HotelChatter - au

Park Hyatt Sydney Will Reopen March 1 at $855 a Night

MsRebecca — 2012-01-20T11:46:28-05:00

We knew the big, big revamp of the Park Hyatt Sydney was going to be a big deal. But deal is not a word you're going to hear in any other capacity when it comes to this harbour-front icon.

Apparently the hotel is on track to re-open in mid-February but is taking reservations from March 1 onwards. And the starting rate for a night on March 1st? $AUD 855 a night.

Before you think, but hey, that's Aussie dollars. It's got to be cheaper when you convert it, right? --check out how strong that Aussie dollar is. The rate converts to $893 US dollars. Ouch.

And In the Flash of an Eye, A Banksy Got Stolen

ASchechter — 2011-12-27T09:35:02-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/BanksyStolen.jpg" class="top">Two weeks ago, we found out about a contest going on at Melbourne's Art Series Hotels (<a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/11/9/211910/275/hotels/Melbourne%27s+Third+Art+Series+Hotel%2C+The+Blackman%2C+Is+Open+%28And+Three+More+Are+On+The+Way%29">The Blackman</a>, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/4/15/95553/5983/hotels/Melbourne%27s+Latest+Art+Hotel%2C+The+Olsen%2C+is+Now+Open">The Olsen</a> and <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/12/17/111156/90/hotels/Introducing+The+Cullen+Hotel+%28R-Patz+Not+Included+With+Room+Service%29">The Cullen</a>). Per the contest's rules, anyone who was able to steal a Banksy painting from one of the hotels, and not get caught in the act, could rightfully claim it as their own. Well, someone's done it. Last week, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/stealbanksy">@stealbanksy</a> alerted us to a spectacular heist pulled off at <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/11/9/211910/275/hotels/Melbourne_s_Third_Art_Series_Hotel_The_Blackman_Is_Open_And_Three_More_Are_On_The_Way_">The Blackman</a> by Maura Tuohy and an accomplice by the name of Megan Aney. Apparently, quite a few attemps were made at stealing the artwork, including dismantling the hotel's CCTV cameras, wiring the Front Desk with a listening device, and overloading the

For Once, A Hotel Is Actively Encouraging Guests To Steal Something

ASchechter — 2011-12-16T09:00:02-05:00

Over in Melbourne, a trio of hotels known as the Art Series Hotels (The Blackman, The Olsen and The Cullen) are running a rather bizarre contest that rewards the burgling abilities of its guests. Which is probably something The Carlyle or The Ritz-Carlton wouldn't consider in a million years.

Hidden somewhere inside one of the buildings is an authentic Banksy painting titled "No Ball Games" (above). The guest who manages to find it, grab it, and of course, not get caught, gets to go home with the $15,000 prize.

The most important part? You gotta be cool. Among the contest's rules: each participant must "be a polite, respectful and sophisticated art crook."

What It's Like in Paradise, The Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel in Australia

jetflyboy — 2011-11-22T16:29:42-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6193/Hilton_Tower_with_Curves.jpg" class="top">Nothing beats a new hotel, especially when it is in a town called Surfers Paradise. Hilton's house got a little too tight and they had to build a whole new tower to attract new guests. The two-month old Orchid Tower of the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hilton+Surfers+Paradise+/local/4937">Hilton's Surfers Paradise Hotel</a> is not only designed beautifully on the outside, but boasts some of the best service and amenities on the Glitter Strip. Hilton's new tower soars above one of the most iconic beaches in <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/tag/australia travel">Australia</a>, aptly named Surfers Paradise, and is just one block to the beach. This new tower is home to the Executive Rooms for the hotel and private residences. Celebrity chef, Luke Mangan, has also made this

The Park Hyatt Sydney Will Be More Luxe Than Ever When It Reopens Later This Year

Heidi Atwal — 2011-09-23T15:15:04-05:00

Floor-to-ceiling windows GALORE at the newly-reopened Park Hyatt Sydney

Luxe travelers to the Land Down Under were dealt a blow when the iconic Park Hyatt Sydney closed its doors almost a year ago for an Extreme Hotel Makeover. After being stripped and redesigned nearly from scratch, the hotel is set to open later this year and promises to be more extravagant than ever. With all of the major nips and tucks it's received, you'd swear it doesn't look a day over its 21-years.