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The Johnson, Brisbane's newest luxury hotel and part of the exclusive Art Series Hotel Group. The Johnson Hotel takes its design cues from celebrated Australian abstract artist Michael Johnson.
The luxury hotel features 96 open plan and self contained suites, a super luxe penthouse, a 50 metre pool, sun deck, gym, conference facilities and gorgeous on site restaurant and bar, Tumbling Stone.
LUXURY BEACHSIDE ACCOMMODATION - SALT AT SHOAL BAY
Salt at Shoal Bay is a unique waterfront property located at Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, providing guests with relaxed, luxury beachside accommodation. I'm sure you would have seen this beauty all over your instagram of late, it's such a beauty... and so instagram worthy!
Salt at Shoal Bay is a modern Australian beach house divided into two self contained levels and a third freestanding cottage, enabling large groups to stay in the same location with the convenience of their own private spaces.
Featured here today is - SALT ONE UPPER LEVEL
The upper level is the ultimate luxury, featuring high raked ceilings in all bedrooms and living areas. Large glass windows showcasing panoramic views of the bay, Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands. The master bedroom features it's own private balcony with stunning turquoise water views. It sleeps 11 - 1x king master with ensuite, 2x queen bedrooms, 1x queen bedroom with triple bunk.
Opening in 2015, Halcyon House took two years of planning and 15 months to build. The extensive renovations were led by Sydney-based architect Virginia Kerridge, while the properties 21 boutique rooms were each uniquely designed by Brisbane-based interior designer Anna Spiro. Many of the vintage pieces and furnishings, such as John Derian sofas, Madeline Weinrib rugs and drawings by Wayne Pate, were personally sourced by Anna, Siobhan and Elisha.
Halcyon House consists of 19 rooms and 2 luxury 2-bedroom suites, a beachfront pool, terrace area & Paper Daisy, a destination restaurant headed by one of Australia’s most promising chefs, Ben Devlin. Acclaimed design, professional yet personal service & industry leading food & drink combine to offer the ideal setting for luxurious beach side holidays.
Each guest room at Halcyon House has been individually designed by interior designer Anna Spiro in her signature eclectic style. Halcyon House Classic Rooms feature antique furniture, fabric upholstered walls, a luxurious king size bed and sitting area.
The Ovolo Woolloomooloo is situated on the longest timber-piled wharf in the world, on Sydney Harbour, Australia. The historical property has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel, bar and event centre. It has been designed to keep the buildings original charm with modern contemporary elements and furniture.
The Ovolo is a short walk to the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, restaurants and Sydney's famous beaches. The hotel has a free mini bar, happy hour, gym, pool, wi-fi and breakfast - all complimentary!
Situated above the crystal water of the Maldives along an expansive and secluded two kilometre stretch of private beaches, Club Med Kani offers the ultimate in tropical lagoon luxury.
From surfing the nearby renowned waves of the Maldives, to discovering the amazing underwater natural beauty through included snorkelling tours, there are endless thrilling water sports and adventures to choose from.
This amazing tropical playground will please couples, just as much as families or friends! Indulge in simple pleasure of island life like eating fresh fish and coconut, or unwind by the pool with a cocktail in-hand. Club Med is also children friendly, so your littles ones can also make the most of this amazing playground.
Today's Travel Tuesday isn't about sleeping, it's about eating... eating at the renowned Mama Kelly in Amsterdam.
Surrounded by a sea of pink and all things glam, Mama Kelly's menu is simple - Lobster or Chicken... so if lobster, chicken or pink isn't your thing then this place isn't for you!
MaMa Kelly Amsterdam seats 230 guests and is located in an old cigarette factory in Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam’s outskirts. Mama Kelly's success has been largely through modern marketing techniques, such as Instagram... because if this isn't the most Instagram worthy restaurant you've ever seen then I don't know what is!
Mama Kelly also has a secret bar... and it's the only part of the restaurant that's not pink, definitely a challenge to see if you can find it!
This is one for the wish list, the dream list, the 'it probably won't ever happen but let's just be hopeful anyway' list... it is the ultimate Caribbean resort, The Amanyara in Turks & Caicos.
This resort is the height of luxury, with spectacular views of the ocean, private lounge areas, a pool crafted from volcanic rock and the most divine accommodation. The rooms and villas have fresh and modern interiors with soft beachy elements of timber and white. All the villas and pavilions have indoor/outdoors flow, embracing the Caribbean air and bringing the outdoors in.
Amanyara’s secluded 800-metre beach front has a vibrant underwater wonderland of coral reefs. Hawksbill turtles, humpback whales, bonefish and hundreds of migratory bird species are frequent visitors to the waters. It's the perfect place to explore, relax, unwind and play...
If the walls of The Beverly Hills Hotel could talk… what is now affectionately known as the ‘Pink Palace’ the hotel is a Los Angeles institution. A hotel that attracts the big stars, show business legends and those of us who like the idea of being treated like a celebrity for a weekend.
Think old, classic Hollywood through and through – and of course the Instagram worthy interior design! Bubblegum pink plaster walls, huge Mexican palms, green candy-striped pool beds, banana leaf wallpaper and the dusty pink exterior are the signature hotel themes.
A colour palette of cream and taupe adorn the hotel’s 208 guestrooms and suites, with furnishings in luxurious materials such as leather and mohair. There are also 23 bungalows dotted around the hotel’s tropical garden, with their own separate entrance from the side street for those wanting some extra privacy.
Located opposite a lush nature reserve, in the heart of the market precinct in Byron Bay, is The Barefoot Bay Cottage. The Cottage is the first holiday house to be designed and built for boutique holiday accommodation business, Barefoot Escapes.
The unique property is the vision of multi-disciplinary design studio The Designory and B2 Construction. “Making these holiday homes a unique and memorable experience for guests was very important to us,” says Melissa Bonney, Director of The Designory. “Every detail is thought of, and a true home away from home has been created to allow guests to relax and indulge in the Barefoot Escapes experience.”
The north facing home has been designed to capture the sun and cooling summer breeze. Inside, the cottage is light-filled, open and instils instant calm with a luxe palette of fresh white, sage greens, deep navy and concrete grey tones.
The contemporary coastal styling includes layering of earthy and natural textures throughout providing a sense of instant tranquillity allowing guests to prioritise rest and rejuvenation. The home features open plan living, dining, sitting and kitchen areas, three spacious and beautifully furnished bedrooms along with two resort-style bathrooms and a stunning outdoor oasis.
“We wanted to really capture the essence of the Byron Bay area and the connection to both the lush hinterland and the beach,” says Melissa. “It was important the colour and materials palette drives the overall feel and experience of actually being in the home.”
A stand-out feature of the property is its huge wrap around deck, perfectly positioned to maximise the beautiful year-round Byron Bay climate. The large covered entertaining space offers oversized built in bench seating, multiple lounges, hanging chairs, a ten-seater outdoor dining table, plus an outdoor bath tub, shower and plunge pool.
“The outdoor living and dining area at the cottage was extremely important to us. Byron Bay has the most incredible weather all year round and we really wanted to create a space for coming together with friends and family to enjoy the connection to the surrounding tropical gardens and nearby nature reserve,” says Melissa.
In order to enjoy the outdoor space all year round, appropriate lighting and heating was essential. The Designory chose the IXL Fresco Auora Outdoor Heater to meet their alfresco dining needs.
“We used the multifunctional Fresco outdoor heater and light over our outdoor dining area as it makes the space perfect for entertaining, and its multiple settings are perfect for holiday makers to customise it to their needs,” says Melissa.
“The Fresco blended seamlessly with the design and styling of the outdoor space. With minimal hardware, it suspends effortlessly above the large dining table making it the perfect location to enjoy long lingering lunches and dinners,” she continues.
The Fresco Aurora Outdoor Heater combines ambient infrared heat, dimmable task lighting and coloured mood lighting in one cleverly and sleek designed unit. Its unobtrusive and stylish pendant design will ensure it seamlessly fits in with your chosen space.
“To maximise your outdoor space it’s ideal to choose a multi-functional heating option, for example, with the ability to also create mood and practical lighting. Those extra functions will ensure your heating system is also useful in the warmer months,” says IXL Marketing Manager Malcolm Russell.
Designed to be suspended from flat or gabled roofs, the Fresco Aurora is ideal for external dining areas, verandas and balconies, and can transform your outdoor room into a cosy ambient space – all year round.
Original farmhouse restoration with old-school charm.
Pairing classic coastal style with authentic charm, Soul of Gerringong, offers boutique accommodation for up to sixteen guests. Located on the south coast of New South Wales, just ten minutes past Kiama, this unique property is a dream getaway. Built and designed by husband and wife duo, Ben and Simone Mathews from BAM Constructions Group and MGAO Architects, the heart of Soul is the original 1800s farmhouse featuring four bedrooms with private ensuites. At the rear of the property, you will find an oversized solar-heated pool, two-bedroom Cabana, four bedroom Barn and landscaped surroundings – paying homage to original heritage and balancing easy living with luxury.
“Our design inspirations came from the original property that oozed old-school charm and we wanted to ensure that the end result was authentic,” says Simone, Interior Designer, BAM.
The focal point of the interior is the open-plan living area, featuring a spacious kitchen and original stone fireplace – perfect for entertaining or cosy winter evenings. BAM specified custom Stegbar Raked Windows above the fireplace to complement the building design – flooding the place with natural light and adding a unique visual element.
To bring the outdoors in, Stegbar Aluminium Windows and Doors feature throughout the living area – including sliding, fixed and louvre windows as well as oversized stacking doors.
“Louvres are great to incorporate into any design due to their ventilation properties and ability to allow natural airflow and light into the home,” says Simone.
“When it came to the façade, we wanted to maintain a cottage-like feel that seamlessly blended in with the rest of the home. So we utilised Stegbar’s custom made service and had windows hand crafted to perfectly match the home’s style,” says Simone.
The façade now features Stegbar Western Red Cedar Timber Windows in white with colonial style glazing bars – paying homage to the original heritage of the home. The Western Red Cedar range offers a beautiful timber that is dimensionally stable under almost any climatic condition and is naturally resistant to termites, rot and decay – which is imperative being amongst rural land.
Images via Southern Ocean Lodge
Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s celebrated multi award winning luxury lodge experience, designed by architect Max Pritchard and regarded amongst the finest in the world. Sensitively designed to float amongst the untouched coast of Kangaroo Island’s south west coast and spectacular ocean, beach and wilderness views.
21 luxurious suites feature contemporary interiors, each with sunken lounges, glass-walled bathrooms and outdoor terraces, all with breathtaking views.
The Great Room is the centre of activity; guests can plan their day ahead, enjoy the finest Island-inspired dining in the Restaurant, or a relaxed drink at the open bar with an exclusively South Australian wine selection.
All images - Douglas Friedman | The Battery
The Battery - San Francisco's uber cool member's only club that caters to some of the cities most elite residents. Luxury rooms, spa, library, garden, gym, wine cellar, restaurant and 4 bars, this is the spot to be and to be seen.
Although The Battery is a private club, it has 14 luxury hotel rooms and suites as well as 1 spacious penthouse with a roof terrace, which are all available for public bookings. When you stay at the hotel, you are considered a 'Resident Member' and have access to all 'The Club’s' facilities during your stay.
The hotel rooms feature hardwood floors, curated furniture and exquisite art pieces. The bathrooms feature natural stone with huge baths and showers to relax in. Your rooms minibar is stocked with a full liquor selection, mixers, snacks and the hotel offers 24 hour front desk assistance.
Images courtesy of Cradle Mountain Lodge
Growing up in Tasmania means I tend to be drawn to Tassie accommodation.. there are just so many beautiful locations, places to stay and wonderful pockets to explore and people need to know about them!
And today it's Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge - the closest accommodation to the spectacular Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Set in the wilderness are 86 private timber cabins, from contemporary Pencil Pine Cabins through to luxurious King Billy Suites. Each provides the modern comforts you would expect and some are appointed with spa baths. The King Billy Suites and Spa Suites have king-sized beds and can accommodate up to three guests utilising an additional roll away bed. There are also family cabins, some with spas, sleeping up to five people that can be booked directly at the Lodge.
Be tempted by the delectable tastes of local Tasmanian cheeses over a glass of wine, have a romantic dinner, take a stroll on one of the 20 walking trails, wander through towering forests, gaze in awe at that trees older than mankind or indulge in a therapeutic massage or sauna.
With the overwhelming feeling that you're standing on a movie set, uninterrupted panoramic ocean views and oozing sophistication - Hotel Marincanto in Positano, Italy is mind blowingly beautiful.
Positano has inspired many great painters and every year thousands of holidaymakers from all over the world choose to stay Hotel Marincanto thanks to its unequalled elegance, privacy and warm welcome. Unchanged since 1967, the Marincanto features an infinity pool blending in with the horizon and an exclusive private beach.
Located in an enviable central position with a spectacular view of the town and bay, Hotel Marincanto is your dream Italian beach side getaway!
RIGHT IN THE BEATING HEART OF PARIS’S MARAIS QUARTER
A hotel kept shrouded in secrecy, Paris's exquisite five star Hotel Dupond Smith holds eight bedrooms and suites within its 17th-century mansion walls. A place where guests know they can enjoy complete discretion and one of today's greatest luxuries: choosing to go incognito!
This unique hotel stands out from the crowd without ever drawing attention to itself, it is the ultimate hotel for sophistication and luxury, outfitted in pieces by noteworthy designers including Philippe Starck.
Baron’s Cove, Sag Harbour – a must see Hampton's Hotel, transformed by Curtis Bashaw and his interior designer sister Colleen. Housing 67 spacious guest rooms, with the oh so gorgeous Hamptons feeling, the property features a pool, tennis court, gym, spa, complimentary beach transport, restaurant, lobby bar, lounge, a gorgeous homely porch with rocking chairs, open fire and they even have dog friendly rooms for the pooch lovers!
Sag Harbor is the stand out of the world-renowned Hamptons. It was once a thriving port and is now known for its waterfront resorts, tree-lined streets, 18th and 19th century architecture and casual but sophisticated way of life. Sag Harbour is located on the picturesque east end of Long Island about 150kms from Manhattan.
QT Melbourne - is a former cinema in the heart of Melbourne's CBD which has recently been transformed into a boutique city hotel that everyone is talking about!
QT not only has stunning rooms with designer furniture, on trend lighting, wow bathrooms and fabulous artworks - it has the cities most in demand roof top bar - an afternoon and after-dark destination for cocktails, fab food and the perfect place to dance the night away!
All images from Pulitzer Amsterdam
Pulitzer Amsterdam is a boutique hotel set within 25 restored and linked canal houses dating back to the 17th century. In 1960 Peter Pulitzer (grandson of Pulitzer Prize founder Joseph Pulitzer) saw great potential in the beautiful but dilapidated canal houses of Amsterdam, he purchased twelve houses along the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals and created Amsterdam’s first five-star hotel and over the course of the next thirty years the hotel grew from twelve restored canal houses to twenty-five.
The Pulitzer continues to collect elements that add to its unique and vibrant character: the intricate maze of historic houses, the exclusive restaurant, the gardens and the annual floating concerts on the Prinsengracht. The Pulitzer gardens occupy a surprising green oasis nestled at the centre of the hotel; away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is a tranquil hideaway to relax, work or socialise.
In 2015 and 2016 the hotel went through the largest renovation in its history. The latest reinvention of the Pulitzer combines historical elements and classic beauty with contemporary style, resulting in a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern comfort.
Take in the architecture from the canals on the hotel’s vintage boat or prepare for art at Amsterdam’s renowned museums in Pulitzer’s Collectors Suites, which are each decorated with impressive collections of art, antiques, books and music. Throughout the day, the Jansz restaurant on the canal offers classic bistro dishes and some of the city’s best people-watching.
Peter Pulitzer adhered to a simple motto: “The house of your neighbour is for sale only once”. And he took every chance he could to expand his Amsterdam empire.
El Fenn - a restored 19th-century formerly private home in Marrakesh – styled with mid-century modern bold and bright Marrakesh colours, this is one stylish boutique hotel! The 28-roomed property has a tree filled courtyard, three inner courtyards, a huge roof terrace, rose petal-filled basins throughout, cushioned nooks to take a moment, 3 oasis like swimming pools, a restaurant, bar, spa, library and a family of resident tortoises, yes you read that correctly!
El Fenn is a place to kick back and enjoy the tranquillity of incredible architecture and secret hidden spaces before stepping outside to soak up the atmosphere of a bustling and culturally rich city. The hotel is just a five minutes walk from the world-famous Djemaa el Fna square and bustling maze of streets that make up the souk.
The Spa is tucked away in its own serenely shaded courtyard. Take a dip in the spa pool or take a break and lounge alongside it between your luxurious treatments.
And yes they have 3 pools, all which are located in serene and shaded open-air courtyard's. The two large heated pools are lined with Carrara marble and are surrounded by day-beds and a fire-pit which is lit at night for that extra touch of ambience. There is a plunge pool on the rooftop surrounded by lounges and the picturesque views of the Atlas Mountains and the Koutoubia mosque in the distance… could this get any better?
And don’t fret if you missed someone on your present list when it's time to leave, they have their own shop filled with treasures - ‘The little shop’ is located behind the lobby.
Located in one of Australia’s most popular wine regions Margaret River, Empire Retreat & Spa is an adult destination designed to provide an escape from the complexities of a busy, modern life. Featuring 10 luxurious suites architecturally designed to ensure complete privacy, each suite offers the kind of luxury that has become synonymous with the Empire culture.
Ambient lighting, natural stone and timbers create the perfect atmosphere, combined with the finest linens and soft furnishings to take your relaxation to the next level. The open-plan Luxury Villas have envy inducing sunken lounge areas, open fireplaces and private courtyards with outdoor showers.
The spacious, atrium style dining room provides spectacular views of the vineyard from inside or on the timber deck where guests can observe native flora, birdlife and of course taste Empire’s own wines. Or wander over to the Empire Spa for a seductive range of treatments, and if an afternoon of pampering is on the cards, try the three-hour Opulence session!
