DESIGN HOTELS PRESENTS TEN NEW MEMBERS
DESIGN HOTELS BRINGS YOU THE POWER OF TEN…FIVE TIMES THE CITY GLAMOUR, FIVE TIMES THE GETAWAY GOODNESS
Whether it's Mediterranean warmth, Caribbean cool, dramatic snowscapes or big city thrills that engage attention this season, Design Hotels™ has them all.
"We are excited to welcome ten exceptional and diverse properties to our portfolio. We have not only increased our presence in major hubs like New York and London, but found natural luxury retreats in St. Barts in the Caribbean and in Rovinj, Croatia," says Design Hotels™ Founder and CEO Claus Sendlinger. "Although different in look and feel, the hotels all share one characteristic: they are deeply rooted in their neighborhood. They act as ambassadors for their region, offering guests meaningful experiences along with a connection to their surroundings."
Grand Goes Glam
Legendary hotels in some of the world's most glamorous cities attain new-age relevance thanks to careful nurturing and original renovation work. In New York, this enormous task was carried out by the artistic touch of Julian Schnabel for Gramercy Park Hotel. Kissed by the bounteous (and city's only) private park, the curated art flourishing inside the property is an enviable contemporary collection. In the UNESCO-listed historic heart of Bern is Hotel Schweizerhof whose understated luxury and reclaimed glory also includes tech essentials for today's traveler. Therefore stuccoed ceilings, quaint Juliet balconies and grand chandeliers bestow the right kind of majesty to cozy modern furniture and conveniences. Across the channel in London is Blakes Hotel, the iconic property from Anouska Hempel that has recently undergone a multimillion pound refurbishment. With a fusion of eastern and western styles, the hotel rooms' eclectic design transports guests to other worlds and eras. In Barcelona, the 1920s-Chicago-skyscraper-inspired Grand Hotel Central goes back to the 20th century to invoke the romance of Catalonian high society, yet stays at the top of modern opulence with its rooftop pool. While in a quiet enclave hidden from the bustle of the wealthy Salamanca district in Madrid sits Hotel Único, a tranquil 19th century palace that belies the heart of a sophisticated, with-it hotel. Find iconic modern furniture alongside luxurious fabrics, mosaic floors and a quaint garden.
Luscious Landscapes
At the other end of the spectrum, Design Hotels™ has fantastic new remote destinations. Perfect for the time of year, three are winter wonderlands: Nira Alpina, a sanctuary on the Swiss slopes, offers warm hospitality and an enviable ski in / ski out location. Opening in November 2011, it is just five kilometers from St Moritz and a great year-round destination. In Zermatt, Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort is a mini hamlet composed of five chalets each contemporary yet cozy, where clean lines and expansive interiors converge with local materials like felt and loden. Situated in Kitzbühel, the bosom of the Austrian Alps, is Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, a farmhouse converted into an elegant retreat with a large spa and Tyrolean-style restaurant. In warmer climes, showing off Caribbean lifestyle at its best, is Hotel La Banane on St. Barts, an homage to '50s funk in vibrant colors. The nine bungalows of this intimate resort are named after well-known modernist architects from Pierre Jeanneret to Jean Prouvé. Design Hotels™' first member in Croatia is Hotel Lone in Rovinj. Thanks to the building's Y-shape, guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the island-speckled coastline or the historical Mediterranean forest from each of the 248 rooms and suites.
The complete list of ten new members with opening dates is below.
To view them online please visit www.designhotels.com/newmembers
AMERICAS
FRENCH WEST INDIES
La Banane, St. Barts (November 2009)
UNITED STATES
Gramercy Park Hotel, New York (August 2006)
EUROPE
AUSTRIA
Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, Kitzbühel (January 2005)
CROATIA
Hotel Lone, Rovinj (July 2011)
SPAIN
Grand Hotel Central, Barcelona (January 2006)
Hotel Único Madrid (April 2011)
SWITZERLAND
Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort, Zermatt (December 2009)
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern (May 2011)
Nira Alpina, Silvaplana (November 2011)
UNITED KINGDOM
Blakes Hotel, London (refurbishment: 2011)
Design Hotels™ Best Rate Guarantee
For reservations, please refer to the webpage www.designhotels.com or the appropriate Design Hotels™ toll-free number:
Breaking news - All Qantas flights worldwide grounded
Qantas grounds entire domestic and international fleet
Qantas has just announced that effective immediately there will be no further domestic or international departures of its aircraft anywhere in the world, with the carrier locking out all employees who will be covered by the industrial agreements currently being negotiated with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), the Australian Licenced Engineers Union (ALAEA) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
CEO Alan Joyce said the step is being taken under the provisions of the Fair Work Act in response to the ongoing industrial action taken by the unions, with the lock-out in place until the unions drop their "extreme demands".
"Pilots, licenced engineers and baggage, ground and catering staff are essential to Qantas operations and the lock-out will therefore make it necessary for all Qantas aircraft to be grounded," he said, with this occurring effective 5pm Sat 29 Oct 2011.
Aircraft currently in the air will complete the sectors they are operating, but all future departures are cancelled "until the ALAEA, the TWU and AIPA drop the extreme demands that have made it impossible for agreements to be reached," Joyce said.
Jetstar and QantasLink flights will continue to operate, along with Qantas flights across the Tasman operated by its NZ-based Jetconnect subsidiary.
The lock-out is effective from 8pm AEDT on Mon 31 Oct, and until it commences all employees are require at work as normal and will be paid. Once it commences, employees who are locked out will not be required at work and will not be paid; employees working overseas will not be locked out and will continue to be paid; and all other employees are required at work and will be paid as normal.
Customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice. Qantas is offering full refunds to customers who choose to cancel their flights, while full rebooking flexibility will be available to customers who want to defer their travel.
Customers who are mid-journey will be given assistance with accommodation and alternative flights, Joyce said, asking that only customers travelling within the next 24 hours call Qantas contact centres.
"Qantas regrets that this action has become necessary and apologises sincerely to all affected passengers," Joyce said.
He said the cost impact of the grounding would be $20 million per day, but said that the move was necessary because "customers are now f.leeing from us," with key high value customers now actively seeking to fly with other carriers because of the ongoing strike action uncertainty.
Joyce urged the union members to "consider their own interests and tell their leaders they want to reach reasonable and fair agreements that will be good for them and for Qantas".
MEANWHILE Virgin Australia has also just issued a statement saying it will accommodate Qantas passengers on current services where possible, and is also looking at putting on additional flights to support affected travellers.
Special "Stranded Passenger" recovery fares will be offered for those who are at a port away from home and hold a QF ticket to return home, initially within the next five days, with details to be shortly available at www.virginaustralia.com.
More information in Monday's Travel Daily.
Qantas has just announced that effective immediately there will be no further domestic or international departures of its aircraft anywhere in the world, with the carrier locking out all employees who will be covered by the industrial agreements currently being negotiated with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), the Australian Licenced Engineers Union (ALAEA) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
CEO Alan Joyce said the step is being taken under the provisions of the Fair Work Act in response to the ongoing industrial action taken by the unions, with the lock-out in place until the unions drop their "extreme demands".
"Pilots, licenced engineers and baggage, ground and catering staff are essential to Qantas operations and the lock-out will therefore make it necessary for all Qantas aircraft to be grounded," he said, with this occurring effective 5pm Sat 29 Oct 2011.
Aircraft currently in the air will complete the sectors they are operating, but all future departures are cancelled "until the ALAEA, the TWU and AIPA drop the extreme demands that have made it impossible for agreements to be reached," Joyce said.
Jetstar and QantasLink flights will continue to operate, along with Qantas flights across the Tasman operated by its NZ-based Jetconnect subsidiary.
The lock-out is effective from 8pm AEDT on Mon 31 Oct, and until it commences all employees are require at work as normal and will be paid. Once it commences, employees who are locked out will not be required at work and will not be paid; employees working overseas will not be locked out and will continue to be paid; and all other employees are required at work and will be paid as normal.
Customers booked on Qantas flights should not go to the airport until further notice. Qantas is offering full refunds to customers who choose to cancel their flights, while full rebooking flexibility will be available to customers who want to defer their travel.
Customers who are mid-journey will be given assistance with accommodation and alternative flights, Joyce said, asking that only customers travelling within the next 24 hours call Qantas contact centres.
"Qantas regrets that this action has become necessary and apologises sincerely to all affected passengers," Joyce said.
He said the cost impact of the grounding would be $20 million per day, but said that the move was necessary because "customers are now f.leeing from us," with key high value customers now actively seeking to fly with other carriers because of the ongoing strike action uncertainty.
Joyce urged the union members to "consider their own interests and tell their leaders they want to reach reasonable and fair agreements that will be good for them and for Qantas".
MEANWHILE Virgin Australia has also just issued a statement saying it will accommodate Qantas passengers on current services where possible, and is also looking at putting on additional flights to support affected travellers.
Special "Stranded Passenger" recovery fares will be offered for those who are at a port away from home and hold a QF ticket to return home, initially within the next five days, with details to be shortly available at www.virginaustralia.com.
More information in Monday's Travel Daily.
Nine reasons to dine at Australia's Best Restaurant in a Winery
Tower Lodge's nine wins Best Restaurant in a Winery
Tower Lodge's restaurant nine has won the "Best Restaurant in a Winery" at the 2011 National Awards for Excellence held at Luna Park on October 24.
Tower's award is in succession to its win of Best Restaurant in a Winery" and "Restaurant of the Year in the Hunter Valley" at the 2011 Australia Restaurant & Catering Regional NSW Awards for Excellence.
Located nine feet underground in the original Tower Estate cellar, nine and its unique dining concept, was the brainchild of Andreas Breitfuss, Maître de Maison who developed the idea with the aim of offering different dining experiences for Tower Lodge guests.
Nine's private dining space is surrounded by warm earthy sandstone and wood surfaces providing an intimate and luxurious dining experience for up to 16 guests.
"To win the award of Best Restaurant in a Winery in Australia further reflects the hard work and dedication Andreas and his team put into Nine and Tower Lodge," said Matt Cowley, CEO, Tower Estate.
"It is also a reflection on my long term vision for Tower Lodge, to offer our guests a truly unique experience in the areas of dining and accommodation."
Nine features nine seasonal degustation menus (one vegetarian) using, where possible, local Hunter Valley produce paired with one of six optional wine lists, featuring a selection of premium local and imported varieties along with Tower Estate's own wines.
The National Awards for Excellence are the culmination of 10 regional Award events held throughout the year across the nation. Over 270 finalists in 34 categories competed at a ceremony at Luna Park to determine the best of the best of Australia's restaurants and caterers.
Restaurant & Catering represents around 4,000 restaurants and caterers across Australia. Each year over 900 members are reviewed in the Awards of Excellence.
nine Facts
opening times: Friday & Saturday nights 6.30pm to 8.30pm (last booking 8.30pm sharp)
menu type: 9 course degustation (chefs selection created seasonally) excl wines, $180 per person, or 9 course degustation paired with a selection of premium local and imported wines, including picks from the Tower Estate cellar, $250 per person.
wine list: selection of Australian premium wines and exclusive imported varieties including Champagne, sparking, red, white and dessert. The wine list includes specially selected Tower Estate wines.
Tower Lodge, part of the gold standard Relais & Chateaux association is Australia's best shared secret comprising of 12 distinctly different guest rooms including two premier suites. Each of the rooms are uniquely furnished with no room the same and feature a king size bed, deep soaking spa bath, complimented with antique pieces and rich fabrics creating an opulent setting for any guest.
For those who truly want to indulge and enjoy a Hunter Valley weekend, Tower Lodge has packages which include the following:
2 night's accommodation in a Lodge room
Dinner for 2 guest in Roberts Restaurant
Dinner for 2 guests dining in restaurant Nine
Complimentary upgrade to high tea
Breakfast
Pre- dinner beverages daily
Private wine tasting at Tower Estate Winery
Prices are based on twin share and start from $1,035 per room per night.
To make a reservation at Tower Lodge and/or nine visit www.towerestate.com or call (02) 4998 7022
About Tower Lodge
Opened in May 2001, and situated on the grounds of Tower Estate, Tower Lodge is the only 5-star boutique luxury lodge in the Hunter Region.
The Lodge features 12 rooms including two suites accommodating up to 24 guests. Room rates range from $720.00 per night and include accommodation for two, full buffet and a la carte cooked breakfast, complimentary afternoon tea, a pre-dinner drink and an evening turn down service
Website www.towerestate.com
Tower Lodge is a member of Relais & Châteaux.