Fun Things to do in Sydney (Darling Harbour)

SYDNEY'S BEST ATTRACTIONS IN ONE DAY AND ON ONE TICKET 

 Jump start the morning and take a walk on the wild side and experience WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo's 10 natural habitats featuring over 1,000 native Australian animals. You can also book a koala encounter and photo opportunity in a bush garden setting and get up-close to cuddly koalas.

After an exciting animal adventure, hop next door to encounter and interact with iconic Australian stars at Madame Tussauds Sydney. Star struck guests can step back in time to join Captain Cook's first voyage to Sydney Harbour, challenge Aussie sports heroes, sing along with international music legends and star in some of Australia's most popular television shows.

Continue along Darling Harbour to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, one of the world's largest aquariums. Boasting the world's largest collection of Australian aquatic life, the Aquarium also features interactive talks, exciting animal feeding presentations, an immersive 360-degree ocean tunnel and more. Guests looking for a more adventurous experience can also book a Glass Bottom Boat ride and shark feed!

For the perfect end to the perfect day out, watch the sunset from Sydney Tower Eye - Sydney's tallest building.  With its unparalleled 360-degree views, the Sydney Tower Eye gives visitors the opportunity to see the city's most famous sights, all in one spot. You can also book the attraction's premium SKYWALK experience which takes visitors on a 45 minute guided tour around the outside of the tower's iconic golden turret.

BONUS: You also get entry to Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, which is just a short ferry ride across the stunning Sydney Harbour. Here you'll witness conservation in action and see the colony of Little Penguins - the very same species that live wild on the beach directly outside the attraction! Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary is also home to Sydney's largest oceanarium, where you can journey through the tunnel and snoop on the guests taking part in Shark Dive Xtreme, and see the colony of Grey Nurse sharks, huge turtles, stingrays and more.

 Book Now for a Metro Apartments Darling Harbour

Booking this amazing day out is easy as entry to these attractions can be purchased on one great value combination ticket:

Adults: $63

Just $12.60 per attraction

Kids: $36

Just $7.20 per attraction

Families of 4: $175

Just $35 per attraction

Don't want to do it in a day? That's fine too - you get 30 days to see the other 4 attractions after you've visited WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo - including weekends and holidays!

See more at: http://metroapartmentsdarlingharbour.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/fun-things-to-do-in-sydney.html#sthash.my9ycwEa.dpuf

Managers Conference - Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Photos Provided by Ricky Risal - thanks Ricky

New Property: Metro Hotels Adds 16 Apartments to its Gladstone Holdings

Transmetro Corporation Limited, the ASX-listed hotel operator which trades as Metro Hospitality Group, has announced its hotel division, Metro Hotels has entered into a management agreement to operate apartments in the 97-unit G60 Apartments development in Gladstone.

Apartments G60 – Managed by Metro Hotels commenced trading this week.

In the new G60 development, Metro Hotels will manage 15 two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment, in a strategy designed to give its corporate clients more choice and flexibility.
Metro Hotels already has 53 one-bedroom apartments in Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone. This property comprises 53 one-bedroom apartments, whereas the new complex consists entirely of two and three-bedroom apartments.

Gladstone has been fly-in, fly-out for some time due to its mining industry and its location as the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia. Also, construction of four LNG plants has fueled demand for more flexible and affordable apartment accommodation in the city.

According to George Bedwani, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Hospitality Group, approximately 90 percent of the property’s occupancy is corporate based, with the majority of large business and government workers staying for just two nights.

“We are broadening and diversifying our holdings in Gladstone to give more choice and flexibility to our clients, at a more affordable price,” George said.

 “It is difficult to find apartment accommodation in Gladstone for short stays. Our new offering will suit the corporate sector as it offers a more affordable option for clients who can now share a two-bedroom apartment for both short and long term stays.

“Some of our regular corporate clients visit Gladstone for up to three or four months. The new apartments give them an alternative accommodation option, allowing them to share a two bedroom apartment with another corporate. A hallmark of all Metro Hospitality Group properties, a central city location ensures clients have easy access to the central business district, local restaurants, bars and shops.

PCB Welcomes Perth Hotel Expansion

Metro Hotel Perth will increase its room capacity by almost 50% as management looks to capitalise on ever increasing demand for Perth hotels.

Following a $3.5 million renovation to all 94 rooms in 2009, Metro Hotel Perth is embarking on a new project which will include major renovations to the lobby area, hotel, pool area and restaurant.
Forty-six new rooms will also be completed by the end of the year, bringing the property’s offering to 140 rooms.

Making the announcement yesterday, Metro Hospitality Group chief operating officer George Bedwani said the additional rooms were vital to address accommodation shortages in Perth, where occupancy currently stands at 85%.

“We believe the hotel industry in Perth will remain buoyant over the next five years as there continues to be capacity constraints due to few major hotel developments being built in Perth,” he said.

“This hotel is in high demand [and] we are now going the next step to ensure we benefit from the anticipated growth and demand over the next 4-5 years,” Bedwani added.

With the latest Deloitte Global Performance Review predicting that Perth occupancy will peak at 89% in 2014, Perth Convention Bureau chief executive Paul Beeson said the additional capacity comes as a fitting time for the MICE market.

“The effects on MICE will be positive, with an increase in room stock and by extension more competitive rates,” he told The Nibbler. “The WA government’s efforts to incentivise hotel development continue to stimulate additional room stock, and The Metro Hotel is a direct result of this.”

Construction will commence mid year and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. Management has promised the development will cause “minimal disruption” to guests.

Fran and Ted with the Mayor of Ipswich and Tennis Players

Fran and Ted with the Mayor of Ipswich and Tennis Players

Experience prevailed over youth on finals day of the 2013 City of Ipswich Tennis International, with Australian Colin Ebelthite and Croatian qualifier Jelena Pandzic clinching the titles at Ipswich Grammar Park Tennis Centre.

In hot conditions, South Australian Ebelthite won his first Pro Tour title since 2010 with a hard fought 6-4 6-7(7) 6-2 victory over New South Wales qualifier Jonathon Cooper.

One break of serve was enough for Ebelthite to close out the first set 6-4 against an agitated Cooper, yet Cooper started to stretch Ebelthite in the second set with aggressive groundstrokes and variety.

He looked set to take the second set after building a 5-2 lead before Ebelthite stormed back to force a second set tiebreak. Ebelthite saved one set point at 7-6 before Cooper closed the tiebreak out 9-7.

Both players required a change of attire in the oppressive conditions for the deciding third set, and it was Ebelthite who lifted his game once again with several net rushes, forcing a break at 3-2 in the third set.

He closed the match out with a series of unreturnable first serves.

Ebelthite was happy with the win and said he hoped it was a springboard for a good 2013 season.

“(I’m) just really happy to win the tournament here in Ipswich. I’d like to congratulate Jonathan on such a great week and I’m sure he will keep up his good form,” he said.

“I’d like to thank all of the sponsors and everyone that works hard behind the scenes to make these events happen. It’s great to have these types of events here in Australia.”

In the women’s final, Pandzic won the 10th Pro Tour title of her career with a 7-5 2-6 6-2 over West Australian 18-year-old Storm Sanders.

Sanders raced to a 5-2 lead in the first set before Pandzic reeled off five games in a row to win the opening set 7-5. In a seesawing affair Sanders regained the momentum by winning the next five games before closing out the second set 6-2.

However, Pandzic would not be denied, winning a tough third set 6-2 and ecstatic with her victory.

“I’m so happy to win this week as a qualifier. The tournament has been really nice and I would especially like to thank the City of Ipswich and everyone who has made the tournament possible.”

Metro Hotel Ipswich International’s second MICE Expo

An invitation to BEN to attend Metro Hotel Ipswich International’s second MICE Expo attracted conference and events planners from as far afield as the Gold Coast.

It was an experience that included a Brisbane Airport pickup in a white stretch limo, the fine hospitality of the Metro Hotel, hot air ballooning over Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley, a stroll through historic Queens Park, a helicopter tour of the city and a touch down at beautiful Brookwater Golf & Country Club with lunch overlooking the fairway at Drift Restaurant and a luxuriating spa treatment at Sang Day Spa.

Gary Long and Div Grover, Metro Hospitality Group, enjoying Ipswich’s Queen’s Park.

Metro Hotel Ipswich International as Seen on Ozzie Holiday

Metro Hotel Ipswich International as Seen on Ozzie Holiday