A good affordable hotel choice in Hobart

For a relatively small city, the Tasmanian capital of Hobart is well served by outstanding hotels.

At the top end are the new Tasman, the Henry Jones Art Hotel and Macq 1, along with the stately Islington and historic Hadley's.

Recent impressive newcomers include the excellent Movenpick and Vibe Hobart, while super-budget travellers willing to share bathrooms are well catered for at the funky Alabama.

Post Covid, Hobart is all the rage and hotel room rates have risen substantially, but for those needing clean and comfortable lodgings for around $200 a night, I can recommend the ibis styles, well situated just a short stroll from shops and cafes.

Future dates are available from $180 online. Prices, however, do vary wildly depending on the date of your stay - so beware of busy weekends.

The ibis Styles is home to Mr Good Guy, a very good Asian eatery and bar reviewed here last week. https://www.gourmetontheroad.com/2022/10/hobart-restaurant-returns-with-all-guns.html 

The buffet breakfast was also impressive. 



The ibis Styles was until recently a Covid isolation facility, but recently reopened after a spring clean.

GM Andrew Walling has somehow put together a very professional team at a time when rival hostelries are struggling to find enough people.

The ibis Styles describes itself as an "excellent value focused option" - and that sums it up in a nutshell.

The beds are comfortable and the rooms come with TVs, fastish wifi, tea and coffee making facilities and showers that deliver instant hot water. There are also blackout curtains if you've had a big night and need a lie in.

The ibis has a surprising 296 rooms over 10 floors and has a heated indoor pool, sauna facilities and a fitness centre - none of which I used.

Some of the rooms have water views and are ideal for guests who need a base from which to explore the city.

For travellers with a car, nearby parking can be organised and paid on arrival.

Book through https://all.accor.com/

The writer was a guest of the hotel

Air Mauritius is back in Australia

Mauritius national carrier Air Mauritius has resumed its twice-weekly flights to Perth after an absence of more than two years.

Air Mauritius’ Airbus A330-900neo 3B-NBU arrived earlier this week following a six hour and 55 minute journey from Port Louis. The aircraft was on the ground for four hours before returning to Mauritius.

Air Mauritius first started direct flights to Australia in December 1991 and announced plans to resume the Perth route in April 2022, more than two years after flights were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two flights a week will operate between Perth and Port Louis. The airline will fly from Port Louis to Perth on Tuesdays and Saturdays, returning to Mauritius on Wednesdays and Sundays.

“We are excited to be welcoming Perth back to our growing network and we look forward to connecting thrill-seeking leisure travellers with Australia, Air Mauritius Chief Commercial Officer Laurent Recoura said in a statement. 

"Mauritius has proved itself to be a world-in-one island. Its exotic blend of French, African, Chinese and Indian culture, white beaches, and exhilarating adventure make it a great destination for Australians. 

"This is also the opportunity to make up for lost moments and embark on a memorable journey while reconnecting with friends and relatives.” 

“The new route will also allow us to provide connectivity to travellers from Australia to Mauritius and the rest of the world. The direct connection not only represents the best and fastest way to travel to Mauritius, but also allows passengers to benefit from Air Mauritius’ international network and reach beyond destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean islands.”

# Air Mauritius celebrated its 55th anniversary this year. It operates direct flights to eight destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Indian Ocean islands. 

Vibe expands its footprint to Singapore

Vibe Hotels has always been a uniquely Australian brand - until this week.

Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard (above) is the first Vibe Hotel to open outside of Australia.

Managed by Far East Hospitality, a leading operator of hotels and serviced residences in south-east Asia and joint venture partner in TFE Hotels, Vibe Singapore Orchard has 256 rooms across five room categories (superior, deluxe, premier, family, suites) as well as a lobby bar, pool bar and ROOS all-day dining restaurant.

It is Located in the residential enclave of Orchard Road, within easy access to Singapore's longest shopping strip.

TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick, said guests could expect some distinctly Australian touches throughout the property.

“From the friendly Australian-style hospitality on arrival to the premium Penfolds wine range and Australian-inspired dishes at ROOS to the O&M amenities and the Vibe pantry in room, there are Aussie touches at every point,” he said.

The hotel’s outdoor swimming pool serves as a space for guests to enjoy an outdoor barbecue with friends and family in typical Australian fashion, while keeping up with the latest on Aussie sports on the big screen at the Pool Bar.

Book direct on https://www.vibesingapore.com/ to take advantage of Vibe Singapore Orchard’s opening special (starting from $250 SGD++ - around $278 in Australian money - for an overnight stay in a deluxe room).

For those not venturing overseas, Vibe has a special Gourmet Delight package.

Guests can save 10% on the fully flexible rate and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine and gourmet cheese platter on arrival.

Price start from $260 per night at Vibe Sydney Darling Harbour, $287 at Vibe Hobart and $206 at Vibe Gold Coast.

Slaughter: When Tasmania fails at being clean and green

Tasmania trades heavily on its clean and green image. 

Except when the pursuit of cash gets in the way. 

Then the state government tends to do the bidding of its major sponsors, who include the forestry industry (with a tendency to chop down old-growth trees) and the toxic fish farming business, which pollutes local waters.   

Now Tasmania's green credentials have come under more fire after a permit to kill up to 200 black swans in Tasmania's Central Highlands was approved. 

It was decided that the birds - which are native to Australia - damage the environment for trout - an introduced species. 

Environmentalist Bob Brown said the decision was "appalling" and had the potential to damage Tasmania's image, while Tasmanian Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff said the cull was "beyond belief". 

The approval was issued by the state's Department of Natural Resources and Environment - and around 70 birds have already been slaughtered in the region known as London Lakes. 

Brown predicted: "There's going to be popular revolution at the thought of breeding swans and their cygnets being killed because they are disturbing an introduced species."

Trout were first introduced to Tasmania from England in 1864, with the state now known around the world as a premier destination for anglers - hence the cash issue coming into play.

Dr Eric Woehler from BirdLife Tasmania said the cull at London Lakes was another example of the state government prioritising an introduced species.

"Another permit to cull black swans is just a sad indictment of the fact that we just don't value our wildlife," he told the ABC. "It shows a complete lack of respect for our native wildlife. It is just unacceptable."

Cherry Christmas? Not for everbody

Australia's cherry industry is in a positive growth phase, but current wet weather threatens the upcoming harvest and may limit Christmas supply.

Growing consumer appetite for the fruit locally and in export markets is a huge positive, Rabobank says in a new industry report.

But three consecutive La Nina weather events have taken their toll on Australia’s cherry production, with continuing wet conditions expected to impact the outlook for the coming harvest.

This will not only weigh on grower returns, but could also affect the availability, quality and price of this summer and festive fruit favourite for Australian consumers, the specialist agribusiness bank says.

In the report Southern Hemisphere Cherries, Growing Exports and Challenges, Rabobank says Australia’s sweet cherry sector has been in a growth phase for the past four years, with more than 450,000 additional cherry trees reaching bearing age since 2018.

Despite this growth in plantings, sweet cherry production and export volumes “continue to be affected by three consecutive La Nina weather events,” the bank says.

This impact was evident last season, says report co-author RaboResearch associate analyst Pia Piggott, with the industry estimating that Australia’s total cherry production for 2021-22 was down 15% on the previous year, at 17,000 tonnes.

Total Australian cherry volumes to export markets - which require the highest-quality premium fruit - decreased 20% on the previous year.

Piggott said export markets are particularly important for Australia’s cherry industry, due to “higher unit value” obtainable for exported fruit.

“Exports account for approximately 25% of the Australian cherry industry’s sales volumes, but almost 40% of sale value,” she said.

“So lower volumes of high-quality cherries suitable for export markets - along with outbound airfreight rates remaining high - means margins will be challenged for the sector this coming season.”

Piggott said longer-term demand for high-quality cherries as prized fruit in Asia, and in the domestic Australian market - together with healthy lifestyle trends - will support growth opportunities in the Australian cherry industry.

“Australian cherries remain competitive in the export market, although production risks, elevated input cost and labour challenges persist for growers,” she said.

Qantas claims a Shonky award

Qantas has claimed a major Shonky award, but don't expect to read too much about it in the mainstream media. The airline is a major advertiser.

Consumer organisation CHOICE recognised Qantas for being "the Spirit of Disappointment".

“Whether it’s an airline that makes redeeming flight credits a nightmare, a finance product targeting distressed pet owners, cookware that doesn’t cook properly, processed food dressing itself up as healthy, or a florist delivering dud bouquets, we’ll continue to call out companies that do the wrong thing by Australians,” says CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland.

“CHOICE would love to never have to give out another Shonky Award, but unfortunately we continue to uncover products and services that need to be called out.

“2022 has been a difficult year, with Australians living through a pandemic, a slew of natural disasters, and a cost of living crisis. The last thing people need is businesses that rip them off but unfortunately that’s exactly what we’ve seen in this year’s Shonky Awards.”

Here's Kirkland on Qantas, and CEO Alan Joyce, the man who just gave himself a massive pay rise.

“Qantas appears to have gone deliberately out of its way to win a Shonky Award this year,” he says.

“Qantas customers have had to deal with unfair and unworkable flight credits, lost baggage, excessive call wait times, and delayed flights. Qantas charges travellers premium prices, but they are not providing anything close to a premium service, which is why they’re receiving a Shonky Award this year.”

Image: CHOICE editorial directot Marg Rafferty with Qantas' award.