Hotels, Casinos, Restaurants & Leisure

Comeback by O’Hoy hailed as coup for Redcape

22 May 2012 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Comeback by O’Hoy hailed as coup for Redcape

Trevor O’Hoy, the former CEO of brewing giant Foster’s, has staged a surprise return to the liquor industry by accepting the non-executive chairmanship of the freshly privatised pub landlord, Redcape Property Fund.

Demand for hotel rooms set to soar

22 May 2012 | Ainslie Chandler

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Demand for hotel rooms set to soar

Low supply levels and strong demand from business travellers are set to drive Australian hotel occupancy rates to their highest on record, pushing up room rates across the country.

National briefs

22 May 2012 |

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 5 |

A pathological gambling addict has lost his appeal to recover more than $20 million which he gambled away at Melbourne’s Crown Casino after alleging the casino deliberately encouraged him to indulge in his addiction.

Unhappy diners are getting into a twitter

21 May 2012 |

In the age of social media, restaurants are learning that only a twit ignores an unhappy customer.

Nikkei drops sharply, weighed down by troubled Spanish banks

18 May 2012 |

Japan's Nikkei share average dropped sharply on Friday morning with securities hammered by fears of contagion from Spain's ailing bank system and a strong yen pushed down exporters.

Echo cleared of cover-up on MD’s exit

17 May 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Echo cleared of cover-up on MD’s exit

Updated | It was what management at The Star casino, and its owner Echo Entertainment Group, had been waiting to hear for three months: “The soap opera is over.”

Heard the joke about the CEO?

16 May 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 6 | Heard the joke about the CEO?

The appetite for booking comedians to entertain corporate crowds is growing, as businesses look to counteract the malaise brought on by economic troubles.

Forget the chill, Vivid means big business

15 May 2012 | Alexandra Cain.

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Forget the chill, Vivid means big business

Sydney is often seen as a destination for the summer months. To counter this perception, The Vivid Sydney Festival was developed in 2009 to attract visitors during winter.

Focus on food workers

14 May 2012 |

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 12 |

Australia’s Fair Work ombudsman will check the books of up to 120 food outlets to verify workers are getting full entitlements, including minimum pay and penalty rates.

Farmers in for a finger-lickin’ bonanza

14 May 2012 | Sophie Morris

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Farmers in for a finger-lickin’ bonanza

KFC plans to switch from frying poultry pieces in Malaysian-sourced palm oil to locally grown canola oil, fuelling the switch from wheat to the oilseed.

Mark Best makes the cut

12 May 2012 | Brook Turner

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Mark Best makes the cut

An Australian chef moving up in international rankings reflects on culinary culture, Martha Stewart, and the best way to run a restaurant.

Meet the reluctant entrepreneur

12 May 2012 | Anne Fulwood

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Reluctant entrepreneur

Fulwood | Nahji Chu has capitalised on a taste for Vietnamese rice paper rolls with her flourishing catering and takeaway empire.

Eating out survives the budget squeeze

12 May 2012 | Emily Parkinson

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Eating out survives the budget squeeze

It is one of the paradoxes of the Australian economy: while retailers struggle to attract sales these days, serious cash is being spent in cafes and restaurants.

SkyCity downgrades profit guidance

11 May 2012 |

Trans-Tasman casino operator SkyCity Entertainment group has downgraded its profit expectations following weaker trading conditions, especially in Adelaide.

Fine dining masterclasses at The Dorchester

11 May 2012 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | TASTE

One of London’s best known hotels, The Dorchester, is hosting masterclasses on the art of fine dining on June 9 and 23.

London Olympics special | Day trip

10 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Bathe in royal style

The royal city of Bath has always been a fashionable place to take the waters.

London Olympics special | Hotel review

10 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Return of Cool Britannia

Stay in the heart of the city’s theatre district, on the Seven Dials road junction, in comfort and style.

Crown denies stealth on Echo

10 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Crown Ltd has denied it is using derivatives to secretly creep up Echo Entertainment Group’s register.

Tabcorp Holdings (TAH)

09 May 2012 | Brendon Lau

Merrill Lynch has upgraded Tabcorp Holdings to “neutral” from “underperform” on valuation grounds after the stock lagged the S&P/ASX 200 Index by 25 per cent over the past 12 months.

World briefs

09 May 2012 |

Consumer borrowing in the US surged in March by the most in more than a decade on growing demand for educational financing and cars.

Carlsberg calls last orders on Foster’s

09 May 2012 | Julie-anne Sprague

PRINT: 09 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Carlsberg calls last orders on Foster’s

Foster’s has lost the rights to its last imported premium beer after Coopers Brewery confirmed it had snared a distribution deal with Carlsberg.

London Olympics has tickets on itself

07 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Olympics has tickets on itself

London Olympic Games Organising Committee chief Paul Deighton thinks the London Olympics can be more memorable than Sydney’s.

Party animals

05 May 2012 |

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 56 | Party animals

Harold Mitchell, the incredible shrinking media buyer, is having a cosy soiree with more than 400 of his closest chums at James Packer’s Crown Casino on Saturday night.

Ardent bets there’s life in leisure

04 May 2012 | Ainslie Chandler

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Ardent bets there’s life in leisure

Ardent Leisure is counting on the resilience of the affordable leisure sector, along with a bigger portfolio of assets, to bolster future earnings.

Call of the wild

04 May 2012 | Christopher Jay

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Call of the wild

The federal government plans to make more comprehensive promotional use of Australia’s regional landscapes using a program that first emergid in December 2006.

Aristocrat expects strong 2012 profit rise

02 May 2012 |

Gaming group Aristocrat Leisure expects strong profit growth for 2012. Chief executive Jamie Odell made the forecast as he told shareholders the company would change the reporting dates for its fiscal year.

Wotif.com (WTF)

02 May 2012 | Joanna Heath

Deutsche Bank has maintained its “hold” rating on online travel booking company Wotif.com but is cautious on the company’s outlook following a recent profit update.

Pardon my French

02 May 2012 |

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 52 | Pardon my French

Regional chairman of French hotelier Accor, David Baffsky, was gonged on Monday night with the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur at a who’s who bash at Sydney’s Sofitel.

29th in pecking order

02 May 2012 |

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 52 | 29th in pecking order

Sydney’s Quay has made the San Pellegrino World’s Best 50 Restaurants.

Wilkie accused of bullying

02 May 2012 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Wilkie accused of bullying

The poker machine industry has accused Andrew Wilkie of being a bully and a political opportunist for using the Gillard government’s political troubles to push his poker machine policy.

Food sector baulks at penalty rates

02 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 02 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Food sector baulks at penalty rates

The union movement has vowed to fight an employer push to reduce penalty rates for restaurants, pubs and fast food outlets arguing that it would “dangerously unravel the basic concept of the weekend”.

Pokies: Labor’s moral bankruptcy

28 April 2012 | Alan Stokes

PRINT: 28 April 2012 | PAGE 53 | Pokies: Labor’s

Stokes | If the Gillard government wants to preserve the Australian tradition of helping out a mate, it should back the proposed gambling reforms.

Skilled labour the missing ingredient for top chefs

28 April 2012 | Brook Turner

PRINT: 28 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | The missing ingredient? Skilled labour

Australia’s top chefs are lobbying the federal government for immigration visa changes to combat a skills shortage they say is crippling the restaurant industry.

STC opens new bar

27 April 2012 |

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | EAT

Sydney Theatre Company’s new casual bar and dining space is now open for business.

All quiet on the western front

26 April 2012 | Ben Hurley

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

If Rick Fenny had his way, he wouldn’t be sharing his beautiful coastal escape, Maitraya, on Western Australia’s south coast.

Mr Beer gives Coopers US home brew domination

24 April 2012 | Julie-anne Sprague

The nation’s largest Australian-owned brewer, Coopers Brewery, has become America’s largest home brew supplier after making its first acquisition in almost 30 years.

Gerry Ryan on the move

21 April 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 45 | Gerry Ryan on the move

It’s obvious why Gerry Ryan chooses the Middle Park Hotel in the Melbourne bayside suburb of the same name: he owns the place.

Alfresco dining London style

20 April 2012 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | EAT

London’s Regent Park will be transformed into a dining and drinking hub during the Taste of London restaurant festival.

Daylesford | Blokes in spa country

20 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | Leave your cares behind

Blokes love a bit of pampering but a massage should hurt just a bit, Mark Skulley writes.

Bratislava | Eccentric charmer

20 April 2012 | Evan Rail

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | Eccentric charmer

If the beekeeping museum isn’t your thing, why not try some of the 80 vodkas served in one of the capital’s bars.

20 April 2012 |

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | NEED TO KNOW

Chinese to get their island in the sun

19 April 2012 | Ben Wilmot

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Chinese to get their island in the sun

Lindeman Island is set to sell for about $12 million to Chinese investors who hope to tap the China tourism boom after previous owner Club Med of France shut the resort due to poor visitor numbers.

Nationwide review shows that beds are earning

17 April 2012 | Rebecca Thistleton

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Nationwide review shows that beds are earning

Domestic stays in the nation’s hotels increased by nearly 4 per cent last year, according to a review of the market by CBRE Hotels analysts.

Ardent Leisure Group (AAD)

16 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

Goldman Sachs has increased its price target on Ardent Leisure Group by 9 per cent to $1.27 after upgrading its earnings forecast, but has held its “neutral” recommendation.

Academy of tourism leads to a taste of the suite life

16 April 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 29 | Academy of tourism leadsto a taste of the suite life

Being put up in a hotel isn’t what you would typically expect from a postgraduate study experience. But hotel chain Accor and the University of Queensland are providing this opportunity.

A glass more than half full

16 April 2012 | Julie-anne Sprague

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 17 | A glass more than half full

For Angus McPherson, the former export manager for the highly successful Casella Wines, restoring the Rosemount wine label to its former glory is a task in simplicity.

Venues that strike the right note

16 April 2012 | Katie Walsh

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | Venues strike the right note

These days a first gig may be in a bar, a cinema or a vegetable market – last year more than 10 per cent of venues were restaurants and cafes.

Steppin’ out deep in the heart of Texas

13 April 2012 | Rachel Lee Harris

PRINT: 13 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Steppin’ out deep in Texas

There’s fabulous food and charm galore to be found over 36 hours in Austin.

Packer increases wager on Crown

12 April 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | Packer ups wager on Crown

Crown Ltd executive chairman James Packer appears to have increased his stake in the casino operator, picking up an additional 2 per cent.

Pub owners under pressure

12 April 2012 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 49 | Pub owners under pressure

Up to half a dozen landlords in NSW will be forced to cough up for pub leases controlled by the deeply indebted National Leisure & Gaming, even if they were unable to attract a bid in a recent sales campaign.

Hotel room rates tipped to rise

12 April 2012 | Zoë Fielding

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 48 | Hotel room rates bubbling

Hotel owners and operators in Sydney are expected to lift room rates as occupancy levels rebound above pre-global-financial-crisis levels.

Cocaine allegations untrue, casino boss tells inquiry

11 April 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Casino boss says drug claims ‘bull’

Updated | Larry Mullin, the CEO of The Star casino’s operating company Echo Entertainment Group, has told an inquiry that allegations of drug use by senior managers at the casino were “all bulls--t”.

CVC has Mantra for sales success

11 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | CVC has Mantra for sales success

The sale process for the CVC Asia Pacific-owned Mantra got under way last week with an information memorandum sent to 12 trade buyers and sponsor firms. Indicative bids are due at the end of April.

Chef get a taste of cooking for camps

11 April 2012 | Julie-anne Sprague

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | Chefs get a taste of camp cooking

Western Australia’s economic boom has underpinned a surge in new restaurants, bars and cafes looking to cash in on diners with money to spend.

Casino boss a drug user, inquiry told

10 April 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | Casino boss

Updated | The former boss of The Star casino in Sydney ordered staff to conceal the discovery of white powder in a gaming room because he had a “social” drug habit he did not want to be made public, an inquiry has heard.

Who’s going to cop this flack?

10 April 2012 |

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 52 | Who’s going to cop this flack?

There is plenty of colour and movement on Sydney’s Macquarie Street right now. Speculation now turns to the future of Barry O’Farrell’s ousted communications director, Peter Grimshaw, and that of his vacated job.

Report shows tourism is worth $73 billion

05 April 2012 |

The tourism industry may be suffering under the effects of the high Aussie dollar, but it's still worth more than $73 billion annually to the national economy, a new report indicates.

Wall St falls on stimulus doubts, Spain debt sale

05 April 2012 |

US stocks fell for a second day on Wednesday as investors contemplated a world without monetary stimulus and a poorly received bond auction in Spain.

Sifting through the story

05 April 2012 | Gay Bilson

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 5 | Sifting through the story

The is much to recommend in A Cook’s Life by chef, writer and restaurateur Stephanie Alexander, but her self-preoccupation detracts from a praiseworthy work.

Salt, a seasoned performer

05 April 2012 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 4 | FOOD

Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez is trying to clear salt’s name. At his restaurant he uses about 60 different kinds.

French palate pleasers

05 April 2012 |

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | EAT

InterContinental Sydney is holding the first of a series of intimate champagne degustation dinners.

Rising above it all in frenetic Bangkok

05 April 2012 | Ben Hurley

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | TRAVEL THAILAND

The night air of Bangkok is surprisingly fresh when you’re sitting at an outdoor bar 55 storeys above the ground.

Traveller | Carlo Montagner

05 April 2012 |

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | TRAVELLER

The chief executive of biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia shares his tips, tricks and tales.

Casino boss to front inquiry

04 April 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | White powder at Star casino was just ‘dust’

Updated | Echo Entertainment chief executive Larry Mullin will give evidence next week at an inquiry into the sacking of The Star casino’s former managing director for sexually harassing two women.

Las Vegas scandal hits US agency

04 April 2012 | Jonathan Weisman

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 47 | Las Vegas spectacular leads to high-level resignation

The administrator of the US General Services Administration fired her two top deputies then resigned over an investigation into a conference the agency held in Las Vegas that included commemorative coins, lavish meals, a mind reader and a $US75,000 team-building exercise assembling bicycles.

O’Farrell’s chief media adviser resigns

03 April 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | O’Farrell adviser quits over email leak

Updated | NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s chief communications adviser has resigned after an internal investigation found he had breached the code of conduct for ministers’ staff by forwarding an email from the premier to his girlfriend.

Long wait in SA quite a gamble

03 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

It could be another two weeks before the South Australian government appoints an adviser to sell the SA Lotteries licence.

APA gets gas over pipeline deal

03 April 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 64 | APA gets gas over pipeline deal

Mick McCormack has had plenty of experience bedding down tricky acquisitions, leading a successful growth strategy at APA Group.

Clubs call of their pokies campaign

03 April 2012 |

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 9 | Clubs call off their pokies campaign

Clubs Australia is ending a campaign against tougher restrictions on poker machines and is asking its members across the country to withdraw beer coasters, posters and other material.

Heads must roll at Echo, says Packer

03 April 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | Heads must roll at Echo, says Packer

Crown chairman James Packer says “heads have to roll” at rival Echo Entertainment Group after the company admitted to leaking sensitive emails and text messages to the media.

Clubs Australia ends pokies campaign

02 April 2012 |

Clubs Australia has called an end to its campaign against poker machine reforms, asking its members across the country to withdraw beer coasters, posters and other material.

No Sunshine Coast casino plans: Palmer

02 April 2012 |

Queensland's richest man says he does not want to build a casino on the Sunshine Coast, he just trademarked the name.

O’Farrell on Star war path

02 April 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 02 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | O’Farrell ‘on Star war path’

Updated | NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s chief media adviser has admitted he leaked a “teaser” or small part of a damaging story about The Star casino to the media.

Room with a few

02 April 2012 |

PRINT: 02 April 2012 | PAGE 52 | Room with a few

Rear Window has heard a truly alarming tale emanating from Sydney’s Hilton Hotel, recently revamped by the embattled construction giant Leighton Holdings. But you can’t blame the builders for this one.

Redcape investors back bid

02 April 2012 | Ben Wilmot

PRINT: 02 April 2012 | PAGE 49 | Redcape win closer

A group of investors led by investment bank Goldman Sachs has edged closer to winning control of embattled pub landlord Redcape Property Fund.

A litigating legend

31 March 2012 |

PRINT: 31 March 2012 | PAGE 56 | A litigating legend

Clive Palmer boasted to the Prince during the week that his litigating win-loss record “may have” improved to 69-zero after Thursday’s “confidential but pleasing” settlement of a Supreme Court dispute with the Hyatt Group.

Aristocrat expects improvement over 2012

30 March 2012 |

Gaming machine supplier Aristocrat Leisure expects its business over 2012 to improve despite economic uncertainty and fluctuating currency exchange rates.

Petits fours now offer a little bit more

30 March 2012 | Katie Walsh

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 4 | FOOD

Restaurants are now upping the ante with their versions of the humble petit four.

Need to know

30 March 2012 | Marguerite Winter

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 12 | NEED TO KNOW

Where to stay,eat and what to see in Launceston.

Traveller | Robbie Cooke

30 March 2012 | Jason Murphy

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | TRAVELLER

The group chief executive of online travel company Wotif.com shares his hints, tips and tales.

Raiders of the internet, no smartcard required

30 March 2012 | John Davidson

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 16 | Raiders of the internet, no smartcard required

You don’t need a dodgy smartcard, a degree in mathematics or a job at NDS to be a pay TV pirate nowadays. Anyone with a broadband connection fast enough to stream video can do it.

Chips down in high-stakes game

29 March 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 29 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | Chips down in high-stakes game

Echo Entertainment chairman John Story and his arch rival James Packer are sharpening their knives ahead of what could be one of the year’s most intriguing corporate takeover battles.

Guests at Palmer’s hotel getting jumpy

29 March 2012 | Fiona Carruthers

PRINT: 29 March 2012 | PAGE 17 | Guests jumpy over Hyatt row

Clive Palmer has few qualms about unleashing the lawyers but his litigious outbursts are finally hurting his own hotel.

Star casino inquiry expanded

26 March 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 15 | Casino probe goes public

The NSW gaming and liquor watchdog has extended the reach of its inquiry into the management culture at Sydney’s Star casino to take account of any “significant developments”, including alleged attempts to influence the investigation.

Casino crusade rolls on

26 March 2012 |

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 52 | Casino crusade rolls on

With James Packer ramping up the charm offensive in his pursuit of a larger stake in Echo Entertainment, 60 Minutes is preparing a nice puff piece on the gazillions to be made on Chinese gambling tourism.

AFL derby captures viewers for Seven, Foxtel

26 March 2012 | Christine Lacy

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 45 | AFL derby captures viewers for Seven, Foxtel

A total of 885,000 viewers watched the first game of the 2012 AFL premiership season on Saturday night which was broadcast live on Seven and Foxtel’s Fox Footy channel.

Hoteliers check in for tax break

26 March 2012 | Fiona Carruthers

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 12 | Hoteliers check in for tax break

The news has just got better for hotels in Australian capital cities, which already have the highest occupancy rates in the world.

Carbon, mining taxes to blame, says Qld business

26 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 26 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Carbon, mining taxes to blame: business

Queensland business leaders say federal issues are at the heart of Labor’s devastating election defeat and that the incoming Liberal National Party must keep its promise of cutting bureaucracy and fighting new taxes.

Lunch with Jancis Robinson, wine queen

24 March 2012 | Fiona Carruthers

PRINT: 24 March 2012 | PAGE 55 | Jancis Robinson, wine queen

The acclaimed British critic was in Australia recently for causes both vine-inspired and charitable. Luckily, she found time to share her passion over a glass or two.

Brissie’s booze brothers

23 March 2012 |

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 56 | Brissie’s booze bros

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser says he doesn’t have a local and doesn’t get much of a chance to drink. And one man who’ll never miss a drink is Bob Hawke.

Victory Vegas review | Much more than a big bore

22 March 2012 | Tony Davis

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 6 | Much more than a big bore

If you are itching to answer the call of the wild, the Victory can speed you on your way.

Cheaper in Tokyo than Tamworth

22 March 2012 | Peter Roberts

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 9 | HOTEL REVIEW TOKYO

Tokyo’s Best Western Shinjuku Astina is offering top calibre for bottom dollar.

A walk on the wild side

22 March 2012 | Jane-Anne Lee

PRINT: 23 March 2012 | PAGE 12 | What takes your pleasure

It’s a difficult choice between wine tasting or a dramatic beachside hike.

Starbucks pours into energy drink market

22 March 2012 |

Starbucks is expanding into the fast-growing energy drink category and plans to add manufacturing jobs in the US, the world’s biggest coffee chain says.

Hostelry hums again

22 March 2012 |

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 68 | Hostelry hums again

Those who skipped the Sydney Institute on Tuesday night inevitably could be tracked to the reopened Park Hyatt at The Rocks.

Blackstone grows in San Francisco

22 March 2012 | Hui-yong Yu

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 58 | Blackstone grows in San Francisco

Blackstone Group is said to have invested about $US70 million ($66.4 million) for a controlling stake in San Francisco’s Parc 55, its third hotel in the city.

Outdoor opera set to sing up a storm

22 March 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 22 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Outdoor opera set to sing up a storm

The weather gods should expect more than the usual number of sacrifices this week, as Opera Australia prepares to open Verdi’s La Traviata on the water at Sydney’s Farm Cove.

Property briefs

21 March 2012 |

PRINT: 21 March 2012 | PAGE 57 |

Bunnings Warehouse is moving into residential property development and will build a new store plus several hundred apartments in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Gaming regulator best to probe casino claims: O’Farrell

19 March 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

Updated | NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said he was concerned about allegations that The Star casino was allowing wealthy overseas gamblers to bet for more than 24 hours at a time but trusted the Independent Gaming and Liquor Authority to investigate the claims.

Chef gets the bird

19 March 2012 |

PRINT: 19 March 2012 | PAGE 52 | Chef gets the bird

On Thursday night, America’s Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and his Tony Soprano-ish sidekick David Burke threw a private dinner at Shannon Bennett’s Vue du Monde. Despite some crazy brave characters in the room - including legendary corporate Svengali John Connolly and chief ANZ spinner Paul Edwards - nobody succumbed to temptation and base-jumped from the balcony, as four hooligans had controversially done the day before.

Crown (CWN)

16 March 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

Deutsche Bank has maintained its “buy” rating on Crown, saying the company’s Macau operations in Asia are likely to support near-term earnings forecasts and longer-term valuations.

Trump sees himself as Scotland’s saviour

15 March 2012 |

Donald Trump is almost (but not quite) yelling down the phone from his New York offices in the 58-storey tower that bears his name, as do most things he owns.

So very very Perry Perry

15 March 2012 |

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 68 | So very very Perry Perry

The lobby of Melbourne’s Crown Towers was the scene of a Lewis Carroll-style garden party and high tea on Wednesday afternoon fronted by ponytailed chef Neil Perry and fashion designer Alex Perry.

Coles close but still no cigar

15 March 2012 | Sue Mitchell

PRINT: 15 March 2012 | PAGE 30 | Coles close but no cigar

When Coles again grew sales faster than Woolworths, analysts thought it was only a matter of time before Coles caught up with Woolworths.

Mining boom busts small businesses

15 March 2012 | Jonathan Barrett

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 12 | Mining boom busts small businesses

There’s money in mining towns but not in their shops, as one exhausted cafe owner can attest.

PNG deputy PM denies Star City fracas

14 March 2012 |

Papua New Guinea's deputy prime minister has denied through a lawyer his alleged involvement in threatening and sexually harassing staff during a drunken fracas at Sydney's Star City Casino last year.

Wilkie confident on pokies reforms

14 March 2012 | Gemma Daley

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who has met with Families Minister Jenny Macklin, said he was confident the federal government would proceed with its poker machine reforms.

Culinary holiday

14 March 2012 |

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 60 | Culinary holiday

America’s Next Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is in the middle of a whistle-stop Australian tour this week. The executive chef from New York’s ultra-swish Lambs Club at the Chatwal hotel is spending two days in Sydney eating his way through some top menus at various eateries.

Wilkie slams donation

13 March 2012 | Fleur Anderson

PRINT: 14 March 2012 | PAGE 7 | Wilkie slams donation

Updated | Independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie has attacked billionaire casino mogul James Packer’s decision to donate $250,000 to Katter’s Australian Party, branding it “deeply unethical”.

To the manna born

13 March 2012 |

PRINT: 13 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | To the manna born

Sydney’s culinary renaissance continues, with the city’s two newest restaurants – Matt Moran’s Chiswick and Greek diner The Apollo – drawing star crowds already.

Sydney’s carb curfew

13 March 2012 |

PRINT: 13 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | Sydney’s carb curfew

It sounds like Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and her power rangers are still making life hell for diners and restaurants in Potts Point.

Indonesia's commodities boom leaves many behind

12 March 2012 |

Indonesia, as south-east Asia's largest economy is leaving its basket-case reputation behind with annual growth of about 6 per cent and strong demand for its plentiful commodities.

Sitting comfortably a skill in itself

12 March 2012 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 12 March 2012 | PAGE 26 | Sitting comfortably a skill in itself

Corporate Australia is facing some of the most hostile operating conditions since the end of the global financial crisis, yet the outlook has not stopped select companies defying expectations during last month’s reporting season.

It’s war: Packer v Story

10 March 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 10 March 2012 | PAGE 49 | It’s war: Story v Packer

There’s no love lost between James Packer and John Story but also no definite opinion yet on who will be the victor in the battle of casinos.

Packer versus Story: now it’s war

10 March 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 10 March 2012 | PAGE 1 | Packer versus Story: now it’s war

Echo Entertainment Group chairman John Story has dismissed the personal campaign being waged against him by Crown Ltd chairman James Packer while slamming the billionaire’s “covert means of attaining control” of the monopoly Sydney casino licence.

Regulator puts stopper in Woolies deal

09 March 2012 | Sue Mitchell and Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 09 March 2012 | PAGE 19 | Regulator puts

Woolworths’ plan to increase its share of the NSW liquor market by buying more than 30 hotels is in doubt after the competition regulator raised concerns about the impact on liquor sales competition.

Nine’s lunch medallists

08 March 2012 |

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 68 | Nine’s lunch medallists

Nothing’s changed since Kerry Packer and Sam Chisholm were Friday regulars at Beppi’s, the TV industry place to lunch. And Nine showed yesterday it’s still the one in that department, launching its London Olympics coverage at Aqua Dining, overlooking the North Sydney pool.

Chef has big guns in

08 March 2012 |

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 68 | Chef has big guns in

Sydney chef Matt Moran and his business partner, Peter Sullivan, flung open the doors to their latest venture, Chiswick, on Tuesday night.

Rich pickings for those who dare

08 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 47 | Rich tourism pickings for those who dare

Trucking tycoon Lindsay Fox is considering buying into the Queensland tourism property market in a bid to gain exposure to a recovery in the sector.

CVC appoints banks to sell Stella Hospitality

08 March 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 08 March 2012 | PAGE 28 | CVC appoints banks to sell Stella Hospitality

The Stella saga is finally drawing to a close. It is understood Stella Hospitality Group – now known as Mantra Group – has been put on the auction block.

South Bank Corp to sell the Plough Inn

07 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 07 March 2012 | PAGE 57 | South Bank sells Plough Inn

The Queensland government’s South Bank Corporation is selling Brisbane’s historic Plough Inn, which is expected to fetch $8 million.

Crown (CWN)

07 March 2012 | Joanna Heath

PRINT: 07 March 2012 | PAGE 33 |

Deutsche Bank has maintained its “buy” rating on Crown saying the company’s strategy will be to slowly increase its shareholding in Echo Entertainment to 20 per cent.

Gunning for kicks in Las Vegas

07 March 2012 | Adam Nagourney

PRINT: 07 March 2012 | PAGE 13 | Gunning for kicks in Las Vegas

For Las Vegas die-hards bored with the $US750 tasting menu at Guy Savoy, the $US250 Elton John tickets at Caesars or the $US200,000 single-hand baccarat bet at the Bellagio, this city is serving up a new way to find high-priced thrills.

SingTel clears the decks for war

06 March 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 06 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | SingTel clears the decks for war

When a savvy company restructures to put itself on a war footing you know the threats from Google and Apple are being taken seriously.

Woolies takes the long view

05 March 2012 | Sue Mitchell

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 56 | Woolies takes the long view

Woolworths chief executive Grant O’Brien may not know much about mining, but he has a lot in common with BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers.

Cheers Mr President

05 March 2012 |

PRINT: 05 March 2012 | PAGE 52 | Cheers, Mr President

No proof is needed that the Republican primary season in the US is driving people to drink. Topaz Bar in Washington DC has designed a special Super Tuesday cocktail list by American liquor impresario Rico Wisner, modelled on the remaining presidential hopefuls.

City of schemes

03 March 2012 |

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 56 | City of schemes

It must have caught James Packer by surprise. It has, after all, been only 10 years since NSW started the planning process for Barangaroo, the dockland on the doorstep of Sydney’s CBD.

Palmer’s disappointing day in court

03 March 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 8 | Palmer’s disappointing day in court

Mining billionaire Clive Palmer has been unsuccessful in his bid to sack the Hyatt hotel chain as the operator of his hotel on the Sunshine Coast.

Beaches or baccarat

03 March 2012 | Agnes King

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 43 | Beaches or baccarat

Venture capitalist Jason Chang says the call by businessmen James Packer for Australia to enhance its cosmopolitan appeal in order to hold the interest of Chinese tourists rings true.

Packer’s tourism challenge

03 March 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 03 March 2012 | PAGE 2 | Packer’s tourism challenge

James Packer says Australia has the choice of backing the kind of high-end hotel and casino development he has proposed for Sydney’s Barangaroo or missing out on the spoils of a regional gambling tourism market worth $47 billion annually.

Woolies looks firmly to future

02 March 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 02 March 2012 | PAGE 56 | Woolies looks firmly to future

It’s a conundrum and nobody knows it better than Grant O’Brien – how much do you sacrifice in the short term to build for the long term?

Madrid, Barcelona vie for €17bn casino project

01 March 2012 |

Spain’s two main cities are battling it out for a Vegas-style complex of a dozen casinos, several hotels, shopping malls, conference centres, golf courses and theatres in an attempt to create jobs.

Big Apple boosts Genting’s fourth quarter

01 March 2012 | Chong Pooi Koon

PRINT: 01 March 2012 | PAGE 38 | Genting profit rises on New York debut

Genting Group, which controls Asia’s second-biggest gaming company by market value, said fourth-quarter profit jumped 66 per cent, with maiden revenue contributions from its New York City casino.

QBE may need more repair

29 February 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 64 | QBE may need more repair

While Frank O’Halloran’s retirement as chief executive of QBE Insurance ends a stellar career, it is a bitter-sweet exit.

Don’t overlook Clover

29 February 2012 |

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 60 | Don’t overlook Clover

The politics of Crown chairman James Packer’s vision for a $1 billion luxury hotel and casino at Sydney Harbour’s Barangaroo development became more intriguing on Tuesday as Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore came out swinging, calling it a “clumsy Dubai-style hotel with a new mega-casino . . .”

Wesfarmers exits pub trio, seeks joint-venture partner

29 February 2012 | Gretchen Friemann

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 51 | Wesfarmers exits pub trio, seeks partner

Supermarket giant Wesfarmers has slipped three of its pubs on to the market for about $15 million as it renews its long-running search for a joint-venture partner.

Quadrant asks UBS to count kegs for IPG’s hotel sale

29 February 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 18 | Quadrant asks UBS to count kegs for IPG’s hotel sale

Quadrant Private Equity is believed to have appointed UBS to sell Independent Pub Group, whose stable includes 19 hotels, of which 10 are freehold, and generates earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in excess of $31 million.

Keating barangaroos Packer

29 February 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 1 | Keating barangaroos Packer

Paul Keating has delivered a blow to James Packer’s plan to build a luxury hotel and casino in Sydney’s Barangaroo, saying it could not be placed in the “inviolate” public park lands of the $6 billion development.

Paul Keating’s statement on Barangaroo

29 February 2012 |

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 8 | Paul Keating’s STATEMENT

Paul Keating provides a statement relating to his meeting with James Packer regarding the Barangaroo development.

Packer’s city hotel proposal welcome

29 February 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 29 February 2012 | PAGE 62 | Packer’s city hotel

Editorial | The announcement by James Packer’s Crown Ltd that it plans to build a $750 million, 350-room, six-star hotel and upmarket casino in Sydney is welcome on many ­levels.

Packer gamble a political hit

28 February 2012 |

PRINT: 28 February 2012 | PAGE 60 | Packer gamble a political hit

Doubters who call NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell Captain Cautious were silenced yesterday as BOF came screaming out of the blocks with uncharacteristic decisiveness, declaring strong support for Crown’s audacious bid for a second Sydney casino at Barangaroo.

Packer’s grand gambling vision

25 February 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 64 | Packer’s grand gambling vision

There is a compelling big-picture vision behind James Packer’s purchase of a 10 per cent shareholding in casino owner Echo Entertainment but the billionaire will have to work hard to see it become a reality.

Packer doubles up on casino high-rollers

24 February 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 25 February 2012 | PAGE 16 | Packer doubles up on casino high-rollers

Crown executive chairman James Packer is preparing to spend more than $1.5 billion on six-star luxury hotels in Sydney and Perth after lifting his stake in rival casino operator Echo Entertainment.

Crown profit rises on Macau, capex splurge

24 February 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 16 | Gamblers pay Crown back in spades

Crown reported a 28 per cent rise in adjusted first-half earnings, boosted by lavish new high-roller facilities in Australia and the company’s casino joint venture in Macau.

Echo defends reputation in wake of sacking

24 February 2012 |

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 16 | Echo predicts many happier returns

Casino operator Echo Entertainment has defended its reputation in the wake of The Star casino’s manager being sacked for alleged misconduct.

Clive does his very best Basil

24 February 2012 | Fiona Carruthers

PRINT: 23 February 2012 | PAGE 19 | Clive does his very best Basil

Call it Clive Palmer’s Fawlty Towers  moments. In the past few weeks, he has sacked Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg, railed against FFA’s executives’ pay, and sued Hyatt Hotels.

Feast like a New Yorker

24 February 2012 | Lisa Carapiet

PRINT: 17 February 2012 | PAGE 4 | FOOD

A master class at Melbourne’s Food & Wine Festival provides a taste of America’s Italian food.

Singapore takeout

24 February 2012 |

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 2 | EAT

Singapore Takeout, a mobile kitchen and 30-seat restaurant, will arrive in Sydney at the end of a nine-city tour.

Hotel review | Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

23 February 2012 | Scott Elliott

PRINT: 24 February 2012 | PAGE 11 | Luxury reaches new heights

Rising almost 500 metres above Kowloon, the new Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong clearly has a point to prove.

Tatts on track to lift second-half profit

23 February 2012 |

Gambling firm Tatts Group has lifted its first-half profit by 11 per cent and says it is encouraged by the outlook for the rest of the financial year.