IS YOUR son or daughter dreaming of becoming an astronaut? A space-themed summer camp will put them on the launch pad to success.
COMO Hotels and Resorts is running a series of camps for children and teenagers in July and August, led by NASA and Citizen astronauts.
Kids aged from eight to 16 will learn about space through art, food and movement with veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Citizen astronaut Sara Sabry.
Sara was selected as the world’s second Citizen astronaut in a program by Space for Humanity where all civilians could apply to become a trained astronaut.
The camps will take place at the brand’s island resorts in Thailand, Bali and the Maldives and participation will be complimentary during the astronauts’ residency.
The Bali camp will take place at COMO Uma Canggu from July 17 to 23 where kids will join Nicole Stott’s Postcards to Space’ project by writing postcards and creating artwork with messages of future hopes and dreams.
They’ll be sent up to the astronauts in space before returning to guests as a keepsake.
Guests can also learn more about the visible human impact from space in the River Clean-up activity.
Other activities include art and craft constellations and Stars from Nature’ where guests learn the traditional art of weaving stars from palm leaves gathered from the gardens.
The immersive camp at COMO Maalifushi will be led by Citizen astronaut Sara Sabry, the first Arab woman in space, and takes place from July 28 to August 6.
Guests can participate in space-themed events that include Spacesuit Design, a beach clean-up and a session for creating food for astronauts. Other activities include star gazing with Ms Sabry and a Movie Under the Stars’ evening.
comohotels.com/experiences/island-astronauts-space-camp
A NEW HOTEL WITH REAL PULL
WITH A new airport already on the horizon, Western Sydney’s transformation continues with the early opening of a five-star hotel.
The Pullman Sydney Penrith will debut next month, along with the new Western Sydney Conference Centre (WSCC).
Located at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the world-class precinct has been thoughtfully designed to entice a feeling of curiosity and discovery.
The curved shape of the building is inspired by the nearby Nepean River, while the entire property features bold and contrasting textures, with a colour palette inspired by the neighbouring mountains.
We expect the precinct will act as a catalyst for economic growth for the region, attracting local and international conferences, and positioning Western Sydney as a prominent player in the global business landscape, said Glen Erickson, General Manager Pullman Sydney Penrith and WSCC.
The hotel features 153 rooms with junior suites available, a wellness and fitness centre and a personalised sleep menu.
www.westernsydneyconferencecentre.com.au
TIME TO FIND YOUR MOXY
THE FIRST Moxy hotel to land in Australia is now open for bookings for stays from September 1.
On the doorstep of Sydney Domestic Airport, the property is promising an unconventional hotel experience.
It features a stylish, industrial design, 301 small but smart bedrooms, vibrant communal spaces, 24/7 dining options, flexible working and meeting spaces and social service.
The bedrooms capture the hotel’s clean, industrial inspired look, recalling the neighbourhood’s industrial and art deco heritage.
Flooded with natural light, the rooms focus on comfort and functionality, with open-storage concepts and dual-purpose foldaway furniture, so guests can customise the space as they need.
Our ambition is to create a hotel that welcomes visitors with an inclusive experience – one that Sydneysiders will embrace with open arms, said Michelle Scott, General Manager at Moxy Sydney Airport.
Bookings are now open, with an opening deal from $259 per night for stays between September 1 and December 30. This offer includes a buffet breakfast, return airport shuttle services for two, a late check-out until 3pm, and 2,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points.
FANTASTIC FOUR MAKING A BIG LOCAL IMPACT
ÀNI PRIVATE Resorts is using its four resorts across the world to positively impact the environments and communities in which it operates.
From its inception in 2010, the brand’s ethos has been to create a harmonious relationship with each destination, both from an ecological and anthropological perspective.
Principles and practices that bolster the welfare of the people employees, suppliers and guests and the habitats that ÀNI operates in have been embedded in the brand’s DNA.
Basics like removing all plastics, implementing waste management processes, providing guests with bamboo straws and encouraging them to reuse their sheets and towels, set the foundation for sustainable operations that are under constant assessment.
The brand is continually searching for ways to improve its sustainability offering in its four resorts in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Anguilla and the Dominican Republic.
Recent additions include the development of an onsite vegetable garden at ÀNI Sri Lanka and the implementation of a water-filtration system at ÀNI Thailand.
