Metro Hotels

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

FEDERER LEADS ALL-STAR BRISBANE LINE-UP

Four of the Top 20 men – including tennis superstar Roger Federer – will headline Brisbane International 2014 presented by Suncorp.

Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will lead a strong men’s field, which features Top 20 players Kei Nishikori, Gilles Simon and Kevin Anderson alongside a raft of rising talent.

Brisbane International 2013 runner-up Grigor Dimitrov returns to the Sunshine State looking to go one better in 2014, but will be forced to overcome a world class field including local hopes Lleyton Hewitt (SA), Marinko Matosevic (Vic) and 18-year-old wildcard Nick Kyrgios (ACT) in his pursuit of the title.

Brisbane International Tournament Director Cameron Pearson said the 2014 field was one of the strongest in the event’s history.

“The calibre of the field assembled for Brisbane International 2014 is one of the greatest on record, and we’re certainly looking forward to welcoming the world’s top players to Queensland Tennis Centre in December,” he said.

“To have Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the event, and a line-up that features four of the world’s Top 20 men and six of the Top 10 women, is a remarkable result and testament to the high regard the players have for the tournament.

“It’s thanks to the incredible support the event receives from Queensland tennis fans that so many of the world’s leading players have chosen to start their 2014 campaigns here in Brisbane, and consider the tournament their ideal lead-in to the Australian Open.

“Tennis fans can certainly look forward to eight days of world class action from some of the biggest stars of the game in 2014.”

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said she looked forward to seeing the world’s top tennis players step onto Pat Rafter Arena in December for one of Queensland’s most highly anticipated sporting events.

“We look forward to welcoming some of the biggest names in world tennis to Brisbane International 2014, now in its sixth year, and wish all the players the very best,” Ms Stuckey said.

“I have no doubt this exceptional line-up of tennis talent will attract bumper crowds to Brisbane for the event.

“The Queensland Government is proud to support Brisbane International 2014 as part of its goal to double the annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

The official ATP field for Brisbane International 2014 is as follows:

Player – Emirates ATP Ranking
Roger Federer (SUI) – 6
Kei Nishikori (JPN) – 17
Gilles Simon (FRA) – 19
Kevin Anderson (RSA) – 20
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) – 23
Jurgen Melzer (AUT) – 27
Feliciano Lopez (ESP) – 28
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) – 29
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) – 34
Julien Benneteau (FRA) – 35
Marin Cilic (CRO) – 37
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) – 39
Robin Haase (NED) – 43
Denis Istomin (UZB) – 45
Sam Querrey (USA) – 46
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) – 50
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) – 60
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) – 61
Marinko Matosevic (AUS) – 62
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) – 67
Igor Sijsling (NED) – 69
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – 186 [WC]
WC – wildcard

Source: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/11/47/Federer-Headlines-In-Brisbane.aspx

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Bon Jovi DEC 2013 Concert @ Entertainment Centre

DUE TO DEMAND - ADDITIONAL ARENA SHOW IN SYDNEY JUST ANNOUNCED !

SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SUNDAY DECEMBER 15

5 WEEKS UNTIL THE WORLD’S #1 TOUR ARRIVES IN OZ!

BON JOVI: BECAUSE WE CAN - THE TOUR”

BON JOVI’S #1 “Because We Can” world tour commences in Australia in just under 5 weeks and today, promoter Paul Dainty, announced that due to high demand an additional ARENA performance at the Sydney Entertainment on Sunday 15 December has been added to the schedule.

Fans will now get to experience Bon Jovi’s stadium and arena spectaculars on the Australian leg of the “Because We Can” world tour.

Tickets to this just announced arena show will go on sale at 10am on Friday 15 November.

When: Sun 15 December 2013 - Starts at 7 PM

Where: Sydney Entertainment Centre - 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/

Ticketmaster Tel: 1300 883 622

How To Get There: http://www.sydentcent.com.au/Venue/Location/Getting-Here/

Staying in SYDNEY for Bon Jovi's 2013 Sydney Concert?

Need a hotel room close to Sydney Entertainment Centre?

Look no further than Metro Hotel Sydney Central - only 7 minutes WALK to the Sydney Entertainment Centre whilst being close to other iconic Sydney attractions.

Website: Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Capitol Theatre Hotel Package

For $165.00 per room per night you get:

One night's accommodation in a Superior Queen Room
Hot Buffet Breakfast for 2 adults
Extended check-out to 12 noon the following day

Book Online and Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/242
Or call: 02 9281 6999

Want to try another hotel? Metro Hotel on Pitt, only a 10 minute walk to Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Website: Metro Hotel on Pitt

Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Sweet Sunday Package

For $129.00 per room per night you get:

Free WiFi
A Box of Lindt Chocolates on arrival
Late check out of 12 noon
Staying in a Superior Deluxe Room

Book Online and Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/306
Or call: 02 9283 8088

Other Metro Hotels and Apartments:

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (the closest train station is Wynyard)

Aspire Hotel Sydney Ultimo (13 minutes walk to Central station)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Timely Break for Lucky Winners

Exhausted from battling the recent fires: Seniors Lifestyle Competition winners Deb and Max Baigent from King Creek are delighted with their prize of a trip for two to Sydney

AFTER months of battling intense bush fires, one local volunteer will get a little respite he so well and truly deserves.

Captain of the King Creek Rural Fire Service Max Baigent and his wife Deb have been the lucky winners of the Senior Lifestyle Metro Sydney Escape competition.

The timing, the thankful and humble couple said, could not have been better.

Mr Baigent arrived home from the Harrington fires the day his wife heard the news.

"It's been a raging battle down there," he said. "We had a week of battling intense fires and I got back around midnight."

Utterly exhausted, the 57-year-old had mentioned earlier that he needed a holiday.

At first, his wife's words simply didn't register when she said they would be spending two nights in Sydney at the Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour.

"We're just so thankful to Senior Lifestyle for running this competition," he said. "All firies have just had a run of it the past five months, but all the crews have been doing such a fantastic job."

Her work with the Bundaleer Care Service also keeps Mrs Baigent on her feet. "You get so busy that you just don't take the time to rest," she said. "It makes it a bit different when you win something."

The 55-year-old said it would be nice to see her husband taking a break.

"It's an exhausting task they do, they get tired and weary but they all do it because they love it," she said. "It's their way of giving back to the community."

From the sleepy hollow of King Creek, to the hustle and bustle of the big smoke - the views over Darling Harbour will be a big change for the King Creek couple. "It's going to be very different, but it's going to be fantastic to have a bit of time to relax," Mr Baigent said.

View Source

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Metro Hotels Provides Spiritual Book to Guests as a Source of Inspiration

In a world-first, Australian-owned hotel chain Metro Hotels will place a book called Jing Si Aphorisms in all rooms in its NSW and Queensland properties, to enable guests to learn more about the Buddhist compassionate relief organisation, Tzu Chi Foundation.

The Foundation first came to the attention of the hotel chain when it went unasked to the aid of Ipswich residents, giving out care packages following the devastating 2011 floods.

The hotel chain’s Ipswich property, Metro Hotel Ipswich International, built a relationship with the Foundation and offered to put books in its rooms so that its guests would learn more about the work and philosophy of the organisation.

Metro Hotels decided to extend this offer to other properties, with Metro Hotel Sydney Central General Manager Earl Muir yesterday accepting a special presentation of the books from Julia Wu, principal of Tzu Chi Foundation, Gold Coast, and Stephen Kan, CEO of Tzu-Chi Sydney.

The book, Jing Si Aphorisms, translates the essence of the Buddha’s teachings to exemplify life lessons. ‘Aphorism’ means original thought, or definition, and rather than being a religious text the book is meant to be an explanation of the Buddhist faith.

Mr Muir said the Tzu Chi Foundation, which lives by the creed that it is more of a blessing to serve others than be served, believes in service to the community and has demonstrated its commitment to this belief through its actions in Ipswich.

“This organisation has shown tremendous compassion and service to Australian communities when they are in need and Metro Hotel believes it is an organisation which Australians may want to know more about,” he said.

“Placing Jing Si Aphorisms in our hotel rooms gives guests another reading option to the Holy Bible. The book is being supplied as a source of inspiration to our guests. This is not about converting people from one religion to another but rather promoting harmony and diversity.”

See this press release and more at Metro Hotels News

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik wow Sydney & expresses heartbreak for NSW bushfire victims

AUSTRALIAN-born Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark will be staying in Sydney until October 28 and attending an array of events and ceremonies while they’re here.

The pair kicked off their visit with a stop off at the Sydney Opera House yesterday waving to crowds gathered at the iconic building's forecourt.

The couple have spoken of their grief for those caught up in the devastating NSW bushfires. "It's heartbreaking," Princess Mary told reporters in the crowd.

As they greeted schoolchildren on the steps of the Sydney Opera House this morning the pair expressed their concern for all those involved.

"We've been monitoring the situation for the past eight days from Denmark," she told reporters at the Opera House on its 40th anniversary.

"Our deepest sympathies go to those who have been affected ... Our utmost respect goes to those who are working to control these fires that are really scary."

She said that while bushfires were a part of Australian life, "it's always heartbreaking to see people who are losing possessions and homes".

Jorn Utzon's son, Jan, told reporters the links between Denmark and Australia were "wonderful" and that his father would be proud.

"I feel his spirit is here with us in the Opera House, the most important achievement for him in his life."
He said he would "happily" be back in 10 years' time for the House's 50th anniversary.

Alongside celebrations at Bennelong Point, the Danish Royals will also visit Government House, attend the opening of the Ole Lynggaard store, attend the Premier's Reading Challenge at Five Dock Primary School, open the Danish Design at the House exhibition and visit the Australian Twin Registry at the Sydney Children's Hospital.