 New name, new brand for Melbourne
Following a major redevelopment the Hotel Y in Elizabeth Street in Melbourne has been relaunched and rebranded as the city’s newest four star boutique property – the Jasper Hotel. More than $4.5 million has been invested on upgrading the hotel in the past 18 months. It offers 65 well-appointed boutique rooms, which are enhanced by a comprehensive range of guest services including a smoke-free environment, 24 hour reception, tour desk, conference facilities, business centre, guest laundry and valet service, and in-house massage and spa treatments. It also offers Jasper Kitchen, a contemporary café adjacent to the Queen Victoria Market. Visit www.jasperhotel.com.au for further details.
Luxury in Margaret River region
The magnificent Cape Lodge Hotel in the Margaret River region of Western Australia is turning heads across Australia and the world, according to its operators. The hotel features 22 opulent suites spread over 40 acres of lawns, lakes and parkland and is situated on its very own vineyard. Cape Lodge has recently completed a multi-million dollar refurbishment which has placed the resort in a completely different league for lavish hotel experiences. Sitting over the main lake the magnificent new restaurant includes a sumptuous guest lounge, two executive boardrooms and a 14,000 bottle temperature controlled cellar. The new executive meeting facilities ensure Cape Lodge is well-equipped to deal with conferences, corporate bookings and events of any size and nature. The Lodge specialises in creating tailor-made private itineraries for corporate guests and is able to arrange exclusive appointments at Margaret River’s premier vineyards, local food producers and artisan galleries. Visit www.capelodge.com.au for further information.
Four Points debuts in Guangzhou Four Points by Sheraton continues its expansion momentum in China with the signing of the first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Guangzhou : Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongbao. The signing of Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongbao heralds the continued expansion of the Four Points by Sheraton brand in China and in the Asia Pacific. The brand was first introduced to China with the opening of the Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen in late 2004 and subsequently the opening of the first Four Points in Shanghai in 2006: Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Pudong. New Four Points by Sheraton additions will be coming to Dalian, Daning-Shanghai, Changshu, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou. Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongbao is scheduled to open in 2009.
Mansion Hotel & Spa joins Sofitel The Mansion Hotel at Werribee Park has changed its name to Sofitel Mansion & Spa after officially joining the Sofitel network, and launched the first LeSpa in Australia. In the past 12 months almost $1 million has been invested on upgrading the hotel’s facilities and creating LeSpa. Opened in 2000 and located just over 20 minutes south west of Melbourne behind the original 1870s mansion, Sofitel Mansion & Spa offers 91 deluxe guestrooms, each elegantly remastered with superb luxuries including Sofitel My Bed, LCD TV screens, Roger&Gallet amenities and a range of new soft furnishings. LeSpa, with eight new beautifully appointed spa treatment rooms including a unique Lancôme beauty studio and a VIP treatment suite with access to a private hamman (Turkish steam room), is already being described as one of Melbourne’s finest places to relax, pamper and indulge.
 A Medina for Northbank Melbourne
Melbourne has a new Medina at Northbank, opposite the Melbourne Convention Centre and located on Flinders Street. The spacious apartments boast bold, red feature walls, contemporary artwork as well as elegant and comfortable furniture with many apartments offering balconies with views over the Yarra River. With two conference and meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 56 delegates, this is said to be a great venue for smaller to medium sized events. Visit www.medina.com.au for further details.
Rebranding in the Maldives
Hilton Hotels Corporation recently announced that its award winning resort, Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa, will be re-branded as a Conrad, the group’s luxury hotel brand. The resort will be renamed the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, effective December 2007. Koos Klein, president of Hilton Hotels - Middle East and Asia Pacific, said this decision reaffirms the premium positioning of the Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa, which has been internationally renowned for its combination of innovative world firsts such as Ithaa, its underwater restaurant, and the resort’s consistently high luxury standards. Following re-branding, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will offer an increased range of amenities, while still providing the outstanding service for which it is recognised. There will be no disruption to guests during the re-branding process.
Marriott moves to Limerick Marriott International, Inc. has added a sixth hotel to its portfolio in Ireland, the Limerick Marriott Hotel, under a franchise agreement reached with the operating company Irresistible Hotels Ltd., a sister company of Castletroy Park Management Ltd., operators of the Castletroy Park Hotel. The 94-room Limerick Marriott Hotel, which opened in March, is part of a mixed-use complex also comprised of 84 residential apartment units and 10 retail outlets on Henry Street in the heart of Limerick city, close to the main shopping and business districts. Within short walking distance of the hotel are popular tourist attractions such as the 13th century King John’s Castle, the Hunt Museum, the Treaty Stone, the 11th century St. Mary’s Cathedral and the many and varied attractions of the riverside city. The hotel is easily accessible via Shannon International Airport and is approximately a two-hour drive by car from Dublin.
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