Every now and then you come across a place that is very special. A place all in a league of its own that you put on your bucket list while you figure out how to make it happen. I first discovered Silky Oaks Lodge in Tropical North Queensland many years ago. At the time my travel was infrequent as my meagre pay packet went towards such fanciful pursuits as paying the mortgage, ensuring my children were well fed and making sure the car had fuel. It didn’t stop me dreaming. Although I was in the thick of domestic life, I longed to escape to the ultimate in Daintree luxury accommodation where I could spend a night in a tree house amid the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. As many parents of young children do, I put my own wants and needs firmly on the back burner and set about raising the next generation to the best of my ability. We travelled with the kids as much as funds would allow but our destinations were always geared towards pleasing our rugrats on the premises that if they were happy we were happy. The lure of Silky Oaks Lodge never diminished. In a very selfish move, I decided that this was an experience that I didn’t want to share with my two boisterous boys. I wanted to totally relax with The Hubs without fear that every minute would be peppered with cries of ‘What are we going to do now?’, ‘I’m bored’, ‘He touched me’, and ‘Mum you’re not watching me!!!!’ They say patience is a virtue and mine has certainly been rewarded as I was recently able to tick this off my bucket list. It was all I had hoped it would be and more. Read on for all the details …
The Abbott Boutique Hotel Cairns: Contemporary Chic
It’s been over 10 years since I last visited Cairns. This much loved Aussie city in Queensland’s Tropical North is the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. With two stunning natural wonders on the doorstep, it’s no surprise that visitors flock to this beautiful part of the world in their thousands. Whether they are heading to the reef, or the rainforest, or both, they all have one thing in common; they need a comfortable place to lay their head each night. When I first started researching accommodation, I felt like I was caught in a time warp and nothing had changed in the decade since I was last there. All the ‘top end’ hotels that I generally gravitate towards had a mixed bag of comments on Trip Advisor that indicated they were all showing their age and in drastic need of a makeover. And they came with hefty price tags. At the other end of the scale, backpacker joints abound with varying degrees of cleanliness and horrific reviews. Neither of these options appealed. When I looked further into ‘the middle ground’, I despaired of ever finding something that would suit our needs until I found The Abbott Boutique Hotel Cairns. If you are looking for a contemporary hotel in the heart of all the action then this little gem is for you. Read on for all the details …
Hanoi Glance Hotel Review: Best Budget Hotel In Hanoi
We arrived at the Hanoi Glance Hotel late at night after travelling all day on Vietnam Airlines to Saigon plus a connecting VietJet flight to Hanoi. We were grubby, tired and short on patience after a day where nothing seemed to go to plan. Stepping through the doors, we felt like the last team to arrive after a manic leg of the amazing race. Our suspicion that we were last to check in was confirmed when the beaming receptionist greeted us by name on approach and had all our paperwork ready to go. The lobby was compact, modern and spotless which coupled with the receptionist’s efficiency set an amazing first impression that continued throughout our stay. If you are looking for a budget hotel in Hanoi that doesn’t skimp on the niceties then read on for all the details of my Hanoi Glance Hotel review …
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston: Location & Value
If you have read any of my previous hotel reviews you will know that I favour sleek, light-filled, contemporary spaces, so it may come as a bit of a shock to find me in a heritage hotel for the last stop on our Tasmanian road trip. I initially scrolled straight past the Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston in the list of 30 or so hotels that met my search criteria based on the heritage façade alone. After checking the whole list, it became clear that heritage dominates the scene in Lonnie and I was going to have to make some compromises. The Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston ticked most of my boxes, and won me over with a great location and excellent value. Read on for all the details …
Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart: Waterfront Wonder
Hobart is Australia’s southern most capital and for a small town it sure packs a punch. I arrived with few expectations but left vowing to return. Tasmania’s capital is a city with a country town feel and I liked it much more than I expected to. The buzz is all around the water and Hobart’s harbour is the place to be. The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart commands an enviable position directly across from the harbour, is steps from the CBD and within striking distance of Salamanca Place and Battery Point. Guests will be delighted with the spacious modern rooms, excellent facilities and outstanding service. Read on for all the details …
Beachside Resort Whitianga: North Island New Zealand
It’s inevitable on any road trip that along the way you will end up in a small town lacking in familiar mega-brand hotels which makes choosing accommodation more tricky. On our recent New Zealand road trip we found ourselves in the delightful seaside town of Whitianga (pronounced Fit-ee-enga) on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand’s North Island. Whitianga accommodation choices are dominated by apartments and we looked for value and location when narrowing down the choices for our short stay. The Beachside Resort Whitianga delivered both and suited our requirements perfectly. Read on for all the details …
Regent Of Rotorua: A Delightful Boutique Hotel
As part of our recent road trip around New Zealand’s North Island we spent two days in Rotorua. The first thing I tend to consider when I have decided on a destination is where I am going to stay. Even when your days are full with activities where you lay your head for the night can make or break your trip. Rotorua has no shortage of accommodation and we checked them all before deciding on The Regent of Rotorua, a multi-award winning boutique hotel right in the centre of town. Read on for all the details …
CityLife Auckland: A Perfect Home Away From Home
Auckland is New Zealand’s most populous city. A young city by global standards, Auckland is like a teenager experiencing a growth spurt. The City of Sails is currently home to 1.4 million people but the population is expected to swell to 2 million by 2031 so significant changes are underway in preparation. City streets are being torn up to accommodate the city rail link and cranes dominate the horizon as a host of new towers take shape. Visitors to Auckland during this metamorphosis will appreciate a haven from which to escape the mayhem on the streets and CityLife Auckland offers exactly that. This completely refurbished all apartment hotel provides all the comforts of home with a raft of facilities that make it so much better. Read on for all the details …