ACCOR

This is Sydney’s original luxury hotel, located in the heart of the city close to high end shopping, Sydney Harbour and the NSW Art Gallery. Enjoy elegant guest rooms with French amenities and sumptuous Sofitel MyBeds. Dine in the Garden Court Restaurant or enjoy cocktails in the newly refurbished ‘60s inspired bar, Soirée Lounge. Escape to Sydney with the So Suite Package at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. The Deal: So Suite Package from $695 per room per night, including: • Two nights’ suite accommodation • Daily breakfast • Welcome amenity on arrival • Return airport transfers • 30-minute massage per person...

Following a multi-million dollar refurbishment Sofitel Brisbane Central offers a new level of luxury accommodation. Inspired by French finesse and local heritage, the hotel’s 433 rooms and suites exude style and sophistication. Experience Sofitel’s inspiring savoir-faire and enjoy the new era of hotel luxury. Located in the heart of Brisbane it makes the perfect escape with the So Suite Package* The Deal: So Suite Package from $595 per room per night, including: • Two nights’ suite accommodation • Daily breakfast • Welcome amenity on arrival • Return airport transfers • 30-minute massage per person To book visit sofitel.com or call 07 3835...

Situated in cosmopolitan Broadbeach, stay in luxurious accommodation that’s close to magnificent beaches, savvy shopping, cafes and the monorail to Jupiter’s Casino. Enjoy contemporary guest rooms featuring breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean or Gold Coast Hinterlands, award-winning dining in Room81 restaurant or unwind in one of two magnificent heated pools. Escape to the Gold Coast with the So Suite Package at Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach. The Deal: So Suite Package from $625 per room per night, including: • Two nights’ suite accommodation • Daily breakfast • Welcome amenity on arrival • Return airport transfers • 30-minute massage per person...

Located at the Paris-end of Collins Street, the hotel offers luxurious rooms from level 36 featuring breathtaking views of Melbourne. Enjoy contemporary dining and outstanding views of No35, the cosmopolitan cocktails in The Atrium Bar on 35 or the sumptuous afternoon teas in Sofi’s Lounge. Escape to Melbourne with the So Suite Package at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins. The Deal: So Suite Package from $605 per room per night, including: • Two nights’ suite accommodation • Daily breakfast • Welcome amenity on arrival • Return airport transfers • 30-minute massage per person To book visit sofitel.com or call 03 9653 0000...

Alissa Jenkins heads to the latest luxury digs in Surfers… Well, she will if she can find it   It’s a rocky start. Lapping up and down The Esplanade of Surfers Paradise, shouting my best Lara Bingle “Where the bloody hell are ya?” impersonations at the GPS, my introduction to the newest Sea Temple hotel is not as smooth as I’d hoped. This is the third addition to the Sea Temple kingdom in Australia, a brand that so far has relied on the pillars of resort-style luxury and seclusion to tempt guests – and I’m curious to know just how they’ve...

The Como Hotel is once again the new kid on the Chapel Street block – and just in the nick of time, writes Georgia Rickard. Bruce Springsteen. Kylie Minogue. Michael Buble. Robbie Williams. Since The Como’s grand inception some 22 years ago, it’s played host to visiting rock stars, Hollywood royalty and the movers and shakers of the globe. But I can also exclusively confirm that the Como was visited by one less glamorous guest, back in its heyday: a wide-eyed, 13-year-old me. I had begged and nagged and beseeched my mother for a shopping trip to Melbourne; staying at...

Ibis You love the low-price deals and great value offered by Ibis Hotels, awarding the brand first place. As part of the global Accor Hotels chain, Ibis has over 50 properties across Australia, which were consistently credited for their central locations. In particular, Ibis Darling Harbour was frequently mentioned for its stunning views of the harbour and for being within short-walking distance to local attractions, while Ibis Brisbane was a favourite for its central location close to Queen Street Mall. Obviously Ibis’ regularly low prices also played a role in earning votes, but as many readers pointed out, so did...

Melbourne stalwart The Como Hotel has been a favourite of ours for the past 22 years – and it’s just undergone a multi-million dollar renovation. Officially now part of the MGallery collection, we reckon it’s just what Chapel Street’s been needing. mgallery.com

Australian Traveller's first-ever Readers' Choice Awards for 2011; results for Best Affotdable Hotel Brand in Australia. THE WINNER: NOVOTEL This global hotel brand is part of the Accor Hotels stable. Novotel has 400 hotels and resorts in 58 countries, but the ones our readers love the most are Novotel Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast, Novotel Palm Cove, Novotel Brisbane and Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour. While the AT team would consider some of these properties more mid-range than affordable (most are over $200 a night), it seems our readership isn’t too badly off, even when they’re on a budget. But...