points N places

Accor marks its 400th hotel in Australia and the Pacific
19 Sep

This milestone for Accor is part of its dynamic Pacific expansion, with 11 new hotels  set to open in next two years in Australia and New Zealand.

Just three decades after entering the Australia/Pacific hotel market, Accor has recently added its 400th hotel, with the launch of The Porter House Hotel - MGallery in Sydney.

Accor's first hotel in the region - Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour (1991) - was a catalyst for the redevelopment of Darling Harbour into Sydney's premier tourism, entertainment and events precinct, and the transformation of the iconic Porter House building into a luxury hotel is set to boost Sydney's CBD revival.

The opening of The Porter House Hotel is part of a large-scale expansion of Accor in the Pacific region, with 11 new hotels and 1,569 rooms scheduled to open before the end of 2023. They include the debut of the 25hours brand in Australia, new airport hotels at Melbourne Airport and Auckland Airport, and another heritage restoration in Sydney, Hotel Morris, which is being created out of the 1929-built former West End Hotel in Pitt Street.

Announcing the 400th hotel milestone, Accor Pacific CEO, Sarah Derry, said it was fitting to celebrate such a major landmark as the hotel industry accelerated towards a full post-pandemic recovery.

Is this the best present for the Festive Season? Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Winter 2022 Journeys
15 Sep

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe, has unveiled its December journeys. This festive season, the distinct midnight-blue carriages will glide through Europe’s winter-scapes on one-night journeys to Florence, Paris, Venice and Vienna.

Expanding its annual season (typically March-November) for the first time, the 10 routes available this December will include classic journeys from Venice to Paris and Vienna to Paris, besides recently launched routes to/from Florence.

Our associated travel agency is a Belmond Bellini (specialist advisor) member. So, bookings made through Rewarding Travel receive select perks at no additional cost:
Complimentary upgrade (based on availability at time of check-in);
VIP welcome treats with a local flavour;
A US$100 on-board credit per person per journey;
A US$500 gift voucher if your booking has a value of US$5,000 or more.

What a spectacular gift idea!

Make a time to discuss how you too can savour the delights of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with departure times leading up to the festive season.

The full schedule is as follows:

Venice to Paris, departing December 2 and 12;
Verona to Paris, departing December 2 and 12;
Venice to Paris, (via Rome and Florence), departing December 7;
Florence to Paris, departing December 7;
Paris to Florence, departing December 8;
Paris to Venice (via Rome and Florence), departing December 8;
Paris to Vienna, departing December 17;
Vienna to Paris, December 18;
Paris to Venice, departing December 20; and
Paris to Verona, departing December 20.

Guests can relax in their private cabin, glass of champagne in hand, while gazing at the passing frosted forests of Europe’s countryside. In the dining cars, Chef Jean Imbert will serve winter-inspired seasonal menus with local ingredients from the scheduled routes. Travellers can then head to Bar Car 3674 for cocktails and entertainment courtesy of the train’s longtime resident pianist.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which made its inaugural journey in 1982, is made up of 17 original 1920s and 1930s carriages, each with its own charm and history. The train offers Historic Cabins and six Grand Suites, which are named after the cities that have inspired the designs—including Paris, Vienna and Venice.

As we noted on 21 July 2022, eight new Suites will join the two pre-existing cabin categories in June 2023. The new Suites will offer a private marble en-suite bathroom and a lounging area by day, converted to either double or twin beds, by night.

Bonza names its first Boeing 737
25 Aug

Bonza, the new Australian Low Cost Carrier, has announced the winning name for its first B-737.

A shortlist of the hundreds of suggestions was voted on by the Bonza Local Legends – the airline’s ambassadors.  The most popular name and one adopted by Bonza was "Shazza".  The second most popular name was "Bazza", which may be used for the second aircraft when it joins ist stablemate.

Shazza is currently having her interiors Bonza-ified including obligatory splashes of purple.  Bonza is aloso training in-flight and cabin crew, finalising the all-Aussie menu and stress testing the Fly Bonza App which will be the only place customers can book flights (with the exception of local travel agents).

An exciting time for Bonza.

Choice Hotels Commences Integration Of Radisson Americas
12 Aug

Choice Hotels yesterday announced that it has completed the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas.

The acquisition has added approximately 67,000 rooms, expanding its presence in the higher revenue upper upscale and upscale full-service segments, and bolstering its core upper-midscale hospitality segment, particularly in the West Coast and Midwest of the United States.

Radisson Hotels Americas comprises the Radisson franchise agreements, operations and intellectual property in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The transaction adds nine brands, including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Radisson RED, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites and Radisson Collection. Choice Hotels will independently own and control the brands in the Americas.

Choice Hotels has started the process of bringing Radisson hotels in the Americas into the Choice Hotels family. In the future, you’ll be able to find rooms at more than 600 Radisson hotels across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America on ChoiceHotels.com and the Choice Hotels mobile app.

I expect the Radisson Americas properties will also be integrated into the loyalty program Choice Privileges around the same time.

Until this process is completed, travellers should continue to book Radisson hotels in the Americas at radissonhotelsamericas.com and through the Radisson call centre at 1-800-333-3333.