Modern comfort; historic charm - ADVERTISING FEATURE
The Age
Thursday November 26, 2009
Modern makeovers enhance charm and preserve heritage in these historic hotels. RICHARD BREWSTER reports. E legance and a sense of historical significance in the heart of Melbourne's CBD have been important drawcards for corporate travellers wanting to stay at the Rendezvous Hotel in Flinders Street.Originally built in 1913 as the Commercial Travellers Club, the hotel combines 19th Century architecture featuring high ceilings, leadlight windows, access to natural light and an old world feel with contemporary style and the latest technological developments to entice busy corporate executives.Sales and marketing director Nicole Woolfe said the hotel was ideal for business travellers wanting refined elegance and a high level of discreet and attentive service."Rendezvous Hotel recalls the atmosphere of a bygone era and is the perfect venue for corporate executives looking for overall value, location and comfort," she said.While its 1104 square metres of meeting and conference facilities (spread over 11 venues and two levels that can accommodate up to 250 delegates) can take care of any business challenges the corporate world is likely to toss up, accommodation highlights €” reminding many of the comforts of home €” in any one of the 340 rooms and suites is an incentive for corporate travellers to stay overnight."A fully equipped business centre enables the important corporate tasks to be completed while a 24-hour fitness centre and contemporary dining facilities provide the chance to relax at the end of a busy day," Nicole said."Corporate travellers always seem to marvel at the significant heritage attractions, including the ballroom's magnificent period dcor and the Grand Vestibule that greets them on arrival and provides an impressive backdrop for meetings, conferences, cocktail parties, product launches and exhibitions."Another popular venue for corporate travellers is Collins Street's iconic InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, which, after a $60 million refurbishment last year, now blends contemporary and heritage elements into a 253-room luxury hotel in the heart of Melbourne's financial district.Part of the InterContinenal Hotels & Resorts international conglomerate established in 1946, this world-class hotel was transformed by Joseph Pang Design Studio and joins a global collection of heritage listed venues owned by the group.Sales and marketing director Robert Miletic believes the InterContinental international network of hotels is an important factor in attracting global business visitors."An example might be a global company such as Ernst & Young," he said. "We could tender for their domestic business and then our global sales office might promote the hotel to their international travellers."Joseph Pang and his team have married the historical aspects of the architecturally iconic Rialto with an exciting contemporary design €” encapsulating the spirit of Melbourne, a blend of rich and unique history with a cosmopolitan culture that cities the world over strive for but rarely achieve.Not only can both international and domestic corporate travellers take advantage of the latest in conference facilities, meeting and event spaces (from intimate boardrooms to a ballroom catering for up to 300), they can also sample the hotel's understated elegance that has been enhanced by its 19th Century Gothic faade, five-star dining establishments, bars and themed catering services.
© 2009 The Age
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