Hotel Reviews

Hotel Review: Shangri-La reimagines the “Urban Resort” with Hong Kong’s Kerry Hotel

Ever since Kerry Hotels launched as a brand back in 2011, it has been well received as a fascinating, and interesting, expression from Shangri-La Group, who are best known for their opulent namesake properties. While Hotel Jen, another critical darling from the group, plays more in the mid-range category with a strong commitment to design…

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Hotel Review: Hilton juggles quantity and quality in San Francisco’s Union Square

Union Square has long been a useful anchor for visitors set to explore San Francisco, one of the most consistently impressive and dynamic cities in the world. It’s why many big-name hotel chains can be found spread throughout the heart of metropolitan heart of San Fran, with Hilton Union Square remaining one of the most…

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Hotel Review: Mantra up their regional game with new Albury property

Unless you’re heading there on business, chances are the riverina city of Albury isn’t too far up the bucketlist when it comes to those essential Aussie road trip destinations. Although, the major regional city, located on the banks of the Murray River, is a convenient and completely worthwhile stop-off on the way to (or from)…

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Hotel Review: The Fleming interprets Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry with style

Boutique hotels are at their best when you can see the sincerity in their design. Soulful touches and nostalgic nods to the property’s primary source of inspiration, whether that be a neighbourhood, a concept or a nearby institution, is always appreciated and is what ends up the most memorable part of any stay. The Fleming…

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Hotel Review: Singapore’s Oasia Hotel Novena offers wellness with top-tier service

Two train stops from Singapore’s shopping street, Orchard Road, lies Oasia Hotel Novena. With its own lift access to the Novena MRT station via its basement level (which also takes you directly to/from your room floor), you’re instantly connected to the rest of Singapore. Nesting between three hotels, this hotel attracts a lot of medical…

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Hotel Review: Novotel Surfers Paradise doesn’t trade location for service; turns out you can have both

Jumping off the tram from the Airport, right on Cavill Avenue on the Gold Coast, it didn’t take long to spot the towering structure that is the Novotel Surfers Paradise, which sat just meters from the spot. But if my memories of Schoolies some [REDACTED] years ago is anything to go by, a towering hotel…

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Review: Hotel Indigo’s brand new 1 Leicester Square location brings the West End to life (London)

Having an address as iconic as 1 Leicester Square might lead one to expect to find another overpriced London Hotel, resting on the laurels of its location rather than on the experience it could provide its guests. Rest assured, Hotel Indigo‘s newest residence, which opened earlier this year, goes above and beyond to present one…

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Hotel Review: Marriott sticks to classic hospitality in Melbourne’s CBD

It’s hard to surpass the classic beats of good old fashioned hospitality. While Melbourne Marriott Hotel may play it extremely safe in a city that’s dotted with interesting boutiques and creative accommodations, there’s enough charm throughout this 10 floor property to sit nicely beside the luxury amenities often expected from one of the hotel group’s…

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Hotel Review: The Cullen remains one of Melbourne’s most unique hotels

It all started here for Art Series Hotel Group, the boutique hotel brand renowned for dedicating each of their properties to an individual Australian artist. Opened in 2009, The Cullen was the first for the group, and has arguably remained one of their finest achievements, thanks to the late great Adam Cullen and his grungy…

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Hotel Review: InterContinental’s ambitious Downtown L.A. property is a stunner

It’s not everyday you spot a helicopter buzzing around Los Angeles at eye-level. Dramatic and impressive, the check-in at the sky lobby of InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is an astounding way to usher in the guest experience at this (almost) one-year-old luxury hotel; reception is placed on the 70th floor, surrounded by enormous floor-to-ceiling glass…

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Hotel Review: Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station gets by with a perfect location

The value of staying near Tokyo Station cannot be overstated, particularly for those relatively unfamiliar with the heaving, at times overwhelming capital city. Much has been written about the exceptional transport system of Tokyo, and this station is most certainly its beating heart, which is why a hotel like Courtyard By Marriott Tokyo Station is…

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Hotel Review: Peppers repurpose Launceston’s grain silos with style

Originally erected in 1960, the stately grain silos perched on Launceston’s King’s Wharf, where the North Esk meets the Tamar, stood abandoned and disused for fifty years before an ambitious project led by Errol Stewart sought to transform the four empty barrels into a high-end contemporary hotel. That project began two years ago, resulting in…

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Hotel Review: Las Vegas Downtown Grand provides luxurious & comfortable access to the ever evolving Fremont Street

The “downtown” area of Las Vegas, which is situated around the iconic Fremont Street (also known as the “classic” Las Vegas strip featuring casino-hotels like the Golden Nugget) has been undergoing quite an extensive amount of changes over the past decade. The run of old hotels and casinos are still there, some redeveloped – with…

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Okanagan Valley’s Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa offers unrivalled comfort, luxury and relaxation

Travel about 30 minutes north of Kelowna International Airport – the hub of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley in Canada – and you’ll hit the outskirts of Vernon, and the hills which overlook the start of the Okanagan Lake. Here you’ll find destinations like the Predator Ridge Resort and Golf Course, plenty of walking trails and…

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Hotel Review: The InterContinental Century City proves a comfortable hideaway amongst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood

It’s the weekend of the Oscars. There’s a buzz in the air as I check into the InterContinental Century City with ease – and just a slight delay as they finish preparing my room, which was unexpected considering my early morning arrival (common for Australian travellers). The hotel has a definite sense of glamour as…

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Hotel Review: Hollywood’s newest Kimpton Everly cuts no corners with spectacular views in a prime location

Branded as being situated “between Hollywood and the Hills”, the Kimpton Everly – which opened in August- is in an unbeatable location. A block away from Hollywood and Vine, the building sits right behind the classic Pantages Theatre (where Disney’s Aladdin is playing to March 31st) and the iconic Capitol Records building. Right next to…

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Hotel Review: Aloft Perth stands tall; creates a unique experience for local and international visitors

Perth is fast becoming one of Australia’s most beloved travel destinations as it boasts clean air, wide open spaces and a warm sizzle to the skin. As tourism begins to boost it means accommodation options must meet the expectations of visitors and provide them with a sanctuary of calm and orderliness, whether they’re in town…

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Hotel Review: Radisson Blu Lietuva offers impressive views in Vilnius, Lithuania

From quirky street art to a profound street homage immortalising any writer who has ever written about the country (in any capacity), Lithuania is fast becoming one of Europe’s most unique, and relatively unexplored, destinations. You’ve got the incredible architecture like the flamboyant gothic St. Anne’s Church; a bohemian sanctuary which has declared itself an…

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Hotel Review: Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway offers quiet amongst a busy Singapore shopping district

Smack in the middle of Singapore’s shopping district, Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway offers comfort and relaxation after a long day’s exploring of the Lion City. Don’t expect to get out of your cab and get straight into the checking in, however. I’m not exactly sure what the ground floor is used for, but the actual hotel…

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Hotel Review: The Vagabond Club is a pocket of indulgence hidden within Singapore’s cultural district

Nestled within the heart of Singapore’s cultural district, there is an Art Deco building that boasts the tagline: If You Must Get In Trouble, Do It At The Vagabond. A provocative way to sell a hotel, particularly in a cultural hub like Singapore, but this boutique hotel definitely gets away from it. Located a roughly 20…

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Hotel Review: Rendezvous Hotel (Singapore) maintains its district’s artistic and cultural bend

Located in the heart of Singapore’s historical and cultural district, Rendezvous Hotel is probably the prettiest hotel that I’ve ever been in, and definitely one of the most convenient. I was less than a five minute walk away from the Bras Basah and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations, and there were plenty of things I could…

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Hotel Review: Mantra 2 Bond Street offers a sophisticated getaway in the heart of Sydney

Stepping into the foyer of Sydney’s Mantra 2 Bond Street, immediately, I am felt like I have been swept up and away from the sheer amount of roadworks happening just outside the door. Unfortunately for the hotel, the road works on George Street don’t seem to be stopping any time soon, but watching the amount…

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Hotel Review: Darwin’s Doubletree by Hilton is a double delight

Something you should know before you check in at Hilton’s Doubletree in the capitol of the Northern Territory: there are two Doubletree hotels in Darwin. They’ve also barely got a name difference, the other being Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade Darwin. Though hot tip: they’re known locally as either Doubletree 122 or 116, their corresponding…

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Hotel Review: The Doubletree by Hilton in Toronto (Canada) delivers everything you expect from the reliable brand

There’s a warmth to the approach by the Doubletree by Hilton brand – though maybe I’m just blinded by the warm chocolate chip cookie they give every guest on check in. But it’s that sort of consistency – cookies, comfortable rooms, soothing colour schemes – that has made them the sort of chain that people become…

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Hotel Review: Ramada West Hollywood offers beautiful, luxurious rooms and spiral staircases

Seriously though, how many hotel rooms do you ever get to stay in that have a spiral staircase? Like, actually in the room? My first thought entering my room at the luxurious Ramada West Hollywood was that I was in a room far fancier than I was used to. The bottom floor of the room is…

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Hotel Review: The recently renovated Farmer’s Daughter and TART Restaurant are hidden gems in Los Angeles

“Oh, rustic,” I murmured as I entered my room at The Farmer’s Daughter on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. The room is indeed rustic. A twin share, the room has more in common with an old world cabin than it does an upmarket hotel room. Nevertheless, the luxuries are there even if they aren’t apparent…

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Hotel Review: Travelodge Hobart stands tall in Tasmania’s seaside city

Location is everything when visiting a city for a quick weekend getaway. What I look for is convenience, ambience and comfortability. In the heart of Hobart’s gorgeous town centre towers a dusty-red brick building. In Melbourne, I actually live next door to the Travelodge in Southbank so it’s pretty fitting that I’ve had the chance…

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Hotel Review: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur offers an air of old-fashioned charm

Kuala Lumpur has the most affordable five-star hotels in the world, many scattered all over the city so that visitors have some excellent choices no matter which location they are scouting. For the city’s dynamic Chow Kit an obvious go-to is the Sheraton Imperial, a sprawling property that lives up its celebrated brand, from comfortable…

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Hotel Review: Tribe Perth reflects the modern traveller with smart, tech-savvy design

Described as an “edited hotel experience”, Tribe is an interesting entry into the ever-growing scene of boutique, pared accommodation which seems to view the traditional weight of hospitality as excessive and unnecessary. The curation for Australia’s newest hotel brand has tapped into various design influences to maintain a unique sense of style in a city…

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Hotel Review: A weekend away at Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral, NSW

Built 100 years ago, Peppers Craigieburn is a fine choice for your next Bowral getaway. With well-manicured gardens, a golf course, a tennis court, and a Billiards room, the resort is not only well-equipped but also retains its sense of history and tradition. The refurbished accommodation has preserved the charm of the original homestead. Peppers…

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