Airbnb tells hosts to ease up on their demands

Remember how some Airbnb hosts used to demand that guests did a deep clean before they checked out? 

No more. 

Airbnb this week updated its global house rules policy to ban hosts from forcing guests to complete heavy check-out chores and ordered them to reduce surprise requests.

The company told hosts that starting November 20, they can choose from seven standard house rules and are “generally not allowed” to ask guests to wash dishes, strip beds, or take out the garbage, travel newsletter Skift reported.

Hosts who repeatedly violate the policy could face a notice on the listing, lower visibility in search results, or “other actions under our terms of service,” the policy says. Those can include cancelling bookings, removing Superhost or Guest Favorite status, or suspending the host’s account.

Hosts may still ask guests to place used dishes in the sink, put rubbish in designated indoor or animal-proof bins, and lock up. 

Reasonable requests/standard rules can include check-in/check-out times, quiet hours, pet restrictions, smoking rules, and guest limits. And local considerations like limiting shower time due to water restrictions may still apply. 

Guests are still expected to leave properties in a reasonable, tidy condition without excessive mess, stains, or damage.

New Hobart apartment hotel draws inspiration from the Tasmanian wilderness

Hobart has a new apartment hotel that draws its inspiration from the Tasmanian wilderness. 

 
Dotted across the new Adina Hobart are images taken by Elliot Doedens, a young photographer whose parents own the hotel, and who guests just might find behind the reception desk when they check in. 

 
Doedens and his mother, Annalisa, are both photographers whose striking images set the tone at the 48-room apartment hotel on Argyle Street, which boasts a mix of studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. 

Selected rooms can also interconnect as a three-bedroom configuration, and apartments have fully equipped kitchens and separate living spaces.

Owners Richard and Annalisa Doedens worked with the design team on interiors inspired by Tasmania’s eucalypt forests. 

Elliot’s large-scale photographs capture landscapes around Mt Field, Lake St Clair and the south-west wilderness, the colours, textures, and organic forms of which are aimed to be part of the guest experience. 

Richard Doedens said the aim was to create a property grounded in its location.

“Our goal was to create a hotel that feels intrinsically connected to Tasmania," he said. "The palette, textures and organic forms all draw from the quiet beauty of the eucalypt forests that define so much of the state’s landscape.”

Set within the same mixed-use development as the 142-key Vibe Hobart, Adina guests will also have access to Belvedere restaurant and bar, conferencing facilities, a pool, and a gym.

Adina Hobart general manager Jamie Capp said apartment-style accommodation gave visitors greater freedom to experience the city and the state.

“Apartment-style stays are increasingly important to the visitor economy because they encourage extended travel and support local operators," Capp said. "With both Adina and Vibe now in Hobart, we’re offering travellers more choice, whether they’re here for business, culture, or nature.”

Adina Hobart is owned and developed by Raadas Investments Pty Ltd and operated by TFE Hotels. 

I'm hoping to stay in the next week or two, and will report back.

See www.adinahotels.com 

Flexible deal at a Perth hotel with the Subiaco vibe

 

If you like to be in the centre of the action then Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth might be right up your busy street.

Subiaco is one of Perth’s liveliest neighbourhoods and with Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth’s Perth Getaway deal offers 5% off the hotel's best available rate and includes breakfast for two.

That means the best available rate is not actually the best available rate, but from $259 a night, guests can base themselves in the heart of Italian accented Subiaco, close to the neighbourhood’s restaurants, bars, boutiques and cafés.

Central Perth just a short drive, or long walk, away.

Subiaco is named after a commune outside Rome and lies about 3km west of the Perth CBD. The area has been extensively redeveloped and gentrified over the past couple of decades.
.

The fully flexible rate is useful if your plans change.

Book by October 31 2026, for stays from November 2026 to September 2027. 

If you time your run, UnWined is returning to Subiaco from October 24-25, celebrating the best of local wine producers with over 75 stalls for guests to explore along with gourmet food vendors.

 
See https://vibehotels.com/book-accommodation/perth/hotel-subiaco-perth/#hotel-deals

Geelong hotel takes a stand for mental health

It is good to see a hotel taking action to benefit the community. 

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG has partnered with Deakin University for a project called Help Change the Future of Mental Health Research. 

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong will donate $1 per guest night over three years from October 1, contributing to a PhD scholarship at Deakin University focused on studying schizophrenia and related mental health disorders.

The contributions will fund the Franze Family PhD Scholarship in Mental Health Research, supporting an emerging researcher at Deakin IMPACT to identify and repurpose existing medicines as potential treatments for schizophrenia and related disorders.

Deakin IMPACT is one of Australia's leading mental and physical health research institutes, with more than 400 researchers developing innovative diagnostics, treatments and therapies.

Hotel general manager Kruno Velican said initiative is a way to extend the hotel's positive impact beyond guests' stays, noting that individual contributions of $1, multiplied across thousands of guest nights, could collectively fund meaningful research.

“Hotels are ultimately about people," Velican says. "We welcome people through our doors every day, look after them for a night or two, and hopefully make their lives just a little better while they are with us. 

"I kept asking myself: could we make that impact last beyond their stay? This partnership is our answer. For the next three years, every room we sell will contribute to research that may one day change someone's life. One dollar isn't a lot on its own. But one dollar, multiplied by every guest, every room and every night, becomes something powerful.

“Schizophrenia and mental health don't affect only one person. These disorders touch families, relationships, and entire communities. Behind every diagnosis is a human being, and around that person are people who love them and hope for a better future. We cannot conduct the research. We cannot discover the treatment. But we can help someone who can."

More on Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong at the hotel’s website. 

Perth gains a third Mercure hotel

Booming Perth has a new accommodation option with the opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park.

The new hotel is the third Mercure property in Western Australia.

Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is said to offer "contemporary accommodation designed for both business and leisure travellers".

It features 70 guest rooms and a spacious suite, with somet rooms boasting private balconies overlooking the Perth skyline, John Oldham Park and the Swan River, which is just a short stroll away.

The new hotel marks global hotel giant Accor's second partnership with Capital Bay Management, following the successful operation of The Sebel West Perth.

"The opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is a strong addition to our network in Western Australia," says Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

"As the third Mercure hotel in Perth, it reflects the growing appeal of the brand and our commitment to providing quality accommodation that connects guests with the unique character of each destination.”

Peow Lim, general manager at Capital Bay Management, added: "Joining the Accor family through the Mercure brand marks an important milestone for Capital Bay Management.

"With its prime position between Kings Park and the Swan River, the hotel offers guests a unique sense of space and connectivity to the Perth CBD."

Rooms start from just $235 per night, available via all.com.

New architect-designed cabins put Orange on the national design map

Orange, in the Central West of New South Wales, is one of the most enticing wine regions within striking distance of Sydney. 

Now a striking new pair of architecturally designed cabins has opened on a working cattle farm just outside Orange, offering visitors a unique off-grid retreat. 

pc3orange comprises two steel-framed cabins inspired by the simple form of a tent and the curve of a pipi shell. The retreats are the third instalment in the celebrated Permanent Camping series by Casey Brown Architecture, following earlier projects in the same Australian state: at Mudgee and Berry.

Each self-contained cabin distils the idea of a retreat down to its essentials: a bed, a deck, a fireplace, a bathroom and a place to sit and watch the world go by. 

Inside, recycled ironbark lines the walls and ceilings, custom steel benches finished in a deep "volcanic orange" duco add a sculptural touch, and circular skylights frame views of the surrounding gum trees and night sky. 

A slow-combustion wood heater with a stone hearth set into the timber floor, fully louvred bathrooms, and Japanese-inspired furniture complete the considered interiors.

Owner Andrew Kermode said the cabins were designed to give visitors a genuine sense of reconnection, both with the landscape and with each other. 

"From the moment you arrive, the soaring steel forms are the first thing you notice," Kermode said. "They sit so naturally as part of the landscape, but inside it's all warmth, timber and quiet luxury. 

"This is a part of the country that throws everything at a building: cold winters with snow heavy enough to bring down trees, hot, bushfire-prone summers, strong winds sweeping across open paddocks, and termites that make timber construction a real risk," said project manager Daniel Weber said.

"So the response had to be robust as well as beautiful. Each cabin is built entirely from steel, clad in corten so it weathers into the landscape rather than fighting it. 

"From a distance the cabins read almost like rusted tents dropped into the paddock, but up close every element has been resolved with real precision. It's a small building, but it's not a house shrunk down. It's its own considered response to this particular place, and we think it gives Orange something genuinely unique." he said.

pc3orange was shortlisted in the Small Project category of the 2026 Australian Institute of Architects awards. 

Bookings and further info at www.pc3orange.au.

Hahndorf gets a central new accommodation option

The Adelaide Hills are among Australia's most enticing wine regions and visitors will soon have a new accommodation option. 

  
Hahndorf on Main is a new boutique accommodation offering in the heart of lovely Hahndor. It is set to open next month and is part of the Best Western Signature Collection.

Located on historic Main Street, the hotel offers newly-built contemporary accommodation within easy walking distance of Hahndorf's many restaurants, cafés, galleries, artisan stores, tasting rooms and attractions.

The property features 29 rooms, including accessible accommodation, and is billed as being ideal for couples, short breaks, events and Adelaide Hills getaways.

Walking trails and local wine producers are a short drive into the hills.

The opening marks the third property owner Andrew Chapman has brought into the BWH Hotels network in the past two years, following Best Western Adelaide Airport and Best Western Port Lincoln.

Rod Munro, managing director of BWH Hotels Australasia, said the addition of Hahndorf on Main reflects the strength of the relationship built with Chapman and his growing hotel portfolio.

"Andrew has a deep understanding of the hotel market and is highly strategic in how he positions each property within his portfolio." Munro said. 

"He recognises that selecting the right brand is about more than a name above the door. It's about understanding the property's unique strengths, target guests and long-term objectives."

Chapman said the new property was a natural addition to his growing accommodation portfolio.

"Hahndorf is a unique destination with strong appeal for both leisure and business travellers, and we're pleased to be adding a new accommodation option in the heart of the town," he said.

Marriott banking on tourism demand in Malaysia and New Zealand

Hotel giant Marriott International is putting a lot of faith in the long-term tourism industries in Malaysia and New Zealand. 

Marriott has plans to add multiple properties and more than 1,600 rooms as it targets growing demand for travel across the Asia-Pacific region.

In Malaysia, property developer IOI Properties Group has signed agreements with Marriott for four new hotels totalling 888 rooms, with openings planned between 2030 and 2032, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The projects are W Langkawi (top image), Aloft by Marriott Sepang, Aloft by Marriott Johor Bahru Plentong and The Ritz-Carlton, Putrajaya. 

The deal will bring to 15 the number of hotels owned by IOI Properties that are either operating or planned to be managed by Marriott.

IOI Properties Group CEO Lee Yeow Seng said the four new agreements strengthen the company’s position as a significant hospitality owner, while Marriott Asia-Pacific President Rajeev Menon described Malaysia as an important growth market for the company.

Marriott is simultaneously expanding in New Zealand through a separate agreement with CP Group covering three hotels and 335 rooms.

The deals will introduce the Marriott Hotels brand to Rotorua and bring Autograph Collection to Auckland and Wellington for the first time. The properties are scheduled to open between 2027 and 2029.

The Rotorua Marriott Hotel will follow a conversion of the existing Arawa Park Hotel after a 12-month renovation, with an opening planned for late 2027.

In Auckland, The Official Auckland, Autograph Collection (above) will open in 2028 with 82 rooms after the conversion of a historic building on Eden Crescent. 

Fable Wellington, Autograph Collection will follow in 2029 with 118 rooms in a repurposed 1940s office building on Lambton Quay.

The New Zealand expansion builds on Marriott’s relationship with CP Group, including the previously announced St. Regis Queenstown project. Marriott currently operates JW Marriott Auckland and Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, with Sheraton Christchurch (240 rooms) and Moxy Auckland (185 rooms) also expected to open in 2027.

You need to book early for this mountain high

Australians with mountains on their mind have been urged to plan early as demand grows for one of Europe’s most popular walks.

UTracks is encouraging Australians wanting to walk the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2027 to book early, with refuge bookings opening on October 15 and French authorities moving towards new measures requiring multi-day walkers to have accommodation booked in advance.

More than 90,000 people were reported to have walked the Tour du Mont Blanc this summer, up from 75,000 in 2025, according to figures from Les Amis de l’UTMB, reported by French newspaper Le Monde.

As walking holidays continue to grow in popularity, the 170km trail through France, Italy and Switzerland has become one of Europe’s most sought-after long-distance walks, attracting walkers from around the world.

“The Tour du Mont Blanc deserves its reputation as one of Europe’s great walks," said UTracks general manager Kate Baker.

"You cross three countries on foot, stay in mountain villages and have extraordinary alpine scenery around you day after day. 

“The message for Australians considering Mont Blanc in 2027 is very simple: plan early. If you have your heart set on particular dates, especially during the most popular months, this is not a trip to leave until the last minute.”

The advice comes as authorities on the French section of the Tour du Mont Blanc develop a new management charter intended to better manage growing numbers on the trail.

Under the proposed measures, from the European spring of 2027 multi-day walkers on the French section would need to be able to show they have accommodation booked in a refuge, hotel, campsite or authorised bivouac area.

For UTracks travellers, accommodation along the route is arranged in advance as part of the itinerary, along with luggage transfers, removing two of the major logistical challenges of organising a multi-day walk independently.

Baker said the proposed changes should be viewed positively, helping to protect the trail while maintaining the experience for walkers and the communities they pass through.

“Better management of accommodation along such a popular route can help protect the environment and local communities, while giving walkers certainty about where they will be staying each night,” she said.

Hotel deals can pay big dividends

I noticed someone on social media the other day complaining about the high cost of hotel rooms in Hobart.

I was surprised because hotels in Tasmania are usually very reasonably priced compared to Sydney, Melbourne and other Australian capital cities.

The trouble was that these folk had not done their homework and were looking to book city centre accommodation over the Christmas-New Year period, peak season in Hobart.

Not only does the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race fleet arrive at this time, but the popular Taste of Summer Festival is held on the waterfront.

It is the most popular - and expensive - time of the year, by far.

If you choose a quiet period then Hobart, and other medium-sized cities like Canberra, can offer excellent value.

One of my trusted PR operatives made contact today with two deals that reflect this.

# Breakfast and a slower start at Vibe Hotel Hobart

The Hobart Escape at the central Vibe Hotel Hobart (top image) starts from from $249 per night for two guests and includes, daily breakfast for two, valued at $60, and a generous 12pm checkout.

 
Book by October 31 for stays from now to August 31, 2027, but note an $80 nightly high-season surcharge applies from October to March inclusive. Blackout dates also apply. vibehotels.com

# A capital stay at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra

Settle in for a stylish Canberra stay at the heritage-listed Hotel Kurrajong Canberra (above).

The Canberra Escapes package includes a 15% discount on accommodation, breakfast for two, 50% off parking and a 12pm checkout. The ongoing offer also includes free cancellation until 2pm one day before arrival. 

Priced from $199 for a maximum of two guests per room per night, there is no pesky minimum night stay required. Terms and conditions apply, as do blackout dates. hotelkurrajong.com.au. 

Hotel room designs get an F grade

Who designs hotel rooms?

It often feels like they have never stayed in a hotel themselves.

The last couple of hotels I’ve stayed in have had prime examples of design idiocy.

Like many folk nowadays I need easy access to a couple of power points next to the bed. 

I have a sleep apnoea machine and electronic gadgets that need charging.

In this day and age I do not expect to have to move a bedside table and dive under the bed to access them.

And what about walk-in showers? I’ve encountered a couple recently that are slippery as heck and require you to use both hands to use one of those odious “dispenser” pump packs with their often piss poor amenities. Give me a bar of soap. 

And how about providing a handle in the shower with which to avoid tumbling over, or, heaven forbid, a slip-free surface?

I could throw in impossible-to-understand lighting systems, see-in bathrooms, and shower controls that require an engineering degree just to get a comfortable water temperature and pressure.

But I’ll end with this week’s annoyance when I made the mistake of wanting a mid-evening snack.

The in-room mini bar was “on request” so I trekked down to reception, where I was charged $6.50 for the pleasure of selecting a tiny Snickers bar from a cardboard box that was thrust at me.

I can buy that same bar for $1.25 at my local supermarket.

C’mon hoteliers. Do better.

Reimagined Novotel St Kilda starts a new chapter

St Kilda has a new showpiece hotel with the opening this week by hotel owner and hospitality group ERDI of Novotel St Kilda. 

The deal extended a growing partnership with global hospitality group Accor and marks a new chapter for the landmark Fitzroy Street property, which has previously been known as the Saint Kilda Beach Hotel and Rydges St Kilda..

ERDI has played a key role in the development of Novotel St Kilda as part of the broader St Kilda Collective, a partnership between Fortis, ERDI and Ondas, supported by the City of Port Phillip. 

Novotel St Kilda joins ERDI's growing portfolio, which includes Pullman Melbourne City Centre, Novotel Geelong and Mercure Melbourne City Centre.

“This is a significant moment for ERDI and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this landmark St Kilda property,” said Ricky Jeffs, CEO and executive director of ERDI. 

“This transformation represents a significant investment in both the hotel and the future of this iconic location, and it builds on the successful partnership we have developed across our broader hotel portfolio with Accor.

“Our vision has been to completely reimagine the hotel and create an experience that feels connected to the character, energy and lifestyle of St Kilda. From the redesign of the guestrooms and public spaces through to the new restaurant and expanded events offering.” 

The hotel complex also features the launch of Urban Kitchen & Bar, a stand-alone all-day dining venue. 

“Reopening a property in a destination as iconic as St Kilda is a fantastic opportunity,” said Christos Pavlidis, general manager of Novotel St Kilda. “With the strength of the Accor brand and the vision and support of ERDI behind us, we have a great opportunity to create something really special.”

Novotel St Kilda features 80 completely redesigned rooms and suites. Rooms include 75-inch televisions with Foxtel, Nespresso machines, local minibar products and bathtubs in select rooms, alongside 24-hour reception, self-check-in, secure parking and a light-filled internal garden atrium.

Novotel St Kilda is offering 25% off bookings, starting from just $224 a night with bookings available via novotel.com. 

New identity for Moreton Bay retreat

 

All change at Moreton Bay, the popular waterfront area just a short drive from downtown Brisbane.

A multi-million-dollar transformation of the former Mercure Clear Mountain has seen the property re-branded as Peppers Clear Mountain by Mandala Hotels & Resorts. 

The redevelopment included guest rooms, dining and event spaces, and the surrounding grounds. 

Set across 20 hectares of bushland overlooking the Glass House Mountains, the 51-room retreat sits above the bay and joins the Peppers collection across Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. 

The Glasshouse Restaurant has two private dining rooms, including one with its own balcony, while events can cater for up to 150 guests. 

A dedicated billiard room and newly equipped gym provide additional leisure facilities for guests throughout their stay.

“The transformation of Peppers Clear Mountain marks an exciting milestone for Mandala Hotels and Resorts, Accor, and the entire Moreton Bay community," said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer for Accor in the Pacific region. 

"By elevating this iconic property into the region's only five-star hotel, we aren't just opening doors to a new hotel - we're setting a premium new benchmark for Queensland hospitality [ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games]. 

"As we look toward the arrival of the world's greatest sporting event, we are entering a golden era of growth. Tourism demand is surging, flight capacity is rising, and the energy in the market is palpable."

Gemma McCourt, Chief Operating Officer for Mandala Hotels & Resorts, said: “Peppers Clear Mountain marks a confident and deliberate investment by Mandala Hotels & Resorts into one of Queensland's most naturally compelling regions, elevating the property with a renewed focus on the experiences today's travellers seek."

Peppers Clear Mountain offers stays from $309 per night (which, to be honest, seems a little steep), including breakfast for two. To book, visit ALL.com or see https://peppersclearmountain.com.au/

A new name in the Australian accommodation business

Australia is to gain a major new player in the extended stay accommodation space with the arrival of the Staybridge Suites brand. 

Staybridge Suites is IHG Hotels & Resorts' globally established upscale extended-stay brand, which will be making its debut in Australia starting with two properties in western Sydney, in Parramatta and Leppington (top image). 

IHG has signed a Master Development Agreement with Australian property developer ALAND to launch Staybridge Suites Down Under. 

Under the agreement, ALAND will have exclusive development rights for Staybridge Suites in Australia, with a portfolio of at least 15 hotels comprising a minimum of 2,000 rooms to be developed across the country. 

The first two franchises will be the 130-room Staybridge Suites Sydney Parramatta and 112-room Staybridge Suites Sydney Leppington. The hotels will be managed by Signature Hotel Management Group.

“This is a significant long-term development agreement for IHG in Australia," says Matt Tripolone, managing director, Australasia & Pacific, for IHG. 

"Establishing a portfolio of at least 15 hotels and 2,000 rooms with one development partner gives us a clear pathway to build a meaningful position in the extended-stay segment, where we see considerable long-term opportunity.

“Importantly, this is not simply an agreement about future growth. We are announcing the first two 

Staybridge Suites has 355 open hotels and a further 152 in the pipeline globally. The vast majority are in the US and Canada. 

Designed for guests travelling for weeks or longer, the properties combine "spacious residential-style suites with the services and sense of community of a hotel".

Marriott International unveils three new New Zealand hotels

Global hotels powerhouse Marriott International is upping its interest in New Zealand. 

Marriott has signed agreements with CP Group to bring three new hotels to New Zealand by 2029, adding 335 rooms to its portfolio in New Zealand and strengthening its growing presence in the region. 

The agreement is expected to mark the country debut of flagship brand Marriott Hotels in Rotorua (above), as well as the debut of the Autograph Collection brand in Auckland and Wellington.

Building on the relationship between Marriott and CP Group, this signing follows their recently announced St. Regis Queenstown project.

As part of the agreement: Rotorua Marriott Hotel will mark Marriott International’s entry in Rotorua as part of a conversion deal of the existing Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua, following a 12-month renovation slated to be completed in 2027.

The Official Auckland, Autograph Collection, strange name that, is set to bring Marriott’s premium Autograph Collection brand to Auckland in 2028, marking the brand’s arrival in the city through the transformation of a historic building on Eden Crescent in Auckland’s central business district. 

Fable Wellington, Autograph Collection will bring the Autograph Collection brand to Wellington, anticipated to open in 2029, through the repurposing of the historic 1940s office building located on the corner of Lambton Quay and Stout Street.

Marriott currently operates only two hotels in New Zealand; JW Marriott Auckland, and Four Points by Sheraton Auckland. Two other new openings are expected in 2027, with Sheraton Christchurch and Moxy Auckland. 

“Today’s signing of three hotel deals with CP Group is a landmark advancement of Marriott  International’s strengthening relationship with one of New Zealand’s most prolific hotel investors," says Richard Crawford, vice president for hotel development for Marriott International.

"Securing another foothold in Auckland, plus inaugural hotels in the key markets of Wellington and
Rotorua, are outstanding outcomes for our strategic growth aspirations in New Zealand. 

"We are confident that our 300 million Marriott Bonvoy members will welcome more choices across the
country’s North Island and beyond.” 

Marriott International has a portfolio of brands across luxury, premium, select, midscale, extended stay, and all-inclusive, with over 10,000 properties in 148 countries and territories. 

See www.marriott.com. 

Farewell Manly Pacific, hello Elysium Manly

Elysium Manly is now open, marking the arrival in Sydney of Australian luxury hotel brand Elysium Hotels.

Formerly known as Manly Pacific, the 213-room beachfront hotel has transitioned to Elysium Manly, joining Elysium Noosa as the brand's second Australian property. 

The re-branding to Elysium follows a $40 million investment in the property, including a $30 million

refurbishment of rooms and suites by Coco Republic. 

Elysium aims to bring its "distinct expression of contemporary luxury" to one of Sydney's most iconic beachside destinations.

The hotel's new persona brings together "contemporary design, destination dining, intuitive service and integrated wellbeing", with new experiences introduced as part of the Elysium offering. 

Elysium Manly general manager Dylan Cole said the official transition marked the

culmination of several years of investment in the property, while introducing a new level of

service and experience not previously available at the hotel:

"Elysium is about looking at every part of the guest experience and asking what more we can

give, from the way we welcome people and anticipate what they might need, to the quality of the

amenities in their room and the details they encounter throughout their stay," he said. 

"We have an extraordinary location in Manly and the ambition is to create a hotel experience that genuinely lives up to it.

“There is a generosity to Elysium that goes beyond the physical hotel. 

"It’s the freedom to have breakfast brought to your suite after a sauna, knowing your favourite bottle is waiting in the wine fridge, having your dining reservations taken care of, or simply being recognised and looked after by someone who understands how you want to spend your time with us.”

Six ocean-view Wellness Suites feature private infra-red barrel saunas alongside wellness amenities and rituals, while Coastal Two-Bedroom Suites offer "generous living spaces and residential-style comfort".

The pinnacle Elysium Suite offers an elevated stay with an expansive terrace and infra-read sauna overlooking Manly Beach.

Guests can enjoy the rooftop magnesium mineral pool with Pacific Ocean views and dining across hatted Italian restaurant Cibaria, 55 North and Bistro Manly - all just an exhilarating  ferry ride away from Sydney's CBD.

See elysiumhotels.com

Moxy lands in the Japanese ski fields

If you are looking for fun hotels in which to stay without breaking the bank then the Moxy brand is a good bet. 

Moxy Niseko Village has just opened in one of Japan's premium ski resorts with the 310-room hotel offering direct ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes. 

Moxy Hotels is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio and its newest opening is located adjacent to the Niseko Village Gondola. 

"Moxy Niseko Village reflects the evolution of travel today, where guests are seeking authentic places, flexible experiences and meaningful opportunities to connect," said Cristiano Rinaldi, regional Chief Lodging Product & Services Officer for Marriott International and clearly a man who has mastered marketing jargon.

"Niseko's year-round appeal, global reputation and adventurous spirit make it a natural fit for Moxy.

"This opening brings the brand's playful social energy to one of Japan's most celebrated mountain retreats, creating a stay experience that is approachable, design-forward and deeply connected to the destination."

The hotel has three distinct dining and social venues, a 24/7 fitness centre and offers access to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling and golf. 

The opening marks Moxy Hotels' debut in Japan's alpine resort market and coincides with the launch of a new eight-person gondola from December 2026, doubling capacity and enhancing access to more than 30 kilometres of ski terrain. 

Moxy Niseko Village will be the brand’s fifth location in Japan, joining Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. 

See https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ctsox-moxy-niseko-village/overview/

Hobart's newest rooms with a view

Looking for a room with a view on the Hobart waterfront?

The former Somerset on the Pier has reopened as Citadines Elizabeth Street Pier following an expansion from 56 to 98 studios.

Set directly over Hobart’s waterfront on the pier, the refreshed property pairs contemporary studios and private balconies with harbour views and distinctly local touches - including a daily Sip & Savour hour, local experiences and a 1800-Martini service delivering cocktails straight to guests’ rooms, Tourism Tasmania reports.

The property boasts it is "steps from anywhere". My invite to the opening unfortunately failed to arrive. 

But those attractions on the doorstep include Salamanca Market, the MONA Ferry terminal, Constitution Dock’s dining precinct, the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, and the downtown shopping hub.



The blurb from owners Ascott promises modern studios and spacious guest rooms, all with balconies overlooking the water.

"Whether you’re here for culture, cuisine or adventure, Citadines Elizabeth Street Pier Hobart offers the perfect base to explore the city’s historic waterfront and the beauty of Tasmania," the website says.

For more info: https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/australia/citadines-elizabeth-street-pier-hobart

Radisson has a new focus with its latest Sydney hotel

 

Sydney is get another luxury lifestyle hotel, but this one will be in the Haymarket district, close to Central Station. 

Radisson Hotel Group this week announced the signing of Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket, a 328-room, new-build hotel set to open in 2029. 

The 31-storey hotel will be positioned in the heart of Haymarket granting easy access the Sydney Light Rail, Chinatown and Darling Harbour. 

 “The signing of Australia’s first Radisson RED marks an important milestone in our Australasia expansion plan," said Elie Younes, executive vice president and global chief development officer (whew!) for the Radisson Hotel Group. 

"Radisson RED is a distinctive brand that offers a relevant and impactful proposition to both guests and owners. We are excited to partner with Ceerose on this project and are grateful for their trust in our brands and people.”

Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket will feature those 328 rooms, a restaurant, a lobby café-bar, a pool bar, meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness centre. 

The hotel will also include a dedicated early- and late-check-out lounge for guests. 

Edward Doueihi, founder and managing director of developers Ceerose, said: “Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket has been conceived as a destination that reflects the energy and transformation taking place across this part of Sydney."

See https://www.radissonhotels.com/

Western Sydney to get major new hotel

South-western Sydney is booming with the imminent opening of the city's new international airport. 

The new Atura Oran Park hotel will tap into that when it opens 20 minutes away from Western Sydney International Airport in October. 

Oran Park is in one of Australia's fastest-growing communities and the Atura is being developed in partnership between the Perich family and EVT Hotels & Resorts, which will operate the 184-room hotel on the site of the former Oran Park Raceway.

An Italian-inspired restaurant and bar (below) will anchor the hotel's social offering, while a resort-style pool and terrace will aim to invite guests to slow down and linger. 

Oran Park is forecast to expand to more than 50,000 residents over the coming decades, while Western

Sydney International Airport will welcome millions of passengers annually.

Already established in Blacktown, Albury, Dandenong and Adelaide Airport, Atura Oran Park will mark the brand's fifth Australian location. 

Shannon Craig, Area General Manager of Atura Oran Park, said the opening represented an exciting new chapter for both the hotel and the wider region. 

“We’re opening at a time when south western Sydney is experiencing extraordinary growth and momentum, and being the closest hotel to the new Western Sydney International Airport puts us in a commanding position to support travellers in and out of Sydney,” she said.

“Together with the Perich family, we’ve designed a hotel that feels open, vibrant and full of energy, with beautiful communal spaces, generous outdoor areas and places where people naturally want to spend time. 

"The accommodation has been equally considered, with a mix of room categories catering to everything including both overnight visits and extended stays. It's contemporary and welcoming, with a design language that draws on the region's motorsport ties and the Perich family’s heritage, creating a strong sense of place and connection to the neighbourhood that sits at the very heart of Atura."

Atura Oran Park will be at 135 Podium Way, Oran Park, NSW, 2570. See aturahotels.com