Marriott enthused by New Caledonia collaboration

New Caledonia is enjoying a wave of popularity with tourists from Australia - and a new hotel expansion program is set to boost that appeal.

The Series by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, this week announced its debut in New Caledonia in collaboration with Societe Hoteliere de Noumea (SHN). 

SHN's three flagship Le Domaine du Pacifique resort properties in Noumea, the Isle of Pines and Deva will join the Series by Marriott portfolio, aimed at showcasing the consistency of Marriott’s global standards. 

The three resorts each showcase an element of New Caledonia’s natural beauty, from lagoons and pristine beaches to forest reserves, "offering cultural richness with art, cuisine, heritage and tradition reflective of the authentic blend of Oceanian, French, and Asian influences within New Caledonian society". 

"Series by Marriott is a regionally created, globally connected collection brand that celebrates the individuality of destinations through authentic local experiences and trusted hospitality standards," said Cristiano Rinaldi, regional Chief Lodging Product & Services Officer for Marriott International. 

"The addition of these three distinctive resorts in New Caledonia is a significant milestone for the brand's growth in the Pacific."

Jason Nuell, regional vice president for Marriott International, was similarly enthused. 

"We are delighted to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Societe Hoteliere de Noumea and

introduce Series by Marriott to New Caledonia," he said. 

"Through this collaboration, guests will be able to enjoy memorable local experiences with modern design and warm hospitality, alongside the trusted consistency and Marriott Bonvoy member benefits they know from Marriott across the globe."

For further details visit the website here.

Mountain High: Ardour Lilianfels unveils new spa offerings

One of Australia’s newest contemporary spa brands has landed in the Blue Mountains with Ardour Lilianfels unveiling a contemporary luxury day spa and wellness offering - Èliva Blue Mountains.

The new spa features "soft, contemporary interiors" across four treatment rooms, a recovery lounge with vibroacoustic bed (never tried one of them), traditional saunas, steam rooms and mineral pools. 

The space offers a selection of holistic, full-body treatments across the brand’s three core pillars":  Rest, Recovery and Invigorate.

Treatments include advanced body therapies, "high-performance facials and innovative recovery rituals, combining the latest evidence-based practices and advanced technology", with products including those from Hungarian luxury skincare house, Omorovicza.

A range of botanical oils including avocado, macadamia, grapeseed and apricot will be on offer for guests to infuse with Èliva’s own essential oil blend featuring kunzea, cedarwood, blue cypress, juniper berry and lime, which are reportedly inspired by the Blue Mountains region, west of Sydney.

“The launch of Èliva brings something completely fresh to the Blue Mountains region," says Èliva Blue Mountains Spa manager Trudi Zurlinden. 

"It will move away from the traditional spa approach to offer a holistic, whole-body experience that is truly connected to each individual guest’s needs.

“Our goal is to create a space where guests can deeply relax and restore their energy by approaching wellness as a complete ecosystem– one that matches the peaceful nature of the Blue Mountains region.”

Èliva’s arrival marks a milestone in the estate’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment by Salter Brothers Hospitality. 

Èliva Blue Mountains is now open Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm and Friday-Sunday 9am- 6pm.

See https://www.worldsapart.club/ardour/lilianfels/wellness

Discover a Japanese cocktail experience overlooking Darling Harbour

How about a slick venue where you can sip on exotic cocktails and enjoy Japanese-inspired snacks while watching boats traverse Darling Harbour and a parade of planes coming in to land at Sydney Airport?

Zephyr Sky Bar, on the 12th floor of Sydney's busy Hyatt Regency Hotel, could be your "go to".

In addition to its usual offerings, this winter Zephyr is partnering with Japanese distilling legends House of Suntory for a limited-time takeover celebrating Japanese craftsmanship, flavour and hospitality.

Available until September, Suntory Time at Zephyr Sky Bar is transforming the award-winning rooftop venue with an exclusive menu of Japanese-inspired cocktails and paired bites overlooking the waterfront.



The seasonal collaboration showcases House of Suntory's iconic Japanese spirits across a bespoke cocktail list featuring bright, seasonal flavours including yuzu, kaffir lime, lemongrass, mango, and passionfruit.

To complement the drinks there is a limited-edition menu of Wagyu tataki, octopus takoyaki and rather delicious pan-seared gyoza.

I'm more a savoury guy but the sweet and fruity Celestial Sip cocktail rather took my fancy. This is a blend of Suntory Yamazaki distillers reserve, kaffir lime, lemongrass, yuzu, pineapple, passionfruit and foam.

I'd enjoyed two before my wife instructed me to stop.



Before leaving ,however, I did give in to my inner whisky voice, sampling a neat shot of Suntory Hakushiu 120-year-old whisky, which would have set me back $55 was I not being hosted. 

Peaty/minty flavours combined for major palate impact.

There is doof doof and dramatic live electric violin performances every Friday to complete the experience, creating one of Sydney's most elevated winter destinations against a beautiful backdrop.

Zephyr Sky Bar, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 161 Sussex St, Sydney. 

# The writer was hosted by Zephyr Sky Bar 

Tasmanian family businesses combine to craft unique spirit

Two family owned Tasmanian drinks businesses have collaborated to create a limited-release spirit.

Invercarron Wines and Derwent Distillery have partnered to craft a Late Harvest Pinot Noir Gin.

Located just 12km apart as the crow flies, both producers call the foothills of Mount Dromedary home.

Derwent Distillery’s Robbie Gilligan said the mountain's cool climate and distinctive weather patterns play an important role in shaping the quality and character of both the Invercarron vines and the botanicals used in Derwent Distillery's award-winning spirits.

“The collaboration was inspired by a simple idea: create something exceptional while ensuring nothing goes to waste,” Gilligan told a Destination Southern Tasmania launch.

“Our team spent a couple of days hand-picking pinot noir grapes that mechanical harvesters were unable to reach, fruit growing close to vine posts or too low to the ground.

"Rather than being left behind, these grapes were given a second life.”

Invercarron’s Andrew Jones said the collaboration gave a new destination for grapes that would otherwise have remained to wither on the vine.

“It reflects the shared commitment of both Derwent businesses to quality, sustainability and making the most of every harvest,” he said.

“The fruit had remained on the vine until May, allowing an extended ripening period that intensified both flavour and colour. “rom approximately 120 kilograms of hand-picked grapes, each bunch was carefully sorted, with only the darkest, ripest fruit selected for the final spirit.”

Gilligan said the grapes were then married with a specially developed gin recipe.

“The resulting gin offers aromas of raspberry, ripe strawberry and red cherry, balanced with delicate floral notes of violet," he said.

"Traditional juniper, bright citrus and carefully selected botanicals provide structure and complexity, creating a gin that is both elegant and unmistakably Tasmanian.”

The small-batch release cost $75 for 500ml. 

See https://www.derwentdistillery.com.au/ and https://www.invercarronwines.com.au/

Check out a new series of Sydney wine and food experiences

Looking for some fun wine and food experiences in Sydney?

In the suburb of Willoughby, The Bridgeview Hotel is next month launching Bridgey & Barrel, a new monthly dining series celebrating wines, the story behind each bottle, and food.

To be held every second Thursday in the hotel's classic Dining Room, each event will be hosted by a different winemaker, winery ambassador or industry expert for $89 per person.

The series kicks off on Thursday, September 10, with wine family legends Tyrrell's Wines from Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley.

Guests will enjoy a guided tasting, complemented by a three-course menu from chef Rob Phillips.

The experience continues on October with Clarity Cru Wine Merchants showcasing Mudgee producer First Ridge, known for outstanding Italian varietals, before Audrey Wilkinson takes over on November 12, highlighting the its Hunter Valley drops.

Closing out the year, Clonakilla, one of Australia's leading cool-climate labels, will take the floor on December 10. The Bridgeview Hotel, 580 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby, NSW 2068

Bookings for September are now open HERE

AI bot can help you book the right hotel room

Sick of hearing about AI?

Join the club.

But digital travel platform Agoda has just introduced the Room Grid Bot, an AI-powered chat assistant designed to help travellers decide which room to book.

Available in the Agoda mobile app, the new tool recommends rooms suited to their specific needs.

Agoda says it offers travellers a wide selection of room options when booking a hotel, with room types and offers varying by occupancy, cancellation terms, meal inclusions, and price.

The Room Grid Bot addresses this by using travellers' current search details and the preferences they share in the conversation to recommend the most relevant options.

These recommendations appear directly within the chat, helping travellers narrow down their choices without needing to compare every listing manually.

Bookers can access the bot from the room-selection page after tapping "Select room" on a hotel's property page in the Agoda app. 

They can start a conversation by tapping the "Need help choosing a room? Let AI help you" banner without leaving the room-selection page.

Travellers can ask the bot to find options with specific inclusions, such as free breakfast, or to answer relevant property questions, such as check-in times. The Bot also highlights a "Best pick," helping them identify a suitable room based on their preferences more easily.

Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer at Agoda, said: "Choosing a hotel is only part of the booking decision. Travelers also need to find the right room for their trip, which can be challenging when many options are available.

"The Room Grid Bot helps narrow down those choices based on what travellers want and need, making it easier to identify and book the room that best suits their trip."

The launch builds on Agoda's growing suite of AI-powered tools across the hotel booking journey. The Property AMA (Ask Me Anything) Bot answers accommodation-specific questions - "can I have a room with balcony?" as travellers check out a property, while the Booking Form Bot addresses common questions during checkout.

* Agoda is owned by Booking Holdings, which is listed in the UN Database of businesses profiting from illegal Israeli settlements.