Hotel reviews
The best Melbourne hotels for a staycation over the holidays
Peeling prawns and watching the cricket is great, but if you’d prefer a poolside cocktail or serene getaway, check in to one of these hotels in Melbourne and beyond.
- by Katherine Scott
★★★★
Melbourne
The verdict on Melbourne’s luxe new hotel with knockout dining
The 1980s called, and it wants its Jarrah back. But seriously, those deep, reddish tones are a beautiful base for design firm Kennedy Nolan’s vision.
- by Katherine Scott
★★★½
Sydney
Central Sydney hotel gets a new life (again)
This property has gone through several iterations, previously as a Travelodge before becoming a Mercure and now a Novotel after a $20 million revamp.
- by Craig Platt
★★★★
USA
Spectacular Arizona adults-only escape
With its exquisite design and some of the best views in Sedona, this adults-only gem does come at a hefty price – it’s definitely in the “special occasion” category.
- by Julie Miller
★★★★½
Singapore
The verdict on edgy Australian hotel brand’s first Asian property
Housed in a handsome heritage building in Singapore’s financial district, QT Singapore is a dazzling showcase of the brand’s trademark styling.
- by Rob McFarland
★★★★★
United Arab Emirates
The verdict on the world’s first ‘ultra-luxury resort’
Beyonce was reportedly paid $36 million to perform at the opening of this hotel. She would be happy with how it turned out.
- by Damien Woolnough
Top 12 Barcelona hotels and resorts for different budgets
From sumptuous five-stars to chic boutiques, Barcelona’s diverse accommodation options reflect the dynamic nature of its tourism sector.
- by Paul Sullivan
★★★★★
New Zealand
The iconic NZ lodge with a dress-circle location
How cheeky to call these villas on New Zealand’s North Island “residential style”, given my domicile here is painfully temporary.
- by Catherine Marshall
★★★★
California
This Old Hollywood hideaway still has plenty of glam after facelift
Monroe’s favourite room was 104, Frank Sinatra stayed in 114, and Joan Crawford booked 507, where she always demanded a fresh baguette and seven packs of cigarettes.
- by Louise Goldsbury
★★★★½
New York
Not cheap, but this supremely modern stay puts you in the thick of NYC
In a city where rooms can resemble a glorified wardrobe, these lodgings offer a welcome sense of space – and a hard-to-beat location.
- by Carolyn Beasley
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/topic/hotel-reviews-l5s