Bourne' to luxury...

Tourism Victoria 6 January 2010

For the sophisticated traveller, the Australian state of Victoria has a wealth of experiences and accommodation options to cater to all tastes and requirements. Following the recent explosion of activity in Melbourne and Victoria's luxury accommodation sector, refined travellers can now enjoy the ultimate combination of fabulous experiences during the day with an array of luxurious places to stay at night. www.visitmelbourne.com/uk

Recent developments include six art inspired hotels planned by independent luxury hotel group Art Series Hotels, sleek and chic waterfront living at Istania Mornington Peninsula and the hugely anticipated major refurbishment of the lavish stately home Glynt Manor set atop of one of the highest points of Mount Martha in Mornington Peninsula.

Claire Golding, Tourism Victoria's regional manager for UK and Europe commented: ‘Our luxury offering in Victoria has come on leaps and bounds in recent years and now we have stunning accommodation to match the fabulous private local tours, one-off activities such as hot air ballooning across Melbourne at sunrise and delicious gastronomic offerings in the state. From chauffeur driven wine tours in Melbourne to helicopter trips along the iconic Great Ocean Road whilst staying at urban funky spaces such as The Cullen in Melbourne to exciting new rural retreats beyond the city, discerning visitors really can live in the lap of luxury in Victoria.'

New luxury hotel openings and refurbishments 2009 / 2010 in Melbourne and Victoria

The Art Series Hotel Group opens two new properties in 2010

The Olsen will be the second hotel in a number of art hotels set to open in Melbourne over the next 18 months. The Olsen is the flagship hotel of the group - a $90 million development named after renowned painter John Olsen, which is set to open in February 2010 in Melbourne's popular shopping hub, Chapel Street. The 15-storey hotel will feature 239 rooms, state-of-the-art facilities (including the world's largest glass bottomed swimming pool, planned to hang over Chapel Street) and an enormous luxury retail space.

The third Art Series Hotel, The Blackman, is set to open in April 2010.

The group's first property The Cullen just opened in November 2009 and is a new $48 million luxury development in the chic inner-city suburb of Prahran. Named after Australian artist Adam Cullen, the stylish 115-room hotel houses more than 450 of Adam Cullen's artworks as well as two life-size fiberglass cows created by Cullen in the foyer. The Cullen also features a glass spiral staircase, an all day New York style bistro as well as an Asian fusion restaurant and bar. The rooftop boasts a lush garden, private bungalows and a cocktail bar with uninterrupted views of Melbourne's skyline.

The lead-in rate for a standard suite is $172 per night (approx £96). This is the Art Series Prepaid Advance Saver. To book, visit www.artserieshotels.com.au or call +61 1800 278 468
www.artserieshotels.com.au

Grand Hyatt Melbourne - opened 2009
In early 2009, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne unveiled the results of its $45 million (AUD) redevelopment including stylish upper and lower lobbies, the new restaurant Collins Kitchen and exclusive bar RU-CO. Next door is the popular Middle and Far Eastern bar The Spice Market and the contemporary Middle Eastern eatery MoMos. There is also a new events area, The Residence, an exclusively Grand Hyatt concept that is modelled on a private mansion, and is perfect for high-end events. www.melbourne.grand.hyatt.com

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, Melbourne
The $60 million resurrection of Melbourne's grandest heritage hotel, The Rialto, which opened in 2009, now operates as the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto. Built in 1891, the hotel is one of the city's last and best remaining examples of 19th century Gothic architecture. Joseph Pang design studio, which oversaw the refurbishment, married the historical aspects of a true architectural icon with an exciting and unexpected contemporary design. The InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto offers all the facilities and services expected of a luxury international hotel, including a stunning Club InterContinental overlooking Collins Street, a variety of five-star dining areas and bars and a series of dedicated event and meeting spaces. www.ichotelsgroup.com

Lake House, Daylesford, to open new luxe retreat in 2010
Lake House is a tranquil boutique retreat in Daylesford offering thirty-three rooms and suites in either a waterfront setting or in the newly refurbished lodge. Six acres of manicured gardens extend down to the waters of Lake Daylesford and provide guests with immediate access to the lakeshore and the Wombat State Forest beyond.

The property features an award winning restaurant and 10,000-bottle cellar as well as a Salus Day Spa, and is a haven for lovers of good food and wine. Over the years Lake House has developed a network of local growers and suppliers, to ensure that they provide the best and choicest regional produce to their country kitchen.

New for 2010, Lake House is planning to open a private luxe retreat with stunning views across the lake, private chef and sommelier services as well as private access to the lakeshore. www.lakehouse.com.au

Glynt Manor, Mt Martha, re-launches following refurbishment
After being closed for more than three years, boutique hotel Glynt Manor has now reopened for business after a major refurbishment, with new owners, Demetri and Lila Sideropoulos offering visitors a chance to stay in one of Mornington Peninsula's most iconic stately homes. An old stone mansion originally built in 1917, Glynt Manor is characterised by lavish Italian architecture and is surrounded by stately gardens. It is also set atop one of the highest points of Mount Martha with breathtaking views of sea and sky.

The property has just six suites, all individually themed, with the standout being the tower suite where guests can enjoy an outdoor spa bath in the shadow of the mansions imposing turrets. www.glyntmanor.com.au

Istania opens on the Mornington Peninsula
Situated in the exciting new Martha Cove Marina complex, Istania is a new three bedroom waterfront apartment billed as the ‘ultimate luxury marina experience'. Istania features super-sleek interior design, a swimming pool and gym and its own private marina berth. The apartment is located within the Martha Cove Marina complex and is a little more than one hour's drive from Melbourne. www.istania.com

Some of Melbourne and Victoria's other luxury experiences

Melbourne Private Tours
Melbourne Private Tours offers custom made private day and overnight tours providing unforgettable experiences in Melbourne and its majestic surroundings.

If you're an avowed foodie or simply love the VIP treatment, Melbourne Private Tours' brand new Daylesford Discovery tour launched this month is the ultimate treat. Learn the art of making sourdough bread at Red Beard Historic Bakery, create your own wood-fired pizza at Ellender Estate, visit a picturesque boutique winery and an organic farm that is home to rare Wessex Saddleback pigs. The tour also includes a stop at Istra Smallgoods, where a Croatian family specialises in making quality cured meats. Along the way you can pick up fruit and organic vegetables, bread, olive oil or delicious smallgoods.
www.melbprivatetours.com.au

Melbourne Wine Tours
Specialists in the world renowned wines of the Yarra Valley, Melbourne Wine Tours offers personalised tours of the cellar doors of boutique wineries in a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce limousine.www.melbournewinetours.com/wineregions/yarravalley.htm

Blue whale heli watching: a world first in ecotourism
The world's first dedicated blue whale heli-tour offers the inspiring chance to see the world's largest animal in its natural habitat. Blue whales tend to stay well offshore, so a helicopter ride provides the best opportunity to appreciate these magnificent creatures in their entirety and these exclusive 30-minute experiences offer the ultimate once in a lifetime trip. www.heliexplore.com.au

- Ends -

For media enquiries contact Amy Skelding, Lucy Pennington, Debbie Hindle askelding@bgb.co.uk / lpennington@bgb.co.uk / dhindle@bgb.co.uk 0207 9022990

 

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