Australia's Cradle Mountain Lodge Joins Accor's MGallery Collection

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. July 30, 2009

29 JULY 2009 - One of Australia's most iconic properties, Cradle Mountain Lodge, is the latest boutique hotel to join Accor's distinctive upscale MGallery collection.

Opened in 1972 as Pencil Pine Lodge and transformed over the years into a world-class hotel with 86 guest cabins, the multi award-winning Cradle Mountain Lodge boasts an enviable location at the entrance to the spectacular World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park in the northern Tasmanian highlands, just over an hour's drive from Devonport and two hours from Launceston.

The hotel joins the exclusive MGallery brand at a time when travellers are increasingly seeking boutique hospitality, nature-based experiences and authentic luxury spas.

Accor's MGallery collection is growing strongly, with significant signings of hotels that showcase exceptional Vision, Design, History and Location. Cradle Mountain Lodge is the second MGallery hotel in Australia, joining the historic Grand Hotel in Melbourne.

Set discreetly within a stunning wilderness setting, Cradle Mountain Lodge offers four different types of accommodation, from the contemporary Pencil Pine Cabins to the luxurious King Billy Suites, and extensive leisure facilities including the award-winning Highland Restaurant and indulgent Waldheim Alpine Spa.

The Lodge is surrounded by ancient towering forests, mountain scenery and clean glacial lakes and streams, crisscrossed with over 20 walking trails for every fitness level. Activities on offer include guided or self-guided trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, fly fishing, canoeing and more.

"It is great to be part of a new brand as it evolves and to have the support of the Accor group and network.

"We are very excited about joining the MGallery collection because we feel Cradle Mountain Lodge is the perfect fit for a brand that is centered on experiential hospitality, location and a distinctive personality," said Bernie Cochran, Sales and Marketing Manager of the McFie Group, owners of Cradle Mountain Lodge.

"MGallery hotels all have a very unique personality and a strong connection to the areas where they are located, so Cradle Mountain Lodge epitomises what the brand signifies.

"We feel that being part of the MGallery collection will further grow the awareness and appeal of Cradle Mountain Lodge as an iconic Australian boutique hospitality experience in key markets around the globe - particularly Europe, where Accor is the market leader."

Michael Issenberg, Accor Asia Pacific's Chairman says the signing of such a renowned and high quality property as Cradle Mountain Lodge to MGallery reflects Accor's commitment to growing its collection of individual, upscale hotels with their own distinctive personalities.

"This is a strategic addition to the MGallery collection and one that will have global appeal to the increasing number of travellers seeking accommodation with true character in wilderness surrounds," he said.

"Cradle Mountain Lodge is a name that instantly conjures specific images and is very much in keeping with the MGallery promise of a unique, authentic experience."

Mr Issenberg said that M Gallery hotels all have an individual story to tell that is integral to their setting and often are a destination in their own right - "which is certainly the case with Cradle Mountain Lodge."

For Accor, last year's launch of MGallery has allowed the group to put together a collection of hotels whose individuality made it difficult to include them in "standardised" brands. The brand is particularly relevant for owners seeking an agreement which allows them to maintain their property's individuality while benefiting from Accor's support in areas such as distribution, sales and marketing.

The MGallery collection currently stands at 27 hotels that meet the label's strict criteria for excellence including the Hotel Century Old Town in Prague, The Convent in Amsterdam, the Grand Hotel in Melbourne, Hotel St Moritz in Queenstown and Hotel Baltimore in Paris. Launched in September 2008 the MGallery network will grow to over 40 establishments by the end of 2010.