Estranged from the ruckus of tourist-ridden Phuket City, the stunning new Naka Phuket resort seduces guests amidst a sensuously crafted haven hovering between the sea and the mountainside. Adele Chong reports.

With a portfolio of hotels and serviced apartments established in Hong Kong, Ovolo Hotels expands into Australia with the launch of The Ovolo in Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. Alice Blackwood reports.

The latest addition to Shanghai’s iconic Bund, the Indigo Hotel samples old and introduces to new to create an eclectically stylish change of pace from its more traditional neighbours.

Hot with head-turning architecture but chilled in vibe, Newcastle is relishing its renaissance. This vibrant surfside city makes for an intriguing weekend getaway, discovers Melissa Rimac.

New Zealand’s wild, windswept south attracted rugged individuals. Their verve remains vividly imprinted in the escapist beach huts of the Catlins Coast. Melissa Rimac reports

Wynn A. Bay trespasses into a fusion of defense, surrealist design and a mythical war epic.

Surrounded by pristine beaches, this soulful NSW south coast sanctuary sates the need for retreat in timeless style. By Melissa Rimac

A dramatically restored colonial mansion in Penang makes history by marrying quirky designs with upscale hospitality, writes Adele Chong.

A new hotel by WOW Architects in the south Indian metropolis celebrates progressive architecture and design while remaining sensitive to its human and environmental context.

Like everyone else, the tourism industry has to work harder and harder to differentiate from competition. And competition means good things for Design Hunter travellers – there are some great initiatives out there to take advantage of.

A newly opened gem of a hotel in Bangkok pairs stunning river views with New World luxury and Old World decadence. Adele Chong catches some of the glitter dust.

A long established destination in South Yarra, The Como Melbourne undergoes a carefully considered renovation. Alice Blackwood reports.

The Semara Uluwatu Luxury Villa Resort presents a novel approach to boutique vacationing, blending the best of a private residence with a full range of hotel-like services, all in a beautifully curated environment.

The bygone glamour of 1930s Shanghai is re-elaborated with a contemporary touch in a boutique Bangkok hotel. Wynn A. Bay reports.

Designed to correspond with its tropical island setting, a new eco-resort in East Malaysia brings one back to the basics, one luxurious step at a time. Adele Chong reports.

Melissa Rimac peeks behind the facades of a South Island town’s captivating streetscapes.

Bangkok is notoriously frenetic, and the serenity of the Chao Phraya River has long been swallowed by the rapid urban expansion. In a few places, however, the historic tranquillity of river life can still be glimpsed. Wynn A. Bay reports.

If you’re going to stay in Sydney’s most iconic beach suburb, do it like a local, says Habitus Deputy Editor Nicky Lobo.

Just outside the hustle of Bangkok is a surprising new eco-retreat that allows guests to re-connect with nature. By Mandi Keighran

An elegant, private residence perfectly suited to tropical relaxation.

Amid the un-reconstituted heritage that harks back to the spice trading heyday, this genteel icon melds the stately languor of Old Ceylon with an ethereal elegance. Melissa Rimac takes the time tunnel.

A meticulous renovation of a heritage Sydney building creates an elegant, inviting hotel.

Park Hotels’ signature fusion of luxury and design arrives in Goa, India, with this quirky, playful boutique hotel.

The paradisiacal resort adds eight luxury bungalows to its accommodation offerings.

Love an atmospheric Pacific or Asian retreat but hate leaving your dog behind? These tropical north Queensland sanctuaries will surely hit the spot. Melissa Rimac reports.

The Park Hotels land in Kerala’s historic maritime trading hub.

Locally-inspired aesthetics, computer modeling and ecological sensitivity come together in India’s gem and textile capital.

The Upper House Hotel, a Swire Hotels project designed by Andre Fu, sits at the pinnacle of Hong Kong small luxury hotels.

The dream-like Puglia region and it’s Salento Peninsula coastline – the heel in the boot of Italy – is peppered with elegant towns, rich architecture, forts and varied exotic history. Jane Burton Taylor takes us on a tour of its sometimes arrestingly beautiful built environment, and to the other Gallipoli.

Habitus Editor, Paul McGillick, thinks the new hotel Hilton Surfers Paradise makes a visit to the Gold Coast all worthwhile.

The Diamant Hotel in Sydney has just added two new designer apartments by Connie Alessi.

Off the south-west coast of Thailand lies Phuket, a long time luxury escape for many a heat seeking tourist. It’s here you will find The Surin Phuket, a new resort that’s comprised of luxury beach cottages nestled in rainforest.

Find out why 47 million tourists visit New York each year when you take part in one of Susan Weir’s hand-picked Food + Design tours of the Big Apple.

Anna Flanders meets the Fremantle architectural firm behind one of India’s first five-star resorts in Kerala.

Singaporean hotelier Loh Lik Peng breathes life into an East London architectural icon, creating the perfect design hunter escape. Ben Morgan visits one of the most exciting hotels in the English capital

Located on 8.8 hectares of land, within easy reach of azure waters of Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Bali Resort is a deluxe holiday escape by any measure.

Luke Nguyen’s family escaped Vietnam as boat people in 1978, first to Thailand where Luke was born, before ending up in Sydney’s Vietnamese hub of Cabramatta.

There’s nothing more intoxicating than entering a new city and having the jewels of the city presented to you by a local. And that’s exactly what Susan Weir and her team have done with their Food & Design travel tours.

Acclaimed Australian painter Gary Shead, winner of both the Archibald and Dobell prizes, has just announced his next art workshop will take place in Ubud, Bali.

Groundbreaking electronic artist Rafael Lozono-Hemmer has today unveiled his exhibition Recorders to the Sydney public.

The Waterhouse at South Bund, Shanghai puts a modern twist on a converted warehouse.

From an award-winning converted winery in Austria, to cave houses in Thailand, and cliffside mansions in Phuket – a new era of designer travel has emerged that fuses hotel sophistication with a ‘live like a local philosophy’.

A luxury hotel on the footsteps of Parliament House.

Acclaimed Australian painter Gary Shead, winner of both the Archibald and Dobell prizes, has just announced his next art workshop will take place in Ubud, Bali.

Ola Bednarczuk heads to Bali and discovers a holiday resort that’s as much about design as it is about relaxation and wellbeing. 

Habitus editor, Paul McGillick, recently made
a special trip to Penang in Malaysia to see for himself how renowned architect,
Hijjas Kasturi transformed a block of heritage buildings into a classy
contemporary hotel.

Demand for glamour camping increases at Poronui Lodge New Zealand

Built on a footprint of a traditional Chinese village, this intimate resort on Koh Samui’s Lamai Beach offers a refreshing take on the art of living well. Janice Seow has this story.

Habitus Editor, Paul McGillick, takes a trip to the Pilbara and discovers the landscape and accommodation that encourages you to experience it. 

Surrounding guests with beautiful pieces of great rarity, The White House is the interior designer’s retreat.  
 

Melbourne’s South Wharf is located right on the Yarra River and a stone’s throw from the city centre and Southbank. Shopping, restaurants and the stadium are in walking distance, and you can enjoy it all from the Hilton Melbourne South …

Enjoy water and city views from Melbourne’s newest Hilton.
 

The northern sister hotel to the Sydney and Canberra Diamant
Hotels lands in Brisbane.

A little something for those coffee lovers who like to travel in style with their favourite blend.

Janice Seow looks at how an unspoiled island destination in Cambodia is being built into a sustainable luxury resort.

Design Hotels launches the Made by Originals website, featuring over 30
‘Originals’ – hoteliers making travelling in design a pleasure.

Adelaide accommodation gets a touch of London’s Soho with this hotel in the city’s East End.

For those with an artistic streak, here’s an Asian escape that’s bound to pique your interest.

Travel isn’t all about luxury hotels and amazing beaches, so we thought
we’d introduce you to one of our favourite travel accessories.

Habitus Deputy Editor, Nicky Lobo, wishes ‘infinity’ pool meant you can stay forever.

Who needs a beach with a spa escape like this in the Victorian bush.

Don’t be fooled by the outward appearances of this hotel in Shanghai’s South Bund, there’s more than meets the eye.

Thailand’s newest Design Hotel is Casa de La Flora in Khoa Lak.

The Lost & Found Hotel Room offers the kind of holistic Melbourne
experience that leaves you feeling like a true Melbourne cultural-ite.
Alice Blackwood stops by for a visit.

Luxury and green design don’t get much better than this resort on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula.

Escape the impending winter blues (if you live somewhere that’s cooling down) with a visit to Bali’s Seminyak and The Elysian.

Get the full Fiji fix – firewalking, fruit cocktails and frangipanis – in one resort complex. Habitus magazine Deputy Editor, Nicky Lobo, reports back on her recent visit to Fiji.

A beachside retreat with a difference; The Prince is just a short tram
ride to Australia’s design and fashion capital, Melbourne.

Another in the always-breathtaking Alila group of hotel, Alila Cha-Am is a serence escape.

The latest offering from 8Hotels is in one of the world’s most sought-after locations, Seminyak.

Are you planning a stay in Singapore? Why not enter our ‘Wanderlust – Stay in Design’ competition.

Melissa Rimac goes back in time in style (and art) with the Henry Jones Art Hotel in hobart.

Tasmania’s East coast is home to one Australia’s most exciting new
holiday retreats designed by Marris Nunn and Associates and Chada
Siembieda.

The latest edition of the Design Hotels Book is out now, in a new 2-volume format.
 

We take a look at a funky new hotel in India’s Chennai where a
collaboration between Indian creatives has yielded a Design Hunter gem.

Bali’s latest luxury playground on trendy Seminyak beach promises to ‘wow’ the senses. Janice Seow finds out why.

A once-in-a-lifetime Design Hunter opportunity from Great Dane and 50 Degrees North.

Unwind in supreme luxury with this beautiful Indian offering from Alila Hotels & Resorts.

Forget hobbits and hills. New Zealand’s hip new boutique hotel is a destination for the style savvy traveller.

A retrospective time machine, clad with nostalgic design classics of the
20th century, sits on Seminyak, Bali’s prime beachfront.

As the industrial city bustles below, Amankora floats unscathed in the
lofty Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Monique Friedlander gets spiritual.

The Racha is every city-dweller’s dream holiday location. With it’s
sublime coastal views and modern architecture, you’ll wish you could
holiday forever.

A contemporary concept for an historic Sydney hotel brings a new design dimension for discerning guests. Nicky Lobo visits 10 Rooms.

Golf and an African Safari in Thailand, why not!

A magical escape that brings a 300-year-old mansion to life in India’s Jodhpur.

Introducing a new boutique hotel by 8Hotels in Sydney.

This piece of Auckland’s history comes to life with a sensitive restoration of the hotel landmark.

The name says it all, this hotel in Little India is about escaping to
somewhere far away, but be careful, it could take you a week just to
explore the 4 storeys and 29 rooms.

A Laos sojourn anyone? We take a look at one of the Laotian offerings from Alila resorts.

Ingrid Fuary-Wagner goes through the looking glass with the latest instalment of the Art Series Hotels.

Another chapter in this Patonga house for you to enjoy.

We introduce you to another of the X2 (Cross To) Resorts in Thailand.

Check out this amazing hotel in the heart of Indonesia’s capital – an urban oasis.

The Diamant Hotel Canberra redefines hotel apartment living with a nod to renowned designers. Introducing exclusive designer Loft Apartments from Diamant Hotel.

The Orion suitcase designed by Gabriele Pezzini for Hermčs – travel in design

The second in the Art Series hotels, The Olsen once again
pays tribute to one of Australia’s greatest living artists – John Olsen.

Introducing the 2010 Design Hotels book. Would you like one,
read on to find out how you could win 1 of 3 free copies.

As part of the Art Series Hotel group, The Cullen was an
eye-opener to one of Australia’s greatest living artists. Online Editor Ben
Morgan gets an overnight stay.

Is relaxing with a book your idea of a good holiday – then you’ll love having a whole library to enjoy.

A special hotel room nestled in Melbourne’s CBD reveals the wonders of the city’s creative culture. Alice Blackwood stays over.

Paradise doesn’t come cheap, but there’s no point skimping on the holiday of a lifetime.

Eight Hotels Australia offers an irresistible winter escape.

Thailand’s X2 Koh Samui – luxuriate in design and ‘cross to’ another world.

This new boutique hotel proves that history need not be boring. Lynn Tan explores Singapore’s Chinese heritage.

More than a resort, Desa Seni is a ‘village resort’ where the locals are
much more than just decoration.

The ultimate place to stay – among art, vineyards and beautiful
architecture. Penelope Barker explores the new MONA Pavilions.

Another design-driven hotel from Singapore city with a little bit of
personality.

A boutique hotel in Australia’s capital has an artistic twist.

A mountain retreat designed to take you away to another world with
relaxation, breathtaking scenery and revitalising cuisine.

The Roozen Residence luxury beach house takes in spectacular views of
the Indian Ocean.

Holidays with heart – Elegant Resorts marry indulgence with
individuality

Enjoy Autumn with Eight Hotels Australia in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane
and Canberra.

The New Bali – Alila Villas Soori offers Balinese luxury that’s a world away from the
regular tourist experience.

We explore the mysteries and wonders of tropical rainforest living. Alice Blackwood visits the Daintree.

Echoing the un-reconstituted heritage of Fort Cochin – a vibrant
trading city flanking tropical Kerala’s vast backwaters – Malabar House
blends past glories with edgy glamour. Melissa Rimac explores…

This island escape offers ‘perpetual spring’, endless views and the very best of ‘barefoot luxury’

The Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay gets back to nature with a touch of luxury and
fine dining

Bulgari
aren’t all about watches and jewellery, with their Hotels and Resorts they give
the opportunity to immerse oneself in design.

Tasmania’s pristine coastline is within reach with this hidden
retreat

Going a step beyond good food and service, the New Majestic Hotel in Singapore
titillates the senses, whets the appetite for novelty and begs the
guest to return for more. Madhavi Tumkur reports.

Luke Nguyen takes us on a walk through Ho Chi Minh City. Read on to find out how you could win your own copy of Luke Nguyen’s second book, The Songs of Sapa.

Perched atop a beautiful escarpment in the Southern Highlands
of New South Wales, this destination can bring you one step closer to
Australia’s architectural genius, Harry Seidler.

For each of us, travel means something different; for many it is simply
time in new surroundings, or experiencing new cultures, for others it
is about escape – sometimes from all forms of civilisation.

Limes Hotel in Fortitude Valley, designed by Alexander Lotersztain, has
gained international attention for its design focussed accommodation
and is at the heart of the booming design district.

Restful retreat among the ranges of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

Classy design on the transport line, right in the heart of
Bangkok

An iconic Australian home in
Melbourne allows design aficionados to experience a piece of Victoria’s cultural
heritage

A resort on the Bukit
peninsula expresses traditional Bali, highlighting environmental concerns in a
sensitive design.

You’ll feel completely at home in this Sydney penthouse
retreat, designed by Burley Katon Halliday.

An impossible dream for the discerning traveller becomes a
reality – budget accommodation and design come together in bustling Bangkok.