Hyatt brand hits Hua Hin with a hint of Sanook

I've been looking for a new Thai destination for a proposed trip later this year. Hua Hin just jumped to the top of the list.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation this week announced the opening of The Barai Hua Hin, marking the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Thailand.

Located on the historic Khao Takiap coastline in Hua Hin, a favourite seaside destination for generations of Thai royalty, the 98-room beachfront resort is designed in the spirit of Sanook (สนุก) - the Thai expression for the joy of living.

Long before the concept of the "wellness retreat" became fashionable, Hua Hin was one. 

The destination has been a seaside escape for Siamese nobility since the early 20th century. 

Drawing on this legacy, The Barai Hua Hin opened as a spa 20 years ago. It has now expanded into a boutique resort. 

“Every stay is designed to unfold at the guest's own rhythm,” says GM Marco Avitabile. 

“Our philosophy is rooted in Sanook, the belief that joy, ease and delight should be part of life’s most meaningful moments. Whether guests come for deep rest, movement, spa rituals, culinary discovery or time by the sea, we invite them to experience renewal in a way that feels personal, memorable and entirely their own.”

Guests can also explore the Kui Buri National Park, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, and Phraya Nakhon Cave in the region.

The resort has 27 suites and a pair of two-bedroom penthouses. 

Higher-category suites include butler service, terraces, in-suite rituals and daily massage inclusions. 

At the centre of the resort, The Barai Spa takes its name from ancient barays, reservoirs that once sustained daily life in the ancient empire. 

Wellness extends to the two-story Wellness Hub which includes a 24-hour fitness studio, yoga studio, holistic zone and wellness shop. 

The resort offers two dining destinations led by chef Benn Rowe, whose career spans kitchens across Australia and Thailand. 

I've made a note of this one. Small resort, wellness focus, interesting location. 

See www.thebaraihuahin.com

Historic hotel re-opens with new name and new vibe

Cambridge is a very pretty small town in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

There is now a new reason to visit with the the opening this week of Cambridge’s new high-end boutique accommodation The Clements Hotel, named after Archibald Clements, who built the original hotel on the site in 1866.

Following a multi-million-dollar transformation of the town’s original 1866 beaux-arts Masonic Hotel, the 29-room property aims to offer "refined luxury and soulful charm".

General manager Cameron Kellow, who joins Capstone Hotel Management from Scotland, leads the team.

"I'm thrilled to bring my passion for hospitality to The Clements and lead this exciting opening," Kellow says.

"We're positioned to elevate Cambridge's accommodation offering at the premium end of the market, while becoming a destination for exceptional dining, memorable events, and genuine community connection.

"Owners Gerry Westenberg and Jo Pannell have created something truly special here - their meticulous restoration of this heritage building, inspired by London's prestigious Claridge's, honours the past while embracing the future."

Accommodation options range from Deluxe rooms to the luxurious Clements Suite, and include two accessible rooms.

The Gallery Restaurant overlooks the gardens and terrace, while The Clements Café & Wine Bar will evolve throughout the day, from morning coffee and pastries to relaxed daytime fare and evening aperitivos.

The Clements also offers a range of flexible event and meeting spaces and is just 15 minutes from Hamilton International Airport and 1.5 hours from Auckland International Airport.

Opening Late October:, the former century-old horse stables have been transformed into three interlinked private suites with a luxury cottage aesthetic.

Adding a local twist to the story, The Cambridge Distillery Co., located at the rear of the hotel, has crafted a bespoke gin for The Clements.

Room rates start from $NZ415 for a deluxe king room but The Clements is offering an opening special with 20% off room only rates plus a $25 dining credit for stays until October 31,

For more info visit clements.co.nz

Leading restaurateurs unveil opening date for their Sydney boutique hotel

The Grand National Hotel by Saint Peter, Sydney, will open its doors on Friday, January 31, owners Josh and Julie Niland have announced.

Room reservations are now live for the much-anticipated new venture by the renowned restaurateurs.

The 14 luxury rooms, situated above their restaurant and bar, Saint Peter, will represent the final phase of Saint Peter’s relocation to the historic site in the inner suburb of Paddington.

The Grand National Hotel was once a much-loved neighbourhood pub, with the original structure dating back to 1890.

Building owner George Penklis wanted to restore The Grand National and maintain its role as a Sydney hospitality destination.

He first approached the Nilands in 2018 with the idea of opening a restaurant. In the years that followed, as building work progressed, Josh and Julie Niland’s vision of extending their hospitality offering evolved.

The result is the Nilands’ first venture as hoteliers.

Belinda Chippindale and Dimity Chitty of Studio Aquilo designed the hotel interiors with extensive participation from the Nilands. When work began, the structure was in a state of semi-dilapidation.

Original features including marble fireplaces, architraves, and vintage tiling have been retained.

The aesthetic in the bedrooms is described as "more vibrant and elaborate than in the restaurant downstairs".

Upstairs, design features blend texture and colour to offer elegant, modern comfort, respecting the classic heritage backdrop.

Chef Josh Niland’s whole fish philosophy has equally found its place in the hotel, with the rooms boasting fish-fat candles and ceramics made from fish bones.

“When approaching the hotel, we paid as much attention to detail to the design and furnishing as we did with the restaurant," says Julie Niland.

"This is our first venture into being hoteliers, and we knew that we wanted to apply the same level of care to the rooms so that they weren’t just an addition to Saint Peter but a destination in their own right."

Josh Niland adds: “Opening the hotel allows us the opportunity to fulfil our vision of hospitality beyond dining into a thoughtful 360-degree hotel experience, from handmade chocolates on your pillow to the breakfast cooked by our team.”




Room rates include breakfast, a complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar and snacks.

Prices start from $600 a night.

See www.saintpeter.com.au/stay

Restaurant opening times: Lunch: Thursday to Sunday.- Dinner: 7 days a week.

Images: Christopher Pearce

Inner city Sydney gets a hip new hotel address

Surry Hills is one of Sydney's funkiest inner city neighbourhoods: full of bars, restaurants and pubs.

Now a designer boutique hotel has landed in the heart of the suburb.

202 Elizabeth is billed as stylish, designer boutique hotel that sounds very much in keeping with the local feel.

The name 202 Elizabeth is a nod to the hotel’s physical address and tagline.

The hotel accommodation is spread over six levels and features 38 "sophisticated yet playful" guest rooms, many with balconies. No two rooms are the same.

The boutique vibe sees arriving guests treated to a seasonal welcome drink.



Each room features amenities by Hunter Lab as well as robes by Australian designer Piyama, and the mini bar, which will be stocked daily with organic sodas and sweet and savoury treats, is complimentary.

To maintain the adult vibe, 202 Elizabeth is an adults only property.

Owner Diana Ren, has a passion for organic products and textures and the hotel is both eco-conscious hotel and showcases Australian artists and designers.

The hotel boasts a rooftop space (below) which overlooks Surry Hills and Central rail tracks below,



It also has a ground floor outdoor courtyard and a soon-to-open Handpicked Wines tasting room which will double as an area for guests to work from.

The property is pet friendly with general manager Adam Males’ French bulldog Sochi acting as the hotel’s director of pet relations.

To find out more check out www.202elizabeth.com.au

# An opening offer sees a discount of 15% off Best Available Rate, which includes overnight accommodation (free upgrade on availability) a bottle of wine on arrival, discounted car parking and free mini bar. Available until March 31, prices start from $350 per night. Be quick.

Bangkok's towering hotel is out of this world

Rising like some majestic, mythological spire from a Tolkein tale, the 88-storey Baiyoke Tower lords it over the more modest constructions in the Pratunam area of downtown Bangkok. Guest blogger Roderick Eime let his imagination run wild.

When opened amid much fanfare in 1997 after a gruelling seven-year construction, Baiyoke Tower II stood more than 300 metres above ground level, making it the tallest building in all of Thailand. 

As part of the megalithic construction, a luxury hotel occupies floors 22 to 74 and comprises 673 rooms with views from the rooms leaving nothing to the imagination. Dubbed the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, its name is no exaggeration.

Panorama Suite (not Coruscant) - supplied

We stayed in one of the eight massive (85m2) Panorama Suites situated on the 54th and 55th floors. To continue the fairy tale fantasy, I couldn’t help thinking this huge enclosed balcony in many ways resembled the Jedi Council Chamber at the summit of the High Council Tower of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, such was the stratospheric view over the planet far below.

One of the highlights (pun intended) of any stay at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel is breakfast. Whether you choose to dine in-room and gaze out over the cityscape in your bathrobe or venture up to the 81st floor and into one of the exclusive open-air ‘Sky Boxes’, it’s a culinary experience to remember.

Rooftop Bar on the 83rd floor - supplied

The Rooftop Bar on the 83rd floor is a hard act to follow too. Any Martini consumed at 300m is bound to leave an impression.

Daytrippers are welcome, too, with the observation deck and revolving floor allowing views as far as Suvarnabhumi Airport, 25km distant. Until 10pm, 400THB will get you a drink and selfie worth Facegloating about.

View from the top (RE)

A top-to-bottom review of the hotel wouldn’t be fair under immediate post-Covid conditions, as the covers have only just come off after many weeks in the hospitality doldrums.

Some venues within the hotel like the Crystal Grill and Stella Palace are yet to reopen, but suffice to say that the Baiyoke Sky Hotel is quickly gaining momentum and occupancy is rising quickly as Thailand relaxes its entry requirements. 

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel is the flagship property of the Baiyoke Group of Hotels which operates 10 properties throughout Thailand.

Location: 222 Soi Ratchaprarop 3, Ratchaprarop Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

Nearest Transport: Ratchaprarop station on the airport line.

Tel: +66 (0) 2656 3000, +66 (0) 2656 3456, Fax: +66 (0) 2656 3555, +66 (0) 2656 3666, Email: baiyokesky@baiyoke.co.th

The writer stayed as a guest of Baiyoke Group of Hotels and Tourism Thailand Experts

Meet Brisbane's latest boutique accommodation

A Heritage-listed 160-year-old former schoolhouse has been reimagined to create Brisbane's newest boutique accommodation. 

Miss Midgley's is the revitalised version of one of Brisbane's oldest heritage homes, transformed into chic lodgings on hip James Street in the trendy inner suburb of New Farm. 

The project is the work of mother-daughter duo Lisa and Isabella White and is named after Annie Midgley, an artist and teacher who opened a private school in the building in 1905, called Miss Midgley's Educational Establishment. 

The two-storey building has five self-contained apartments and the entire property can be booked out with a total of 18 beds. 

The property features a pool, tropical garden and small sun deck.

The building has had many lives including as a private home, an orphanage and a school.

Each of the apartments has two separate bedrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities.

New Farm is home to the New Farm Park Farmers Markets, the Powerhouse Museum and the New Farm Riverwalk connecting the park to the city.

James St is one of Brisbane's premier dining precincts.

See www.missmidgleys.com.au/stay/

Nelson Mandela’s former home now a luxury boutique hotel

Want to stay somewhere special when you visit Johannesburg? How about sleeping in the former home of one of the greatest men of our generation: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela? 

Before his death, the anti-apatheid icon and South Africa’s first black president owned three home: one in Qunu, the village where he was raised; the second in Soweto and the third in he leafy Johannesburg suburb of Houghton, where he lived until his death in 2013. 

The Nelson Mandela Foundation in conjunction with the Motsamayi Tourism Group has converted his last home into a luxury boutique hotel that is dotted with Madiba memorabilia.

It was here that the great leader - an inspiration to millions - hosted the likes of Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton. It later became the headquarters of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. 

Sanctuary Mandela offers guests nine rooms capable of hosting up to 18 people and offers retreat spaces for reflection and healing. 

Sally-Anne Grinter, the hotel’s operations manager, describes the experience in these three words: reflection, peace and freedom.

Officially opened last month, Sanctuary Mandela rooms start at around $AU400 a night. 

The presidential suite was Mandela’s old bedroom and there are two meeting rooms, a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and a lovely garden. 

The bar and restaurant are open to the public. 

Grinter says the Nelson Mandela Foundation wanted the property to be self-sustainable instead of standing vacant. 

Accoutrements include replicas of letters Mandela wrote during his lifetime, historic photographs and artworks. 

The green chair at the entrance is the original chair he sat on while reading his daily newspaper under a tree.

Some of Madiba’s favourite dishes, including oxtail - which he ate a boy - are on the menu. Other dishes are traditional to South Africa, like the Nguni sirloin steak and Cape Malay-style fish. 

Cook Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who prepared meals for Mandela and his family for over 22 years, is part of the team that cooks in the restaurant. 

My favourite Johannesburg hotels are the grand The Saxon, coincidentally where Mandela wrote his autobiography, and the delightful boutique Ten Bompas. The Maslow Hotel and the Radisson Blue Gautrain in Sandton are other good options, but Sanctuary Mandela sounds special. 

Bookings are required before visiting the restaurant or bar. For accommodation bookings or more information visit the website.