Daydream recognised for top service

A gesture which helped a couple tie the knot on time after their celebrant got stuck in traffic has landed Daydream Island an award for customer service.

The tropical Whitsundays resort and spa was the winner of "The Summer Pledge" campaign run by The Sunday Mail and Tourism Queensland to highlight examples of great service in the industry.

The competition asked readers to send in their best Queensland service experience.

The winning entry was from groom Aaron Smith who wrote: Our marriage celebrant missed the ferry to Daydream (due to traffic jam). Daydream Island collected her from the mainland in their parasailing boat at no charge.

Mr Smith and his bride Rebecca Hurle made it to the altar in time.  "By the time we find out, they had already organised to sort it out so there was no stress for us,” Mr Smith added.

Daydream received 15 nominations – the most for any business within the competition – as well as $10,000.

“Daydream always tries to go above and beyond and this is a classic example of the lengths we’ll go to for great customer service,” resort owner Vaughan Bullivant said.

“A lot of effort has been put in this year to enhance customer experiences and we are thrilled that our hard work has been recognised.

“We will use the prize money to continue training our staff in quality customer service and service excellence. We’d love everyone to visit our island paradise and experience our special service firsthand.”

Multi award-winning Daydream Island Resort and Spa is located in Queensland’s tropical Whitsundays. Covered in rainforest and surrounded by stunning coral reefs and glorious white coral beaches, Daydream offers 296 rooms and suites, a world class Rejuvenation Spa, over 20 free guest activities and a unique man Living Reef lagoon where guests can touch baby sharks and de-barbed stingrays.

Chief executive officer Phil Casey, who previously led the Daydream team between 2003 and 2007 and recently returned to the island, said interaction was encouraged between staff and guests.

“We encourage our staff to get out from behind the desk and meet people, talk to them and find out what they want,” Mr Casey said.

“Staff will always say hello to guests when walking past to make them feel welcome, and guests receive a phone call within two hours of checking in to ensure everything is fine.

“Customer service is at the heart of everything we do at Daydream - even if that means getting a marriage celebrant to a wedding on time via a parasailing boat!”

ENDS

Media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs on 0419 828 440

Living Reef Awarded Best Tourism Attraction 2011

19th October 2011

Daydream Island Resort and Spa’s iconic Living Reef has been awarded best Tourism Attraction in the 2011 Whitsunday Tourism Awards held in Airlie Beach.

The award was presented to Daydream Island chief executive officer Mr Phil Casey at Saturday night’s Whitsunday Tourism Awards. It is the second win in a row for the Living Reef in this category.

“We’re thrilled with receiving this award again,” Mr Casey said. “The Living Reef team headed by manager Brett Jeffries has put in an extraordinary amount of time developing the product over the last couple of years.

“It has become a regional attraction in its own right and continues to thrill visitors, old and young, with an amazing array of marine life.”

The Living Reef is one of the world’s largest man-made living coral reef lagoons and guests have the opportunity to get up close and personal by hand feeding resident stingrays, sharks and barramundi.

Living Reef manager Brett Jeffries said that more than 100 species of marine fish and 50 species of coral call this microcosm of the Great Barrier Reef, home.

“We’ve developed an attraction which encourages guests to get their feet wet,” Mr Jeffries said.

“We conduct regular private and public fish feeding sessions and run a popular Reef Ranger program which allows guests to participate in caring for the marine life and lagoons.”

Mr Jeffries said a new initiative introduced this year was a series of educational modules introducing students to the living wonders of the Great Barrier Reef utilising Daydream’s team of marine biologists.

A newly installed grand stand gives up to 30 people prime viewing of the main lagoon and shark and fish feeding sessions and is especially suitable for school groups.

Living Reef facts:

Daydream Island Living Reef facts:

·         Is home to over 100 species of fish and 50 coral specimens, including Sharks, stingrays and sea-stars;

·         totals a massive 2650 sq m in size and contains over 1.5 million litres of water through its numerous lagoons and displays.

·         has an average width of around 12m and a depth of more than a metre in some areas

·         has sea water pumping into  the lagoon system at a rate of 80 litres per second

·         has 7 million litres of sea water pumped through it every 24 hours

·         contains about eight tonnes of living coral rock.

·         Living Reef regularly contributes to on-going research and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and marine environments.

For details or to make a reservation to stay at Daydream Island Resort and Spa phone
1800 075 040 or visit www.daydreamisland.com  

*Terms and conditions apply.

ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs Tel 0419 828 440 brenton@crookpublicity.com

Daydream Island receives Eco-Friendly STAR

The Whitsundays Daydream Island Resort and Spa has achieved an Eco-Friendly STAR Accreditation through AAA Tourism.

The Eco-Friendly STAR Accreditation recognises the lengths Daydream Island Resort and Spa goes to in order to reduce its impact on the environment.

Daydream Island’s chief executive officer Phil Casey said the resort is proud to be recognised for their environmental sustainability.

“Daydream Island has always striven to minimise its impact on the environment,” he said.

“The Resort’s close proximity to The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park means our staff are always mindful of their impact on the environment. We also encourage guests to be environmentally conscious while staying at the Resort.

“We send all of our cooking oils off island to be reused as a bio-fuel in lieu of diesel, conserve water wherever possible by utilising water reducing taps and encourage guests to make a conscious decision with the laundering of their linen and towels.”

Daydream Island has also moved over to use of more energy efficient lighting and encourages all staff and guests to recycle wherever possible.

Daydream’s signature Rejuvenation Spa is at the forefront in water conservation using state-of-the-art equipment which is highly efficient in water use.

The Eco-Friendly STAR logo provides guests with the reassurance that they are staying at an environmentally friendly property.

AAA Tourism was established in 1999 as the national tourism body of the Australian Automobile Associations.

ENDS for media enquiries contact Brenton Gibbs Tel 0419 828 440; brenton@crookpublicity.com

Rejuvenation Spa Awarded At Pevonia Botanica Awards

Daydream Island’s Rejuvenation Spa has been recognised for a successful year by winning the Performance Excellence award for exceeding in customer satisfaction at the annual Pevonia Botanica awards and by being named as runner up in the prestigious Hotel/Resort Spa of the Year category.

Pevonia Botanica is an elite natural skincare brand and is now the world’s leading professional spa and skincare company available in over 80 countries worldwide.

The Rejuvenation Spa’s acting spa manager Victoria Hazelton said she was thrilled with the accolades and hope to go one better next year and be named Spa of the Year.

“Our team is delighted to be recognised in this way and we are aiming higher next year which would be the biggest award we could hope for,” she said.

“Guest feedback is how we monitor ourselves and these awards are a testament to our dedicated spa staff.”

“We focus on our clients’ individual needs and create a total sensory journey. Our aim is for guests to leave the spa feeling refreshed, relaxed and of course totally rejuvenated.”

Daydream Island’s world class Rejuvenation Spa was established after months of extensive research into the latest developments in health care.

The Spa provides a holistic approach to wellbeing, offering the time-tested health benefits of naturopathy, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and massage, along with beauty therapies using products such as Pevonia Botanica and Eles Mineral Make up.

The Spa has welcomed an exciting new treatment from Pevonia known as the Lumafirm Facial, a unique results driven treatment lasting a blissful 90 minutes.

“Life leaves its mark and your skin is the first to reflect it,” Victoria said. “As time takes its toll, the ravages of the ageing process, environmental pollutants, unwanted toxins, free-radicals and stress slowly strip away the skin's health and radiance.

“The Lumafirm 90 minute High Performance Facial is perfect for those concerned with ageing and loss of firmness or elasticity in the skin.

“The results of the treatment are clinically tested to be anti-ageing and will immediately brighten, firm and tighten and refine skin texture.

“This deluxe 90 minute treatment incorporates a 20 minute massage of the face, décolletage, arms, hands, feet and scalp, so not only will our clients look younger, but their mind and body will feel rejuvenated too.”

Spa facilities include 16 individual treatment rooms, vichy showers, thermal tables, hydrotherapy tubs, steam effusion showers, dual treatment rooms, dual spa baths and private relaxation areas.  

Unique to the Spa is one of Australia’s most advanced naturopathic testing and treatment clinics, offering clients a complete and comprehensive analysis of entire body systems, from full blood analysis to monitoring and measuring fat and muscle mass.

Located at the northern end of Daydream Island, the Rejuvenation Spa is an award winning facility that combines an extensive array of health and beauty treatments with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and pool to pamper and reinvigorate the mind, body and soul.

The Spa offers a variety of signature stress busting massages including relaxation, therapeutic, aromatherapy, reflexology, Thai and Indian head massage.

A number of the signature treatments combine all three relaxation tools, aromatherapy, massage and hydrotherapy.

The facility’s exclusive hydrotherapy equipment includes massaging jet streams of the vichy showers, hydrotherapy baths or the unique hydro-storm steam affusion shower.

Aromatherapy is used with oils extracted from aromatic plants as a balm to enhance beauty, harmonise moods, lift spirits and balance body energies.

Spa guests can also take yoga classes or train with a personal trainer.

For bookings and enquiries please contact the Daydream Island Rejuvenation Spa on (07) 4948 8790.

ENDS   Media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs, Tel + 61 (0)419 828 440 brenton@crookpublicity.com     


12th September 2011

Ben Southall enjoys close encounters at Daydream’s Living Reef lagoon - Launches Reef Education Packages

29 June 2011

Adventurer Ben Southall enjoyed a close encounter with Daydream Island Resort and Spa’s most iconic residents including Pikelet and Pancake the stingrays and Bruce the shark during a whistlestop visit to the island today.

The Tourism Queensland ambassador and former Best Job in the World winner visited the resort’s Living Reef lagoon as a part of the Best Expedition in the World campaign - a three month, 1600km kayak and sailing journey from the Town of 1770 on the central Queensland coast, north to Cooktown in the tropical north.

Mr Southall and qualified marine biologists from Daydream’s Living Reef presented educational modules on the fragility of the reef’s ecosystem as well as life cycles of Great Barrier Reef marine life. The adventurer also took part in a stingray and shark feeding show at the Living Reef lagoon, which is home to more than 100 species of marine fish and 50 species of coral.

Mr Southall’s visit coincided with the island’s launch of new educational packages aimed at teaching school groups about the wonders of the reef through the Living Reef lagoon.

“I’ve had a fantastic time at Daydream Island Resort and Spa sharing my experiences and getting up close to sharks, stingrays, sea stars and sea cucumbers at the Living Reef lagoon,” Mr Southall said.

“The Living Reef is a great example of how education and entertainment can be combined to provide a unique tourism experience for everybody, from island guests to day trippers and school groups.”

Daydream Island CEO Phil Casey said the island was delighted to host Mr Southall’s visit.

“We are thrilled Ben has included Daydream Island on his itinerary and have enjoyed helping promote Queensland as an international tourism destination,” Mr Casey said. “His visit was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase our man-made Living Reef lagoon.

“The lagoon provides a rare and exciting opportunity to experience the marine world with the perfect combination of entertainment and education, which is why we have launched new educational packages which cater to all school groups.”

Mr Casey said Daydream had introduced all inclusive three and four-day packages which include up to five educational modules delivered by the resort’s expert marine biologist team and a full day trip onboard ‘Seaflight’ to the Cruise Whitsundays pontoon at Knuckle Reef.

The modules tackle subjects such as inter-animal relationships, camouflage, animal behaviours, coral reef ecosystems, food webs, animal welfare, water quality, animal biology, human impacts on the reef and global warming.

Students will also enjoy a range of activities such as rainforest walks, pool sports and outdoor movies during free time.

“Students will learn a vast amount about marine life, from why reef fish are so colourful to how to set up and care for their very own marine aquarium at home or in the classroom,” Mr Casey said. “The emphasis is on safety and education while at the same time allowing for plenty of fun.”

Four day packages start from $479* per person, quad share (4-14yrs); or $554* per person, quad share (15yrs+). Three-day packages start from $379* per person, quad share (4-14yrs) and $454* per person, quad share. The packages also include all meals and return catamaran transfers from Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach.

A newly installed grand stand gives up to 30 people prime viewing of the main lagoon and shark and fish feeding sessions and is especially suitable for school groups.

The Living Reef won the Tourist Attraction category in the 2010 Whitsunday Tourism Awards.

Daydream Island Living Reef facts:

·         Is home to over 100 species of fish and 50 coral specimens, including Sharks, stingrays and sea-stars;

·         totals a massive 2650 sq m in size and contains over 1.5 million litres of water through its numerous lagoons and displays.

·         has an average width of around 12m and a depth of more than a metre in some areas

·         has sea water pumping into  the lagoon system at a rate of 80 litres per second

·         has 7 million litres of sea water pumped through it every 24 hours

·         contains about eight tonnes of living coral rock.

·         Living Reef regularly contributes to on-going research and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and marine environments.

For information and bookings about school packages, contact Tara Baker on 07 3259 2326 or email Tara_Baker@daydream.net.au

*Conditions apply, subject to availability. Prices valid from now until 22 December 2011 & 7 January 2012 – 31 March 2012. A minimum 3 night stay applies. Child Policy: Children are 4 - 14 years . One adult is required for every 10 children travelling. Adult Policy: Adult rate applies for guests 15 years and over. An indemnity form must be signed by the legal guardian/parent for all persons under 18 years of age. These are to be presented to Living Reef Staff on arrival to Daydream. Block out periods apply. Travel recommended for Feb-Jun or Nov each year.

ENDS for media enquiries contact Brenton Gibbs Tel 0419 828 440 brenton@crookpublicity.com

Daydream Secures Fishing License in Bid to Serve Freshest Fish in The Whitsundays

Daydream Island’s guests are able to dine on the freshest coral trout, top quality tuna and Spanish mackerel in the Whitsundays after the resort last year became the first in the region to gain access to a commercial fishing license.

The idea was the brainchild of Daydream Island’s skipper and commercial fisherman, Ashley Matthews.

“There is nothing better than the taste of really fresh fish,” said Daydream Island’s Food & Beverage Manager Jason Winter, who heads the resort’s four dining venues including its signature restaurant, Mermaids.

“When our guests visit Daydream Island they are surrounded by the magnificent waters of the Whitsundays and expect to sample some of the great fish of the area.

“We decided it was a fresher and more unique option to go out and catch our own as much as possible.

The only resort in the Whitsundays that contracts professional fishermen to catch fresh fish for the island’s restaurants, Daydream Island adheres to the strict regulations governing fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area and does not catch any protected or endangered fish species.

“There are a lot of steps needed to be taken when seeking access to a commercial fishing license but we were willing to go through this in an effort to offer the freshest fish possible to our guests,” Mr Winter said.

“We are mainly after the fleshy white meats of fish like coral trout and Spanish mackerel, all fish that are abundant in the area.

“Fresh fish really does taste amazing; the flesh is plump to touch and the skin is nice and punchy. It literally falls apart and melts in the mouth.”

One of Mr Winter’s personal favourites is coral trout served on a bed of traditional Thai salad with Nam Jim dressing, including a dash of garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander root and lemon juice.

“Our food comes with a story attached to it; when our guests visit the Whitsundays they want to experience the area and its produce,” Mr Winter said.

“What better way to do it than to offer them the freshest fish caught in the waters off the island?”

Daydream Island utilises fresh fish obtained from Ashley Matthews’ commercial fishing trips whenever possible and augments its seafood supplies from local suppliers.

Media enquiries:  Brenton Gibbs on +61 419 828 440 or brenton@crookpublicity.com.