Travel and Leisure Asia | Hong Kong https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/ Just another Travel + Leisure India Sites site Sat, 09 Dec 2023 10:00:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.4 https://images.travelandleisureasia.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/03185908/cropped-favicon-32x32.pngTravel and Leisure Asia | Hong Kong https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/ 32 32 The Best Hotels For A Stay In Adelaidehttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/australia-and-south-pacific-hotels/the-best-hotels-for-a-stay-in-adelaide/2023-12-09T10:00:36+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=44485hotels in Adelaide

Adelaide’s vivacious charm and lively spirit invite you to experience South Australian hospitality with vivid festivals, cultural events, music, wine, and cricket. The South Australian capital is more than just a colonial city of churches and is a gateway to the state which is known for its verdant wine regions, rugged coasts, captivating islands, and national parks teeming with wildlife.

Adelaide however is a destination by itself with little stories and secrets tucked away amidst quaint neighbourhoods and laid-back beaches. Plan your South Australian adventure with a vacation in the heritage land of the Kaurna People and here is a curated list of the best hotels in Adelaide from luxury and boutique properties to international outposts and stately heritage retreats.

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Where to stay in Adelaide: A guide to the best hotels in the South Australian city

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A Food Lover’s Guide to the Flavours of Australia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka with Radisson Hotelshttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-flavours-of-australia-philippines-and-sri-lanka-with-radisson-hotels/2023-11-21T08:02:46+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=42274Radisson

Pack your overnight bag and appetite as we explore four foodie destinations perfect for the ultimate food-lovers weekend. From the on-trend gastronomy of Melbourne to the flavourful fusion cuisine of Kandy, this guide has got you covered.

PREPARE TO TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS with mouthwatering local delicacies while staying in city centre luxury. When you’ve only planned a short weekend break, staying in the middle of the action is always the right choice.

In each of these cities, Radisson Hotel Group has a unique hotel that places you steps from the best places to fill your belly. 

Whether you love street food, fine dining or Instagrammable eats, you’ll find something to love in these hand-picked destinations.

Melbourne, Australia

Our first stop is the dynamic food and lifestyle of Melbourne, Australia. Every corner of this magnetic city is filled with food and culture to discover. 

Stay: Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne

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Nestled in Melbourne’s vibrant heart, Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens offers a haven for urban explorers and discerning gourmands. Sitting in the central business district, the hotel’s 184 stylish rooms and suites feature design infused with modern bursts of colour, ensuring a chic and comfortable stay.

With plush mattresses and an expansive pillow menu, you’ll love sleeping off every meal in supreme comfort. Guests who upgrade to a suite can enjoy a lounge area with city views. During your stay, enjoy skyline views from the rooftop spa and gym and enjoy round-the-clock room service.  

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Eating at the hotel is a never-miss option, with a seasonal menu available all day at HQ’s on William. Settle in to caffeinate with the in-house barista-made coffee along with an extensive buffet spread every morning. With a menu dedicated to the delights of regional and seasonal dishes, expect all sorts from their signature wagyu beef burger, seafood linguine, fresh oysters and a wide selection of wine favourites. Savour artisanal cocktails and sample local recipes on the rooftop terrace overlooking the grand skyscrapers of A’Beckett Street.

If you need recommendations on where to eat, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge can offer local insight into the best restaurants, markets and casual bites. 

Eat 

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The elegant hotel is just a stone’s throw from the iconic Queen Victoria Market – a bustling hub with a delectable array of artisanal treats around every corner.

Another must-visit spot for satisfying culinary cravings is Smith Street — hailed as the coolest street in the world by Time Out – and just a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Indulge in world-class people-watching as you soak up Melbourne’s coffee culture and sip a famous flat white at one of dozens of trendy cafes.

Explore

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Melbourne’s cultural scene offers endless allure, with the legendary Docklands offering a huge variety of attractions — from public art installations to concerts and sporting events — and is located within a kilometre and a half of the hotel. 

To discover the charms of Fitzroy, venture beyond the beaten path and uncover a world of trendy shops and eclectic art displays. Don’t miss the Fitzroy Mills Market, where intriguing artwork beckons and the Brunswick Street Gallery, a haven for art lovers. 

Quezon City, Philippines

While Quezon City may not always be top of mind for weekend getaways — with many people considering nearby Manila the main attraction — this up-and-coming city is gaining traction with locals escaping the cheerful chaos of Manila as well as travellers from further afield.

Stay: Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA

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Discover a world of contemporary comfort at Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA. Sitting in the midpoint of Quezon City, this vibrant hotel offers a respite from the busy city, allowing you to relax and recharge amidst modern design in spacious and well-appointed rooms that provide the ideal blend of comfort and style.

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Onsite culinary delights blend international and local favourites to curb your every craving. Casa serves up full-service buffet breakfasts and all-day delights while guests in a hurry can get something nourishing to nosh at the newly revamped Dash Cafe. The latest collaboration offers Starbucks coffee to pair on your taste buds with the delectable assortment of pitch-perfect pastries and finger sandwiches. Terazza on 7 is the ideal place to unwind beside the pool with a refreshing cocktail and light meal. 

Once you step outside, a footbridge connects you directly to the extensive SM City North EDSA shopping complex, the second largest mall in the Philippines. From hypermarkets to cinema and from a bowling centre to an archery range, guests will never run out of fun activities in their free time. Home-grown and international brands shine in both shopping and dining options, offering plenty of options for food exploring and souvenir shopping. No other hotel in the ‘City of Stars’ comes close in convenience, location and comfort.

Eat

Radisson Foodie Destinations
Photo by Anchiy/Getty Images

In the nearby Mother Ignacia neighbourhood, visitors can stroll through streets of affordable restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. The area is known for meat-centric Filipino restaurants and inspired takes on local cuisine.  

Tomas Morato Avenue shines for nightlife, offering many choices for comfort food, fusion dining and Italian fare. On Maginhawa Street, garden restaurants impress with chef-crafted Filipino fare, while provincial speciality eateries serve heirloom dishes. The nearby Timog Avenue is also a haven for food enthusiasts searching for hip cafes and fine-dining experiences. After dark, live music and entertainment make for an unforgettable evening.

Explore

Metro Manila Philippines Skyline
Metro Manila Philippines Skyline. Photo by Salvador Manaois III/Getty Images

There is lots to see and do in the city when you’re not eating. Quezon Memorial Circle sits near the hotel and offers gardens, museums, a shrine, and amusement for locals and visitors. 

Those who love nature will love immersing themselves in the local flora and fauna at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Centre, which is easily reachable from the metro station just a few minutes away.

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Peaceful pleasure awaits in the lush embrace of Kandy’s hills. The laidback city is ringed by tea plantations and rainforests, making it rife with fresh, local ingredients to create incredible cuisine.

Stay: Radisson Hotel Kandy

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Radisson Hotel Kandy enjoys a divine location between forest and lake, with rooms that meld modern amenities with Sri Lankan art and local touches. With 122 rooms evoking the country’s fascinating culture, guests enjoy it all in the heart of the charming destination. 

Bommu Rooftop Bar at Radisson Hotel Kandy
Bommu Rooftop Bar

With a rooftop bar, meeting rooms, pool and fitness centre, every convenience is available. The hotel also offers Lake View suites with amazing panoramas to further enjoy the surrounds.

Dine is where your day of eating begins, with healthy buffet breakfasts and dinners as well as all-day dining on local and international dishes. After the sun goes down, enjoy views of Kandy by night at Bommu Rooftop Bar, where local cocktails are served with unforgettable plates. 

Dine

Sri Lanka's Culinary
FROM LEFT: Photo by Chalabala/iStock / Getty Images Plus; photo by BRETT STEVENS/Getty Images

At the country’s culinary heart, Kandy’s cuisine fuses flavours from across Sri Lanka’s regions. Travellers can taste famed dishes like Jaffna crab curry and the Dutch-inspired lamprias, a full meal with two curries baked in a banana leaf.

Kandy is also renowned for local dishes such as sour fish curry Ambul Thiyal — a truly unusual experience for foreigners. Street food also abounds in this city , and guests regularly discover street foods of all kinds, known as “short eats,” from local vendors. Don’t skip the hot dosa washed down with a steaming cup of tea. 

As a centre of Buddhism and home to a large Sinhalese community, there are many options for vegans, while the region’s past as a British colony is still evident in high tea services and Western food offerings. 

Explore

Tourists a the Bahiravokanda Viharaya Buddha temple in Kandy
Tourists a the Bahiravokanda Viharaya Buddha temple in Kandy. Photo by John Crux Photography/Getty Images

Movie buffs will have fun searching out some of the iconic locations where “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” were filmed, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Tooth, houses a relic believed to be Buddha’s tooth and is not to be missed. 

Kandy is known as a starting point for charming train rides offering spectacular views, and Kandy Central Market is a prime place for sampling local fruits and snacks amongst locals. 

Bacolod City, Philippines

Travel to the centre of Negros Occidental to find the delicious wonders of Bacolod City, Philippines’ City of Smiles as well as the home of the country’s sweetest treats. 

Stay: Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod

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Park Inn By Radisson Bacolod offers stays to remember in the best part of the burgeoning city. Each of its 150 spacious rooms and suites is finished with every modern convenience, and the location is nothing short of perfect. Step outside the hotel’s doors to find a direct connection to the SM City Bacolod shopping complex and SMX Convention Center Bacolod. This supermall has it all – renowned brands, restaurants, cinema, play areas for kids to enjoy while you shop and plenty of ongoing events and festivals that allow you to soak in the local atmosphere. You’ll never be short of fun and entertaining options while staying at the nearby Radisson Hotel. 

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Inside the hotel are four stellar options for dining and drinking. Arima is your first daily stop for filling, seasonal breakfast buffets, and all-day a la carte dining. The Lobby Lounge and Dash are the places to stop for a convenient beverage, light meal or around-the-clock takeaway food as you head out to explore the city. For a more indulgent experience, visit Marapara Pool Bar for appetising light meals and drinks overlooking the pool. With great sunset views, it’s the perfect place to recharge after a day in the city.

Eat

Sri Lanka
FROM LEFT: Photo by Richard Seah/Getty Images; photo by Khaichuin Sim/Getty Images

Bacolod sits at the top of foodie bucket lists as one of the Philippines’ capitals of flavour. Once known as the nation’s dessert hub, the city still makes indulgent sweets — piaya and napoleon being the most famous — and is a true candy lover’s paradise. But it also offers much more.

Bacolod is also famed for inasal, the grilled and marinated chicken dish that manages to be both sweet and salty and has become a staple across the country. 

The best place to sample inasal is Manokan Country, a neighbourhood where chicken houses line the entire street and every table features pinakurat, a local vinegar, soy sauce and chicken oil. Birds are served with garlic rice, fresh calamari, hot chilli and plastic gloves to keep your hands clean.

Explore

San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod, Philippines
San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod, Philippines. Photo by bugking88/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Just a mere 10 minutes away, Nearby the hotel, guests can take a walk in Bacolod Public Plaza to mingle with locals or soak up local culture and take photos at the postcard-pretty San Sebastian Cathedral.

When you’ve had your fill of chicken, seafood and lavishly sweet desserts, be sure to visit The Ruins, a once-grand mansion that was owned by one of the city’s rich sugar makers that provides a perspective on the Bacolod City of old and provides insight into the destination’s storied history.

Using these insider tips from Radisson Hotels, foodies can embark on tasty city breaks that take them from Melbourne’s coffee culture to Quezon’s lively localities and from Kandy’s Buddhist history to Bacolod’s indulgent inasal. Stay centrally with Radisson Hotels and dine locally for a foodie weekend to remember.

Radisson Foodie Destinations

In Australia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, use these insider tips to enjoy your stay in Radisson hotels that put you in the heart of it all – coffee culture, heritage cuisine, fresh seafood and sweet treats that make these destinations a foodie’s dream.

Join as a member of Radisson Rewards to unlock instant benefits from day one, including exclusive member rates and flexible redemption.  Book your stay directly via www.radissonhotels.com or Radisson Hotels App for the latest special offers. 

Book and save more with Radisson Hotels App for hotels in South East Asia Pacific! 

Download the App: 


Article Sponsored by Radisson Hotels.
Images courtesy of Radisson Hotels and lede image courtesy of Tourism Australia, unless otherwise noted.

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How The Langham, Gold Coast Hosts the Most Opulent Beachfront Weddings in the Worldhttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/weddings-and-honeymoons/how-the-langham-gold-coast-hosts-the-most-opulent-beachfront-weddings-in-the-world/2023-10-13T13:12:56+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=37910The Langham Gold Coast

From ocean view suites to locally sourced feasts, The Langham, Gold Coast gets every wedding right. 

WHEN IT COMES TO ENCHANTINGLY luxurious weddings along Australia’s coveted Gold Coast, no one does it better than The Langham, Gold Coast. From opulent receptions in the Diamond Ballroom to chic beachfront weddings, the award-winning hotel is a hit with luxury-loving couples and guests, who love the convenient location between two international airports.

The Langham Gold Coast
The Langham, Gold Coast

The destination hotel was honoured with an array of awards this year — including five top industry accolades highlighted by Australia’s Best Beach and Best Island Hotel. The country’s newest beachfront luxury destination won five ‘best of the best’ categories in the prestigious Queensland Hotel Australia (QHA) Awards for Excellence 2023 and Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023.

The QHA Awards for Excellence — the most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry throughout Queensland — recognised The Langham, Gold Coast as Best Deluxe Accommodation, Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division, Best Suite / Apartment Hotel, and the highly coveted Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation for 2023.

Bridal Suite
Bridal Suite

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 named The Langham, Gold Coast the Best Beach or Island Hotel in Australia.

Read on to learn why The Langham, Gold Coast has gained so many fans and why it is the Gold Coast’s best luxury wedding destination.

Eleven Opulent Venues 

The Langham Gold Coast Wedding
Wedding Decoration

The Langham, Gold Coast is an unforgettable architectural marvel offering 11 venue choices to accommodate every style of special day, from intimate ceremonies to large-scale events. 

The Diamond Ballroom offers pure grandeur with soaring ceilings, textured walls and state-of-the-art integrated technology to enable the wedding of your dreams.

The Diamond Ballroom
The Diamond Ballroom

The hotel’s mezzanine level offers a variety of versatile spaces, perfect for small and medium weddings. The main tower’s Clarity room provides exclusive amenities for small weddings requiring a cocktail-style setting or elegant long-table dining. 

Luxurious Accommodations

Chairman’s Suite
Chairman’s Suite

Designed for modern and convivial coastal living with every possible amenity, The Langham, Gold Coast, offers 169 hotel rooms and 170 apartment-style accommodation options to suit your entire wedding party. Guests love returning to their perfectly appointed rooms to enjoy peaceful Pacific Ocean views of panoramic landscape views. 

The Chairman’s Suite can accommodate up to five guests and is popular with engaged couples, featuring two large en suite bedrooms, study, dining area, butler’s pantry and two lounges.

Innovative Wellness Facilities

Chuan Spa Reception
Chuan Spa Reception

The Langham, Gold Coast is dedicated to providing unique and holistic spa services to engaged couples, wedding parties, and all guests at Chuan Spa.

Taking its name from the Chinese word for flowing water, Chuan Spa is 5,300 square feet of holistic wellness spaces across eight treatment rooms, each designed to showcase the spa’s Five Elements ethos and take guests on indulgent spa journeys.

Chuan Spa Treatment Room
Chuan Spa Treatment Room

The spa’s tranquil ambience and specialised services, including Signature Escapes designed for jet lag recovery and full-body detox, have quickly developed a devoted following and won the spa two awards at the 2023 World Spa Awards. Chuan Spa took the top spot as Oceania’s Best Hotel Spa 2023 and Australia’s Best Hotel Spa 2023.

The spa’s massages, facials, wraps, scrubs, and more provide reinvigorating experiences guided by the Eastern principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acclaimed Dining

T’ang Court

With a focus on seasonal, local and inclusive flavours, The Langham, Gold Coast aims to offer a taste of the Gold Coast reimagined through a Langham lens and personalised to the tastes of your wedding party.

T’ang Court weaves Cantonese tastes into an Australian landscape sensibility, taking

inspiration from the Michelin-starred establishments across Asia that share its name. Guests dine on Eastern dishes in an opulent 80-seat dining room featuring abstract works by Australian-Chinese artist Lindi Li.

Wedding Decoration

Akoya is where guests start the day, with hearty buffet breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner options with ocean views. The menu is based on coastal palettes — such as fresh oysters and lobster — and family-style dishes. All of its dishes incorporate local produce, and a signature buffet on weekend evenings offers the opportunity to watch the chefs create in a fully open kitchen.

No matter what kind of wedding you dream of, the team of experts at The Langham, Gold Coast can make your Australian beachfront wedding unforgettable for every guest. 

Outdoor Pool in the morning light
Outdoor Pool in the morning light

For more information about your beachfront wedding, please contact tlgdc.SocialEvents@langhamhotels.com or visit: www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/gold-coast/events/weddings/.


Article Sponsored by The Langham, Gold Coast.
Images courtesy of The Langham, Gold Coast.

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Soho House To Debut First Australian Location In Sydneyhttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/australia-and-south-pacific-hotels/soho-house-australian-house-sydney-news-info/2023-10-10T05:00:33+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=37445Soho

The first Soho House in Australia will open at 256 Crown Street, promising to be a new dynamic creative hub. Here’s what we know so far.

Soho House to debut first Australian location in Sydney

Illustration by Marc Martin

The new House will be located at 256 Crown Street, between Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. Found a short walk away from Sydney‘s Oxford Street, the location will be part of the area’s revival from a historic thoroughfare to an exciting cultural and creative hub. The building redevelopment itself looks to offer a variety of both indoor and outdoor spaces for members across five floors.

The new announcement comes as Soho House prepares a week-long residency at The Old Clare Hotel for SXSW Sydney. During the week, the club will occupy the ground floor bar, main restaurant, and rooftop pool, providing international and Cities Without Houses members events designed to recreate the full Soho House experience. Happenings at the hotel include a Secret Sounds performance, dinner with British Chef Darren Robertson, and an art installation with artist Paul Davies.

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Soho House will also be hosting a number of industry events and projects, including partnering with not-for-profit Women In Music Australia to bring its Soho Fellowship program to the coastal metropolis.

“It’s possibly one of the worst-kept secrets, but we’re so excited to confirm that we will be opening a Soho House in Sydney in the future,” writes Membership Director, Dominique Bellas. “While we don’t have more details to share at this time, we continue to grow our Cities Without Houses community in Australia and are looking forward to bringing our members a week-long Soho House experience for Sydney’s first South by South West”

Creatives currently residing in Sydney and Melbourne can apply for Cities Without Houses which allows members to make meaningful connections with each other in cities where there is no physical house. The membership will offer access to monthly local events hosted by Soho House as well as entry to Soho House locations globally. Soho House currently operates in 80 cities globally across North America, the UK, Europe, APAC, Africa, and Latin America.

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This story first appeared here.

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Related: These Are Australia’s Best Hotels, Spas, Pools and More in 2023

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The Best Hotels In Melbourne To Book For Your Next Vacationhttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/australia-and-south-pacific-hotels/best-hotels-in-melbourne-for-your-next-vacation/2023-10-06T00:00:38+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=37000Best hotels in Melbourne

Eclectic and dynamic, Melbourne effortlessly blends in the old-world charm with a cosmopolitan vibe that has made it a tourist magnet. The cultural and creative spirit can be captured in the kaleidoscopic street art, the culinary flavours and the coffee culture.

Melbourne is vibrant, passionate about sports and loves to flaunt its arty aura. And for a city that is so diverse, the hospitality scene showcases a fascinating blend of expansive luxurious properties to quirky arty retreats.

Wake up to the panoramic views of the Yarra flowing through the sparkling skyline of the city or stay in the bohemian laneways and enjoy the hospitality of the Victorian capital. If you are planning a holiday to Melbourne, you are spoilt for choices when it comes to accommodation. Be it a local homegrown hotel or an outpost of an international chain, here are the ten best hotels in Melbourne for the discerning traveller.

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The best hotels in Melbourne for your next vacation to Australia

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This Country Has Emerald Lagoons In The Pacific Ocean & And You Can Visit On A Floating Resorthttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/australia-and-south-pacific-hotels/this-island-country-has-gorgeous-emerald-lagoons-in-the-pacific-ocean/2023-09-08T05:00:29+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=33318Palau

If you’re after an off-grid vacation, it doesn’t get more tropically remote than Palau. Starting in October, Four Seasons Explorer, the 10-cabin, 22-guest luxury catamaran, will make the Pacific Island nation its home base.

Palau comprises 340 islands — only nine of which are inhabited — and 193,000 square miles (4,99,867.70 square kilometres) of protected marine territory that includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rock Islands Southern Lagoon. As such, it’s a premier diving and snorkelling destination.

This floating resort will make Palau its home base!

Image Credit: Four Season

Guests aboard Four Seasons Explorer can make good use of the PADI 5-Star Dive Centre while visiting such sites as Helmet Wreck, a World War II wreck; Clam City, home to 250-pound giant clams; and Peleliu Wall.

Palau
Image Credit: Four Seasons

Guests can also take guided trips to some inland bodies of water like the iconic Jellyfish Lake.

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Image Credit: Four Seasons

A trip aboard Four Seasons Explorer isn’t limited to marine exploration — with more than 4,000 years of Palauan history, there’s also plenty of culture to experience; historic sites to visit, including the ancient Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, the cave paintings of Ulong Island; and natural beauty to enjoy via hiking, birdwatching, and other excursions. On board, guests will enjoy programming like lectures and music performances by Palauans, local and international cuisine, and, of course, Four Seasons–quality spa treatments.

Palau
Image Credit: Four Seasons

“The core Palauan value of omengull — respecting all and everything — deeply aligns with our values at Four Seasons,” said Armando Kraenzlin, Four Seasons’ regional vice president, in a statement sent to T+L. “Right from the Palauan Pledge that all visitors are asked to sign upon arrival, visitors are immersed in one of the world’s most unique cultures, founded on tradition and respect. It’s a thrilling paradise for anyone seeking harmony with nature, and the opportunity to learn and embrace the unique Palauan way of life.”

Full-board rates, including up to three dives per day, start at USD 3,300 (HKD 25,874) per cabin per night; book now at fourseasons.com/explorerpalau.

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(Hero and feature image credit: Four Seasons)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

Related: 29 Best Tropical Vacations Around The World

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One Night Standard, The Standard’s Last Minute Booking App, Relaunches for Travellers Who Love to Keep It Casualhttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/one-night-standard-the-standards-last-minute-booking-app/2023-08-22T10:31:10+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=31330One Night Standard

Don’t know where you’re sleeping tonight? There’s an app for that. 

THE STANDARD IS KNOWN FOR its boundary-pushing, lifestyle-driven hospitality, and its newly relaunched app is sure to appeal to its fun-loving following that never shies away from a last-minute adventure or one-night stay.

Life Style

One Night Standard, the brand’s cutting edge last-minute booking app relaunched in the U.S. — and launched globally — on August 1 with new destinations, including Bangkok and Hua Hin in Thailand, and the same incredible deals not available anywhere else.

For those familiar with apps that require swiping, using One Night Standard is easy. The day’s best prices are posted at 3pm, and users can begin booking immediately.

T+L Tip for Hua Hin guests: Open the app at lunch time because, for this dynamic beach resort, you can actually book by 12pm and check-in by 3pm — which is just enough time to make the drive down from Bangkok!

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The app offers spontaneous, same-night reservations at properties across The Standard’s portfolio, including New York’s The Standard, High Line and The Standard, East Village; The Standard Spa, Miami Beach; The Standard, London; The Standard, Ibiza; Thailand’s The Standard, Hua Hin and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon; and The Standard, Maldives, with more unique destinations to be added to the app as The Standard brand grows.

The brand’s loyal fans have been lobbying to bring the pioneering app back, and The Standard’s execs were listening and waiting until the moment was right.

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“Guests are not only enthusiastically returning to travel, but are dropping inhibitions and allowing themselves to live spontaneously once again,” said Standard International CEO Amber Asher.

“It feels great to bring One Night Standard back for all those who missed it during the past few years and lobbied for its return. It is particularly gratifying because we have added some stunning new locations like Ibiza and Bangkok that are just perfect for impromptu late-night fun.”

The Standard was named sixth on Travel + Leisure’s list of readers’ 25 favourite hotel brands in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon was named among the best City Hotels and The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, was named in both the House Reefs and Resorts for Families categories in Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023.

The Standard Maldives
The Standard Maldives

Cutting-edge and encouraging guests to live an un-standard life, One Night Standard is the only app of its kind developed by a hotel brand and puts the power of spontaneity and savings in the hands of its taste-making clientele.

While it’s great for a last-minute staycation in your own city — or one nearby — it’s also ideal for adding a night onto a trip you can’t bear to end, staying in the city centre instead of commuting home, or having an impromptu sleepover with a friend. 

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Always a brand defying convention, The Standard already has plans to link its One Night Standard app with pioneering dating app Feeld, created for open-minded users seeking unique connections.

One Night Standard can be downloaded at the App Store or on Google Play via this link.

Article sponsored by The Standard.
Images courtesy of The Standard.

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Your First Look Inside The Transformed JW Marriott Auckland, New Zealandhttps://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/hotels/australia-and-south-pacific-hotels/first-look-jw-marriott-auckland-new-zealand/2023-06-15T09:00:56+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=21657JW Marriott Auckland

JW Marriott Auckland’s revamped interior will offer respite from the city’s hectic CBD energy.

Travellers and Oceania natives heading to Auckland, New Zealand will get to enjoy the refreshed JW Marriott Auckland come mid-2024. Announced earlier today (June 7), the hotelier will commence the first stage of its NZ$25M refurbishment project, including new design concepts for the guest rooms.

Designed by Singapore-based global interior design studio O37, the rooms will feature a modern and sophisticated aesthetic that effortlessly blends the existing hotel’s features with JW Marriott’s signature luxury ethos, guided by the principle of mindfulness.

The soon-to-be-refreshed hotel is JW Marriott’s first property in New Zealand, located in Auckland’s CBD precinct. Its spacious rooms are known to feature natural sunlight while encouraging guests to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit with the five-star property’s full suite of wellness amenities alongside Auckland’s nature-centric attractions.

Behind the design inspiration of JW Marriott Auckland

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The design concept, inspired by the merging of old and new, revolves around the idea of “beautiful collisions,” where the weaving of opposite elements results in a harmonious and tranquil living space. Each room’s balance of raw and refined, rough and smooth textures — inspired by New Zealand nature — coexists harmoniously and offers guests a visually stunning and revitalising stay.

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Leonard Lee, Founder & Creative Director at O37 said, “The idea was sparked when I visited the hotel, and what came to mind was a story of a wandering poet who found her true love and a new beginning in Auckland. Just like her, our aim with the hotel was to capture the essence of this city’s nature, culture, art and music, and infuse it into every aspect of the property — capturing both the old and new with the ‘beautiful collisions’ concept.”

Currently, the luxury five-star hotel features 286 rooms in total. All of them will be outfitted with brand new JW signature beds and smart TVs with Chromecast, and 40 will be renovated to the new design by September with reservations opening thereafter.

Following this, the hotel will continue its transformation journey by renovating each floor at a time. The completion date of all rooms is set for mid-2024, alongside a full renovation of the all-day dining restaurant, meeting rooms, and lobby area, which has already undergone an initial renovation.

Other amenities offered by the hotel include a large fitness centre, spa, sauna, and indoor heated swimming pool on the top floor, which showcases the breathtaking views of the CBD and Auckland Harbour Bridge.

JW Marriott Auckland is located at 22-26 Albert Street, Auckland, New Zealand, 1010. Visit the hotel’s website here for more details.

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This story first appeared here.

(All images credit: JW Marriott Auckland)

Related: These Are New Zealand’ Best Hotels, Spas, Pools and More in 2023

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These Are the 10 Best Integrated Resorts in Asia for 2023https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/awards/luxury-awards-best-integrated-resorts-asia-pacific-2023/2023-06-07T11:41:32+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=21399Best Integrated Resorts 2023

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 reveals our readers’ picks of the best integrated resorts. Tons of restaurants, family entertainment, gaming and luxury all under one roof. Who needs to leave property?

Luxury Awards

INTEGRATED RESORTS ARE MUSHROOMING across the region, with new countries welcoming them with open arms in a post-pandemic bid to attract more tourists. Look no further than Japan, which in April gave the nod to build the country’s first integrated resort in Osaka. This year sees some new entries and firm favorites make it onto the list of best integrated resorts. 

Hoiana Resort
Courtesy of Hoiana

Famed for its mass of integrated resort offerings, it comes as no surprise that Macao dominates the list. The striking 39-story The Venetian Macao, which holds the title of the world’s second largest casino, has emerged the winner. The staggering one-million-square-meter complex is modeled on the romantic canals and boulevards of Italy’s Venice – a slice of Europe in the heart of Asia. A new opening, Hoiana Resort & Golf, takes third best in Asia Pacific 2023, where Vietnam’s first integrated resort is breathing new life into a stretch of white sands near Danang and Hoi An.  

Best Integrated Resorts in Asia-Pacific

1. The Venetian Macao

The Venetian Macao
Image courtesy of The Venetian Macao

2. Galaxy Macau

3. Hoiana Resort & Golf, Vietnam

4. Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

5. Marina Bay Sands

6. City of Dreams Macau

7. Solaire

8. Desaru Coast, Malaysia

9. Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, Malaysia

10. The Parisian Macao

Check out the list of our readers’ picks of the Best Integrated Resorts for 2023. And for all of this year’s Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific winners, click here.


Lede image courtesy of The Venetian Macao.

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These Are Vietnam’s Best Hotels, Spas, Pools and More in 2023https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/awards/luxury-awards-vietnam-best-hotels-2023/2023-06-06T12:06:50+00:00https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/hk/?p=21020Vietnam best hotels 2023

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 reveals our readers’ picks of the best hotels, pools, spas and even general managers in Vietnam. And with the arrival of Michelin, we can now list plenty of prize-winning reasons for you to visit.

Luxury Awards

THOUGH IT IS ON TRACK to attract 8 million foreign visitors this year, Vietnam is still a largely overlooked, and underrated, destination. If you’re not yet in on the secret, now is the time to come and discover its 3,000+ kilometers of coastline, two bustling urban centers and everything from misty mountains to tropical islands, UNESCO heritage sites to a golf player’s dream come true

Hotels are popping up all over the place and more and more new hotels are joining international groups like Marriott, Accor, IHG, Minor or Meliá. But Vietnamese brands like Fusion and Wink are making a splash too. 

Saigon Notre-Dame
Saigon Notre-Dame. Image credit: tetsuomorita/Getty Images Signature/Canva

Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) and the capital Hanoi are already on the map. The dramatic panoramas of Halong Bay and sandy beaches of Phu Quoc draw crowds. But you can also follow the lead of Vietnamese travellers themselves, who turn to some less obvious destinations like the historic city of Hue, or seaside destinations like Ninh Van Bay near Nha Trang. 

Of course one of Vietnam’s biggest draws is its rightly famous street food and local specialities. Both Saigon and Hanoi also boast a vibrant modern food scene, and that is growing too in places like Danang and Hoi An. And the latest news is that the country’s culinary excellence has been crowned with stars discerned by that famous red guide book.

Four Bedroom Beach Pool Villa Living Room
The Best Beach + Island Resort in Vietnam. Image courtesy of Regent Phu Quoc

It’s not surprising that Regent Phu Quoc is walking home with the Best Beach and Island Resort in Vietnam trophy. The property doesn’t scream opulence; it whispers it, in the form of elegant sight lines, and spacious suites and villas that afford absolute privacy, all conceived by Clint Nagata’s Blink Design studios. But don’t miss the other resorts on this list like the quiet elegance of Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho (No. 5) or the exceptionally green Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (No. 8). 

Best City Hotel Winner Capella Hanoi. Image courtesy of Capella Hanoi

Best City Hotel winner Capella Hanoi is dripping with drama. The suites tell the stories of famous artists and performers; the penthouse Hudson Rooms is urbane, while Hibana, the precision teppanyaki, is simply exquisite. There is even a resident diva who sweeps through the lobby every evening at 6. Meanwhile, runner-up, and next-door neighbor, Sofitel Legend Metropole is the grande dame of Hanoi, Reverie Saigon (No. 4) exudes gaudy opulence in the best possible way and Mia Saigon (No. 5) boasts a peaceful riverfront location and a private art collection. 

To the ancient capital of Hue, where Best Upcountry Hotel winner Azerai La Résidence exudes old-world charm. Other runners-up of note are its sister Adrian Zecha-helmed property Azerai Can To (No. 6) in the Mekong Delta or the Anantara Hoi An (No. 2) just outside the UNESCO listed historic center of Hoi An. 

JW Marriott Phu Quoc
Courtesy of JW Marriott Phu Quoc

JW Marriott Phu Quoc wins the Best Hotel Pool prize for its sun pool, sand pool and distinctively shaped shell pool that are so attractive that they might make you forget that you’re by the sea. TINH, the wellness retreat located at La Veranda Phu Quoc is named Best Hotel Spa in Vietnam for its organic spa treatments and wellness journeys that help you achieve your health goals, whatever they are. 

Alexander Schoell, your favorite General Manager, who heads Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, is personable, always ready to greet guests in the lobby. He runs one of the capital’s most popular event spaces. Newly promoted Dennis Laubenstein of Capella Hanoi is another GM who does his job in a delightfully personal, personable and enthusiastic style.

TINH
TINH, the Best Hotel Spa. Courtesy of La Veranda Phu Quoc

Best Beach + Island Resorts in Vietnam

1. Regent Phu Quoc

Regent Phu Quoc
Courtesy of Regent Phu Quoc

2. InterContinental Danang

3. JW Marriott Phu Quoc

4. Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An

5. Zannier Hotels Bai San Hô

6. Anantara Quy Nhon

7. Six Senses Con Dao

8. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

9. Hyatt Regency Danang Resort

10. Ana Mandara Cam Ranh

Best City Hotels in Vietnam

1. Capella Hanoi

Capella Hanoi
Junior Suite. Image courtesy of Capella Hanoi

2. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

3. Park Hyatt Saigon

4. The Reverie

5. Mia Saigon

6. InterContinental Saigon

7. New World Saigon

8. MGallery Hotel des Arts Saigon

9. Caravelle Saigon

10. InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72

Best Upcountry Hotels in Vietnam

1. Azerai La Residence, Hue

Azerai La Residence, Hue
Colonial Suite. Image courtesy of Azerai La Residence, Hue

2. Anantara Hoi An

3. Hôtel de la Coupole – MGallery

4. Amanoi, Ninh Thuan

5. Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion

6. Azerai Can Tho

7. Melia Ba Vi Moutain Retreat

8. Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba

9. Avana Retreat

10. Topas Ecolodge

Best Hotel Pools in Vietnam

1. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Image courtesy of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

2. Hyatt Regency Danang Resort

3. Pullman Phu Quoc Beach Resort

4. Regent Phu Quoc

5. Fusion Resort Phu Quoc

6. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula

7. The Reverie Saigon

8. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

9. Amanoi, Ninh Thuan

10. Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Best Hotel Spas in Vietnam

1. La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc – Mgallery

La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc - Mgallery
La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc – Mgallery. Image courtesy of Accor

2. Hôtel de la Coupole – MGallery

3. Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion

4. Regent Phu Quoc

5. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

6. Banyan Tree Lang Co

7. Alma Resort

8. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

9. Capella Hanoi

10. Anantara Quy Nhon Villas

Best Hotel General Managers in Vietnam

1. Alexander Schoell, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

2. Dennis Laubenstein, Capella Hanoi

3. Jai Kishan, New World Phu Quoc

4. Kristian Petersen, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort and Spa

5. Joy Arpornrat Kuekthong , Amanoi, Ninh Thuan

Read on for the full lists of our readers’ picks of the Best Hotels, Spas, Pools and more in Vietnam for 2023. And for all of this year’s Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific winners, click here.


Lede image courtesy of Six Senses.

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