Rock star view of Sydney Opera House

When big names swing into Sydney, many choose to park themselves (and their entourage) at the Park Hyatt Sydney. No wonder, because this low-rise hotel near Sydney Harbour Bridge features a gob-smacking vista straight across Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House. Swish open the curtains of the two-bedroom Sydney Suite for an astonishing view and get the best seat in the house as you park yourself on the outdoor terrace for sunrise over an international icon.

Classic elegance in the heart of Melbourne

The luxury at The Langham, Melbourne starts from the moment one of the pink Chanel-suited “service stylists” greets you at the front desk. Any room with a view over the Yarra River and the sparkling city skyline beyond is a great one but, to elevate your stay, swan around one of the suites that channel an old-school classic elegance.

The Kimberley from a tub

Cantilevered out over the rugged, croc-filled Chamberlain Gorge, the eponymous suite – the largest at El Questro’s The Homestead, in the east Kimberley – has attracted famous guests including royalty and pop stars over the years. Here, they can soak away their cares while taking in dramatic views over the remote landscape from a perfectly positioned egg-shaped bath.

Swim up to your door in Tropical North Queensland

In 2016, the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas resort unveiled the results of a year-long, AUD$43 million makeover. Its famous pink façade is now four shades lighter and interiors show a range of cool coastal neutrals. The lagoon-edge studio suite features swim-out access from the balcony to the saltwater lagoon pools. With 13 pools covering more than two hectares, there’s no other Queensland resort that offers more swimmable lagoon space.

Be dazzled by Melbourne's city lights

The Sheraton Melbourne sure knows how to make a splash. In 2016, the downtown hotel opened a ritzy 31st-floor penthouse featuring a 39 square metre (420 square foot) balcony with breathtaking views that peek through the city's skyscrapers towards the distant horizon. With three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, this suite feels like a palatial home away from home. 

Perth history reworked into a hotel

Perth’s COMO The Treasury is one of Australia’s most talked about new hotels, thanks to architect Kerry Hill's clever reworking of 19th century government buildings into a stunning property with 48 light, bright and pared-back rooms. The top-tier COMO suite features a sitting room with views over the Swan River while the two Treasury Suites offer different highlights: one has a fireplace while the other features a high truss ceiling.

A capital idea in Canberra

Canberra's weather isn't the only cool thing in the nation’s capital. The city is showing other Australian cities how it’s done with a raft of hip hotels, eateries and bars. Case in point: Hotel Hotel, which showcases how to do texture in its Meandering Rooms. We dare you not to fall in love with the faux fur chairs, polished concrete tub, clay-rendered walls and idiosyncratic artworks.  

A private chef in Tasmanian wilderness

The private pavilions at Saffire Freycinet, a luxury lodge tucked into one of the most stunning parts of Tasmania’s east coast, are something else. The courtyard boasts a minimalist plunge pool and, with an in-suite kitchen and dining room, it’s possible to ask a lodge chef to come on over to cook anything – even your favourite dish from home.