City to surf
Two new urban hotels and one just-launched beach resort to inspire your travels. By Akash Arora.
DOUBLETREE RESORT BY HILTON FIJI – SONAISALI ISLAND
doubletree3.hilton.com You know you’re in Fiji when you have to take a boat to get to your hotel. A good alternative to Denarau or the Coral Coast, this island resort is less than half an hour’s drive from Nadi International Airport and just a three-minute boat trip from the mainland. The Hilton group launched the hotel in May after extensive renovations and the property now offers 88 bures and 32 guestrooms. There are two restaurants: Vulani, which has buffet and à la carte dining, and Tavu Bar and Grill, where you’ll dine with the sand between your toes and the ocean by your side. The large lagoonstyle pool has plenty of nooks and crannies for the kids, while grown-ups will appreciate the swim-up bar. The trio of Fijians playing traditional music poolside only makes the experience sweeter.
AVANI RIVERSIDE BANGKOK HOTEL
minorhotels.com Located on the bank of Thailand’s Chao Phraya River, the Avani hotel rises 26 stories above the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, with each of its 248 rooms offering city and/or river views. Plant yourself on a sun lounger by the rooftop’s infinity-edge pool and take in the panorama as you sip inventive cocktails. Or make your way to the day spa for a relaxing massage or facial. When it’s time for a meal, there are plenty of options, from Asian tapas at rooftop bar Attitude to Thai dishes at Skyline restaurant. If you want to really immerse yourself in Bangkok, there’s much on offer around the hotel, such as a night-time tuktuk tour of the Yodpiman River Walk shopping district or a romantic ride for two in a traditional longtail boat.
QT MELBOURNE
qthotelsandresorts.com Australia’s coolest, quirkiest boutique hotel chain has taken its time arriving in Melbourne – but it’s finally here, opening up in the CBD’s buzzing Russell Street. Design duo Nic Graham and Shelley Indyk, who worked together on QT Sydney, are behind the new property so expect dramatic interiors with exposed concrete, dark timber furniture and two distinct colour palettes in the rooms: turquoise with red and electric-blue with gold. The hotel doesn’t disappoint in the food and beverage department, either – Pascal Bar & Grill is the place for bistro fare or, if you’re after Korean- and Japanese-inspired street food, make a beeline for Hot Sauce laneway bar. There’s an in-house gym to burn it all off, too.