Palazzo Versace Gold Coast
Australia may be best known by tourists for the antics of movie and TV stars like Paul Hogan (you probably know him better as Crocodile Dundee) and nature-loving croc hunter Steve Irwin, but there’s a lot more to this southern nation than untamed outback. While you can certainly tour the less habitable parts of the country to get your fix of kangaroos and koala bears, you might not be too interested in sleeping out in the open where any number of deadly beasts could get at you. Luckily, the country that many consider to be somewhat wild is positively teeming with luxury resorts at some of their most popular travel destinations. So if you’re looking for a laid-back vacation complete with luxurious accommodations, here are just a few resorts you might want to visit.
- Quay Grand Suites – Sydney, NSW. This hotel overlooking Sydney Harbor was named the South Pacific’s Best Luxury Hotel last year by TripAdvisor, and it isn’t hard to see why. Rooms are poshly appointed (many with large decks), the dining room is right on the water, and the indoor pool is a spectacular space you’ll have to see to believe. Plus, proximity to the opera house and other attractions means you’ll never be bored.
- Palazzo Versace – Gold Coast. This incredible hotel is brought to you by none other than Versace magnate Donatella herself. If the magnificent, Italian-inspired guest rooms aren’t to your liking, you could always stay in one of the property’s 72 condominiums. And if you love the water but the white-sand beaches just aren’t doing it for you, don’t hesitate to take a boat from their private marina out into the Gold Coast’s famous waterways.
- Cradle Mountain Lodge – Tasmania. If you’re tired of touring the Australian mainland and you’d like to get a little closer to nature, you can do it in comfort and ease at this “rustic” lodge in the middle of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. The main lodge boasts incredible views, amazing local food and wine, and of course, a roaring fire. But you’ll retire at night to your own timber cabin (complete with high ceilings). And after a day of hiking, you can relax and rejuvenate at the gorgeous spa facility overlooking the surrounding wilderness.
- Thorngrove Manor Hotel – Adelaide, South Australia. This extensive manor house set amidst the greenery of Adelaide provides a stunning rendering of European architecture and gardening that looks like it came straight from a fairy tale. Towers and turrets adorn the exterior of the building while guest rooms are spacious (many with domed ceilings). And if you’re looking for the added luxury of complete privacy, this is the place to find it.
- Longitude 131˚. This eco-friendly resort is no villa in Paphos, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy a spectacular view and luxury accommodations (with an eye on sustainability, no less). Their signature “tents” are built on stilts so as to cause fewer disturbances to the desert atmosphere (although it serves the dual purpose of keeping the creepy-crawlies out of your room) and each of the 15 bungalows has a view of nearby Uluru. Everything runs on solar power and guests will enjoy locally-provided food and wine, not to mention a clear conscience to go with their luxury experience.