Hotel Reviews

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

“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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

The Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne, located on Queen St in the hear of the CBD, lay at the end of a two-day road trip to Melbourne from the Gold Coast. Two days of near non-stop driving had left me in dire need of some quiet time and comfortable bed. Adina apparently knew what I wanted before…

Marking a new boutique hotel brand for the same group behind Australian (and recently New Zealand) favourite QT Hotels, Eventhouse Cronulla has successfully tapped into the refreshing leisurely lifestyle of the famed beachside suburb, gutting the former Rydges and replacing it with an expansive coastal atmosphere. Your stereotypical “Aussie lifestyle” has long been defined, to…

Adelaide’s architecture has long been a selling point of the city. Of course, with South Australia being the only Australian capital to be established as a free colony (ie. No convicts), there’s a certain type of gravitas that the historical buildings throughout the CBD maintain. It may be a small city, but the way in…

With three properties across Tokyo it’s safe to say that, as far as high-end accommodation goes, the InterContinental brand is a dominant force in one of the world’s most famously vibrant cities. All three have had their fair share of awards and nominations, no less The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo which is positioned a stone’s…

Walking into a luxury hotel is almost always accompanied by a dramatic, and instantaneous, sense of freedom. As such, the lobby – the face of any hotel – is one of the most important steps for any property, so grand design is almost a given. That idea is built upon even further for those heading…

Positioned in the middle of Adelaide’s CBD is one of two Mantra Group hotels. Overlooking Hindmarsh Square, a stone’s throw from the historic Rundle Mall and King William St is the Mantra Hindmarsh Square – a much anticipated sojourn for us on a heated summer weekend. Upon arrival at the hotel, the friendly concierge staff…

No one’s ever boasted about staying in what’s widely referred to as an “Airport Hotel” before. The very idea evokes sighs of “well, if I have to” and images of frugality far from what one would expect from a night’s stay in a hotel that isn’t exactly budget. Sure, that’s true for some properties which…

When it comes to Australian hotels Art Series Hotel Group is one our most valuable and inventive assets. The beloved hospitality group has been playfully sprinkling creativity on unique locations for years now, echoing a focus on one Australian artist for each property to make for colourful, idiosyncratic accommodation that not only reinterprets classic hospitality,…

Uniquely tucked away on the bland Aurora Lane and directly behind the very central Southern Cross Station is where you’ll find Melbourne hotel Travelodge Docklands, one of two properties for the low-cost chain in Melbourne, the other being Travelodge Southbank. The consistency among the Travelodge brand throughout Australia has positioned the name among the most…

What makes a good hotel? The answer to such a question seems to depend solely on your personal tastes.  As someone who really only stays in hotels when they’re on a work trip, the property could be the single fanciest place I’ve ever been, but if the bed isn’t comfortable and there aren’t enough power…