Mantra Travel Briefs & Hot Deals for December

GOLD COAST, QLD
SAVING LIVES!: The Mantra Group team on the Gold Coast saved 150 lives this month after rolling up their sleeves for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Around 50 team members donated to the mobile blood collection unit at Mantra Crown Towers in the heart of Surfers Paradise. It was indeed a team effort, with Mantra Sun City in Surfers Paradise providing food and Mantra Legends Hotel in Surfers Paradise providing a barbecue to make a day of it. Australia needs 26,000 blood donations per week to help cancer patients, people with leukaemia and heart disease, accident and trauma victims, pregnant women and newborns. For details on giving blood visit donateblood.com.au. Mantra Group is also a proud Red Cross National Loyalty Partner and supports their Good Start Breakfast Club program; an initiative providing healthy breakfasts and nutritional education daily to school kids in areas of greatest disadvantage around Australia.

SPA SPECIALS: Mantra Phoenician at Broadbeach featuring Harbour Day Spa, voted Australia’s best in two major national awards, has devised some Christmas and New Year packages guaranteed to relax and pamper your festive spirit. From the luxurious Roman bath, steam room and sauna to plunge pool and Mediterranean style treatment rooms, choose from a range of incredible treatments including the Face the New Year package - a cosmaceutical facial experience as well as de-stressing back massage, designer eyebrow wax and glamorous eyebrow tint for $240. Or enjoy the Christmas Body Experience for $280 which includes a body scrub, vichy experience, lime body wrap and n aroma relax massage. Call 07 5531 5121 or visit harbourdayspa.com.au

MELBOURNE, VIC
STEPPING UP: Congratulations to Mantra Tullamarine Hotel on receiving a Certificate of Merit in the MCVB Award for Deluxe Accommodation at the recent RACV Victorian Tourism Awards. As a first time entrant, this is a great result, up against a vast array of accommodation entries from right across the state - all competing for recognition. To top that off, at the Victorian Tourism Industry Council Forum, Minister Tim Holding specifically mentioned Mantra Tullamarine Hotel as an example of the private sector investment Tourism Victoria would like to see more of.

HOT DEALS:

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
BREAKFAST IS SERVED: From now until March 31, 2011, a daily continental breakfast will be included for each guest staying at Mantra PortSea in Port Douglas, at no extra cost to the room rate. So now the special Stay 4, Pay 3 rate means that from $203* per night, guests who stay for four nights in a one bedroom studio will only have to pay for three nights accommodation and have a complimentary breakfast each day. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

CAIRNS FAMILY FUN: Holidays with the kids can be tough unless you're headed to Mantra Esplanade this summer. On offer in Cairns is a great selection for the young ones including the famous toad races on Wednesday nights, the delightful Christmas tree overlooking the ocean lagoon and family friendly meals at the heritage-listed Courthouse Hotel. With Mantra Esplanade’s location being so central to all these activities, supermarkets and shopping, it's a breeze to stay stress free. Choose between Two Bedroom Apartments from $224* per night, or One Bedroom Apartments from $153* per night. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE: The super stylish Mantra Aqueous on Port resort at Port Douglas values your Christmas presence so much this year, there are special rates available for guests throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Rates through December start from $102* per night for a hotel spa for a minimum of three nights dependent on availability. Not only can guests soak up the atmosphere of the resort's sundecks, four pools and spas, but they'll be seeing fireworks come New Year's Eve for the annual fireworks display in the heart of Port Douglas. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

'TIS THE SEASON TO INDULGE: Santa's helpers will be out and about on December 18 when Operation Rudolph tours through the streets from Cairns to Palm Cove, from 3pm. A convoy of emergency vehicles and entertainment including the Cairns Youth Orchestra and a Blues Brothers act from the USA will be stopping at various locations and entertaining the suburbs to spread the spirit of Christmas. Guests at Palm Cove's Mantra Amphora on the waterfront can enjoy the fun and stay in One Bedroom accommodation from $118* per night for a minimum of three nights, or take advantage of the Spa Indulgence Package, available until March 31, 2011, from $195* per night for a minimum stay of two nights Guests will enjoy One Bedroom accommodation and treat yourself or your partner to a 30-minute Hydrotherapy Spa, complete with wine and chocolates, followed by a full one-hour body massage and tea service. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

NYE FIREWORKS: December 31 will be a night not to miss in the coastal holiday haven of Cairns, thanks to a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate New Year's Eve, happening for families at 9pm and another round for the countdown to midnight on the town's Esplanade. Add free musical entertainment from a variety of talented acts beginning at 5pm and you have the perfect way to spend the last day of 2010. Make sure your accommodation is sorted, with Mantra Trilogy right on the Esplanade, which still has one bedroom and two bedrooms available. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST, QLD
RACE READY: If you're coming to the Sunshine Coast for the Kelloggs Nutrigrain Ironman Series being held at Coolum Beach on Sunday December 19, there is a range of accommodation available across the whole region from Mantra including a special deal at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach. After the event finishes at 3pm, relax back at this comfortable resort in a one bedroom apartment, from $171* per night, allowing guests to take a relaxing break after the event. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

MOOLOOLABA MAGIC: The town of Mooloolaba will come alive again this year to celebrate New Year's Eve with a family friendly, drug and alcohol and glass-free event along the Esplanade and foreshore. With carnival rides, street performers and other attractions, two giant fireworks displays and musical performances by Josh Pyke and Mental as Anything, there will be something for everyone. Mantra Zanzibar and Mantra Sirocco still have limited availability for New Year's Eve, and offer the best vantage point for watching the fireworks and accessing the heart of the Esplanade. Two Bedroom Apartments start at $499* per night and a minimum three-night stay applies.

LET'S CELEBRATE: Christmas calls for celebrating in style so picture a spacious apartment overlooking beautiful Mooloolaba Beach for your special day together with family and friends. Mantra Sirocco and Mantra Zanzibar can deliver that dream with a limited number of fully self-contained apartments available over the Christmas period. Rates start from $494* per night for a Two Bedroom Apartment at Mantra Zanzibar with a three-night minimum stay. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

BRISBANE, QLD
XMAS CHEER: Mantra South Bank's Stone Restaurant & Bar wants to help you celebrate Christmas Day with a sensational meal, so join us for a tasty Christmas Day breakfast from 6.30am to 10am at $39.50 for adults or for children up to age 12, at $1 per year of age. Or savour our sumptuous Christmas Day Lunch from noon to 3pm. Adults are $139, children aged 6 to 12 are $55, and children aged 2 to 5 are $25. As for New Year’s Eve, enjoy a city celebration and stay in comfort and style with Mantra on Queen in the heart of the city in a Hotel Room from $228*per night. To book a table at Stone Restaurant & Bar located at 161 Grey Street, Brisbane in Mantra South Bank, call 07 3305 2513 or visit stonerestaurant.com.au. For Mantra on Queen, call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

BRISVEGAS BOUNCES: Mantra is serving up a deuce for the upcoming Brisbane International Tennis Tournament with two great locations nearby to the action. Mantra on Queen is offering up rooms from $186* per night and Mantra South Bank from $214* per night, with both locations providing the perfect home court to soak up this world-class event. An impressive line-up of tennis talent including the recently added wild-card entry, Jelena Dokic, will be on hand to make this one of the best events of the 2011 Australian Open series. Head over to Stone Restaurant & Bar at Mantra South Bank for post game drinks, or soak up a stunning city view from Mantra on Queen. The Brisbane International Tennis Tournament runs from January 2 to 9 - visit brisbaneinternational.com.au for information. For accommodation, call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

GOLD COAST, QLD
MUSIC & MILLIONS: With the BMW Magic Millions Racing Carnival in mid January and the first leg of Australia's biggest and best music festival, the Bid Day Out, kicking off January 23 on the sunny Gold Coast, set the scene with a stay at Mantra Bel Air, Broadbeach. Situated just 200 meters from the beach and golden sands, surrounded by shopping and dining, Mantra Bel Air is a quick drive to the Big Day Out at Parklands or Magic Millions at Bundall. Mantra Bel Air is offering up One Bedroom Apartments from $185* per night, and with a limited number available, these special summer rates won't last! Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

SYDNEY, NSW
SNAP HAPPY: There's always something spectacular to see or do in Sydney, with the latest drawcard being an exhibition by photographer Annie Leibovitz, famous for snapping a naked John Lennon and Yoko Ono curled around each other. The exhibition, Anne Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life 1990 to 2005, is on now at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney until March 27, 2011, and features almost 200 images of famous public figures as well as personal photographs of Leibovitz's family and close friends. Relax during your stay in the CBD with Mantra 2 Bond Street, which is offering rates from $261* per night in an Executive Studio Apartment. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VIC
SUMMER CARNIVAL: Mantra Erskine Beach Resort at Lorne will be operating a foreshore carnival for families and the Kids Club from December 26 through to January 26, ensuring fun for all the family. There will be carnival rides to suit all ages including thrill seeking rides, carnival games and dodgem cars, along with yummy food stands. The Kids Club will also provide a fun-filled activities program, so Mum and Dad can slip away for a romantic meal or stroll on the beach. Stay in a Two Bedroom Apartment from $449* per night. Call 13 15 17 or visit mantra.com.au

*Conditions apply. Subject to availability.