End the year with some well-deserved R&R at these exclusive resorts and hotels
Urban Retreat
Combining personalised service with the grand amenities of a luxury hotel, Skye Hotel Suites is newly opened in Parramatta, Sydney. The intimate establishment has 72 luxury studio, one- and two-bedroom suites overlooking the Sydney skyline, with access to a pool, saunas, fitness centre, business and conference room facilities, alfresco dining as well as a retail piazza. Drinks are at a stylish bar on level 26 that sports a spacious open-air terrace with magnificent views of Harbour Bridge and the Blue Mountains. Food aficionados should make a beeline for celebrity chef Neil Perry’s popular Burger Project restaurant within the tower.
Beachside Living
Marriott Hotels marks its entry into Sri Lanka with the opening of The Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, a luxurious beachfront property with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Located at the charming seaside fishing village of Weligama, the resort boasts more than 200 modern and comfortable rooms and suites, alongside top-notch facilities such as four speciality restaurants, a fitness centre and three outdoor swimming pools. Bask on the beach with its soft white sand, or head into the water for some serious surfing. Return to indulge in relaxing Ayurvedic therapies at the Quan Spa, or if you’re a history buff, take a daytrip to the historic 16th-century Galle Fort nearby.
Royal Connection
Having undergone a complete transformation, Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel has now emerged as The Athenee Hotel Bangkok. Drawing inspiration from the life and travels of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, a daughter of 19th-century monarch King Chulalongkorn, the opulent hotel stands on the grounds of the princess’ former royal residence and blends Thai and colonial European architecture. Guests entering the lobby will be greeted by a grand staircase and bespoke chandeliers, and there are several culinary options to tuck into, including a bar with neo-colonial decor. The hotel’s Spa Athenee provides gentle steam baths, fragrant body oil massages and unique treatments to unwind to after a long day.
Fall into Nature
Autumn is a beautiful season to spend at Alila Anji in Zhejiang. Surrounded by lush greenery, quaint bamboo groves and tea plantations, the hillside resort is the perfect place for weary travellers to unwind and disconnect from everyday worries. Relax and recharge to clean, clear mountain air and amazing views of greenery and a tranquil lake with the Autumn Escape package, which includes a two-night stay and scrumptious dinner for two. Guests can also enjoy facilities such as in-room dining and spa treatments. Complimentary shuttle services to the resort are available from Shanghai and Hangzhou on weekends. The package is valid for stays until 31 December.
Quality Time
Following a renovation to unveil its brand-new look, Dorsett Kuala Lumpur invites guests to experience its hospitality with its Family Chic package, covering a two-night stay in a Family Room with breakfast, welcome gift of the hotel’s signature ‘sugar-friendly’ Chocolate Chip Cookies, as well as an exclusive Dorsett Children Experience pack for the little ones with a Dorsett Teddy Bear, knapsack, toothbrush set and colouring book. Meanwhile, couples looking to spend romantic moments together can opt for the Sweet Romance package, which comes with a suite stay, complimentary cookies and teddy bear, and two slices of cake and hot coffee or tea at the hotel’s Window Lounge. Both packages are available until 31 March 2018.
Historic Enclave
Looking up from the airy atrium of the Fullerton, it's easy to imagine that the hotel's classic charm is timeless. However, the Fullerton Building's first vocation was far more pragmatic, housing administrations like the General Post Office and the exclusive Singapore Club. Later, the fifth floor became the Ministry of Finance of a newly independent Singapore. The successful transformation from functional to luxurious was only completed in 2001. Now a listed historical building, the hotel highlights its past in a permanent exhibit on the ground floor and in places like the Post Bar. Fortunate guests will select one of the opulent, spacious suites that have hosted some of Singapore's most honoured visitors, while others can enjoy the exclusive spa or one of the Fullerton's best-kept secrets, The Rooftop Bar, with unobstructed views in every direction.