New hotel brand makes its debut in Melbourne

The first of a proposed chain of Ink Hotels has opened in Melbourne's Southbank precinct. 

The new brand is part of international hospitality company Next Story Group and will be followed by another Ink in Singapore in 2021. 

The new-build property is at 167 City Road in the heart of Melbourne's waterfront hub. 

"Ink Hotels is a compelling brand that resonates with travellers with a Gen Z mindset," says Darren Edmonstone, Chief Executive Officer of Next Hotels & Resorts. 

"It is a great addition that strengthens Next Story Group's brand portfolio which will boost our expansion plans. Our differentiated brand portfolio enables us to have the right brands in the right locations and to capture key segments in our key markets, including Australia and south-east Asia." 

Edmonstone is clearly a master of business-speak/gobbledegook.

The hotel's blurb says: "Ink hotels are vibrant, playful and comfortable places to stay and hang out with locals and travellers. They are designed to host, connect and inspire a new wave of curious, plugged-in explorers who thrive on new experiences. 

"Environmentally and socially conscious, the Ink brand focuses on funky design built around a common area that is inclusive. Its service vibe is big on personality, delivered by an engaged team of hosts. Ink delivers genuine value and guests can expect excellent quality when it comes to the things that really matter."

OK. Got that. 

Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank is a 15-storey, 162-room hotel close to Melbourne's CBD and within walking distance to Melbourne Convention Centre and Southbank's restaurants, art galleries, entertainment and sporting venues.

Australian-made Metis bathroom amenities include refillable pump bottles that eliminate the need for single-use toiletries (and will probably slip from your hands when you are in the shower). 

Other sustainability efforts include sparkling and still water dispensers in public spaces to enable guests to fill up reusable bottles. Also, each cup of coffee sold goes towards training and education program organised by Streat, which supports disadvantaged youth.

Food and beverage comes from the hotel's Kitchen & Bar, with a grab and go selection available 24 hours a day. 

Here's the important bit: To celebrate the opening of Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank, guests can enjoy a special opening rate from $119 (USD$84) for bookings made between now and January 31, 2020, for stays until June 30, 2020. Bookings can be made directly on www.inkhotels.com

Meet the first restaurant in the world serving airline food

A lot of international airlines employ high-profile chefs to tweak their in-flight menus, but Air Asia is believed to be the first airline to open its own restaurant on the ground.

AirAsia in-flight meals are now available at Santan Restaurant and T&CO Cafe, which has opened at Kuala Lumpur's Mid Valley Megamall.

It is the first of up to five franchise-operated restaurants expected by the end of next year and it plans to have 100 open within three to five years.

Santan is the name of the airline's in-flight menu and the restaurant menu will include its signature dishes: Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak and Uncle Chin's Chicken Rice among others.

It also features dishes from across south-east Asia from Thailand to Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia.

"We wanted to be a lifestyle brand and not just an airline brand," Group CEO Tony Fernandes says. "We can't be a lifestyle brand without food. Our airline food has been successful and we are the first airline ever to commercialise our food."

Fernandes said a franchised Santan location will soon open in China. He also wants to bring the restaurant brand to Europe and North America in the future.

I've flown several times with AirAsia and its economy class food is excellent - if you choose the Asian menu options. 

Global recognition for sustainable practices for Australian winery

Mornington Peninsula-based family winery Crittenden Estate has received one of the world’s most significant awards recognising outstanding sustainable growing practises and wine quality.

Crittenden Estate was named as the overall “platinum” winner of the 2020 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition; first place in a high-calibre field of sustainability-minded wine producers from around the world.

The BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition is jointly run by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and FIVS, a Paris-based international federation of sustainable wine organisations.

The competition recognises wine producers taking a leading role in developing and implementing sustainable practises, while building strong connections with their communities and sharing their learnings across the wider wine sector. Entries are submitted annually from many wine-producing countries in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

As part of the award requirements, Crittenden Estate submitted its 2017 Cri de Coeur Pinot Noir to the judging panel to illustrate the results of their commitment to, and innovation in, sustainable wine growing practises.

BRIT’s president and executive director Dr. Ed Schneider praised their efforts. "the combination of sustainable programs with the family’s love of the land has produced a wine that is truly outstanding," he said.

Nine international finalists vied for the top award, with runners-up including Henschke Wines, Santa Rosa California’s Jackson Family Wines and Portugal’s Herdade dos Grous.

Since first planting vines at Dromana in 1982, the Crittendens have seldom been far from the forefront of Australian wine, helping to pioneer the Mornington Peninsula wine industry and later introducing new varieties of Italian and Spanish origin to Australian palates.

The past decade have seen Crittenden Estate embrace new ways of caring for their soil, including the abandonment of all chemicals in favour of a program of inter row cropping of peas and oats and a 12-month composting regime that has led to significant improvements in soil health.

Other recent projects include the introduction of bees for the pollination of desirable fruiting trees, reducing greenhouse emissions as well as energy costs by 60% with the installation of solar panels, and water reclamation reuse through the property’s water treatment plant.

“As a family business we are focused on taking positive actions today to create a more sustainable platform for our vines to continue providing the fruit that we, and hopefully future family generations, can turn in to exemplary wine for years to come,” Rollo Crittenden, right, said.

“To win such a prestigious international award, particularly given the calibre of our fellow entrants is humbling; We are truly passionate about our sustainability and committed to regenerative programmes. There is no doubt these efforts are contributing to an increase in the quality of our wines, which is really rewarding. We will continue to push harder with our land care and wine advances for future generations.”

For more details see www.crittendenwines.com.au

New wine experiences recognised at Feathertop

The Boynton family's Feathertop winery in the Alpine Valleys region of Victoria is the latest winery to join the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collection. 

Feathertop Winery is located in Porepunkah and boasts boutique accommodation, a charming cellar door, a variety of wine tastings and experiences as well as on-site dining options. 

At the cellar door, visitors can explore the Feathertop Providore, which features a selection of locally cured meats, Milawa Cheeses, Mt Buffalo Olives Olive Oil, dukkah and quince paste; pumpkin seed loaf, dips, pestos, olives, Harrietville Trout Farm smoked products, terrines, antipasti and more.

Boutique accommodation is available on site for couples in the Mt Buffalo View Apartment or for groups in the Peggy Adelaide Suite.

Kate Shilling, Executive Officer of UWEA says: “Victoria's wine industry is going from strength to strength and the quality of tourism experience available across the state continues to draw visitors. We are so pleased to add to our collection with such a fabulous winery in this emerging region.”

Among the experiences on offer at Feathertop:

Behind the Wines & Vines: A privately hosted behind the scenes vineyard and winery discovery tour. The tour begins from a special vantage point in the vineyard where guests will be introduced to the varietal mix, the vineyard philosophy and operations happening on the day. The expert host will explain the wine crushing operations, winemaking philosophy, and offer for tasting some tank samples when available. The tour concludes with a wine tasting of current-release wines.

Pedal & Picnic in the Vines: A self-guided tour of the vineyard sees guests welcomed by a Feathertop team member who will share some of the owner's favourite picnic spot locations. Guests are free to wander or cycle around the vineyard as "vineyard service angels" get to work setting up a secluded picnic. A ready-made hamper is then delivered with wine and some vineyard insight and secrets.

The UWEA group now comprises 24 member wineries, with representation in most of Australia's renowned wine regions across six states.

Perth's hotel boom sees another opening

The remarkable Perth hotel boom shows no sign of slowing down with Accor and Fragrance Group today announcing a new 431-room Novotel on Murray Street.

The hotel is slated for a soft opening on December 19 in the heart of the Perth CBD.

The new-build Novotel will be located next to Shafto Lane and its popular eateries and bars. It will feature a 12th-floor fitness and spa facility including a pool, steam room, day spa and sauna, four bars and restaurants, four meeting rooms and a conference room for up to 120 people banquet.

“We are proud to announce this latest project with Fragrance Group who are renowned for developing quality properties in prime locations,” said Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

"This will be our 13th hotel in Perth CBD and brings our total room count to over 2400 rooms and suites. The Novotel brand has been completely revitalised and offers a modern, elegant and increasingly digital space for families, business travellers and leisure guests who can take time to unwind or make time to reconnect with friends, family or colleagues.”

This will be the second hotel for Fragrance Group and Accor in Australia, following the success of the Ibis Styles Hobart, which is the largest hotel in Tasmania.

Fragrance Group CEO, James Koh said: “We at Fragrance are equally excited to deliver Novotel Perth Murray St which will be a fresh addition to the already vibrant city and we look forward to providing bigger and better quality hotels across key cities in Australia for the ever increasing number of visitors to the country. Being strategically located in the heart of the CBD, we believe it will serve both business travellers and tourists alike.”

The project has been fast-tracked to take advantage of the summer holiday period in Australia, with the first phase seeing 40 rooms open in December and a staged opening for the rest of the rooms and public spaces into 2020.

Guests will be able to take advantage of the dining outlets at the nearby Art Series hotel, The Adnate, Peppers Kings Square Hotel; Mantra on Murray; and ibis Perth.

Accor is the largest operator of hotels in Perth.

Police bust fake Penfolds wine bootleggers

The Real Deal

Cambodian police have arrested three men on suspicion of selling fake wine, seizing several thousand fake Penfolds-branded bottles.

Police in the Cambodian city of Poipet, on the Cambodia-Thai border. raided a wine wholesaler that had been in business in the area for 20 years and seized around 3,000 bottles of fake wine as well as hundreds of wine labels and around 10,000 wine boxes.

The raid was carried out on November 27 and three men have been arrested in connection with the busted bootlegging operation, The Drinks Business reported.

The Post News reported that the raid uncovered packaging and labelling for Penfolds “Bin 2, Bin 8, Bin 707, Bin 128, Bin 407 and Bin 389” wines.

Other reports have indicated that bottles of fake Johnnie Walker, Ballantine’s whisky and other alcohol was seized in subsequent raids.

Due to its popularity in Asia, Treasury Wines Estates-owned Penfolds has often been the target of counterfeiters, particularly in China.