Government warns of Hong Kong dangers

Australian travellers are warned to exercise greater than usual diligence while visiting Hong Kong.

More protests are planned in the coming days, some of which are not authorised, the Australian Government's Smart Traveller website warned. It said there was "an ongoing risk of violent confrontation."

Protests may cause traffic disruptions, including to and from the international airport, the site said.

"Consider arriving at the airport well ahead of usual check-in times and be aware of extra security arrangements. Be alert, and avoid protests and demonstrations.

"f there are signs of disorder, move away quickly to a safe place. Monitor media and follow the advice of local authorities.

"The situation is very uncertain. We have not changed our advice level: we continue to advise Australians to 'exercise a high degree of caution' in Hong Kong."

Consumer advocates slam TripAdvisor

Do you believe all the hotel reviews on TripAdvisor? Leading consumer organisation Which? says you should be very wary.

TripAdvisor is failing to stop fake reviews boosting the rankings of top-rated hotels, Which? reported. 

The consumer organisation analysed almost 250,000 reviews for the 10 top-ranked hotels in 10 popular tourist destinations around the world, finding one in seven had “blatant hallmarks” of fake reviews. 

Which? reported 15 cases to TripAdvisor and claimed that the site admitted 14 of the hotels had already been caught with fake positive reviews in the last year. 

It said TripAdvisor revealed that six of these hotels had been penalised for breaking guidelines and two had previously been given a “red badge” warning for suspicious activity, but this was not made clear to travellers.

Which? said TripAdvisor had taken down hundreds of reviews following its investigation. One hotel in the Middle East, rated as the “best hotel” in Jordan, had a “hugely suspicious” pattern of reviews, Which? reported, adding that the unnamed hotel denied any wrongdoing but TripAdvisor had subsequently removed 730 of its five-star ratings.

There were several other examples provided. 

In Las Vegas, two of the 10 highest-ranked hotels received almost half (48% and 41% respectively) of their hundreds of five-star ratings from first-time reviewers who had never made any other TripAdvisor contributions before or since, raising suspicions that they could be fake, Which? said.

Which? Travel’s Naomi Leach said: “TripAdvisor’s failure to stop fake reviews and take strong action against hotels that abuse the system risks misleading millions of travellers and potentially ruining their holidays.

"Sites like TripAdvisor must do more to ensure the information on their platforms is reliable, and if they continue to fall short they should be compelled to make changes so holidaymakers are no longer at risk of being duped by a flood of fake reviews.”

A TripAdvisor spokesman said: “It is far too simplistic to assume all first-time reviewers are suspicious. Every genuine reviewer in the world is at some point a first-time reviewer. Accurate fraud detection requires analysis of a wide range of data points, such as IP information, location data or details about the device an account was using when submitting a review. This crucial data is missing from Which’s analysis."

A legendary hotel brand makes a Sydney comeback

The legendary hotel brand Sebel is back in the Sydney market. 

Australia's largest hotel operator, Accor, has announced that Quay West Suites Sydney has been re-branded to The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney, effective immediately.

Situated in Sydney's historic The Rocks precinct, The Sebel Quay West Suites offers apartment-style suites with views over The Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. 

Minutes from the ferry terminal and Overseas Passenger Terminal, the property brings back a brand that was an icon in the 1980s and 1990s with the Sebel Town House. 

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said: “It's a delight to welcome The Sebel brand back to Sydney's CBD. Many would remember The Sebel Town House, which opened its doors in Sydney over 50 years ago, and since then has become a well-established premium apartment offering, renowned for its stylish and spacious surrounds supported by exemplary, personable service that is both welcoming and knowledgeable.

“This is a strategic move for this well-known property in The Rocks, which will only be enhanced by its new brand positioning. The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney offers both the sophistication and independent flexibility that our guests expect from The Sebel brand.”

The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney joins a network of 29 internationally branded The Sebel apartment products across Australia and New Zealand. 

Guests of The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney will be able to earn points and privileges via AccorHotels' loyalty programme - Le Club AccorHotels. 

The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney is located at 98 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000.

Calling all chardonnay lovers

Leading British wine educator and writer Jancis Robinson will headline the Langton’s Chardonnay Symposium Australia 2019 to be held at the Yarra Valley Racing Centre on October 31.

The Chardonnay Symposium is about sharing the world’s best practices in growing and making chardonnay. 

The program will feature presentations from industry leaders including Vanya Cullen, James Halliday and Michael Brajkovich.

“Australian chardonnay is at a particularly perfect stage in its evolution, emaciated, technically perfect and more elegant,” Robinson said (rather pretentiously IMHO). 

The schedule will provide insights into research and development of the variety as well as predicted future trends in growing, making and consuming chardonnay. 

Wine flights tasted on the day will include leading chardonnays from Australia, New Zealand and France.

“There is a reason why chardonnay is the most widely distributed white wine grape in the world," Robinson said. "Its appeal is universal. It is supremely versatile, making potentially excellent wines both still and sparkling,” Robinson said.

Ticket-holders will have the opportunity to hear from global leaders on best practice in the
vineyard, the winery and what’s happening in the global context of chardonnay.

The Langton’s Chardonnay Symposium Dinner will follow with a four-course menu featuring the
local produce of the Yarra Valley. 

Tickets are on sale now. Participants are welcome to purchase tickets for the Symposium + dinner $650+GST, symposium only $500+GST, or dinner only $200+GST.

The full schedule is available here: www.chardonnaysymposium.com.au/program/

Seventeen days of fun, wine and food

Sydney's inner city will be home to over two weeks of fun, food and wine when the Pyrmont Festival is held for the ninth time from September 20-October 6.

The festival is partnering with Orange in Central West NSW for a series of special events showcasing outstanding cool-climate wines from the region. 

Spearheading the celebrations will be a family friendly headline event at Pirrama Park running on September 28-29 featuring wines from Orange and gourmet offerings from local artisan food producers as well as live entertainment.

“We’re very thrilled to announce our packed full program," said Pyrmont Festival director Alex Gibbs.

"In this celebration of the tight-knit relationship between city and country, the irresistible buzz of inner-city dining meets the inimitable flavours of Orange, to the backdrop of our unbeatable harbour views.”

 

Also in the spotlight will be limited-release beers from Pioneer Brewing Co and Badlands Brewery. 

Pyrmont eateries will also spotlight Orange’s winemakers with a series of special events, including wines from Orange region on show at the Pyrmont Point Hotel (September 20–October 6); and a celebration of all things biodynamic, organic and direct-trade at Bar Zini paired with Tamburlaine Organic Wines (September 21).

On 24 September, The Apprentice will welcome Sydney’s next generation of chefs serving up a dinner matched with wines from SeeSaw Wines; while the Terminus Hotel will pair with Printhie Wines for a September 29 after party. 

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Running throughout the festival will be evenings of Orange wine tasting hosted by local liquor shop Porter’s Liquor; and cooking masterclasses with Sydney Seafood School. 

For details see: www.pyrmontfestival.com.au

A delightful welcome dinner in Bolzano

After travelling through four countries today: the UAE, Germany, Austria and Italy, it was terrific to arrive in Bolzano for the Alto Adige Wine Summit.

We kicked off tonight with a casual courtyard dinner at the Hotel Laurin.

With fresh mountain air, super-efficient multi-lingual service and some spiffing food and wine we enjoyed an excellent introduction to the region.

Here are some images to whet your appetite. Enjoy!