Perth to welcome new hotel brands

Perth is a hive of hotel activity.

The Radisson Hotel Group this week announce the signing of Radisson Perth (above), an upscale hotel in the Sydney Charles Quarter (SCQ) precinct in West Perth.

The opening later this year will mark the debut of the Radisson brand in Western Australia.

Developed by APPL Group and operated by Mandala Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Perth will form a key part of SCQ, a mixed-use development designed as a "connected village" that brings together residential, commercial, and lifestyle elements.

The hotel will feature 120 rooms and studios, complemented by a rooftop bar and restaurant, meeting spaces, and a swimming pool.

"We're delighted to bring the Radisson brand to this exciting precinct," said Danilo Curcuruto, director of development, Australasia, Radisson Hotel Group.

"Radisson Perth is a strong addition to our growing presence in Australia and reflects our focus on partnering with high-quality developments in key urban locations."

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Ovolo Hotels, meanwhile, are set to launch The Bennett by Ovolo Perth a Wyndham Hotel. A very clumsy name.

The 111-key hotel is slated to open in 2028, with the signing announced at AHICE Global Hotel Industry Conferences.

New wines come with a serious pedigree

Barely a week goes by without someone launching a new wine brand, often with grandiose claims to uniqueness.

This is the second release of wines from the Cat and Frank label - the first time I have seen them - but these newcomers have a serious pedigree behind them.

Cat and Frank are Catia d'Anna and her father Franco, the winemaker behind multiple Yarra Valley labels including Hoddles Creek, Wickhams Road and 1er Yarra Valley, all labels known for quality and value for money. The family also owns highly-rated Boccaccio Cellars. 

Distribution of the 2025 Cat and Frank Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is limited right now - but they will be well worth looking out for at $30 RRP. 

Catia D’Anna (above) has been surrounded by vineyards and wineries all her life.

She completed a science degree and subsided her university lifestyle with working part time in the family's vineyards.

She has completed vintages at Brokenwood Wines and Craggy Range as well as alongside father Franco at Hoddles Creek Estate - learning a few tips and tricks along the way.

Franco is guiding Catia with sourcing select fruit from the Upper Yarra and transferring his winemaking finesse to her one step at a time, their website says. 

The chardonnay has impressively McGrathian line and length and marries impressive clarity with interesting but  subdued textural elements. My wife described it as “not overly fussy but sophisticated” - and poured herself another glass. 

The pinot noir skips along the palate with youthful enthusiasm. This is a lovely cool-climate wine: aromatic with a beguiling balance between fruit and savoury notes. Delightful as a youngster.

See https://www.catandfrankwines.com.au/

Changing of the guard at Hungerford Hill

Hunter Valley wine producer Hungerford Hill dropped a bombshell tonight with news that GM and chief winemaker Brian Currie is departing after close to a decade in charge.

Hungerford Hill and its associated wineries announced the appointment of Pierre Durand to those roles as of June 9, 

Durand is described in the media release as a "French-born Australian winemaker with strong ties to the Hunter Valley" but many of his recent roles have been in management and sales, including at Endeavour Group as head of sales, at Langton's and at DMG Fine Wine.

“Iʼm very pleased to be joining Hungerford Hill, Dalwood Estate and Sweetwater Wines at such an exciting time,” said Durand. “The opportunity to return to the Hunter Valley and contribute to its vibrant wine community is incredibly meaningful.

"I look forward to working closely with the vineyard, winemaking and commercial teams to build on the strong foundations already in place.”

Currie, who has been in charge since November 2016 and has a formidable reputation, said: “Pierre brings a combination of wine experience and strong commercial insight.

“His understanding of both production and market dynamics positions him exceptionally well to lead the business into its next chapter.”

The company said in its release: “Bryanʼs contribution to the business and the Hunter Valley more broadly has been significant. 

“His leadership, dedication and commitment to quality have left a lasting imprint on the wines and the team. We thank him for his outstanding contribution and wish him every success in his next chapter.”

Durandʼs appointment marks a return to the region where he trained in viticulture at Kurri Kurri TAFE and had several cellar hand roles.

Movenpick hotel brand booming in Australia and New Zealand

The Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand is booming - no surprise as Australians look for casual but professional hotel experiences.

The Accor Group has announced the signing of Mövenpick Hotel Adelaide - a complete reimagining of what is currently the Peppers Waymouth Adelaide.

The property on Waymouth Street has undergone a significant refurbishment across rooms, suites, shared spaces, and a contemporary restaurant.

Further enhancements to corridors and guest rooms are coming with the hotel set to reopen under its new guise in December.

That will a total of five Mövenpick properties across Australia and New Zealand, alongside Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, and Wellington.

Established in 1948, Mövenpick evolved from a restaurant concept in Switzerland into a global brand with more than 140 hotels across 40+ countries.

“We are proud to partner with Accor to bring Mövenpick to Adelaide”, said Domenic Mattioli, founder of owners the Mattioli Group.

“The hotel has already undergone a significant transformation, and this next chapter allows us to build on that investment with a brand that is globally recognised for its warmth, quality and ability to bring people together.

"Mövenpick's focus on generous hospitality and meaningful guest experiences aligns closely with our vision for the property and its role within the city.”

Accor is, naturally, excited.

“Adelaide is a dynamic city with a strong cultural and culinary identity, making it a natural fit for Mövenpick” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

“This signing allows us to introduce a brand that resonates with today's travellers - one that brings people together through generous hospitality, shared experiences and a genuine sense of place.”

AirAsia swoops to buy 150 new Airbus aircraft

Unperturbed by aviation industry headwinds, Air Asia Group this morning announced a huge fllet expansion.

AirAsia X Berhad revealed a deal with Airbus valued at approximately US$19 billion for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the strategic flexibility to upsize the commitment to 300 of the same aircraft subject to future demand.

The landmark agreement represents the single largest firm order for the A220 type placed by any airline globally.

The move signals a decisive shift in AirAsia’s future fleet strategy, prioritising operational discipline and margin protection in an evolving global market, the airline said in a statement.

The order was officially announced at a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, attended by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft (above).

With the order, AirAsia makes history as the global launch customer for the high-density, 160-seat configuration - which the airline sees as perfect for its short- and medium-haul routes.

This opens up smaller, high-growth markets and secondary hubs that were previously commercially unviable.

“AirAsia has spent more than two decades making the world smaller," said Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group.

"We built Malaysia into the world's top low-cost carrier hub, and we opened up air travel to millions of people across Asia who had never flown before.

"This plane gives us the ability to build the biggest and densest network, serving as a vital tool for efficiency. Its range of up to seven hours opens up entirely new possibilities, and allows us to match right-sized capacity to demand and give our guests the flexibility to fly whenever they want through increased frequencies."

Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the latest technology to maximise productivity and also open up new routes across Asia that were not feasible before."

Upon delivery from 2028, the aircraft will service destinations across Asia, and into the Pacific, freeing up larger A320s and A321s to mid-haul routes, and A330s to fly longer-haul routes into Europe, Australia and North America.

Fiji hotel favourite unveils a new look

Fiji has long been a favourite holiday destination for Australians - particularly family groups.

It seems to have fallen behind Bali, Thailand and Vietnam in terms of media focus in recent years.

One long-time Fiji favourite, Fiji Gateway Hotel, is aiming to turn that tide with the completion of the new accommodation wing, along with an expanded dining facility.

The expansion introduces 47 modern new rooms and suites and doubles the hotel’s restaurant capacity, the Raffe Hotels and Resorts group announced.

Situated directly opposite Nadi International Airport, Fiji Gateway Hotel is a convenient base for starting or ending a Fiji adventure, or for anyone in transit. 

The development, designed by Fiji-based company Architects Pacific, features 44 deluxe rooms and three two-bedroom suites designed for families. The hotel’s total room inventory has increased from 95 to 135.

The interiors have been crafted by New Zealand design studio Furnz Group, drawing inspiration from Fiji’s natural beauty.

Each room features bespoke pieces developed in collaboration with Rise Beyond the Reef, a Fijian non-profit organisation supporting rural Indigenous women and their families.

The expanded Palm Court Restaurant includes a new indoor dining room, offering additional space while maintaining the relaxed, open-air dining experience.

"Fiji Gateway Hotel has consistently operated at high occupancy, and with surging visitor numbers, we recognised the need to expand our accommodation and dining offerings," said Lee Pearce, CEO of Raffe Hotels & Resorts. 

"These new rooms and the additional restaurant space allow us to provide more choice and comfort for our guests, while ensuring they continue to enjoy the warm hospitality and tropical charm that Fiji Gateway is known for."

For more information see www.fijigateway.com.