Mercure Resort
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 HOT OFF THE GRAPEVINEPosted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009HOT OFF THE GRAPEVINE – HUNTER ICON REBRANDS TO MERCURE Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens signals new era in food and wine Tallawanta Lodge at the Hunter Valley Gardens Village and complex will today be branded as Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens in recognition of its strong food and beverage focus and excellent conferencing facilities. The move is part of a new direction for Mercure, with the brand strengthening its position as an upper midscale network of distinctive hotels that truly reflect their regions. It was decided that the Hunter Valley Gardens property would be an ideal fit for the Mercure brand, with its warm and friendly atmosphere, unique personality and ability to provide an authentic experience of the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley rebranding follows the recent signing of the Balgownie Estate Resort and Spa to the Mercure brand, which further strengthens Mercure’s food and wine offerings in Australia. “We are very excited to join the Mercure brand at a time when Accor is focused on further enhancing the brand, especially in the conferencing sector where we are very strong,” said General Manager Paul O’Rourke. “The Mercure brand is also a perfect fit for us because of the Grands Vins concept and the brand’s focus on regional food and wine – which is exactly what we are all about.” Simon McGrath, Accor Vice President Australia, said the move was part of a wider strategy by Accor to more clearly define its brands and to reposition several of its brands into a more upscale sector. “After extensive consultation with the owners it was decided that the Mercure name was the right brand for this property thanks to its strong personality, focus on food and wine, extensive conferencing facilities and, due to its prime location in the very centre of the Hunter Valley, its regionality – all the things a Mercure hotel should embody. “The hotel can now participate in the Mercure Meetings program, which promises carbon neutral meetings and can be sold as part of the Mercure Meetings network. “Both Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and Mercure Balgownie Estate Resort and Spa embody the new spirit of the Mercure brand and show where the brand is headed in the future.” Given its position in the heart of NSW wine country, the Mercure will now offer the Mercure Grands Vins wine list, a global standard which offers a localised wine list of distinctive NSW wines at special prices so that guests can enjoy a true taste of the region during their stay. The 72-room boutique hotel also offers a variety of room styles so it fits with the Mercure Privileges room concept which offers the best rooms in the hotel with additional services. As part of the move by Accor to enhance the Mercure network, the brand also introduced the new “Pure Pleasures” concept which focuses on Mercure’s expertise in wine and enhances this with the best coffees and teas available to guests at all times of the day. The Pure Pleasures concept embraces Mercure’s hedonistic approach to hospitality and provides guests with a real flavour of the regions in which Mercure hotels are located. Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens provides various accommodation styles including studio suites, garden suites, spa rooms and family rooms, as well as comprehensive conferencing facilities for up to 250 people in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Adjacent to the famous Hunter Valley Gardens and Hunter Village with its collection of boutiques and cafes, it is also within walking distance of no fewer than six wineries, making it arguably the best-positioned hotel in the Valley. Leisure facilities include tennis courts, a resort-style pool, sauna, spa, and Lodge Library, with the Hunter Valley Gardens Village – and all its attractions - right at the doorstep. The adjacent Hunter Valley Gardens development includes the largest display garden in the country with thousands of plants across 12 stunning display gardens. One of the most important features of a Mercure hotel is that its menus feature the best-in-class local produce and the Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens’ famous Steakhouse is a perfect example of this, showcasing the best Hunter beef and wines in a warm and relaxed setting. Another Mercure brand standard is that its staff play an active role in their local community and this is certainly true of General Manager Paul O’Rourke and his team who can enhance the experience of guests by helping them plan their sightseeing and entertainment and make the most of their visit. There are currently over 700 Mercure Hotels around the world, with the aim to reach 1000 hotels by 2015. Mercure is the second largest hotel network in the world – outside of North America – in terms of number of rooms, and is the premier global midmarket hotel brand. A day on the greenPosted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009"A day on the green" LAUNCHES 2009/10 SUMMER SEASON THE B-52s and THE PROCLAIMERS GET THE PARTY STARTED! At Refurbished Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – Saturday November 21 The B-52s will roam around Australia later this year and the Scottish wonder twins The Proclaimers are also on their way (ahuh) for a fabulous November/December national concert tour. Both bands will perform at six ‘a day on the green’ winery events to launch the 2009/10 summer season with the very first concert of the tour being at Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley on Saturday November 21. Both The B-52s and The Proclaimers are renowned for their charismatic live stage shows and raucous, uplifting music, so how much fun will this be! Mental As Anything, who is celebrating their 30th anniversary, will kick start all concerts. In preparation for this summer’s concerts, Bimbadgen Estate is currently undergoing renovations to further improve the venue. The main site area is being re-landscaped to increase the capacity for patrons and the parking area is being resurfaced to ensure coaches and cars can be parked on site whatever the weather conditions. Both are major initiatives to increase the comfort of all concert goers. The B-52s – Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland and Cindy Wilson - put Athens, Georgia on the musical map in the late '70s, with their quirky and unconventional take on the new wave sound of the era. The band’s pioneering fusions of punk, new wave, vintage rock and electronic music all wrapped up in savvy hooks was an instant success. With three unique vocalists, they were an upbeat irresistible party band – and the world loved them! 1978’s ‘Rock Lobster’ single exploded in the US, and Australia wasn’t far behind. Their self-titled debut album yielded three Top Ten hits in Australia and with their colorful highly-stylised videos, they quickly became ‘Countdown’ favourites. 1989’s ‘Cosmic Thing’ album was their multi-platinum breakthrough with the irrepressible ‘Love Shack’ notching up eight weeks at #1 on the Australian charts. The band’s brilliant live concerts have ensured a loyal audience all over the world, and with their last Australian national tour being 1990 (they played one Sydney show only in 2004) – Aussie fans have waited far too long! Their current album ‘Funplex’ (April 2008 EMI) debuted at #11 on the US charts, their 2nd highest album debut ever, and is instantly recognizable as prime, yet contemporary, B-52s. Very special guests on the tour are Scotland’s finest Celtic soul brothers The Proclaimers. Twins Craig and Charlie Reid charmed the world with their consummate pop songs, charged with emotional honesty, political fire and wit like the euphoric ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ and ‘I’m On My Way’, both massive hits in Australia. The brothers have played and conquered Glastonbury, V Festival, Isle Of Wight and Womad to name a few, their talent and charm irrefutable. Most recently their songs have been the inspiration behind the enormously successful and award-winning musical ‘Sunshine On The Leith’ first performed in Scotland in 2007, and continuing to play across the UK. Always touring solidly, the band completed a 130 date world tour in 2007/08 before getting down to writing and producing their new album ‘Notes And Rhymes’ (Universal) released here on June 19. Honest, hard-working and absolutely wonderful live in concert, The Proclaimers have not toured Australia since 2003, so are long overdue! And to get the party started will be everyone’s favourite party band Mental As Anything. Celebrating 30 years since the release of their very first EP, the Mentals will kick-start all shows with the classic hits from their new 2-CD set “Essential As Anything” (Warner Music). So there you have it...... The B-52s, The Proclaimers and Mental As Anything – three of the world’s best party bands all in one night! Don’t miss it. The ‘a day on the green’ concerts are the first announced for the upcoming 2009/10 summer season, which will be the event’s ninth year. More than 165 shows and almost one million happy patrons later, the ‘a day on the green’ experience of good food, good wine and great music is undoubtedly established as one of Australia’s most popular concert events. EVENT INFORMATION: Saturday November 21 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley ‘a day on the green’ is a fully licensed event. Strictly no BYO alcohol. Food will be available for purchase on site, picnic rugs and deck chairs are recommended. Gates open at 4pm. TICKET INFORMATION: General Admission: $99.50 plus b/fee. Gold: (reserved seat at front of the stage): $160 plus b/fee Silver: (reserved seat at front of the stage): $125 plus b/fee For Concert and Dining Package call Ticketmaster on (03) 9685 2477. For coach enquiries, call Rover Coaches (02) 4990 1699. For accommodation enquiries, call Hunter Valley Wine Country (02) 4990 0900. TICKETS ON SALE FROM MONDAY JUNE 22 From www.ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100 www.adayonthegreen.com.au For Media Information, please contact: Chrissie Camp Publicity (02) 9973 3004 chrissie@ccpublicity.com.au Proudly presented by Roundhouse, Bimbadgen Estate, MAX and KO FM. John Farnham Live by DemandPosted on Thursday, September 03, 2009John Farnham Live by Demand Saturday 19th September 2009 Hope Estate – Hunter Valley Tickets on sale 9am Monday 15th June The exact words uttered are open for conjecture but those there on side-of-stage at the Sydney Cricket Ground not long after midday on March 14 concur. “God, I’ve missed this!” was the essence of John Farnham’s reaction to the soaring, roaring and overwhelming response to his performance of ‘You’re the Voice’, with admirers Coldplay, at the Sound Relief benefit concert. The Beatles once sang, he’s back where he once belonged. John Farnham Live By Demand is just that. It meets a ceaseless national enquiry over the past three years as to when the man, who has sold more tickets and more albums and notched up more achievements than any other Australian musician, would return to perform. Until Pink’s current tour Farnham held the record for the most number of tickets – close to 25,000 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. John Farnham will be the first artist to appear in Hope Estate concert series and also the first to open the Hunter Valley concert season. Tickets on Sale 9am Monday 15th June 2009 through Ticketmaster 136 100 or online www.ticketmaster.com.au Dinner & show packages plus accommodation available exclusively through Hope Estate 1800 777 444 or www.hopeestate.com.au TOUR WEBSITE www.farnhambydemand.com For further information please contact Bree Kinder - Rockcity Event Marketing Phone: 02 4963 7000 Email: bree@rockcity.com.au |
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