In The City

Join us inside the most expensive and exclusive city hotels in the country – from the secret room in Melbourne you’re not supposed to know about, to sleeping under a bridge in Sydney the millionaires’ way.

It’s the stereotype of countless films. A massively opulent suite taking up the very top floor of a five star hotel. The kind of room occupied by James Bond types or evil tyrants looking to rule the world while stroking a white cat. The sort that require your own special lift pass. Or, in the best cases, your own special lift.

So, what’s life like when you push the last button on the elevator and get whisked up to the very best the hotel has to offer?

They were once called “penthouses" but now they go by different names. Sky Villa. Roof Pavilion. Whatever. We’re only interested in the most expensive room at the hotel. So what do you get for your money?

It’s the little things

The first thing is service. Regardless of the hotel, when you book the most expensive suite in the place you’re entering a different level of service. For starters you have a dedicated staff, generally a butler and at least a maid, whose job it is to go to extraordinary lengths to anticipate anything you might require.

The second important element involves the accoutrements to your stay. Hotels figure if you’re going to spend more than $20,000 on a room you can afford a bit more on some extras. Take Australia’s most expensive city hotel,Crown Towers in Melbourne. If you’re feeling like a bit of bubbly with your suite you can opt for a bottle of the Heidsieck & Co Monopole 1907 Gout Americain.

This apparently very good champagne was earmarked for the Russian military during WWI but was sunk by a German U-boat enroute toFinland. In 1997 salvage divers recovered the champagne to discover that, through a confluence of sturdy crate construction, constant temperature and uniform pressure, the bottles had been perfectly preserved. And you can order yourself a bottle for $13,200 if you wish.

If you’re the type who can afford $27,500 a night for the best room at Crown, you’re not about to blink at another $13k for a bottle of champagne.

Stay for the legroom

And then there’s the space. These hotel rooms are like nothing you’ve ever seen; they’re more like luxury apartments. It’s as though the actual hotel is just an enormous edifice hanging off the hotel room in order to feed it the service it requires.

They’ll all come with at least two bedrooms, a dining room and a vast lounge area at an absolute minimum. Interestingly, the Park Hyatt in Sydney has received council approval to add another suite onto their roof. Each room will have its own plunge pool. Given the hotels location and unbeatable view, these suites will come close to being the best (and most expensive)Australia has to offer.

Maybe it’s just the power these suites represent – the prestige of occupying the most expensive room in the building. Whatever the reason, we can understand why there will always be villains doing battle with James Bond types. They have a set of standards to which they’ve become accustomed and a lifestyle to defend.

Crown Towers, Melbourne

When it comes to the most expensive city hotel in Australia, this is it. We’ve been reliably informed that their über-suite will set you back some $27,500 per night. The best rooms at Crown are called Villas, of which there are 31, beginning at lofty level 30 of the hotel.

The very best Villas are Presidential Villas, the cream of which is room 3918, which will cost you that aforementioned $27,500 per night. Crown are very tight-lipped about this particular Villa. In fact, their public relations GM, Anne Peacock, refused to comment publicly on this particular room, citing the discretion and privacy of their extreme high rollers for the no-comment policy.

That said, we know that if you place $27,500 on the table and ask for the best room in the hotel, you should be given the keys to room 3918. Keep in mind that this isn’t just the most expensive hotel room in Australia; this is one of the most expensive in the world. By comparison, the priciest room in all of Sydney is a paltry $6950 a night.

Look at it this way: go out, come back to your room late and get a solid eight hours sleep. By the time you wake up for breakfast, you’ll have spent nearly $1 for every second you’ve been asleep. But, then again, if you can afford this suite you’re probably going to have some very cool dreams anyhow.

To get to your suite, you’ll take a lift to the Crystal Club on level 29, which is where you check in if you’re rich. No hanging around the foyer with the riff raff for you! The Crystal Club offers amazing views of Melbourne and is like having a very, very posh boutique hotel tucked inside a much larger one. The Crystal Club offers complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés. Most other hotels would configure level 29 as a sophisticated cocktail lounge.

Which, in part, this is. However, this is also the lobby within the hotel to access the best Crown Towers Suites. After swiping your diamond, ivory or obsidian Amex, your butler will take your bags to the 39th floor where room 3918 awaits. And what a room it is.

We can confirm that the three-bedroom suite takes up the entire floor. We’ve also been advised that it’s “around" 400m2 and has one of Melbourne’s best views. We just don’t have photos to share. Perhaps we have a reader out there who’s been lucky enough to stay in room 3918 that can send us some photos? We’d all be very keen to see them. Call (03) 9292 8888 or check out www.crowntowers.com.au for more.

Park Hyatt, Sydney

Sitting proudly beneath theHarbourBridgeand directly across from the Opera House, the Park Hyatt Sydney has probablySydney’s best views – and surprisingly is in a quiet part of The Rocks, with the hotel itself being relatively unimposing.

Where Melbourne’s Crown Towers stands tall, flashing neon and belching flames as a good casino should, the Park Hyatt is a touch more serene, subdued and understated.CrownTowersparties on. Park Hyatt considers. It’s also home toSydney’s most expensive hotel room.

This 185m2 suite costs around $6975 per night and has recently undergone a refurb. It has the most extraordinary views of the Opera House, the Bridge andSydneyHarbour, containing a dining table that seats 12. Extensive balconies (six in total) frame the unforgettable view.

Naturally the suite has a separate very large living room that’s equipped to be commensurate with the sort of entertaining that people spending $6000 a night require. The suites are stocked with all the latest technology and there’s nothing wanting. Forgot your camera? There’s one there to use. Need a meal? Get the chef to come cook one for you. It really is a relaxing way to unwind after a day of plotting world domination. Call (02) 9241 1234 or check out www.sydney.park.hyatt.com for more.

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .