Gao, Managing Director, Ausbao Pty Ltd said: "Sydney as a meetings and tourism destination continues to show positive growth, and new developments within the city will help support this. It is a great time to be developing an internationally-branded hotel with IHG in the upscale space, especially as Crowne Plaza is globally recognised as a leading business hotel brand and we are confident this is what the location needs. We are pleased to be working with IHG and look forward to welcoming guests to Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour when it opens in 2019."

Crowne Plaza is one of the fastest growing hotel brands in the world with nearly 400 hotels in more than 65 countries worldwide, including 70 hotels across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region.

IHG has 25 hotels open across three brands in Australia including: InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza® and Holiday Inn® with a further six properties due to open in the next three to five years.

There are currently 400 Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts across the globe, with a further 84 hotels in the development pipeline.

Odell promoted to regional role with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises, has just announced the expansion of responsibilities to its recently appointed head of Australia & New Zealand, Steve Odell, to also cover the South Pacific and Asia including Japan, India, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Operating from NCLH's new regional headquarters in Sydney, Odell will be "focused on the continued growth of the company's presence in the Asia Pacific region," which he said is "experiencing exponential growth in demand".

"With three market-leading cruise brands, including Norwegian Cruise Line - a leader in freestyle cruising, Oceania Cruises - a leader in the upper-premium cruise segment, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises - a leader in luxury cruising, NCLH is well positioned to respond to this demand and grow its presence in the region," Odell said.

The appointment continues NCLH's expansion of its international leadership team, including Frank Medina as Vice President and Managing Director Latin America, and David Herrera as Senior Vice President and Managing Director China.

More details in next Tuesday's issue of Cruise Weekly.

AccorHotels to operate new Pullman Trinity Point Resort, Lake Macquarie

AccorHotels appointed to operate new Pullman Trinity Point Resort development 5-star Pullman Trinity Point Resort set to open in late 2017

The NSW tourism industry is set to receive a significant boost following the announcement by AccorHotels and Johnson Property Group that a 5-star Pullman hotel will be built as part of a $388 million integrated resort development at Trinity Point, Lake Macquarie.

Johnson Property Group has appointed AccorHotels to operate the resort under the group’s leading 5-star Pullman brand.

Pullman Trinity Point Resort will be the first new build 5-star resort in the Lake Macquarie area for nearly 10 years, and will adjoin an apartment complex with a combination of 250 hotel rooms, short stay serviced apartments, and private residential apartments.

The Resort will comprise of 65 hotel rooms as well as 150 one, two and three bedroom serviced apartments and feature a business centre, 300 person conference/wedding facilities, a swimming pool, day spa, gymnasium, restaurant and bar, executive lounge, tourist information office and ground level retail outlets. Some of the hotel rooms will feature premium views overlooking Lake Macquarie and a proposed 188-berth marina.

AccorHotels Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath said the Pullman Trinity Point Resort and surrounding masterplanned precinct will be a significant economic contributor and boost for tourism in regional NSW.

“We’re delighted to be opening a new Pullman Resort in partnership with Johnson Property Group which will enhance the regional NSW accommodation offering in the 5-star end of the market. The resort will open up new opportunities for domestic and international travellers to venture outside of Sydney where the hotel market has been considerably constrained. The local economy will also benefit through local employment, supplier partnerships and added expenditure that will come with increased visitors to the region,” Mr McGrath said.

“Pullman Trinity Point Resort will not only offer leisure and business guests a luxurious, waterfront accommodation experience but its location sits within the sweet spot between Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. We’re confident that the resort will appeal to a number of market segments from weddings to business retreats given its close proximity to Sydney and other regional tourism hubs. Boat and yacht owners will also enjoy arriving to the resort by water access,” Mr McGrath concluded.

Johnson Property Group CEO Keith Johnson said the company was pleased to partner with AccorHotels to deliver a luxury 5-star resort to attract new visitors to Lake Macquarie.

“A major drawcard of the Pullman Trinity Point Resort will be the surrounding lifestyle amenities which we are developing within the precinct, including a 200-seat restaurant with additional outdoor dining, a 300-seat function centre, as well as extensive foreshore boardwalk and stunning seabaths overlooking Lake Macquarie,” Mr Johnson said.

“Lake Macquarie currently attracts over 900,000 visitors every year and the new Pullman Trinity Point Resort and surrounding restaurant, function centre, lifestyle and marina amenities are set to significantly boost tourism in the region,” Mr Johnson concluded.

The construction of the hotel and apartment complex will see the creation of an estimated 3,500 jobs together with ongoing employment in the hospitality, tourism and marina elements of the project. Construction is expected to commence for stage one of the marina in early 2016.

Trinity Point, spanning 23 hectares of prime waterfront land, is situated within the township of Morisset Park, 12 minutes off the M1 Pacific Motorway overlooking Barden’s Bay and the wider Lake Macquarie. For more information, visit trinitypoint.com.au.

Pullman Trinity Point Resort will complement AccorHotels other properties in the Central Coast and Lakes area including Pullman Magenta Shores Resort and ibis Styles The Entrance.