Author: Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.

Track of the Day: Nearly Oratorio “Down to the Minute” (2019)

Softly spoken and infectiously calm, “Down to the Minute” is the latest single from Nearly Oratorio, the latest project from Australian duo Kllo’s Simon Lam and a remarkable showcase for his new EP, A Comforting Fact. The highly ornate and plucky instrumental that floats through this minimalistic song is as pillow-soft as Lam’s whispered vocals,…

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Track of the Day: Kaiit “Miss Shiney” (2019)

If you’re after some funky neo-soul to help lift your day then you could do worse then getting straight across Kaiit and her charming new single “Miss Shiney”. Following a big 2018, and praise from the likes of legends Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter continues her honey-sweet discography with this confident jam…

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Sydney’s luxe The Langham hotel introduces “Pink Hope Suite”

One of Sydney’s most luxurious hotel’s (and pet friendly), The Langham, has linked up with Pink Hope to launch the city’s first ever “charity suite”. Basically what that means is that a guest room at The Langham has been completely transformed by the partnership, offering guests a luxurious and immersive experience bathed in dreamy all-pink…

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SO Sofitel Bangkok Review: Fashionable luxury living

Marriott has the W, IHG have Hotel Indigo, and Sofitel (owned by Accor) have the rapidly growing “SO/”. Hotel brands known for their warm luxurious embraces have, in the past decade especially, finessed their respective languages and funnelled them into younger, energetic off-shoots that fully commit to the “luxury boutique” label and thrive on individuality….

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Nespresso level up their permanent collection with “Barista Creations”

In response to a recent survey that found 88% of Australians preferred having their coffee with milk, Nespresso have readied a new range of five blends for their Original and Vertuo machines, each designed especially for that creamy shot of dairy (or soy, of course). The range comes from six years of Nespresso experts exploring…

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Five things you need to do on the Northern tip of Phuket

Some of Phuket’s most beautiful national parks and jungle trails are actually found north of the airport. While much of the island’s often chaotic nightlife kicks off in the opposite direction, it’s the unspoilt natural beauty and lush landscapes that make heading up the right choice for visitors to the famous island. Though that doesn’t…

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Sydney Contemporary: At least 85 of the world’s best galleries coming to Carriageworks

For the 2019 edition of Sydney Contemporary, more than 85 galleries from across the country and around the globe will come together at Carriageworks for four days of Australasia’s largest and most diverse art fair. Five different continents will be represented, showcasing over 300 artists from more than 30 different countries, including France, Japan, New…

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Sydney’s Italian dining institution, Machiavelli, is now open on Saturdays

Often cited as one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney, Machiavelli Ristorante Italiano has edged forward with something the institution has never before done. After three decades of serving high flying corporates, visiting celebrities, and most famously Australia’s political elite, the Italian restaurant is now extending trading hours to include Saturday nights. Historically, the…

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Five things to do in Sydney over the next few weeks: May & June 2019

You’d be mistaken if you thought Sydney was all about the summer months. As soon as winter hits, the city seems to spring to life with some of its greatest yearly events, as well as a whole host of other fun things to do. And the next few weeks will certainly showcase that, with the…

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Your ultimate food and drink guide to Vivid Sydney 2019

One look at the Sydney Opera House and the surrounding Circular Quay during Vivid Sydney is all it needs to fall in love with the festival all over again. Despite the train delays and constant crowds, something about this buzzing and energetic festival of lights, music and ideas captures the imaginations of both visitors and…

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East Hotel Review: Heaven for Canberra’s visiting gourmands

No one who has been to Canberra in the past few years would dare say the city lacks character. Though Australia’s capital may be better known as the seat of a chaotic political scene, its not hard to be won over by world-class museums, stunning urban vineyards, classic markets, spectacular light festivals and an exceptional…

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McDonald’s promises “improvements” for Big Mac, Quarter Pounder and Cheeseburger

Starting today, McDonald’s outlets across Australia will be the first across the globe to introduce some subtle improvements to the burgers that have made Maccas the dominant chain it is today. The classics, which include the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder and Cheeseburger, are said to have undergone a number of careful improvements to the way…

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Traditional Italian zippoli doughnuts make their way to Sydney

From cronuts to freakshakes, most of Sydney’s zany dessert trends involve doughnuts in some capacity. The latest: the Zippoli. The traditional Italian version of the classic doughnut has been officially put forth as Sydney’s next deep-fried food obsession thanks to restauranteur Anthony Furfaro, who has opened a new dessert bar in the South-West suburb of…

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Tokyo’s latest co-working space makes being a digital nomad so much easier

Tokyo may be one of the most popular travel destinations for Aussies right now, but it doesn’t necessarily have a reputation for being a “digital nomad” city. Given that space is a premium, language barriers still very much exist, and Japan’s love of rules and paperwork, it’s a reputation that in the past has been…

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Travellers in London are being given the chance to stay in the Men in Black HQ

Head of Sony Pictures Men in Black: International, the studio has teamed up with Booking.com to faithfully recreate the film’s London based headquarters, and open it up for public accommodation. Available exclusively on the booking website, two guests per night will be able to book into this very unique stay which will come with a…

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Every single drink at every single Merivale venue is half price through June

After a very successful debut last year, Sydney hospitality juggernaut Merivale have decided to once again toast to the start of winter by shaving 49% off the top of all drink prices across their many venues. All bars and pubs falling under the Merivale banner, including Bar Topa, Bert’s Bar, Coogee Pavillion bar, ivy Pool…

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Hawaiian Airlines are offering Aussies $15 island-to-island flights

It’s been 15 years since Hawaiian Airlines started flying between Sydney and Honolulu, a route that has flown almost 2 million passengers since. And such a milestone calls for an appropriate celebration, right? Right. Hawaiian Airlines are not only nodding to the long-running route by kicking off a sweet deal that brings Sydney to Honolulu…

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Palihotel Seattle Review: A designer boutique opposite Pike Place Market

L.A-originated Paligroup have officially stretched out of the Golden State and headed up coast, opening their first boutique hotel in Seattle in what is easily the city’s most valuable location. Building on a reputation for dependable, eclectic neighbourhood hotels and suites like Palihotel Melrose and Palihouse West Hollywood, the recently opened Palihotel Seattle has sprung…

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Fairmont Waterfront Review: Eco-Friendly living on Vancouver harbour

Of the four Fairmont properties in Vancouver, only two can claim the distinction of immense waterfront views. Grand harbour vistas that stretch all the way to majestic coastal mountains, promising inspiration for all those who visit the great British Columbian city, immediately connecting them with the sense of adventure that gives Vancouver its allure. Unbeatable…

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Aussie R&B artist Maya Rose on her five biggest influences

Straight out of Victoria, upcoming R&B artist Maya Rose is now ready to showcase her melodic, 90’s-flavoured work off on a national platform as she releases her debut single “See You Again”. The song, an inviting and warm sway towards R&B’s heyday is driven largely by Rose’s dextrous vocal chops, so we thought it best…

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Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Review: A well-earned royal reputation

There may not be a hotel group as iconic in Canada as Fairmont. From Quebec and Whistler, to Lake Louise and Vancouver, the defining locations of this inspiring country are almost always accompanied by one of Fairmont’s historic properties. The group boasts an enviable claim on location, thanks to its history and position in Canada’s…

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Etihad Airways extend “free two nights in Abu Dhabi” to meet high demand

It’s only been just over a month since Etihad Airways announced a campaign to offer travellers free stopovers in Abu Dhabi, and apparently it’s gotten so popular the airline has had to extend the campaign’s dates. The national airline of the UAE will now be offering free stopovers in Abu Dhabi up until the end…

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MGallery by Sofitel to debut in Hong Kong with The Silveri

Accor’s lauded MGallery by Sofitel collection is about to make its anticipated debut in Hong Kong later this year with The Silveri. Set to open in the second half of 2019, the new hotel will make the 33rd MGallery by Sofitel in Asia, reiterating the highly curated collection’s profile of unique high-end boutiques. The luxury…

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Five things to do in Melbourne over the next few weeks: May 2019

Whether it’s exploring a comprehensive survey of immersive White Rabbit gems at NGV, hunting for miniature art at an Art Series Hotel, or indulging in local honey while chilling in a rooftop igloo, there’s plenty to perk up the beginning of winter in Melbourne. Here are five things we think you should definitely be doing…

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Here’s what to expect from the new Google Pixel 3a series

Now that Google have seen their high-end Pixel 3 (and its XL iteration) become one of the front-running smartphones of the past 12 months, the company have released their mid-range expression: the Google Pixel 3a. The “a” series, which also has an XL version, aims for a similar experience to one of the best smartphones…

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British Airways announce autumn flight deals for Aussie travellers

British Airways, which operates a daily flight between Sydney and London, have put up a hefty Autumn sale that’ll stay live for Aussie travellers until 7th June 2019. Given the airline’s network, the sale has spread to include more than 110 destinations, notably Singapore, London and Rome across all cabins. This ranges from economy class…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Dinosaur Beard “Dialect Drum” (2019)

Dinosaur Beard, the moniker of Melbourne-based experimental folk musician Adam Finnegan, has gifted us a charming slow burner for his first single of 2019. Titled “Dialect Drum”, the hazy and melodic track highlights Finnegan’s captivating off-kilter style as it ebbs and flows with various notches of intensity. “It’s a tale of breaking through those egoic…

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Aussies can now use Facebook Messenger to order Pizza Hut

In a nod to how much effort it takes to switch and open new tabs in internet browsers nowadays, Pizza Hut Australia has announced an industry-first ordering platform via Facebook Messenger. The social media messenger app can now be used on mobile devices to access “Pizza Hut Instant Ordering”, overseen by a customised bot with…

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The best last minute gift ideas for Mother’s Day in Australia

There’s a lot of things out there. Too many, actually. It’s going to be hard to run around the various metro centres of Australia to try and pick out the perfect last-minute gift for this coming Mother’s Day, so we’ve rounded up five of the best things we’ve been particularly fascinated by lately in the…

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Huawei announce “Dual-Video Camera Mode” update for P30 series

While everyone has been busy putting the P30 Series’ remarkable zoom to the rest, Huawei have snuck in a software update to further enhance the camera experience on both the P30 and P30 Pro. Focused on “Dual-View Camera Mode”, the update makes it so users on either device can create split-screen videos by simultaneously using…

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