2007 Choice Accommodation Directory out including a range of new properties!

Four luxury Clarion hotels in New Zealand’s most desirable holiday locations feature in the latest travel directory published by Choice Hotels Australasia™ (CHA) to promote its network of hotels throughout the region.

CHA’s Senior Director Sales & Marketing Aileen Cobern said the group’s 2007 Asia Pacific Directory listed 18 new properties, including four new luxury Clarions in New Zealand – Clarion Suites Sacred Waters in Taupo, Nugget Point Clarion Collection Hotel Queenstown, Edgewater Palms – Clarion Collection Hotel in Paihia, near Bay of Islands, and Clarion Suites Lake Wanaka, adding “Completing the list are 14 fantastic new Quality and Comfort branded properties in locations as diverse as Bundaberg, Devonport and Walpole in south Western Australia.”

Ms Cobern said the directory not only listed all CHA properties in the Asia Pacific region but clearly explained a range of user benefits including CHA’s new Velocity Rewards partnership with Virgin Blue, Choice HotelPass, Choice Privileges® Rewards Program, AAA Tourism STAR Ratings and partnerships with Qantas and Air New Zealand, adding, “Now in its 44th year, the 2007 directory is regarded as the essential tool for international and domestic travelers alike and a great companion to our new website that offers best internet rate guarantee, calendar view booking function and innovative electronic hotel e-brochures”.

Choice Hotels Australasia’s newest properties are:

Clarion Suites Sacred Waters – Taupo, NZ: Featuring luxurious waters-edge apartment accommodation, the suites offer spacious living, modern furnishings, full kitchen and laundry, sky channel, large plasma television, spacious outdoor deck area and hot mineral pool. The property offers direct lakefront access and is close to the many cafes, bars and restaurants of Taupo township.

Edgewater Palms Clarion Collection Hotel – Paihia, Bay of Islands, NZ: Luxurious fully self-contained 5-star Qualmark waterfront property situated just steps from Paihia beachfront – gateway to the Bay of Islands. One and two-bedroom apartments are spacious and modern with expansive sea views. Swimming pool with deck and underground parking also available.

Nugget Point A Clarion Collection Hotel – Queenstown, NZ: Each indulgent open-plan suite has been individually decorated and feature river view suites with dramatic vistas of the ‘gold rich’ Shotover River and Remarkables, Sugar Loaf Hill and Cecil Peak.  Gardenview suites are set in lush garden surrounds.

Clarion Suites Lake Wanaka – Wanaka, New Zealand: A new luxury complex featuring inviting, spacious apartments with popular on-site facilities including a tennis court, swimming pool, spa, gym, petanque court and games room.

Quality Suites Clifton on Northbourne – Canberra, ACT: The property offers one and two-bedroom, non-smoking, fully serviced apartments with balconies, Foxtel and high-speed internet access.  This brand new, contemporary apartment hotel is located in downtown Canberra and offers a stylish experience in the nation’s capital.

Comfort Inn & Suites Arlia Sands – Hervey Bay, QLD: Located in a quiet part of central Hervey Bay, the inn is close to popular Shelly Beach and the many shops and restaurants along the Esplanade. Its new and refurbished one and two-bedroom air-conditioned apartments offer everything for an enjoyable family or business visit, with corporate guests welcome and tour bookings available.

Quality Inn Overlander Homestead – Roma, QLD: Quality Inn Overlander Homestead offers colonial style accommodation that offers a welcoming and homely atmosphere in expansive landscaped gardens that make a special feature of Roma’s famous bottle trees, ideal for a relaxing and restful stay.

Comfort Inn Deakin Palms – Mildura, VIC: Offering fully renovated king and queen beds with widescreen TV’s, split-system heating/cooling, free Austar pay TV and full wireless internet, the property is ideal for leisure and corporate guests who will enjoy dining in the properties fully licensed and recently refurbished restaurant.  

Comfort Inn Bay City Geelong – Geelong, VIC: Centrally located with 18 comfortable units, secure on-site parking, wireless internet, free Foxtel and its own licensed restaurant, this hotel is just 200 metres from the city centre, waterfront, Deakin University, Ford Discovery Centre, National Wool Museum and Botanic gardens.

Comfort Inn Bert Hinkler – Bundaberg, QLD: Surrounded by tropical gardens, pool, spa and sauna, the hotel offers Austar and broadband in all rooms and conferences and wedding facilities for up to 100 guests.  Its convenient location beside the CBD makes it ideal for corporate or family travellers.

Comfort Inn Albury Townhouse – Albury, NSW:  Large elegantly appointed rooms are a feature of this centrally located hotel that also offers standard, deluxe, twin or family rooms featuring modem points and wireless broadband.  Convenience and a warm welcome are guaranteed at the Townhouse.

Comfort Inn Mid City – Gladstone, QLD: The property offers 25 standard and deluxe rooms just one block from the central business district and within walking distance of such visitor attractions as the yacht club, Gladstone Marina, Heron Island departure wharf, university and entertainment centre.

Comfort Inn Tree Top Walk – Walpole, WA: This expansive and beautiful property offers exceptional value for money with 35 rooms in a courtyard layout in the centre of Walpole just 15km from the town’s famous Tree Tops Walk.  Lush gardens provide a relacing ambience and a restaurant serves up breakfast and dinner.

Quality Hotel Mildura Grand – Mildura, VIC: On offer here is superb resort style accommodation in comfortable suites with pool, sauna, spa, gym and a wide selection of dining options in Stefano’s, Dining Room One, Spanish Grill, Mildura Brewery and Pub and Tabaret Lounge.  True country hospitality is assured, and a buffet breakfast is included in the tariff.

Quality Hotel Gateway – Devonport, TAS: Offering a wide selection of contemporary accommodation in 64 standard and 24 deluxe rooms, this hotel is located in the heart of Devonport and offers expansive river and sea views from its newly extended top floor deluxe rooms.  Function rooms, a cocktail lounge, bar and restaurant make the property ideal for corporate/private events or weddings.

Comfort Inn Gold Rush – Queenstown, TAS: A well appointed property with many of its 26 spacious ground floor units, offering fully -quipped kitchens, en-suites, electric blankets, phone, TV, data port and heating/cooling.  Off-street parking and a tour desk are also available.

Comfort Hotel Highlander – Adelaide, SA: Rooms include such features as high quality flatscreen LCD TV’s, DVD players and spa baths in seven of the rooms.

Quality Hotel Wellington – Wellington, NZ:  Opening late 2007, this hotel will offer 95 suites and apartments with covered car parks, gym and heated covered swimming pool with sun deck.  A conference centre will cater for up to 200 delegates.

For bookings and reservations contact 13 2400 in Australia and 0800 803 524 in New Zealand or visit www.choicehotels.com.au or www.choicehotels.co.nz

Report by The Mole