Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts does its bit for the less fortunate

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is among my favourite hospitality brands; its hotels have a relaxed charm across the board. 

Mövenpick this week launched its 11th year of Kilo of Kindness, inviting guests, staff and local communities to come together through simple acts of generosity that can make a meaningful difference.

Running until November 27, this year's global activation will see 90+ Mövenpick hotels partner with local charities to collect the essential goods most needed by their communities, from non-perishable food and school supplies to clothing and personal care items.

Since its launch in 2015, Kilo of Kindness has grown from one simple idea - that even a small contribution can make a difference. 

Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer for Accor Pacific, says: “For more than a decade, Kilo of Kindness has demonstrated the incredible impact our hotels, Heartists (hotel staff) and guests can have when they come together with a shared purpose. 

"Across the Pacific, we see first hand the difference these acts of kindness make in the communities where we live and work. Whether it's donating essential items, volunteering time or supporting local causes, every contribution helps create meaningful change and reflects the spirit of hospitality at the heart of Accor.”

Across the Pacific, all four Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts will take part in this year's global activation, working with local charity partners to respond to the needs of their individual communities.

In Australia, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart will partner with the Hobart Women's Shelter for the fourth consecutive year, collecting non-perishable food, clean clothing, toys and everyday essentials for women and children escaping family violence and homelessness. 

Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer will continue its partnership with DV Collective, while in New Zealand, Mövenpick Hotel Auckland will partner with Auckland City Mission and Mövenpick Hotel Wellington will once again partner with Wellington City Mission. 

The 2026 activation will also encompass World Kindness Day on November 13. 

How to get involved: Visit Movenpick.com to find a participating Mövenpick hotel.

Accor launches a new hotel brand in Alice Springs

It is increasingly hard to keep up with the growing number of hotel brands.

greet, billed as Accor's feel-good brand, has just launched in Australia for the first time with the opening of greet Hotel Alice Springs.

The brand, launched in 2019 in Beaune, in France, is billed as "bringing its fresh, down-to-earth and great-value hospitality concept" to one of Australia's most distinctive regional destinations.

It is touted as an "eco-conscious, economy brand" that was created for travellers who want comfort, personality and value without overpaying or overthinking.

greet hotels are said to focus on meaningful essentials done right: "a comfortable bed, a great shower, tasty food and beverage, reliable wifi and warm, genuine hospitality".

Located just steps from Todd Mall, greet Hotel Alice Springs is an 80-room hotel owith rooms offering tea and coffee-making facilities, free guest parking and an outdoor swimming pool.

The hotel also features relaxed communal spaces.

“greet is all about simple, feel-good travel. It is big on personality, low on fuss and designed around the things guests truly value: comfort, cleanliness, friendliness and great value,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“greet Hotel Alice Springs captures that spirit perfectly. It is relaxed, welcoming and locally connected, with everything guests need for a straight forward and satisfying stay in the heart of Alice Springs."

To celebrate its opening, greet Hotel Alice Springs is offering an opening special of 15% off the best flexible rate for bookings made by September 30 for stays until January 31, 2027. Room rates start from $99* per night. Bookings are available via ALL.com.

Accor to have three new hotels in Hamilton, New Zealand

Accor, the largest hospitality group in New Zealand, is going all in on the city of Hamilton.

The group has announced the signing of two new Mantra hotels in the fast-growing regional centre.

To be developed by Hamilton-based developers Sanjil Mistry and Pienaar Piso from Mistry Centre Ltd., the two new-build hotels are expected to open in 2027.

Together, they will add 92 rooms to the city inventory, with Mantra Hamilton Pembroke Street (render above) set to offer 52 rooms and Mantra Hamilton Karewa Place set to offer 40 rooms.

The signings build on Accor's existing relationship with Mistry Centre, which is also developing the upcoming Pullman Hamilton, a landmark conversion hotel project in the heart of the city.

The addition of two Mantra hotels will complement Pullman Hamilton by broadening Accor's offering across multiple segments and guest needs, from premium city stays to flexible studio and apartment-style accommodation.

Hamilton is New Zealand's fourth-largest city and a key gateway to the wider Waikato region.

“Mantra is one of the most trusted and recognised hotel brands in the Pacific, and these signings represent an exciting step in its continued expansion across New Zealand,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“Hamilton is a city with strong momentum, growing visitor demand and an increasingly diverse travel market. By introducing two new Mantra hotels alongside the future Pullman Hamilton, we are creating a stronger, more complete accommodation offering for the city, while deepening our valued partnership with Mistry Centre.”

A new hotel destination in St Kilda

If Kings Cross/Potts Point is your "go to" zone in Sydney and you like to stay in Fortitude Valley when in Brisbane then St Kilda might be your preferred place to lay your head in Melbourne.

Accor has announced a new chapter for the Saint Kilda Beach Hotel in the edgy beach suburb, which is currently undergoing a revamp led by owner ERDI, ahead of its reopening as Novotel St Kilda in October.

The transformation will see 80 re-designed guest rooms debut, "featuring a contemporary coastal palette to create calming spaces that support restorative sleep and everyday balance".

The hotel will feature a new conference and events facility for up to 140 guests, alongside a co-working space. Aa reimagined internal garden atrium will introduce natural light.

A new culinary destination, Urban Kitchen & Bar - St Kilda, is currently in development. The venue will seat up to 120 guests and include several private dining spaces.

ERDI has committed financial support to several local charities, including Sacred Heart Mission, The Mirabel Foundation, and St Kilda Mums.

“The transformation of this landmark property into Novotel St Kilda reflects the continued strength of Accor's network across the Pacific and our confidence in the Melbourne market,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“Novotel is a globally recognised brand that continues to evolve in step with the needs of today's travellers."

Novotel St Kilda has an opening offer from $299 per night. To book, visit novotelstkilda.com.au

Melbourne welcomes a new international hotel

Melbourne has a new international hotel with the opening of Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street on the edge of the CBD. 

Developed by Spacious Group with a $90 million investment, the 195-room property is being billed as the largest purpose-built hotel development to open in Melbourne CBD this year and the first new-build Mercure in the city centre in over a decade.

The 18-storey hotel features interiors designed by Sora Interiors and a hotel tower created by LiFE Architecture houses six suites, a restaurant and bar, and a gym. 

The lobby's aesthetic draws from the site's history as a tinsmith factory, most notably in an abstract artwork depicting tin offcuts that once would've littered the floors. 

The property' is a six-minute walk to Southern Cross Station, eight minutes to Marvel Stadium, and a 12-minute walk to Queen Victoria Market. 

“We're in a unique pocket of the city and are fortunate to have great separation between ourselves and other tall buildings on all sides,” said hotel GM Justin Phillips. “So no matter where you stay in the hotel, you've got great views, whether it's towards Docklands, back towards Flagstaff Gardens or views of the CBD and out towards North Melbourne.”

Guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows while select suites open onto private outdoor terraces. The décor in the rooms was inspired by the nearby gardens "with spring-inspired tones and nature-led hues layered through greens, blush pinks and soft neutrals".

The hotel teams share curated neighbourhood recommendations, from a gin masterclass at Little Lon Distilling Co, rooftop movie night at Brewmanity Beer Co or dinner on The Q Train. 

On level six, the lift doors open to reveal the hotel's restaurant and bar, Foundry, which is open to guests and the public. 

The bar spills onto an outdoor terrace that is likely to be a popular spot for after-work drinks. 

“The sun sets behind Docklands, and during golden hour, the buildings are illuminated and the water sparkles,” said Phillips. “It's just a very nice place to be at that time of day.”

The hotel is an Accor property. 

“The opening of Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street is a hugely exciting moment for Accor and for Melbourne's tourism offering,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region. 

“The hotel brings a bold new expression of our Mercure brand to the heart of the city, thoughtfully designed for how today's travellers live, work and explore.”

With over 1,000 hotels in more than 70 countries, Mercure is the largest midscale hotel network outside the United States.