Winners: Best Accommodation – People’s Choice 2015

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Best hotels to stay in Australia this year? Here are the winners of the Best Accommodation awards in Australian Traveller’s People’s Choice Awards 2015.

1. Winner Best Luxury Hotel – Crown Towers, Melbourne

Right in the thick of it all on Melbourne’s buzzing Southbank, Crown Towers (pictured) is an extravagant slice of luxury, with spectacular views overlooking the Yarra River, rooftop tennis courts, an expansive day spa to unwind in and a 25-metre indoor pool.

The runners-up:
2. Langham, Melbourne, Vic
3. Park Hyatt, Sydney, NSW
4. qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
5. InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, NSW

2. Winner Best Affordable Hotel – Mantra on Salt Beach, NSW

From just $124 a night, Mantra on Salt Beach is a family favourite, perfectly positioned in Kingscliff on the New South Wales coastline with Byron Bay just a half-hour drive away. Well-appointed rooms overlook a lagoon-style pool and there are several restaurants, the Spa at Salt and a tennis court if you’ve done too much relaxing.

The runners-up:
2. QT Sydney, NSW
3. Adina Bondi Beach, NSW
4. The Cullen, Melbourne, Vic
5. East Hotel, Canberra, ACT

3. Winner Hotel That Best Caters to Children – Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Canberra

With the look and feel of a luxury lodge in the Serengeti, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that you’re not actually in the heart of Canberra in the city’s National Zoo & Aquarium. Geared towards the conservation of endangered animals, a stay in one of the Giraffe Treehouses will have kids coming face-to-face with the tallest beasts in the world, while a night in the five-star Jungle Bungalows or uShaka Lodge, lets you get close to cheetahs, tigers and bears; some rooms also feature huge aquariums. It’s a magical place that children will always remember.

The runners-up:
2. Paradise Resort Gold Coast, Qld
3. Sea World Nara Resort, Qld
4. Turtle Beach, Gold Coast, Qld
5. Daydream Island, Qld

4. Winner Best Place to Camp – Jervis Bay, NSW

Are powdery white beaches, turquoise waters and sleepy seaside villages the prerequisites of a great camping holiday? Our readers think so, voting Jervis Bay on NSW’s South Coast the best place to camp. Whether it be pitching a tent in Booderee National Park’s Green Patch campsite (pictured), or retreating at glampsite Paperbark Camp (did someone say hot shower?).

The runners-up:
2. Wilson’s Promontory, Vic
3. Seal Rocks, NSW
4. Lake Argyle, WA
5. Noosa and Halls Gap, Qld & Vic

 

ALL THE RESULTS: Australian Traveller’s People Choice Awards 2015

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Once just for holiday rentals, Airbnb now plans your whole trip

    By Emily Murphy
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    From art tours in Melbourne to Bowral beehives, Airbnb has just launched its biggest evolution yet.

    Forget scrolling endless booking sites or relying on travel agents to curate your perfect escape. Airbnb’s latest global release redefines what the platform can offer, moving beyond accommodation to become a full-service travel companion that plans your entire trip.

    Luxury services are now bookable

    Airbnb Experiences flow on phone

    Book experiences and services through Airbnb now. (Image: Airbnb)

    At the centre of the shake-up is Airbnb Services, a brand-new offering that lets users book top-tier professionals across 10 categories, with five of those launching in Sydney and Melbourne.

    Need a private chef for an anniversary dinner? Want a photo shoot with an award-winning photographer? Prefer to skip the supermarket and have your Airbnb fridge pre-stocked before you arrive? It’s all now possible, straight from the app.

    And these aren’t just any service providers – we’re talking Michelin-starred chefs, renowned wellness practitioners with serious credibility and more.

    Experiences that go way beyond the standard city tour

    AirBeenBee honey Airbnb Experience in Bowral

    Travellers can book a honey experience in Bowral. (Image: Airbnb)

    Also making a big comeback: Airbnb Experiences, now completely reimagined and relaunched with a sharper focus on expertise, authenticity and local flavour.

    The new line-up includes thousands of activities hosted by locals who know their cities best – and Aussies are already embracing the idea. You can now book everything from tasting rare honey straight from the hive in Bowral to a deep dive into Melbourne’s street art with an artist.

    Duckboard Place street art

    Airbnb Experiences can be booked in your own city. (Artwork: Middle: Steen Jones/Right: Lukas Kaspar)

    It’s not just for travellers, either. Airbnb reports that over 40 per cent of Australians say they’re keen to use Experiences to explore their own backyard.

    The categories span everything from history and culture to food and drink, art and design, entertainment, fitness, wellness and nature, with new options rolling out globally and across Sydney and Melbourne this season.

    Next-level exclusives hosted by global icons

    Megan Thee Stallion eating ramen for Otaku Hottie Quest

    Airbnb Originals are one-of-a-kind experiences hosted by world-renowned figures. (Image: Adrienne Raquel)

    And for those seeking something truly out of the ordinary, Airbnb has introduced Airbnb Originals: one-of-a-kind experiences hosted by world-renowned figures, exclusively for the platform.

    Think making croissants with a French pastry legend, playing volleyball with an Olympian in Rio, or even cosplaying with Megan Thee Stallion at her Otaku Hottie Quest.

    You can also toss a football with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City or join K-pop royalty SEVENTEEN in Seoul for an exclusive fan celebration.

    For Aussie travellers, it’s all part of a broader shift: from simply booking a place to sleep, to curating unforgettable moments – all in one tap.