Ascend Collection Expands in Europe, Australia

Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. continues its global expansion with the announcement that two boutique hotels have joined the portfolio. 

These properties are the Gibson Hotel, Dublin, Ireland, and Lindenwarrah at Milawa, Australia. The announcement was made to industry insiders at the 19th annual meeting of The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ascend Hotel Collection is a portfolio of upscale independent hotels with rich local character. With its latest additions, the group now has 108 properties in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Australia.

Gibson Hotel

Located in Dublin’s new cultural hub, the gibson hotel is 10 minutes from the airport and a short stroll along the Liffey River to the city center. The 252-room property features cutting-edge design, high-energy ambiance and guest comfort. Visitors to the hotel can enjoy a destination restaurant and bar; state-of-the-art gym; relaxation areas; courtyards; business center; and extensive square feet of meeting space with sweeping views of the Dublin cityscape.

Spanning two floors, the conference area has nine contemporary meeting rooms accommodating up to 300 people and is equipped with free Wi-Fi and the latest audio-visual technology. An experienced team of event planners assures impeccable, memorable affairs. Also part of the gibson hotel experience: a relaxation area with sauna and steam room; Japanese copper baths on the terrace with mountain vistas; and courtyards, with towering bamboos and water features. Guests can enjoy a Zen-like atmosphere in the heart of the bustling city.

Guestrooms feature custom furnishings, a soothing neutral color palette, plush beds and natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Many rooms include private balconies with stunning views of tranquil interior courtyards or the Dublin skyline.

Lindenwarrah at Milawa

Lindenwarrah combines the distinctiveness of a boutique hotel with the tranquility of its mountain and vineyard setting. Food and wine play a prominent role at this retreat in the heart of the renowned Milawa Gourmet Region. This hotel exudes laid-back luxury with 40 individually decorated guestrooms and suites, a fine-dining restaurant, bar, spa, lounge areas with Australian artwork, rooftop terrace, sunny courtyards and state-of-the-art meeting and event space.

Guestrooms feature contemporary furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of sunrises and sunsets. Rooms open onto balconies or peaceful gardens. The bright, airy Restaurant Merlot serves breakfast and dinner featuring fine regional cuisine. At the Spa at Lindenwarrah, guests can enjoy massages or relax in a sauna and outdoor solar-heated swimming pool. Bringing a touch of the outdoors in, meeting and banquet space accommodates up to 120 people in modern, light-filled rooms that open onto a large terrace. 

Lindenwarrah is next door to the famous Brown Brothers Winery and Epicurean Center and within walking distance to other regional culinary delights. Additionally, guests can hop on a bike and pedal past acres of vineyards to villages with small producers to fill their basket with nuts, honey, wine, olives and more.