How You Too Can Travel Well

Virgin Australia Updates Awards Tables for its Partners - From October 2022
5 Jul '22

Velocity is introducing changes to the Points required for Reward Seats on Etihad Airways, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and South African Airways for tickets issued from 5 October 2022.

Velocity noted that the amount of Points required to redeem an Economy Class or Business Class Reward Seat will change for some routes. We looked more closely at the changes and found that:

• Points required for travel in Premium Economy or First Class were unchanged;
• Points required for trips of up to 2,400 miles (one way) are unchanged for all cabin categories;
• Points required for trips of more than 4,800 miles (one way) are unchanged for all cabin categories;
• For trips between 2,401 and 3,600 miles, the category has been split into 2,401 to 3,000 (requiring 3,000 fewer points than currently for Economy but 2,000 more for Business Class) and 3,001 to 3,600 (requiring 1,000 fewer points than currently for Economy but 4,000 more for Business Class);
• For trips between 3,601 and 4,800 miles, the category has been split into 3,601 to 4,200 (requiring 6,000 fewer points than currently for Economy but 2,000 more for Business Class) and 4,201 to 4,800 (requiring 4,000 fewer points than currently for Economy but 6,000 more for Business Class).

So, no change for travellers booking Premium Economy or First Class, but for travellers flying in Economy, the changes will result in either the same or fewer points being required.
For Business Class travellers, the increases could be hefty – more than 14% for the new 3,001-3,600 category and more than 17% for the 4,201-4,800 mile category.

Impact on some popular routes:

Unchanged - PER-DPS, MEL-AUH, SYD-AUH

6,000 fewer points (saving 17.1%) for Economy but 2,000 (+5.7%) more for Business Class

*  MEL-SGP 3,765 miles

*  SYD-SGP 3,915 miles


3,000 fewer points (saving 10.7%) for Economy but 2,000 (+7.1%) more for Business Class.

*  PER-SGP 2,435 miles

*  LHR-AUH 2,982 miles

*  MEL-DPS 2,750 miles

*  SYD-DPS 2,875 miles

1,000 fewer points (saving 3.6%) for Economy but 4,000 (+14.3%) more for Business Class

*  MEL-KUL 3,405 miles

*  SYD-KUL 3,555 miles

Some observations:

• for Australians vacationing in Bali, award redemptions will be the same or as much as 17% less for Economy, but Business Class will be 7% more from the east coast;
• the amount of points required for flights between Abu Dhabi and Australia;
• for flights between Abu Dhabi and London, flying Economy will be cheaper but Business Class will require more points than prior to October 2022;
• flights between Australia and Singapore will be treated more kindly than flights between Australia and Malaysia.

Carrier Charges
A carrier charge for Reward Seats on Singapore Airlines will also be introduced for tickets issued from 5 October 2022. These charges are less than the carrier charges introduced for Etihad Airways.
Any voluntary changes (by travellers) to Reward Seats ticketed up to 4 October will, from 5 October 2022, require cancellation and refund (if applicable) of the original ticket. 

So make any changes you need to make prior to then because...
Any new Reward Seat ticketed from 5 October 2022 (including those from voluntary changes noted above) on the above mentioned airlines, will be according to the new Points redemption table.

Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines restore ability to earn/redeem/transfer points between programs from 19 July 2022
5 Jul '22

The ability to transfer your Velocity Points and KrisFlyer miles between programs is due to restart on 19 July 2022!

If you are also a member of KrisFlyer, the loyalty program of Singapore Airlines, you can set up a link between your Velocity Account and KrisFlyer Account and convert Points and Miles between both programs. 

For every 1.55 KrisFlyer miles you transfer, you will earn 1 Velocity Point. A minimum transfer amount of 5,000 KrisFlyer miles is required. This is the same rate that applied just prior to the covid-19 crisis (but the minimum transfer has been reduced from 10,000 to 5,000 KrisFlyer miles).

Note that transfers cannot be reversed once made.

You will also be able to redeem Velocity Points for Reward Seats in Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class on the Singapore Airlines network (T&C's and exclusions will apply).

Great news for members of both programs, reopening opportunities that were available prior to February 2020.

It also provides an opiton for holders of larger KrisFlyer balances to "save" miles that are close to expiring, as KrisFlyer miles have a "hard" expiry of 3 years, whereas Velocity points do not expire as long as there is some activity every 2 years. Note that miles transferred cannot be transferred back again. Read More…

Jade Mountain Joins Regenerative Travel
4 Jul '22

Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia has received Member Hotel Status from the Eco-Luxury community Regenerative Travel as it becomes the latest addition to its portfolio of sustainable hotels.

Jade Mountain is an entirely hand-built hotel in St Lucia where the rooms have no outer walls and are completely open to the ocean and piton views, each with its own private infinity pool or jacuzzi. Some readers may recall Jade Mountain was the hotel featured in the BBC 2 series Amazing Hotels – Life Beyond the Lobby (season 3, episode 4).

Regenerative Travel is a community of independent, luxury hotels that aim to shift the travel industry towards a more regenerative future.

Jade Mountain will receive a bespoke educational curriculum to further its commitment to regeneration. It will also be required to undertake a regular self-assessment and report monthly on 29 indicators aligned with Regenerative Travel’s standards. This assessment holds hotels accountable to its eco-credentials and is a showcase of activism towards a regenerative future.

Jade Mountain has practiced sustainability since its opening in 2006 and has placed emphasis on retaining as much economic benefits in the region as possible. The property takes sustainable steps while educating guests about the culture, history and ecology of the region. For instance, the resort has made its water supply independent from Soufriere so as not to impact the local community. All of the drinking water at Jade Mountain is sourced from the river at Anse Mamin valley, which is then filtered and conditioned at the resort in a special treatment facility. The resort also has its own rainwater-fed water purification plant system and recycles treated sewage water, which irrigates a nursery which, in turn, propagates thousands of tropical plants for landscaping.

Jade Mountain was inspired by the philosophy of building in alignment with Caribbean nature. No machinery was used in its construction; it also has either used all furniture and furnishings made locally or purchased them from local businesses. The property features rugged stone-faced columns, individual bridges and infinity pool suites that overlook the Caribbean Sea.

All members of Jade Mountain’s construction team were from St Lucia and the hotel currently employs a 99 percent local workforce, making them one of the most important employers in the region.

This stunning eco-luxury hotel is also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels program and guests can receive special perks by booking through our affiliated travel agency or as members of SLH Invited. 

Banyan Tree "Branches Out" With 4 Exciting New Properties In Japan
29 Jun '22

Banyan Tree Group has announced its expansion into Japan with the introduction of four locations.  Two have already opened, with the others being rolled-out over the next few years.

Banyan Tree Holdings brands include Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa and Laguna. The group is well known throughout Asia for its luxury wellness and sustainable ethos, with beautiful villas and resorts, especially in beachside locations.

Members of Accor Live Limitless can use points to make bookings at select Banyan Tree properties.

Both members and non-members can access luxury perks when booking (non award) stays through our travel agency - Rewarding Travel.

Banyan Tree and Angsana are two of our favourite spa/wellness groups, so this expansion into urban and ski-field locations is particularly exciting!

Watch this space...


Opened on 17 June 2022:
Dhawa Yura Kyoto opened its doors on June 17 near Sanjo Ohashi, a bridge that was once the final station of the ancient Tokaido Road from Tokyo. The road served as a route for long-distance voyagers during the Edo period in Japan. The 138-room hotel’s historic ties are reflected in the interior design and artwork, besides an 8lement Spa. 

As the first opening under the group’s newest concept, Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto is a 25-room hotel that also opened on June 17. It is located in front of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1603 during the Tokugawa Shogunate. The new Garrya brand is a concept promising a Zen-like atmosphere along with a focus on well-being and sustainability at a more accessible price point. The first Garrya, the Garrya Huzhou Lucun, opened in Huzhou, China, in 2021, now accomp[anied by the Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto. 

Planned to open 2024:
Located in the Gion and Higashiyama district, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will open in spring 2024 as a 52-room luxury, hilltop urban resort. It is touted to be the first and only hotel in Kyoto city to have a Noh stage. 

Planned to open 2025:
A newly built resort set to open in 2025 in the most popular ski resort destination of Japan, Cassia Hirafu in Niseko will be a stone’s throw from Hirafu ski slope. It will feature 50 rooms and 113 residences that will be available for sale.

Planned to open 2026:
Renowned for its hot spring and views of Mount Fuji, Banyan Tree Ashinoko Hakone is slated to open in 2026, in an area adjacent to Lake Ashino.

Melbourne Named As Australia’s Most Liveable City in 2022 - 10th Most Liveable City Globally
28 Jun '22

Vienna scored top spot and Adelaide – last year’s highest ranked Australian city – dropped to 30.

After enduring 246 days of cumulative stay-at-home orders in 2021 (reportedly the most of any major city around the world), Melbournites may be heartened to learn that the judges at the Economist  recognised Melbourne as Australia’s most livable city in its 2022 Global Liveability Index report.

Melbourne came 10th in the report, tying with Japan’s Osaka, and the top spot was taken out by Austrian capital Vienna.

Last year, Adelaide ranked the third best city to live in in the world, but only 12 months later it’s dropped all the way to 30th place.

Australia’s largest city didn’t get a mention in the report’s summary, but Sydney ranked at 13, only two spots down from last year’s placement.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) assessed more than 170 cities across categories such as stability, health care, culture, environment, education and infrastructure. The EIU commented that Australian cities fell down the rankings due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions.

“In Australia, some states were slower to lift restrictions than others. As a result, Perth and Adelaide have lost ground since last year,” stated the report. Perth came in at 32 and Brisbane dropped 17 spots to 27th best city to set up home in the world.

So what made the Victorian city rank highest in the country? Melbourne’s education and infrastructure were named as the reason, but it ranked well behind other cities in the top 10 when it came to health care.

Here are the top 10 most livable cities according to the Economist 2022 Global Liveability Index:

Vienna
Copenhagen
Zurich
Calgary
Vancouver
Geneva
Frankfurt
Toronto
Amsterdam
Osaka and Melbourne

Read More…

Air New Zealand set to relaunch 14 international routes
28 Jun '22

Air New Zealand is about to relaunch 14 international routes in 16 days and this will bring its international capacity up to 60% of pre-covid levels.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be back helping to ensure that from July 9, the airline will have three-quarters of its international and domestic routes back up and running with popular destinations like Honolulu, Houston and Tahiti restarting after around 820 days of not operating.

“We are seeing first-hand how keen people are to travel again, particularly across the Tasman. Come July, we will double our services across the Tasman and restart popular direct services like the Sunshine Coast, Hobart and Adelaide. By July 9 we will be back at all nine Australian ports which is an important milestone for us.” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said.

Great news for travellers to Australia and its near neighbour.

Turkish Airlines Targets Nonstop Australia Flights
24 Jun '22

Turkish Airlines is considering the launch of non-stop services to Australia using either Airbus A350-1000XWB or Boeing 777X aircraft. Australia is a whitespot in the carrier’s network of more than 300 destinations worldwide. The only other major exception is Greenland.

The airline already operates 777-300ERs, as well as A350-900s. However, Turkish Airlines may go for an additional version, such as the A350-1000XWB for the ultra-long-range services from Istanbul to Sydney and Melbourne.

“Australia is the last continent which Turkish Airlines is not flying to,” Turkish Airlines chairman Ahmet Bolat said at the 2022 IATA annual general meeting in Doha.

For Turkish Airlines, the nonstop flying time from Istanbul (IST) to Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL) would be approximately 17 hours. Services could start in 2026 or 2027.

In the meantime, until the ultra-long-range capacity is available, the Istanbul-based carrier already has codeshare connections to Australia. The airline is also looking for partnerships in Australia and is talking with nations like Malaysia or Indonesia for fifth freedom rights.

“If we would have that [fifth-freedom], then we could share the markets with the home carriers,” Mr Bolat said. “With the existing fleet we cannot do nonstop flights. We are talking with our codeshare partners, because it is more comfortable to operate Australia with the same aircraft.”

Turkish Airlines has an interesting loyalty program Miles&Smiles, so direct flights to Australia may open up some interesting opportunities with Turkish Airlines and other Star Alliance members.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht launch stalled
24 Jun '22

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (RCYC) has postponed its planned launch date by three weeks, from 6 August to 31 August 2022, citing delays caused by external strikers. 

In the latest setback for the ultra-luxury ship, Evrima, RCYC confirmed it has faced “ship completion interruptions” fuelled by “a prolonged metalworkers strike”. RCYC, its subcontractors, and the Astander Shipyard are not involved in the metalworkers’ disagreement. However, disruptive protests near the Astander Shipyard, in Santander, Spain have impacted the finishing process, causing the company to reschedule its inaugural voyage.

Evrima will now enter service from Athens, Greece on its scheduled 10-day Greece to Italy itinerary departing 31 August. The voyage will sail to Parga and Corfu in Greece, overnight in Dubrovnik, and call at Korcula and Rovinj in Croatia, Koper in Slovenia before concluding in Chioggia (near Venice) on 10 September.  

Bookings for the Evrima (pictured) remain open for the 2022/23 Winter cruises, the 2023 Mediterranean cruises and the 2023/24 Caribbean cruises.

Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program for Ritz-Carlton Yachts Collection - members can earn/burn points.  

To learn more about Marriott Bonvoy, refer to our Complete Guide to Marriott Bonvoy. To request more information regarding the Ritz-Carlton Yachts Collection...

NH Hotels officially joins GHA
23 Jun '22

Pictured is the NH Collection Plaza Santiago.

On June 20th, NH Hotels officially joined Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. 

NH Hotel Group is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and brings to the alliance more than 350 properties in 30 countries under three brands – NH Hotels, NH Collection and nhow.

NH Hotel Group is majority-owned by Minor Hotels, a Bangkok-based operator of more than 160 hotels and a GHA shareholder. Minor Hotels’ global family of brands include Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, Oaks and Tivoli which were already member brands of the alliance and participate in GHA DISCOVERY.

The move sees the transformation of NH Rewards into the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, becoming NH DISCOVERY and creating a 21-million-strong global membership. Existing NH Rewards members will retain the value of their points and their other benefits, including Member Rates with up to 10% discount and additional rewards for booking on the NH or GHA websites.

For more details on GHA Discovery, see our Guide to GHA Discovery

A unique feature of the NH Discovery version is that NH Hotels shareholders can upgrade their tier status for attractive benefits.  

Under T&C 4.9 Members of the NH DISCOVERY Programme who are also NH’s Shareholders may upgrade their Tier as follows:

*  To the Gold Tier if they hold a block of shares to a value which is lower than 2,000 Euros; or

*  To the Platinum Tier if they hold a block of shares to a value equal to or greater than 2,000 Euros but lower than 3,000 Euros.

*  To the Titanium Tier if they hold a block of shares to a value equal to or greater than 3,000 Euros. 

The value of a block of shares will be determined considering the number of shares multiplied by their market value. In order to enable the upgrading of a Tier, Members must prove their status as a Shareholder by sending their securities account certificate by email to nh.loyalty@nh-hotels.com. 


If you are a shareholder of NH Hotels, these upgrades last for as long a you own the requisite value of shares, providing a way of holding tier status without the requirement of stays or spending.

I Prefer Hotel Rewards Program benefits have been enhanced
18 Jun '22

Preferred Hotel Group has released a series of updates and enriched benefits to its I Prefer  loyalty program. From the launch of I Prefer Gift Cards and a Stay, Reward, Repeat bonus points offer to the next installment of I Prefer Auctions, an ever-lasting Flexible Member Rate, and the introduction of a new points-plus-cash option to book Reward Nights – these program enhancements reflect Preferred Hotel Group’s commitment to deliver a range of value-rich benefits that cater to the needs of its loyalty members worldwide.   

Highlights of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty program enhancements include: 

I Prefer Gift Cards with 20% Bonus Value 
I Prefer Gift Cards are now available and can be used towards services, experiences, and stays at hundreds of participating I Prefer hotels and resorts across the globe. As an introductory special, purchasers will receive a 20% Bonus Card with each I Prefer Gift Card purchased now through June 30, 2022. To purchase I Prefer Gift Cards, and take advantage of this special launch offer, visit the  I Prefer Gift Cards site. 

Stay, Reward, Repeat Offer 
I Prefer members staying one, two, or three consecutive nights will now have the opportunity to earn up to 15,000 I Prefer Bonus Points – which is enough to redeem towards a free Reward Night or other  travel opportunities such as I Prefer Auctions and Reward Certificates. Pre-registration is required and bookings must be made by September 30, 2022, for stays through December 31, 2022. For additional details and to register for this offer, visit the dedicated Stay, Reward, Repeat Offer site. 

I Prefer Reward Nights Plus 
The recent launch of I Prefer Reward Nights Plus invites I Prefer members to book exclusive hotel rates using a combination of points plus cash, while earning points on the cash portion of their rate. For as little as 3,000 points plus cash payment in varying amounts, members can book and enjoy a selection of independent hotel experiences including but not limited to, Hotel Carlton in Antananarivo, Madagascar; Metropole Hotel in Venice, Italy; Royal Plaza on the Scotts in Singapore; NIZUC Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico; The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, California; Ohla Eixample in Barcelona, Spain; Hotel Sans Souci in Vienna, Austria; and The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.; with more hotels from desirable global destinations coming soon. To learn more and to book stays at participating properties, members can visit the dedicated I Prefer Reward Nights Plus site. 


Additional program updates include: 

I Prefer Auction to run June 16-22, 2022 
Offering a unique way to bid and win one-of-a-kind travel experiences, the next I Prefer Auction will run June 16-22, 2022 and feature a curated selection of 15 hand-picked experiences available for limited-time bidding. Exclusive to I Prefer members, bids start as low as 12,500 I Prefer Points and include experiences such as a Guatemalan wellness ritual, afternoon tea for two in London, formal Omakase dining in Bangkok, cable cars in San Francisco, a perfect Parisian spa day, rooftop dinner for two in Saint-Tropez, a rebalancing massage in Coastal Italy, and more. Members can view the full list of experiences, and the complete terms and conditions, by visiting the dedicated I Prefer Auctions site. 

Flexible Member Rate  
Recognizing the importance of member-only value and flexibility, Preferred Hotel Group is pleased to announce that the I Prefer Flexible Member Rate is here to stay – members can book enjoy savings of 10% or more on top of the best available rate at more than 300 participating hotels. The flexible rate is also fully cancellable up through the day of arrival, providing travelers with the peace of mind needed if travel plans get disrupted. For additional details and to book, visit the dedicated Flexible Member Rate site. 

I Prefer is free to join. For more information, read our Guide to the I Prefer program, which contains a link to enrol.

Radisson brand to exit US as Choice Hotels acquires Radisson Americas' business, including 624 properties
16 Jun '22

Radisson’s nine brands in the United States will eventually go under the control of Choice Hotels, adding 624 hotels and over 68,000 rooms to their portfolio.Radisson will make a quiet exit from the U.S. market, ultimately transitioning all of their American properties to Choice Hotels.

Under the agreement, Choice Hotels will acquire the franchise business, operations and intellectual property of Radisson’s North American operations, including 624 properties in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The portfolio includes 10 Radisson Blu hotels, 130 Radisson hotels, 453 Country Inn & Suites hotels, and 17 Park Inn by Radisson properties.

The additional 624 hotels with over 68,000 rooms expand Choice Hotels' presence in the US West Coast and Midwest.

In turn, Radisson will change their business strategy to focus on growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, along with Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Radisson has a stated goal of doubling their international footprint by 2025.

The acquisition of some of the industry’s most recognized brands extends Choice Hotels’ customer reach in the upscale segments, as well as to more business travelers and a broader demographic within Choice’s core leisure segment. The combination strengthens Choice’s ability to provide a more holistic product offering across segments and continue to capitalize on consumer trends expected to fuel future demand for travel such as remote work, increasing retirements and road trips.

The deal was unanimously approved by the Choice Hotels Board of Directors and is expected to close in the second half of 2022, pending regulatory approvals.

Patrick Pacious, President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels, said, "This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses, enhancing our guest offerings in the core upper-midscale hospitality segments, while extending our reach into the upper upscale and upscale full-service segments....”

It is unclear when the hotels will transition into the Choice Privileges loyalty program.

The remaining (outside of the Americas) Radisson has a reasonable presence in the growth region of Asia-Pacific (180 properties in China, 120 in India and 120 in Southeast Asia), but no presence in Oceania.

In particular the hotel group wants to open more high-end art’otels. Several are earmarked to open in the coming years, including two in London, in the redeveloped Battersea Power Station and another $300 million building in London's trendy Hoxton district. 

Mandarin Oriental Announces its First Mountain Resort - in the Dolomites, Italy
15 Jun '22

Mandarin Oriental has signed a long term management agreement with Attestor Limited (a London based investment manager) to rebrand and manage the historic Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. .

Currently a (Marriott) Luxury Collection property, the historic property will undergo a substantial renovation after closing in the second quarter of 2023, re-opening as a Mandarin Oriental resort in the summer of 2025, ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.  After re-opening, the hotel will feature 83 guestrooms, many with balconies, including 30 spacious suites with beautiful views of the Dolomites. Due to an extensive investment in artificial snow systems, the Dolomites are among the few Alpine resorts with guaranteed snow throughout the season and feature 1,200 kilometers of interconnected slopes.

The resort will also feature a range of restaurants and bars, flexible spaces for entertainment and events, as well as an extensive spa and wellness facility, which includes a swimming pool that transverses from inside to outside the building.  

The property sits above the most recognized mountain village in the Dolomites, a short walk away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, which features many award-winning restaurants, luxury brand boutiques and local arts and crafts. Venice Marco Polo Airport is reachable in one and a half hours by car. 

The all-year resort will provide a picturesque backdrop from which to enjoy a broad range of experiences from skiing to golf, cross country walking and hiking, tennis, ice skating, mountain climbing and a Kid’s Club equipped to match the needs of various age groups. 

Hotel Cristallo was built in 1901 in Art Nouveau style by the Menardi family and was a popular ski destination in the 1930s for the European cultured elite. After the Olympic Games of 1956, the Hotel entered its “golden era” as a renowned ski destination, hosting royals and celebrities, including Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Saul Bellow and Vladimir Nabokov. It has featured as a backdrop for a number of award-winning films, maintaining its historical charm as an early 20th century grand hotel. 

In 2021, the property was acquired by funds managed by Attestor Limited, who also own Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.  A major investment will be made so that Hotel Cristallo will undergo a thorough renovation including a new extension, created by award-winning architects Herzog and deMeuron.

Mandarin Oriental is renowned for exemplary service and is one of our favourite luxury hotel groups, so we are excited.. Watch this space as the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics get closer, as I am sure the rooms and suites will be booked out very soon after the reopening.

Mandarin Oriental has a loyalty program - Fans of M.O. Read More…

Virgin Australia Building Its Short-Haul International Routes
13 Jun '22

Virgin Australia announced this week that it is resuming more short-haul international destinations and is also planning for further expansion of its international network later this year and in March 2023.

The carrier operated an extensive network to New Zealand before the pandemic, and intends to return to this market in November 2022 with flights to Queenstown (ZQN).

Virgin also operated long-haul international flights, primarily to the US. However, it cut all the long-haul routes when it decided to dispose of its widebody fleet as part of its restructuring as a primarily domestic operator in 2020.

Currently, Virgin’s only current international route is between Sydney and Fiji.

However, Virgin is now resuming flights to Bali (DPS), Indonesia—an important leisure destination. Flights between Sydney (SYD) and Bali start June 15, and routes from Melbourne (MEL) and Brisbane (BNE) to Bali are due to relaunch on June 17. 

Virgin has scheduled a wave of short-haul international routes in March 2023. This includes a service between Bali and Gold Coast (OOL), Australia, which it has not operated before. The flight is set to launch on March 29, 2023. Virgin Australia said the announcement of the Gold Coast-Bali route reflects increasing demand for flights in and out of Gold Coast, and the airline’s growing presence at the Gold Coast airport for domestic flights. The carrier currently operates up to 180 domestic outbound flights per week from Gold Coast, and bookings on Gold Coast flights were up by 55% in May versus 2019 levels.

Samoa (APW) and Vanuatu (VLI) will be added back to Virgin’s network during the same month. Flights from Brisbane to Vanuatu are due to begin on March 10, from Sydney to Samoa on March 21, and Brisbane to Samoa on March 23.

For the immediate future at least, Virgin will offer long-haul connections via its international partners. It is continuing its relationship with partners including Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines and Singapore Airlines, and in May announced it will also partner with Qatar Airways. Earlier this year it also replaced Delta by United as its US partner.

Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Bali (DPS) are now available from A$ 787.75.  Check availability for Virgin Australia flights to Bali (or others that interest you).

(Virgin Australia is one of our advertisers and we may receive a small compensation from them)

9 Best Hotels in Southern Italy
11 Jun '22

Wanting to escape to southern Italy? 

Do the calls of Positano or Capri beckon? 

Sun, fun, good food and vino...

Often the best hotel experiences, rather than "stays" take your escape to a higher level.  

Our associated travel agency has compiled for you a list of our top 9 hotels in southern Italy.  Beautiful, bespoke and boutique.  Read More…

Big news! - US to end Covid-19 testing requirement for in-bound air travelers, effective from June 12th at midnight
11 Jun '22

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) w ill lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official and a CDC official. The move, will go into effect for US-bound air travellers at midnight on Sunday (June 12th), the officials said.The CDC is lifting the restriction that the travel industry had lobbied against for months after determining it was no longer necessary "based on the science and data," the senior administration official said.

The CDC will reassess its decision in 90 days and if officials decide they need to reinstate it, because of a concerning new variant, for example, will do so. The measure has been in place since January 2021.

Great news for travellers and just in time for Summer stays.

For more details...
Read More…

Rocco Forte's "European Grand Tour" - a luxury tour de force
10 Jun '22

This year, uber luxury group Rocco Forte Hotels is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering immersive experiences inspired by the cities their properties call home. The group is offering a “European Grand Tour” so guests can interact with local artisanal talent while enjoying the best that each city has to offer.

Guests can book individual hotel experiences or opt to fully immerse in the “European Grand Tour”. You can select up to five Rocco Forte Hotels and enhance their itinerary with one or more of the curated experiences (see below).

My favoured five? While it is difficult to narrow down, I think mine are:

• Villa Igiea, Palermo
• Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia
• Hotel de la Ville, Rome
• The Charles Hotel, Munich
• The Balmoral, Edinburgh

What are yours?

Our associated Travel Agency has a strong relationship with Rocco Forte and can offer extra perks at no additional cost. Arrange a time for a complimentary discussion to find out more about the European Grand Tour or any other travel ideas you wish to explore.

The properties participating in the European Grand Tour include:

Villa Igiea in Palermo, Italy has curated an artistic guide to the city through the lens of the aristocratic Florio family, who originally transformed the private estate into a luxury hotel at the start of the 20th century. Guests will discover the history of Palermo through a city-wide tour, including a private tour of the 300-year-old Palazzo Gangi. At the end of the architectural adventure, guests will be greeted with dinner in the hotel’s Louis XVI Hall, named in honor of the Florio family.

Verdura Resort in Sicily has curated a golfing experience. Guests will be welcomed with a personalized gift bag filled with golf equipment. They will also experience a training session with the resort’s PGA coach and enjoy a three-course lunch. They can enjoy treatments at the Irene Forte Spa or stay in one of the private villas.

Guests staying at Hotel de la Ville in Rome can embark on a two-hour guided tour through the dark streets of Rome’s heretics, traitors and ghosts. Crossing through the Sant’Angelo bridge, travelers will learn about Mastro Titta, the official executioner for the Papal States and travel back to the taverns where Caravaggio brawled in the streets and created endless stories still talked about in the modern day.

Masseria Torre Maizza has curated a journey through Puglia on a plate. At the Grandmother’s Table, guests will enjoy a Sunday lunch with Apulian dishes hosted by local mothers and grandmothers. Guests will also have access to the hotel’s nine-hole golf course, private beach club and Irene Forte Spa.

The Balmoral is offering a curated “Scottish Gold” experience in Edinburgh. Guests will have exclusive access to Edinburgh’s jewelers and private access to The Balmoral’s rooftop to view the Clock Tower. The experience begins with a behind-the-scenes visit to Hamilton & Inches, the designers behind Edinburgh’s iconic Balmoral clock. Later, guests can enjoy a whiskey tasting at the Balmoral’s cozy bar, Scotch.

Brown’s Hotel, known as the very first hotel in London, is a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. Brown’s has curated a regal experience where guests can enjoy a curated class with one of the Royal Family’s portrait artists. Guests will also have a chance to sit down for their own personal portrait.

The Charles Hotel in Munich has curated a private night at the museum. Once the doors to the Lenbachhaus museum have closed for the day, contemporary art treasures are exclusively available to guests. The experience is followed by an exclusive dinner among well-known art pieces.

Located on Bebelplatz, Hotel de Rome in Berlin is providing a behind-the-scenes experience at the State Opera, which finishes with champagne and canapes in the Meyerbeer salon. Guests will get exclusive access to this space, usually only accessed by the director of the opera.

Located in the heart of Brussels, Hotel Amigo is offering a curated experience that allows guests to learn about bespoke jewelry from a certified gemologist and private jeweler. As a parting gift, guests will be given a precious stone of their choice. They can even commission a piece of jewelry as a keepsake.

IHG marks 6,000 hotels milestone with new "club" to reward travellers
9 Jun '22

IHG is celebrating reaching its 6,000 open hotels milestone  by unveiling the ‘6,000 Club’ and announcing partnerships with major sports and entertainment events. The 6,000 Club features a collection of newly opened hotels around the world.

Hotels in the 6,000 Club will celebrate the occasion in the coming months by surprising select guests with 6,000 IHG One Rewards points.

Some of the hotels in the 6,000 Club are:

*  Six Senses Fort Barwara – a beautiful 14th-century fort in India which was converted to become a sanctuary of well-being after a significant conservation effort

*  Regent Phu Quoc – the first all-suites-and-villas resort under the upper luxury brand in Southeast Asia, located off the southwest coast of Vietnam alongside a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve

*  Kimpton Margot Sydney  – marking the Australian debut for the brand, this art-deco hotel features a rooftop pool, wine bar, and a 1,725-square-foot “Celebrity Suite”

*  voco The Hague – the first for the brand in Netherlands which includes a garden terrace designed by an expert ecologist who created a welcoming space for nature to thrive

*  Atwell Suites Denver Airport - Tower Road – the second hotel to open for IHG’s newest all-suites brand, featuring signature design and adaptable spaces which support longer stays and allow for easy transition between business and leisure

*  Staybridge Suites Al Khobar City - this all-suites hotel is located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the corporate and shopping hub of vibrant Al Khobar

IHG also announced the launch of new "experience" partnerships, providing new ways to redeem IHG One Rewards points and celebrate the universal love of music and sports. Highlights include:

*  The Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Music Midtown, Ohana Festival: While watching live performances, attendees can enjoy exclusive benefits with IHG One Rewards including backstage access and time in VIP Lounges.

*  Major League Soccer

*  European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).

More details and images are available for the complete list of 6,000 Club members.

Germany Drops All COVID-Related Entry Requirements
8 Jun '22

Similar to Italy and just in time for summer travel season, Germany has dropped its "3G" rule, which stated that travellers coming from the European Union, Schengen Area or other countries where the epidemiological situation is deemed acceptable by the E.U.had to show proof of either

• show proof of vaccination,
• recovery from COVID-19 

or provide a negative test when entering Germany. The removal of this requirement is set to stay in place until at least August 31.

Entry from any other country beyond those that fit the above criteria for any purpose (including visits and tourism) is only possible for fully vaccinated people. For people not yet vaccinated entry from other countries is only possible in exceptional cases and is conditional on there being an urgent need. Travellers that may have stayed in an area of concern within 10 days prior to their entry to Germany must observe special regulations, which includes registering before entry, providing a negative PCR-test result and quarantining for 14 days.

Unlike Italy, Germany had already dropped its mask mandates earlier this year. Currently, the only federal rule still remaining in place requires people to wear masks on public transportation.

For the latest information, visit www.auswaertiges-amt.de

Cambridge Mask Co produces a high-quality face mask with the World’s No. 1 best filter technology. World-leading Nelson Labs, USA, have tested the masks to have a 99.6% viral filtration efficiency and 99.7% bacterial filtration efficiency. The company has experienced rapid growth since its founding and has obtained a reputation for developing market-leading, certified masks with innovative technology that ensures customers' protection and comfort. While they deliver world-wide, you can purchase with free delivery in the UK or with free delivery in the US. Cambridge Mask Co is one of our advertisers and at no additional cost to you, we may receive small compensation, should you use our links.

Shangri-La Circle introduces monthly deals for "Members Day" | 6x points on the 6th of each month
7 Jun '22

Further to our note of January 19th, the revamped Shangri-La Circle loyalty program changed effective from 28 April 2022 to have:

• tier status qualification based on either qualifying nights or tier points earned (effectively amount spent).
• more flexibility to earn points from stays, F&B, Spa, Wellness and Shangri-La merchandise
• rewards points will have a fixed earning rate and redemption value.

A new Polaris invitation-only elite tier was also launched.  Benefits include unlimited access to Shangri-La facilities worldwide (even without staying overnight), a dedicated global Polaris concierge, Polaris Discovery experiences, and the ability to gift Diamond status (the highest status tier able to be earned).

Shangri-La Circle has now added an additional benefit for all its members. The new Members Day will see the release of new offers that will only be available for 48 hours on the 6th day of each month, starting at 9am (Hong Kong Time) on the 6th and ending at 9am (Hong Kong Time) on the 8th. 

For the inaugural Members Day, Shangri-La Circle will debut over 20 “staycation” packages bundled with curated dining and wellness experiences that allow guests to personalize their journeys. Members will be rewarded with 6 times the points when they book these offers through the dedicated Members Day website or Shangri-La Circle Mobile App. Additionally, Shangri-La Circle members in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei will receive six times the points when they shop at the Shangri-La Boutique during the 48-hour Members Day offer.

These points can later be used for their next dining experience, weekend getaway or wellness escape.

New members signing up will earn 300 bonus points with their first Shangri-La Circle experience and up to 1,500 additional bonus points with continued spending through July 31, 2022.

T&C's apply, so be sure to read them.

Singapore Airlines Upgrades Its Lounge Offerings At Changi
6 Jun '22

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is positioning itself for a potential shift in traveling patterns of premium and high-net-worth customers through Singapore Changi airport, as the market shifts toward Southeast Asia. The Star Alliance member has unveiled an upgraded and expanded SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounge at Changi Terminal 3. The project cost the airline S$50 million (US$37 million) and took nearly three years to complete. 

The four lounge areas, known as Private Room, the First-Class section of the SilverKris Lounge, the Business Class section of the SilverKris Lounge, and the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, can collectively accommodate around 1,150 customers within 6,100 sq m, an 30% increase. 

The business-class section of the SilverKris lounge can host 570 travellers, including 200 in the dining area.

All areas have a dedicated dining area, food service counters, restrooms, and showers, as well as baby care and accessible facilities.

Six Senses Vana opens, providing Health and Healing in the Himalayan Foothills of India
2 Jun '22

Established Indian destination spa and retreat Vana has been taken over by global hotel group Six Senses.

The property in Dehradun, India, has since been renamed Six Senses Vana. Launched in 2014 it is a 21-acre wellness destination surrounded by clusters of Sal forest, and set within its own mango and lychee orchards. The retreat draws on ancient healing modalities from Ayurveda, Tibetan healing traditions and yoga to create bespoke schedules for every retreat attendee.

Wellness facilities include a Tibetan Healing Centre, Ayurveda Centre, Yogasala, Wellness Centre, spa, private watsu pool, gym, thermal and wet areas, tennis courts, paths for walking and two slate-lined pools – including one on the rooftop with views over the forest and into the hills beyond.

Along with the wellness and spa facilities, Six Senses Vana will also be a Cinema Paradiso, courts for various ball games, and experiences that tap into the retreat’s location to encourage movement and reconnection with nature.

Exhibitions, visiting artists, and performances will also continue to be woven into the retreat’s programming.

The destination features 82 rooms facing either the ancient forest or the garden and yoga temple, plus two restaurants and 55 treatment and consultation rooms.

The new deal will see Six Senses Vana complement the brand’s debut property in India, Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan.  Sadly, neither of the India locations participate in the IHG One Rewards program. Sigh.  Decisions, decisions...

At the time of writing, Six Senses properties that do participate in IHG One Rewards include:

• Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand.
• Six Senses Laamu, Maldives.
• Six Senses Botanique, Brazil.
• Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam.
• Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia.
• Six Senses Fiji.
• Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Seychelles.
• Six Senses Kaplankaya, Turkey.
• Six Senses Ibiza, Spain.
• Six Senses Shaharut, Israel.
• Six Senses Residences Courchevel, France (bookable now for the next season).
• Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives (once it opens later this year).

About Six Senses

Six Senses operates 21 hotels and resorts in 17 countries under the names of Six Senses and Evason and has signed a further 33 properties into the development pipeline. Six Senses maintains a leadership commitment to community, sustainability, emotional hospitality, wellness, and crafted experiences, infused with a touch of quirkiness. Whether an exquisite island resort, mountain retreat, or urban hotel, the vision remains the same: to reawaken people’s senses so they feel the purpose behind their travels and ultimately reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them. 

In early 2019, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) acquired Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. However, not all Six Senses properies participate in the IHG One Rewards program. 

Six Senses Spas guides guests on their personal path to well-being in all resorts as well as a handful of standalone spas. The high-tech and high-touch approach goes beyond ordinary beauty treatments to offer holistic wellness, integrative medicine, and longevity.

Italy Removes All COVID-Related Travel Restrictions
31 May '22

All of Italy’s COVID-related travel restrictions expired today, May 31. SchengenVisaInfo.com reports that, according to the Italian Ministry of Health, the current requirements would not be extended.

Previously, travellers needed to show their E.U. Digital COVID Certificate or, for non-European Union citizens, an equivalent COVID-19 certification issued by their country's health authorities, certifying one of the following:

• Completed vaccination cycle with a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency;
• full recovery from COVID-19; or
• a negative molecular or antigenic test.

Additionally, travellers will no longer need to complete a Passenger Locator Form. .

This means that now, all travelers—regardless of their country of origin—will no longer need to show proof of vaccination, recent recovery or a negative test when arriving in Italy.

According to Euronews.travel, a mask mandate is set to remain in force until at least June 15.

Though the E.U.-wide mask requirement on flights was lifted in May, airports and airlines flying to and from Italy may still require passengers to wear masks until that date.

FFP2 masks are also still required on ships and ferries, trains, buses, local transportation and indoor sports and performances.

Cambridge Mask Co produces a high-quality face mask with the World’s No. 1 best filter technology. World-leading Nelson Labs, USA, have tested the masks to have a 99.6% viral filtration efficiency and 99.7% bacterial filtration efficiency. The company has experienced rapid growth since its founding and has obtained a reputation for developing market-leading, certified masks with innovative technology that ensures customers' protection and comfort. While they deliver world-wide, you can purchase with free delivery in the UK or with free delivery in the US. Cambridge Mask Co is one of our advertisers and at no additional cost to you, we may receive small compensation, should you use our links.

Masks are not required outdoors or in shops and workspaces.

Singapore Airlines boosts services to Australia
31 May '22

Singapore Airlines will increase its operations to four times daily to Melbourne, while Cairns and Darwin will increase to five times weekly, as travel demand continues to grow.

The increase in services to the two Northern Australian destinations aligns with the region’s peak visitation period and will support the recovery efforts of local tourism and travel operators.

The airline will roll out the airline’s newest narrowbody aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 (pictured) from June 2 on services to Darwin.

Singapore Airlines has invested around S$230 million in the development, design, and installation of the new cabin products, which elevate the standard for short- and medium-haul travel onboard narrowbody aircraft. The 737-8 is fitted with 154 seats across two classes, 10 in Business Class and 144 in Economy Class.

From June 2 onwards, the changes will be:

• Cairns services will increase from three to five-times weekly, with SQ203/SQ204 to operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Services to Darwin will increase to five-times weekly, with SQ251/252 operating every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Victorians will have four-daily flight options between Melbourne and Singapore when SQ207/SQ208 begins operations. The fourth-daily service will be operated by SIA’s Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, fitted with 40 lie-flat Business Class seats, all with direct aisle access and 263 ergonomically designed Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout.

After these changes,, Singapore Airlines will operate 113 weekly flights between Singapore and seven Australian ports, while low-cost subsidiary Scoot will operate 23 weekly flights across four Australian ports for a total of 136 weekly services.

GHA June promo - Unlock the Unforgettable - Save up to 40% @ Anantara, Capella, Corinthia, Kempinski
30 May '22

GHA has a promotion for June 2022 - Unlock the Unforgettable - where you can save up to 40% at some destinations within its range of over 30 brands, which include ones we love, such as Anantara, Capella, Corinthia, Kempinski, Niccolo and Viceroy.

Unlock the Unforgettable offers deals right around the globe.  

For example, escape to Australia and NZ with up to 30% off for stays with Oaks booked prior to 31 August and completed prior to 30 September 2022.  Destinations include Brisbane, Port Stevens, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.  Even Auckland and Queenstown !

GHA Discovery is free to join.  Learn more about the program from our Guide to GHA Discovery.

T&C's apply for these offers, so ensure you... Read More…

I Prefer promotions - members can get up to 15,000 bonus points
29 May '22

Preferred Hotels has launched a new Stay.Reward.Repeat promotion for I Prefer members to earn up to 15,000 bonus points for three stays each minimum of two nights.

To earn the bonus you must register for this offer then book prior to September 30 for stays completed prior to 31 December 2022.  

How the points add up:

Stay 1: 2,500 bonus points
Stay 2: 5,000 bonus points (7,500 cumulative bonus)
Stay 3: 7,500 bonus points (15,000 cumulative bonus)

The bonus points can be used for free nights and experiences around the world or for other travel opportunities like I Prefer Auctions and Reward Certificates.

T&C's apply. Read More…

"Secret" password for One Rewards members to receive a surprise for Kimpton stays
29 May '22

Kimpton Hotels have just launched their new Secret Password, “Stay Cool,” valid for stays through September 5, 2022.

IHG One Rewards Members who say these words when checking in are in for a "feel good" surprise that could be anything from a complimentary breakfast or drinks to free parking (it's up to each individual hotel to decide what their offer is, which is part of the fun). 

With locations all around the world, Kimpton is a popular brand with travelers and IHG loyalists thanks to evening happy hours, its “raid the minibar” perk for select guests and the brand's right royal treatment of four-legged guests - Kimpton is famous for being pet-friendly.

You can access IHG’s Kimpton page here.  

Better yet, you can book through our Travel Agent service, (an IHG Lifestyle Collection specialist) to receive advice and support, while still earning IHG One Rewards points.

Simply arrange a time to discuss or drop us a brief email.

Celebrate Global Wellness with Mandarin Oriental's "Intelligent Movement" initiative
29 May '22

Mandarin Oriental has launched a global initiative to celebrate Global Wellness Day on June 11.

As part of Intelligent Movement, selected Mandarin Oriental Spas and Wellness Centres will host various complimentary movement-themed activities, including:

• Dynamic Stretching Class at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
• Yoga Workshop at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
• Mobility & Posture Assessments at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech
• Hypervolt Massage Workshops at Mandarin Oriental, Paris
• Movementum Studio Classes at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

Fans of M.O. (Mandarin Oriental's loyalty program) can also enjoy a Spacation at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore and receive:
- Daily breakfast for two.
- 60-minute Oriental Essence massage for two at The Spa.
- 60-minute Meditation with Crystal Bowl Sound Healing Session for two at The Spa.

You can learn more about Intelligent Movement, or more about Mandarin-Oriental's Holistic Spas and Wellness which I personally recommend.

To book and enjoy the benefits of Mandarin Oriental's Intelligent Movement, using our Travel Agent service simply arrange a time to discuss or drop us a brief email.

AMEX / Four Seasons offer - Make the most of the Spend $750, Get $150 Back offer
25 May '22

American Express regularly publishes great travel deals for its cardholders through its Amex Offers portal. Thanks to a new offer, if you’re a cardholder looking to visit a Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts property this summer, you’re in luck to save some money on your stay.

Only certain members will be targeted, so be sure to check your Amex Offers on the Amex app or online account to see if you were one of the lucky few. If you see the offer, make sure to click "Add to Card" sooner rather than later as Amex Offers are often capped to a certain amount of cardholders.

To get the $150 back, you’ll need to spend $750 or more at any Four Seasons properties in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Anguilla, or Saint Kitts and Nevis. You don’t need to spend the $750 in 1 single stay; you can have multiple different hotel stays over time, and so long as your charges cumulatively are over $750, you’ll have met the terms of the offer.

If you spend as close to $750 as possible, you’re saving 20%, which is almost unheard of at Four Seasons properties.

In addition to staying at actual hotel properties, you can also stay at Four Seasons Private Retreats, which are very similar to luxurious condominiums in the most desirable of travel spots. These can be located in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Anguilla, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

To be eligible for the offer, you must book your reservation at fourseasons.com or through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner such as our travel agency. Email us to sweeten this deal even more, as you will receive at no extra cost, additional perks such as the following:

• Daily full breakfast for 2 people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
• Hotel or resort credit of $100 to $200 per stay (guest rooms receive $100 while suites, specialty suites, and private retreats receive $200)
• Upgrade of one category (based on availability at time of check-in)
• Complimentary standard Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and premium Wi-Fi in all suites.

Your reservations can’t be through a third party or by other means — these methods will not trigger the offer. It’s also worth noting that you can’t use the offer to purchase gift cards.

Other T&C's also apply, so if you do qualify for this offer, be sure to check them out.

Virgin Australia / United Airlines partnership officially launched
25 May '22

Virgin Australia and United Airlines celebrated their new partnership with a launch at, Sydney International Airport, yesterday.

The partnership between Virgin Australia Group and United Airlines was struck in December last year and it will triple the airline’s reach into the Americas, with flyers able to access more destinations across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.

The partnership establishes code-share co-operation, as well as reciprocal loyalty benefits for Velocity Frequent Flyer members to earn, redeem and receive tier benefits when traveling on United’s domestic and international network, connecting from the carrier’s multiple Australian gateways, including daily direct flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Sydney, with flights from Houston and direct services to Melbourne expected to resume later in 2022.

The United deal which replaced the airline’s former relationship with Delta Air Lines, is critical to Virgin Australia which  no longer has its long-range capable Boeing 777s that used to ply the Pacific to the US.

The partnership is a coup for Virgin Australia as United Airlines is a dominant Pacific player and the partnership will also extend United’s large Australian presence, as United offers more flights to Australia than any other U.S. carrier.

Virgin Australia’s CEO Ms Hrdlicka said that “Virgin Australia customers will have significantly more options for travel from Australia to the States, with more than three times as many services available to them, which is great news for Australian travelers”.

Marriott plans to join Red Sea development with Ritz-Carlton Reserve
24 May '22

Marriott today announced it has signed an agreement to debut its luxury Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand off the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Slated to debut in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is expected to form part of the new Red Sea destination. Nujuma will be the first property from the brand in the Middle East and joins an exclusive collection of only 5 other Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide, located in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

Nujuma will be situated on a pristine set of private islands, which are part of the Red Sea’s Blue Hole cluster of islands. Surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, the resort is expected to feature 63 one to four bedroom water and beach villas. Plans also include a range of luxurious amenities and exceptional services including a lavish spa, swimming pools, multiple culinary venues, a retail area and a variety of other leisure and entertainment offerings including a Conservation Center.

Marriott Bonvoy members can expect the uber luxury property to be right near the top level of points required for redemptions...perhaps even the very top...

The Red Sea Project is an ambitious regenerative tourism project, covering 28,000 square kilometers on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, of which less than one percent will be developed. The destination is expected to offer a new type of barefoot luxury experience and is being developed with the highest standards of sustainability. The development features an archipelago of more than 90 untouched natural islands, as well as dormant volcanoes, sweeping desert dunes, mountains and wadis, and more than 1,600 cultural heritage sites.

SLH adds 5 new properties to its Considerate Collection
22 May '22

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has added 5 new properties to its Considerate Collection. 



Launched in October 2021, in collaboration with respected sustainable travel and luxury hospitality players, each hotel within the Considerate Collection has been either certified by a GSTC Accredited Certification Body, certified to a GSTC Recognized Standard, or has passed an assessment by the SLH Sustainability Advisory Panel with review by the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council - the international, independent, not-for-profit body established by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); The new properties are:

Castello di Reschio (Lisciano Niccone, Italy): Adopting an “as nature intended” approach towards the nine farmhouses dotted across a 1,500-hectare country estate, the Bolza family introduced a rewilding program in the Umbrian wilderness which is now filled with roe deer, wild boar and porcupines. While much of what is served is home-grown or foraged, Reschio also relies on a network of hyperlocal suppliers.

Dar Ahlam (Ouarzazate, Morocco): This traditional Moroccan kasbah has been constructed using local materials such as adobe, bamboo and wood from lemon and olive trees, minimizing its energy use by installing solar panels and a water treatment system which makes tap water drinkable in the desert. Guests are immersed in Berber culture, from sleeping beneath the stars in a traditional tent, to sunrise tea ceremonies in the Sahara.

Paradise Cove (Anse La Raie, Mauritius): Overlooking a natural lagoon, this boutique hotel actively contributes towards the marine discovery center. It has also eliminated single-use plastic in the guest experience (swapping slippers made from plastic to coconut straw), and employs “green” staff tracking the resort’s progress in its detailed sustainability report. The property runs a dedicated space within the hotel for guests to discover locally and sustainably made products, from rattan baskets to swimwear made with recycled boat sails.

Amilla Maldives (Baa Atoll, Maldives): Even without its EarthCheck Silver certified status, this Maldivian-owned resort runs a range of eco-activities and initiatives, including a coral propagation project, white-tailed tropicbird breeding program, complimentary bicycles and electric golf buggies.

Aristide Hotel (Syros, Greece): Housed within the former tax residency of the Cyclades, this plastic-free neoclassical mansion uses solar panels to heat its water and offers ceramic amenities. To offset the carbon footprint of their guests, the art-centric hotel runs a re-greening and tree-planting project in partnership with the Cyclades Preservation Fund.

For more details on SLH and its Considerate Collection...  Read More…

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun to join All-Inclusive by Marriott collection
21 May '22

The trend towards all-inclusive properties continues.

Expected to open in late 2022, Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun is owned and managed by Blue Diamond Resorts and will join the All-Inclusive by Marriott portfolio, which includes close to 30 getaways in 8 locations across the Caribbean and Latin America - current all-inclusive resort locations include Antigua, Barbados, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, and St Lucia.

Set to debut in late 2022, the 1,049-room all-inclusive resort is expected to offer experiences including a theatre, bowling alley, water attractions and culinary encounters at a dozen on-property restaurants and nine bars all amidst stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.

164 million Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to access the new resort, expanding the reach of the Blue Diamond owned resort.

Marriott International entered the all-inclusive space in 2019 with the acquisition of Elegant Hotels' seven hotels in Barbados. In 2021, the company announced a long-term agreement with Sunwing Travel Group's hotel division, Blue Diamond Resorts, to add 20 hotels into the portfolio

Kempinski to launch World's First Floating Sea Palace Resort
20 May '22

The Kempinski Floating Palace will be anchored off an exclusive stretch of beach on Jumeirah Road, near Dubai Marina and along from The Palm.

The main building of this floating palace, structured in four parts, is connected in the middle by a glass pyramid and offers all the luxury of a 5-star hotel, from exclusive gourmet restaurants, bars, spa, pools to boutiques, banquet areas and the possibility for even larger yachts to sail in and out at the centre of the hotel.

The five-star, pyramid-topped 156-room hotel and connected floating helipad will be the hub, off which 12 floating luxury villas, for rent or purchase, will be grouped. Each villa has two floors, a roof terrace, solar panels, infinity pool and multiple bedrooms, including those for crew and staff.

Crew?  Yes, with each villa, you can cast off and motor away (at 6 nautical miles per hour), like a private houseboat. 

The Kempinski Floating Palace will open in 2023.

Also around this time is the planned opening of the much larger MGallery QE2, located about 30 minutes away, near Dubai Creek - also a floating hotel, but different...

IPrefer offering 20% bonus on gift cards purchased prior to 30 June
20 May '22

Members of I Prefer - the loyalty program of Preferred Hotels & Resorts will have their travel power boosted by 20% with a Bonus Card for each Gift Card purchased now through June ‌30, ‌2022.

The Bonus Card, delivered separately to the Gift Card, will have an expiry date of 6 months from date of its delivery.

If your redemption is timed to be able to use both cards, members will effectively receive a very handy 16.6% discount.

If you aren't yet an I Prefer member & want to take up the offer, I Prefer is free to join.  See our Complete Guide to IPrefer

Further T&C's apply to the offer...
Read More…

Miraval Resorts & Spa To Debut First Property Outside US | Miraval The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
20 May '22

Hyatt announced that its wellness resort brand Miraval will debut Miraval The Red Sea, located on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island, the central hub of The Red Sea Project.

The new Miraval resort is slated to open as part of the first phase of the Red Sea development. It will be Miraval’s fourth resort and its first outside the U.S. , joining Miraval Arizona, the brand’s original location in Tucson, Ariz.; Miraval Austin, its second location in Austin, Texas; and its newest location, Miraval Berkshires in Lenox, Mass.

Miraval The Red Sea will offer guests 180 guestrooms and suites, including 20 villas. The luxury wellness resort will offer a range of culinary experiences, including a central dining room, the signature Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen, and a marketplace offering mindful and healthful cuisine. Cooking classes and workshops will be offered with a focus on nutrition. There will also be approximately 4,300 square feet of meeting space for wellness-focused activities tailored to improving connections and communication for social and corporate groups.

The Life in Balance Spa will offer 39 treatment rooms and will offer new treatments, destination-inspired experiences, and a series of wellness packages. The resort will have dedicated areas such as a walking trail system, mangrove boardwalk, outdoor adventures, and several specially purposed rooms set up for art, music, wellness lectures and hands-on workshops.

Miraval The Red Sea will join Grand Hyatt The Red Sea, which is also under development, as the second Hyatt-branded hotel within the Red Sea development.

Accor's novel "floating hotel" combines luxury with QE2 history
19 May '22

Accor's MGallery Hotel Collection is adding a novel property to its portfolio - the world-renowned cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

After Accor taking over operations from May 2022, the cruise ship will undergo further upgrades and renovations prior to joining the MGallery Hotel Collection. Once the renovation is completed, the new MGallery Queen Elizabeth 2 will feature 447 hotel rooms, nine food & beverage outlets, ten meeting rooms, 5,620sqm area for outdoor events, six retail outlets, a swimming pool and a gym.

Permanently berthed  in Dubai’s Port Rashid, the QE2’s location will in close proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road, providing easy connection to every main attraction the city has to offer. Dubai International Airport, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and La Mer Beach are all located less than 20 minutes away, while the Palm Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates are located 35 and 29 minutes, respectively.

Presumably it will participate in Accor Live Limitless (the loyalty program), but I am yet to have that confirmed.

I'm also curious to know if it will retain the capability to sail again. If so, it would have the potential to be moved to another port/location, should the need ever arise.

A novel property that will contribute to the Dubai Urban Master plan 2049, providing a sustainable urban development while increasing the city attractiveness as a global destination. Guests will be able to enjoy a unique experience while conveniently located to all of Dubai's attractions.

I'm pencilling it in for my future Middle East tour.  

Rocco Forte launches luxury rail experience
19 May '22

The Sicilian Railway Experience is the latest revelation from Rocco Forte Hotels.  

The journey from Central Palermo to Agrigento - Valle dei Templi on board a train from the 1920s provides a unique way of connecting the two iconic Sicilian outposts of the hotel group: Villa Igiea and Verdura Resort.

On board a vintage 1920s train from the historic transportation archives of the Italian Railway Foundation, the Sicilian Railway Experience offers a means of ‘slow travel’ -  a one-way trip takes roughly 2 hours before arriving at some of the most famous UNESCO heritage sites like the Scala dei Turchi and the Valle dei Templi.

The coast-to-coast itinerary was developed to accommodate business summits, presentations and team building trips: a new way to cater to the corporate realm with a completely customisable agenda to best suit any occasion or specific need while delivering an authentic and immersive experience. 

As part of the Sicilian Railway Experience, you can choose:
*  a local guide to accompany your guests in the discovery of the island, providing a complete narration throughout the train ride.
*  to have a bartender on board to shake up a Sicilian mixology experience while guests enjoy the spectacular panorama rolling by.

The Sicilian Railway Experience can be modified in various configurations according to the client’s needs: up to four standard train cars with original wooden seats, one car with leather seating and a freestanding baggage compartment that can be outfitted to meet the needs of the event. 

While aimed at a corporate market, I wonder if the Sicilian Railway Experience might also provide a unique "extra"  for a destination wedding - unique, memorable and private .

Rocco Forte Hotels is a collection of 14 individual hotels and resorts. All of the hotels united by their distinctive approach to service ensuring guests experience the best of the cities and surrounding areas. The Rocco Forte Hotels collection currently comprises:

Hotel de la Ville, Hotel de Russie and Rocco Forte House (Rome);
Hotel Savoy (Florence);
l Verdura Resort, Rocco Forte Villas and Villa Igiea (Sicily);
Masseria Torre Maizza (Puglia);
The Balmoral (Edinburgh);
Brown's Hotel (London);
The Charles Hotel, (Munich);
Hotel de Rome (Berlin);
Hotel Amigo, (Brussels); and
Hotel Astoria (St Petersburg).

Pssst......Mandarin Oriental arriving in Mayfair - second London property
19 May '22

The luxury hotel chain is expanding its presence in London with the opening of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London late 2022 providing a smaller, more intimate sister property to the award-winning Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in nearby Knightsbridge.

The property comprises 50 guestrooms and 78 private residences in the heart of Mayfair, one of London's most stylish neighbourhoods, where fashion, media, art, and business intersect. Taking advantage of its world-class location within walking distance of London's admired fashion houses on Bond Street and the boutiques of Saville Row, as well as art galleries, the new hotel will offer guests and Fans of MO ( its loyalty program ) exclusive access and experiences from high fashion to art, culture, and dining.

It will house the first namesake Akira Back restaurant in the UK from Michelin Star award winning Chef Akira Back, as well as his 'ABar Lounge' concept. There will also be an urban spa, focussed on renewal and recalibration, featuring an indoor 25-metre swimming pool, sauna, vitality pool, relaxation room and a myriad of bespoke wellness treatments.

We love Mandarin Oriental properties, which provide luxury with a slightly Asian vibe and are renowned for outstanding service. This smaller, more intimate property may become our new favourite (or at least one of them) oasis in the hubbub of central London.

Read More…

Bonza delays launch until September 2022
19 May '22

Bonza, the start-up Australian airline, has put off its launch till September 2022.

The airline has already announced its initial 17 destinations and 27 routes, but has only recently received confirmation of when its first plane will delivered.

There will be no bookings on its website - Bonza will adopt a model similar to Uber where all bookings, payments, management of booking and customer communications are direct to travellers from the FlyBonza App.

Qatar Airways expands its strategic partnership with Malaysia Airlines
18 May '22

Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines today unveiled details of the next phase of their strategic partnership, following Malaysia Airlines’ announcement to launch a non-stop service from Kuala Lumpur to Doha from 25 May. The two partners will significantly expand their codeshare cooperation, allowing passengers to travel the world and enjoy seamless connectivity via their leading hubs in Kuala Lumpur and Doha.

The codeshare expansion, which adds 34 destinations to the existing 62 codeshare destinations, marks another milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two countries’ national carriers and Oneworld partners.

In linking their route networks, the partners are striving to develop Kuala Lumpur as a leading aviation hub in the Southeast Asia Region connecting Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand with the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

We would expect Singapore Airlines and Singapore's Changi Airport to have a different view, so developments in this space will be interesting.

New Orient Express hotel in Venice | links to the Orient Express La Dolce Vita rail journey
14 May '22

Late in 2021 (see article dated 10 December 2021), the Accor-owned Orient Express announced the launch of a new train service, offering travellers an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most beloved countries: Italy.

The Orient Express La Dolce Vita will welcome its first travellers in 2023. Six trains will embark through several iconic itineraries across 14 regions and beyond, including three international destinations from Rome to Paris, Istanbul and Split.

A stopover in Rome will feature the very first Orient Express Hotel, Minerva, scheduled to open in 2024.

Orient Express has recently announced its second hotel in Italy, at the spectacular Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice, set to open in early 2024. A sample of its beautiful architectural detail is pictured.

Located just ten minutes from Venice's Santa Lucia train station, next to the Cannaregio shopping district, the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli is a treasured palace built in 1400 by architect Filippo Calendario, known for Venice’s famed Doge's Palace. The Orient Express Venice Hotel will be home to 45 rooms and suites, all overlooking the gardens and canals of Venice. The hotel bar will be located in the former piano nobile ballroom on the main floor of the building. Select terraces hidden on the hotel’s rooftops will offer the most beautiful views of the wonders of the Serenissima. 

As soon as the hotel opens, passengers on the Orient Express La Dolce Vita train will be able to disembark directly at the Venice Santa Lucia Station and reach the Orient Express Venice Hotel by foot or by boat. 

ACCC grants interim Authorisation for Virgin Australia/United code-sharing
12 May '22

On May 12th, the Australian ACCC granted authorisation for Virgin Australia to operate a "virtual global network" of routes using partnerships with other airlines, the first of which is United Airlines, but now subsequently Qatar Airways.

Virgin Australia intends to align with other “former and new partners” to expand its reach beyond short-haul routes, to which it is limited due to its existing fleet of narrowbody aircraft. Virgin Australia ceased all long-haul international flights and ended its lease agreements for its wide-body fleet during the pandemic. It has recently restarted flights to Nadi, Fiji and is planning to resume Bali, Indonesia flights in mid-June 2022.

The codesharing arrangements with United and Qatar airlines will provide Virgin Australia access to long-haul routes to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

Qatar Airways currently operates daily flights into Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth as well as three weekly flights into Adelaide continuing into Auckland, New Zealand. The codeshare agreement will enable Qatar Airways’ passengers to travel seamlessly to 35 destinations on Virgin Australia’s extensive domestic network on a single booking. QR’s passengers will also have access to Virgin Australia’s recently relaunched short-haul international markets, including Fiji and Queenstown, New Zealand. 

United Airlines is flying the SYD - LAX and SYD - SFO routes and is keen to return to the Sydney - Houston (IAH) sector later this year. It recently confirmed the restart of its Melbourne (MEL) - San Francisco (SFO) flights from June 5, making it the only US carrier flying direct Mebourne to the US. 

UA60 will take 15 hours and 45 minutes to make its way down to Melbourne, while the return flight UA61 will take 14 and a half hours to fly back to San Francisco. United is eyeing resuming the MEL - LAX flights later this year. United's 787-9 Dreamliner will operate the Melbourne flights, which for the 48 passengers in business class will have the latest United lie-flat Polaris seats, which considerably reduce the pain of long-haul flying.

Virgin Australia confirms start date for United Airlines partnership
10 May '22

Further to the announcement made on December 14th, Virgin Australia today confirmed that its new strategic frequent flyer and codeshare partnership with United Airlines will commence in two weeks on Tuesday 24 May 2022.

Velocity members will be able to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits, and eligible members will receive tier benefits when travelling with United. Reward Seat availability is another significant benefit of the partnership, as members will be able to use Velocity Points to redeem seats on United’s vast domestic and international network.

United offer the most flights between Australia and North America out of all US-based carriers. The partnership with United will triple Virgin Australia's network reach into the Americas, which means that Velocity members (and other Virgin Australia customers) will have access to new destinations when flying from Australia to the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America.

Virgin Australia's surprise partnership with Qatar Airways | Velocity members easy access to Q-suites?
10 May '22

Virgin Australia today announced a new partnership with Qatar Airways, which will commence later this year.  More details, including a commencement date, are expected to be released soon.

Qatar Airways currently operates daily flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth as well as three weekly flights from Adelaide with one-stop connectivity from these ports to over 140 worldwide destinations, including 54 cities in Europe.

Once the partnership starts, Virgin Velocity members will be able to earn Points and Status Credits whenever flying Qatar Airways. Eligible members will receive their status benefits such as lounge access, higher checked baggage allowances and priority boarding.

Reward Seat availability will be another benefit of this new partnership, as Velocity members will be able to use their Velocity Points to book Economy, Business and First Class seats, including Qatar’s renowned Q-Suite (available on select flights).

This could prove very attractive to Australians, by combining the ease of earning Velocity points and using them for Q-suite bookings (depending on the awards table, when released).
For others, Avios earned on Qatar flights (or transferred from BA and Iberia, which also use Avios as their rewards currency), could be redeemed for connections using short-haul or domestic Virgin Australia flights.

Qatar joins Virgin Australia's global family of international airline partnerships, including Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and United Airlines. 

Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and United are members of Star Alliance, while Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are unaligned and have individually agreed partnerships. Qatar is the only OneWorld alliance member that has a partnership with Virgin Australia. So Virgin Austalia's Velocity could be a bridge between Star Alliance members and Qatar Airways.

Also interesting is the fact that Virgin Australia has a partnership with 2 of the 3 large Middle East airlines (Etihad and now Qatar).  Is this strategic?  - Rhetorical question...

Qantas and Qatar are both members of OneWorld, yet Qantas chooses to have a codeshare agreement with Emirates (the 3rd of the "ME3")...just saying...

Hyatt unveils new Collection of All-Inclusive, luxury properties + 5,000 bonus point offer for loyalty members
10 May '22

Further to Hyatt's 3 November 2021 announcement that it had acquired Apple Leisure and its AMR properties, Hyatt today announced it had consolidated all of its All-inclusive properties into a single, new collection.  This expands the number of collections to 4 - the others being the Timeless Collection, the Boundless Collection and the 

The Inclusive Collection consists of the 9 brands of Hyatt Ziva resorts, Hyatt Zilara resorts, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Vivid Hotels & Resorts (coming soon), Alua Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.

World of Hyatt members can now enjoy program benefits, including earning and redeeming points at more than 50 Inclusive Collection resorts in the Americas and the Caribbean. Inclusive Collection resorts in Europe are expected to begin participating in the World of Hyatt program soon.

Guests at Inclusive Collection resorts will be able to experience one-of-a kind signature programs like Endless Privileges, Unlimited-Luxury, and Unlimited-Fun with benefits at select resorts, such as no check-in or check-out times, 24-hour room service, top-shelf cocktails, gourmet a la carte dining without reservations required and endless activities throughout the day and night.

To celebrate the launch, World of Hyatt members can register by August 15, 2022 to earn 5,000 Bonus Points for qualifying stays of three or more consecutive eligible nights at participating Inclusive Collection resorts in the Americas between May 15 and September 15, 2022*. Terms & Conditions apply. To learn more visit hyatt.com/5000

To learn more about the luxury all-inclusive brands joining World of Hyatt, and how guests and members can start earning and redeeming points at participating resorts in these luxury all-inclusive brands, visit hyatt.com/newbrands.

Accor bolsters its All-Inclusive offer - new collection
5 May '22

Accor today announced that it is accelerating its expansion in the all-inclusive market with the launch of its multi-branded All-Inclusive Collection – an expanded offering that builds upon the success and experience in the luxury-all-inclusive market gained over 20+ years under the Rixos brand (predominantly in Turkey, the Middle East and Central Asia).

Accor created the All-Inclusive Collection using not only Rixos properties, but by including its luxury and premium brands with Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Swissôtel and Mövenpick in the Collection. International expansion of the all-inclusive business will be centered in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean.

The Collection will initially focus on the further expansion of Rixos’ footprint to 50 properties in the network and pipeline and will scale and diversify as part of a longer term multi-branded strategy of having over 100 all-inclusive resorts in the next five years.

Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha and Rixos Qetaifan Doha—which includes one of the world’s largest waterparks—will both open in time for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Swissôtel Sharm el Sheikh will open later this year as the first non-Rixos branded property in the All-Inclusive Collection; it will have 1,350 rooms, a water park, multiple dining, beach club and entertainment facilities.

The All-Inclusive Collection  will include new openings of Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha and the Rixos Qetaifan Doha, which includes one of the world’s largest waterparks. Both these resorts will open in time for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Also opening later in 2022 will be the first non-Rixos branded property in the collection - the Swissôtel Sharm el Sheikh.

Carefully curated entertainment programmes, for both day and evening activities, will play a central role, with spectacular shows and multiple sporting activities per resort accompanied by world-class spa and wellness facilities. This will be complemented by a breadth of restaurant, bar, beach club and nightlife concepts that will be inspired and led by Carte Blanched, with each venue providing diverse and culturally relevant cuisines and culinary experiences. 

Since the pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in demand for travel to All-inclusive resorts.Accor and Hyatt are 2 of the groups well-positioned to respond to this trend.

To learn more abour Accor's brands and loyalty program... Read More…

Qantas confirms ultra-long haul flights from 2025
2 May '22

Qantas confirmed that an order for 12 new aircraft (Airbus) will enable it to operate the world's longest flights, linking Australia's east-coast cities to both London and New York commencing late-2025.

This means that any city in the world will be just one flight away from Australia.

The ageing domestic fleet of Boeing 737's will also be replaced by Airbus AA321XLR's and A220's from late 2023.

2022 Forbes Travel Guides Award Winners
27 Apr '22

Forbes Travel Guides (FTG) this week revealed its annual Star Awards for luxury Hotels, Restaurants and Spas globally, with 2022 featuring 323 Five-Star hotels – up 40 properties from the year prior, partly due to the expansion into new markets, including the Canary Islands, Ibiza and Malta. 

There were also:
*  558 Four-Star properties
*  401 Recommended hotels
*  74 Five-Star restaurants
*  112 Four-Star eateries
*  67 Recommended restaurants; as well as
*  102 Five-Star and 193 Four-Star spas worldwide.

Of the rated spas, 3 Australian ones were highly rated  -  Crown Spa Melbourne, Crown Spa Perth and The Darling Spa in Sydney (all rated as 4-Star).
Macau had the highest number of Five-Star spas with 14, followed by Hong Kong, Las Vegas and Los Cabos – all with 5. The Bulgari Spa Dubai and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Doha were the Middle East’s first 5-Star spas.

Australia was represented in the 2022 Star Awards with a dozen properties:
*  Sydney - The Darling (5-star), The Langham Sydney and Park Hyatt Sydney (both 4-Star) and InterContinental Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney and Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour (Recommended)
*  Melbourne - Crown Towers Melbourne (5-star), Park Hyatt Melbourne (4-Star) and Grand Hyatt Melbourne and The Langham Melbourne (both Recommended)
*  Perth - COMO The Treasury (4-Star).

London claimed the title of the city with the most hotels rated 5-Star, with 21 top-rated hotels, including the new additions of Pan Pacific London and The Prince Akatoki London. The UK capital was followed by Macau (17 listings), Paris (13), New York (11) and Tokyo (9).

New 5-Star rated hotels in Europe
*  Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, where you can unwind in the four-story spa and feast in celebrity chef Dani García’s Andalusian brasserie Dani
*  BLESS Hotel Madrid, whose recently renovated contemporary interiors take cues from the neighborhood’s 19th-century aristocratic homes. The BLESS brand also claimed its first Five-Star award for its Ibiza property, with destination dining at decorated chef Martín Berasategui’s Etxeko;
*  Berlin’s Hotel de Rome, a Rocco Forte Hotel, an Italian Renaissance-style landmark set among Bebelplatz’s grand buildings;
*  the Netherlands’ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, a string of six connected 17th- and 18th-century palaces along the Herengracht Canal
*  Malta’s Iniala Harbour House, a boutique gem with 23 eclectic, stylish rooms;
*  Greece’s Katikies Mykonos, a white-washed refuge with sparkling water views; and
*  Zurich’s Dolder Grand, which lives up to its name with panoramic vistas of the city, lake and Alps from its hilltop perch

Our congratulations to all the winners ! Read More…

My Millennium adds Prestige
19 Apr '22

My Millennium, the loyalty program of Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) today announced that it launched an Elite Tier of membership - "Prestige".

Previously there was a single level of membership.  Now, after 10 nights in a year, a member attains Prestige status, which opens up additional benefits such as a 50% higher points-earning rate applied to room rates, complimentary room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out.

Food and beverage spending did not earn points. Now all members earn points on incidental spending at the rate of 4 points per USD 1.00

Other benefits of My Millennium remain intact for all members including:
* exclusive member rates
* double points for every 10 nights you stay
* 3X Points & 20% off dining for stays during the month of your birthday.
* turn Points into complimentary nights
* ability to combine Points & payment to book stays.

MHR has approximately 130 properties across 77 locations.  It is a smaller program, but offers good value if the locations suit you.

For more details see our updated My Millennium guide.

Melbourne to host 2026 Commonwealth Games
13 Apr '22

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be hosted in the Australian state of Victoria in March 2026.

The sporting extravaganza will take place across multiple cities and regional hubs, including Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat (each about 60 - 90 minutes drive from Melbourne.

The Opening Ceremony will be staged at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (pictured) that seats approx 100,000 people. This was the stadium built for the 1959 Summer Olympic Games and is located walking distance from the CBD, with public transport also serving it.

There will be plenty to see around Melbourne.  Plenty to do too after the events, as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival both run from March through April.

Accommodation at current properties will be booked quickly.  Thankfully there are new properties due to open in/near the CBD prior to then, including :
*  Hotel Indigo (4* by IHG)
*  Courtyard West Melbourne (4* by Marriott)
*  Melbourne Four Seasons (5*),
*  Shangri-La Melbourne (5*) and the
*  Hilton Melbourne Square (5*).

Waldorf Astoria to debut in Australia
8 Apr '22

Set to open early in 2025, Australia's first Waldorf Astoria (Hilton’s ultra-luxury hotel brand) property will be located at One Circular Quay in Sydney.

The prime location will offer sweeping views across the harbour from Sydney Harbour Bridge around to the Sydney Opera House. The location is within short walking distance of the Rocks area, the Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, the Museum of Contemporary Art and up-market fashion and retail.

Peacock Alley, a signature space for Waldorf Astoria properties around the world, will serve as a central gathering place and gastronomes will be please to know that there will be two original restaurant concepts, as well as a rooftop bar featuring uninterrupted views of the stunning Sydney Harbour.

Waldorf Astoria Sydney will participate in the loyalty program - Hilton Honors.  If redemptions are at a reasonable level, this will be a stunning use of those hard-earned points.

Accor expands Australian footprint with new deal
3 Apr '22

Salter Brothers has announced that its portfolio of hotels, acquired as part of the recent Travelodge acquisition, will be joining the global hotel giant Accor at the start of the 2023 financial year.

The management agreement, which includes an industry-leading link to ESG outcomes, will see its hotels (2000+ rooms) rebranded to (budget brand) ibis Styles, Mercure and Novotel (mid-range) hotels when they join the 340+ Accor network of hotels, apartments and resorts across Australia.

The deal is Accor’s largest integration since its $1.2 billion acquisition of Mantra Group in 2018, which brought the Art Series, Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree brands under Accor.

Nine of the properties will become Mercure hotels, growing Mercure from 44 properties in Australia to 53, making Mercure the largest and fastest growing global mid-scale brand in Australia with more than 50 hotels.

Both Accor and Slater believe that the Australian travel market is starting to show very promising signs of recovery and the deal signals their confidence in the return of corporate travel.

We anticipate that all the properties will participate in the loyalty program, Accor Live Limitless.

Virgin Australia permanently slashes premium class fares + limited time boost to status earning
31 Mar '22

On Thursday March 31st, Virgin Australia announced that it has permanently slashed its domestic business class fares by up to 60% across Australia which is expected to prompt a premium class fare war.

Importantly, Virgin Australia insists that its business class will continue to include all of the usual amenities including lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, higher checked baggage allowances, priority overhead luggage, in-flight entertainment, plated meals and Australian beer, wine and spirits, plus priority baggage delivery. So no cost-cutting from reduced benefits, genuine savings.

To promote the initiative and reward Velocity members, they will also earn 45 per cent more status credits on eligible Virgin Australia business class flights for travel by June 30, 2022, as part of an extended loyalty promotion.

Virgin Australia has also made significant reductions to fares on its short-haul international network with business class fares from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to Bali, Fiji and Queenstown currently available to book for travel later in 2022 with fares on these routes 30% to 50% per cent lower than pre-COVID.

Australia seems to be 6 - 12 months behind the US in terms of recovery in travel, where travel bookings have surged, especially for luxury and bucket-list travel.  

Perhaps Virgin Australia is anticipating the same here for 2H2022.

If they are right, now may be the time to lock in flights and accommodation to ensure you get the trip you have dreampt about...

Our associated travel agency Rewarding Travel would be delighted to assist you.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet expanding
19 Mar '22

Following on from the news of 2 March about the launch of RCYC's first yacht Evrima (pictured), the company confirmed yesterday that it has recently placed orders for superyacht twins, Ilma and Luminara, which will sail in 2024 and 2025 respectively. 

Compared to the Evrima, the new superyachts are both substantially larger (228 suites compared to 149 on Evrima) and have enhanced sustainability, including a move to dual-fuel engines utilising liquified natural gas (LNG) as their main fuel source.

The new superyachts will feature itineraries ranging from seven to 10 nights in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.