Category: Regions
New South Wales' outback in need of luxury
New tourism research has found that there is strong demand for a luxury resort in far west NSW. Three-thousand people responded to the survey conducted by the Outback Regional Tourism Organisation. The results will be used to attract more visitors and investors to outback New South Wales. The organisation’s executive manager, Wincen Cuy, says most
Saville South Bank Hotel, Brisbane
A new 161-room deluxe hotel has opened on Brisbane’s South Bank. The $90 million Saville South Bank Hotel has as one of its key architectural features a 25m heated lap pool which boasts a transparent wall looking on to Grey Street, and views from the pool deck to South Bank and the city. The hotel’s
Hilton's Waldorf-Astoria brand
By Paul Johnson on Jan 17, 2006 in Accommodation, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Hotels, New York, North America, Regions, Resorts, USA, Worldwide
Hilton Hotels, which has owned the Waldorf since 1949, is expected to announce today that it will launch a chain of luxury hotels under the Waldorf-Astoria brand. The new brand will include business hotels and resorts worldwide and match or exceed the chain’s current luxury leaders, Hiltons and Conrads, for its level of amenities. Starting 
Condé Nast Johansens awards for 2006
Fiji’s Yasawa Island Resort has won a top international accolade in the prestigious Condé Nast Johansens awards for 2006, announced yesterday at a gala event in New York. The exclusive retreat was chosen over three others for the Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway title in the 2006 Americas Awards for Excellence. Hidden in the most remoteNew 5 star hotel in Barcelona
Metrovacesa has acquired a five-star hotel in Barcelona and plans to prepare it for opening at the beginning of 2009 at a cost of 52 million euros. The hotel has 251 rooms, 80% of which have sea views, and it will be operated by Barceló Hotels & Resorts when it opens. The hotel
The Westin Arlington Gateway, Virginia
Development of the Westin Arlington Gateway has reached completion. It marks the debut of the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand in the state of Virginia. The 336-room hotel, carrying a $75-million development price tag, sits off Interstate 66 in the Ballston submarket. The 15-story structure encompasses 238,700 sq. ft. and offers 10,000 sq. ft. of
Canada leading the way in high-tech hospitality?
By Paul Johnson on Jan 16, 2006 in Accommodation, Business Travel, Canada, Gadgets, Hotels, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Equipment
High-tech hotels are getting more and more sophisticated in Canada, in order to secure the loyalty of their visitors — especially the large percentage who travel on business. Each room in the SoHo Metropolitan in Toronto, for instance, features state-of-the-art entertainment, heated marble floors, remote-control lighting, motorized drapes, laptop-compatible safes and wireless Internet access. 
Aromatherapy-treated cashmere clothing
Imagine a cashmere sweater or robe that not only delivers the luxurious comfort that only cashmere offers, but also gives you an aromatherapy treatment and sense of well-being each time you wear it. That’s what Subtle Luxury, a fashion line of women’s sweaters and comfort wear, have come up with for their Fall 2006 season.Gourmet food and fine wine weekend at Swinton Park
By Paul Johnson on Jan 16, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Swinton Park in Masham, North Yorkshire, has planned an innovative weekend which is sure to delight the experienced food and wine connoisseurs – and convert the budding gourmet! A packed but suitably leisurely weekend will allow guests to experience some of the finest local food, and the award-winning cuisine of Head Chef Andy Burton. 
Top 10 business hotels opened in 2005
By Paul Johnson on Jan 16, 2006 in Accommodation, Asia, Business Travel, Hotels, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, USA, Worldwide
According to Forbes, the top 10 business hotels to open last year were: Intercontinental Financial Street, Beijing Sofitel on Renmin Square, Xian Hotel Fox, Copenhagen Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo Park Hyatt, Seoul The Setai, Miami The Shoreham, New York City St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco Interestingly, all 
Quilálea Island, Mozambique, East Africa
Mozambique is one of the last unspoilt areas on the east African coast, with pristine beaches and coral reefs. Several barefoot-luxury-style lodges have opened on the virtually uninhabited islands of the Bazaruto archipelago, including the nine-villa Quilálea Island resort on the Quirimbas. The island can now be reached by helicopter transfer from Pemba airport.
Starwood Hotels exploring Punta Gorda
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. may be interested in establishing one of its hotels in Punta Gorda, Florida. City Manager Howard Kunik and Charlotte County Tourism Director Becky Bovell met with Starwood representatives who expressed interest in establishing a hotel on what will become the Harbor Inn Resort & Yacht Club fronting the Peace
Gulliver Ireland Tourism Accommodation Awards 2005
By Paul Johnson on Jan 16, 2006 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Hotels, Ireland, Regions, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe
Winners of the second Gulliver Ireland Tourism Accommodation Awards 2005 have just been unveiled (yes, I know we’re already well into 2006 now!). The awards recognise online marketing excellence demonstrated by hotel, guesthouse, B&B and self-catering accommodation suppliers around Ireland. The overall honour went to the Esplanade Hotel & Fitness Centre in Bray. 
New Sony Vaio laptop
Sophisticated good looks, ruggedness on the road and superb specifications make Sony Vaio the laptop of choice for many luxury travellers. The new Sony Vaio VGN-TX2 is Sony’s latest offering and it won’t disappoint. Weighing in at just 1.24 kilos, it is much slimmer than its predecessors. They’ve even managed to cram in a superslim
