highlightCategory: Stay

Where to rest your head at night

Stay at The Slate Phuket

If you’ve ever watched The White Lotus and thought, “Wow, I’d love to swan about a luxe resort in a silk robe, but without the pesky murder subplot,” then The Slate Phuket has read your mind (and possibly your group chat).

Enter the Indigo Lotus Package: a cheeky, extravagant escape that serves Thai luxury with a twist of HBO glam and (exactly) zero scandals.

Stay four nights in your own private pool villa, where you can dramatically sip cocktails like you’re about to drop a bombshell. Except here, the only drama is choosing between a coconut scrub or a full-body massage at Coqoon Spa.

Dine like a diva at Black Ginger; yes, the floating restaurant you reach via hand-pulled raft (because walking is boring), and pretend you’re being filmed by a hidden camera crew.

You’ll also get front-row seats to a real-deal Muay Thai fight, daily breakfast that does not include suspicious green smoothies, and an optional spiritual detox at Wat Chalong. Plus, there’s a beach club excursion with drinks because balance.

It’s the perfect package for lovers, besties, or your three favourite aunties. Yes, it’s a little on the expensive side AU$8,881 a couple), but we reckon it’s worth every cent.

This isn’t a holiday, it’s your main character moment. No messy plot twists, just tropical opulence, Thai culture, and a resort so beautiful, it deserves its own Emmy.

Aman to open Amancaya in the Bahamas

Aman, the brand synonymous with “I can’t believe this is real,” is setting up shop in the Bahamas with its latest miracle of modern escapism: Amancaya.

Slated to open soon in the heavenly Exuma archipelago, this new resort is so private, it practically requires a treasure map to find (nope, Google maps won’t cut it). Amancaya, which means ‘peaceful island’ in Taíno (but could also mean ‘prepare to stay here forever’), will sprawl across two secluded cays that appear to have been personally photoshopped by Mother Nature herself.

There will be 36 of Aman’s signature pavilions (read: temples of tranquility) and a handful of branded residences, just in case you actually decide you never want to leave. Expect all the essentials: a Beach Club, an Aman Spa to recalibrate your chakras, and enough dining venues to justify packing your extra stretchy pants.

Backing this island Eden is Swiss billionaire Dona Bertarelli – sailor, philanthropist, and general overachiever – who has teamed up with Aman to make sure you’ll never see another human being on your Bahamas holiday unless you want to. Naturally, the resort is also going for LEED certification for that green tick of approval.

So, if your idea of a good time involves impeccable service, zero stress, and more sea turtles than travellers, Amancaya might just be your next obsession.

Trisara has dropped five new culinary bombshells

Just when we thought Trisara couldn’t get any fancier (Michelin stars, ocean views, sustainable everything), they’ve gone full culinary Taylor Swift and dropped five new restaurants. Because apparently, one can never have too much caviar… or goat satay.

The first one is La Crique, and if you’re imagining the French Riviera dressed up for a Thai beach holiday, then it’s exactly that. It’s all oysters, herb-crusted lamb, and millefeuille so delicate it needs its own ‘do not touch’ sign. Chef Notty (real name, serious talent) helms this seafood seduction station with the elegance of a man who’s seen PRU’s Michelin star and thought, “Sure, I can top that.”

Next is the Thai Library, which is pretty much the soul food sanctuary you didn’t know you needed. It’s home-style Southern Thai with a sexy twist. Think grandma’s recipes, but your grandma now has a tasting menu and uses sustainable goat. Highlights include tom som soup aged 100 years and crab so fresh it may still be able to pinch you.

Onto the next, NOÉ on the Beach is members-only meets “pass the rosé.” Exclusive to hotel guests, it’s where you go to sip ocean-inspired cocktails in your designer swimwear and pretend you don’t know how emails work.

7.8° North Bar is all shaken, stirred, and sultry. Italian charm, classic cocktails, and latitude references to impress your date.

And then there’s Cielo & Spice, a Silk Road fever dream serving tandoori chicken, river prawn pasta, and brunch with jazz hands. Literally. Live jazz. On a deck. Overlooking the Andaman.

Our pro tip? Pack your stretchy pants. Phuket’s new foodie paradise isn’t just a vibe, it’s five.

1 Hotel Melbourne opens

Melbourne just got a little greener and a lot more fabulous. Enter 1 Hotel Melbourne: a sustainably sexy new stay perched on the Yarra River that proves you can save the planet and sip boutique wine at the same time.

This isn’t your average “we swapped plastic straws for paper” kind of eco-hotel. No, 1 Hotel is full-blown tree-hugger chic with floor-to-ceiling windows, 2,000+ plants, and interiors made from reclaimed everything including timber from old rail bridges and moss panels (whatever they are).

Rooms are calm, gorgeous sanctuaries with views of the river or skyline, plus Bamford spa products so fancy you’ll seriously ‘consider’ smuggling them home. There’s also a gym, steam room, spa, sauna, and a pool that practically begs you to put it on your Instagram story.

And there’s plenty of good food. The signature restaurant (mystery chef pending) will hero local farmers, fishers, and seasonal produce, while the grab-and-go café dishes out organic bites you’ll pretend are for “later.” Over in the lobby bar, they’re shaking up foraged cocktails so delicious you won’t care what’s in them.

Sustainably built, stylishly executed, and smugly satisfying; 1 Hotel Melbourne is where eco-cred meets indulgent escape. So, what are you waiting for?

Nuanu Creative City opens Oshom Bali

Congratulations, your main character moment has arrived – and it takes place at Nuanu Creative City’s newly opening luxury boutique hotel, Oshom Bali. If you’re picturing a beachside jungle dreamland with a disco ball in the wardrobes and a massage table on every terrace then you’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Perched on the black lava sands of Pantai Nyanyi, Oshom is where luxury meets “I might just stay forever” energy. With just 18 keys, including dreamy Ocean Suites and Treehouse Hideaways nestled in the mangroves, this isn’t your typical resort. It’s more like a serene fever dream curated by someone who really knows their way around a mood board.

Expect volcanic sand walls, reclaimed teakwood, bamboo nest lounges, and yes, disco balls in the walk-in wardrobes. The Indigo Dreams Suite comes with its own alfresco massage room, while The Artist’s Suite has a meditation dome and an indoor-outdoor bar. Because why choose one when you can have both?

And you’re gonna drool over the food; ocean-fresh, ever-changing, and best paired with a botanical cocktail as the sun dramatically disappears into the sea. The vibe? DJ sunsets, cacao ceremonies, and poolside lectures that may or may not lead to a deep personal revelation. And because it’s tucked inside Nuanu, you also get access to Bali’s first multimedia park, electric buggies, and a wellness complex that might just realign your chakras.

Oshom isn’t just where you stay, it’s where your alter ego comes out to play (we love when we can make a rhyme work). Think saltwater dips, a whole lot of sequins, and a delicious sense that you’ve landed somewhere seriously special.

Relax at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Redefine your idea of ‘roughing it’ by treating yourself to a stay at Wilderluxe’s newest opening, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit. Nestled on the sparkling shores of, you guessed it, Lake Keepit in New South Wales, this premium property promises a next-level escape; a place where natures meets a touch of decadence.

Forget battling zippers on tiny tents – here, it’s all about luxurious safari-style accommodation equipped with plush king-sized beds, stylish ensuite bathrooms, and panoramic views of the lake (sans monster).

While away the hours in one of eight Star Tents, or in a private guest lounge, with a locally sourced cheese platter on the table beside you and a glass of Hunter Valley’s finest in hand. Kangaroos might even grace you with their presence, hopping right by your private deck as if you’re David Attenborough and they’re auditioning for a part in your upcoming nature documentary.

If adventure is what gets you going, Wilderluxe offers paddle boarding, kayaking, gravel riding, fishing, access to hiking trails and stargazing – ain’t no city smog in these rural parts.

As if that wasn’t enough to convince you to put your name down for an inaugural stay, Wilderluxe is also passionate about sustainability. Every inch of the site has been designed with eco-consciousness in mind. Solar power, rainwater harvesting, and zero-waste initiatives make your stay as kind to the planet as it is to your Insta feed.

And you just have to participate in The Experience: a communal feast full of a carefully curated selection of local food and refreshments before Uncle Len Waters looks to the night sky to uncover a few magical Aboriginal stories. We’ll see you there.

Relax at The Calile

From the moment I was scooped up from Brisbane Airport in The Calile’s very own custom Range Rover, I knew I was in for a stay dripping with luxury and style. I mean, nothing says, “I’ve arrived” quite like reclining in air-conditioned leather after sitting next to the gum-smacker and aggressive screen-tapper on the flight over.

Rolling up to the hotel, I was met with soft pink hues, breezy archways, and staff who somehow managed to be both effortlessly cool and incredibly attentive. I immediately vowed to become one of these impossibly chic people – or at least pretend to be one for the next 12 hours.

As soon as I got to my room, I headed straight for the balcony to spot my first look at the iconic pool. Which was also my first stop as soon as I had unpacked.

The water was the perfect temperature; refreshing but not “gasp-and-lose-your-dignity” cold. Lined with striped loungers and fringed umbrellas, it felt like I’d stumbled into a Slim Aarons photoshoot. I ordered a cocktail (classic marg of course), threw on my best “I refuse to look at my emails” face, and let the book I was reading whisk me away.

Before I knew it, the sun was setting and dinner at Hellenika was beckoning; I couldn’t wait for a feast of Greek decadence. The saganaki? A bubbling, golden masterpiece. The pastitsio? So gooey and bechamel-y that I wondered if it would ruin normal lasagne for me forever. I washed it all down with another marg (when on assignment, am I right?) and left feeling deeply satisfied and only slightly regretful about my much-too-full-stomach.

And as I flopped onto my crisp linen-clad bed, I thought: “I could get used to this.” Then I immediately checked my bank balance and laughed. Ah well, it was worth every penny.

Enjoy a night at Trailborn Grand Canyon

Gone are the days when dusty motels and outdated lodges ruled the American highway system. Trailborn Grand Canyon has officially landed in Williams, Arizona, and it’s bringing a whole lot of swagger to the gateway of one of the world’s most beloved national parks. Think Route 66 retro vibes, modern comforts, and just the right amount of Wild West weirdness to make your stay unforgettable.

Williams, a town known for its vintage diners, neon signs, and trainloads of tourists chugging their way to the Grand Canyon, just got a serious upgrade. Trailborn has taken an old motor lodge and given it a full glow-up; 96 freshly redesigned rooms with velvet headboards (fancy), leather-stitched lamps (rustic-chic), and Bluetooth radios because what’s a road trip without the perfect playlist?

And let’s talk about Miss Kitty’s. Every road trip deserves a good steakhouse with a name that sounds straight out of a cowboy soap opera, and Trailborn has a doozy. This soon-to-open eatery will serve up southwestern grill favourites with a side of nostalgia and handcrafted cocktails (proper hydration is key in the desert).

Of course, Trailborn is also all about the adventure. Whether you’re here for the epic hikes, stargazing, helicopter rides, or just trying to survive a round of Wild West Bingo at Camp Hall, they’ve got you covered. And if you needed one more reason to book, a portion of your stay helps preserve the Grand Canyon so technically, this is a philanthropic holiday. Do you reckon we could claim it on tax?

EYRE.WAY’s newest cabin opens

Everyone’s fave eco-conscious cabin company, EYRE.WAY, has just dropped its third off-grid tiny home, and it’s called Bandari.

Tucked away on the coastal cliffs of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Bandari is as close to the ocean as you can get without turning into a mermaid. Think sweeping ocean views, pristine native flora, and a cabin that’s basically a hug for your soul, wrapped in timber, terracotta, and all the earthy tones your Pinterest board could ever need.

But this isn’t your average tiny home; it’s a luxurious, sustainable, eco-conscious retreat powered entirely by solar batteries (what?!?) Inside, you’ll find a fully equipped kitchen, a cosy lounge that turns into a dreamy double bed, and premium bedding so soft you’ll wonder if you’ve just snuck into the clouds.

You’ll also find all the modern comforts – reverse-cycle air, instant hot water, and high-speed WiFi – meaning you can escape the hustle, but still scroll on TikTok before bedtime.

With Bandari, EYRE.WAY is flexing its sustainable muscles again, following the smashing success of its siblings, Maldhi and Yambara. Co-founders Amanda and Tim Hogg have managed to create a space where you can truly disconnect and live your best, eco-chic life.

Just a heads up, you’ll never want to leave, but that’s exactly the point. Book your stay now, this view isn’t going to ‘gram itself.

AutoCamp’s newest creation is here

Gather ‘round, glampers! AutoCamp has done it again and this time, it’s planted its ultra-chic flag just 15 minutes from Sequoia National Park in the adorably named town of Three Rivers. You’re about to be neighbours with literal giants (hello, General Sherman, the world’s largest tree) while still getting your beauty sleep on high-thread-count sheets.

With 85 accommodations ranging from Classic Airstreams to Vista Suites with the best views, Explorer Suites with bonus amenities, and even Bunk Rooms for your whole adventure squad, there’s a plush nest for every type of outdoor-ish traveller. And if you’re not into trailers, no worries. They’ve got cabins, luxe tents, and even a heated pool for when you need a break from “roughing it”.

There’s even a Clubhouse where mid-century modern meets marshmallow roasting, featuring lounge areas, fire pits, and a bar. There’s also The Kitchen, slinging hot meals daily from 7 AM to 10 PM (because no one should have to ration granola bars), plus a General Store packed with s’mores kits, trail snacks, and local booze.

For the active crowd, expect hiking, spelunking, fly fishing, and kayaking, plus complimentary bikes to zoom around like you own the place. Oh, and if you’re thinking of hosting a wedding, retreat, or cult meeting (just kidding… mostly), their event spaces are downright dreamy.

Bottom line? AutoCamp Sequoia is the cool kid’s basecamp for exploring nature without surrendering your dignity (or your WiFi connection). See you in the trees.