HONG Kong’s Kerry Hotel is close to opening and taking reservations for stays from April 2017. The 546-room property, in Kowloon’s waterfront Hung Hom Bay, is described as Hong Kong’s first “five-star urban resort” created to “pamper guests with pure comfort and understated luxury” and each room features floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the Victoria HarbourContinue reading “Honkers’ new very Kerry address …”
Category Archives: Stay
So majestic in KL …
→ Colonial charm at Kuala Lumpur’s Majestic Hotel … I HAVE a thing for Asia’s colonial-era hotels. I love everything about them – from the old-time architecture to a serene sense of history suggested by the internal design – and seek out historic addresses when heading to the Orient. So when I find myself inContinue reading “So majestic in KL …”
Queenstown’s new Holiday Inn …
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group has opened its first Holiday Inn hotel in Queenstown following the conversion of the former Goldridge Resort. The multi-million-dollar refurbishment sees an upgrade to all 75 rooms – with potential for 50 rooms to be added in 2017 – and other amenities include a fully-furnished deck with BBQ facilities, a bar andContinue reading “Queenstown’s new Holiday Inn …”
Angkor’s colonial charming …
→ Staying at Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa promises a dose of colonial charm … I’VE stayed in a few Siem Reap hotels over the years. Since my first visit to Cambodia’s Khmer kingdom at the turn of the century I’ve slept in everything from budget bland to luxury lovely with every property providing aContinue reading “Angkor’s colonial charming …”
Four Points makes it to Melbourne …
FOUR Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands will welcome its first guests on March 28. The 273-room hotel, located at 22 Pearl River Road in Melbourne’s rejuvenated Docklands area, is just 2km from the Victorian capital’s CBD making it an ideal address for both business and leisure travellers. Each guest room boasts a river or cityContinue reading “Four Points makes it to Melbourne …”
Why hotel beds are so darn good …
IF you ask me to recommend my favourite hotels in Saigon, Santa Barbara and Barcelona I will rattle off three properties with great beds. Sure, each address boasts a panoramic location, fabulous bars and restaurants, amiable staff ready to satisfy a guest’s every whim, peaceful day spas and marvellous swimming pools, but my favourite featureContinue reading “Why hotel beds are so darn good …”
Make a base in booming Bugis …
SINGAPORE is celebrating the unveiling of another new hotel with the Mercure Singapore Bugis opening its doors in one of the Lion City’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. The 395-room address sits in the heart of the arts and culture district and offers panoramic views from its rooftop Sky Deck and infinity lap pool as well as Continue reading “Make a base in booming Bugis …”
Singapore’s updated airport stay …
SINGAPORE’S Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has unveiled a new wing that will increase capacity at the award-winning hotel by 75 per cent. There are two room categories in the 10-storey extension – business king suites at 28sq/m and the 38sq/m business twin suites – with all chambers in the 243-room wing “furnished with thoughtful touchesContinue reading “Singapore’s updated airport stay …”
Havana’s newest place to stay …
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts has ventured into a new country – and made a little bit of history along the way – by opening its first hotel in Cuba. The Four Points Havana opened its doors on June 27 in the Miramar district which is not only the city’s a business and financial centre butContinue reading “Havana’s newest place to stay …”
Catch the Kuala Lumpur Express …
MALAYSIA has welcomed its first Holiday Inn Express with the opening of a new 383-room hotel in Kuala Lumpur one block from the city’s “Golden Traingle”. “We are delighted to have launched our Holiday Inn Express brand in the heart of the capital where our guests have access to the city’s major landmarks at theirContinue reading “Catch the Kuala Lumpur Express …”
Hotels bathrooms with a view …
IT’S not unusual for a hotel room to come complete with a remarkable view. But what about the bathroom? Long gone are the days when this most functional space was placed in a dark corner, out of sight and out of mind, with today’s architects and interior designers positioning the bathroom so those occupying theContinue reading “Hotels bathrooms with a view …”
Fiji’s newest island retreat …
FIJI’S first DoubleTree resort has opened on Sonaisali Island with the Hilton property boasting 120 guest rooms and bungalows positioned to take in the view across the South Pacific blue to the Mamanuca Islands. “DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island is ready to provide guests with an authentic Fijian experience whilst delivering theContinue reading “Fiji’s newest island retreat …”
Port Stephens glamping …
GLAMPING has come to Port Stephens with Thou Walla Sunset Retreat unveiling 10 new safari-style tents with each of the comfortable camps featuring an ensuite, flatscreen TV, electric fireplace, balcony, king-size bed, and outdoor furniture placed to take in the water views. Thou Walla Sunset Retreat – pronounced “dha walla”, the location was a gatheringContinue reading “Port Stephens glamping …”
Changi’s Crowne Plaza …
Where … The hotel at Singapore’s Changi Airport When … Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 4.53pm What … The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is literally connected to Singapore’s Terminal 3 which means weary travellers can be in their hotel room, and changing into togs for a dip in the fabulous swimming pool thoughtfully planned toContinue reading “Changi’s Crowne Plaza …”
French style in Vietnam …
VIETNAM’S newest hotel will delight Francophiles with the Mercure Bana Hills French Village taking its inspiration from a mountain-top settlement in the south of France. The resort is a 30-minute drive from Da Nang and has 494 modern guestrooms in six categories – standard and deluxe rooms as well as executive, family and royal suitesContinue reading “French style in Vietnam …”
Amsterdam’s green hotel …
EUROPE welcomes its second Element hotel – Starwood’s green brand – with the February opening of Element Amsterdam. The property is in Amsterdam’s Zuidas neighbourhood, occupying a former office building at the Gelderlandplein shopping mall remodelled to feature 160 studios and suites, with the address offering “eco-minded sensibilities” allowing guests to indulge in sustainable livingContinue reading “Amsterdam’s green hotel …”
Westin welcome …
→ An historic Sydney building provides a fancy facade for this place to stay in the heart of Australia’s biggest city … I’M sleeping in a hotel room that’s worth a cool million dollars. That’s not the rack rate, the price it costs to make a reservation and occupy a room, but a reflection ofContinue reading “Westin welcome …”
Istanbul’s French treat …
THERE’S a new spot to buy glorious French-style sweeties in Turkey’s biggest city with Raffles Patisserie opening inside Raffles Istanbul. The elegant address will “uphold the heritage and craftsmanship of the old Continental patisserie and chocolatier and then to add a sprinkle of Oriental magic on it” with Şule Gündoğan, one of the most accomplished youngContinue reading “Istanbul’s French treat …”
Manor makeover …
PEPPERS Manor House, the 137-year-old retreat in the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, is back in business after a $4.5 million upgrade. A modern extension has given the heritage hotel a contemporary touch with the refurbishment adding guest rooms and a new place to eat as well as revamping the reception area, lounges, roads andContinue reading “Manor makeover …”
Crown Promenade …
Where … Crown Promenade, Melbourne When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 What … The window in a guest room on a high floor at the Crown Promenade frames a view across the Yarra River to the early-evening lights of Melbourne. Visit the Crown Promenade website … posted March 16, 2016
So Siem Reap …
→ Narrowing the search on a Siem Reap hotel … FINDING a Siem Reap hotel can be an intimidating prospect. If you’ve never visited the Cambodian tourist town you don’t know where to start with the settlement seeming to stretch north, south, east and west along two main roads that meet near the Royal Residence.Continue reading “So Siem Reap …”
Digs for Singapore fling …
→ Hotel Jen Orchardgateway perfectly places for Singapore stopover or longer stay … IT‘S rich pickings when searching for a place to stay in Singapore. There are more than 250 properties on the TripAdvisor list with trusted brands like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Park Royal and Mercure sitting as far down as page three ofContinue reading “Digs for Singapore fling …”
Brisbane’s new Styles …
BRISBANE’S newest international hotel, the ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street, is now in business with the first guests checked in on March 1. The “premium economy hotel”, occupying a central block in the Queensland capital beside the Myer Centre and Queen Street Mall, boasts a new restaurant and bar called The Social and every oneContinue reading “Brisbane’s new Styles …”
HOTEL – ANANTARA MALDIVES
BIG MALDIVIAN DIGS THE Maldives has long been known as a destination that’s perfect for pairs. The Indian-Ocean utopia has an extensive list of resorts boasting the style of accommodations that suit two people seeking endless amounts of romance with a generous supply of over-water bungalows, infinity swimming pools, secluded sandbars, and stunning sunsets. ButContinue reading “HOTEL – ANANTARA MALDIVES”
Saigon’s new stays …
IF YOU like hotels with history then Saigon is the place for you. Stately properties – the Rex Hotel, Caravelle Saigon, the Hotel Majestic, Hotel Continental Saigon, the Grand Hotel – carry the delightful design flourishes of a bygone era, tell interesting tales, and have been welcoming guests since long before the “American War’’. TheseContinue reading “Saigon’s new stays …”
INSIDER – PRIVATE ISLANDS
PRIVATE ISLAND PAMPERING DREAMING of jetting off to a private island where butlers cater to your every need and empty palm-fringed beaches wait outside your bungalow door? While supreme luxury comes at a cost – North Island’s “standard” presidential villas are priced about $4600 a person, a night, in 2016 – it is possible toContinue reading “INSIDER – PRIVATE ISLANDS”
Hotel loyalty programs …
IT was Hollywood that showed me the power of hotel loyalty programs. Remember that Up In The Air scene when George Clooney’s character, Ryan Bingham, swaggers up to the hotel check-in counter with the Hilton HHonors card in his wallet allowing him to jump the queue of people waiting to receive a room key? “HeContinue reading “Hotel loyalty programs …”
Hotels fit for royalty …
THE Empire Hotel in Brunei isn’t the only hotel boasting a link to royalty – the destination’s most luxurious place to stay is funded by a senior member of the country’s ruling royal family – with inns from the African jungle to the Arctic Circle offering an experience good enough for the most important ofContinue reading “Hotels fit for royalty …”
Airport staying …
I LOVE an airport hotel, and not just because I’m a plane nerd who fancies a room near a runway to watch aircraft come and go. My register of reasons to stay at an airport address is as long as the check-in line at a low-cost carrier’s terminal and, at the top, is the factContinue reading “Airport staying …”
Hotels with history …
THERE’S a trend in Melbourne – well, a mini trend, at least – with the Victorian capital’s newest hotels moving into territory that once served a different purpose. The shiny new Sheraton Melbourne Hotel (below) sits on the Little Collins St site of the bygone Naval and Military Club, a 127-year-old institution that once counted SirContinue reading “Hotels with history …”
Far Near Or Here 