Terrace Room, The Royce Hotel. Photograph courtesy of The Royce. After the long weekend in New South Wales, summer feels just around the corner. To embrace the warmer weather, there’s an unassuming hotel in a coastal town just south of Sydney that’s perfect for your next getaway. In Melbourne, The Royce has finally completed its two-year renovations, transporting guests to the glamour of old-world Hollywood, while conveniently located right next to some of the city’s liveliest suburbs. Meanwhile, October also marks the opening for bookings at Hamilton Island‘s hotly anticipated new accomodations.
The Royce, Melbourne
It’s easy to be drawn into the bright lights at The Royce. This boutique hotel, conveniently located just outside the city on St Kilda Road, is marked by its glitzy silver signage that brightens the busy street. Step into the lobby, and you’ll be greeted by a sense of Hollywood glamour, the space reminiscent of the kind of mansion where Gatsby might reside—spacious, bold, yet softened by warm hospitality.
Originally designed in 1928 by renowned art deco architect Henry A. Norris, this heritage-listed building was once the Kellow Falkiner prestige car showroom, featuring elite American and British motor cars like Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Packard. After a two-year renovation, the 94-room hotel now pays homage to its sophisticated past, with a blend of old-world charm enhanced by modern amenities. Sink into your cloud-like king-size bed with conveniently-located buttons to adjust sheer and block-out blinds at your leisure. Some suites boast deep free-standing baths, while others feature cosy loft structures.
This understated opulence continues into The Royce’s Showroom Bar and Restaurant, decorated with grand chandeliers. The venue serves lunch, dinner, and drinks into the evening, with a seasonal menu crafted from the best Australian produce by celebrated executive chef Pawan Dutta, whose experience spans The Conrad Tokyo, The Maldives’ luxury residential yacht The World, and beloved local establishments like Guy Grossi’s Grossi Grill. Complementing the Showroom Bar is The Terrace, the hotel’s breakfast and brunch spot, nestled within a secluded, sunlit courtyard.
With everything you need onsite, it’s easy to forget about venturing out. However, when you do, some of the city’s most exciting suburbs are just moments away. roycehotel.com.au.
The Sundays, Hamilton Island
Earlier this year, Hamilton Island announced the upcoming opening of The Sundays. The luxury accommodation has been designed with families in mind, set to debut in August 2025 — just in time for the school holidays. This month, it has finally opened for bookings.
Situated at the northern end of the palm-fringed Catseye Beach, The Sundays features 59 thoughtfully designed rooms that capture the essence of Hamilton Island’s tropical surroundings and stunning blue water views. Guests will enjoy exclusive access to a new oceanfront swimming pool and private cabanas, as well as the opportunity to dine at The Sundays’ waterside restaurant and bar, which offers al fresco dining with breathtaking views of Catseye Bay. www.hamiltonisland.com.au.
Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach, Austinmer
Positioned on a headland next to Austinmer Beach, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach is aptly named. While the venue attracts most visitors with its expansive dining room and bar, it also offers boutique accommodation. Unlike many pub hotels that are small, dark, and situated above the pub, this unassuming gem couldn’t be more different.
Located within a private complex, the hotel features over 50 serviced apartments, including penthouses and studios. The sea-view rooms boast large wrap-around balconies that provide uninterrupted vistas and the soothing sound of crashing waves to lull you to sleep and wake you up. Conveniently situated between Little Austinmer Beach and Sharky Beach, and with its own private pool, there’s no shortage of swimming spots, making it the perfect destination for a Sydney summer escape.
Sydney Common Restaurant and Bar, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
In the last five years, Sydney’s hotel restaurants and bars have levelled up, becoming a place not just for tired travellers but destination diners that locals are actively seeking out, too. Eighteen stories above the Ace Hotel is Kiln helmed by Mitch Orr, while on the ground floor is Loam, a sister restaurant to its Los Angeles counterpart. Meanwhile the Bentley Group opened the grand Brasserie 1930 inside the Capella Sydney. Adding to this list, is Sydney Common, a woodfire grill restaurant and bar that conveniently opened inside the prestigious Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.
The Sydney Common first caught the attention of this T Australia editor after a local food critic compared its food quality to that of Matt Moran’s world-renowned Aria Restaurant. After dining there myself, I can confirm that the critic had a point. The menu, crafted by head chef Jamie Robertson — who has experience at Hide and the Michelin-starred The Capital — showcases some of Sydney’s finest producers, including Baker Bleu bread and LPs Quality Meats charcuterie. With a focus on the woodfire grill, diners can expect standout cuts such as specially sourced Blackmore wagyu and seasonal seafood, with the Yamba king prawns being a must-try when available.
The drinks menu is equally impressive. Conveniently located near the CBD, The Sydney Common is a perfect spot for a Martini while enjoying sweeping views of Hyde Park. Head Sommelier Sebastian Brogren, formerly of Bentley Restaurant and Bar, has curated a 260-bin wine list that celebrates classic Australian producers while showcasing winemakers from both the new and old worlds, with a particular emphasis on wines, martinis, and Champagne. sydneycommon.com.au.
Oceania Cruises Unveils 2025 Specialty Cruises
When it comes to culinary offerings onboard, few cruise lines match the extensive array provided by Oceania Cruises. Renowned for its exceptional dining experiences across all its luxury vessels, Oceania also offers immersive onshore programs that include village tours and workshops with local chefs. The recently announced Specialty Cruise programs for 2025 continue this tradition of excellence. Among the esteemed hosts for these cruises are celebrated authors, television personalities, and chefs such as Claudine Pépin and Sara Moulton, along with Food & Wine 2023 Best New Chef Aisha Ibrahim, and Oceania Cruises’ own executive culinary directors and Master Chefs of France, Alex Quaretti and Eric Barale. The programs will navigate some of the world’s most beloved cruising regions, including the Mediterranean, Alaska, and the Far East. Each cruise will feature expert-led onboard programming, including enrichment lectures, live cooking demonstrations, cooking classes, themed Chef’s Market Dinners in the Terrace Café, fireside chats, exclusive hosted shore excursions, and much more — ensuring a truly (ful)filling culinary journey. oceaniacruises.com
The Calile Hotel, Brisbane
Brisbane’s Calile Hotel is renowned for its award-winning design and warm service, it recently earned recognition as number 25 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 list, and as the Best in Oceania. In addition to its luxurious accommodations, the hotel fosters a vibrant cultural program that invites renowned artists and entertainers to its premises. Next month, The Calile will host Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey, for an in-conversation event with Jessica Rudd, the chief executive officer of The ParentHood and pro-chancellor at Griffith University. Born and raised in Queensland, Joe has spent over two decades in the animation industry, honing his craft and bringing stories to life through animation and writing. He has beautifully captured the essence of Brisbane life and culture in Bluey, forging connections that resonate globally. Join him for a candid discussion about the success of the show and what lies ahead. thecalilehotel.com.
