The Best of Australia and New Zealand

Overview

The Park Hyatt is found in the historic district of The Rocks with views of the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Interiors are modern with a contemporary and clean design. Rooms have a neutral colour scheme of chocolate and cream, naturally-textured fabrics and soft lighting ensures rooms are bright and calm. Specially commissioned paintings and artwork from prominent Australian artists adorn the walls.

At the Dining Room, the hotel’s signature restaurant, diners are treated to spectacular vistas of the harbour while enjoying a French-inspired menu. The Living Room has a more relaxed atmosphere while The Bar is a stylish location in which to enjoy fine wine, cocktails and live music.

For those looking to relax and let go, indulge in a treatment at the spa or take a dip in the waters of the rooftop pool after working out at the fitness centre.

Overview

The Langham enjoys a quaint location among cobbled streets and the old architecture of the historic Rocks district.

Rooms are spacious with high ceilings, large windows flooding them with natural light and letting in the warm Australian sunshine. Some rooms come with a balcony from which you can enjoy views of the iconic Sydney cityscape.

Stop by the sophisticated Palm Court bar for an expertly mixed cocktail and vistas of the Western Harbour, before enjoying dinner at Bistrot Remy, boasting a contemporary menu that makes the most of Australia’s finest produce. Guests can also enjoy a decadent afternoon tea served on fine Wedgwood china, along with a glass of champagne.

The underground spa is an oasis of calm while the health club, indoor swimming pool and tennis court are great for those who like to stay active while on holiday.

Overview

With its beautiful golden sandstone façade Sydney’s heritage-listed Department of Education building has reawakened as the luxurious Capella Sydney. The hotel boasts 192 rooms and suites spanning eight levels, and balances storied architectural features with modern design, celebrating Australia in both its aesthetic and ethos. In the rooms and public areas you’ll find carefully curated artworks, elegant furnishings and intriguing objet d’art.

When it comes to dining, take a table at Brasserie 1930 where the menu highlights small-batch growers and farmers and age-old cooking methods like curing, smoking and fermenting take centre stage. Named for the building’s original architect George McRae, McRae Bar invites you to enjoy the glamour of days gone by as you sip on refined cocktails looking out on Loftus Street.

Overview

With a history intertwined with the region’s gold rush, the building of Eichardt’s Private Hotel carries with it the understated and classic elegance of a bygone era. With sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu’s emerald blue waters and eminent mountain peaks, it is a gateway to Queenstown and the untouched wilderness beyond.

Choose from Eichardt’s lake view or mountain view suites, or the one- or two-bedroom apartments. For more privacy, or for those looking for a group getaway or family foray, there is the stand-alone three-bed Eichardt’s Residence which has a spacious kitchen, private dining area and sweeping balconies.

The hotel bar has been considered a town favourite since 1867, providing the perfect environment in which friends and colleagues can sit down for a refreshing cocktail or a refined vintage from the famed Otago wine region. For those feeling peckish, there are comprehensive tapas menus to suit every palate, with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The bar also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cosy dining area with a fireplace.

From the hotel you can treat yourself to an extensive range of in-room spa treatments provided by a local spa, wander down to the lake edge or head into the heart of the action in bustling Queenstown.

Overview

Sat on the shores of the deep Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge is a tranquil haven of serene blue waters and sweeping mountain landscapes. Snow-capped peaks reach towards the sky, providing a backdrop like no other to this incredible luxury establishment.

Modern, bright and with plenty of room, the 16 suites have been styled by the highly celebrated designer Virginia Fisher. Four suites are found in the main lodge section while others have been built in a native forest with alpine panoramas. All have their own private balcony, lounge area and decadent bathroom, not to mention the cosy fireplace. The sizeable Owner’s Cottage is an idyllic getaway for larger groups or families.

Boasting a menu that changes constantly with the availability of seasonal produce, the kitchen at Matakauri Lodge focuses on a clean and fresh experience for the palate. There are a number of settings in which to savour this modern New Zealand cuisine, from the privacy of your own patio to the property’s spacious courtyards.

Located near great pine thickets, the spa provides an exclusive space where you can rejuvenate and reinvigorate your body with completely personalised treatments. Fall in love with the heated pool, let off some steam in the sauna or enjoy a leisurely time in the hot tub.

Whether you arrive to the long, warm days of summer or to a winter wonderland of snow, there is always so much to do during your stay at Matakauri. Walks and hikes dominate the area, as do scenic horse riding trails and wine tours. Avid golfers will rejoice to know a PGA-rated course is nearby; The Hills is surely one of the most stunning and gorgeously isolated round of 18 you can play anywhere in the world.

Overview

Azur Lodge consists of nine private villas set on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding mountain ranges and Lake Wakatipu.

The open-plan villas feature a lounge, dining room and a bath tub which has been set into a bay window so you can enjoy the scenic views as you soak. There is also a private sun deck from which to gaze out across the wilderness.

Breakfast, afternoon tea and evening canapes are included, and there is the option to dine in the main lodge or in the privacy of your villa.

You are conveniently located just 20 minutes from the airport and five minutes from downtown Queenstown, so exploring this wonderful part of New Zealand couldn’t be easier.

Overview

Often adorned with flowers beneath a clear blue New Zealand sky, the rustic yet elegant stone lodge of Blanket Bay sits perched upon the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The establishment inhabits a typical South Island alpine setting of vast valleys and great mountains.

Luxury is woven throughout all 12 residences, from the separate chalet cottages to the spacious lodge rooms and suites, with all enjoying incredible views and plenty of natural light. There is a charming antiquity to the spaces, with beautiful timber beams reaching up along the ceiling and refined wooden furnishing adding to the already classic atmosphere.

When it comes to wining and dining, the service is world-class. The menu is forever changing, making the utmost of the kitchen’s access to locally-sourced ingredients and produce. Expect modern, innovative takes on classical dishes incorporating fresh fish, lamb and venison and an array of fruits and vegetables grown in the region.

There are few other places on earth with so many activities and adventures at their fingertips, including numerous hiking trails meandering up mountain ranges, fly fishing hotspots in the pools, rivers and smaller mountain lakes, heli-skiing in winter, jet boating and kayaking. Tackle 4WD tours and vineyard and art trails. Horse riding enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice by the treks on offer, while golfers of any calibre will revel in the splendour and beauty of championship-standard Jack’s Point Golf Course.