Why saving money with Air Asia X makes lots of sense

I love flying with Air Asia and Air Asia X. 

That statement might raise an eyebrow or two from readers who know of my love of the finer things in life.

Air Asia, make no mistake, is a budget airline. You get what you pay for, which is not a lot. 

And from the money you save over eight or nine hours in the air, you can have a so much better time in  Kuala Lumpur, Phuket or Bali.

First the basics. Some of the Air Asia airport terminals in Asia are not the brightest, shiniest or newest. But they do the job. And you pay for however much baggage you need. Which seems fair. 

You get a seat that is relatively comfortable (in this case on a modern Airbus A330-300) and can upgrade for a few dollars to a seat in a quiet zone (no children) or with extra leg room.

Just about everything else you bring with you or pay extra for. It's up to you. Consider it, if you like, to be positive empowerment (yes, I'm joking).

There will be no welcome drink, or complimentary newspaper. So bring an iPad if you want to watch a movie or listen to music. Bring a book, a neck pillow and some eye shades. 

You pay for the food but its cheap (and surprisingly good). The nasi lemak and the chicken satay are both extremely tasty. You save if you book your mail in advance. 

There's an excellent range of drinks (including beers and wines) and helpful and smiling staff. Press the service button and someone appears. Just like when you are paying twice or three times as much.

There are even lie-flat beds should you wish to spring for an extra $350 between Melbourne and KL. It's still a whole lot cheaper than business class on any full-fare airline. 

Prices vary wildly depending on seasonal demand but if you are prepared to be flexible there are some real bargains to be had. 

Don't expect business lounges, Mumm and lobster. Have a bowl of express noodles for $3 and splash out on a luxury suite and a massage when you arrive at your destination - or perhaps a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant. 

 You'll still be in front financially.  Have that mindset and the hours will fly by. 

In my view (and I've flown with them several times) Air Asia is both cheap and good. And certainly worth trying if you haven't already. 

This time I was their guest - but I have paid full freight in the past - and will do in the future. 

For more details see www.airasia.com. 

Spectacular location for swish Melbourne hotel

I press the switch to open the blinds of room 1720 - and the view offers a real wow factor. Below me, the Yarra River meanders its way through the city of Melbourne. So bright, so shiny, so sharp. 

This is my first visit to the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, in the centre of one of Melbourne's newest business and leisure precincts but just a 10-minute stroll to Southern Cross Station and half that to the Crown Casino complex. 

To be honest, I'd never heard of South Wharf, but it is just a short hop skip and jump along from Southbank, right next to the Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre and in a precinct that includes several riverside bars and cafes as well as a DFO South Wharf Shopping Precinct. 

The Hilton is a business hotel first and foremost; obviously designed for conference delegates, but the 396 rooms are generously proportioned with city or bay views, and there is an on-site health and fitness club, as well as an executive club with a terrace, where you can enjoy scones and jam, or pre-dinner drinks and canapes.

My room does the job perfectly. There is space; you can reach all the power points and the bed is ultra-comfortable. The bathrooms have separate showers and baths and Peter Thomas Roth amenities.

Check-in is quick and painless - and the blackout blinds ensure you can sleep no matter what time of day it is. If you are heading for the airport, Tullamarine is just 25km away.

For those looking to eat or drink on-site there is the Caffé Cino coffee bar, or the all-day dining of Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen, while the attractive and bright lobby area is a great place to meet up with friends. 

Rooms start from $235 per night, which seems more than reasonable for a well-located luxury hotel. 

Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, 2 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf 3006. (03) 9027 2000. www.melbournesouthwharf.hilton.com. 
    
  

Kiwi couple succeeds by doing things differenty

Andy and Misha Wilkinson have been successful in the wine industry by doing things a little bit differently.

While many wineries concentrate on exports to traditional markets like the UK and the US, the Misha's Vineyard brand is focused almost entirely on Asia.

And while many wine producers build up relationships at cellar door, the couple behind Misha's prefers to get on the road and meet their customers on their home turf, as well as being very active on social media. 

It has worked. The Central Otago vineyard celebrates its 10^th vintage this month and has announced further expansion of its distribution with the addition of Myanmar and Indonesia.

From the outset, the strategy for the spectacularly-located Misha’s Vineyard has been to build a premium brand working primarily with top restaurants and five-star hotels around the world with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region. 

“When we launched our wines into the market in early 2010, we announced three distributors in Asia – Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong – as well as Negociants New Zealand as our domestic distribution partner,” said Misha Wilkinson. 

“Since then we’ve steadily increased our coverage across the Asia Pacific region and delighted to now be adding Myanmar and Indonesia, bringing the total number of markets in the region to 14.” 

In New Zealand, celebrations for the 10th vintage were kicked off in style at The Rees Hotel in Queenstown. 

Andy and Misha Wilkinson recently returned from a trip that included hosting a wine dinner in Kuching, the capital of the state of Sarawak on Borneo, and a wine tasting event in George Town, the Penang capital, as well as tastings in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Singapore. 

There are many elements about Misha’s Vineyard that appeal to the Asian market including being located on an old Chinese gold-mining site, and having links with the number 8 - a lucky number in Chinese culture. 

Andy and Misha lived in Singapore for 17 years and worked extensively around the Asia Pacific region. They knew that cool-climate aromatic white varieties and pinot noir were suited to the exotic flavours of Asia.

“Our strict marketing philosophy and approach has held us in good stead over six years since our wines were launched into the market," says Andy Wilkinson, "We have managed to build a premium brand in more than 20 export markets."

# Misha’s Vineyard is located above Lake Dunstan in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. The 57-hectare estate produces pinot noir and aromatic white varieties vinified by winemaker Olly Masters.

www.mishasvineyard.com

Thriving Tasmanian distillery came about by accident

For a business that was created almost by accident, Tasmania's Nonesuch Distillery is thriving.

Rex Burdon, the man behind the still, spent decades in the superannuation industry before throwing himself into the gin fray two years ago. 

Based at Forcett, on the road from Hobart to Port Arthur, Nonesuch has only three products in its portfolio; a sloe gin, a dry gin and a unique sloe malt spirit. 

Marked by ultra-professional packaging and attention to detail at every step, Nonesuch has quickly made an impact; even in the ultra-competitive Tasmanian market, dominated by big names like Lark, Nant and William McHenry. 

Founder Burdon has told how the business came about through a chance encounter with the "godfather" of Australian craft distilling, Bill Lark.

“I had long wanted to produce a drink [alcoholic or non-] utilising unique Tasmanian native botanicals, and had been experimenting with flavouring spring waters,” he says. 

“Then a chance meeting with Bill Lark led us to discussing the fact that Tasmania was blessed with rows of blackthorn and hence sloe berries. Bill, in his inimitable way, enthused me to change direction somewhat and instead of flavouring spring water, start making sloe gin.”

The first batch of sloe gin was actually made at William McHenry - but now a 300-litre copper pot still is in place - and the range has expanded from one product to three. Burdon is full of praise for the encouragement both Lark and McHenry have given him. 

The name Nonesuch is an old English word that means ‘something without equal’, Burdon says. 

“I originally came across the word many years ago when researching my family history,” he says. “One of my ancestors who came to Tasmania in the mid-1800s settled on a property named Nonesuch and I rediscovered the word when reading a book about the Gallipoli campaign while the distillery was being built.”

The sloe gin is truly artisanal, with each batch subtly different. 

“We believe that the magic ingredient is time," Burdon says. "Allowing time for the natural process to colour the gin and for the exchange of juice and gin to happen slowly and not rushing to bottle it is our touchstone. We determined that we would bottle only when we decided it was ready to drink and not work to a budget-imposed time frame."

The initial sloe gin has been joined in the portfolio by the sloe malt, as well as the dry gin, which I sampled for the first time at the Bream Creek Show - just down the road from the distillery - poured by co-founder Annette Lodewikus. 

It uses a blend of botanicals which includes citrus, liquorice, orris root, angelica, coriander, cardamom and wattle seed alongside the juniper. It is very dry, and very good, with or without a mixer. 

"A great spirit is a great spirit because of the quality of the raw ingredients, the constant improvement of the process and the care given to it during production," Burdon says. "We call that the love factor and that is what makes our spirit great."

Nonesuch Distillery, 491 Arthur Highway, Forcett, Tasmania. 0408 616 442. Open by appointment. www.nonesuchdistillery.com.au. 

The perfect way to kill a few hours at Melbourne Airport

Having to spend a few hours at an airport can be tiresome in the extreme; there is often a lack of seating and if you have luggage you can't stray far away from it.

If you are lucky you might be able to gain access to an airline lounge, but probably not - unless you are a frequent flyer.




There is a new solution to the problem at Melbourne Airport, however, with Parkroyal Melbourne Airport Hotel offering a "swim and lounge" package for up to three hours for only $15.

That fee gains casual visitors access to the hotel's leisure facilities, including the swimming pool, the lounge and AIRO Bar & Restaurant.

The hotel is just a two-minute walk from both domestic and international terminals via two pedestrian sky bridges - and the service is generally very good.

Day guests can relax and rejuvenate in the hotel's gymnasium, heated pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, steam room and bathrooms with complimentary amenities.




There is also free wi-fi in the AIRO Restaurant & Bar, although you'll need to pay for food and beverages.

For those preferring to unwind in a spacious and well-appointed day room, from just $85 guests can relax in a standard room with the use of all facilities (pricing for three-hours $85, five-hours $105 and eight-hours $130; available between 7am-7pm daily).

Sounds like a most relaxing stopover if you have several hours before check in. For more information, visit www.parkroyalhotels.com.

Tee off in conjuction with one of Thailand's most stylish resorts

The Sarojin is one of those Thai resorts that literally takes your breath away with its spectacular setting and dramatic swimming pool.

Throw in some great service and excellent food (as well as an award-winning wine list) and it is one of my favourite places to stay in the Land of Smiles.

The Sarojin is set on an 11-kilometre stretch of secluded white sand beach in Khao Lak, a 55-minute drive north of Phuket International Airport, and surrounded by five national parks and world-famous dive sites of the Similan and Surin Islands.

The five-star resort's 56 deluxe residences are nestled within 10 acres of tropical grounds leading directly to the beach.

Children under 10 are not allowed, making a stay at the resort relaxing for everyone.

Now the boutique resort has created a six-night golf package in which guests will tee off in style at the 18-hole Katathong Golf Course, which opened in picturesque Phang Nga last year.

Nestled in 'The Valley of Dreams', the Katathong course is a short drive from The Sarojin and is surrounded by three stunning, often misty, mountains (sounds like a Led Zeppelin song to me).

The 72-par course offers lush green mountain views from every angle with courses following natural contours of the land featuring undulating hills, sand traps and a beautiful natural reservoir with an abundance of natural waterfalls and streams.

As part of The Sarojin golf package, guests transfer by luxury car to practice their swing with two rounds of 18-hole golf for two people (four rounds in total) inclusive of green fees, an experienced caddie and personal golf carts for each player.

A perfect option for golf enthusiasts, The Sarojin is ideally placed within easy reach of a further four 18-hole golf courses in southern Thailand: Tap La Mu, situated next to the beach; Blue Canyon, flanked by rubber plantations; Ratchaprapa Dam, surrounded by a natural lake; and Mission Hills, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course nestled among coastal mangrove forests.

For bookings contact www.sarojin.com 
or reservations@sarojin.com.