V Villas Phuket – MGallery, Thailand
Inspired by the lush nature found on the southern tip of Phuket island and promising unparalleled privacy and bespoke indulgence, the new V Villas Phuket – MGallery comprises 19 pool villas, each with expansive wooden decks that allow for a seamless blend between indoor and outdoor living, as well as three distinct dining spaces, V Villas Spa, a state-of-art gym, and an infinity pool.
One-, three- and four-bedroom configurations are available, welcoming single travellers, families and couples.
Its location on the verdant Ao Yon hillside grants guests memorable ocean views. Natural materials, bespoke design and locally inspired art pieces can be admired throughout the resort.
The resort’s holistic wellness offerings include personalised wellness programmes and in-villa yoga classes.
Three outstanding wedding venues, including the YON|Ocean House, AKOYA|Star Lounge, Hilltop Cliff and Owner’s Villa, are offered. Each provide romantic luxury wedding experiences with Andaman ocean views. The resort’s wedding specialists can assist in all arrangements from the pre-wedding party to the ceremony.
Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala, India
India’s scenic hills of Lonavala welcomes the opening of Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala, a property that spans over 14,100m2 and dangles sweeping views of the majestic Sahyadri range as well as one of the largest venues for meetings and large weddings.
The 103-key resort enjoys convenient air, rail and road connectivity from Mumbai and Pune, and is a 15-minute drive from both Lonavala and Khandala railway stations. Guests can easily access tourist attractions such as Bushi Dam, Narayani Dham Temple, Lonavala Lake and the celebrity wax museum.
Designed by well-known Indian architect, Kamal S Malik, the resort has been envisioned as the perfect amalgamation of sustainable design and local art and culture. It features areas such an open atrium, designed to reduce the need for air-conditioning. The resort’s entrance lobby has a grand cylindrical space which recreates the effect of the echoes of Shivaji’s forts, giving the sense of a conservatory surrounded by hills.
Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala is also home to the country’s largest Gabion wall which is approximately 21 m in length and is a visual spectacle for guests.
Facilities at the resort include three restaurants, The Spa at Radisson, a 24-hour fitness centre, an interactive kids’ play area, and an outdoor swimming pool that is designed to resemble a Kund – traditional water reservoir.
Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City, the UAE
IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the doors to its latest property in the UAE – the 225-suite Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City.
The upper-upscale extended-stay hotel is designed for multi-night business and leisure travellers looking to break from the travel norm while on the road, be it for days or even months at a time.
It is located on Dubai’s iconic Sheikh Zayed Road at the heart of the city’s technology, media, and creative free zone, and has a plethora of leisure destinations close by.
Guests have a choice of studios, one- and two-bedroom suites. All units feature spacious and comfortable living, working, and dining spaces and a fully equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line home appliances including a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Many of the apartments feature their own balcony where guests can enjoy spectacular views of the cityscape and the Arabian Gulf. Several interconnecting units offer greater flexibility for families or small groups traveling together.
On property are a restaurant, a 24/7 convenience store, an infinity pool, a concept spa, and a poolside bar and lounge.
The hotel hosts The Social, the brand’s signature event, three times a week, creating an informal gathering for guests to relax and enjoy complimentary bites and drinks while engaging with other guests staying at the hotel.
BreakFree Wirrina Cove, Australia
The new 87-room BreakFree Wirrina Cove resort, nestled in the heart of beautiful Wirrina Cove, South Australia, welcomes both business and leisure travellers.
Surrounded by national parks, with photogenic beaches, waterfalls and kangaroos, the resort is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, having one of the most sweeping and spectacular panoramic views of Gulf St Vincent.
The resort sits 70km drive south of Adelaide, and offers an 18-hole golf course, conference and function facilities, high speed Internet, bar and cafe facilities, a pool and gym, and onsite car parking.
The Qantas Group has launched a reward campaign dangling free flights, accommodation and fuel to Australians who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, in a bid to help boost the country’s immunisation rates.
From now until year-end, fully vaccinated Australian-based Frequent Flyers aged 18 and over can claim their reward through the Qantas App by choosing one of three options: 1,000 Qantas points, 15 status credits (which help Frequent Flyers move up between Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers), and A$20 (US$14.50) flight discount for Qantas or Jetstar.
Members will then be automatically entered into a mega prize draw to win a year’s worth of flights, accommodation and fuel. Ten mega prizes will be up for grabs with a winner selected from each state and territory and two mega prize winners as part of a national TV campaign.
Winners of ten mega prizes will receive a year’s worth of flights to take off to more than 60 destinations around Australia, with free accommodation across 345 Accor properties. They will also be able to top up their cars with free fuel from any of bp’s 1,400 service stations across the country.
Additionally, winners can take off to any Qantas and Jetstar international destination when borders reopen.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the vaccine rollout is critical for protecting public health and key to breaking the cycle of lockdowns.
“Getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it. As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community,” he said.
“This is one of the biggest giveaways we’ve ever done. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry and our own Qantas Group team members means we have a clear vested interest in the success of the vaccine rollout.
“Our crews can’t wait to get back to reuniting family and friends, taking people on holiday and putting some energy back into the whole tourism industry. For us, getting the vaccine rate up to 70 and 80 per cent means thousands of people can go back to work.
“With the federal government’s vaccine programme ramping up across the country, now is the ideal time to say thank you to Australians for stepping up and protecting themselves and others.”