NEXT YEAR, boundary-bending hotel brand The Standard celebrates 25 groundbreaking years of redefining hospitality. Fittingly, in February 2024 it will unveil The StandardX — a brand that pushes the envelope in a bold new way.

Evolution is the spirit of The Standard, from triggering cultural revolutions to delivering unparalleled experiences in New York, London, Miami, Maldives, Ibiza, Hua Hin and Bangkok. Like its loyal clientele, The Standard embraces the unexpected. As it enters this milestone year, The Standard is reinventing itself yet again.

The StandardX debuts in Melbourne’s trendy Fitzroy neighbourhood. Guests can expect an electrifying new hotel that distills the essence of The Standard into a concept with a unique X-Factor: an energy thriving on discovery that pulsates through the premiere property.

Future expansion for The StandardX brand includes potential openings in Bangkok, Brooklyn, East Austin and more. Each location will be thoughtfully placed, immersing guests in vibrant cultural scenes and bridging gaps between art, fashion, and music.

The StandardX is seizing this opportunity to cater to younger generations, offering spaces with unexpected perspectives that never compromise on human connection. It’s a return to form that made the brand’s first location, The Standard, Hollywood, a legendary experience that was a place to see and be seen in Hollywood.

The StandardX Marks the Spot

Think of The StandardX as the edgier younger sibling of The Standard. At its core, The StandardX is as consumed by community and connection as its parent brand while stripping away unnecessary frills to create spaces for truly connecting. Enter any of the new hotel’s 125 rooms to discover industrial, raw and affordable havens designed for the modern traveller. 

Be immersed in the colourful playground of Fitzroy, where each corner boasts a legendary musical past, filled with record stores, punk clubs, and beloved party spots that drew the creative energy of artists like Nick Cave. 

The StandardX’s design, by Melbourne’s Hecker Guthrie together with The Standard’s in-house design team, captures this rebellious spirit and blends it with the touchpoints that fans know and love. Be captivated by macrame-wrapped columns by local artist Sarah Smalltown, bold artwork from Dane Lovett and custom furniture across all eight floors.

Choose an intimate Cozy King or more spacious Suite Spot; each room is finished in a palette of blue and white that will envelop you in sophistication and style.

Dine and Drink with The StandardX

For the ultimate dining experience guaranteed to impress even the most advanced palate, The StandardX’s trio of innovative food and beverage concepts will satisfy every diner.

Take the elevator to The Roof, an exclusive haven reserved only for hotel guests and revealing unmatched views across Fitzroy and Melbourne. The sky-high destination showcases a menu inspired by Mercado Medellin’s delicious flavours — from tacos to ceviche and beyond — designed by Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya.

BANG is the hotel’s vibrant all-day eatery, serving bold Thai flavours with authentic flourishes. For in-between, on-the-go meals, delightful snacks and refreshing drinks, stop by The Box to pick up anything you’re craving. 

Embrace your rebellious streak and connect with a new community at The StandardX this February, as trend-making hotel brand The Standard celebrates 25 years of pushing boundaries.

Now through April 2024, opening rates for The StandardX, Melbourne will be 250 – 350 AUD/night. For more details on The StandardX or specific information about The StandardX, Melbourne, please visit www.standardx.com

Article Sponsored by The Standard Hotels
Images courtesy of The Standard Hotels.

The Reimagined Lobby at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Thailand

FOR YEARS, there was one choice along Bangkok’s buzzing Sukhumvit strip for those looking for a contemporary luxury homebase. Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit had it all: great location, French sophistication, a rooftop bar with all the views yet none of the faff, a verdant lazy-days photo-worthy pool, and the sumptuous rooms and suites we’d come to rely on from this storied brand including the famous Sofitel MyBed. 

Sensing that not just the hotel but also the neighborhood needed some exciting new life, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit underwent a massive renovation that maintained all the elements we always loved but supercharged them. Rooms and suites are brighter and softer, there are two exciting new restaurant and bar concepts off the stunningly soaring lobby upping the F&B game, and there’s a new skybridge offering direct walking access to the BTS and the heart of the city. The hotel has reemerged as the neighborhood grande dame it used to be, version 2.0: an anchor, a hub and a nurturing cocoon. You might say the same about the Sofitel brand overall, these days. And for that, much credit is due to Maud Bailly, who took over as CEO of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems brands worldwide in January 2023, just as Accor solidified a strategic reshuffle. 

Quick primer for you hotel nerds: Accor is now divided into two empowered divisions supported by corporate functions and a shared platform. First, the Premium, Mid-scale & Economic Division, whose properties are organized by region. Second, the Luxury & Lifestyle Division, organized by brand, in which the former is represented by Orient Express, Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel/Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems, and the latter includes Ennismore.  

Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems find themselves in the same umbrella under Bailly because, despite having different styles, they each offer guests collections of unique places to find luxury that incorporate local soul while affirming their French roots. We asked Bailly, featured on the cover of Forbes France this July as one of 40 influential women shaping France, to share her vision of the Sofitel and MGallery brands (which comprise 240 hotels in 58 countries), what exciting evolutions lie ahead for them in Asia (there are 10 properties in Thailand alone!), and some packing tips because we can never get enough travel advice from women always on the go. 

Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia: What’s your interpretation of the Sofitel DNA? What was exciting about the brand when it launched 60 years ago? Why does it matter now? And where is it going? 

Maud Bailly: Sofitel is the only French global brand, the second-largest brand in the luxury hospitality industry with 123 hotels, about 31,000 rooms, and 49 countries by the end of 2023. We have a large diversity of top locations, from urban historic centers like Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, to airport locations, to mind-blowing romantic resorts, and six gems of Sofitel Legend hotels like the one we opened this year Sofitel Casco Viejo in Panama.  

In a luxury world with very similar codes, we believe Sofitel brand can differentiate itself by a specific positioning on quiet and committed luxury, reconciling quality and discretion, with a very recognizable signature: “the French zest for life” that is based on four brand markers that we are deploying across our entire network:   

The Sofitel promise also stands in its logo, the symbol of cultural link: two interlocking rings, reflecting the encounter of the French and the local culture of each hotel. All Sofitel hotels embody this union of two cultures, proving that they are also, and maybe first, places meant for their local communities.  

And finally, the last and the most important brand marker: Sofitel is meant to be heartful, it should lead the way in sustainable luxury, with a strong CSR commitment​. 

T+L SEA: What CSR activities are you most passionate about? 

Maud Bailly :  

1. Promoting diversity and inclusion 

2. Giving back to local communities by strengthening local anchorage and solidarity 

3. Fighting against food waste especially by leveraging AI 

To change the perception of a sector that can sometimes be perceived as a predator we developed a demanding CSR roadmap. Our ambition is to demonstrate that our brands can be sustainable places and can have a positive impact on the local communities, that we can combine beauty, experience and eco-responsibility. 

Our 7-pillar roadmap is: 

1. Get rid of any single-use plastic items for our guests in our hotels, with 100% elimination, as well as identification of alternative options to be used in the extended supply perimeter 
2. Get certified: Implement new certifications to reach 40% of hotels certified (for example, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit is Green Key certified) 
3. Go for net-zero: Support hotels with energy efficiency/green energy action plans to reduce CO₂ emissions by 25% by 2025 
4. Change our food habits: At least 50% of hotels should be measuring their food waste production. And all should be shifting to more sustainable culinary options with a target of 25% of menus made up of plant-based alternatives 
5. Support diversity and inclusion, through RiiSE, Accor’s network of diversity, KPIs (in all executive committee and Accor executives’ bonuses). By 2025, 45% of general managers and leadership roles at headquarters should be filled by women, with 40% of leadership roles globally hitting at least 40% women.  
6. Strengthen local anchors and solidarity by developing substantial links to give back to communities in which we are based 
7. Train train train: 100% holding and GMs trained by the end of the year 

I’m convinced that the power of a brand, no matter how fascinating it is, is no longer enough. We decided to stand for a committed luxury, inclusive, diversity-promoting, luxury that gives back to our local communities and serves something bigger than ourselves. 

It has to be rooted in a genuine purpose, a value system and a positive societal impact. For me, this is the most powerful lever of attraction and retention. 

T+L SEA: Glad you brought up RiiSE. The hospitality industry has long been dominated by men, but more and more women are becoming luxury GMs and taking on other important leadership roles. How is Accor/Sofitel working on gender parity?  

Maud Bailly: The group has been a pioneer on the diversity and inclusion subject, long before Rixain French law appeared in 2021. With 300,000 people working all around the world, diversity is obviously at the heart of our DNA. Diversity of cultures, backgrounds, educations, skills, jobs—there are 138 different kinds of jobs in hotels, where you can find up to 25 different nationalities, and this is a real gift. And we value diversity as an immense lever of collective intelligence, with strong KPIs to monitor it, notably through our RiiSE diversity network, with 20,000 members all around the world.  

I am against quotas, but for quotas until we don’t need them anymore. I believe the sum of individualities is greater than collective individualities.  

When I started this new role on the first of January, we were counting 26% of women as general managers in our hotels; they are now 29.5% and we hope to reach 32% by the end of the year. 

With RiiSE we are also fighting against all forms of violence and are very involved with several NGOs to help women victim of violence: finding them a place to stay with their children, conducting webinars with testimonies, and even training our teammates within Accor to detect early indicators of violence. 

Finally, I am very involved in mentorship to help women both within and outside of Accor. I am trying to help every woman to embrace their sensitivity as a form of freedom and truth towards others. As Gustave Flaubert said, “I am endowed with an absurd sensitivity; what scratches others tears me apart.” Being a woman in this industry and more globally is finding the right balance between intellectual and emotional quotients, which is a combination for success. 

T+L SEA: Wellness is huge right now. What new, interesting things are Sofitel and MGallery in Asia doing to meet guest needs in spa, health and wellbeing? 

Maud Bailly: We are always listening to our guests, and studies have shown that 80% wish to focus on their wellbeing. Guests are now seeking more personalization, as well as a reconnection to oneself and others. Desires for nature intertwine with a strong attraction to new technologies, and, hence, to sustainable results. This is how our new holistic wellness concept The Purist Retreat & Spa was born. An innovative offering centered around four pillars of wellbeing: care, sleep, nutrition, and movement. It provides a means to live better, find balance, and establish new lifestyle habits. 

The very first The Purist Retreat & Spa is opening its doors in December 2023 within the MGallery in Trouville, Normandy, in France, an ideal destination for its fresh air and seawater. Here, the offering is reinvented, modernized, and tailored to a guest seeking a holistic experience. The treatment menu has been enriched with exclusive novelties and complemented by a 360° wellness offering.  

The Purist Retreat & Spa is intended to be deployed worldwide, in each case emphasizing the expert hands of our teams and strong CSR commitments. In our spaces, guests regain control of their health, learn to understand themselves (better), and take daily self-care. 

Globally, all Sofitel hotels have a dedicated luxury spa. We are also dedicated to the Art of Sleep, from jet-lag kits, to our pioneering Sofitel MyBed, to sleep rituals.  

Our MGallery hotels offer signature treatments and local know-how in the wellness space, using local products inspired by the destination and ancestral techniques (for example, the farm within the hotel serving all organic ingredients at the restaurant in Legacy Yen Tu, herbs from the garden used in the spa treatments, etc). And we highlight outdoor experiences, from sunrise in Sapa at Hotel de la Couple, to mountain hiking at Veranda Chiang Mai, to personal wellness gurus at V Villas Phuket. 

T+L SEA: What innovations should we be looking out for in Sofitel and MGallery food and beverage in Asia? 

Maud Bailly: The French zest in all our hotels starts at breakfast! Sofitel will soon introduce a project around the art of the croissant—a century-old true symbol of the French breakfast around the world. From mastering the traditional pur beurre croissant to perfection following the French pastry guidelines, to creating a cultural link in styling the croissant, Sofitel Croissants will let the guests taste the essence of different places, celebrating the diversity of global cuisine where unique flavors come together, ultimately linking the French culture with other cultures around the world. 

At MGallery we aim to turn our hotels into lively destination places for locals with one of the brand pillars being Memorable. “Memorable” stands for memorable moments, design and mixology. We are creating a signature cocktail to tell the story of each hotel, its creativity, savoir-faire and local anchorage. 

T+L SEA: What’s your favorite destination in Asia-Pacific? 

Maud Bailly: Vietnam. 

T+L SEA: How often per month do you travel? And can we get your most important packing tips, please?  

I am traveling three to six times a month! My life could be summarized this way: “from checked bag to carry-on,” I became a worldwide expert of under 100ml beauty products. 

Travel tips: drink a lot of water, no alcohol, sleep as much as you can each time you can, don’t eat too much on a plane, take some high hydration masks, and never forget your flight socks! 

T+L SEA: What did you want to be when you grew up? 

Maud Bailly: A hand surgeon! 

T+L SEA: Haha! We’d say we’re surprised but actually you came to this job from operations in a totally different industry. How does running the Paris Metro Montparnasse station equip you to run one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel brands? 

Maud Bailly: A principle has always driven me: to fully embrace each experience, whether it’s spending six months on the field at SNCF learning to couple TGV carriages, overseeing missions for NGOs in inspection, envisioning tomorrow’s solutions within Manuel Valls’s economic and digital cell at Matignon, or over the past six years at Accor, alongside my wonderful teams. 

Throughout all my experiences, I have remained true to who I am, my values, my drive to build powerful teams through diversity, my desire to empower those around me, and my commitment to the cause of women.  

The expectations of the new generations have evolved significantly in their approach to work, that is why we are very focused on the purpose—how we are serving something bigger than ourselves. I am deeply involved in the transformation of the hotel industry to make it more environmentally friendly by eliminating plastic usage, making our buildings cleaner, thereby reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing food waste. 

I am always guided by René Char’s quote: “There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.” 

The general manager of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Oliver Schnatz, introduces us to his newly spruced-up grande dame

“The renovation of the hotel did not only cover all of our 345 guest rooms and suites, but we also have a put a very strong focus on enhancing all the public spaces in the hotel. This includes the bridge that was built to connect the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit directly with the Asok BTS station, the Sukhumvit MRT station, and Terminal 21 shopping mall.

“When we conceptualized the new food and beverage outlets for the hotel one of the key objectives was to create venues that would appeal to the community as much as they would appeal to our in-house guest. Judging by the number of local residents we are now welcoming on a daily basis, it seems that we were able to achieve this and become a meeting spot for the community.

“Our soul is in providing exceptional and personalized service.

“There are indeed many new hotels coming into the market on a regular basis and with our renovated product we can definitely compete with them. But ultimately it is the service culture in a hotel that creates these memories that make you want to return. I truly believe that we have a very caring and passionate team and they are the ones creating the opportunities to set us apart from many other luxury hotels.”

To find out more about the lovely new look and feel at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, read here. 

Article Sponsored by Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit.
Images courtesy of Sofitel, unless otherwise noted.

Vivid and vibrant, Sydney beckons you with its pulsating energy, burgeoning arts and cultural events, fine dining experiences, and a laid-back beach vibe. The New South Wales capital is Australia’s largest and oldest city with settlements taking you back to the colonial era.

While Darling Harbour with its iconic sights is the crown jewel of the city, you will find an array of swanky hotels, boutique retreats, heritage properties, and spa resorts vying with each other to offer the best in accommodation and showcase some of the best views. From six-star luxuriant havens to a palatial outpost of an international chain, here are some of the best hotels to stay in Sydney for your next holiday.

Best hotels in Sydney

Adelaide’s vivacious charm and lively spirit invite you to experience South Australian hospitality with vivid festivals, cultural events, music, wine, and cricket. The South Australian capital is more than just a colonial city of churches and is a gateway to the state which is known for its verdant wine regions, rugged coasts, captivating islands, and national parks teeming with wildlife.

Adelaide however is a destination by itself with little stories and secrets tucked away amidst quaint neighbourhoods and laid-back beaches. Plan your South Australian adventure with a vacation in the heritage land of the Kaurna People and here is a curated list of the best hotels in Adelaide from luxury and boutique properties to international outposts and stately heritage retreats.

Where to stay in Adelaide: A guide to the best hotels in the South Australian city

Pack your overnight bag and appetite as we explore four foodie destinations perfect for the ultimate food-lovers weekend. From the on-trend gastronomy of Melbourne to the flavourful fusion cuisine of Kandy, this guide has got you covered.

PREPARE TO TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS with mouthwatering local delicacies while staying in city centre luxury. When you’ve only planned a short weekend break, staying in the middle of the action is always the right choice.

In each of these cities, Radisson Hotel Group has a unique hotel that places you steps from the best places to fill your belly. 

Whether you love street food, fine dining or Instagrammable eats, you’ll find something to love in these hand-picked destinations.

Melbourne, Australia

Our first stop is the dynamic food and lifestyle of Melbourne, Australia. Every corner of this magnetic city is filled with food and culture to discover. 

Stay: Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne

Nestled in Melbourne’s vibrant heart, Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens offers a haven for urban explorers and discerning gourmands. Sitting in the central business district, the hotel’s 184 stylish rooms and suites feature design infused with modern bursts of colour, ensuring a chic and comfortable stay.

With plush mattresses and an expansive pillow menu, you’ll love sleeping off every meal in supreme comfort. Guests who upgrade to a suite can enjoy a lounge area with city views. During your stay, enjoy skyline views from the rooftop spa and gym and enjoy round-the-clock room service.  

Eating at the hotel is a never-miss option, with a seasonal menu available all day at HQ’s on William. Settle in to caffeinate with the in-house barista-made coffee along with an extensive buffet spread every morning. With a menu dedicated to the delights of regional and seasonal dishes, expect all sorts from their signature wagyu beef burger, seafood linguine, fresh oysters and a wide selection of wine favourites. Savour artisanal cocktails and sample local recipes on the rooftop terrace overlooking the grand skyscrapers of A’Beckett Street.

If you need recommendations on where to eat, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge can offer local insight into the best restaurants, markets and casual bites. 

Eat 

The elegant hotel is just a stone’s throw from the iconic Queen Victoria Market – a bustling hub with a delectable array of artisanal treats around every corner.

Another must-visit spot for satisfying culinary cravings is Smith Street — hailed as the coolest street in the world by Time Out – and just a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Indulge in world-class people-watching as you soak up Melbourne’s coffee culture and sip a famous flat white at one of dozens of trendy cafes.

Explore

Melbourne’s cultural scene offers endless allure, with the legendary Docklands offering a huge variety of attractions — from public art installations to concerts and sporting events — and is located within a kilometre and a half of the hotel. 

To discover the charms of Fitzroy, venture beyond the beaten path and uncover a world of trendy shops and eclectic art displays. Don’t miss the Fitzroy Mills Market, where intriguing artwork beckons and the Brunswick Street Gallery, a haven for art lovers. 

Quezon City, Philippines

While Quezon City may not always be top of mind for weekend getaways — with many people considering nearby Manila the main attraction — this up-and-coming city is gaining traction with locals escaping the cheerful chaos of Manila as well as travellers from further afield.

Stay: Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA

Discover a world of contemporary comfort at Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA. Sitting in the midpoint of Quezon City, this vibrant hotel offers a respite from the busy city, allowing you to relax and recharge amidst modern design in spacious and well-appointed rooms that provide the ideal blend of comfort and style.

Onsite culinary delights blend international and local favourites to curb your every craving. Casa serves up full-service buffet breakfasts and all-day delights while guests in a hurry can get something nourishing to nosh at the newly revamped Dash Cafe. The latest collaboration offers Starbucks coffee to pair on your taste buds with the delectable assortment of pitch-perfect pastries and finger sandwiches. Terazza on 7 is the ideal place to unwind beside the pool with a refreshing cocktail and light meal. 

Once you step outside, a footbridge connects you directly to the extensive SM City North EDSA shopping complex, the second largest mall in the Philippines. From hypermarkets to cinema and from a bowling centre to an archery range, guests will never run out of fun activities in their free time. Home-grown and international brands shine in both shopping and dining options, offering plenty of options for food exploring and souvenir shopping. No other hotel in the ‘City of Stars’ comes close in convenience, location and comfort.

Eat

In the nearby Mother Ignacia neighbourhood, visitors can stroll through streets of affordable restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. The area is known for meat-centric Filipino restaurants and inspired takes on local cuisine.  

Tomas Morato Avenue shines for nightlife, offering many choices for comfort food, fusion dining and Italian fare. On Maginhawa Street, garden restaurants impress with chef-crafted Filipino fare, while provincial speciality eateries serve heirloom dishes. The nearby Timog Avenue is also a haven for food enthusiasts searching for hip cafes and fine-dining experiences. After dark, live music and entertainment make for an unforgettable evening.

Explore

There is lots to see and do in the city when you’re not eating. Quezon Memorial Circle sits near the hotel and offers gardens, museums, a shrine, and amusement for locals and visitors. 

Those who love nature will love immersing themselves in the local flora and fauna at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Centre, which is easily reachable from the metro station just a few minutes away.

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Peaceful pleasure awaits in the lush embrace of Kandy’s hills. The laidback city is ringed by tea plantations and rainforests, making it rife with fresh, local ingredients to create incredible cuisine.

Stay: Radisson Hotel Kandy

Radisson Hotel Kandy enjoys a divine location between forest and lake, with rooms that meld modern amenities with Sri Lankan art and local touches. With 122 rooms evoking the country’s fascinating culture, guests enjoy it all in the heart of the charming destination. 

With a rooftop bar, meeting rooms, pool and fitness centre, every convenience is available. The hotel also offers Lake View suites with amazing panoramas to further enjoy the surrounds.

Dine is where your day of eating begins, with healthy buffet breakfasts and dinners as well as all-day dining on local and international dishes. After the sun goes down, enjoy views of Kandy by night at Bommu Rooftop Bar, where local cocktails are served with unforgettable plates. 

Dine

At the country’s culinary heart, Kandy’s cuisine fuses flavours from across Sri Lanka’s regions. Travellers can taste famed dishes like Jaffna crab curry and the Dutch-inspired lamprias, a full meal with two curries baked in a banana leaf.

Kandy is also renowned for local dishes such as sour fish curry Ambul Thiyal — a truly unusual experience for foreigners. Street food also abounds in this city , and guests regularly discover street foods of all kinds, known as “short eats,” from local vendors. Don’t skip the hot dosa washed down with a steaming cup of tea. 

As a centre of Buddhism and home to a large Sinhalese community, there are many options for vegans, while the region’s past as a British colony is still evident in high tea services and Western food offerings. 

Explore

Movie buffs will have fun searching out some of the iconic locations where “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” were filmed, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Tooth, houses a relic believed to be Buddha’s tooth and is not to be missed. 

Kandy is known as a starting point for charming train rides offering spectacular views, and Kandy Central Market is a prime place for sampling local fruits and snacks amongst locals. 

Bacolod City, Philippines

Travel to the centre of Negros Occidental to find the delicious wonders of Bacolod City, Philippines’ City of Smiles as well as the home of the country’s sweetest treats. 

Stay: Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod

Park Inn By Radisson Bacolod offers stays to remember in the best part of the burgeoning city. Each of its 150 spacious rooms and suites is finished with every modern convenience, and the location is nothing short of perfect. Step outside the hotel’s doors to find a direct connection to the SM City Bacolod shopping complex and SMX Convention Center Bacolod. This supermall has it all – renowned brands, restaurants, cinema, play areas for kids to enjoy while you shop and plenty of ongoing events and festivals that allow you to soak in the local atmosphere. You’ll never be short of fun and entertaining options while staying at the nearby Radisson Hotel. 

Inside the hotel are four stellar options for dining and drinking. Arima is your first daily stop for filling, seasonal breakfast buffets, and all-day a la carte dining. The Lobby Lounge and Dash are the places to stop for a convenient beverage, light meal or around-the-clock takeaway food as you head out to explore the city. For a more indulgent experience, visit Marapara Pool Bar for appetising light meals and drinks overlooking the pool. With great sunset views, it’s the perfect place to recharge after a day in the city.

Eat

Bacolod sits at the top of foodie bucket lists as one of the Philippines’ capitals of flavour. Once known as the nation’s dessert hub, the city still makes indulgent sweets — piaya and napoleon being the most famous — and is a true candy lover’s paradise. But it also offers much more.

Bacolod is also famed for inasal, the grilled and marinated chicken dish that manages to be both sweet and salty and has become a staple across the country. 

The best place to sample inasal is Manokan Country, a neighbourhood where chicken houses line the entire street and every table features pinakurat, a local vinegar, soy sauce and chicken oil. Birds are served with garlic rice, fresh calamari, hot chilli and plastic gloves to keep your hands clean.

Explore

Just a mere 10 minutes away, Nearby the hotel, guests can take a walk in Bacolod Public Plaza to mingle with locals or soak up local culture and take photos at the postcard-pretty San Sebastian Cathedral.

When you’ve had your fill of chicken, seafood and lavishly sweet desserts, be sure to visit The Ruins, a once-grand mansion that was owned by one of the city’s rich sugar makers that provides a perspective on the Bacolod City of old and provides insight into the destination’s storied history.

Using these insider tips from Radisson Hotels, foodies can embark on tasty city breaks that take them from Melbourne’s coffee culture to Quezon’s lively localities and from Kandy’s Buddhist history to Bacolod’s indulgent inasal. Stay centrally with Radisson Hotels and dine locally for a foodie weekend to remember.

In Australia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, use these insider tips to enjoy your stay in Radisson hotels that put you in the heart of it all – coffee culture, heritage cuisine, fresh seafood and sweet treats that make these destinations a foodie’s dream.

Join as a member of Radisson Rewards to unlock instant benefits from day one, including exclusive member rates and flexible redemption.  Book your stay directly via www.radissonhotels.com or Radisson Hotels App for the latest special offers. 

Book and save more with Radisson Hotels App for hotels in South East Asia Pacific! 

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Article Sponsored by Radisson Hotels.
Images courtesy of Radisson Hotels and lede image courtesy of Tourism Australia, unless otherwise noted.

From ocean view suites to locally sourced feasts, The Langham, Gold Coast gets every wedding right. 

WHEN IT COMES TO ENCHANTINGLY luxurious weddings along Australia’s coveted Gold Coast, no one does it better than The Langham, Gold Coast. From opulent receptions in the Diamond Ballroom to chic beachfront weddings, the award-winning hotel is a hit with luxury-loving couples and guests, who love the convenient location between two international airports.

The destination hotel was honoured with an array of awards this year — including five top industry accolades highlighted by Australia’s Best Beach and Best Island Hotel. The country’s newest beachfront luxury destination won five ‘best of the best’ categories in the prestigious Queensland Hotel Australia (QHA) Awards for Excellence 2023 and Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023.

The QHA Awards for Excellence — the most prestigious awards in the hospitality industry throughout Queensland — recognised The Langham, Gold Coast as Best Deluxe Accommodation, Best Marketed Hotel – Accommodation Division, Best Suite / Apartment Hotel, and the highly coveted Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation for 2023.

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 named The Langham, Gold Coast the Best Beach or Island Hotel in Australia.

Read on to learn why The Langham, Gold Coast has gained so many fans and why it is the Gold Coast’s best luxury wedding destination.

Eleven Opulent Venues 

The Langham, Gold Coast is an unforgettable architectural marvel offering 11 venue choices to accommodate every style of special day, from intimate ceremonies to large-scale events. 

The Diamond Ballroom offers pure grandeur with soaring ceilings, textured walls and state-of-the-art integrated technology to enable the wedding of your dreams.

The hotel’s mezzanine level offers a variety of versatile spaces, perfect for small and medium weddings. The main tower’s Clarity room provides exclusive amenities for small weddings requiring a cocktail-style setting or elegant long-table dining. 

Luxurious Accommodations

Designed for modern and convivial coastal living with every possible amenity, The Langham, Gold Coast, offers 169 hotel rooms and 170 apartment-style accommodation options to suit your entire wedding party. Guests love returning to their perfectly appointed rooms to enjoy peaceful Pacific Ocean views of panoramic landscape views. 

The Chairman’s Suite can accommodate up to five guests and is popular with engaged couples, featuring two large en suite bedrooms, study, dining area, butler’s pantry and two lounges.

Innovative Wellness Facilities

The Langham, Gold Coast is dedicated to providing unique and holistic spa services to engaged couples, wedding parties, and all guests at Chuan Spa.

Taking its name from the Chinese word for flowing water, Chuan Spa is 5,300 square feet of holistic wellness spaces across eight treatment rooms, each designed to showcase the spa’s Five Elements ethos and take guests on indulgent spa journeys.

The spa’s tranquil ambience and specialised services, including Signature Escapes designed for jet lag recovery and full-body detox, have quickly developed a devoted following and won the spa two awards at the 2023 World Spa Awards. Chuan Spa took the top spot as Oceania’s Best Hotel Spa 2023 and Australia’s Best Hotel Spa 2023.

The spa’s massages, facials, wraps, scrubs, and more provide reinvigorating experiences guided by the Eastern principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acclaimed Dining

With a focus on seasonal, local and inclusive flavours, The Langham, Gold Coast aims to offer a taste of the Gold Coast reimagined through a Langham lens and personalised to the tastes of your wedding party.

T’ang Court weaves Cantonese tastes into an Australian landscape sensibility, taking

inspiration from the Michelin-starred establishments across Asia that share its name. Guests dine on Eastern dishes in an opulent 80-seat dining room featuring abstract works by Australian-Chinese artist Lindi Li.

Akoya is where guests start the day, with hearty buffet breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner options with ocean views. The menu is based on coastal palettes — such as fresh oysters and lobster — and family-style dishes. All of its dishes incorporate local produce, and a signature buffet on weekend evenings offers the opportunity to watch the chefs create in a fully open kitchen.

No matter what kind of wedding you dream of, the team of experts at The Langham, Gold Coast can make your Australian beachfront wedding unforgettable for every guest. 

For more information about your beachfront wedding, please contact tlgdc.SocialEvents@langhamhotels.com or visit: www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/gold-coast/events/weddings/.

Article Sponsored by The Langham, Gold Coast.
Images courtesy of The Langham, Gold Coast.

The first Soho House in Australia will open at 256 Crown Street, promising to be a new dynamic creative hub. Here’s what we know so far.

Soho House to debut first Australian location in Sydney

The new House will be located at 256 Crown Street, between Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. Found a short walk away from Sydney‘s Oxford Street, the location will be part of the area’s revival from a historic thoroughfare to an exciting cultural and creative hub. The building redevelopment itself looks to offer a variety of both indoor and outdoor spaces for members across five floors.

The new announcement comes as Soho House prepares a week-long residency at The Old Clare Hotel for SXSW Sydney. During the week, the club will occupy the ground floor bar, main restaurant, and rooftop pool, providing international and Cities Without Houses members events designed to recreate the full Soho House experience. Happenings at the hotel include a Secret Sounds performance, dinner with British Chef Darren Robertson, and an art installation with artist Paul Davies.

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Soho House will also be hosting a number of industry events and projects, including partnering with not-for-profit Women In Music Australia to bring its Soho Fellowship program to the coastal metropolis.

“It’s possibly one of the worst-kept secrets, but we’re so excited to confirm that we will be opening a Soho House in Sydney in the future,” writes Membership Director, Dominique Bellas. “While we don’t have more details to share at this time, we continue to grow our Cities Without Houses community in Australia and are looking forward to bringing our members a week-long Soho House experience for Sydney’s first South by South West”

Creatives currently residing in Sydney and Melbourne can apply for Cities Without Houses which allows members to make meaningful connections with each other in cities where there is no physical house. The membership will offer access to monthly local events hosted by Soho House as well as entry to Soho House locations globally. Soho House currently operates in 80 cities globally across North America, the UK, Europe, APAC, Africa, and Latin America.

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This story first appeared here.

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Related: These Are Australia’s Best Hotels, Spas, Pools and More in 2023

Eclectic and dynamic, Melbourne effortlessly blends in the old-world charm with a cosmopolitan vibe that has made it a tourist magnet. The cultural and creative spirit can be captured in the kaleidoscopic street art, the culinary flavours and the coffee culture.

Melbourne is vibrant, passionate about sports and loves to flaunt its arty aura. And for a city that is so diverse, the hospitality scene showcases a fascinating blend of expansive luxurious properties to quirky arty retreats.

Wake up to the panoramic views of the Yarra flowing through the sparkling skyline of the city or stay in the bohemian laneways and enjoy the hospitality of the Victorian capital. If you are planning a holiday to Melbourne, you are spoilt for choices when it comes to accommodation. Be it a local homegrown hotel or an outpost of an international chain, here are the ten best hotels in Melbourne for the discerning traveller.

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The best hotels in Melbourne for your next vacation to Australia

If you’re after an off-grid vacation, it doesn’t get more tropically remote than Palau. Starting in October, Four Seasons Explorer, the 10-cabin, 22-guest luxury catamaran, will make the Pacific Island nation its home base.

Palau comprises 340 islands — only nine of which are inhabited — and 193,000 square miles (4,99,867.70 square kilometres) of protected marine territory that includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rock Islands Southern Lagoon. As such, it’s a premier diving and snorkelling destination.

This floating resort will make Palau its home base!

Guests aboard Four Seasons Explorer can make good use of the PADI 5-Star Dive Centre while visiting such sites as Helmet Wreck, a World War II wreck; Clam City, home to 250-pound giant clams; and Peleliu Wall.

Guests can also take guided trips to some inland bodies of water like the iconic Jellyfish Lake.

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A trip aboard Four Seasons Explorer isn’t limited to marine exploration — with more than 4,000 years of Palauan history, there’s also plenty of culture to experience; historic sites to visit, including the ancient Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, the cave paintings of Ulong Island; and natural beauty to enjoy via hiking, birdwatching, and other excursions. On board, guests will enjoy programming like lectures and music performances by Palauans, local and international cuisine, and, of course, Four Seasons–quality spa treatments.

“The core Palauan value of omengull — respecting all and everything — deeply aligns with our values at Four Seasons,” said Armando Kraenzlin, Four Seasons’ regional vice president, in a statement sent to T+L. “Right from the Palauan Pledge that all visitors are asked to sign upon arrival, visitors are immersed in one of the world’s most unique cultures, founded on tradition and respect. It’s a thrilling paradise for anyone seeking harmony with nature, and the opportunity to learn and embrace the unique Palauan way of life.”

Full-board rates, including up to three dives per day, start at USD 3,300 (HKD 25,874) per cabin per night; book now at fourseasons.com/explorerpalau.

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This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

Related: 29 Best Tropical Vacations Around The World

Don’t know where you’re sleeping tonight? There’s an app for that. 

THE STANDARD IS KNOWN FOR its boundary-pushing, lifestyle-driven hospitality, and its newly relaunched app is sure to appeal to its fun-loving following that never shies away from a last-minute adventure or one-night stay.

One Night Standard, the brand’s cutting edge last-minute booking app relaunched in the U.S. — and launched globally — on August 1 with new destinations, including Bangkok and Hua Hin in Thailand, and the same incredible deals not available anywhere else.

For those familiar with apps that require swiping, using One Night Standard is easy. The day’s best prices are posted at 3pm, and users can begin booking immediately.

T+L Tip for Hua Hin guests: Open the app at lunch time because, for this dynamic beach resort, you can actually book by 12pm and check-in by 3pm — which is just enough time to make the drive down from Bangkok!

The app offers spontaneous, same-night reservations at properties across The Standard’s portfolio, including New York’s The Standard, High Line and The Standard, East Village; The Standard Spa, Miami Beach; The Standard, London; The Standard, Ibiza; Thailand’s The Standard, Hua Hin and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon; and The Standard, Maldives, with more unique destinations to be added to the app as The Standard brand grows.

The brand’s loyal fans have been lobbying to bring the pioneering app back, and The Standard’s execs were listening and waiting until the moment was right.

“Guests are not only enthusiastically returning to travel, but are dropping inhibitions and allowing themselves to live spontaneously once again,” said Standard International CEO Amber Asher.

“It feels great to bring One Night Standard back for all those who missed it during the past few years and lobbied for its return. It is particularly gratifying because we have added some stunning new locations like Ibiza and Bangkok that are just perfect for impromptu late-night fun.”

The Standard was named sixth on Travel + Leisure’s list of readers’ 25 favourite hotel brands in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon was named among the best City Hotels and The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, was named in both the House Reefs and Resorts for Families categories in Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023.

Cutting-edge and encouraging guests to live an un-standard life, One Night Standard is the only app of its kind developed by a hotel brand and puts the power of spontaneity and savings in the hands of its taste-making clientele.

While it’s great for a last-minute staycation in your own city — or one nearby — it’s also ideal for adding a night onto a trip you can’t bear to end, staying in the city centre instead of commuting home, or having an impromptu sleepover with a friend. 

Always a brand defying convention, The Standard already has plans to link its One Night Standard app with pioneering dating app Feeld, created for open-minded users seeking unique connections.

One Night Standard can be downloaded at the App Store or on Google Play via this link.

Article sponsored by The Standard.
Images courtesy of The Standard.