On a recent visit to Buffalo in New York, right by Niagara Falls, I was lucky enough to spend a weekend in a historic 1898 mansion, InnBuffalo. This building is now a quaint Bed and Breakfast (or “BnB”) that sits within Buffalo’s vibrant Elmwood Village. It was as typical a BnB as you could expect…
Read More
According to the Hilton website, the company has around 68 hotels in New York City. As per Google, there are around 700 hotels in New York City (from 2021 – that number would have increased by then). Based on those numbers, just under 10% of the hotels in New York City are branded under Hilton….
Read More
I hate the word “best”. It always feels so… tacky and insincere, ruined by SEO agencies and influencers alike with an incessant need for engagement. And yet, “best” is all I can say when I take my first sip of each high-concept cocktail in The Bar at The Baccarat Hotel. The beautiful, lavish, grand, unforgettable…
Read More
I’ve never seen a grown man cry at the thought of leaving a resort, but such is the specialness of Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji. The five-star is one of three Sheraton properties in Fiji, but it’s the only one that’s on an outer-island. You catch a lengthy boat ride from Port Denarau…
Read More
Debuting in October 2019, The Hoxton Downtown Los Angeles sits as one of 16 Hoxton properties around the world. With locations in Edinburgh and Florence coming later this year, and Melbourne and Oslo due in 2027 – making the boutique chain’s Australian and Scandinavian debuts, respectively – it’s a brand you’re bound to encounter soon…
Read More
Greenwashing is far too common these days. Shallow attempts at being eco-conscious are expected of just about every business now, and not all of them rise above the bare minimum. I’m cynical about it. I’ve heard the sustainability tagline thousands of times over. But there’s something about the 1 Hotel brand that’s hooked me. Its…
Read More
Wouldn’t it be amazing if every Trump International was reflagged, refurbished and stripped of any and all political connotations to make way for a much better, less divisive hotel? Much like Hilton, Trump International has the immense privilege of location. Look at any Trump International property across the USA and they are almost always in…
Read More
The Penny is one of only several premium hotels in Brooklyn. And of course, it’s in Williamsburg. Brooklyn’s most attractive neighbourhood for trendy locals and visitors hogs the lion’s share of Brooklyn’s best hotels, while a few others are located over in Dumbo. There’s reason for this. You won’t find luxury hotels in Bushwick (yet)…
Read More
The Golden Age of Hollywood is a well-worn aesthetic that’s often too broad and hard-to-define, written on paper like it’s some magic spell conjuring up enough good-will that designers can afford to be lazy. “it’s just like, Hollywood glamour, ya know?” For some, it means high-waisted and ostentatious with just enough raunchiness to tease the…
Read More
Sitting at the edge of New York’s Theatre District is CIVILIAN, one of Manhattan’s newer hotels and a nice balance between designer charm, premium accommodation and – what is perhaps most important in New York right now – affordability. New York always so desperately needs more hotels to accommodate the constant influx of visitors that…
Read More
The Prince Kitano New York is almost the mid-way point between the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building. It’s also just a 500-metre walk from Grand Central Station and, on the way, Bryant Park. You’ll only walk a short distance to get to the picturesque edge of East River with its many vantage points, and…
Read More
The Historic Hotels in America is a program that recognises over 300 hotels across the Americas, noted for their heritage value and deep connection to local stories. Many of these stories are retold beautifully to guests, expressing the building’s age through design, amenities and dining experiences. Some – the best ones – have so much…
Read More
Named for the Theta brain waves produced during deep relaxation, the latest Kimpton hotel to open in New York City is a welcome escape on the edge of the Theatre District. It’s sister, Kimpton Hotel Eventi, is just a few blocks from Empire State Building and is often referenced as one of the best value…
Read More
Staying anywhere in Manhattan will break the bank. I don’t care whether it’s a budget hotel, a mid-range or a luxury stay. If you want to stay even one night in Manhattan, you’ll need a hefty savings account. Blame the cost of living, of course. Visiting New York City is prohibitively expensive right now, but…
Read More
As long as I can remember I’ve wanted to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I was lucky enough to frequent the park as a kid, but never got to stay in the iconic hotel that expanded on the experience of visiting on the park. That was until earlier this year. So what is it like…
Read More
Opening on Philadelphia’s South Street last year, YOWIE describes itself as a “hotel and shop focused on curating small collections from friends, independent artists, and designers”, with their very own cafe WIM offering coffee and light meals. The “invisible service” boutique hotel offers 13 unique rooms, that sit above the coffee shop and store, and…
Read More
While a spate of skyscraping new-builds has given Downtown L.A. a much-needed kick into modernity, Santa Monica hasn’t added much to its hotel count over the last few years. The city of Santa Monica has around 40 hotels, including a few eye-popping grand dames like The Georgian Hotel (with its unforgettable candy blue exterior), the…
Read More
As one of those kids who, in the mid-90s, got to see Toy Story in cinemas, having their minds blown by the possibilities of 3D animation in feature films, I can safely call myself part of the OG Pixar generation. And since then their hit rate has been second to none – with a catalogue…
Read More
Back in mid-December, the newest luxury hotel to hit the Las Vegas Strip finally enjoyed its grand opening – Fontainebleau Las Vegas. I had a chance to stay at the resort at the start of February, and got a taste of the hotel, rooms and the food and drink that’s on offer. So with 18…
Read More
As a frequent traveller, and co-host of the podcast Jetlag (you can listen to both seasons HERE), I’m often asked how to best avoid the dreaded repercussions of international travel. As part of an ongoing series on the AU review, I’m going to be sharing my tips and tricks to do just that. If you’re…
Read More
In December last year, as Hawaiian versions of classic Christmas songs echoed across the busy streets of the tropical paradise, I spent two nights at the recently renovated Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. The US$80 million renovation has seen the iconic resort (with its origins dating back to the 1950s) reimagined with updated rooms, facilities…
Read More
The newly reimagined building that now houses Hotel Alba is a bright spot on South Terrace, a shining row of pointed white roofs across from the peaceful expanse of Kurangga / Blue Gum Park. Just a quick 15-minute drive from Adelaide airport, the hotel sits conveniently at the edge of the city centre, and combines…
Read More
There’s no shortage of incredible hotels on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu – and many claim to have the best views of the iconic stretch. But does the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa take the cake? Last December, I spent a night at the hotel to find out for myself – not only discovering the…
Read More
Just on the outskirts of Melbourne’s CBD is a freshly revamped District Docklands. Originally built in 2008, a 2021 renovation saw the addition of an entertainment precinct including restaurants, cinemas, tourist attractions and a brewery. I recently visited the area – easily accessible by Melbourne’s free tram network – and here’s a few of my…
Read More
An easy trip from Denver’s International Airport on the A Train, and minutes from Union Station, Denver’s River North Art District – known as RiNo – was established in 2005 and sits as part of the city’s ever growing Five Points neighbourhood. There’s a lot to love about the vibrancy of the district, but one…
Read More
At 2015 Massachusetts Ave NW, right by Dupont Circle in Washington D.C., on Embassy Row, you’ll find a newly remodeled hotel that very much wants to be your friend. And, as it turns out – it’ll likely be a mutual feeling. Inspired by a Scandinavian “hygge” design aesthetic that leans towards coziness and minimalism, and…
Read More
I’ve always loved and gravitated towards hotels that reimagine existing spaces – but the Central Station Memphis by Hilton Curio Collection has to be the first I’ve experienced that is built into a fully functional Amtrak station. And the result is simply sensational. First opening in 1914, Memphis’ Central Station (then the “Grand Central Station”)…
Read More
Many will know the Hard Rock brand for having delivered music themed cafes/restaurants around the world for the last 50 years – including recently closed locations in Sydney* and on the Gold Coast. However, the brand’s true star power these days is found in their hotel & casino brand. With locations from Sentosa Island in…
Read More
Having opened in September 2019, the Moxy East Village sits as one of the newer hotels in the ever-booming Manhattan – and the most recent of the four Moxy by Marriott hotels to open in the city. For those unfamiliar with the Moxy Hotels brand, they are designed around being playful and affordable, with carefully,…
Read More
Not far from Grand Central Station in New York City sits a striking, tall and thin 35 floor building with four distinct colour strips on it. This is EVEN Hotel’s New York Midtown East location, one of four IHG have for the growing brand in New York. You enter on the ground floor and are…
Read More
