March 2007

In this issue of the Millennium Hotels & Resorts Newsletter, you get the chance to WIN a two-night package as we feature our new voucher website "Away to Go" - which has some fantastic gift ideas for any occasion, and take a look at some March Madness rates not to be missed!

Enjoy the weather at this time of year, and take a short leisure break at one of our Millennium, Copthorne or Kingsgate Hotels* located from the Bay of Islands in the North to Dunedin in the South. Go on - take a look at these mad mad rates and treat yourself!

Quick! Don't miss out ... you need to book by March 31!

How to save: Simply go to www.milleniumhotels.com, search the New Zealand hotel you require, and enter the code "ENEWS" into the 'promotion code' box when you complete your online booking search (if you use this booking form, this is done for you).

View Terms & Conditions »

Check out our new voucher website www.awaytogo.co.nz for some fantastic gift ideas! Who would have thought purchasing a Millennium Hotels & Resorts 'getaway' package or voucher for your loved one, friend, family, colleague or client was so easy!

Giving someone the freedom to pick a time that suits them and take a break at a Millennium, Copthorne or Kingsgate Hotel and Resort of their choice is without a doubt one inspired gift idea. For Christmas, birthdays, thank yous, valentines, engagements, weddings, incentives, rewards, you name it - this gift's absolutely perfect for it.

Our $50 and $100 vouchers are valid for a full year and can be used for accommodation or food & beverage at any of our superbly located hotels and resorts from the Bay of Islands in the North to Dunedin in the South.

Simply log on to www.awaytogo.co.nz, choose a money voucher or accommodation package, submit your credit card details, and the voucher will be couriered directly to your door within 2-4 days. It couldn't be easier or more convenient!

So make gift buying easy this year ... and make your family and friends feel even more special.

For more information about how you can take advantage of these fantastic packages and gift ideas, simply visit www.awaytogo.co.nz or email us on enquiry@awaytogo.co.nz.

Introducing our new hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Portland, Wellington!

The Kingsgate Hotel Portland, Wellington is the 33rd hotel to join the Millennium Hotels & Resorts group, and is the group's third hotel in Wellington.

Kingsgate Hotel Portland, Wellington is located just 500 metres north of the city centre in Thorndon. It is the closest hotel to the Westpac Stadium, inter-island Ferries and all major government departments. Its restaurant, bar and large conference centre are complemented by 108 guest rooms which boast magnificent city skyline views.

Managing Director of Millennium and Copthorne Hotels New Zealand, BK Chiu says "As well as being New Zealand's capital city and a major commercial centre, Wellington offers a wide range of cultural, sporting and leisure activities for the visitor".

"This hotel is strategically located to make the most of surrounding visitor attractions, and complements our two other Wellington properties, to provide choice of location to our guests in the capital city", he said.

The hotel joins the group's other two Wellington properties, the Copthorne Hotel Wellington Plimmer Towers in the centre of Wellington's financial and shopping areas, and the harbourside Kingsgate Hotel Oriental Bay, Wellington which is undergoing a $10 million makeover.

Millennium Hotel Christchurch tops with International Travellers!

Discerning international travellers from the highly respected Conde Nast travel magazine poll have voted the Millennium Hotel Christchurch as one of the top three hotels in New Zealand; and Christchurch as one of the top three destinations in Australasia.

The Conde Nast poll is taken from 21,000 US subscribers in the United States and forms the basis of the recommended hotels for 'The Gold List' 2007.

The General Manager of the hotel, Karen Wootton, was delighted by the recognition "These accolades are a reflection of our ongoing commitment to providing the most desirable solution for our guests' accommodation needs in terms of service, product and location."

Of all the various aspects of the hotel that were surveyed, the service provided by the staff was ranked the highest. The superb location, right in the heart of the city in the Cathedral Square, and the Millennium Lounge with its live Jazz entertainment, were also cited as reasons for choosing this hotel when staying in Christchurch.

» More information about Millennium Hotel Christchurch.
» More information about the Conde Nast 'Gold List' 2007

Millennium Hotel Christchurch's Restaurant Piko Piko provides couple with outstanding experience - and then ruins their trip!

In a recent trip to the South Island, Doug Bell and his wife dined at Piko Piko, our restaurant at the Millennium Hotel Christchurch, and we recently received his letter of 'complaint'.

I am writing to complain about how a trip to your restaurant Piko Piko ruined my recent trip to the South Island.

My wife and I had the misfortune to dine at your restaurant early in our trip and unfortunately the food was incredible and service above and beyond. This had the unfortunate spin-off that every other restaurant (most listing their various awards), suffered by comparison. Everywhere else we dined, we reflected that "it's alright but it doesn't compare with Piko Piko".

I feel you need to publish a warning advising people to dine at your restaurant at the end of their trip!

Seriously though, I'd like to pass on my compliments to the chef and waiter (Kris, pictured right) on the night we dined. As I've said, the food was absolutely brilliant in presentation and taste, complemented by a friendly and welcoming waiter who catered to our dining requirements and put us at ease.

We've since recommended your restaurant to all friends and work colleagues who pass through, or live in, Christchurch, and will be sure to patronise your establishment at every opportunity.

Thanks again for your hospitality, and keep up the great work!

Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua gains tourism's official quality mark

Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua has become the first hotel of Millennium Hotels and Resorts' 33 New Zealand properties to receive a Qualmark grading. The hotel has gained a three-star plus rating from Qualmark following a detailed assessment. Further properties in the group will be assessed in 2007.

Recent enhancements to the hotel include a new foyer, a newly tiled pool and complete redecoration for all superior rooms. Updated bathrooms and décor reflect the Rotorua landscape and high speed internet and air conditioning add convenience and comfort.

Matt Taplin, Vice President of Operations says; "Qualmark is a great management tool to have at our disposal. Not only do our guests choose with confidence, but also we are provided with independent feedback to help benchmark quality standards within our own company and across the New Zealand hotel industry," he said.

Kerri Lochead, Hotel Manager of Kingsgate Rotorua agrees, saying "The Qualmark brand signifies to travellers that we are professional and they can count on us to deliver an experience that will meet or exceed their expectations."

» Click here for more information about the Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua

Meet the children our hotel sponsors through World Vision!

As a Christmas gift to staff, Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central sponsored three children in need throughout various regions in the world.

"Prior to Christmas we had a good think about the money we spend on staff gifts. We throw so much away - why couldn't we sponsor some children whom receive nothing with that money, and provide a real win win Christmas gift?"; said Nigel Edwards, General Manager of the Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central.

"As a result, we all feel good about contributing and making a real difference, and the recipient child gets a group of people looking out for their interests"; he explains.

"This process demonstrates that we are putting back into the wider community, and staff have expressed a real joy in being able to contribute to help others less fortunate".

Meet the sponsored children (L-R): Francisco is a 4 year old boy from Nicaragua; Farida is a 4 year old from Tanzania; and 7 year old Samrath is from India.

» Click here for more information about World Vision.
» Click here for more information about the Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central.

Twelve Days of Christmas Celebration winners

Congratulations to our 12 winners, who booked a room online via www.millenniumhotels.com before the 22nd of December 2006 and were chosen from the draw to win a voucher for a "Dinner for Twelve" including a 3 course set dinner with a glass of bubbles and wine!

» Click here to view our winners.

January E-Newsletter Survey winner

Congratulations to Royce Flynn from Hamilton, who completed the "Tell us what you think" survey in our January E-Newsletter and has won a 2 night escape package including accommodation and breakfast at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua.

Royce said "I was really surprised when I received your message, and I was thrilled to receive this prize. I was not even thinking about winning - I just wanted to answer the survey. I am really looking forward to my stay. Thank you!"

If you have been forwarded this email by a friend, why not receive it first and take advantage of some great deals!

» Click here to subscribe to Millennium Hotels and Resorts newsletter.

And remember to tell your friends and family to do the same to receive our fantastic offers!

» Click here to forward this email.

Terms & Conditions: March Madness

To be eligible for these rates, you must book a room at any of our Millennium Hotels & Resorts in New Zealand* via www.millenniumhotels.com before 31/03/07 for stays before 31/10/07. All rates are room only, include GST, and are available Friday, Saturday, Sunday and school holidays only.

All bookings made under this promotion are for standard twin share accommodation (maximum occupancy 2 adults and up to 2 children under 12 years old) and subject to availability at the time of booking. Millennium Hotels and Resorts do not guarantee that accommodation is or will be available on any date at any hotel. Blackout dates may apply.

All bookings are non-refundable and must be made in advance and must be guaranteed by a credit card. All reservations must be made through the website www.millenniumhotels.com. Not valid in conjunction with group or corporate travel or other promotions, discounts or existing reservations. All other charges must be settled at check out. Airline frequent flyer points and other reward/loyalty programmes are not awarded or applicable to this offer.

*This promotion excludes Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupo.

Terms & Conditions: Away To Go Voucher Purchase

1) You agree that by entering this promotion, you are bound by these Terms and Conditions of entry.
2) Entry is open to New Zealand residents only. Employees of Hospitality Services Limited (trading as Millennium Hotels & Resorts New Zealand) Limited ("the Promoter") and their immediate families are ineligible to enter.
HOW TO ENTER:
3) The Promotion commences on 28th February and closes at 12am on 30 April 2007.
4) The Prize is an accommodation and breakfast voucher for two nights and a dining voucher at the value of $100 for either Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands, Millennium Hotel Rotorua or Kingsgate Hotel Terraces, Queenstown and is only valid from 1 May 2007 to October 31 2007. Accommodation is subject to availability and is standard twin/share & may not be available during peak times such as school or public holidays. The Prize Draw will take place on 1 May 2007 from all valid entries received by 11.59pm on 30 April 2007. The Prize will be awarded to the first valid entry drawn. The Promoter takes no responsibility for late entries.
5) To gain one entry into the promotion, entrants must purchase any Millennium Hotels & Resorts NZ voucher online via www.awaytogo.co.nz before 12am April 30 2007. Entrants must supply relevant details to submit their entry. The details given by the entrant will then be captured and included in the Prize Draw. All entries become the property of the Promoter.
6) Entrants may enter as many times as they wish, provided that each entry complies with these Terms and Conditions.
7) The first valid and correct entry randomly drawn from the prize draw on May 1 2007 will be awarded the Prize, provided the requirements in clause 5 are met.
9) Proof of online entry without a corresponding copy of an auto response will not be taken as proof of receipt of that entry.
10) The Promoter reserves the right to verify the validity of any entry. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for tampering with the entry process or attempting to act in a fraudulent or otherwise dishonest manner. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entry in its sole discretion without giving reasons. All decisions of the Promoter are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
12) The winner of the Prize will be notified by the Promoter by e-mail or telephone to the e-mail address or telephone number provided by the entrant. The winner should allow 5 days for delivery of any Prize, following confirmation of their delivery address.
13) The Prize Value is given as New Zealand Dollars.
14) The winner of the Major Prize will be published on www.awaytogo.co.nz and the Millennium Hotels & Resorts NZ E-Newsletter. The winner agrees to be available for reasonable publicity purposes without compensation including, but not limited to, photographs and interviews. Winners acknowledge that their name and town or city, may be published in newspapers, magazines and on the internet.
15) If the Promoter is unable to contact any winner of the Prize after a period of seven days following the original draw date, having made reasonable efforts to do so, that winner's entry will be declared invalid and the Promoter reserves the right to randomly draw a new winner of that prize from eligible participants on the same Terms and Conditions as the original draw.
17) The Promoter shall not in any way be liable for any costs, expenses, penalties, fines or other charges associated with the Prize. All travel to & from the selected hotel is at the Prize winner's own expense.
18) The Promoter and its associated agencies and companies shall not be liable in any way (including, without limitation, in negligence) for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss) or for any loss or damage or personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with this promotion, except any liability that cannot be excluded by law. The Promoter is not liable for any tax implications that may arise as a result of winning any prize.
19) The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided with each entry to be used for the purposes of the Promotion and in particular to notify prize winners and to verify prize winners' identities. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by Hospitality Services Ltd at Level 13, 280 Queen Street, Auckland, or such other place as is notified to the entrant on request. Under the Privacy Act 1993, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information. Except as provided by Clause 20, all personal information provided will be destroyed after the Major Prize has been claimed.
20) Where voluntarily indicated by the entrant Hospitality Services Ltd will gather the personal information submitted with the entry, such as, first and last names, addresses and email addresses which will be used for future communication eg. to gain consumer feedback on products, or to advise of future competitions or promotions.
21) The Promoter is Hospitality Services Ltd of Level 13, 280 Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand.