Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Sydney's best hotel breakfasts

Anyone that knows me knows that I love a good breakfast. I have my own list of Brisbane's best hotel breakfasts (Sofitel is still # 1) so when I came across this article about Sydney's best, I had to share it. I'm yet to actually try any on the list so I'll need to make sure I work on this next time I'm down there.

We reveal Sydney's best hotel breakfast

Monday, June 25, 2012

Breakfast is always said to be the most important meal of the day, but most of us scoff down our toast or muesli in the morning rush. Sydney's luxury hotels offer a lesson in enjoying breakfast at its fullest, and most indulgent, potential.



So which hotel has the best eggs Benedict? The nicest dining room? The best of everything? Here are five meals worth waking up for. Bring an empty stomach — and a bib.

To read the rest of the article, click here

Mosaic Restaurant - Westin Sydney

Monday, June 25, 2012

State of Origin 3 accommodation

If you're after Brisbane accommodation for State of Origin 3 you've come to the right place! Don't worry about last minute websites or ringing hotels, we have by far the best prices in town.

Our options currently have a two night minimum stay in place, so if you do need more than one night, here's what we can do:

* One bedroom apartments (4 - 4.5 star): $395 on the 4th, $240 on nights either side

* We have a 5 star hotel with a rate of just $340/night!

* We have a 4 star hotel with a rate of $335 on the 4th and just $247 on nights either side

Get in quick because we don't have a large number of rooms. And of course ... go Queensland!!



Friday, June 22, 2012

Changes coming to the Perth hotel market

With Perth being the hottest hotel market in the country over the last two years much needed changes are coming. Here's a good article from WA today with the summary of what's on the way:
http://www.watoday.com.au/travel/crown-stakes-its-claim-in-the-west-20120614-20ce9.html


Crown stakes its claim in the west
June 16, 2012


UNDERNEATH and around that prominent Perth pyramid the Intercontinental Burswood, a lot of construction work is going on as the hotel prepares to become Crown Metropol Perth on June 27. The neighbouring Holiday Inn Perth Burswood is also in for a name change — from Wednesday it will be the Crown Promenade.

The changes are part of a $750-million makeover aimed at transforming the Burswood Entertainment Complex into a "destination" to be called Crown Perth from September. The Intercontinental has been busy refurbishing guest rooms and suites with a striking monochromatic palette that emphasises modern angular lines.

Downstairs, changes include a $20 million splurge on a day spa and a sprawling palm-fringed multi-pool entertainment area that's very Las Vegas meets Middle East. Those who've done well in the casino can lounge in one of six private cabanas ($165 weekdays, $250 at weekends) in an area known as the Enclave.

Chef Guillaume Brahimi, who already delights diners at his Sydney Opera House restaurant and Melbourne's Crown complex, will open a Bistro Guillaume at Burswood in September. A gastro-pub, The Merrywell, will open in the same month. Intercontinental/Crown Metropol rooms start from $435 a night; Holiday Inn/Crown Promenade rooms start from $285 a night. 

Trio of boutique stays

Perth's shortage of accommodation will ease with the opening of three hotels in the next six months. The Terrace Hotel, comprising 15 suites, is due to open in the city centre next month. The 236-room Fraser Suites Perth will open on the East Perth foreshore in October, and the 56-room Quincy Boutique Hotel is due for completion in November following an ambitious seven-month build in a former car park tucked behind the Perth Ambassador Hotel. Perth may need at least 1900 more hotel rooms by 2020.

To help things along, the Western Australian government has a raft of hotel development incentives: the first "incentivised" hotel site is the redevelopment of FESA (Fire and Emergency Services Authority) House in the city.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Lady Gaga fails to deliver

No, I'm not talking about her on-stage performance ... I'm talking about filling the Brisbane hotel market. She's not my taste or style in music so this was not a concert I was ever going to attend.

Usually, big name musician + midweek concert in Brisbane = good things for the Brisbane hotel market (and of course us). So it was a rather disappointing surprise when the city failed to fill on Wednesday or Thursday last week when her concerts were on. I'm not sure if this was due to the Monday public holiday, the fact that its June and that corporate travel is slow or just that her concerts were out at Boondall and not at Suncorp Stadium (just outside the CBD).

What did surprise us tho was that the city filled on Tuesday night thanks to the Socceroos World Cup qualifying match against Japan at Suncorp.

We've loaded up on rooms for Coldplay in November which is midweek, during peak season and at Suncorp ... so it should be similar to U2 & Jay-Z, Bon Jovi, etc and be a very big event for the Brisbane hotel market.