Blog Band

The Waikiki Hotel That Sits on a Queen’s Land (Literally)

Hot (and bothered!) off the heels of a very delayed flight that had me landing at Hawaii's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport close to midnight - and gingerly dragging my Samsonite suitcase behind me - I headed to the concierge desk at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Exhausted but armed, I was ready with…

September 17, 20260Comments ByMarie-Antoinette Issa

Destinations News

The Layover Loophole: Is a Fiji Stopover an Obstacle or Opportunity?

Is a Fiji stopover worth it? A solo 2.5-day layover in Nadi and Denarau, from Sabeto mud pools and Mamanuca island-hopping to a well-earned resort day.

September 14, 20260Comments ByMarie-Antoinette Issa

Spa & Wellness

VELA Brings a New Kind of Wellness Escape to the Hawkesbury

Australia’s love affair with bathhouses shows no sign of slowing. What was once a niche wellness ritual has become something of a cult phenomenon, with mineral bathing, saunas and hot-and-cold therapy firmly part of the way we unwind. Cathy Wagstaff reports. Sydney’s Bathhouse Boom Heads to the Hawkesbury with the Opening of VELA Spa &…

September 11, 20260Comments ByCathy Wagstaff

Hotels & Resorts

Australia’s First Andaz is Coming to the Gold Coast

Hyatt’s Andaz brand will make its Australian and Pacific debut on the Gold Coast in late 2026. The new Broadbeach hotel will feature 202 rooms and suites, Mediterranean-inspired dining and an expansive pool club. The arrival comes as the Gold Coast continues to redefine its luxury offering. Long known for its beaches and high-rise…

September 10, 20260Comments ByCathy Wagstaff

Destinations

Mission Beach Is All Glown Up

Fifteen years after Cyclone Yasi, the region's $21.5 million makeover is finally complete. Elle Halliwell discovers the best way to appreciate it is to arrive alone, underprepared, and ask the locals. I arrived in Mission Beach the way I tackle most things in life; underprepared but casually confident it’ll all work out. Having spent the…

September 4, 20260Comments ByEllie Halliwell

Hotels & Resorts

The Winning Post: An Evening Inside Sydney’s Iconic Horse Themed Hotel

A themed hotel is a gamble. And, while low-grade versions may cliche into kitsch (and have you sleeping in a plywood pirate ship with questionable carpet) done well, there's a special kind of alchemy to staying in a space where where a single idea has been chased all the way to the chandeliers. Step into…

September 4, 20260Comments ByMarie-Antoinette Issa

Experiences

Wiser & Wilder: The Most Valuable Lessons Travel Taught Me

By Rea Samek | Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Lifestyle Collection My office has had many different views. Sometimes it has been the ocean, sometimes a hotel lobby or an airport lounge, and sometimes simply a small table somewhere in Asia with my laptop in front of me. I have never really followed the traditional idea of…

August 27, 20260Comments ByRea Samek

Experiences News

Loyalty Takes Flight as AI Reshapes the Travel Experience: Female Leaders Discuss

Loyalty has long been the engine of the travel industry, but what earns repeat business and drives longstanding customer retention is rapidly changing. While points and perks remain important, today's travellers increasingly expect brands to recognise their preferences, anticipate their needs and deliver personalised experiences at every stage of the journey. New research from the…

August 23, 20260Comments ByRobyn Foyster

Spa & Wellness

Healthy Milestone: Celebrating A 60th at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary

It’s not every birthday that calls for an infinity pool and a tropical island backdrop — but my cousin Marina's 60th absolutely did. We gathered in the foyer at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, where I'd so often experienced sun-soaked days melting into balmy evenings of Thai feasts, laughter and long, meandering conversations. But on this visit,…

August 18, 20260Comments ByRobyn Foyster