Prevue May/June 2012 - (Page 70)

Left: Uluru (Ayers Rock) Opposite: Longitude 131° Harbour Bridge, each unparalleled in the city. Most appealing for elite incentive planners, one tenured butler per room delivers consummate service 24 hours a day. Focused on exclusive guest experiences aligned with current trends, the pool, spa and gym have all doubled in size with numerous modern services and amenities. Five multifunctional meeting rooms feature the latest A/V technology. The newly designed 1,900-sf Gallery accommodates groups up to 150 seated or 250 for a reception with contemporary artwork from leading Australian artists. Groups up to 70 will be delighted by the 1,200-sf Guest House situated on the edge of Sydney Harbour with a presentation kitchen and private outdoor terrace. NORTHERN TERRITORY After a 2-hour flight to the Northern Territory, the vastness of space is overwhelming and irresistible. The exotic ruggedness of the desert is palpable, while the fertility of the land is an unexpected surprise. There’s deep red sand as far as the eye can see, yet the subtle profusion of green flora provides a glimpse into the earth’s raw harmony. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a large DMC that brings the aboriginal heart of Australia into the hearts of its guests. They operate the Voyages Ayers Rock Resorts collection of hotels combining a wide variety of accommodation options, meeting venues, restaurants and lounges together in a very walkable campus. For the planner it’s a distinctive 1-stop shop with matchless opportunities to create a one-of-a-kind experience for large and small groups alike. The best part of all, the entire program epitomizes CSR as all of the profits from the resorts and activities alike support the Indigenous Land Council’s indigenous programs. In May, the flagship Sails in the Desert resort will unveil 231 renovated rooms that pay tribute to aboriginal heritage. Immediately upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the Mulgara Gallery featuring local works of art that showcase the hotel’s ”Our award-winning 4-course meal included kangaroo carpaccio and local barramundi fish filet paired with premium Australian wines.” INTERCONTINENTAL SYDNEY Another standout in the harbor, the luxurious 509-room InterContinental Sydney is housed inside the historic 1851 Treasury Building. Rich in heritage and character, the hotel’s centerpiece inside this contemporary hotel is the captivating Cortile Lounge, an entrancingly perfect spot to lounge with colleagues. It’s a beguiling marble courtyard under a soaring glass atrium with a stunning spiral staircase. InterContinental epitomizes affordable upscale meetings. There are 15 state-of-the-art, sophisticated yet charming meeting rooms, including the most stellar spot for groups under 40 on the 31st floor. The newly renovated Harbour Room features breathtaking views of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Circular Quay, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Another rare treat is the hotel’s partnership with the Chandon Winery of Australia, whose sparkling wines and keen oenologists add value while delighting delegates’ minds and palates. This is just one of the ways how InterContinental strives to deliver an authentic destination experience. commitment to the local Anangu people. Multi-room villas create a perimeter around a large courtyard for guests to enjoy a cool refreshing dip in a tranquil pool, or simply relax on a bright white lounge chair. White sails are stretched into overlapping patterns overhead to create shaded areas for outdoor group gatherings. The resort’s largest meeting venue, the Tjungu, is reopening in August 2012 with a completely renovated adaptable space for groups up to 420 theater, 220 banquet. So many group options here. We participated in aboriginal activities such as duck painting. Delegates learn about various Anangu symbols to create paintings with native-made paints and heated wire hangers to burn repeated dots into dry wood. We enjoyed a barbeque feast enriched with the sounds of a local Anangu choir. There were camel rides at sunrise, plane rides over the untouched desert, and guided hikes around Uluru (Ayers Rock) to hear ancestral stories about Anangu history. “It’s fantastic to really see what is indigenous to an area and to take some of that culture home with you,” says Meg Prodsky, vp of sales for Maritz Travel. 62 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue May/June 2012

Sheraton China + Macau
The Peppermill, Reno
Charleston + Denver
CSR with Caesars
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Terminal
Special Section: Europe
Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf
Affordable Luxury
Frenchman's Reef, USVI
Australia
Toronto
Taiwan
U.S. Gaming Hotels
Caesars/Paris Las Vegas
Grand Lucayan, Bahamas
Iberostar Cancun

Prevue May/June 2012