 Luxury at Moonlight Head Private Lodge Those attending meetings at Moonlight Head Private Lodge on the southern tip of Victoria’s rugged coastline adjacent to the Great Ocean Road will apparently experience Australia’s most unique luxury experience available. The Lodge, designed by Pritzker prize recipient, Glenn Murcutt opened in late 2006. The 2600 square-foot building is a unique stay proposition and is only available on an exclusive use basis and comes complete with private chef, concierge and a team of housekeepers, focussing entirely around you and your needs. The dedicated team has been trained by Mary Gober International to deliver exceptional service to guests. Moonlight Head Private Lodge is filled with natural lighting and meeting venues have direct access to the courtyard and gardens. The plenary meeting area is particularly suitable for senior executive meetings and strategic retreats. The boardroom set-up is able to accommodate a maximum of 10 delegates, with two additional informal break-out areas available within the private lodge. For enquiries contact Veronica on +61(0)405 522 553 or via email veronica@moonlighthead.com.
Doherty appoints Accor to manage hotels Australian hotel group, Doherty Hotels, has appointed Accor to manage their two hotels – the historic Hadleys Hotel Hobart and the Doherty Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre in Victoria. Enjoying a long and distinguished history, Hadleys Hotel is Tasmania’s oldest continuously operating hotel, having opened in 1834. Originally built by convict labour, it is now classified by the National Trust. The hotel will be rebranded as Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel Hobart. In 2008, Hadleys will commence a major expansion of the hotel, with construction of a new wing that will add to the hotel’s existing 71 rooms as well as including two new restaurants, a bar, grand ballroom and health spa. The $30 million project was scheduled to start in February 2008 and be completed by October 2009, reinforcing Hadleys Hotel’s reputation as the city’s premier hotel. The extension of the hotel will allow the Grand Mercure to accommodate more conference and function business. The hotel currently offers six function rooms capable of seating 250, but with the addition of the grand ballroom meeting capacity will increase to 600 delegates. The addition of Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel will increase Accor’s Tasmanian network to three hotels, joining Mercure hotels in Hobart & Launceston.
Luxury lands at Kingscliff Beach Peppers Retreats, Resorts & Hotels has announced the launch of Peppers Balé Salt on the New Tweed Coast, heralding a fresh and exciting concept in style and luxury for Australian beach holidays. Operating as Peppers Balé Salt from December 1, it is only the second resort in Australia to bear the premium Balé name, following the launch of Peppers Balé Resort Port Douglas in May 2007. Peppers Balé Salt joins a select group of Peppers retreats and resorts which cater to the top-end of the travel market, bringing together the most stylish accommodation and unique personal service for those who value luxury and privacy. Formerly Peppers Beach House, Peppers Balé Salt embodies the Balé philosophy of matching style and design - providing a “wow” factor at every turn to stimulate the senses and touch the soul. An indulgent haven of privacy and relaxation for families who appreciate the finer things in life, Peppers Balé Salt adds a new dimension for visitors to Kingscliff on the sought after New Tweed Coast in far northern New South Wales. Group general manager for Peppers, Gunter Steib, said Peppers Balé Salt ushered in a new standard of luxury accommodation for the region. “We are delighted to be expanding the Balé brand to the New Tweed Coast where a new wave of visitors can experience unique design features, intimate ambience and interaction with the local environment and characters, for which the brand is synonymous,’’ Mr Steib said.
$40 million refurb for Hilton on the Park A $40 million refurbishment has begun at Hilton on the Park – Melbourne. The hotel’s conference and events floor and 410 guest rooms will be refreshed with a contemporary and stylish design. Already boasting a spectacular location next to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, the hotel will undergo a transformation that will equally delight business and leisure travellers. The upgrade is already underway with the refurbishment of the business rooms, executive floors and relaxation suites complete. Revitalisation of the hotel’s remaining guest rooms and suites have recently commenced, with the guest room upgrade expected to be completed around mid-2008. The dedicated conference and events floor on Level 1, including the hotel’s famous grand ballroom, will be given a dynamic and exciting makeover. Scheduled to re-open at the beginning of March the impressive new events space will feature state-of-the-art technology and position Hilton on the Park – Melbourne as the city’s leading events property!
Emirates’ $100m resort underway in Blue Mountains Emirates Airline has started development of the $100m luxury Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in the NSW Blue Mountains, a project that will see the transformation of 4000 acres of distressed farming land into a high-value conservation site. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group turned the first sod at the property with NSW Minister for Tourism, Matthew Brown in late 2007. Two per cent of the 4000 acres will be used to create an exclusive resort of 40 free-standing suites and a main homestead that will feature fine dining, a spa, pool area and conference facilities. The remaining land will be progressively restored to its natural state with the reintroduction of native fauna and flora. Sheikh Ahmed and the local dignitaries planted a Wollemi Pine as the first of tens of thousands of trees that will help regenerate the valley. It is anticipated that the resort will welcome its first guests in late 2009 - some 70 per cent of whom are expected to be international visitors to Australia. The luxury development is anticipated to positively impact the local economy, generating 100 jobs and increase local and international tourism to the area.
Quest continues growth strategy Quest Serviced Apartments continues its growth strategy with the opening of Quest Alice Springs, adding a second property to the group’s Northern Territory portfolio. It will provide business travellers with the comforts of home when conducting business in the heart of the outback. Quest Alice Springs opened in mid-January and comprises 62 apartments in a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom accommodation. It is located on South Terrace close to the CBD, Alice Springs Convention Centre and Lasseters Casino. The luxurious and spacious apartments will feature separate living and dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen and private laundry facilities. Studio apartments have a kitchenette and access to the on-site guest laundry. All apartments have individually controlled reverse cycle air conditioning, LCD TV with Austar connection, DVD player and stereo, direct dial telephones with voice mail and high speed in-room broadband. Quest Alice Springs can accommodate up to 60 delegates in a conference room and can cater for meetings large or small.
Raptis unveils new Hilton Gold Coast The Raptis Group has unveiled plans for a new deluxe hotel to be created in central Surfers Paradise - the Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel and Residences. The development will house approximately 170 luxury hotel rooms and 340 premier apartments. The AUD$700 million development will comprise dual beachside towers on the prized site where one of the Gold Coast’s best known landmarks, the Dolphin Arcade, once stood. The first tower will front Surfers Paradise Boulevard and measure 32 levels while the second tower will front Orchid Avenue and measure 57 levels. Raptis Group is to develop the deluxe, full-service hotel and residential apartment towers which on completion will be managed by a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation. “The creation of Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel and Residences is the next step in reshaping Surfers Paradise from a traditionally tourist town to a metropolitan, urban-chic beach city. The project will deliver a new level of luxury accommodation and shopping for residents and visitors, at the same time, becoming a professional business hub,” said Raptis Group chairman, Jim Raptis. The development will be completed in two stages. The first stage, the Boulevard Tower, housing the residential apartments, is due for completion in late 2009. The second stage, the Orchid Tower, housing both residences and hotel suites is due for completion in late 2010. Both towers will be managed by Hilton Hotels.
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