UPFRONT: NEW + NOTWORTHY

Perched inside Pentridge’s giant bluestone walls, the newly built Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne has been completely reimagined from its Victorian origins. Here, there’s no blurring of the boundaries on what is old and what is new, so the heritage aspects really stand out. Each of the Adina’s 106 one and two-bedroom and studio apartments offer generous living space and kitchen amenities and boast individual climate control. Located just 20 minutes from Melbourne CBD, the hotel offers 24-hour reception, plenty of onsite parking and is perfectly positioned for MICE and leisure guests with four traditional meetings spaces. It’s also ideally situated to soak up the local culture, eateries, parks, and art galleries including The Heide and Division Gallery in the new billion-dollar Pentridge lifestyle precinct.

Sydney’s heritage-listed Department of Education Building is set to become the city’s hottest new luxury hotel and events space when it opens as Capella Hotels and Resorts’ first ever Australian hotel in March. Just steps away from Circular Quay, the luxury property features six meeting and conference rooms which can comfortably accommodate groups of 10 to 80 people, as well as a range of dining options, including the signature Brasserie 1930 that showcases the finest in locally sourced produce. Private dining and late-night drinks can be arranged, with a focus on highly personalised service that ensure delegates enjoy a full and memorable itinerary. Guests can also take advantage of Auriga Spa featuring a 20-metre swimming pool positioned under a heritage skylight, as well as a large fitness centre and yoga platform.

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is sure to make a luxury impression on the city’s events scene when it opens its doors in March. The 80-storey hotel offers soaring views across the city while also providing a full suite of facilities ensuring guests’ needs are well taken care of. There are 2,781 square metres of meeting and event space available, including the RitzCarlton Grand Ballroom, that will certainly impress with its seven-metre-high ceilings and floor-toceiling feature window providing an unparalleled view of the city. Event organisers can also take advantage of complimentary AV solutions and fully customisable catering menus to wow the tastebuds of attendees. Outside of the event, guests can unwind at the restaurant and bar, wellness centre and sky-high infinity pool and marvel at the décor which celebrates local artists at every turn.

Perfectly situated on vibrant Cuba Street, this newly opened design-led hotel offers an array of bright and colourful events spaces in New Zealand’s capital city. Featuring bold colours and designs, the hotel’s five conference rooms can be combined to offer a 266-squaremetre venue for up to 250 cocktail with an additional boardroom for meetings up to 20 pax. Award-winning executive chef Kiran Ghate is at the helm of Naumi’s culinary offerings, which include the seductive pan-Asian Lola Rouge Restaurant (60 pax) and Parisianinspired The Parlour (70 pax), ideal for cocktails and high tea. Intimate private dining is perfectly catered to in The Red Room. Another key highlight of the hotel is the generous size of its 62 rooms, which are designed more like studio apartments than traditional hotel rooms.