July 2024
$2400 a night: Hotel prices soar as Origin fans flock to Brisbane
A perfect storm for the blockbuster rugby league series decider has sparked a surge in hotel rates across the city.
- James Hall
April 2024
For the full zen, stay at an ancient temple in Japan
Our writer bypasses the hotels and ryokans to spend a night as a guest of Buddhist monks. He didn’t anticipate the wooden stick, though.
- Michael Smith
January 2024
Holiday like a Rich Lister on your own private island
Starting at $20,000 a night for the entire island and its residence, Pelorus is the latest hospitality venture of Rich Lister Chris Morris.
- Tess Bennett
You won’t find any Tim Tams at the Arnotts’ Byron Bay passion project
Angelica and Charlie Arnott were upset by the overdevelopment in the resort town, so they built an eco-luxury retreat out in the hills. Now you can stay there too.
- Eugenie Kelly
December 2023
Forget Phuket. Stuff Bali. Why Vietnam wins for the flop and drop
I’m checked in and ready for dinner all within an hour of touching down on the tarmac. Am I dreaming?
- Samantha Hutchinson
- Christmas Gift Guide 2023
- Life & Leisure
At this wilderness spa, you can swim in a glacial lake - and lick a slug
At Clayoquot Lodge in Canada, an average day might involve a glacial plunge and hauling yourself up to a waterfall through ancient forest. You won’t regret it.
- Charis Perkins
October 2023
Yoga with the Central Himalayas as backdrop? Watch out for Ramani
A hiking, yoga and meditation luxury lodge being built at serious altitude by family-owned Shakti will be a no-nonsense eco retreat.
- Fiona Carruthers
June 2023
A trek in the Himalayan foothills proves heaven is a place on earth
Helping to make these walks special? The chance to stay in traditional farmhouses leased from the owners and transformed into sumptuous cocoons.
- Catherine Marshall
This luxury farmstay is also a champion horse stud
The Barn Scone is a unique farm stay in the NSW Upper Hunter, where visitors can witness the work at Kitchwin Hills, home to multiple cup winners.
- Eugenie Kelly
April 2023
Is this the most romantic country retreat in Australia?
Between the timber cabin with views, cuvée on tap and total privacy, it’s definitely possible. But the writer learnt this the hard way.
- Lucy Dean
February 2023
- Top 50 Hot List
- Life & Leisure
Ten of the most luxurious new boutique hotels
Tired of the tried-and-tested five-star brands? Here’s a round-up of new and soon-to-open luxury havens in superb locations.
- Jane Knight
November 2022
This is probably unlike any patch of desert you’ve visited
In California’s Anza-Borrego, I stumble upon a patch of scrub and an artistic couple with a big dream, the Landmarks of Art Aesthetic Research Station.
- Tony Davis
From the ashes of the Blue Mountains fires, a resort wins global kudos
The bush-luxe Chalets of Blackheath, built to sit lightly on the land, are the latest addition to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group.
- Stephen Todd
September 2022
Can Tassie deliver on a $10,000 weekend for two?
Heli transfers make a two-night, uber-luxury stay in the wildness of Freycinet Peninsula seem effortless. Whether it’s worth it is up to you.
- Peter Kerr
August 2022
Celebrity chefs hit the high seas
Matt Moran, Mark Olive and Darren Purchese join forces for a five-day Great Australian Culinary Voyage aboard the Queen Elizabeth.
- Fiona Carruthers
July 2022
A night to remember in Sydney’s floating hotel for two
After a calamitous setback, an off-grid luxury retreat on a Pittwater pontoon is back, bigger and better than before – as long as there’s no southerly blowing.
- Charis Perkins
June 2022
This lakeside lodge might be the ultimate escape
Yes, it’s a long, long way to Likoma Island in East Africa’s inland sea of Lake Malawi, but that’s exactly the point.
- Catherine Marshall
Even at $3500 a night, Australia’s best ski chalets are booked out
As early snow dumps in NSW and Victoria get ski bunnies hopping, not even price hikes of up to 46 per cent on accommodation can deter people from booking.
- Fiona Carruthers
May 2022
Can you crack the code of this ancient Roman language?
In a remote Swiss valley, a Benedictine abbey houses linguistic secrets, as well as offering superb views of its alpine surrounds.
- Luke Slattery
At €40 a day, what’s not to like about staying in a monastery?
The word holiday is derived from “holy days”. So inject a little spirituality into your next trip for a truly different experience.
- Matthew Cranston