Enjoying stunning views from the Presidential Suite at Shangri-La Sydney: Darryl Healey, Joanna Keogh, Nick Berry.

After completion of their $20 million refurbishment, the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney is expecting an even better year after ending 2011 on a positive note.

Although bookings increased in 2011, the Australian outbound market to its 72 hotels globally gained the most significant growth, becoming the group’s third largest which was partly attributed to the strong dollar last year.

Shangri-La Sydney’s regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Nick Berry said the group was confident 2012 would also be a “very positive year, especially for the Leisure & MICE markets”.

“The strength of the Australian dollar and customer confidence certainly does contribute to the success,” Mr Berry said.