Hobart gets a new whisky hotspot in time for Dark Mofo

Just in time for the Dark Mofo winter festival, Lark Distillery has launched a new whisky hot spot.

The Still - Lark's flagship whisky and cocktail bar - has been reimagined as GOTHAM at The Still.

Lark suits say the tasting room and lounge will retain its atmosphere, service, and exceptional spirits but as GOTHAM will have a "darker pulse".

Launching this week with a new food and cocktail menu, GOTHAM will showcase an "ultra high-performance sound system" from local acoustic designers Pitt & Giblin and a moody new ambience.

“GOTHAM is our invitation to locals and visitors alike to gather, pour something wicked, and stay under the spell," says Lark head of hospitality Dan Knight.

"It’s still Tasmanian at its core, and still driven by the Lark spirits that we love, injected with a mood and mischief that Hobart has been waiting for."

In keeping with GOTHAM’s distinctive new personality, chef Benjamin Co-Pavier’s menu is reminiscent of New York cocktail bars, featuring plates of shucked-to-order local oysters from Tasmanian Oyster Co., fried chicken, Robbins Island wagyu skewers, and a classic cheeseburger.

GOTHAM at The Still will host a number of regular events, including gin blending, live jazz every Wednesday evening (5:30-8:30pm), and a Happy Hour with a Lark twist.

GOTHAM at The Still at 30 Argyle Street, Hobart. Open Wednesday-Thursday, 3pm-late and Friday-Sunday, 1pm-late.

Tauranga gets its first international hotel brand

Tauranga, the fifth-biggest city in New Zealand and heartbeat of the Bay of Plenty, has never had an international hotel. Until this week. 

New Zealand's largest hotel operator, Accor, has just opened Mercure Tauranga, marking the global giant's arrival in the region. 

Formerly Hotel Armitage and Conference Centre - located in the heart of Tauranga's CBD - the 80-room hotel has been refurbed and rebranded as a Mercure after a multi-million-dollar project. 

Accor's New Zealand portfolio now comprises 49 hotels. 

Adrian Williams, Accor's Chief Operating Officer in the Pacific region,  said the opening reflects strong confidence in Tauranga and its evolution as a key regional hub.

“Tauranga has been a focus for us for some time," he said. "Tourism earnings rose by 5% last summer, underscoring the Bay of Plenty's strong fundamentals and increasingly important role in New Zealand's tourism and business landscape..

“As the first internationally branded hotel in the city, Mercure Tauranga represents a significant milestone for the local industry. It allows us to bring global standards, distribution and loyalty to the market, while supporting the continued evolution of Tauranga as a compelling destination for both domestic and international travellers.”

The latest Accor addition comes as the Bay of Plenty rebuilds momentum following recent weather events, including Cyclone Vainu. 

The refurb has including upgrades to guest rooms, public areas, and food and beverage spaces," accor says in its media release.  Further enhancements, including conference facilities and recreational amenities, are planned for later. 

Accor's New Zealand portfolio spans key gateway cities and leisure destinations including Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Lake Tekapo, with 17 brands currently in operation across the country. 

See https://all.accor.com/hotel/C636/index.en.shtml

Adina to expand into Hobart

Go-ahead hotel group TFE will debut its first Adina hotel in Tasmania later this year with the opening of Adina Hobart. 

The new 48-key Adina Hobart will be located within the same mixed-use development as the 142-key Vibe Hobart and will feature a collection of studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments with the ability to interconnect into three-bedroom spaces.

Known for contemporary design, spacious living, and flexible apartment accommodation, Adina’s continued growth across Australia and beyond reflects the strength of a brand that understands modern travellers, says TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer Chris Sedgwick.

“As we expand our global footprint, we’re seeing increasing demand for apartment style hotels that offer the space, flexibility, and contemporary design that Adina does so well," Seddwick says.

"With every new opening, whether here at home or in key international cities, Adina anchors our premium offering and showcases the best of Australian hospitality on the world stage.”

The new Hobart property will provide extra rooms in a Tasmanian market that desperately needs extra room space. Tasmania’s capital is experiencing the highest visitor numbers on record, with 1.36 million visitors welcomed in 2025.

Adina Hobart is expected to welcome guests in the second half of this year.

Adina guests will have full access to the Vibe on-site amenities including Belvedere restaurant and bar, conferencing facilities, pool and gym.

“With Adina Hobart, we wanted to craft a hotel that feels intrinsically connected to Tasmania," said developer Richard Doedens.

"As such, the palette, the textures, and the organic forms all draw from the quiet beauty of the eucalypt forests that define so much of the state’s landscape.

“Our design approach also focuses on warmth and comfort, while still delivering the sophistication expected of an Adina. And, by anchoring the interiors in natural materials and rounded, calming shapes, we’ve created a place that feels both grounded and elevated.”

Old meets new at a hip new Shanghai address

Shanghai is one of the most fascinating cities; Hyatt's Andaz is one of the hippest hotel brands.

Put the two together and you have Andaz Shanghai ITC, which opened this week.

Located in the heart of Shanghai's heritage district, the new hotel is part of one of the city's newest landmarks, the soaring ITC Xujiahui complex.

So think spectacular views from upper levels and a design that drew on the theme of nostalgia, referencing numerous iconic Shanghai sights, tastes, sounds and smells.

The Xujiahui district has a storied past and was at the forefront of development when Shanghai opened up to the outside world.

Motifs of the city's past, and present, can be found in the luxe rooms, restaurants, the rooftop bar and the open, neighbourhood-style corridors.

There are 267 rooms and suites offering floor-to-ceiling views.

There is a variety of accommodation options, many offering outdoor terraces, Nespresso coffee makers, Byredo Eleventh Hour amenities, made for Andaz.

Three culinary options are The Rooftop Bar; The West Wing, a European/Shanghainese deli and wine bar and he East Wing (above) with daytime buffets and classic Shanghainese dishes in the evening.

There are also opening offers for World of Hyatt members valid for stays from February 10 to May 2.

I've added it to my "to visit" list. It joins the brand's Asian debut property: Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai, in the city.

For more information, or to book a reservation, you can visit the Website.

Urban winery experience opens in Melbourne

Talented winemaker Rory Lane, who makes wines using fruit from several different regions on Victoria, has just opened a new urban winery and tasting room in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin.

Lane's The Story Wines, a five-star Halliday-rated producer. has unveiled a new home - an innovative urban location in a district that is a fast emerging hub of breweries, distilleries and craft makers.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, the new space gives Melburnians access to premium, small-batch Victorian wines close to home.

Grapes are sourced primarily from the Grampians, Henty and other premium Victorian regions and brought directly to the urban winery, where they are made in a "hands-off"’ style in small quantities.

“I’ve dreamt of opening up a space like this for 20 years - where top-flight wines can be sampled from bottle and barrel, without the need to travel an hour or more to wine country,” says winemaker/owner Lane, who founded The Story Wines in 2004.

The Story Wines is best known for its single-vineyard syrahs (shiraz) and Rhône-inspired Victorian whites.

Visitors to the tasting room can drop in for a glass of wine and a snack, book a guided tasting experience, and tour the working winery.

“Our tasting flights level up from pet nat Prosecco, white blends and light, lunchtime reds to terroir-specific syrah comparisons and vertical tastings, and we’re hopeful that the locals will embrace it and want to learn more - or just drop in for a glass on a Friday arvo,” Lane says.

Snacks on offer include classic cheese and charcuterie plates from local farmers and fresh crusty loaves from nearby bakers. Lane also plans to run food truck events and open up the space for functions.

“Wine for us has always been about sharing stories,” he says. “We change our Grampians Syrah label every year to reflect the story of that vintage, and we have connected with the Melbourne writers’ scene by running short story competitions and sponsoring literary events, but with the tasting room open we finally have a place to share stories face to face.”

The Story Wines is at 47 Alex Avenue, Moorabbin, for tastings, tours and bottle sales from 11am-6pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11-7 on Friday and Saturday and 11-6 Sundays.

For more info and bookings visit www.thestory.com.au.

Mövenpick goes large with new 1,530-room hotel

If you enjoy your hotels small and cosy then you've come to the wrong place. 

 
Global hotel giant Accor has just unveiled the world's largest Mövenpick brand hotel with the signing of Manila Bay Westside in partnership with Megaworld, the Philippines' largest township developer. 

The new Mövenpick hotel will have 1,530 rooms, marking a significant milestone in Accor's growth strategy in Asia. It is a re-branding of the Grand Westside. 

The revamp of the hotel will feature a sky bridge connecting it to the Westside City integrated casino and entertainment complex and the Grand Opera House.

Swiss-born, Mövenpick has evolved into a global brand "meeting the rising demand for high-quality, experience-driven hospitality among discerning travellers".

The hotel will be located within Megaworld's Westside City Township Development in Parañaque, a quarter offering a mix of retail, entertainment, business, and leisure attractions.

To re-open in mid-2026, Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside will offer a range of dining experiences including a specialty Filipino restaurant, an international all-day dining venue, and a signature bar. 

Guests will also be also enjoy Mövenpick's iconic Chocolate Hour, an immersive, complimentary experience offered every afternoon.

The hotel will offer modern, flexible meeting and event spaces. 

“Across Asia, we continue to grow sustainably by collaborating closely with our partners and ensuring we bring the right brand to the right market," says Andrew Langdon, Chief Development Officer, Asia, for Accor. 

"This reflects our owner-centric approach, our adaptability, and the strength of ALL Accor in amplifying the visibility of our premium brands." 

Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said: “The opening of the world's largest Mövenpick is a powerful testament to our group's efforts to scale our world-class offerings and meet the demands of the broader international market. 

"It reflects our commitment to building the right facilities, empowering local talent, and reinforcing our readiness to welcome the rest of the world. 

"This partnership reflects our shared belief that the Philippines is ready to stand as a distinct global destination. As we rebrand Grand Westside Hotel into the world's largest Mövenpick, we continue to generate more jobs, help drive stronger tourism activity, and open doors for communities to grow alongside this development.”

The opening of Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside will see Accor become the largest international hotel operator in the Philippines with 13 hotels and more than 4,700 keys across eight brands. 

New Melbourne hotel promises "best of both worlds"

If you want to stay close to Melbourne CBD - but not in the centre - then a new hotel opening might be of interest. 

Radisson Hotel Group has just debuted the Park Inn by Radisson Melbourne Carlton.

The city-fringe hotel sits adjacent to next Princes Park, opposite the Carlton AFL Club’s grounds, and is only 4 kilometers from Melbourne’s CBD.

The hotel features 89 rooms with views of Princes Park and the hotel’s outdoor pool. 

The interiors reflect Park Inn by Radisson's upbeat design ethos, creating a space where guests can relax and recharge. Families and small groups can enjoy the convenience of connecting rooms to stay together.

The new hotel is minutes from Lygon Street, Melbourne’s original Little Italy, with its many cafes, trattorias, pizza joints and gelato bars. 

Melbourne Zoo is a short 10-minute walk, with leading medical institutions, including the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, are within one kilometre.

The location is connected to tram routes, the University of Melbourne and city attractions. 

“We’re proud to introduce Park Inn by Radisson to Australia from a spot that feels authentically Melbourne," says GM Kathy Zha. 

"Our guests get the best of both worlds, the city’s energy within minutes and the calm of Princes Park right outside. 

"Whether here for meetings, medical visits, game day, or a weekend on Lygon Street, we’ll keep things easy, comfortable, and uplifting for guests.”

The outdoor swimming pool is now available and a new wellness hub is in development featuring an infrared and steam sauna, as well as a cold plunge experience.

The hotel runs up to 80% solar-powered energy, uses high-efficiency showerheads and taps. It features drought-tolerant native landscaping that needs minimal irrigation.

A multilingual team, speaking more than 10 languages, caters for international visitors. 

Hoi An to get a new resort with a different spin

I probably get more press releases about new hotel properties in Vietnam than anywhere else in Asia. 

And many of these have recently included new hotels in the delightful city of Hoi An, which I fear may soon become a victim of over-tourism if local authorities are not careful. 

The latest newcomer will be Namia River Retreat which is set to open in Hoi An before the end of this year. 

Namia River Retreat is billed as "a quintessential Hoi An experience not to be missed" 

With a focus on cultural journeys and wellness-inclusive therapies inspired by Vietnamese herbology at the Lumina Spa, it sounds like it will offer a cerebral experience. 

Highlights will include private pool villas, hyper-local Hoi An dining experiences, and stunning pools in landscapes overlooking the Thu Bon river. I'll be staying tuned. 

Sizzling flavours from Asia land in Perth

One of the most pleasant gourmet surprises of 2022 was the excellent pan-Asian food at Miss Mi in Melbourne's Movenpick Hotel.

Now Miss Mi has opened its doors in Perth at a laneway location at the Novotel Perth Murray Street (follow the illuminated wall mural).

Miss Mi's menu is a mix of dishes influenced by the cultures, cuisines and aromatics from across South-East Asia, which doesn't always work but was a huge hit in Melbourne.

Guests can choose from flavours from Bangkok to Borneo and the man entrusted with emulating the success of the Melbourne venue is Filipino chef Alex de Leon, who has previously cooked at Perth eateries Apple Daily, Low Key Chow House and Dainty Dowager.

Miss Mi Perth will focus on Asian grill styles: charred, caramelised, smoked and scorched.

The menu will range from street snacks to larger share-style dishes including grilled octopus with cucumber, mint and lassi, and lamb shoulder rendang with, toasted coconut with chilli, as well as Szechuan glazed lamb ribs with pickled red cabbage and garlic crumb on smoking paperbark.

The menu differs from the Melbourne eatery but shares some dishes, including kinilaw, the raw fish salad from the Philippines. 

“Showcasing the unique ingredients, dishes and complex flavours of Asia is at the heart of the Miss Mi philosophy," says de Leon.

"We want to evoke memories of your trips to Asia. We make all our sauces, spices, curries, and sambals in-house. We pair them with the best produce from local suppliers to bring these bold, vibrant dishes to Perth diners.”

 
The drinks list features a range of Asian-accented cocktails, while the mural at the entrance (above) is inspired by a traditional Chinese streetscape dotted with red lanterns.

Miss Mi Perth is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, 5:30pm to 10:00pm and lunch Thursday and Friday, 12:00pm to 3:00pm (closed Monday and Sunday).

See www.missmiperth.com.au