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Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -1000

Hemisphere will be attending ATE 2012 being held in Perth in June.

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is Australia's premier tourism trade event and the largest international travel trade show of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The event, which is organised by Tourism Australia, will return to Perth in 2012, where it was last hosted in 2008. The event will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday 15 - Thursday 21 June 2012.

Hemisphere will be representing its properties at this event, with some exciting additions to our portfolio to be announced shortly.

THE HOTEL REALM AND BURBURY HOTEL AWARDED IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES OF THE 2012 AHA AWARDS

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -1000

On Monday 19th March 2012, the Canberra Australian Hospitality Association hosted the AHA Hospitality Awards at the Hotel Realm, Canberra. The Awards recognise standards of excellence in the ACT hotels and hospitality industry. Members of the ACT and Federal Parliament, including ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism, Andrew Barr and Opposition Leader, Zed Seselja, also attended the Awards.

The Hotel Realm was awarded the AHA Best Deluxe Accommodation beating the Hyatt Hotel for the 5 Star Hotel category. This award is a testament to the Hotel Realm’s dedication to providing guests with exceptional and memorable stays. The Hotel Realm places great precedence in being at the forefront of luxury and technology, and in delivering tailor-made guest experiences with a focus on customer service.

The Hotel Realm also won the AHA Best Meetings and Events award. This award recognises the world-class facilities housed within Hotel Realm. The hotel banqueting team is dedicated to providing exceptional service with complete professionalism within a comfortable, understated, luxurious environment. The hotel is dedicated to continually evolving within the function market and as a result an upgrade of the conference floor will take place in 2012. The refurbishment will see a new look foyer, ballroom and breakout rooms, along with new meeting rooms.

Hotel Realm’s sister property the Burbury Hotel won the AHA Best New Venue within the Accommodation Division. In keeping with the exceptional standard of architecture and design of the Hotel Realm, the new 4.5 Star Burbury Hotel offers 73 exquisite hotel rooms, 15 one-bedroom suites, 6 two-bedroom suites and 12 two-bedroom apartments. Guests of the Burbury Hotel have full access to all amenities afforded by the Hotel Realm including the health club, day spa, health club and hair salon. Since opening in September 2011, the Burbury Hotel has been recoginsed for its design and technology. The Burbury Hotel was the first hotel in Australia to house the Apple Mac Mini IPTV system. The in-room IPTV offers guests full Mac computer functionality, iPod, iPad and iPhone-docking, high definition TV, Foxtel®, play-your-own CDs/DVDs, pay-per-view movies, a digital on screen guest directories, hotel services and local attractions guide. It’s a home-away-from-home entertainment and office system.

Hotel Realm and Burbury Hotel General Manager Emil Kovacik acknowledged the recognition of both hotels as “a true testament to the dedication of the Doma Group for developing yet another superior product in the Burbury Hotel, their vision for the Realm Precinct is so strong and it’s reflected in the vibrancy of the evolving entertainment hub”.

Doma Hotels won the AHA Member of the Year Award for their commitment to injecting new life into the ACT sector. The General Manager of the AHA commended the Doma Group “Doma Hotels has played a key role in improving support locally for hotel development. It has shown that construction of accommodation venues can be a good business decision and led the way for future clever, multi-use development”.

The AHA awards have a rigorous judging process, whereby nominations are put forward to a panel of industry notables, who decide the finalists and winners.

Images of the evening can be viewed here

Images of the Hotel Realm can be viewed here

Pretty Beach House Announced as New Member of Luxury Lodges of Australia

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -1000

Pretty Beach House, one of Australia’s most sophisticated yet intimate luxury lodge experiences has joined Luxury Lodges of Australia (LLoA), further affirmation that Australia’s era of experiential luxury travel has come of age.

“Pretty Beach House is an outstanding addition to the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection” said James Baillie, Chair of Luxury Lodges of Australia and owner of globally acclaimed Southern Ocean Lodge.

“The combination of stunning design and service, fantastic attention to detail and all the key luxury standards, combined with the experience of a distinctly Australian coastal bush region, make it a natural fit for this collection of experiential luxury properties.”

Brian Barry, co-General Manager of the lodge with wife Karina stated, “We are absolutely thrilled to be part of this new Australian group of luxury experiential lodges, and we are very much looking forward to working in partnership with such a benchmark group.”

Pretty Beach House is a quintessentially Australian, super sophisticated guesthouse, perched high on the escarpment at Pretty Beach, on the NSW Bouddi Peninsula. Just 100 kilometres north of Sydney this guesthouse offers a new style of luxury in designer pavilion style accommodation with all-inclusive rates and around the clock butler service.

Pretty Beach House offers just three private pavilions, superb casa linga style dining provided by one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Stefano Manfredi, and a wealth of guided or self-guided coastal bush walks, beach excursions and water activities.

With easy access from Sydney by car, seaplane, private boat, helicopter or ferry, Pretty Beach House is a coastal bush haven, right on Sydney’s doorstep.

Brian Barry noted, “The creation of Pretty Beach House has been a highlight in a life in hospitality for Karina and myself. To have such an endeavor recognized, with an invitation to join Luxury Lodges of Australia is more than gratifying.”

“Offering our guests an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience is what it is all about for us, and we believe this new partnership will complement all parties involved.”

Avista Hideaway Resort & Spa, Phuket

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -1000

Opening October 2012

Hemisphere is pleased to announce the opening of Phuket's latest 5 star luxury resort!

Avista Hideaway Resort & Spa, Phuket is a brand new contemporary luxury 5 star property situated on a peaceful hill with spectacular views over the Andaman Sea.

Avant-garde in style, Avista Hideaway Resort & Spa is a new luxury Hotel built on the hills above the world famous Patong Beach. The futuristic contemporary Thai architecture and décor together with vast, open views of the Andaman work in unison to create a surreal, breath-taking effect.

The 5-star deluxe hotel is a private, secluded sanctuary that is open and peaceful yet takes only two minutes by car to reach Patong Beach and its nightlife.

This ideal location is perfect for guests seeking something special, but still close to the famous entertainment landmarks in Patong Beach, only 5 minutes drive from the property.

The Resort features 149 spacious guest-rooms including pool villas featuring lavish in-room facilities and the latest technology.

For further information please CLICK HERE

Trip Advisor's 2012 Awards recognise Hemisphere's Clients

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -1000

Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site, has announced the winners of it's Travellers Choice Awards for 2012 which include's two of Hemisphere Solutions Clients - Oceans Mooloolaba and Coconut Grove Port Douglas.

Oceans Hotel at Mooloolaba and Coconut Grove at Port Douglas have both been recognised in the Traveller's Top 25 hotels in Australia. Oceans came in at number 12 and Coconut Grove at number 9, this is a huge achievment for both hotel's. Coconut Grove also achieved #4 in Australia's top luxury hotels and #24 in Australia's trendiest hotels.

Hemipshere's Managing Director Ralph Kelly says, "It's an amazing achievment that two independant properties should be recognised in multiple readers choice awards against great stiff competition in the Australian market. We congratulate both the owner's and their teams on a job well done."

For more information on Coconut Grove click here. For more information on Oceans Mooloolaba click here.

BELLS AT KILLCARE BOUTIQUE HOTEL, RESTAURANT & SPA

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -1000

In November, Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa officially
opened the doors to 14 brand new, architect designed deluxe suites and
villas, taking the number of rooms on the property from 11 to 25. The
expansion allows Bells at Killcare to cater for its ever-growing clientele,
whilst retaining its intimate appeal.

The new rooms (king suites, two storey cottages and lakeside villas)
offer the high-end levels of comfort and luxury to which Bells’ guests
have become accustomed, beautifully decorated in classic Hampton’s
blue and white style.

They are positioned alongside the current Bells villas, within lush
landscaped native gardens and restored lakes and ponds.

The new villas are nostalgic of summers past and based on a palette of
washed back blues, bleached linens and driftwood. The king beds boast
Ralph Lauren bed heads, throw cushions, hand-woven blankets and
luxurious comforters, with the rooms offering individual fire places, flat
screen televisions and beautifully appointed lounge and dining areas.

This immaculate attention to detail is lovingly overseen by Bells at
Killcare Hoteliers Brian and Karina Barry, from the French oak desks,
marbled-topped washstands and stand-alone baths right through to the
outdoor rattan furniture and day beds on the large verandahs with roll
down blinds.

Click here: For further information and to view the Press release

Château Élan Awarded Best Luxury Accommodation at the Hunter & Central Coast Tourism Awards

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Château Élan at The Vintage, Australia’s premiere five star golf and spa resort, was awarded Gold in the prestigious Luxury Accommodation category at the 2011 Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism, announced at Ausgrid Stadium. The Resort, which opened in February 2010, was also a finalist in both Health and Well Being Tourism and Meetings and Business Tourism awards.

These annual awards produced by the Hunter and Central Coast Tourism attracted more than 45 entries across 23 categories. The awards recognise the best tourism products and services in the region. Erik Stuebe, CEO Château Élan Hotels & Resorts, who accepted the awards at the ceremony said, “We are thrilled that Château Élan has been recognised with this key award. As a newcomer to the Hunter Valley we have aimed at establishing a new benchmark for service and luxury in the area, both for leisure and for the MICE market. The quality of our Spa and Resort facilities is second to none and our team has worked extremely hard to ensure we are worthy of this wonderful accolade.”

Château Élan at The Vintage www.chateauelan.com.au is located in the Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney. The $40m development, offers luxury retreats for up to 200 guests. The resort sits among the celebrated fairways of The Vintage – the Greg Norman-designed golf course and comprises a large Spa, a collection of super-luxury spa suites and a series of private lifestyle villas. The Spa complex has 17 treatment rooms dedicated to exclusive spa rituals, traditional hydrotherapies and social relaxation. It is one of very few places in the world where people can experience Terraké treatments supplemented by products from prestige group, Thalgo. The Couples Spa Package, a delicious shared and totally immersive experience including indulgence in the Hydrolounge, Thai Herbal Compress massages and soothing heated paraffin foot treatments, has been just one of the overwhelmingly popular packages available.

Château Élan, features a purpose built and state of the art conference and events venue in the Hunter, offering five flexible conference rooms, premium dining and a range of team building activities with access to the championship golf course. Air access with flights from Queensland and Melbourne into Newcastle Airport, is an easy 50 minute drive from the Resort.

Book online at www.chateauelan.com.au

Hermitage Lodge wins Gold

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Hermitage Lodge, in the NSW Hunter Valley, was awarded Gold in The Deluxe Accommodation category at the 2011 Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism, announced last week. In a major double win, the boutique Lodge also won Gold in the Motel 4.5 Star/Luxury Accommodation Category at this year’s National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence.

The multi-award winning Hermitage Lodge is on 25 acres in the heart of the vineyards in the Hunter Valley and is within walking distance to many of the popular wineries and tourist attractions. The Lodge has twenty studios and suites offering the discerning guest boutique accommodation and personal, attentive service. The rooms are large, comfortable and tastefully decorated with particular attention to detail. All twenty rooms offer guests beautiful decks or verandas overlooking the Lodge’s own Shiraz vineyard and the salt water swimming pool is a welcome relief on a hot day.

The annual awards produced by the Hunter and Central Coast Tourism attracted more than 45 entries across 23 categories. The awards recognise the best tourism products and services in the Hunter and Central Coast. The AAOA Awards (formerly known as HMAA) for Excellence are uniquely judged by both submission and a mystery guest component. With longevity of some 40 plus years, The Accommodation Association is one of the most established and reputable employer associations in the country. Members range from bed & breakfast operators to apartments, tourist parks, major international hotels and motels – a true industry awards program available to the entire accommodation sector.

Hermitage Lodge owners and operators Mark and Noreen Gottaas are thrilled with the recent awards; “We believe this year’s awards are an affirmation of our guests’ ongoing high level of satisfaction with the service, accommodation and facilities at the Lodge,” said Mark. “It is very rewarding and motivating for us and our team to receive these wonderful acknowledgments.”

For bookings phone: +61 2 4998 7639 or email: info@hermitagelodge.com.au
Or for more information visit: http://www.hermitagelodge.com.au/

Bells at Killcare open new conservatory

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Bells at Killcare now features a gorgeous purpose built special event room. With the ability to cater for weddings and gala events up to 220 for a cocktail function or 120 people for a sit down event.

Business meeting and conferences are possible and the room has
state of the art facilities including a built in data projector, electronic screen and full electronics room with sound system.

Block out curtains and plenty of break out spaces are also on offer. With sliding bi-fold internal doors, the room can be separated in two, to accommodate for smaller groups, catering for conferences from 10 people up to 60 people.

Hemisphere announce partnership with ICMS

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Hemisphere is delighted to announce a new partnership with the International College of Management Sydney (ICMS).

Hemisphere's client properties will benefit from this relationship through the unique opportunity of being able to access student placements within the Bachelor of Business / Macquarie University affiliated program.

In the second part of the program, hospitality stream students are expected to work for nine months at a hotel or resort. Hemisphere's properties provide the ideal environment and culture for students to be placed.

For further information on this program please contact us.