The one type of traveller behind the rise of the luxe hotel stay

Louise GoldsburyBy Louise Goldsbury
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Not that I need an upgrade from a Sydney Opera House-facing room, but when I mention it’s my 50th birthday, the staff are not surprised. Everyone, it seems, is celebrating something at Crown Towers. Some people don’t know it yet – such as the women whose boyfriends plan to propose this weekend – while others have chosen the venue for its all-in-one excellence. 

The glamorous hotel has a world-class spa, the city’s highest rooftop bar, several top restaurants including Oncore by Michelin-starred chef Clare Smyth, and an infinity pool with over-water daybeds, private cabanas and Darling Harbour views. Even the hard-to-impress locals love it, with more than one-third of guests from NSW in 2024.  

The rise of the milestones

Increasing numbers of people are choosing to stay in hotels to mark milestones. According to the concierge at Crown Towers Sydney , there’s an equal split between birthdays, anniversaries and engagements. Other occasions include divorce, retirement, graduation, pregnancy, a new job or promotion. Some guests book after receiving an inheritance or redundancy payment or overcoming a serious illness. 

My celebration lasts for four days, starting with an indulgent breakfast at the sprawling international buffet, trying a different restaurant each night, and then drinks on the big day with 30 friends before a boat party departing from nearby King Street Wharf.  

King Street Wharf in Sydney
The writer celebrated her 50th with a stay at Crown Towers Sydney and a boat party from nearby King Street Wharf. (Image: Getty/gionnixxx)

I meet a couple from Sydney celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren. “We wanted our family to join us for this big one, but not for the whole weekend. This was the perfect place to bring everyone together for lunch, and then we’ll have dinner by ourselves and get a massage tomorrow." 

Another couple told me they chose Crown because “you feel like a VIP" and “everything is organised for you". 

Celebration and Love Packages are designed for those who want to make it more extravagant. Among the tailored treats are French Champagnes, flowers, balloons, LED candles, cakes, cheese boards, teddy bears, bathrobes with personalised embroidery, heart-shaped rose petals on the bed, or lightbox letters and numbers that spell out a special message. Original ideas are also welcome for the concierge team to customise.  

Crown Towers Sydney Presidential Suite
The Presidential Villa at Crown Towers Sydney is the ultimate milestone location.

As people get older, they are more inclined to celebrate life with extraordinary travel experiences. A 2024 report by Globetrender found that over-50s are three times more interested in travelling to mark a milestone than their younger counterparts. Gen X “milestoners" might kick off a mid-career gap year at a fancy hotel, while baby boomers are opting to start their retirement with a trip overseas.  

The desire for “carpe diem celebrations" has intensified in recent years, according to UK-based luxury tour operator cazenove+loyd , which has observed a 40 per cent increase in requests for 50th, 60th or 70th birthday trips since the pandemic.  

Solo travel is an emerging hot trend for milestones. A survey by Webjet revealed one-third of Australians would travel alone for a significant birthday, 23 per cent after a relationship break-up (even though travelling while heartbroken can backfire), and 48 per cent upon retirement.  

Hotels responding to the trend

More hotels in Australia are responding to this demand by offering room upgrades and discount packages for milestones, especially if you book direct. In some cases, there is no extra charge or small gifts appear as a surprise. The chance of a freebie is why some Aussies deliberately time their travels for special occasions.  

Woman celebrating with a stay at Shangri-La The Marina Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina Cairns is one of several hotels crafting packages for milestone travellers. (Image: Tropical North Queensland)

The Westin Brisbane , home to the city’s only swim-up pool bar and Guy Grossi’s award-winning restaurant, Settimo, is known for its personalised touch. “Our staff connects with guests from the moment they check in to find out who they are and why they are staying with us," says general manager Kelvin Ramm. “From there, we send something up to the room to recognise their milestone, like wine or chocolates, along with a thoughtful card that mentions the interaction." 

InterContinental Sydney  provides complimentary treats in suites, such as balloons or the chef’s signature ‘birthday dome’. Guests can also coordinate with the hotel team to curate experiences, such as in-suite dinner parties, for an extra fee. 

In Cairns, at Shangri-La The Marina, chocolates and a bottle of bubbly will be waiting in the room upon arrival. The Shangri-La Celebration offer  also includes daily breakfast for two in The Backyard waterfront restaurant. 

Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa has a Baby Shower Package  designed for groups of 15 people or more. The party venue comes with an iced tea station, a photo wall, platters of food and cupcakes topped with sugar baby feet.  

Ovolo Woolloomooloo turns up the royal treatment for birthdays with decorated guestrooms and a special badge that provides perks such as personalised selfie sticks, a hotel-wide music playlist and a signature cocktail named after you. 

If you’re a member of a hotel loyalty program, check for additional rewards on your birthday. Crown Perth has extra enticements for West Australians who join the free Crown Rewards program. During their birthday month, members receive complimentary valet parking, a bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast and late check-out. 

Another idea is to book out a floor for the exclusive use of your party guests. QT Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth offer Floor’d packages with optional drinks on arrival, food, pop-up bars, DJs or performers.  

With enough advance planning, milestoners can book an entire property such as Mysa Motel, a seven-bedroom motel in Palm Beach, Queensland.  

Alternatively, book several rooms and the poolside events space at Adina Chippendale , in the inner-city suburbs of Sydney. This secluded sanctuary has studios overlooking a pool and courtyard that can be hired for daytime fun or a summer party under the stars.   

Other milestone hotels around Australia

NSW

  • Capella Sydney 
  • Park Hyatt Sydney 
  • Four Seasons Sydney 
  • Intercontinental Sydney 
  • Crystalbrook Byron – Byron Bay 
  • Bells at Kilcare – Central Coast 
  • Bannisters – Mollymook & Port Stephens 
  • Ovolo Woolloomooloo 
sydney opera house
Park Hyatt Sydney is set amongst the icons.

Qld

a hammock on the balcony of Silky Oaks Lodge
Silky Oaks Lodge is the perfect setting for a milestone celebration.

Vic

  • Langham Hotel – Melbourne 
  • Ritz-Carlton Melbourne 
  • QT Melbourne 
  • Peninsula Hot Springs 
  • Balgownie Yarra Valley 
  • Eaglehawk Country House Hotel  
Eco Lodge Peninsula Hot Springs
The Eco Lodges at Peninsula Hot Springs bring relaxation to your next milestone celebration. (Image: Alarna O’Connell)

SA

Southern Ocean Lodge The Baillie Pavilion
Southern Ocean Lodge The Baillie Pavilion offers unbeatable views of Kangaroo Island.

Tas

  • Saffire Freycinet 
  • Kittawa Lodge – King Island 
  • Pumphouse Point – Lake St Clair 
  • The Henry Jones Art Hotel – Hobart  
  • MACq 01 – Hobart 
Couple on MACq01 hotel balcony overlooking Hobart waterfront
Expansive waterfront views are one of MACq 01 – Hobart’s  many drawcards. (Image: Stu Gibson)

NT

Uluru Longitude 131
Longitude 131° offers rooms with a view of Uluru. (Image: Baillie Lodges)

WA

  • Crown Towers Perth 
  • Ritz-Carlton Perth  
  • COMO The Treasury  
  • Samphire Rottnest – Rottnest Island 
  • El Questro Homestead – the Kimberley 
  • Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa – Broome 
a modern bathroom with a bathtub at COMO The Treasury, Perth
COMO The Treasury in Perth is the epitome of urban luxury.
Louise Goldsbury
Twice named Best Travel Writer at the National Travel Industry Awards, Louise is an occasionally Sydney-based writer, who spends most of the year on luxury cruises. When on land, she embarks on road trips to review hotels, spa resorts and wine regions around Australia.
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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

    Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

    cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp
    Unwind in the ancient outback.

    About Rangelands Outback Camp

    Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

    Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

    Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

    Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

    Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

    aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
    Soak in 360-degree views.

    Rangelands Outback Camp tours

    Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

    Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

    Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

    The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

    A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

    A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

    tour being led through Rangeland rifts
    Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

    Sleeping in luxury

    After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

    Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

    Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

    inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
    Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

    Rangelands Outback Camp dining

    As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

    Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

    Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

    Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.