Night 1 & 2: Langham Hotel, Melbourne Melbourne, Australia Five-star Langham Hotel, Melbourne, is located on the famous Southbank Promenade adjacent to the Arts Center near Federation Square and the Casino. The award winning Melba Brasserie affords diners lovely views over the Yarra River and the Melbourne city skyline as well as an intriguing international menu with an Australian flair. Chuan Spa, with more than 40 different treatments, sets a tranquil mood based upon the balance of Yin & Yang. A 15-meter lap pool provides an opportunity for an invigorating swim while enjoying a splendid view over the Yarra River. The readers of Travel + Leisure rank the Langham Hotel, Melbourne, among the top 500 hotels in the world.
Night 3: Crowne Plaza Hotel Alice Springs Alice Springs, Australia At the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges, experience the Red Centre and the true Australian outback at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs. Welcoming guest rooms, each with a balcony, feature air conditioning, free in-house movies, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, and an iron and ironing board. During leisure time, cool off in the heated swimming pool, warm up in the sauna or take advantage of the two floodlit tennis courts. Enjoy modern Australian cuisine at the Balloons Bistro or dine on Thai dishes at the Hanuman Restaurant. Should thirst overtake you, head for the Lobby Bar.
Night 4: Sails in the Desert Ayers Rock, Australia Named for the white sails atop its roof, Sails in the Desert is the premiere hotel in the vast Ayers Rock Resort complex. Located near Uluru (Ayers Rock), the hotel is a luxurious oasis in Australia’s outback. The spacious guestrooms, which are arguably among the best in the outback, offer a cool and comfortable haven. The lovely swimming pool is enticing, as are the tennis courts and putting green. Dining at the elegant Kuniya Restaurant provides an opportunity to sample indigenous fare as well as an international menu and a fine selection of Australian wines, while Rockpool offers alfresco dining and a menu featuring Mediterranean and Asian influences.
Night 5: Hilton Cairns Cairns, Australia Hilton Cairns occupies a marvelous location in the heart of the city along the famed waterfront boardwalk. Its shaded grounds and lovely 50-meter swimming pool are most welcome in the tropical climate of northern Australia. Enjoy the lovely views of the blue Pacific at the Mondo Café Bar and Grill or overlook the hotel’s tropical gardens, Trinity Inlet and the mountains beyond at the Breezes Restaurant. The spacious guestrooms offer all of the amenities that today’s travelers deserve.
Night 6, 7 & 8: Hayman Island Great Barrier Reef, Australia Set on its own private island in the midst of the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman is all about laid-back yet luxurious indulgence. This world-class resort offers just about everything that one could ever wish for and it so with impeccable style. As befitting this tropical location, guest rooms are breezy and bright, and feature marble baths with robes, air conditioning, ceiling fans, hair dryers and TV. The menu of activities available truly offers something for just about everyone, from a variety of water sports to a nine-hole putting course to tennis and squash to a health club to the multi-award-winning Spa Chakra Hayman to the largest swimming pool in the southern hemisphere… and more. Venues for dining and imbibing abound.
Night 9, 10, 11: Hotel InterContinental Sydney Sydney, Australia A Sydney landmark, the InterContinental Sydney transforms the historic 1851 Treasury Building into a world-class, 21st-century hotel. It is located next to the famous Botanical Gardens and the Circular Quay, and is close to other Sydney attractions. Stylish guestrooms, with their sleek contemporary furnishings, feature cushioned window seats and 100% cotton duvets. A heated indoor swimming pool awaits your pleasure on the 31st floor. The lovely Cortile restaurant showcases Australia’s colonial heritage in its cuisine under the splendor of its glass skylight and cupola.
Night 12 & 13: Langham Hotel, Auckland Auckland, New Zealand Long considered one of the best hotels in Auckland, recently completed renovations have enhanced the Langham Hotel’s ambiance and comfort. The hotel’s fitness facilities, including two gyms and a small heated pool, are especially noteworthy, and the Arcade offers intriguing shopping opportunities.
Night 14: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay Rotorua, New Zealand Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay enjoys an idyllic setting on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotoiti. This intimate hotel, surrounded by lovely gardens, offers comfortable, newly refurbished and well-equipped guestrooms. Recreational facilities include a heated swimming pool, lighted tennis courts and a private beach. The large restaurant offers tasty Kiwi fare and an excellent selection of New Zealand wines along with stunning views of the lake.
Night 15: Te Anau Hotel & Villas Te Anau, New Zealand Located on the shores of Lake Te Anau near the center of town, the Te Anau Hotel & Villas is the ideal place from which to explore the wonders of New Zealand’s spectacular Fiordland National Park and take in the beauty of Milford Sound. Take a dip in the outdoor heated swimming pool, relax on the lake view terrace or stroll through the extensive gardens and grounds. After enjoying your favorite libation in the lake-view Explorer Bar, sample South Island delicacies in the MacKinnon Room.
Night 16 & 17: Crowne Plaza Hotel Queenstown, New Zealand Right in the center of Queenstown, the Crowne Plaza Queenstown enjoys an ideal setting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The well-appointed guestrooms, with their individual balconies, are located over seven graduated floors. The recently totally refurbished hotel has opened a new signature restaurant, ThreeSixty, which will focus on New Zealand’s superb natural produce in its Asian fusion cuisine.
Night 18 & 19: Crowne Plaza Hotel Christchurch, New Zealand Ideally located beside the Avon River, central to Victoria Square, and adjacent to the casino, the Crowne Plaza Christchurch is a landmark in lovely Christchurch. Thought by many to be the very best hotel in the city, the hotel features three restaurants for your dining pleasure and it offers a Health/Fitness Center to burn off any unwanted calories. Attentive yet unobtrusive service is provided by a dedicated staff.