Jessica Christy writes:
Thanks to the Intercontinental Hotel Group, I was recently hosted, along with 11 others, to 3 days of pure escapism and relaxation at the Gold Coast, staying at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise and Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental. I feel like I have just returned from the famil of a lifetime!
If someone had told me that I’d go away for a weekend and come back having cuddled a dolphin AND a tiger I don’t think I would believe them. I can’t believe how many activities and experiences IHG were able to fit into just three days.
The Surfers Paradise Crowne Plaza put together a great schedule that included a site inspection of the hotel, a crash course in learning to sail, a summer party for the launch of the new look Chandon bottle, as well as a trip to Sea World where we got up close and personal with dolphins, seals and sharks. Browse the photo gallery below for a snapshot of what we got up to.
Next stop was Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental, where we learnt more about their ‘Insider Collection’ (click here for more info). During our our visit we learnt how to swing with golf pro Michael Jones, took a jet boat ride out to McLarens Landing, rode Segway’s, ate at the delicious ‘Fireplace’ restaurant and took a thirty-minute helicopter tour around the Gold Coast. In addition, we also met Australian Gold Medal winners Steven Bradbury and Natalie Cook, who gave inspiring talks before we made our way to Dreamworld, for dinner. This was the purr-fect dinner venue where I got to pat a (real!) tiger.
The staff at both properties have such an extensive knowledge of the Gold Coast region, I learned so much to take back to our team. I look forward to working with them both in the future.
Thanks to:
Katie Hanley IHG and Annabel Mendelson from Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental
Ian Pirodon, Tamie Ryan and Whitney Scott – Crown Plaza Surfers Paradise
Michael Foster, Monique Harmer and Jayme Cuttriss – Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental
Caroline Duveau-Clayton – Sea World
Kat Taylor – Dream World
Felicity Hughes – McLarens Landing Island
The staff at the Southport Yacht Club
Barry McLeod – Comedian of the group
- Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
- Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental
- The view from Southport Yacht Club
- Learning to sail with Southport Yacht Club
- The view from Jess’ room at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
- The purple team; Annabel, Jess, Lisa and Barry
- Chandon Summer Party at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
- Spin on traditional cocktails. Each piece of fruit is actually a cocktail
- Dolphin Cove
- Jess with Gemma the Dolphin at Sea World
- Dinner served at Shark Bay, Sea World
- Charlie the seal popped in for a visit during dinner
- Maddy and Jess golfing at the Pines Golf Course Sanctuary Cove
- Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental
- Jet Pack Adventures
- Jess with Steven Bradbury and Nat Cook
- Nat Cook being her cool self
- Jess with a koala at Dreamworld
- Tiger Island
- Tiger Island at Dreamworld
- Helicopter ride with Katie
- Little visitor at McLarens Landing Island
- Sanctuary Cove Village
- The menu at the FirePlace
- Entree
- Yummo
- Dessert