Discover Shanghai's new cultural landmark

Shanghai is preparing to unveil one of the world’s most ambitious new cultural landmarks with the Shanghai Grand Opera House to officially opens its doors on October 17, 2026.

Designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta in partnership with the East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), the striking waterfront venue is expected to become a centerpiece of Shanghai’s cultural tourism offering and a new architectural icon along the Huangpu River, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The opening marks the culmination of a decade-long project that began when Snøhetta won an international design competition in 2016.

The opera house has been conceived as much more than a performance venue. It combines world-class performing arts facilities with expansive public spaces, creating a civic destination that welcomes visitors throughout the year, whether or not they are attending a show.

At the heart of the building are three state-of-the-art auditoriums designed to accommodate productions of varying sizes and genres. 

The main auditorium seats 2,000 guests and is equipped to host grand opera, ballet, musicals and symphony concerts. It is complemented by a flexible 1,200-seat theatre and a 1,000-seat venue for experimental performances, chamber music and community events.

One of the building’s defining features is its dramatic spiral roof, which rises from the surrounding park to create a publicly accessible promenade. It will be open 24 hours a day year-round, so visitors can walk to the rooftop for sweeping views of the Huangpu River. 

A diverse program is expected to showcase opera, ballet, orchestral music, theatre and contemporary performing arts, with additional details to be announced closer to opening.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see this remarkable project approaching its opening,” said Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Snøhetta.

“Watching such an ambitious vision become reality has been special. Soon, the building will belong to the people of Shanghai and its visitors, whether they come to experience a performance or simply enjoy the building and its surrounding park. I hope it will become a place that inspires, brings people together, and stands as a new landmark for the city.“

Tribute to Springsteen: New edifice is born to run

Fans of Bruce Springsteen will want to note that the new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University opens next month.

The Springsteen Center will be officially inaugurated on June 13 on the college campus in New Jersey. 

The 30,000-square-foot structure is largely inspired by Springsteen's music and includes a 240-seat theatre for intimate performances.

The Center promises to "preserve the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and celebrates the history of American music and its diversity of artists and genres". 

As the home of the Bruce Springsteen Archives, the Center serves as the official repository for materials related to Springsteen and the E Street Band, including photographs, historic memorabilia, and oral histories. 

The Center also explores American music more broadly by producing exhibitions, concerts, and educational programming that interprets and honours the cultural impact of American music past, present, and future.

The collection consists of thousands of rare photographs, documents, recordings, artefacts, and more related primarily to Springsteen and The E Street Band.

It stands just a short walk from the New Jersey shore where Springsteen wrote Born to Run.

Robert Santelli, the centre’s founding executive director, said the building places Springsteen within the wider story of American music rather than treating him in isolation. 

Recalling the moment he first put the proposal to the musician, Santelli said Springsteen told him he would prefer to be seen as a chapter in that ongoing story.

See https://springsteencenter.org/

Softly, softly. New Melbourne hotel quietly opens its doors

They call it the silly season because not much happens in the hospitality industry over the Christmas-New Year holidays.

The team at the long-awaited Hannah St Hotel in Melbourne turned that on its head with a quiet opening on the Southbank.

 
Designed by the Flack Studio, the $150 million hotel is promoted as "a celebration of art, architecture, and cultural connection", offering guests the type of immersive experience that could only belong in Melbourne.

“We’re incredibly proud to open our doors and share what’s been taking shape behind the scenes for the past three years,” says Hannah St Hotel GM Peter Minatsis.

“Hannah St Hotel was created to feel connected to its neighbourhood. A place where guests can experience the real Melbourne, not just visit it. From the design to the dining to the small, thoughtful touches in every room, everything has been considered to make people feel welcomed… and we’re doing just that.”



“It’s part grand hotel, part underground bar, part cultural clubhouse,” says designer David Flack, founder and principal of Flack Studio.

“We’ve created a space that feels lived-in, loved, and full of stories.”

Across 188 boutique rooms and suites, guests will find custom furniture, rich textures, curated minibars (as opposed to a randomly stocked minibar? Although these showcase local products); premium amenities and Marshall speakers.

Every room in the TFE Hotels-managed property - part of the Collection by TFE portfolio - offers skyline views.

At the heart of the guest experience is Level 9, a purpose-designed space "for connection, creativity, and wellbeing".

Highlights include a 20-metre indoor pool with city views, steam room and sauna, and a fitness studio. In addition, guests have access to co-working spaces with a dedicated podcast room.

Hannah St Hotel positions itself as a cultural hub, showcasing works by leading Australian artists including Justene Williams and Jazz Money, and offering curated experiences inspired by the city’s arts scene.

The Mulberry Group (the team behind Hazel, Dessous, Lilac Wine, Molli, and Heide Kitchen) has opened five F&B venues within the hotel.

Founder Nathan Toleman describes the project as a lifelong dream: “With Hannah St, we wanted to capture that same sense of wonder and excitement, but with a Melbourne heartbeat. A place that feels alive, authentic, and inclusive - not just for travellers, but for locals too.”



The Mulberry Group’s venues include Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar, an all-day European bistro; Hannah St Coffee, a hole-in-the-wall espresso bar, Bar Hannah and Carriage Lounge in the lobby,  and The Terrace Lounge, a rooftop bar and lounge.

The hotel is located within the landmark Queensbridge building and adjacent to the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Bookings are now open at hannahsthotel.com.

* To celebrate the opening, the Hannah St Hotel Urban Revel Package includes overnight accommodation, daily breakfast for two, two signature cocktails and a 12pm late check-out. It is priced from $395 per night, inclusive of taxes and fees.

Book by March 15 for stays until December 15, 2026.

On Garde as new Fremantle hotel opens its doors

The West Australian port city of Fremantle is having a moment.

Fremantle was this month named Australia's Top Tourism Town at the Australian Top Tourism Town awards, and has also welcomed the opening of a new hotel.

The Garde hotel, one of the state's most-anticipated accommodation openings of 2025, is now officially checking-in guests.

Located in Fremantle's convict quarter, Garde comprises 83 new rooms and suites, a spa and wellness offering, along with Anglesea, a ground-floor restaurant serving a Japanese and Korean fusion menu.

The newly-opened rooms, combined with the existing Warders Cottages accommodation, bring the total room count to 106.

The former Warders Hotel recently re-branded to Garde, signalling the connection between both properties and marking the new chapter.

Historic Fremantle is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, the much-loved Fremantle Markets, lively Fishing Boat Harbour, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene.

It's also known for its rich maritime history and is home to the WA Shipwrecks Museum and WA Maritime Museum.

New luxe destination in Queenstown opens its expensive doors

A new destination in Queenstown, New Zealand, is banking on a continuing demand for high-end luxury accommodation.

ROKI Collection Queenstown opened this week with bed and breakfast rates starting from from NZD $2,800 to $32,000 per night.

That means guests with a lot of cash to splash, or black American Express cards.

The marketing material promises the new property is "ushering in a new era of contemporary luxury in one of the world's most breathtaking destinations".

So think a great location and local transfers in a Rolls Royce.

ROKI Collection Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown, overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

Celebrated chef Paul Froggatt is the culinary lead, while interiors are by acclaimed New Zealand designer Virginia Fisher.

The urban luxury hotel promises to "set a new benchmark for international travellers".

"ROKI Collection Queenstown brings a new perspective to alpine luxury, where bespoke experiences begin the moment you arrive," says a very confident Stephen McAteer, general manager, ROKI Collection Queenstown.

" From restorative spa rituals, incredible dining, to all-season outdoor adventure, ROKI Collection Queenstown invites guests to indulge, unwind and explore.” 

British-born chef  Froggatt is culinary director and will lead three eateries: Essence, a fine‑dining venue, The Terrace, a relaxed seafood spot, and The Library Bar. 

All will be available to in-house guests and the public.

“With the opening of Essence, I'm excited to share a cuisine that feels both international in style and unmistakably New Zealand at its core,” said Froggatt.

“The Terrace is designed to be effortless,” he said. “Fresh seafood, a glass of wine, and views that remind you why Queenstown is extraordinary. It's a restaurant for all seasons, whether an après-ski dinner or a summer lunch in the sun.”

Each of ROKI Collection Queenstown's 15 suites, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, offer panoramic lake and mountain views. while ROKI Pure, is "a dedicated wellness sanctuary" with a thermal zone, two private treatment suites, an indoor pool, and a jacuzzi.

All guests can enjoy local drop-offs in the hotel house car, a Rolls Royce Cullinan, available from 5pm to 9pm. 

That's a time frame that seems a little mean. If I was paying that kind of money I'd expect one on call day and night.  

See https://roki-collection.com/

Get ready for a new luxury hotel on Australia's Gold Coast

The Mondrian hotel brand will make its debut in Australia when Mondrian Gold Coast opens this June overlooking Burleigh Beach, an iconic surf destination.

The Mondrian promises to offer expansive rooms -twice the size of the average hotel room in Australia - along with 132 studios, 76 suites, private beach houses, and the exclusive Sky House.

The hotel's dining precinct will showcase an all-day Italian restaurant, a lobby bar, seafood restaurant, and pool club.

The 208 hotel rooms will each have views of the Pacific Ocean, Burleigh headland, or the hinterland.

The one- and two-bedroom suites will feature full kitchens, open-plan living and dining areas, laundry, and bedrooms with en suites.

Each beach house features a plunge pool and terrace with beach access from the esplanade, along with a full kitchen, living area, dining for up to 12 people, and laundry amenities.

The 24th floor hosts the Sky House, featuring three king-sized bedrooms with en suites, entertainment spaces, a private chef's kitchen, a mixologist-ready bar, an ocean-facing terrace, and views stretching from South Stradbroke Island to Burleigh Headland.

Level 2 at Mondrian Gold Coast is dedicated to wellness and fitness. CIEL Spa will feature a full program of research-driven bio-wellness treatments (ouch!) alongside restorative therapies and other treatments too frightening sounding to mention.

Guests can also recharge in the third-floor 25-metre resort-style pool and plunge pools infused with magnesium -a mineral known for its revitalising properties.

Bookings are now open with rates starting from $749 in a studio king. Which sounds a little hefty to me. Deals will doubtless become available.

# The Mondrian website boasts "Mondrian Hotels can be found in the heart of the most exciting cultural scenes in the world". That might be a first for the Goldie.

For more info see mondrianhotels.com/gold-coast

New resort in one of Vietnam's most desirable destinations

Hoi An is one of the most spectacular destinations in Vietnam - and it is about to gain a new resort destination.

The Wafaifo Hoi An Resort in the ancient heritage capital will open its doors September 1 and bookings are now open. 

The privately- and locally-owned boutique property will offer 134-rooms and suites and a range of dining and lifestyle outlets, a 10-minute walk from Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed heritage attractions.

The resort is aiming to deliver a modern interpretation of Hoi An hospitality, dining, wellness and community lifestyles. 

“The museums, night market shops, restaurants and bars in the old quarter in Hoi An are really bustling again,” said Mikkel Krantz, commercial director of Wafaifo Hospitality. 

“With the upturn in tourism, the timing is right for us to unveil wonderful new hotel rooms and dining options that reflect Hoi An’s unique melting pot culture.” he said.

Rooms include balcony options, king-sized or twin beds, high speed wifi, 24-hour room service, and electronically switchable privacy glass between bedroom and bathroom. 

The Xua & Nay international and Vietnamese restaurant in the resort will have the only Josper oven and grill in central Vietnam. 

“In rooms and food, our quality will be high, but pricing competitive,” said Krantz. “We are creating a community experience where both locals and international tourists, we believe, will be pleasantly surprised and delighted in equal measure.”

The resort will also have  a 25 x 6-metre swimming pool and wellness, spa, gym, fitness, beauty and health options. 

There will also be DJ sessions by the pool (oops, not sure about that - bring earplugs), a cinema, kids’ club, outdoor playground and a retail lobby shop. 

In early 2025, the Wafaifo Resort Hoi An will also add luxury suites and a signature Vietnamese fine dining outlet.

Hoi An is a 40-minute drive from Danang International Airport in central Vietnam. 

See Wafaifo.com 

New Sydney boutique hotel ready to open its doors

Sydney's newest boutique hotel, The Porter House Hotel Sydney - MGallery, will open its doors next Tuesday.

Located on Castlereagh Street, the multi-million luxury hotel occupies the first 10 floors of a 36-storey mixed-use tower within the restyled Porter House precinct.

Residential apartments with their own private entry via Bathurst Street sit above the new MGallery hotel, while a multi-level food and bar destination has been created within the restored 1870s heritage-listed building.

Three different food and beverage venues will sit across four redeveloped levels within the original building.

To celebrate the opening, the hotel has created an opening offer to stay, wine and dine at the new MGallery and venues within The Porter House.

Porter House Hotel - MGallery will become the 11th MGallery hotel in Australia and New Zealand and join a network of 112 MGallery hotels in 36 different countries.

Guests can stay two nights or more and save up to 17% on their room rate. Hotel guests who book this offer will also receive a $50 food and beverage credit to spend at the Porter House venues Dixson & Sons and Henry's Bread & Wine.

The offer starts from $389 per night (or $778 for a two-night stay), for a superior room and is valid for stays between September 13 and December 2.

The offer must be booked prior to October 31. Visit www.porterhousehotel.com.au for details.

Image: Steve Woodburn

Fiji ready to open its doors

Fiji has confirmed plans to reopen to fully vaccinated travellers from December 1.

It has listed certain countries as low risk, enabling vaccinated travellers to skip quarantine and head straight to resorts like Likuliku (above).


Approved countries are Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, the UAE, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, South Korea, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland and most Pacific Island countries and territories.


A pre-travel negative RT-PCR test will be required and a further test must be taken at their hotel 48 hours after arrival.


"It's been almost two years since we welcomed international visitors and in these two years, we've struggled, we've adapted, and we've prepared," said Tourism Minister Faiyaz Koya. "Today, our national airline is ready, our hotels and tour providers are ready." 

Fiji Airways recently announced that flights to and from the US will resume on December 1.


It is restarting flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu.


Tourism Fiji says more than 80% of adults in Fiji are now fully vaccinated.

“To our friends in Australia and New Zealand and to the residents of other countries we’re preparing to welcome, our message is simple: Fiji is ready to welcome you back to our shores,” said Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

For full details visit https://www.fiji.travel/covid-19/travelling-to-fiji