virna2017october2december

23 / 25

Luxury With a View
While the location and plentiful activities nearby makes it a hot com-
modity, The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach doesn’t sell itself short.
Comprising studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments — ranging
from 344 square feet (32 square meters) to 990 square feet (92 square
meters) — where clean, chic, and modern decor sets the tone for ulti-
mate relaxation, the units (all four-and-a-half-star accommodations) span
across two towers, with standard rooms located in the South Tower, and
superior and deluxe rooms in the Ocean Tower. All units feature a fur-
nished balcony.
Though Wood notes that the rooms will be receiving a “soft
refurbishment,” which will be completed later this year, that warm and
welcoming feeling — a characteristic synonymous with the Accor
brand — is present throughout the entire resort, from the lobby to the
pool areas to the on-site eatery.
Dining With the Stars
Of course, the resort checks off all the requisite amenities — two out-
door pools (one heated), childcare services (available for a fee), room
service, secure underground parking, 24-hour reception, and confer-
ence facilities — but the talk of the town is the Manly Wine restaurant.
Open since 2010, Manly Wine is described as “a chic, all-day cafe,
restaurant, and wine bar with a relaxed beach vibe,” and the descrip-
tion could not be more fitting. “The restaurant is a contemporary setting,
serving modern Australian cuisine,” says Wood, explaining that the menu
changes with the seasons. “There is a wide selection of daily specials, an
amazing seafood selection, and a wonderful wine list to enjoy. It’s a great
spot to enjoy coffee, breakfast, and watch the sunrise.”
Cuisine aside, Manly Wine has had its fair share of VIP diners. “The
restaurant is often frequented by the rich and famous of Sydney,” says
Wood. “The restaurant’s most recent notable guests were the Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pop celebrity Justin Bieber.”
A Name That Does All the Talking
Established in 2000, Accor Vacation Club is part of the Accor Group,
one of the largest and fastest-growing hotel management groups
in the Asia/Pacific region, with operations across 17 countries. And
though The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach is the latest addition to the
Accor Vacation Club, it recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
“It was originally built as a condominium hotel,” says Wood. “Accor
held the management rights for a number of years, and when the
inventory come up for sale, it was an obvious decision to purchase
it for the vacation club.” Wood notes, however, that not all units are
currently available for timeshare use.
With a membership base of more than 32,500 families who are
able to enjoy vacations at 23 club properties, Accor Vacation Club
appeals to almost anyone, says Wood. “Whether you are a newlywed
couple, a young family, or a seasoned traveler enjoying retirement, our
portfolio of properties caters to your every need and desire.” However,
as a points-based club with membership starting at AU$18,400
(US$13,921), the vacation club markets predominantly to Accor Loyalty
Club members and past hotel guests.
The Perfect Complement
“The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach complements the rest of the Accor
Vacation Club perfectly, as it offers the relaxed beachside getaway,
whilst also being conveniently located 20 minutes from the heart of
Sydney,” says Wood.
Enhancing the formula further, Accor chose Interval International
as its vacation exchange partner because of its shared vision with
Accor. “We feel that the quality of both the product and service offered
by Interval complements Accor Vacation Club perfectly,” he says.
“Accor Vacation Club’s relationship with Interval International has
added tremendous value and choice to our network of more than
3,000 affiliated resorts,” says Joe Hickman, Interval’s vice president
and executive director of Asia/Pacific. “We are excited to have yet another
Accor Vacation Club resort join our network, and look forward to
Accor’s continued growth.”
Speaking of the future, “2017 is the end of our property refurbishment
cycle, having now completed the total refurbishment of all of our hotels
and resorts in the club,” explains Wood. “We are very proud of the high
standards of our portfolio, and are very pleased with the glowing
feedback we continue to receive from our members and guests.”
Wood says that Accor Vacation Club plans on adding at least one
more location to the club’s portfolio within the upcoming year.
As for The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach: “Being right on one of
Australia’s premier beaches and also 20 minutes by ferry from Sydney,
the location couldn’t be any better,” says Wood. Sounds about right for
a city that’s “seven miles from Sydney and 1,000 miles from care.”
The Sebel Sydney Manly Beach
Developer: Accor Vacation Club, part of the Accor Group; Craig Wood, CEO
Location: Manly, New South Wales, Australia
Product: Right-to-use points-based vacation club
Units: Studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments
Price: Starting at AU$18,400 (US$13,921)
Website:
FAST FACTS
42
Looking to boost your sales,
marketing, and operating efforts,
and improve your bottom line?
Take Advantage …
of Interval International’s
Affiliate Advantages!
For more information, contact Nicole Meck at
949-470-8324 or ,
or go to
Bank of America Visa Card | 44
DG Film Company | 45
Entertainment Promotions | 46
Equiant | 47
Fidelity National Timeshare | 48
Harbor Linen | 49
Meridian Financial Services | 50
Quantum Resort Theatres | 51