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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The 5 Best City Hotels in Australia and New Zealand
Visiting Australia and New Zealand often involves flying into the countries' largest airports: Sydney and Auckland, respectively. Fortunately, these hubs are not only gateways to their countries writ large, but to thriving urban centers with world-class dining, dynamic cultural institutions, and polished hotels that help guests make the most of their time away from home. According to Travel + Leisure readers, the best hotels in Australia and New Zealand are situated within bustling downtown districts, where the cities' best sights and experiences are within easy reach. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. The Capella Sydney hotel is located in the transformed former Department of Education building in Sydney, Australia. Timothy Kaye/Courtesy of Capella Bangkok The phrase 'central business district' might conjure automatic associations with banking institutions, drab architecture, and a general lack of cultural charm, but Sydney and Auckland prove that there can be so much more to a city's downtown scene. Perhaps that's why—yet again—all of this year's reader favorite hotels can be found within the bounds of these cities' CBDs. Sydney sweeps this year's top three. Here, guests are in close proximity to premier attractions, including the Sydney Harbor (with its iconic bridge and opera house), the Royal Botanic Garden, Symphony Orchestra, and more. Past year's winners Four Seasons Hotel Sydney (No. 1 in 2024) and Park Hyatt Sydney (No. 1 in 2023) remain reader favorites, coming in at No. 2 and No. 3 in the 2025 survey. The latter's waterfront positioning is particularly enviable, since many of its tastefully decorated 155 rooms and suites offer balconies with harbor views. As one WBA voter enthused, 'The outdoor spaces are unbeatable. It's the best location of any city hotel.' T+L readers were enamored with a pair of hotels in Auckland's CBD for similar reasons. 'We loved this space for watching boats, morning breakfast, spacious rooms, and cocktails outside,' said one voter of Hilton Auckland (No. 5). Guests of the hotel are well-positioned for a visit to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, which offers scenic sails in addition to its rotating exhibitions. Also nearby is Sky Tower to take in 360-degree views from the 60th-floor Sky Deck, which sits just over 600 feet above street level. The winning hotel on this year's list is also the newest, having debuted in 2023, but it's already established itself as one of the region's greats in WBA voters' eyes. Read on to find out why. Capella Sydney The bathroom of the Liberty Suite at the Capella Sydney hotel. Timothy Kaye/Courtesy of Capella Bangkok It took the Singapore-based Capella Hotel Group seven years to transform Sydney's historic Department of Education building into a serene, 192-room hotel—its first outside of Asia—but the effort is paying dividends in WBA voters' eyes. The ground-floor art collection introduces guests to Australia's dynamic art scene, with works from such Indigenous artists as Judy Watson and Otis Hope Carey, but to give travelers an even deeper understanding of Sydney's cultural might, the hotel curates an impressive array of experiences. Walking tours deliver unexpected insights into everything from the city's coffee culture to its architecture and history, including its Aboriginal heritage. As one reader summarized, it 'should not be missed!' 1. Capella Sydney Reader Score: 95.79 2. Park Hyatt Sydney Reader Score: 94.93 3. Four Seasons Hotel Sydney Reader Score: 91.20 4. Park Hyatt Auckland Reader Score: 90.00 5. Hilton Auckland Reader Score: 85.07
Time Out
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The 10 best city hotels in Australia have been crowned for 2025
From spectacular seaside escapes to sky-high stunners, Australia is home to some seriously luxurious hotels. We've all got a dream stay, but ten in particular have just been crowned the best of the best in Australia for 2025 — and they deserve a top spot on your bucket list. Renowned travel media brand Travel + Leisure has named Capella Sydney as this year's winner of the best city hotel in Australia. Opened in 2023 after an eye-popping $300 million refurbishment, this lavish heritage-listed hotel features a naturally lit 20-metre indoor pool, Italian Frette linen, 24-hour room service controlled by a tablet, and a chic French bistro, Brasserie 1930. Capella isn't the only Harbour City stay that's worthy of a crown; five of the top ten city hotels for 2025 are in Sydney. The Park Hyatt Sydney landed in third, followed by Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay in fifth, Shangri-La Sydney in seventh and Pier One Sydney Harbour in eighth. The ultra-stylish Ritz-Carlton Melbourne ranked as the second-best city hotel for 2025. Soaring 80 storeys high, this luxe stay features 257 fancy rooms with incredible views of the city, a heated infinity pool, bougie spa packages and an award-winning modern Australian restaurant, Atria. Guests here are well and truly sitting in the lap of luxury. Another one of our Melbourne favourites, W Melbourne, claimed the sixth spot on the best city hotels list, with its sister hotel in Brisbane landing in tenth. You can read the full list of award-winning hotels over here. These are Australia's best 10 city hotels for 2025 Capella Sydney The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne Park Hyatt Sydney The Tasman Hobart Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay W Melbourne Shangri-La Sydney Pier One Sydney Harbour COMO The Treasury, Perth W Brisbane ⭐️
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Katy Perry shares sweet footage of daughter Daisy Dove singing in Sydney - amid claims of 'tension' in relationship with Orlando Bloom
Katy Perry has shared a sweet behind-the-scenes clip of her daughter Daisy Dove singing. The Roar hitmaker, who shares the four-year-old with actor Orlando Bloom, posted an array of pictures and videos to Instagram on Friday showing 'tidbits' from her world tour so far. Katy, 40, is currently performing the Australian leg of her Lifetimes Tour, playing a slew of shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney. 'Tour liffffffeeee side quest tid bits,' she captioned the post, which showed Katy sucking helium out of a balloon, posing with her tour dancers and holding the key to Oklahoma City. One clip, taken in Katy's hotel room at Capella Sydney, showed Daisy Dove hiding behind a curtain and singing as her mum filmed the special moment. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The Roar hitmaker, who shares the four-year-old with Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, posted an array of pictures and videos to Instagram on Friday showing 'tidbits' from her world tour 'The part where Daisy was playing behind the curtains warmed my heart,' one fan wrote in the comments section. Katy has added to rumours she's facing 'tension' in her relationship with fiancé Bloom while making a telling comment on stage. The American singer was performing the third of her Sydney concerts on Tuesday night when she was handed a packet of Tim Tam chocolate biscuits. The singer was in the middle of her performance of her 2008 heartbreak anthem I'm Still Breathing when she opened the packet and ate one of the treats. 'This song is about a breakup, and this Tim Tam saved me,' Perry told the crowd during the brief interlude. 'Thank you,' she added, before launching back into the track while kneeling down and offering the biscuits to audience members in the front row. The comment about suffering through a 'breakup' has only added to recent speculation that Perry and Bloom are facing some challenges. The California Gurls singer - whose album 143 was hit with a wave of negative reviews - was spotted looking less-than-enthused as she stepped out at Sydney's Luna Park with her daughter Daisy. On the same day, Orlando seemed to be having a blast at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. He posed on the red carpet with their adorable Teacup Poodle Biggie Smalls. The couple's sightings on different continents come amid a new report alleging that Katy's poorly performing album caused 'tension' in her relationship. The singer's seventh studio album, 143, was released in September 2024, and received a largely negative response from fans as well as critics, who claimed the record sounds 'generated through AI.' 'Katy was deeply frustrated following the reception of her new album. It made her very stressed,' a source told People on Monday. 'Orlando was understanding, but it did cause some tension,' the insider added of the Lord of The Rings star, 48.
The Age
22-05-2025
- The Age
The best hotels in the world revealed, as named by the experts
The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is to just take it in. I also check out the minibar and bathroom amenities. Room service is a complete and utter indulgence. Minibars are lovely to look at, but I don't use them. Capella Sydney has the most magnificent minibar, from the cabinet that it's in to what's inside it. Big or boutique? It doesn't make a difference – it's the way it makes you feel. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is Villa d'Este in Lake Como, and I'd love to do the Amankora Journey in Bhutan. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is meet the staff and find out what's working and what's not. Lisa Pile is vice-president sales and general manager, Asia Pacific, of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. She previously worked for the Raffles and Kempinski hotel brands. The aviation writer – Chris Chamberlin What makes a truly great hotel are the little things – that the air-conditioning and the TV, including Chromecast, works and the coffee isn't just drinkable but good. The best hotel I've stayed in is The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne. Make time for the pool deck – there's nothing else like it in Melbourne. The InterContinental Tashkent was also a wonderful surprise as my first taste of Uzbekistan, with the best in-room hot chocolate ever. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is changing rooms at 1am in a bathrobe. Who thought to build a new hotel in the middle of Auckland's nightlife district without any real sound insulation? The best thing that's ever happened to me at a hotel is a surprise free upgrade to the presidential suite. I can thank my Accor Live Limitless Platinum status for that one. My three hotel pet peeves are when the room isn't ready at the advertised check-in time (I ask the front desk how much they'll be refunding me to reflect that I'm not getting the service I'm paying for and things move amazingly quickly after that); when the room isn't as advertised, such as when I booked a 'harbour view' room in Sydney and the room had a view of the roadway with no water in sight; and when a late checkout isn't properly recorded in the system, and I'm disturbed by housekeeping. The surest way to get a room upgrade is to be a member of the hotel's loyalty program and book direct, not through an online travel agency. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is head straight for the windows to admire the view, with a stop via the air-conditioning panel to get things cool. Room service is a godsend on a busy trip. There's no way I'm losing an hour of sleep just to drag myself down to the breakfast buffet for a croissant and coffee. I'll schedule a meal to arrive just after I plan to wake up. Minibars are great with company if you just want to stay in. Nothing kills a mood faster than saying: 'Honey, I'll just put my shoes on and go find a bottle shop – the wine there is probably $20 cheaper.' Big or boutique? I like hotels with brand standards that know how to meet travellers' expectations and have a good loyalty program, but I also don't want to be waiting 10 minutes for a lift. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is an overwater bungalow in the Maldives. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is make sure everything just works. I shouldn't need to have my keys re-coded mid-stay, or be discovering that the shampoo pump is empty after I'm in the shower. Attention to detail matters. Chris Chamberlin is the news editor at Point Hacks. In 2024, he stayed in 30 cities around the world. The interior designer – Rosina Di Maria What makes a truly great hotel is personality, attention to detail, specificity to local context and a warm gesture of welcome. The best hotel I've stayed in on an island is Kokomo Private Island Resort, Fiji; the best city hotel, Raffles Singapore; for best Continental charm is Italy's Capri Tiberio Palace and Borgo Egnazia because it's in Puglia, home of my ancestors, a place of family gathering and where I hosted my 40th birthday. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel was at a luxury London hotel. I was put in a room next to the main air-conditioning plant. It was noisy and devoid of a view. The best thing that's happened to me at a hotel is when I was 16, my family checked in to The Beverly Hilton, which was hosting the Golden Globes. Our arrival coincided with the red carpet event, so my first LA experience was christened in true Hollywood style. From there, I thought of hotels as delivering magical experiences. My three hotel pet peeves are master light switches that don't turn off all the lights, which is especially annoying when you're jet-lagged; poor soundproofing – there's nothing worse than being woken early by the alarm from the next room; and tiny room-entry cards that are easily lost. The surest way to get a room upgrade is on a wing and a prayer. I don't think there's ever a sure way. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is to go to the window and orient myself. I love connecting with the place I'm visiting, and your hotel room is your reference point. Room service is convenient when I'm travelling on holiday with my two school-aged daughters. Minibars are dangerous. Big or boutique? Boutique. They're responsive, contextual and specific to place. I love staying at our recently opened StandardX in Melbourne. It's part of the fabric of its neighbourhood, and you feel immediately immersed in an authentic experience of place. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is Journey Beyond's new Platinum Sleeper. It's essentially a moving luxury hotel, and will be rolled out [in 2026] across Australia's fleet of iconic train journeys. It will be the quintessence of Australian luxury, with an understated aesthetic, heritage-driven detail and an adventurous spirit. Other designers will empathise, but waking up in your own design is always a mixture of pride and panic – we're our own toughest critics. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is invite the locals over and build lasting friendships. The key to a good hotel is to be a good neighbour. The festival director – Nashen Moodley What makes a truly great hotel is service that is extremely hospitable and kind; a room that feels comfortable and comforting – both the room and the entire hotel need to make sense. The best hotel I've stayed in is La Mamounia in Marrakesh. I stayed as a guest of the Marrakesh Film Festival. I don't know how they do it, but there's a vast retinue of staff and, after a day of your being there, they all address you by name. Another is the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. I was reading a book and left it open on my table and, when I came back, there was a Taj bookmark in it. I still have it somewhere – it says: 'The best place to be, is in the middle of a good book.' The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is I was 20 and visiting India with friends. We were in a town where there was a conference and a shortage of hotel rooms, and we shared a room that didn't have a window – there was an opening where a pane of glass should have been – so it was mosquito-feasting time. The best thing that's ever happened to me at a hotel is nice things happen to me in hotels all the time because I try to be nice to people. My three hotel pet peeves are a lack of electrical sockets in appropriate places; a lighting system that you can't figure out; and when you're disturbed unnecessarily by housekeeping. The surest way to get a room upgrade is being nice from the outset. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is look around for where I can charge things. Room service is essential. Minibars are not worthwhile. Big or boutique? Generally boutique. Often I'm going to film screenings so it's nice to be able to get in and out of the hotel quickly and not waiting for lifts that take forever. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is the hotels in all three seasons of The White Lotus. I've also had my eye on a hotel in Chiang Mai called Rachamankha – it looks beautifully done. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is employ really great people who are hospitable and welcoming. Nashen Moodley is director of the Sydney Film Festival (June 4-15) and spends about three months of the year travelling. See The travel professional – Dean Long What makes a truly great hotel is one that makes the place in which it's operating better. The best hotel I've ever stayed in is the St Regis Langkawi in Malaysia. It was for my honeymoon and just had an amazing vibe that my wife and I have never forgotten. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is staying at a two-star hotel in Beijing where everything smelled of cigarette smoke. I remember boiling the kettle to disinfect the shower. The best thing that's happened to me at a hotel is how the Kurrajong Hotel in Canberra was, for so many years for me, like coming home. They always remembered my name and were always ready for me. That's what a hotel should be like. My three hotel pet peeves are having no storage space for clothes and no proper clothes hangers; check-in desks where you fill in a piece of paper with details I've already provided; and the room without a kettle, tea and coffee, and some milk. The surest way to get a room upgrade is to pay for it. It also costs nothing to be nice. You'd be amazed what a good check-in person can do with regard to looking at what's available. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is unpack and put everything away, so my room becomes my home while I'm there. Room service is fantastic. It's just a fun experience. Minibars are optional. Big or boutique? When travelling a lot for work, I find comfort in the consistency, yet regional nuance, of big brands. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is the Four Seasons in the Maldives. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is get rid of the check-in experience. That part of the hotel is ripe for innovation. I'd spend good money to make it customer-centric and not process-centric. Dean Long is chief executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association and former chief executive and executive director of the Australian Accommodation Association. See The architect – Adam Haddow What makes a truly great hotel is one that talks to place and is not a generic experience. It should amplify the cultural context that you're in. The best hotel I've stayed in is Singita Boulders Lodge in Sabi Sands, a nature reserve next to Kruger National Park in South Africa. It was the best experience I've ever had in my life. The hotel is amazing, staff were phenomenal, and the experience was just divine. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is turning up and it pretended it didn't have my booking. The best thing that's ever happened to me at a hotel is in Prague. I went for a run and, as I was coming back to the hotel, the doorman handed me a bottle of water and a towel. It was the best service ever. My three hotel pet peeves are generic design; noise from the food and beverage or entertainment coming into the room because they haven't dealt with the acoustics; and when I have to move the furniture around, which I do all the time. The surest way to get a room upgrade is pay for it. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is open the window. Room service is overpriced. Minibars are equally overpriced. Big or boutique? Definitely boutique. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is architect David Chipperfield's Hotel Cafe Royal. It's in the middle of London, just off Piccadilly Circus, within these palatial curved buildings. It's a contemporary hotel experience within a heritage environment. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is hire a great doorman. The former hotelier – Rowina Thomas What makes a truly great hotel is happy staff. If they love what they do, it improves your stay. The best hotel I've stayed in is Claridge's in London because it's a clever mix of authenticity and grandeur. It's not intimidating – it's very welcoming. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is I was allocated a room at a hotel on the Amalfi Coast under the kitchen, with the clanging of pots all night. Fortunately, we were relocated to a gorgeous room. The best thing that's happened to me at a hotel is at Le Bristol Paris. I'd put a silky nightdress in the bedside drawer and when I returned after turndown, the attendant had thoughtfully placed it on the bed complete with a waistline as if for a fashion shoot. I've also never forgotten being in Monaco at the Hotel de Paris' Le Bar Americain one night when the band asked Frank Sinatra, who had been discreetly seated in a back corner, to come up and sing a few songs. My three hotel pet peeves are an open wardrobe in the bedroom; complicated room technology; and poor and badly positioned lighting. The surest way to get a room upgrade is to start a relationship with the hotel before your stay, either by communicating with the hotel directly – you can ring up and say 'I want fluffy pillows' – or booking through your travel agent, who may already have a relationship with the hotel. They can get you VIP-ed. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is check the room is as I requested. Room service is a must. Minibars are great if thoughtfully curated and not overpriced. Loading Big or boutique? I love the intimacy of boutique hotels and their individual personalities, but I admire big hotels that can make each guest feel special. I've learned a lot from big hotels, especially when it comes to creating spaces that invite the locals and public to come in as well. Large hotels can create destinations within themselves. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is Il Sereno, Lake Como. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is make it functional in all aspects of operations, including the staff's alignment with the vision. Should you join club sandwich? The pros and cons of this signature hotel offering The verdict on the staple sandwich of hotels: three layers of toasted bread, cut into quarters and filled with chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, and held together with cocktail sticks. Dean Long Absolutely yes, with thick-cut chips. The best club sandwiches are by Langham Hotels – there's one in Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast and all three have perfected it. Loading Chris Chamberlin Why would I want bread in bed? I can do that at home. Rosina Di Maria Yes. They're an iconic hotel staple and a time-tested hospitality essential. Nashen Moodley Yes. When made reasonably well, they're satisfying and comforting. Rowina Thomas Yes with capital letters. It suits all times of day, and it's pretty balanced. Adam Haddow It's a no from me, but my husband judges a hotel by its club sandwich.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The best hotels in the world revealed, as named by the experts
The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is to just take it in. I also check out the minibar and bathroom amenities. Room service is a complete and utter indulgence. Minibars are lovely to look at, but I don't use them. Capella Sydney has the most magnificent minibar, from the cabinet that it's in to what's inside it. Big or boutique? It doesn't make a difference – it's the way it makes you feel. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is Villa d'Este in Lake Como, and I'd love to do the Amankora Journey in Bhutan. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is meet the staff and find out what's working and what's not. Lisa Pile is vice-president sales and general manager, Asia Pacific, of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. She previously worked for the Raffles and Kempinski hotel brands. The aviation writer – Chris Chamberlin What makes a truly great hotel are the little things – that the air-conditioning and the TV, including Chromecast, works and the coffee isn't just drinkable but good. The best hotel I've stayed in is The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne. Make time for the pool deck – there's nothing else like it in Melbourne. The InterContinental Tashkent was also a wonderful surprise as my first taste of Uzbekistan, with the best in-room hot chocolate ever. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is changing rooms at 1am in a bathrobe. Who thought to build a new hotel in the middle of Auckland's nightlife district without any real sound insulation? The best thing that's ever happened to me at a hotel is a surprise free upgrade to the presidential suite. I can thank my Accor Live Limitless Platinum status for that one. My three hotel pet peeves are when the room isn't ready at the advertised check-in time (I ask the front desk how much they'll be refunding me to reflect that I'm not getting the service I'm paying for and things move amazingly quickly after that); when the room isn't as advertised, such as when I booked a 'harbour view' room in Sydney and the room had a view of the roadway with no water in sight; and when a late checkout isn't properly recorded in the system, and I'm disturbed by housekeeping. The surest way to get a room upgrade is to be a member of the hotel's loyalty program and book direct, not through an online travel agency. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is head straight for the windows to admire the view, with a stop via the air-conditioning panel to get things cool. Room service is a godsend on a busy trip. There's no way I'm losing an hour of sleep just to drag myself down to the breakfast buffet for a croissant and coffee. I'll schedule a meal to arrive just after I plan to wake up. Minibars are great with company if you just want to stay in. Nothing kills a mood faster than saying: 'Honey, I'll just put my shoes on and go find a bottle shop – the wine there is probably $20 cheaper.' Big or boutique? I like hotels with brand standards that know how to meet travellers' expectations and have a good loyalty program, but I also don't want to be waiting 10 minutes for a lift. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is an overwater bungalow in the Maldives. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is make sure everything just works. I shouldn't need to have my keys re-coded mid-stay, or be discovering that the shampoo pump is empty after I'm in the shower. Attention to detail matters. Chris Chamberlin is the news editor at Point Hacks. In 2024, he stayed in 30 cities around the world. The interior designer – Rosina Di Maria What makes a truly great hotel is personality, attention to detail, specificity to local context and a warm gesture of welcome. The best hotel I've stayed in on an island is Kokomo Private Island Resort, Fiji; the best city hotel, Raffles Singapore; for best Continental charm is Italy's Capri Tiberio Palace and Borgo Egnazia because it's in Puglia, home of my ancestors, a place of family gathering and where I hosted my 40th birthday. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel was at a luxury London hotel. I was put in a room next to the main air-conditioning plant. It was noisy and devoid of a view. The best thing that's happened to me at a hotel is when I was 16, my family checked in to The Beverly Hilton, which was hosting the Golden Globes. Our arrival coincided with the red carpet event, so my first LA experience was christened in true Hollywood style. From there, I thought of hotels as delivering magical experiences. My three hotel pet peeves are master light switches that don't turn off all the lights, which is especially annoying when you're jet-lagged; poor soundproofing – there's nothing worse than being woken early by the alarm from the next room; and tiny room-entry cards that are easily lost. The surest way to get a room upgrade is on a wing and a prayer. I don't think there's ever a sure way. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is to go to the window and orient myself. I love connecting with the place I'm visiting, and your hotel room is your reference point. Room service is convenient when I'm travelling on holiday with my two school-aged daughters. Minibars are dangerous. Big or boutique? Boutique. They're responsive, contextual and specific to place. I love staying at our recently opened StandardX in Melbourne. It's part of the fabric of its neighbourhood, and you feel immediately immersed in an authentic experience of place. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is Journey Beyond's new Platinum Sleeper. It's essentially a moving luxury hotel, and will be rolled out [in 2026] across Australia's fleet of iconic train journeys. It will be the quintessence of Australian luxury, with an understated aesthetic, heritage-driven detail and an adventurous spirit. Other designers will empathise, but waking up in your own design is always a mixture of pride and panic – we're our own toughest critics. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is invite the locals over and build lasting friendships. The key to a good hotel is to be a good neighbour. The festival director – Nashen Moodley What makes a truly great hotel is service that is extremely hospitable and kind; a room that feels comfortable and comforting – both the room and the entire hotel need to make sense. The best hotel I've stayed in is La Mamounia in Marrakesh. I stayed as a guest of the Marrakesh Film Festival. I don't know how they do it, but there's a vast retinue of staff and, after a day of your being there, they all address you by name. Another is the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. I was reading a book and left it open on my table and, when I came back, there was a Taj bookmark in it. I still have it somewhere – it says: 'The best place to be, is in the middle of a good book.' The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is I was 20 and visiting India with friends. We were in a town where there was a conference and a shortage of hotel rooms, and we shared a room that didn't have a window – there was an opening where a pane of glass should have been – so it was mosquito-feasting time. The best thing that's ever happened to me at a hotel is nice things happen to me in hotels all the time because I try to be nice to people. My three hotel pet peeves are a lack of electrical sockets in appropriate places; a lighting system that you can't figure out; and when you're disturbed unnecessarily by housekeeping. The surest way to get a room upgrade is being nice from the outset. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is look around for where I can charge things. Room service is essential. Minibars are not worthwhile. Big or boutique? Generally boutique. Often I'm going to film screenings so it's nice to be able to get in and out of the hotel quickly and not waiting for lifts that take forever. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is the hotels in all three seasons of The White Lotus. I've also had my eye on a hotel in Chiang Mai called Rachamankha – it looks beautifully done. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is employ really great people who are hospitable and welcoming. Nashen Moodley is director of the Sydney Film Festival (June 4-15) and spends about three months of the year travelling. See The travel professional – Dean Long What makes a truly great hotel is one that makes the place in which it's operating better. The best hotel I've ever stayed in is the St Regis Langkawi in Malaysia. It was for my honeymoon and just had an amazing vibe that my wife and I have never forgotten. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is staying at a two-star hotel in Beijing where everything smelled of cigarette smoke. I remember boiling the kettle to disinfect the shower. The best thing that's happened to me at a hotel is how the Kurrajong Hotel in Canberra was, for so many years for me, like coming home. They always remembered my name and were always ready for me. That's what a hotel should be like. My three hotel pet peeves are having no storage space for clothes and no proper clothes hangers; check-in desks where you fill in a piece of paper with details I've already provided; and the room without a kettle, tea and coffee, and some milk. The surest way to get a room upgrade is to pay for it. It also costs nothing to be nice. You'd be amazed what a good check-in person can do with regard to looking at what's available. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is unpack and put everything away, so my room becomes my home while I'm there. Room service is fantastic. It's just a fun experience. Minibars are optional. Big or boutique? When travelling a lot for work, I find comfort in the consistency, yet regional nuance, of big brands. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is the Four Seasons in the Maldives. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is get rid of the check-in experience. That part of the hotel is ripe for innovation. I'd spend good money to make it customer-centric and not process-centric. Dean Long is chief executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association and former chief executive and executive director of the Australian Accommodation Association. See The architect – Adam Haddow What makes a truly great hotel is one that talks to place and is not a generic experience. It should amplify the cultural context that you're in. The best hotel I've stayed in is Singita Boulders Lodge in Sabi Sands, a nature reserve next to Kruger National Park in South Africa. It was the best experience I've ever had in my life. The hotel is amazing, staff were phenomenal, and the experience was just divine. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is turning up and it pretended it didn't have my booking. The best thing that's ever happened to me at a hotel is in Prague. I went for a run and, as I was coming back to the hotel, the doorman handed me a bottle of water and a towel. It was the best service ever. My three hotel pet peeves are generic design; noise from the food and beverage or entertainment coming into the room because they haven't dealt with the acoustics; and when I have to move the furniture around, which I do all the time. The surest way to get a room upgrade is pay for it. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is open the window. Room service is overpriced. Minibars are equally overpriced. Big or boutique? Definitely boutique. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is architect David Chipperfield's Hotel Cafe Royal. It's in the middle of London, just off Piccadilly Circus, within these palatial curved buildings. It's a contemporary hotel experience within a heritage environment. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is hire a great doorman. The former hotelier – Rowina Thomas What makes a truly great hotel is happy staff. If they love what they do, it improves your stay. The best hotel I've stayed in is Claridge's in London because it's a clever mix of authenticity and grandeur. It's not intimidating – it's very welcoming. The worst thing that's happened to me at a hotel is I was allocated a room at a hotel on the Amalfi Coast under the kitchen, with the clanging of pots all night. Fortunately, we were relocated to a gorgeous room. The best thing that's happened to me at a hotel is at Le Bristol Paris. I'd put a silky nightdress in the bedside drawer and when I returned after turndown, the attendant had thoughtfully placed it on the bed complete with a waistline as if for a fashion shoot. I've also never forgotten being in Monaco at the Hotel de Paris' Le Bar Americain one night when the band asked Frank Sinatra, who had been discreetly seated in a back corner, to come up and sing a few songs. My three hotel pet peeves are an open wardrobe in the bedroom; complicated room technology; and poor and badly positioned lighting. The surest way to get a room upgrade is to start a relationship with the hotel before your stay, either by communicating with the hotel directly – you can ring up and say 'I want fluffy pillows' – or booking through your travel agent, who may already have a relationship with the hotel. They can get you VIP-ed. The first thing I do after entering a hotel room is check the room is as I requested. Room service is a must. Minibars are great if thoughtfully curated and not overpriced. Loading Big or boutique? I love the intimacy of boutique hotels and their individual personalities, but I admire big hotels that can make each guest feel special. I've learned a lot from big hotels, especially when it comes to creating spaces that invite the locals and public to come in as well. Large hotels can create destinations within themselves. The hotel I'm dreaming about visiting is Il Sereno, Lake Como. If I ran a hotel, the first thing I'd do is make it functional in all aspects of operations, including the staff's alignment with the vision. Should you join club sandwich? The pros and cons of this signature hotel offering The verdict on the staple sandwich of hotels: three layers of toasted bread, cut into quarters and filled with chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, and held together with cocktail sticks. Dean Long Absolutely yes, with thick-cut chips. The best club sandwiches are by Langham Hotels – there's one in Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast and all three have perfected it. Loading Chris Chamberlin Why would I want bread in bed? I can do that at home. Rosina Di Maria Yes. They're an iconic hotel staple and a time-tested hospitality essential. Nashen Moodley Yes. When made reasonably well, they're satisfying and comforting. Rowina Thomas Yes with capital letters. It suits all times of day, and it's pretty balanced. Adam Haddow It's a no from me, but my husband judges a hotel by its club sandwich.
