with Emma Wilson
Cosmopolitan stay in Sydney’s fastest growing city
BY JANE KINKADE
LUXURYstays, rich history, and world-class dining await in Sydney’s vibrant second CBD staying at the Skye Suites Hotel. Our base was a stylish two-bedroom apartment, o ering all the comforts of modern luxury. Overlooking a stunning pool, spa, and inviting outdoor living space, the suite featured a full kitchen and laundry, perfect for longer stays or family getaways. High-end art books and thoughtfully curated magazines brought a cosmopolitan air to the living areas, elevating the already polished vibe to the space. An Oasis in the City The pool area is a true highlight. Multiple lounge nooks tucked
Paway among manicured gardens, create private retreats for guests. The hotel is a ve-minute stroll from the sprawling West eld shopping centre, anchoring it rmly within Parramatta’s rapidly developing luxury precinct.
A Window into the Past
Located underneath Skye Suites is the Philip Ruddock Heritage Centre. During the site's development, workers unearthed remnants of a convict-era settlement, including the foundation of a historic pub and huts dating back to the early colonial days. Instead of bulldozing this archaeological treasure, the developers worked alongside local historians to preserve a respectful nod to Parramatta’s layered history and o er guests a tangible connection to Australia's colonial roots, right within the comfort of a luxury hotel. Don’t miss a visit.
A Night to Remember at Nick and Nora’s
This glamorous speakeasy-style bar perched on the hotel’s top oor.
A Dog-Friendly stay at Potts Point
ERCHED on the corner of the CBD, next door to the famous red and white striped Coke Sign is Hotel Indigo. This groovy refurbed hotel (2023), decorated in neon and entertainment themes is an easy stay to explore the local area, which is a perfect mix of residential townhouses and boutiques and the vibrant main strip of the Cross. Rooms are cool and decor in-keeping with the entertainment vibe. If you haven’t visited the Cross in a while, head to Kings Cross Hotel for
Don’t
miss Vivid,
Stay at Park Regis, Sydney Centre
BY DAVE HAGAN
THE Park Regis City Centre hotel’s central location, directly opposite the new Gadigal train station makes access surprisingly easy and is a great spot to enjoy Vivid. The undercover parking is a major asset, allowing for a dry and seamless check-in and the front desk team has a warm, e cient manner with helpful local dining recommendations. Our room exceeded expectations—spacious and well laid out, featuring a luxurious oversized bed, a second lounge area with a sofa bed and extra tv. We didn’t experience the rooftop pool, though it appeared stunning, with panoramic views across Sydney. Vivid ends June 14th don’t miss out. Words: Dave Hagan.
To book your stay, visit www. parkregiscitycentre.com.au
a drink, you’ll nd a lovely, gentri ed pub space lled with university students and young adults playing pool and drinking cocktails.
June Deal
Hotel Indigo has a NOMO (Night On My Own) package, available until 30 June. They encourage guests to ‘embrace me-time and be taken care of. The package includes breakfast and bubbles in bed and a 4pm late checkout (subject to availability), as well as
complimentary breakfast and Hydrogel Face Mask from Loops Beauty. Find out more at www.hotelindigo.com
Luc San Restaurant
Channeling the elegance of the roaring 1920s, the venue o ers breathtaking panoramic views stretching from Sydney’s skyline to the leafy Hills district beyond. Breakfast with a Twist Breakfast at The Shed, located right next to the hotel entrance, o ered an equally satisfying experience. Middle Eastern in uences subtly infused the menu, with hearty and healthy options to suit every palate. Feast at MISC. Located at the edge of Parramatta Park and surrounded by towering gum trees, MISC. evoked memories of Central Park’s Tavern on the Green with a distinctly Australian twist. The menu celebrated Parramatta’s multicultural soul, drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern and modern Australian cuisines.
Luke Mangan, the popular celebrity chef opened a French and Japanese casual restaurant adjacent to Hotel Indigo and the food is de-LISH. Try pork, sansho, apple and ginger skewers or chicken skewers with yuzu cream for starters. For mains share Market sh sashimi, Brooklyn Valley Sirloin with charred cabbage and tempura enoki. Do not miss the Yuzu and Chilli margarita - oh my! Banquet menu available. Corner Pennys Lane & Kings Cross Road, Potts Point info@luc-san. com.au.
Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Surry Hills
BY DAVE HAGAN
BATTLING torrential rain and tricky parking on Reservoir Street, we made it to Brooklyn Boy Bagels in Surry Hills around 8am to sample the New York style bagels, something totally foreign to me. The warm welcome from the sta instantly set a great tone. The menu was extensive but not overdone and amongst numerous great choices like Hoboken (hot sopressata, artichoke and capsicum), Pastrami Rueben (Swiss cheese sauerkraut and mustard) I ordered
Wthe Big Benny bagel, stacked with two perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs, avocado, rocket, and a delicious hollandaise sauce. My partner went for the blueberry bagel with cream cheese, and we both got co ees—hot, strong, and served up fast. The bagels were standout, clearly boiled in true Brooklyn style, with a unique texture and avour that felt traditional. Flavour was very di erent to what I’m accustomed to. Everything was spot-on, from e cient service to tasty food. I’d swing by again particularly as I love to try a couple of the other combinations. 74 Reservoir St Surry Hills. www.brooklynboy.com.au.
Divide 8 Pizzeria
ORKING in St Leonards? You’re in luck because Divide 8 Pizzeria has landed. The newest project of Peter Augoustis, former director of Crust, former co-owner of Zeus Street Greek and current owner of Li’l Darlin and Jon Paul Partyka, former General Manager of Crust, o ers super fresh ingredients and an extensive range of pizza and salad options to choose from and delicious
desserts. This is the pizzeria’s fourth location after Bronte, Gymea & Stanmore. Dine in, the pizzeria is cheerful and spacious with BYO licensing or take away. Divide 8 has ‘Dinner Sorted’ packages (any 2 common classic vegetarian or cheese ranges plus garlic bread and brownie bites) or ‘Feed Me Feast’ (the above PLUS chicken wings). Call ahead for pick up 02 8359 1910 Find them at 1/48 Albany St, St Leonards NSW 2065.
Snow action magazine
with Emma Wilson
Visit Nara, Japan’s ancient capital
FLY directly into Osaka International Airport and in under an hour by train, bus or taxi you’ll be in the ancient capital city of Nara. This was Japan’s rst capital city (710 AD794 AD) and a hub for Buddhism. An important historical time when lots of great temples and structures were built and you can still see some standing today. Nara has 8 UNESCO-listed sites (protected due to cultural signi cance) and deer roam freely in the temple grounds, it’s very cool to see and it’s something quite rare to experience.
Top 5 things to see and do in Nara
1. Visit Todai-ji Temple & the Great Buddha This is the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue and the scale of timber gates and intricate architecture is incredible -it’s a must-see.
2. Nara Park Stroll around the grounds; hand feed the deer and enjoy the scenery. Meet cute baby deer between June to August when the mothers give birth.
3. Kasuga Taisha Shrine Known for thousands of bronze and stone lanterns, this shrine is set in the forest and is a photogenic spot.
4. Naramachi District Wander around this charming old merchant district’s narrow lanes, traditional wooden townhouses, shops, and caf?s.
5. Art at the Nara National Museum Enjoy this impressive collection of art, including sculptures and ceremonial objects.
Novotel Nara is your base to explore Nara
Brand new in September 2024, this is a hotel you may not want to leave, with its thoughtful focus on wellness and relaxation. Explore this hotel’s social hubs, separate areas that encourage guests to gather and relax. The social lounge bar is a welcoming spot for a cocktail or sink into a lounge and read one of the many lovely art or culture books available to guests. You will know you are in Nara, with aspects of Nara’s locality used decoratively such as ink brushes, green tea or Buddhist paintings, wall hangings and motifs.
Slow food is important here and Novotel Nara sources local suppliers for food ingredients and has its very own
pizza oven bringing out sizzling, fresh pizzas for dinner in Trattoria Ponte Nara (restaurant) with local Nara plum sake and beer available. Relax in the mineral-rich onsen baths, after using the equipment in the tness centre (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) followed by a session in the massage chairs - you might fall asleep you’ll be so relaxed!
Family Friendly
This exceptional hotel has 14 di erent room types that can t from two to ve guests, great news for travelling families. There is no need to leave the hotel for breakfast, lunch or dinner with the all-day dining o erings transforming from functional bu et breakfast, including excellent quality co ee to lunch and dinner. Note: the General Manager lived in New Zealand so he understands exactly what is important to foreign travellers - and good quality co ee is numero uno in the mornings.
Business travel
This is the perfect hotel for a conference or business travel with meeting facilities and plenty of separate hubs to meet and share ideas, including a lovely work lounge with couches and benches away from leisure travellers hubs. Thoughtfully created business touches include ‘telephone box’ private spaces to make business phone calls, an executive lounge on the 8th oor with its own cocktail hour, food and co ee and private booths for drinks and socialising and executive suite hotel rooms.
Rooftop City Views
What a way to end a conference, wedding or meeting watching the sun go down over this ancient capital from the outdoor rooftop terrace bar. Overlooking Nara city, including Todai Temple, this incredible place to enjoy a drink is also accessible if you’re staying on the executive level. With access to the executive lounge, you can enjoy exclusive drinks and food including barista made co ee.
Travelling in early April? Enjoy a spectacular explosion of colour as cherry blossoms dotted along the Saho river alongside the hotel burst into life. Visit www.novotelnara. com for more information or book your stay through all.accor.com
Pan Paci c Melbourne: My pick for when next in town
BY EMMA WILSON, TRAVEL EDITOR
IF you are a savvy traveller and have ‘seen them all’, you have not experienced Pan Paci c Melbourne. The charm of this sophisticated city stay is the incredible city vista overlooking the Yarra River meandering through the city below.
Whether it’s the brilliant night gazing or sipping a co ee by the window, these oversized windows feel as indulgent as they are expansive, with night views of neon lights on skyscrapers, ferris wheels and festoon lights on cafes and eateries along the water. The artwork from the wow-factor warm and welcoming hotel lobby right through the hotel, gives the Pan Paci c Melbourne an air of cosmopolitan sophistication.
The Pacific Club Lounge
Pan Paci c hotels have a Paci c Club Lounge, which is a private all-inclusive bar and relaxation area and this lounge at Melbourne’s Pan Paci c is incredible. The food and drink choices are extremely extensive; the ower- lled lounge is massive with multiple rooms with lovely decor including black and white rugs on the timber oor.
On a sunny Melbourne day, enjoying a barista-made co ee and full breakfast overlooking the hustle and bustle below is an absolute treat. To access the lounge, you need to book a Paci c Club
Room or Suite to get lounge privileges which include daily champagne breakfast, afternoon tea, evening canap?s and cocktails, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks from the in-room minibar, and late check-out (subject to availability). Open Monday to Friday 6.30am-10pm, Sat, Sun and Public holidays 7am- 10pm. Children 12 and under are welcome until 5pm.
Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen
This high-ceiling, spacious timber restaurant, accessible through the hotel lobby is a wonderful spot for couples or large groups and looks out
onto the timber promenade outside. The Modern Australian menu has been thoughtfully constructed, brand new o erings focus on local and fresh produce. Delicious entrees include scallop, roasted cauli ower puree with prickled granny smiths. Slow-cooked Victorian pork belly with tendon pu or char-grilled octopus. Drool-worthy mains include Pan-fried Humpty Barramundi, Slow-cooked Victorian lamb shoulder, 300g Cape Grim Sirloin, 250g Wagyu Bavette. Kip er potatoes, Duck Fat fries and Radicchio Salad as sides will keep you full and happy all day and night and is open till late with last call for orders at 9.30pm.
Shopping and What’s On
There is no need to leave a 5-minute walking radius of this hotel, everything is within easy reach including Sealife Melbourne and a late night or early morning brisk river walk is recommended. Right next door is the shopping hub for excellent outlet stores, Nike, Timberland, Fila, Calvin Klein, Coach, Guess and dozens more, open 10am to 6pm,
a welcome respite from chilly winter air outside if visiting in winter. A mere 50 metres across from the lobby is the Melbourne Convention Centre.
Travelling for Work?
If your travel takes you to the Melbourne Convention Centre, the Pan Paci c Melbourne is a 10 second walk across the road, it really couldn’t be easier if you’re there for an expo. There are some major events scheduled at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) during June and July 2025. ArchiBuild Expo 2025 (event for architects, designers, and builder event 12–14 June. Mind Body Spirit Festival (health, wellbeing, and natural therapies) 6–9 June 2025 Melbourne International EV AutoShow (the latest in electric vehicle technology) 27–29 June. Connecting Hydrogen APAC hydrogen energy market 17–18 July 2025. Australian International Furniture Fair & Decor + Design Show the latest in furniture and interior design 16–18 July 2025.Melbourne Career Expo 2025. Australia’s largest careers event, o ering information on employment, education, and training opportunities. 25–27 July 2025.
Head to https://www.panpacific.com/ for info on how to book your next Melbourne stay.
with Emma Wilson