5 Luxury Stays to Book This Year

Which luxe escape will you choose? Yours could be tinged with French je ne sais quoi (and croissants), made worthy with morning yoga and ocean swims, keep the kids entertained all- day long or blessed with magnificent harbour views. Be inspired and start planning your trip today. 

Luxe indulgence 

Travel to Paris without leaving Queensland’s sun-kissed spectacle at Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach. Start the day poolside at Bistro On3, where an extravagant buffet includes croissants worthy of the finest boulangerie. Later, take a spot on the alfresco terrace at Room81 for classic French dishes built on prime produce from the Coral Sea and the fertile hinterland. Expect fare such as golden-skinned snapper Provençal-style with roast peppers and sauce vierge or salad niçoise elevated by five-spice-seared tuna. 

A short walk from the glamorous lobby leads to the white sands of Broadbeach but the two lagoon-style swimming pools exert their own tidal pull. The patio is the perfect spot for an apéritif against a background of swaying palm trees. And the dazzling Pacific Ocean views from the balcony of a spacious Superior Ocean View room make a strong case for staying in for sunset with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot from room service.

Luxe harbour views 

Towering above the city’s dress circle – between The Rocks and Circular Quay, with the harbour, bridge and Opera House on its doorstep – Four Seasons Sydney delivers postcard views through each guestroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Whether you’re looking at the dazzling water or the equally captivating city skyline, it’s a very Sydney experience. 

Hip cocktail bar Grain is a favourite with the post-work crowd and Mode Kitchen & Bar – which was recently awarded a Chef’s Hat – serves local produce such as Blackmore Wagyu beef tartare and caviar. 

The hotel’s signature experiences include jogging maps customised to local sights and an in-room Bath Master Experience which features local native ingredients.

Luxe experiences 

Whether you’re relaxing, dining or getting involved with pool activities, five-star InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa on Fiji’s main island is a true family holiday destination.

Adults can enjoy an essential-oil massage in the shade of a traditional Fijian bure or spend time at the adults-only infinity pool with cool cabana pods. 

While you’re lounging, the younger members of the family will have the time of their lives with Planet Trekkers Kids’ Club (ages four to 12) with face painting, crab races and baking on offer. Have a teen in tow? Volleyball, touch rugby and beach football provide a host of fun distractions. 

The whole family will be enthralled by the nightly Fijian warriors’ torch-lighting ceremony and traditional drum show before heading off to a dinner of spicy chicken tacos, burgers and ceviche at the Toba Bar & Grill. 

Luxe tropical escape 

It’s the swimming pool of holiday dreams: a turquoise lagoon crossed by footbridges, harbouring secretive coves and edged by its own beach, with views directly over the Coral Sea. This 1000-square-metre aquatic playground is the centrepiece of Cairns’ five-star Crystalbrook Riley. While away the day with a poolside host delivering necessities to your Miami-inspired private cabana, from towels to charcuterie and champagne.

Towering above the pool is the 12-storey torch-shaped glass tower, capped by the city’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant, Rocco. The Mediterranean-inspired menu is served on a terrace with a 270-degree panorama of the ocean and cityscape. 

Back on ground level, the Eléme Spa offers restorative therapies such as a warm lava seashell massage or a 300-minute full-body Ultimate Safari treatment. 

Luxe beachfront 

First impressions of Bali Mandira Beach Resort? Pure, blissful serenity.

This Legian beachfront resort is nestled in two hectares of lush green gardens, with calm ponds and village-style paths winding between wooden temples and Balinese cottages.

The resort offers something for everyone. The little ones will love kids club and for the adults, they’ll be able to spend their day in the lagoon-style oceanfront swimming pool, complete with swim-up bars, water slides and private cabanas. Visit the Glow Spa, a sanctuary made for full immersion, with private treatment rooms inspired by the royal Balinese garden.

Evenings, however, call for ultimate indulgence. A tiki cocktail – perhaps an Island Nectar, with gin, vodka, passionfruit, orange juice and coconut syrup – at the Azul Beach Club, which overlooks Legian Beach, is the perfect way to start.

SEE ALSO: 5 of the Best Tropical Stays Around the World