Landmark Brisbane hotel gears up for the Olympic Games

One of Brisbane's landmark hotels is preparing a new look ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. 

InterContinental Brisbane by IHG has unveiled a multi-million-dollar investment set to "completely reimagine the iconic property". 

Works will start later this months and concluding in late 2027 with the 319-room hotel to "undergo a sweeping, progressive transformation". 

A media release says the design "will infuse interiors with an effortless elegance and timeless luxury through considered detail and an organic connection to light and nature that echoes the hotel's subtropical surrounds, with the refurbishment program also seeing the hotel's room count grow from 319 to 324 upon completion".

Woods Bagot, the design firm behind the transformation of InterContinental Sydney and InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, are leading the design vision. 

Hotel interiors will be progressively and comprehensively refurbished, from guest rooms and suites to meeting and event spaces. 

Level Six will feature an all-new concierge gallery, including an upgraded arrival area, lobby, and reception, aligning with InterContinental brand standards.

Dining highlights will include a new Argentinian grill restaurant and intimate Italian pasta and wine bar. 

The hotel will remain open throughout the staged renovation project. 

GM Shaun Parsons said the hotel is looking forward to unveiling a contemporary hospitality experience. 

“This transformation marks a defining new chapter for InterContinental Brisbane and will set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in the city," Parsons said. 

"Our vision is to reimagine this local icon while paying homage to the iconic Harry Seidler building, bringing together exceptional design, approachable luxury and culturally rich experiences that reflect Brisbane's vibrant spirit.” 

For more info visit ihg.com/intercontinentalbrisbane. 

Tokyo keeps visitors coming back for more

Once tourists have visited Tokyo they cannot stay away.

 
The sprawling Japanese capital is a big favourite with return visitors, the latest Repeat Visitor Ranking list from digital travel platform Agoda reveals.

The list highlights the top 10 destinations across Asia that keep travellers coming back for more.

Based on bookings made during the first half of the year, Agoda reveals that Tokyo has claimed the top spot for the first time, overtaking now second-placed Bangkok.

Rounding out the top five are Bali, Seoul and Osaka. Da Nang, Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, Taipei, and Johor Bahru complete the top 10 list.

This year's rankings reveal the rising appeal of Japan and Vietnam as increasingly popular places people love to re-visit. 

Beyond Tokyo's ascent to the top, Fukuoka has entered the top 10 for the first time at number eight, signalling travellers' desire to explore beyond Japan's traditional tourist hubs.

Da Nang in Vietnam has climbed two spots to sixth place, with its stunning beaches, proximity to UNESCO sites like Hoi An, and excellent value, Agoda said.

Andrew Smith, senior vice president for supply at Agoda, said: "Asia is home to so many destinations that are worth revisiting, and what we're seeing is that travellers are building relationships with their favourite cities.

"The shift with Tokyo's rise to number one and destinations like Fukuoka and Da Nang gaining ground show that travellers are finding new reasons to return, whether it's seasonal attractions, undiscovered neighbourhoods, or simply great food."

See www.Agoda.com.

Image: Shibuya, Tokyo

Novotel to anchor new Sydney development

Booming Sydney suburb Castle Hill is to get its own branded international hotel. 

Global hospitality giant Accor has signed an agreement with Reve Group to operate Novotel Sydney Castle Hill, a new-build hotel within the landmark Nova Rêve mixed-use precinct north-west of the city. 

Scheduled to open in early 2029, the hotel will feature 143 rooms along with restaurants, cafes and bars including elevated dining with district views, a fitness centre, pool, and conference and events facilities. 

I don't see the Hills District as a holiday venue, so the hotel will likely cater for functions and conferences. 

The Hills District is one of Greater Sydney's fastest-growing precincts and the new hotel will be located within walking distance of Castle Towers and Castle Hill Metro Station. 

“The signing of Novotel Sydney Castle Hill is a testament to the resilient demand for trusted, internationally recognised hospitality brands in key economic and lifestyle corridors across the Asia-Pacific region," said Duncan O'Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, MEA APAC, Accor.

"As urban dynamics shift, integrated mixed-use precincts like Nova Rêve are becoming the blueprint for modern living and travel. By partnering with Reve Group, we are not only expanding our footprint in Australia but also reinforcing our commitment to delivering versatile, high-quality hospitality hubs that serve both global travellers and thriving local communities."

The hotel is being developed by Reve Group, a Hills District-based developer with more than 30 years' experience delivering residential and mixed-use projects across Sydney. The precinct will comprise 253 apartments across three towers, rising to 23 levels at its tallest point, more than 1,600 square metres of ground level shops and cafes, and almost an acre of landscaped communal gardens. 

The Novotel brand has more than 620 hotels in 70 countries. See group.accor.com

Meet an Australian wine label with a Japanese accent

There is a small wine producer in Victoria that our correspondent Rick Allen reckons is worth keeping an eye on. 

It’s called Shimora - a blend of surnames and, chances are, you haven’t heard of it, he writes.

It’s a boutique wine label still in its infancy, but one to watch.

Based high up at 760 metres in the Macedon Ranges – “it’s one of Macedon’s highest vineyards” - Shimora is the brainchild of two highly driven people, husband and wife team Phil Moraghan (above) and Dr Rika Shimo.

If the Moraghan name is familiar, yes, it’s the same Phil Moraghan who was co-founder and winemaker at Curly Flat, whose classy Macedon wines in the early 2000s gained immediate attention. 

Japanese-born Rika came to wine later but is now a qualified winemaker and viticulturist. 

She’s very much an over-achiever … passing her wine studies with distinctions, also a former linguistics academic, art lover and classical pianist.

Their goal: to own their own vineyard and wine brand, and make the best cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir they possibly can.

It should be noted that in 2026 Macedon was officially measured as Australia’s coldest wine region - and Shimora is in the coldest part of it. 

‘Cool climate’ barely does it justice.

Right now they are two vintages in, both very small at just a couple of hundred cases, but things are bubbling along nicely.

“We looked at more than 100 sites over several years before we landed on this one,” Moraghan said. “It’s a beauty.” 

The vineyard at Little Hampton, seven kilometres from Trentham, had to pass a lot of tests, none more so than being frost free.

“Frost free was crucial, but topography and soil quality were also key issues,” he said.

“The soil is excellent and had a lot of organic matter, but we still spent a lot of time improving it even further before we planted.”

Today there are 11 acres under vine, mostly pinot noir, but also chardonnay.

“We’ll stick with those. The only possible addition could be a small planting of riesling. We both love the variety, Rika especially.”

Moraghan believes in recent years climate change has made many cool climate pinots bigger and darker.

“I don’t want that," he says. "I’m after classic iron fist in a velvet glove. More delicate, light red pinots you can almost see through, but with loads of complexity.

“And those leaner, flinty chardonnays with white peach and citrus.”

If Curly Flat is any example, he’ll get it all right.

There is a second label called Rika & Me ($30) that uses Yarra Valley fruit, designed to offer bang for your buck. And they most certainly do.

And interestingly, they have also visited Japan and made koshu wine from the Yamanashi Prefecture on Rika’s home island of Honshu, which are available through their new cellar door, which is open by appointment.

“Koshu is interesting, long living, citrusy; they remind me of Hunter semillons requiring time to develop their full potential,” Moraghan says. 

I've asked to try the wines so will update this with my thoughts shortly. See https://www.shimorawines.com.au/

# Rick Allen is the Hunter-based wine writer for the Newcastle Herald.

Hotel deals can pay big dividends

I noticed someone on social media the other day complaining about the high cost of hotel rooms in Hobart.

I was surprised because hotels in Tasmania are usually very reasonably priced compared to Sydney, Melbourne and other Australian capital cities.

The trouble was that these folk had not done their homework and were looking to book city centre accommodation over the Christmas-New Year period, peak season in Hobart.

Not only does the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race fleet arrive at this time, but the popular Taste of Summer Festival is held on the waterfront.

It is the most popular - and expensive - time of the year, by far.

If you choose a quiet period then Hobart, and other medium-sized cities like Canberra, can offer excellent value.

One of my trusted PR operatives made contact today with two deals that reflect this.

# Breakfast and a slower start at Vibe Hotel Hobart

The Hobart Escape at the central Vibe Hotel Hobart (top image) starts from from $249 per night for two guests and includes, daily breakfast for two, valued at $60, and a generous 12pm checkout.

 
Book by October 31 for stays from now to August 31, 2027, but note an $80 nightly high-season surcharge applies from October to March inclusive. Blackout dates also apply. vibehotels.com

# A capital stay at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra

Settle in for a stylish Canberra stay at the heritage-listed Hotel Kurrajong Canberra (above).

The Canberra Escapes package includes a 15% discount on accommodation, breakfast for two, 50% off parking and a 12pm checkout. The ongoing offer also includes free cancellation until 2pm one day before arrival. 

Priced from $199 for a maximum of two guests per room per night, there is no pesky minimum night stay required. Terms and conditions apply, as do blackout dates. hotelkurrajong.com.au. 

Fancy a cheap European excursion?

Heading to the UK next summer? Fancy a few random days somewhere different? Bulgaria, maybe, or perhaps Montenegro? 

Budget air air carrier easyJet - known for its very low fares - is making a major summer 2027 push, adding 18 new routes from UK airports as it expands its footprint in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Montenegro and beyond.

The airline will also put easyJet holidays packages on sale across all 18 new routes, giving travellers the option to combine flights and hotels through a single booking.

Spain is the biggest focus, with six new routes including easyJet’s first-ever flights from the UK to Girona, near Barcelona.

The airline will launch Liverpool-Girona on March 28, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays. London Gatwick-Girona follows on June 3 with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The airline is also expanding in Scotland.

Aberdeen will gain new services to Barcelona from March 31, twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and to Majorca from May 3, twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. easyJet will be the only airline flying between Aberdeen and Barcelona.

Liverpool will also receive a new Murcia service from March 29, twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, while Edinburgh gets a new Bilbao route from March 30, operating Tuesdays and Saturdays.

France is also getting three new connections. London Gatwick-Ajaccio launches June 30, Bristol-Montpellier starts July 1, and Manchester-Bastia begins June 29. Each route will operate twice weekly, with easyJet the only airline serving all three city pairs.

Italy gets two new routes. Birmingham-Milan Malpensa launches March 29 with twice-weekly Monday and Friday flights, while Edinburgh-Rome Fiumicino begins March 30 with Tuesday and Saturday departures. 

Well-kept secret Montenegro is another expansion target, with Edinburgh-Tivat launching March 29 and Birmingham-Tivat beginning May 3. Both routes will operate twice weekly.

Edinburgh also gains a new Hamburg service from March 29, while Bristol adds Burgas in Bulgaria from May 28. Newcastle gets a newLarnaca service from March 31, operating weekly on Wednesdays.

Greece will see two additions: London Southend-Rhodes from April 27, twice weekly, and London Luton-Thessaloniki from May 1, with weekly Saturday flights.