Night 1 & 2: Grand Hyatt Melbourne Melbourne, Australia Located on prestigious Collins Street in the midst of the city’s shopping, theatre and restaurant district, the Grand Hyatt Melbourne is within walking distance of many of Melbourne’s most popular attractions. With Art Deco-inspired décor, guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bath, robes, hairdryer, iron/ ironing board, high-speed Internet access, cable and satellite TV channels, mini-bar and in-room safe. Recreational facilities include the City Club Health and Fitness Center offering a gymnasium, aerobic studio, tennis court, steam room and sauna and an indoor heated swimming pool.
Night 3: Alice Springs Resort Alice Springs, Australia The Alice Springs Resort is set on the banks of the famous Todd River, surrounded by lush green lawns and magnificent red river gum trees, just a short walk from the bustling cultural and shopping district of “the Alice.” Comfortable, air-conditioned guest rooms feature direct-dial telephone, mini-bar, iron / ironing board, TV with in-house movies, tea / coffee maker, hairdryer and Internet access. Enjoy the cool oasis of the resort gardens or take a dip in the outdoor, solar-heated swimming pool. The Barra On Todd Restaurant is the first seafood-inspired restaurant in Alice Springs. Enjoy your favorite libation at the Barra Poolside Bar or in the Barra Bar adjacent to the restaurant.
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 guest rooms, 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: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns Cairns, Australia Overlooking the Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay and the mountains surrounding the lovely city of Cairns, the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns enjoys an excellent location close to the Esplanade Lagoon. Guest rooms offer broadband and wireless Internet access, Sony PlayStation game system, mini-bar, coffee / tea maker, international direct-dial telephone, in-house movie channels, electronic safe, 200-thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and a pillow menu, separate shower and bath and private balcony. The hotels fitness center is one of Cairns’ finest facilities with a fully equipped gymnasium and outdoor swimming pool. For a casual drink or a light snack, the Poolside Bar offers a tempting array of appetizers and tropical cocktails.
Night 6, 7 & 8: Hayman 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 does 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: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney Sydney, Australia The Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, is superbly located in the historic Rocks district between the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in the heart of the city. All guest rooms, the largest in town, feature signature bed linens, pillow menu, separate shower and window-level bathtub, coffee / tea maker, mini-bar, broadband Internet access, flat-screen television with satellite channels and free in-house movie channels, international direct-dial telephone and electronic safe. The Alysium Spa and Health Club offers personal fitness opportunities, including a 15-meter indoor swimming pool, and pampering spa treatments. The window-lined Altitude Restaurant serves up stunning sights of the city and fine contemporary Australian cuisine. High above the city, the sophisticated, New York-inspired Blu Horizon Bar entices with panoramic views and an extensive cocktail menu.
Night 12 & 13: The Langham, 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: Dinstinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas Te Anau, New Zealand Located on the shores of Lake Te Anau near the center of town, Dinstinction 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 Queenstown 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 guest rooms, 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 Christchurch 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.