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Three new Mercures for Queensland

Construction has commenced on the new Gladstone Mercure Hotel in Queensland, expected to welcome its first guests in September 2012.

The new hotel will be built onsite at the Yaralla Sports Club and provide 60 hotel rooms, and conference facilities, catering to the need for more corporate level accommodation options in the region.

The Mercure hotel will complement the extensive existing facilities at the Yaralla Sports Club and adjoin the club's current front entrance. Vice president of Accor Australia Simon McGrath says the timing of the hotel is ideal to maximise on the region's considerable growth forecasts.

"Gladstone is a thriving industrial hub, and it's a perfect time for Accor to be partnering with the well established Yaralla Sports Club to leverage the significant development and economic opportunities that are driving the region's growth."

Yaralla's Chief executive officer Will Schroeder said, "The addition of a Mercure hotel will increase and diversify the level of service offered to both the local community and visitors by providing much-needed additional luxury and business accommodation options.

"Hotel guests will have access to conference facilities, fitness services, and our wide variety of restaurants and entertainment."

Accor Hotels has also added a new island resort address to its comprehensive Queensland network, welcoming the Grand Mercure Apartments Magnetic Island to its premier apartment portfolio.

The existing 124 room apartment resort One Bright Point has been rebranded under the Grand Mercure Apartments label, and is the latest addition to Accor's expanding upscale apartment network. It is Accor's second hotel on Magnetic Island, complementing the group's All Seasons Magnetic Island hotel.

Grand Mercure CoolangattaLocated just 8km off the coast of Townsville and only a 20 minute ferry ride, Magnetic Island is one of the most attractive and accessible islands of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef islands, with a year-round warm climate perfect for snorkelling and bushwalking. Set beside Nelly Bay and the Magnetic Island marine reserve, just 50m from the island's ferry terminal for convenient and quick access, the Grand Mercure Apartments offer style and comfort to its idyllic setting.

Grand Mercure guests can enjoy fully self-contained apartments offering magnificent views of Townsville and Cleveland Bay, with four pools, including a rooftop pool, exercise rooms and outdoor entertainment area also available.

General manager Rita Dickinson says, "With nearly 80% of the island a protected national park, the Grand Mercure is perfectly located to offer visitors the best of both worlds - beautiful secluded beaches and scenic walking tracks by day, and indulgent creature comforts within their apartments when they return to civilisation and Nelly Bay each afternoon to unwind."

Blue C Apartments Coolangatta is another to join Accor Hotels upscale Grand Mercure Apartments brand this month just in time for the spring and summer season.

The newly renamed Grand Mercure Apartments Coolangatta is perfectly positioned opposite iconic Coolangatta beach, boasting a convenient location just five minutes drive away from the Gold Coast International Airport, ideal for guests travelling from interstate or overseas destinations.

The modern 15 storey high rise holiday resort provides a great choice of 45 one, two or three-bedroom air conditioned, luxury apartments, all with beautiful ocean views of the magnificent Coolangatta beach and beyond. Guest facilities include a heated lagoon style swimming pool and spa, and a gymnasium and sauna.

The north-east-facing beaches of Coolangatta, Greenmount Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay – all just moments from the apartments - are popular swimming and surfing beaches, while walking tracks connecting the headland between Rainbow Bay and Coolangatta form part of the Southern Points Promenade and Oceanway network of 36 kilometres of walking and bike tracks for visitors to explore the coastline at their own pace.

Gladstone Mercure Hotel

Grand Mercure Apartments Coolangatta's joint general management team Robyn and Dick Douglas say, "Our property is an exciting addition to the impressive Grand Mercure Apartment network in Queensland. It is a perfect base to enjoy all the activities and attractions on the Gold Coast including beaches, theme parks, the beautiful Tweed Valley, Gold Coast Hinterland and Surfers Paradise activities."