Wolgan becomes 'Leading' hotel

Two months after its soft opening, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia’s Blue Mountains has been included as a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World portfolio

The Emirates Hotels & Resorts property is one of five Australian properties hold this membership status to date, with Wolgan Valley the second in New South Wales.

Its sister property, Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, is already a member.

This accolade follows news last month that the new Australian resort is joining forces with a handful high-end properties across the vast country to market a top-end Australian travel experience.

Emirates Hotels & Resorts senior vice president resorts and projects Tony Williams, told ATN the group would comprise “five or six” luxury properties.

“What we are doing is joining together as a group of professional businesses and doing some joint marketing in terms of itinerary planning for the tour operators and the majority of ground handlers in Australia,” said Williams.

“We are creating luxury itineraries for Australia.”

The group, he said, would include high-end properties such as Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, South Australia and Qualia, a luxury holiday resort on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Queensland, on the Great Barrier Reef.