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COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT MAKES STYLISH ENTRANCE INTO MELBOURNE

A contemporary new hotel at the gateway to the city’s internationally renowned sporting, cultural and epicurean attractions.

Architecturally designed by Skematics with interiors by DKO Architecture Courtyard Flagstaff Gardens takes inspiration from its urban city edge location neighbouring Melbourne’s oldest public park, seamlessly interweaving bluestone tiles, textured timber, steel and brass accents with soft furnishings and photography referencing the nearby historic gardens.

The contemporary rooms and suites are fully equipped with an array of amenities including flat-screen televisions, comfortable work desks and high-speed internet access.

Drawing inspiration from local and international fare, the hotel’s two dining venues include a restaurant on Level 1 serving gourmet buffet breakfast and a café on the ground floor which transforms into a bar by night.

Opened 17 March 2022

Discover more: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/melcy-courtyard-melbourne-flagstaff-gardens/

The opening of The Tasman in Hobart on 17 December 2021, marks the debut of The Luxury Collection® portfolio of hotels by Marriott International in Australia.

The Tasman Hobart is a truly unique architectural experience that blends the site’s historical legacy with a striking modern vision. Guests have a rare opportunity to experience three eras of design within the hotel; from walking the history filled hallways of the original 1840s heritage building, admiring the understated luxury of the Art Deco building, or taking in the spectacular views of the Hobart waterfront from the glass ensconced Pavilion building.

Offering 152 unique rooms and suites, each highlights a distinct character and experience so that no stay is ever the same. Original artworks from local artists, warming fireplaces and island baths are some of the highlight features within.

An intimate and sophisticated cocktail bar hidden within the deep old walls of the original sandstone building; offering an old-world bar experience reimagined for modern times, with an inspired cocktail menu that celebrates indigenous Tasmanian ingredients.

Harnessing the wild and adventurous spirit of Tasmania, rooted in the historical fabric of the destination and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, experiences at The Tasman spark intrigue and offer guests a sense of the unexpected, designed to explore a new perspective that encapsulates Tasmanian culture.

Brought to you by Minett Prime Square

Photography by

#adam.gibson.photo for hotel shots

Silky Oaks - escape to the lush rainforest

Set among the World Heritage-listed wilderness of the Daintree National Park and along the gently flowing Mossman River banks. The new-look luxury lodge has undergone a $15million refurbishment and will see the resort re-open 20 December 2021.

Port Douglas based architect Gary Hunt was engaged for the design and Amanda Pike of Pike Withers for the interiors. Custom furnishings by local designers evoke a sense of the tropical north.

Silky Oaks Lodge offers guests a stylish rainforest escape, with experiences spanning river-snorkelling, driving safaris, Indigenous guided walks, the lodge’s own Healing Waters Spa and access to Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef.

Brought to you by Minett Prime Square

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort – Fiji

The multi-award-winning, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, located on a peninsula outside of the town of Savusavu, on Fiji’s second island, Vanua Levu. Jean-Michel Cousteau, explorer, environmentalist, educator, and film producer, gave his name – and his philosophy of sustainability – to the property in 1995. The resort combines traditional Fijian architecture and luxury with 25 individual oceanfront and garden bures catering to couples and families.

The free Bula Club’ for kids and dawn-to-dusk nanny service means parents can relax in the adult-only pool and

dining facilities, whilst the kids are having fun at the Bula Club with their own pool and dining area. The socially responsible, eco-friendly resort offers guests a wide variety of amenities, including world-class dining, recreational activities, unmatched ecological experiences, and an array of Fijian-inspired spa treatments.

From 1 December, Fiji opens to “green list” locations, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, most Pacific Island countries and parts of the United States.

Discover more: https://www.fijiresort.com/

Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands

Opening 24 November 2021, Marriott Melbourne Docklands resembles the shape of a sail, reminiscent of yachts moored in the neighbouring waterfront harbour.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the structure comprises of two interlinked petal-shaped towers one 16-stories and the residential tower is19-storeys high, with a showpiece 28 metre heated infinity pool crowning the building.

This urban resort-style hotel features 189 guestrooms thoughtfully designed with residential- style interiors and amenities.

Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands is also home to the first M Club in Australia, an exclusive executive floor offering a sanctuary to relax, socialise or meet for business.

Discover more at marriottmelbournedocklands.com

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som blends traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine with a holistic health and well-being philosophy, established by Chiva-Som, Thailand's internationally acclaimed wellness resort.

The resort is divided into Zulal Serenity, with an adults-only side featuring 60 rooms and suites aimed at those aged 16 and above. Focus can be on relaxation, detoxing, weight management or fitness.

Zulal Discovery is aimed at families, with programs customised for multiple generations and specific age groups. There are 120 rooms and suites for families.

Zulal means "purified water" conceived and inspired by integrating natural elements, land, sea and shelter.

Facilities available at Zulal Wellness Resort include hydrotherapy suites, indoor and outdoor pools and a lagoon, health and wellness centres complete with a Pilates studio, and an aesthetic centre.

Zulal's landscape was designed was to blend into its coastal desert setting. The design concept was driven by the extensive use of natural materials, including gravel and sand, and textured concrete paving to complement the resort's surroundings. The wellness-focused design was driven by the water element, which was infused by implementing majestic lagoons and oases at key zones throughout the resort, making it the focal component of the design concept.

Opening 15 November 2021

Discover more https://www.zulal.com/

Marramarra Lodge - Sydney's newest luxury adult-only wilderness escape.

Marramarra (which translates as "many fish") opened in the middle of Covid 2020; the barefoot resort is nestled amongst Australian bushland on the Hawkesbury River, surrounded by nature just an hour's drive from Sydney.

The site has a deep history. Its original building, Carter House, was constructed in the 1920s by former Cinescope editor, Mr Harold Carter, now housing the property's leisure facilities and billiards room.

Accommodation comprises of eight safari-style Peninsula Tents overlooking the water and six industrial-chic styled Hawkesbury Bungalows. Both with large river-stone bathrooms and locally sourced timber while offering rear glass veranda doors and private balconies facing the river.

An all-inclusive luxury wilderness retreat only accessible by water.

Discover more https://marramarralodge.com/

Ultra-Luxury – Raffles The Palm Dubai

Raffles The Palm Dubai, a palatial luxury beachfront resort on the Palm Jumeirah's West Crescent, has officially welcomed guests opening 1 October, in time for The Expo 2020. At almost 260 meters high, it is the tallest structure on Palm Jumeirah.

Its centrepiece is a 155-metre long sky pool, connecting the towers 170 metres above the ground, from where guests can enjoy stunning, uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf coastline and Dubai skyline from a unique vantage point.

The hotel features 389 luxurious rooms; the resort is also home to a collection of villas ranging from 950 to 1050 square meters.

Every detail is perfect, polished, and shining at all times with 70,000 pieces of furniture from the traditional Italian ateliers of Francesco Molon, along with more than 6,000 Swarovski Crystal chandeliers. Highly skilled artisans applied the finishing touches to each guest room using real gold and silver leaf while specialist stonemasons shaped the imported Portuguese marble.

Guest can indulge in the award-winning Parisian Cinq Mondes Spa with a yoga studio and a fully equipped gym.

Raffles The Palm Dubai's selection of restaurants and eateries offer unique dining concepts serving a mix of international and regional favourites.

Discover more: https://www.rafflesthepalmdubai.com/

Scandi at Maleny – Adults only

Scandi at Maleny is the region’s latest luxury boutique accommodation, bringing a Scandinavian-style design to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, located just 12 minutes out of the Maleny township.

Owners Pete Coorey and Dee Montalva have taken great care to minimise their environmental footprint.

Operating off rainwater, a self-recycling septic system with the treated water used to maintain the lush gardens.

There are 14 contemporary two and three-bedroom mountain cabins, fully self-contained, air-conditioned and nestled amongst 300 acres of pristine Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Dee says, “it’s a place for guests to disconnect so they can reconnect, to sleep deeply with no alarms, and to have uninterrupted conversations with their favourite person.”

The property includes an indoor fireplace for chilly hinterland nights, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor barbecue. Guest amenities are 100% natural plant-based by local company Mukti.

Discover more: https://www.scandiatmaleny.com/

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Award-winning Kerry Hill Architects from Fremantle Australia designed The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, which is enthused by the resorts natural surroundings, including the elements of swirling water and ocean breezes, which is inspired by the sun and sea and the shape of a circle that also represents the flow of island life.

The resort features 100 luxurious one- to three-bedroom villas, set over crystal clear waters, or nestled along pristine beach coves, each offering spacious living spaces, a sun deck with a private infinity pool and ocean vistas.

Discover more: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/maldives-fari-islands

Kruger Shalati

Permanently stationed on the historically-rich Selati Bridge above the Sabie River in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, is a repurposed train.

The glass-walled train rooms, consists of 24 carriage rooms and seven Bridge House rooms, all tailored for immersive comfort and take in the views along the river. High above the riverbanks, aligned with the floor level of the train, lies a deck with pool, offering a swimming experience no other – with crocodile, hippos, buffalos and elephants greeting guest’s meters below.

Mech Mobility: Lead engineer, Allan McVitty Interior design team: HK Studio, lead designer Andrea Kleinloog Project Management: Lodge Logistics, Keith Stannard

Les Sources de Cheverny

After an extensive renovation, this 18th-century castle in the heart of the Loire Valley was acquired by Alice and Jérôme Tourbier, owners of a sister property to Les Sources de Caudalie - a vinotherapy spa in the vineyards of Bordeaux’s Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

A 49-room country-chic house hotel, spread amongst six buildings, on a 110-acre estate outside of Cheverny, a two-hour drive south of Paris. The property was redesigned by architect Yves Collet and the studio Be-poles.

Guests can opt for one of the 13 rooms in the main chateau or a wooden French barn house scattered in the meadow close to the small lake adjacent to the restaurant.

There is plenty to discover on the estate grounds, exploring the forest paths either on foot or by bike. There are two restaurants whose menus change with the seasons. Open for dinner, in a barn-like structure, is restaurant L’Auberge, the other is Le Favori in the heart of the estate and, of course, there is plenty of wine to select from being in the Loire Valley region.

In the wellness and yoga retreat is Spa des Sources which uses Caudalie vinotherapy products by Alice’s sister Mathilde Thomas, co-founder of the skin-care line in which wine products such as grape seeds, skins, and stems are applied to the body.

The Siam Bangkok - If you’re a lover of art, antiques, design or luxury hotels, this is for you!

Set in this three-acre lush estate that once included a cluster of century-old homes was bought to life by creative director Krissada Sukosol Clapp. Situated on the Chao Praya river, the family have owned the estate since 1973. Bought initially to house Clapp’s art collection, he teamed with the globally acclaimed architect and resort designer Bill Bensley, who together breathed a new life into the estate.

The ambience echoes the period of Bangkok’s greatest grandeur, under King Rama V (circa 1853-1910), with collections of old maps, film posters and theatre artefacts, and precious antiques, each having their own story to tell.

The 39-room boutique hotel has personal butlers on hand, Chon Thai Restaurant, the Opium Spa with Ayurvedic treatments, gymnasium with its very own Muay Thai boxing ring. You can even experience traditional Sak Yant with Buddhist prayers and symbols inked by master tattooists.

Discover more: http://www.thesiamhotel.com/

SiloStay – Going against the grain!

Eight grain silos have been repurposed as individual motel units as part of an innovative, eco-friendly and affordable accommodation complex.

Each two-storey agriculture structure (8.7 metres high) has a cleaver industrial design focusing on metal and wood cladding and moulds to the curves over the two stories connected by a steel staircase. Upstairs has a glazed lid allowing a glimpse of the night sky from the queen-sized bed and ensuite, while downstairs has a meals and living area.

Situated in Little River, a 50-minute drive from the Christchurch-Little River Rail Trail, on New Zealand's Banks Peninsula.

https://www.silostay.kiwi.nz/

Images: Unique Hotels

TWA Hotel

Initially designed by Eeor Saarinen's in the 1960s is his beloved terminal building at New York's John F Kennedy Airport. The @twahotel has undergone a significant overhaul after being shut for 16 years!

New York-based firms Lubrano Ciavarra Architects and Beyer Blinder Belle contributed to the renovation and extension of the structure. Interiors by INC Architecture & Design designed the event spaces, while Stonehill Taylor designed the guestrooms.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), which operates JFK Airport, hotel owner-operator MCR and developer Morse, was also involved in revitalising the iconic landmark.

The hotel's 512 1960's designed rooms are housed in two curved buildings behind Saarinen's structure. These have one of the thickest curtain-wall constructions globally, featuring seven panes to block runway noise.

The TWA Hotel features six restaurants, eight bars, a coffee bar, ballroom, fitness centre, shops and outlets, a rooftop pool, an observation deck and a museum that displays vintage TWA air hostess uniforms.

Discover more: https://www.twahotel.com/

Opened 15 May 2019