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.  

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.  

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.  

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 

Qld

• qualia – Hamilton Island 
• Elysian Retreat – Whitsundays  
• Silky Oaks Lodge – Daintree Rainforest 
• Lizard Island Resort – Great Barrier Reef 
• Orpheus Island Resort – Great Barrier Reef 
• InterContinental Hayman Island Resort 
• The Westin Brisbane 
• QT Gold Coast 

Vic

• Langham Hotel – Melbourne 
• Ritz-Carlton Melbourne 
• QT Melbourne 
• Peninsula Hot Springs 
• Balgownie Yarra Valley 
• Eaglehawk Country House Hotel  

SA

• Sequoia Lodge – Adelaide Hills 
• The Louise – Barossa Valley 
• Wander – Kangaroo Island 
• Southern Ocean Lodge – Kangaroo Island 
• Eos by SkyCity – Adelaide  

Tas

• Saffire Freycinet 
• Kittawa Lodge – King Island 
• Pumphouse Point – Lake St Clair 
• The Henry Jones Art Hotel – Hobart  
• MACq 01 – Hobart 

NT

• Longitude 131° – Yulara/Uluru 
• Mindil Beach Casino Resort – Darwin  

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