• ★★★★½
• Sydney

Like being in Beverly Hills: The verdict on Sydney’s coolest new hotel

This inner-city oasis offers a fun and fabulous vibe. But the left-field location may not be for everyone.

• Ute Junker

• ★★★★
• Australia

Rescued from decay, motel is now a prime Melbourne beach escape

The Keith accommodates all comers, with a prime location for beach, winery-packed getaways in the Mornington Peninsula.

• Belinda Jackson

• ★★★★
• Auckland

I didn’t want to stay in this budget airport hotel, but I loved it

Get over your Holiday Inn preconceptions – this airport hotel is fun and funky, with surprising tropical-resort vibes.

• Katrina Lobley

• ★★★★★
• Muscat

A five-star stopover stay in a neighbour beats bustling Dubai

This outstanding outpost of the venerable Mandarin Oriental brand impresses even more than most.

• Anthony Dennis

• ★★★★
• Queensland

Iconic ’90s resort’s new must-see island spectacle

This is a tranquil, eco-friendly base to explore the beauty, landscapes and wildlife of the biggest sand island in the world.

• Kerry van der Jagt

• Edinburgh

This Edinburgh hotel is fit for a royal

Cast yourself in a period drama with a boutique hotel stay straight out of a royal romance.

• Julia D'Orazio

• Mexico

This affordable retro surf hotel has a five-star Mexico location

On a stretch of coast where bland luxury mega-resorts dominate, this secluded (and relatively budget-friendly) stay is a beacon of ’90s nostalgia and charm.

• Katherine Scott

• ★★★★½
• Australia

Historic former Salvos building in Melbourne now a classy hotel

This is a genuinely smart and superbly situated addition to Melbourne’s five-star hotel stock.

• Anthony Dennis

• ★★★★★
• Tasmania

This fort-like Tassie stunner is not your average holiday house

A fairytale location and luxury make this private Tasmanian stay the ultimate couples retreat.

• Emily McAuliffe

• Collection
• Travel tips

Holiday perfection: Traveller’s top hotels of 2024

From opulence in Monaco and Dubai to revamped hotels closer to home, here are the best properties reviewed by Traveller’s expert writers this year.