Select Announces New Members for Australia and New Zealand

Unique accommodation marketing brand, Select Hotels & Resorts International, is proud to announce the addition of five extraordinary properties to their rapidly expanding Australian and New Zealand portfolios.

In Australia, the recently opened, glamorous The Elandra Resort on Mission Beach, Tropical North Queensland, joins two bookend properties located in scenic regions of Victoria; LindenDerry on the Mornington Peninsula and LindenWarrah, nestled in the Milawa gourmet food and wine region in northeast Victoria’s alpine country. In New Zealand, The Point Villas located on the northern shores of New Zealand’s spectacular Lake Taupo make an exciting addition to Select’s north island Members and the luxurious new Queenstown Park Hotel complements Select’s wonderful range of south island Members.

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 our core regions of Australia and New Zealand. The diverse range of travel experiences offered by these five wonderful new Members will complement and strengthen our existing Membership. My team and I are extremely excited to be able to promote such a superlative group of unique travel experiences to the world in 2008”.

The new Members are described briefly below and may soon be viewed on Select’s new user-friendly website www.selecthotels.com (launching October 15).

The Elandra Resort, Mission Beach, QLD www.elandraresorts.com

Newly opened in June this year, The Elandra Resort, Mission Beach, is a boutique resort located between Cairns and Townsville, placing it at the closest access point to the Great Barrier Reef. This unparalleled location also offers views of Dunk and Bedarra islands. The Elandra boasts 52 rooms nestled in lush tropical rainforest, interlinked by elevated boardwalks and contains a fine dining restaurant, glamorous cocktail bar, chill-out lounge areas, conference facilities and swimming pool. The stylish resort also features a tennis court, chic boutique, in-room massage and national park walking track. Exuding trend, luxury and chic design the resort is boutique with a stylish atmosphere and a fusion of international flavours. LOCATED: 11/2 hours drive south of Cairns.

LindenWarrah at Milawa, Milawa, VIC www.lindenwarrah.com.au

Located in the heart of the Milawa- King Valley gourmet wine region in Northeast Victoria’s alpine country, LindenWarrah at Milawa offers exotic sophistication and worldly charm. Each of the 40 rooms at this country house inspired property are individually decorated with an infusion of warm sensual colours, intimate lighting, modern furniture and floor to ceiling windows. The LindenWarrah grounds feature an eclectic mix of modern art and ancient hand-crafted artifacts, sunny courtyards, and a vineyard pool. LindenWarrah’s gourmet food and wine is a connoisseur’s delight. Foods fresh from the farm, handmade specialty cheeses, home-grown ingredients and boutique wines straight from the cellar are all only a stone’s throw away. LOCATED: 2 hours from Melbourne International Airport.

LindenDerry, Red Hill, VIC www.lindenderry.com.au

A secluded hideaway on the renowned Mornington Peninsula, LindenDerry is a world of its own with extensive facilities, acres of gardens and vineyards, fine artworks, award winning dining and luxurious accommodation: a place where all the senses may be indulged. On site are two tennis courts, heated indoor pool and spa, Endota Retreat Spa, Swedish sauna, mountain bikes, bushwalking and cellar door. “The Linden Tree” restaurant offers modern Australian cuisine featuring regional produce and wines and locally, a plethora of wineries showcase the region. World class golf courses within 30 minutes drive provide an excuse for exercise whilst regional art galleries and exhibitions display the creative talent of the Mornington Peninsula. LOCATED: 1 hour drive south of Melbourne.

The Point Villas, Lake Taupo, New Zealand www.thepointvillas.co.nz

Located on the northern shores of New Zealand’s spectacular Lake Taupo, within the exclusive Whakamoenga Point Estate, The Point Villas offer couples, families and friends a luxurious haven from which to discover the delights of this astounding natural wonderland. The Point’s two villas both command breathtaking views of native forest and Lake Taupo. Combining award-winning architecture and elegant interior design, the villas are fully self-contained yet with all the services of a five star hotel. The Villas’ exterior architecture has been cleverly designed to blend with the natural surroundings, while spacious interiors offer guests maximum enjoyment of the breathtaking scenery. Each villa also boasts a beautifully appointed kitchen, so guests may self cater, pre-order all their provisions or choose full catering using the talents of the first-class chef. LOCATED: 3 hours drive south of Auckland.

Queenstown Park Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand www.queenstownparkhotel.co.nz

Queenstown Park Hotel, located across the park from the thriving town centre, is Queenstown’s newest luxury boutique hotel. Against a majestic mountain backdrop guests will luxuriate in the quality, stylish design and sophisticated service of an urban five star hotel. The 19 architecturally designed rooms offer a contemporary romantic edge with an infusion of sleek lines and soft colours and the hotel also boasts an abundance of gourmet food and wine packages and experiences to suit every occasion. The Queenstown Park Hotel’s modern feel is also reflected in their eco-friendly practices. Guests will appreciate “green” based design and operational initiatives; from the double glazed windows to chemical-free cleaning with a specially designed range of environmentally friendly products.

LOCATED: Centre of Queenstown and 10 minute drive from Queenstown airport.

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; Select Burnham Beeches, Dandenong Ranges, VIC; Hotel Pension Grimus, Mount Buller, VIC; LindenWarrah, Milawa VIC; LindenDerry, Mornington Peninsula 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; The Elandra Resort, Mission Beach, Tropical North QLD

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

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