Night 1 & 2: InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto Melbourne, Australia The thoroughly modern InterContinental Melbournev The Rialto resides in a historic building completed in 1891, when Melbourne was the richest city in the world, just a short stroll away from some of the city’s foremost attractions and served by a tram that stops at the hotel’s door. Spacious guest rooms provide cable and satellite color TV, coffee/tea maker, mini bar, bathrobes, hairdryers, in-room safe, iron and ironing board and high-speed Internet access. After a busy day, soak in the whirlpool or swim a few laps in the indoor swimming pool. If Australian wines intrigue you, you’ll find some of the country’s most respected labels and vintages, as well a broad variety of French Champagnes, in the Rialto Bluestone Bar. Or if martinis are more your thing, you’ll find over 100 varieties, including some made with unique indigenous ingredients, offered at the sophisticated Market Lane bar.
Night 3 & 4: Sails in the Desert Ayers Rock, Australia Named for the white sails atop its roof, Sails in the Desert is the premier 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 al fresco dining and a menu featuring Mediterranean and Asian influences.
Night 5, 6 & 7: Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, Australia The award-winning Peppers Beach Club is just steps away from the seemingly endless sands of Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. Lush gardens and calming water features surround guest accommodations that provide air conditioning, a balcony, cable TV with DVD player, CD player, iron and ironing board, hair dryer and in-room safe. Amuse yourself at the serene lagoon swimming pool with its sundeck and spa, work out in the fitness center or indulge yourself at the Exclusive Spas Australia at Peppers Beach Club, featuring ancient therapies from the Never Never and unique Vichy tables. Relax with your favorite beverage at the Cascades bar and savor a taste of contemporary Australian cuisine at the Cascades Restaurant.
Night 8 – 11: InterContinental, Sydney Sydney, Australia The sophisticated readers of both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure consider the InterContinental, Sydney one of the world’s best hotels. Housed within the façade of the 19th-century of the former Treasury Building, the hotel artfully combines contemporary style and 19th-century architecture with sweeping views from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Pacific Ocean from many of its public rooms; many of the city’s premier attractions are just steps away. Get comfy on the window seat in your spacious guest room and enjoy such valued amenities as a coffee/tea maker, mini bar, bathrobes and a hairdryer, color TV with cable and satellite channels, high-speed Internet access, in-room safe and iron and ironing board. The Health & Fitness Centre on level 31 is the place to head for a swim in the heated indoor swimming pool with a view of Sydney Harbour, and the latest cardiovascular equipment. Step back in time as you dine in a grand hotel dining room harkening back to yesteryear at the Café Opera. The soaring atrium and intimate ambiance of the Cortile Lounge are the perfect backdrop for morning coffee, a light lunch, afternoon tea or a glass of wine.
Night 12 & 13: The Langham, Auckland Auckland, New Zealand Long considered one of the best hotels in Auckland, The Langham, Auckland has provided “Enchanting Encounters since 1865” and is a proud member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Its location within walking distance of the spectacular Auckland waterfront and adjacent to a stop for the City Link Bus route makes it an ideal location from which to explore the “city of sails.” Spacious guest rooms surround you with the sumptuous elegance of a timeless grand hotel while offering every modern amenity you might require, including individually controlled air conditioning and windows that open, mini bar with coffee- and tea-making facilities, 25-inch TV with international satellite TV channels, deluxe marble bathroom and broadband Internet access. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, keep up with your workout routine in the well-equipped fitness studio or retreat to the tranquility of the Chaun Spa, New Zealand’s newest and most luxurious health and wellness sanctuary. Indulge in the flavors of New Zealand at Partingtons at The Langham, the hotel’s signature restaurant, or stop by the SPE Bar and Restaurant for a freshly made sandwich, gourmet pizza and pastries in a cheerful, relaxed setting. Enjoy The Langham Afternoon Tea or relax with your favorite beverage in The Winery lobby bar.
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 guest rooms. 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 & 16: Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay Wellington, NZ Just a two-minute walk from the Te Papa Museum and Courtney Place, the Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay enjoys an enviable address on the Oriental Parade on the shore of Oriental Bay and is truly your “window on Wellington.” Spacious guest rooms welcome you with LCD TV with free movies, iron and ironing board, coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini bar and much more. A few relaxing laps in the heated indoor swimming pool on the 7th floor might be just the thing after a busy day. The One80˚ Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, also on the 7th floor, both offer stunning views of Oriental Bay as a backdrop for dining and imbibing.
Night 17 & 18: 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. Each provides color TV with cable and satellite channels, coffee maker and mini bar. The recently totally refurbished hotel has opened a new signature restaurant, ThreeSixty, that focuses on New Zealand’s superb natural produce in its Asian fusion cuisine.
Night 19: Millennium Hotel Christchurch Christchurch, New Zealand Set on Cathedral Square just across from Christchurch Cathedral in the heart of the city, the Millennium Hotel Christchurch welcomes you with a sense of modern, chic style. Guest rooms, which feature a marble bathroom, provide 32-inch LCD TV, broadband Internet access, mini bar, coffee / tea making facilities, individually controlled air conditioning and hairdryer. A gymnasium and sauna await guests who crave a work out. The award-winning Restaurant Pico Pico specializes in contemporary New Zealand cuisine and offers a fine selection of New Zealand wines. The Millennium Lounge is the place to choose something from the tapas menu and the extensive wine list in a relaxed atmosphere.