Alternative grape varieties: the search for the next big thing in Australian wine

There is a lot more to wine in Australia than our current favourites chardonnay and shiraz.

From the warm Riverina to cool-climate Tasmania, winemakers are experimenting with unfamiliar grape varieties from countries as diverse as Italy, Austria, Spain and Georgia as they aim to produce wines with a point of difference.

So while you might not be familiar with grapes called touriga nacional, gruner veltliner and aleatico, it is worth remembering that 40 years ago chardonnay was unknown in Australia and we drank an awful lot of wine made from a dreadfully dull grape called crouchen.

Larry Jacobs with Hahndorf Hill gruner veltliner vines 

Today chardonnay is ubiquitous, along with sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, which was first planted in 1975.

Things change quickly on the wine front and new trends are constantly emerging. A decade ago few of us had heard of pinot gris/grigio, but now it is hugely fashionable. Could fellow Italian white grapes vermentino and arneis be next? Or maybe fiano?

Kym Anderson, director of the Wine Economics Centre at the University of Adelaide, says: “There is growing interest in making wine using 'alternative' varieties such as those grown in southern Europe and South America, in many instances because they are more suited to the Australian climate.

“But getting consumers to purchase wines made from varieties they are unfamiliar with can be a big risk for producers.”

Italian varieties such as sangiovese, barbera and nebbiolo are now almost mainstream, however, along with the increasingly popular Spanish red grape tempranillo and the Portuguese white variety verdelho, all succeeding as drinkers look for food-friendly, savoury alternatives to some of our vinous fruit bombs.

Coriole, from McLaren Vale, is the standard bearer for high-quality sangiovese, a Tuscan grape it first planted 25 years ago. Coriole's lead has been followed by Robin Day, former chief winemaker for Orlando, whose Domain Day vineyards at Mount Crawford feature plantings of garganega, lagrein and sagrantino, all Italian grapes, as well as saperavi, a red grape that's a native of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, where its known for its concentrated flavours.

Yalumba has pioneered the French white grape viognier, which has found favour as both a stand-alone varietal and as a blending component that softens shiraz (Canberra's Clonakilla makes a benchmark example).

Zinfandel, a grape that enjoys huge popularity in California as is also known as primitivo, has been promoted by Margaret River winery Cape Mentelle, while the Italian variety prosecco, used in sparkling wines, has been a winner for Dal Zotto Wines and other producers in Victoria's King Valley.

Otto Dal Zotto in his prosecco vineyard 

It is certainly worth taking a step out of your wine comfort zone to sample a new taste sensation – and as many of these wine with unfamiliar names are new to the market some of the prices are relatively low.

So what's the next big thing?

Gruner veltliner, a savoury dry white wine from Austria, has proved very successful for producers including Hahndorf Hill and Geoff Hardy in the Adelaide Hills and Lark Hill outside Canberra.

Petit manseng, made from a little-known white grape from the south-west of France and similar to the Spanish grape albarinho, has shown great potential in warmer parts of the country.

Vermentino is an aromatic and refreshing white grape from Liguria and the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica. It has been hugely successful in the Riverland and Riverina.

Nero d'Avola is the most popular red wine variety from Sicily, making dark, flavoursome wines. It has been grown with great success in McLaren Vale and Heathcote in Victoria.

Or maybe the German hybrid schonburger, or French light red gamay will find a niche in the market, or maybe a variety that is currently completely unknown. Wine drinkers will ultimately decide.

How one man helped change the way we dine in Australia

It was almost 30 years ago that I first became aware of a talented young chef called Tetsuya Wakuda. 

I was doing some restaurant reviews for the Daily Telegraph in Sydney and gave a glowing review to the man behind the pans at Ultimo's - a now long-closed spot where the food was an intriguing combination of French and Japanese flavours. 

Tetsuya Wakuda

I later received a hand-written letter of thanks from the chef and sometime later Tetsuya's opened in a terraced house in Rozelle, later switching to the city. 

Tetsuya is the only chef I can ever recall writing a personalised thank you note for a review; and that humble character has stayed with him as he soared to be recognised as one of the greatest chefs on the planet. 

Other, younger, chefs may now be all the rage but it was still nice to see Tets, whose empire now extends to Waku Ghin in Singapore, this week recognised by his peers throughout Asia and the world, for his lifelong contribution to the world of gastronomy.

I received a short press release noting that he has been awarded the Diners Club Lifetime Achievement award - Asia 2015 on Monday, but saw absolutely nothing in the mainstream press.

Born and raised in Japan, Tetsuya arrived in Australia in 1982 at the age of 22 with a limited knowledge of English and a small suitcase. He also brought with him an obsessive interest in food and a quiet determination to open his own restaurant.

He started work as a kitchen hand at Fishwives before falling under the influence of the great Tony Bilson at Kinselas. It was here that Tetsuya learned the classical French techniques that  formed his now renowned style of cooking - blending the purity of his native Japanese food culture with the techniques and style of classic French cuisine.

"My aim was only ever to get a good job doing what I loved," he explains. "I never had a grand master plan and I am quite humbled by this award. 

"Like most chefs I only ever wanted to cook my own food, in my own way and I am thankful that people continue to enjoy that. Everyone in this industry knows that no one chef stands alone and I have been very lucky to have always had such a great team of people working with me."

 

Tetsuya's Sydney Mark II

Tetsuya's has now been open for close on 27 years, an eternity in the Sydney restaurant business. In 2006, the chef was honoured as the first sake ambassador outside of Japan, and in 2013 was acknowledged by the Japanese Government and awarded the esteemed ‘Japan’s Master of Cuisine’ title - the first ever internationally-based chef to do so. 

The chef’s great love affair with Tasmania resulted in a formal role bestowed in 2003 as International Food and Beverage Ambassador. In addition to his ambassadorial role Tetsuya has personally financed and supported small producers on the island state, creating new businesses in the food and beverage sector. He also actively supports local Tasmanian artists and craftsmen.

And he remains as humble as ever. 

A couple of years ago, on an icy Tasmanian morning on the banks on the Huon River, the superstar chef  threw a party for several hundred people who turned up on the first day of winter for the launch of his “fishing boat”.

Tetsuya realised a long-held dream when his $800,000 motor cruiser was officially christened Belle – and hit the water at Franklin for the first time but he delighted the locals by organising breakfast for them to mark the occasion. 

The chef invited everyone from TV presenter Ray Martin to local school children to join in the festivities; laying on a jazz band from the Hobart Conservatorium of Music, free coffee and scones for all-comers. 

You would be hard pressed to relate that this is the same man who has won a plethora of awards and has featured as a regular in San Pellegrino's Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards since the list’s inception in 2002. 

Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands 

Since 2010 much of his attention has been devoted to Waku Ghin, which he opened in The Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore and is currently rated in the top 10 restaurants in Asia. 

Everyone loves Tets and is is great to see him gain this global award. Today, young chefs that have gone through his kitchen, and front of house staff that have delivered to his exacting standards, populate some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world.

But it hasn't all been plain sailing. Along the way, his marriage broke up, he has no children despite loving them, and he freely admits his work is his life and his work colleagues are his family.

"I've made a life," he said in a long interview with me back in 2009. "I almost have to pinch my cheek to believe what happened but the restaurant is my family. I still love the kitchen; love cooking. It would be nice to be with someone again but it's crazy hours that I work. 

"To be honest, I think it's amazing that other people find time to be a father, a chef and a restaurateur. I may not have family here but I have people I can call family - some very dear friends - so I am very fortunate. My staff are my family, too, and I love seeing them grow."

The very lovely, extremely luxurious Villa Sungai

There are some people who visit Bali for the nightlife, the cheap beer and the beaches. And then there are others who visit for a sumptuous lifestyle they can adopt for a week or two, the local culture and the delicious food. 

Room to relax

If you fit into the second category rather than the first, let me introduce you to the lovely Villa Sungai, a multiple award-winning property tucked away in the rainforest decked hills of Cepaka, just a 30-minute drive from the bustling beaches of Seminyak and Legian. 

Villa Sungai overlooks a local river, is just a short walk to rice paddies and you can hear the local roosters going about their business, as well as the village pigs and abundant bird-life.

It's like living with the locals, except most Cepaka residents do not have their own (rather large) team of staff on call 24 hours a days, do not have unique access to a beautiful 18-metre infinity pool, massive days beds, Bose sound systems and maxi bars.   

Villa Sungai is over the top in terms of luxury, but in the most tasteful way possible. It is an exclusive-use Australian-owned property, where every guest is made to feel like a king.

After being pampered and coseted by the extremely friendly staff here, staying in a hotel just doesn't pass muster, although all the comfort does come at a price.

First up, Villa Sungai offers a VIP airport arrival service (although the immigration queue at the execrable Ngurah Rai Airport cannot be avoided).The airport butler meets guests as they enter the arrivals hall, helps them with their visa on arrival and luggage and delivers them to the villa car, avoiding the maddening crowds.

The car has cold towels, cold drinks and snacks to fortify you for the drive. Upon arrival you are met by around eight or nine of the staff, who work on shifts around the clock to make sure your every whim is catered for. Like your unpacking done for you? Certainly. Like a refreshing drink, or a cold towel? Here it is. Another one? Right away. 

The staff are headed by Made, part manager/part concierge who can arrange any activities you request, any foods and drinks you require. He is charming, friendly and ultra-efficient. Every home should have one. 

VillaSungai offers three poolside king suites and four en-suite bathrooms, one with an al fresco showers and a bath that was strewn with flower petals for our arrival. Five-star furnishings in Balinese style meet Provencal chic. There's a private couples massages suite and several gorgeous nooks and crannies for reading or listening to music. 

The villa has space for up to six adults and children are welcome. Adjacent but completely private, is a second smaller but equally gob-smacking villa, Sungai Gold. The villas can be rented as a pair for groups of up to a dozen. 

The chauffeured 7-guest air-conditioned vehicle is included in the tariff (and ready to depart at any time). Breakfast and first night canapés are provided free of charge while meals are charged at cost of ingredients only (visit the market with your chef in the morning to see what looks good). Laundry is complimentary; as are all-day Nespresso coffees and TWG teas, while the bar is provided at wholesale prices. Fast wifi is available, resort-quality massages cost just $US30 for 60 minutes, and rooms are serviced twice daily, or more regularly should you require it. 

There is an excellent selection of TV channels, and a massive choice of movies in your pavilion - and for golfers the Greg Norman-designed Nirwana course is just 15-20 minutes' drive from the villa. 

As we were staying for just three nights rather than the usual seven night minimum, we spent virtually all of our time on-site, loving the luxury. While the staff are there should you need them, and extremely hospitable, they do not intrude. Staying here is like having your own personal lodge.

And what of the food, which is served whenever you want to eat? 

It is better than at most of the upmarket restaurants on the island and served with real care and attention by the delightful Putu and Iluh; among the dining choices are western and Asian specialities.

Think hors d'oeuvres/appetisers like lamb spring rolls with hoisin dipping sauce, chicken satays with peanut sauce, Thai lon with prawns, lime and cashew blue-eye cod rolls with Chinese black vinegar dipping sauce or Thai fish cakes. 

Main courses range from whole baby snapper steamed with Balinese spices, fried sweet pork belly with green mango and chilli palm sugar dressing, Nonya pork satay with tangy pineapple and peanut sauce and braised beef rendang.

The food is seriously fabulous 

For the less adventurous there are burgers, steak sandwiches and spaghetti bolognaise, while desserts may feature Balinese banana fritters with coconut ice-cream or sticky black rice with coconut cream, ginger syrup and banana. 

It's your call. Wayan and the other chefs will make dishes to your instructions, including spice levels. 

It is disturbingly easy to get used to local Bintang beers by the pool, or the delicious signature cocktails: vodka, lime juice, and palm sugar with kaffir lime and lemongrass infusions and topped with soda. 

The wine list, very reasonably priced in a country with very high alcohol taxes includes the local Hatten label and names like Alexis Lichine, Louis Latour, Guigal, Zonin, Domaine Chandon, Wynn's Coonawarra Estate, Cape Mentelle, Astrobale and Drylands, among others.

On warm days (every day, in fact), lime, mint and ginger beer mocktails worked their magic. This is the perfect spot for a small wedding, family get-together or a week doing absolutely nothing.

For details and prices email info@bali-villasungai.com or go to www.bali-villasungai.com. 

# The writer and his wife were guests of Villa Sungai and travelled with assistance from Air Asia. www.airasia.com.     

Sir Don Bradman, fine Australian art and Henschke Hill of Grace

The Henschke family do not do things by halves. When they unveil a wine, particularly a new release of Australia's iconic single-vineyard shiraz, they do things in style. 

So, for the launch of the 2010 Hill of Grace, how about an invitation to Adelaide Oval for a behind the scenes tour, a tasting of several new releases; a look at the 2010 Hill of Grace alongside the 2002 and 2005 releases, and then lunch in the new Hill of Grace restaurant overlooking the famous pitch?

First stop, the Bradman Collection; a purpose-built museum honouring the greatest batsman in the history of cricket, Sir Don Bradman, and a chance to browse a priceless collection of memorabilia dating from 1927 to 1977, including rare footage and bats used by the great man. 

Next stop the Sheffield Shield Room, which pays homage to South Australia's long cricketing history and a glass of Johanne Ida Selma MD Blanc de Noir from the Adelaide Hills, before a chance to check out the historic old scoreboard, which is still operated by hand, along with a venerable Henschke 1987 Rhine Riesling.

Next up, a tasting of several new and recent releases, including the 2010 Hill of Grace, which will now sell for $699 a bottle. This is a wine of remarkable intensity from a great vintage, destined to be rated with the greatest Hill of Graces. Think ripeness, concentration, balance and a tribute to a remarkable vineyard. 

This is a wise wine, one that is comfortable in its skin even in its youth. 

Other stars across the range included the 2014 Coralinga Sauvignon Blanc ($20), a splendid 2014 Archer's Chardonnay ($30), the 2013 Giles Pinot Noir (a big step up on previous incarnations, $50), the new 2012 Rose Grower (an impressive blend of nebbiolo and barbera, $55), and a sneak peek at the 2014 Johann's Garden ($45), a vibrant blend of grenache, mataro and shiraz with delicious intensity. 

Since 2009, launched last year with a poem by Rupert McCall, each new release Hill of Grace will be matched to an artwork; this year a triptych of old vines by leading Barossa artist Rod Schubert, a distant relation of Grange creator Max Schubert. 

It was unveiled to much applause and a replica of the triptych "A Year Graced By Radiance" will be included in each timber gift box of 2010 Henschke Hill of Grace. which will be released in May. 

The wine is certain to be in huge demand. As was the case in 2000 and 2003, there will be no 2011 Hill of Grace - the wine is only made in fine vintages.    

Then followed lunch at the spectacularly sited Hill of Grace restaurant; an amuse bouche with 2014 Green's Hill Riesling; Inasal duck, mushrooms and pork liver sauce with 2012 Keyneton Euphonium, Suffolk lamb with bunya nut puree, again matched with generous pours of the 2010 Hill of Grace, and a tres leche cake with cumquat marmalade paired with 2013 Noble Rot Semillon. 

It was a quite splendid affair, as you'd expect from the Henschkes, wine royalty who have been making wine since Johann Christian Henschke planted a small vineyard on his diverse farming property at Keyneton, high above the Barossa Valley, back in 1862.

He was one of many Silesians who had fled their European homeland in search of religious freedom, and initially made wine to be enjoyed by his family and friends.

He would be very pleasantly surprised, no doubt, to learn that today the Henschke name is known around the world with the family's flagship Hill of Grace one of the most acclaimed single-vineyard releases, and hugely sought-after by collectors.

Christian Henschke's first commercial release was in 1868, setting the wheels in motion for greater things to come.

Each generation has helped build the business, still owned and operated by the family. Fourth-generation vigneron Cyril Henschke pioneered varietal and single-vineyard wines at a time when blended wines and fortifieds were in vogue.

His greatest legacy was the creation of Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone in the 1950s, shiraz wines from Eden Valley that have captured the wine world’s imagination.

The Eden Valley, Mount Edelstone, Hill of Grace and Lenswood vineyards are all managed by viticulturist Prue Henschke using biodynamic and organic principles.

Prue works alongside her winemaker husband Stephen and in 2006 the couple made the decision to go fully organic, including the use of some biodynamic practices. Sustainability is their watchword.

The famous Hill of Grace vineyard contains some vines that are over 120 years old, while Mount Edelstone was planted in 1912. 

With each sip of wine you are enjoying a slice of family history. 

# The writer was a guest of Henschke Wines.

A little slice of Las Vegas in the African bush

It’s home to major golf tournaments, world title fights, major rock concerts and four massive hotels. Sun City is South Africa’s Las Vegas, but with more wildlife and better service.

The Palace of the Lost City, the centrepoint of the complex, is regarded as one of the finest hotels in all Africa. It is where the golfers, rock stars and big-name fighters stay, along with the high rollers and international tourists lured by the ridiculously low prices in South Africa.

These days, 20 years after the end of apartheid, everyone wants to play Sun City with its vibrant multiracial venues, two world-class golf courses and enough entertainment options to keep an insomniac busy for a fortnight.

While Sun City used to be best known for its casino, nowadays it pitches itself as an African-themed luxury resort with something for every member of the family. The Palace hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World group and boasts several top-notch eateries, two of them introduced over the past 12 months.

The Plume is a small and chic restaurant serving French-influenced cuisine with an African edge; think dishes like Cape crayfish, crisp pancetta and bisque; Springbok carpaccio, smoky biltong-spiced sirloin with cabernet-pickled onions or maybe a Rooibos tea crème brulee.

Then there is the Grill Room; a steakhouse offering a bewildering range of cuts, sides and sauces, along with a salt and pepper menu featuring no fewer than 10 different salts and a range of peppers. The truly hungry can tackle the 750-gram “Tomahawk” steak.

The Palace Pool Deck serves gourmet burgers, pizzas and sandwiches next to the Olympic-sized pool, which is one of several in the grounds. These grounds also encompass the Cascades, Cabanas and Sun City Casino hotels, along with mini shopping malls, gaming rooms and cinema/restaurant complexes.

A note for food lovers: the buffet breakfasts at the Crystal Court restaurant within the Palace are quite probably the best I have ever enjoyed. In addition to this there is entertainment from a tuxedo-clad pianist at a grand piano once played by Liberace.

There are over 260 items to choose from so it pays to make breakfast your main meal of the day before heading out for a round or a game drive. You could perhaps return afterwards for a sumptuous high tea.

Right on the fringe of the Pilanesberg National Park, one of the largest in the country, the fantastical Palace is ridiculously over the top in terms of design – but somehow it works, drawing in South Africans of every hue. And the prices for food and wine, and most activities, are around a third of what you would expect to pay at a resort of a similar standard in Australia.

At The Palace you’ll discover larger-than-life elephant carvings, ornate bell towers, elaborate frescoes and luxury suites transformed into private mini casinos for high rollers.

Despite its remoteness The Palace hotel would fit very comfortably into a Las Vegas milleu. Transfers are available from Johannesburg and OR Tambo Airport for those who would prefer not to drive.

No expense has been spared. The painting on the ceiling of the hotel entrance chamber was created in the same way as Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel in Rome and took nearly 5,000 hours to complete.

The six elephants tusks, arching in pairs over the Tusk Lounge and Bar, are 5.6 metres high, weigh two tons, and were made in four pieces out of Indonesian square wood, which is heavier than ivory.

In a "homeland" unrecognised by any other country than apartheid South Africa, Sun City controversially hosted gambling and topless revues in its youth. 

With the demise of apartheid and Bophuthatswana’s inclusion in the “new” South Africa, it has now become a major international drawcard.

Guests who have stayed in the eye-popping Palace include Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Steven Spielberg, Richard Branson, Neil Armstrong, Robert de Niro and Nelson Mandela.

Everything is ridiculously opulent, from the external towers to the lavish lobby. There are 335 rooms and suites rooms, each with an African theme, 24-hour in-room dining and extravagant bathrooms.

Activities on offer year round include balloon safaris over the national park (if the weather permits), game drives or swimming at an artificial beach with its own wave machine.

Other leisure options include one of Africa’s largest mazes; where you can be rewarded on completion with a tasting tray of 10 craft beers, quad bike adventures through the bush, Segway tours, zip-lining, archery, clay pigeon shooting, parasailing, jet skiing, a cultural village where you can learn about the various African tribes and their customs, and even a replica of a township shebeen (makeshift bar). There is a water theme park, beautiful botanic gardens and a crocodile farm.

A kid’s camp offers qualified childcare for when parents want some time alone, or a chance to explore the wildlife drives.

The Pilanesberg National Park is the fourth largest in the country; a melting pot of different terrains in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is home to virtually every mammal of southern Africa and is also home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo – Africa’s Big Five. A wide variety of rare and common species are to be found, including the nocturnal brown hyena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile.

On one late afternoon game drive we saw a very rare leopard close up, both black and white rhinos, hippos in and out of the water and no fewer than 19 elephants, including some very young ones.

Another day, three young lions nonchalantly crossed the track just in front of our Land Rover, bringing us so much excitement.

Afterwards, it was back to the Palace for daiquiris at the Tusk Bar prior to a browsing through a wine list that includes all the South African benchmarks like Meerlust Rubicon and Hamilton-Russell Chardonnay.

THE FACTS

The Palace of the Lost City is part of Sun International’s Sunlux Collection, which links world-class hotels in Africa’s Golden Triangle, including Cape Town and Victoria Falls, on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border.

The hotels featured are The Table Bay on the waterfront in Cape Town with rooms offering spectacular views of the harbour and Table Mountain, excellent restaurants and top-notch service; the Royal Livingstone, an elegant colonial style hotel with views of the Zambesi River and personal butlers; and The Maslow Hotel, a high-tech hotel in the upmarket Sandton district of Johannesburg close to shopping and all the city’s attractions.

For full details and bookings visit www.suninternational.com.

South African Airways (SAA) has linked with code share partner Virgin Australia to offer return fares from major Australian airports to Johannesburg starting from $1413 return, including taxes, for advance purchases. Return business class fares including taxes start from $4633.

SAA operates to 40 destinations worldwide with daily direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg with connections from all major Australian cities. In its domestic market SAA has an extensive schedule operating 556 flights in total per week between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.

For more information and reservations call 1300 435 972 

# A different version of this story originally appeared in Ciao Magazine  

Affordable luxury - an impressive new hotel option in Legian

It usually takes a brand new hotel several months to get into its stride.

There are staff to be trained, procedures to be developed and wrinkles to be ironed out. 

Which means that a hotel that only opened in December should still be very much on its training wheels.

It is a testimony, then, to the team at the new Mercure Bali Legian, that just about everything works so well. 

There is still a fourth-floor swimming pool and bar to be completed and finishing touches are still being applied to some rooms. Oh and the restaurant staff need to learn to seat screaming children away from couples (there is plenty of space). 

Some new fans for the restaurant might also be nice - and the choice of TV channels is disappointing (easily fixed). 

But the plus points far outweigh the minuses. The beds are comfortable, there is fast and efficient free wifi, a great pool and uniformly smiling staff who cannot do enough for guests. That friendliness alone sets the property apart.

The location is central for shopping and clubbing and just a 300-meter walk from Legian beach. For me the property over-delivers for a Mercure, delivering quality more like a Grand Mercure or M Gallery experience.

And the price is right: at around $80 per night including taxes (although more if you want a spiffy room with its own private plunge pool - see image below). 

The eco-friendly Mercure is set back from the quiet end of Legian beach, but in the heart of the boutiques, markets, restaurants, bars and warungs that make the area so popular. 

The hotel features natural timber finishes, open-air terraces, an infinity pool deck and bar on the fourth floor and that large leafy pool area outside Ancak restaurant. 

It has an impressive water feature in the lobby, a fitness centre, kids club, spa and complimentary computers in a quiet area for those needing to do business. Each room has international power sockets, air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities and in-room safe. 

The buffet breakfasts here are particularly good, too, making the hotel as good for children as it is for partygoers.

Mercure Bali Legian, Jl. Legian No. 328, Legian Kelod, Bali 80361, Indonesia. +62 361 9386100. 
www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-8450-mercure-bali-legian/index.shtml 

# The author was a guest of Accor Hotels and travelled with assistance from AirAsia