Select Welcomes More New Members for 2008

Select, the marque of excellence in unique accommodation and travel experiences throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and beyond, is proud to announce four additional exciting Member properties for 2008 Select is continuing the shift toward more diverse luxury accommodation markets, adding a Member in China for the first time, two additional Australian Member properties and one more in New Zealand.

These latest Select Members are described briefly below and will soon be added to our extensive website www.selecthotels.com.

Ralph Kelly, Select’s Managing Director, says, “I am delighted that Select continues to be so eagerly embraced by properties around the region, particularly in Asia and now also in China. Our core Membership in Australia and New Zealand is also strengthened with the addition of these wonderful properties. My team and I are extremely excited to be able to promote such a diverse and superlative group of unique travel experiences to the world in 2008”.
New Member Properties:

Q Station, Sydney, NSW:
www.qstation.com.au

Located at Sydney’s North Head, Q Station (formerly the Quarantine Station) is a large historic site within the Sydney Harbour National Park, just 30 minutes from the CBD by water taxi or 45 minutes from Sydney

Airport. Along with the Sydney Opera House, it is listed on the National Estate – one level below World Heritage significance.

The April 2008 completion of a $17.3million refurbishment offers guests a suite of lifestyle experiences ranging from accommodation and conference facilities with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and Defiance, an immersion theatre experience. Q Station has the hallmarks of a contemporary resort, with conference facilities for 150, 75 rooms and six cottages, two restaurants and a 10-room spa that will open later this year. The Boilerhouse Restaurant, situated on Quarantine Beach, caters to all tastes with a modern international menu designed by Executive Chef, Reinhard Roithner who joins Q Station from Singapore, a member of the prestigious Academie Culinaire de France being counted as one of the exclusive 450 chef members worldwide. Guests at the Boilerhouse Restaurant can choose to dine indoors in the magnificent mezzanine overlooking the open plan kitchen or al fresco overlooking the harbour.

LOCATION: Sydney’s North Head, five minutes drive from Manly and 30 minutes from the CBD.

Paradise Bay Eco Escape, Whitsundays, QLD
www.paradisebay.com.au

Imagine arriving by helicopter to a secluded luxury island paradise, basking in the sun, swimming in tropical waters, dining on gourmet food and exploring the islands, coral gardens and deserted beaches under billowing sails …

Paradise Bay is one of Australia’s most unique and environmentally sustainable resorts, located in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, just near the world famous Great Barrier Reef. Paradise Bay welcomes guests with the philosophy of relaxed eco luxury is peace, quiet, getting close to (and sometimes touching) nature, being able to see the stars in the skies, private beaches, wilderness and snorkeling in places where there is nobody else. Laze in a hammock or stretch out on sundowners, relax in a private waterfront bungalow surrounded by national park rainforest and private beach.

For the more adventurous of heart guests are offered the chance to explore the waterways and the surrounding islands and reefs on Paradise Bay’s own 34 foot catamaran. The resorts teams of gourmet chefs are waiting to delight guest pallets with fresh local produce, sea food and other temping morsels.

This is a very unique way to experience and explore Australia’s most spectacular natural region, with a maximum of 16 guests, an all-inclusive tariff, gourmet food, no single surcharge, and no TV, phones, children or day visitors.

LOCATION: 3 hours from Sydney including flight to Hamilton Island and a 10 minute helicopter transfer to the island (transfer included in tariff).

Edgewater Resort Hotel, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
www.edgewater.co.nz

Edgewater Resort Hotel is located on the edge of Lake Wanaka- New Zealand’s fourth largest, the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. Edgewater Resort Hotel offers a relaxing haven away with spacious and comfortable accommodation ranging from hotel style rooms, to self contained one-bedroom suites and two bedroom apartments. All 104 rooms have views of the lake and Alps and each have either a balcony or patio to allow guests to enjoy direct access to the rolling lawns leading the lake’s edge and the visual backdrop of the magnificent Southern Alps.

Edgewater Resort is a favourite for wedding parties and conference groups. There are recreational choices to suit each season: guests can play tennis, explore Lake Wanaka by kayak, seize the challenge of mountain biking in the nearby undulating terrain or simply relax in the sauna or the spa, while for children there is the playground. During the winter Wanaka comes alive as snow enthusiasts indulge their passions at any one of our nearby ski resorts, including a dedicated freestyle ski resort and at New Zealand’s only Nordic ski area.

LOCATION: A five hour drive from Christchurch or a one hour drive from Queenstown airport.

88 Xintiandi Executive Residences, Shanghai
www.88xintiandi.com

Located in the heart of Shanghai in the internationally-acclaimed Shanghai Xintiandi, one of the city’s most exciting storied districts, the former French Concession and a short distance from the city’s main shopping areas, guests will discover a unique urban living experience.

Shanghai Xintiandi is a re-creation born out of the sprawls of Shikumen housing- the architectural symbol of early 20th century Shanghai. There are 5 different layouts among the properties 53 residences. With luxurious comfort and style as its essence, 88 Xintiandi’s interiors are exceedingly modern in comfort, function and beauty. Their open space design concept embraces and highlights a distinctive juxtaposition that infuses the traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian style with a Western edge. Guests will find the furniture and accessories of each suite to exude both nostalgia and modernity.

Featuring a plaza or a panoramic lake view each is thoughtfully designed to anticipate guests’ needs for a peaceful setting for rest and leisure or uninterrupted work. With its magnificent location and unparalleled luxury service, 88Xintiandi is the ultimate choice in fine living in Shanghai.

LOCATION: 380 South Huang Pi Road, Shanghai 200021, PRC.

Select Member properties for 2008 are:

AUSTRALIA: Q Station, Sydney; The Observatory Hotel, Sydney, NSW: Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, Katoomba NSW; Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley, NSW; Kims Beach Hideaway, Toowoon Bay, NSW; Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island, NSW; Meadowlake Lodge, Milton, NSW; Hotel Lindrum, Melbourne, VIC; Select Burnham Beeches, Dandenong Ranges, VIC; Hotel Pension Grimus, Mount Buller, VIC; Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat, Kangaroo Island, SA; The Lodge at Tarraleah, Tarraleah, TAS; Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island, QLD; Paradise Bay Eco Escape, Whitsundays, QLD;

NEW ZEALAND: Carrington Resort, Karikari Peninsula, Northland; Kourawhero Country Lodge, North Auckland; Mangapapa Petit Hotel, Hawke’s Bay; Select Braemar Lodge and Spa, Hanmer Springs; Grasmere Lodge, Arthur’s Pass; Huntley House, Christchurch; Millbrook Resort, Queenstown; The Spire Hotel, Queenstown; Fiordland Lodge, Te Anau; Corstorphine House, Dunedin

PACIFIC ISLANDS: Fiji Orchid, Nadi, Fiji; Nukubati Island, Fiji; Toberua Island Resort, Fiji; Royale Takitumu Villas, Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, Tikehau, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia; Manihi Pearl Beach Resort, Manihi, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

ASIA: Saman Villas, Bentota, Sri Lanka; The Regency Wing of Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, Phuket, Thailand; Veranda Resort and Spa, Hua Hin, Thailand; Wanakarn Beach Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand

CHINA: 88Xintiandi Executive Residences, Shanghai

MIDDLE EAST: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, UAE