Minibar for the Mind

The world’s trendiest destination hotels are constantly increasing their game to impress you. You may have noticed that the hotel minibar is continually upgrading, with elegant wines, swanky snacks and stylish sweets. From a humble selection of basic treats, these kits have come to offer luxury foodie goods, intimacy packages and even Havaianas!

The Morgans Hotel Group - with London based ‘social enterprise’ collective, have recently compiled a unique and chic offering with an effortlessly stylish design. Their “Minibar for the Mind” contains conversation starters, tailor-made reading prescriptions and a blank notebook so that hotel guest can reflect on and document their dreams and fears. The gorgeous box set hopes to create a more meaningful and enjoyable experience for travelers.

Top 10's Best 10 - Travelscene Holidays

BALI

KUTA LAGOON RESORT & POOL VILLAS from $268 pp.

SAVE up to $206 per couple
Kuta Lagoon Resort & Pool Villas is located in the heart of Kuta, a short walk to Kuta Beach, shops and entertainment areas. The resort features a lagoon style pool with pool bar, 24-hour restaurant and day spa, situated in the heart of Kuta. Stay 7 nights including breakfast daily, return transfers, 2 FREE bottles of beer plus FREE daily scheduled shuttle bus to Kuta Beach for only $268 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01Apr-30Jun12 & 16Sep-31Oct12

BONUS!
Includes 2 FREE nights + EXCLUSIVE: 1 FREE lunch for 2 guests

PHUKET, THAILANDPHUKET ORCHID RESORT & SPA from $213 pp.

You SAVE up to $352 per couple
Phuket Orchid Resort & Spa is less than two minutes walk from Karon Beach. It is the ideal location to take advantage of the many water sports and offers two swimming pools surrounded by palm trees, lush gardens and poolside bar and kids club (5-11yrs). The hotel also has its own shopping centre for daily needs, beach wear and handicrafts. Stay 8 nights including breakfast daily, return transfers, plus 1 FREE 3 course Thai or Western Dinner^ for 2 guests for only $213 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01May-30Jun12

BONUS!
Includes 4 FREE nights + EXCLUSIVE: FREE 3 course dinner for 2 guests^

FIJICLUB FIJI from $169 ppSAVE up to $350 per couple
Comfortable, relaxed and located on Nadi Bay and close to the airport and town, Club Fiji offers bures just metres from the beach with views across the ocean and the Mountains of the Sleeping Giant. Stay 6 nights in a Garden Court Bure including breakfast daily and FREE return airport transfers for only $169 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01Apr-30Jun, 21Jul-14Aug and 26Aug-31 Oct12

BONUS!
Includes 2 FREE nights + EXCLUSIVE: FREE pizza dinner for 2 guests

VANUATU

COCONUT PALMS RESORT from $349 pp.

SAVE up to a massive $474 per couple
Set in tropical gardens and located only 5 minutes from the heart of Port Vila Coconut Palms Resort offers a great value for money holiday. Stay 7 nights in a Superior Orchid Room including breakfast daily and return airport transfers for only $349 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01Apr-30Sep12.

BONUS!
Includes 3 FREE nights + AU$100 food & beverage credit per room per stay

COOK ISLANDS

CLUB RARO from $395 pp.

That’s a SAVING of up to $144 per couple
Set amongst beautiful winding mosaic pathways, swaying palms and tropical gardens, Club Raro creates a warm, friendly and relaxing atmosphere to put you in the holiday mood. Stay 6 nights in a Standard Room including tropical breakfast daily and return airport transfers for only $395 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01Apr - 31Oct12.

BONUS!
Includes 1 FREE night + NZ$100 food & beverage credit per room per stay

HAWAII

MIRAMAR AT WAIKIKI from $371 pp.SAVE over $442 per couple
Perfectly situated in the heart of Waikiki, the Miramar At Waikiki offers guests classic and attentive Aloha service just steps away from world class shopping and dining and a leisurely 1-½ block stroll from the World Famous Waikiki Beach. With 4 restaurants and a swimming pool with poolside bar, it is an ideal choice for those seeking quality service and prime location. Stay 6 nights including transfers for only $371 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01Apr-30Sep12.

BONUS!
EXCLUSIVE room upgrade + 2 FREE nights included

ANAHEIM

SHERATON PARK HOTEL from $597 pp.

Receive a USD$125 GIFT CARD
The Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort, ideally located within walking distance to the Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim GardenWalk and the Anaheim Convention Center, is your perfect Southern California haven. Settle into one of our 490 guest rooms and suites, all featuring private balconies with views of either the lushly landscaped patio and pool area or the Disneyland Resort and GardenWalk. Stay 5 nights including a 2-Day Disneyland Resort 1-Park per Day Ticket for just $597 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01Apr-31Oct12.

BONUS!
Includes USD$125 Resort Credit gift card per room

LAS VEGAS

CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL & CASINO from $422 pp.

That's a SAVING of up to 20%
On the northern end of the Strip, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino is a full service resort with all the round-the-clock excitement of a Las Vegas casino and starring the world’s largest, permanent circus and America’s largest indoor theme park! Offer includes an amazing Grand Canyon Overnight Tour that also takes in Lake Mead & Hoover Dam. Stay 5 nights including a Grand Canyon Overnight tour for just $422 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 01-12Apr12 & 22-26Apr12.

BONUS!
EXCLUSIVE reduced rate on Grand Canyon Tour

HONG KONG

HARBOUR PLAZA NORTH POINT from $232 pp.

That’s a SAVING of up to $124 per couple
Harbour Plaza North Point is located in one of Hong Kong’s most progressive areas between the exciting Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay on Hong Kong Island. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi internet and FREE shuttle to the airport express station, Causeway Bay and Cityplaza Shopping Mall. Stay 4 nights including, return transfers, plus 1 FREE High Tea set for 2 guests for only $232 per adult twin share.
Valid for travel 1-10Apr12 & 1May-16Sep12.

BONUS!
Includes 1 FREE night + FREE High Tea for 2 guests

LONDON

PARK INTERNATIONAL HOTEL from $345 pp.SAVE $272 per couple
Located in fashionable Kensington, the Park International Hotel offers high quality accommodation, dining, entertainment and leisure facilities, along with warm and friendly service from the dedicated team. Having recently undergone a renovation the Park International Hotel ensures a comfortable and relaxing stay. Stay 5 nights including an EDF Energy London Eye Standard Ticket for only $345 per adult twin share. Valid for travel 01Apr-21May12, 7-24Jun12, 9-16Jul12 & 11Sept-31Oct12.

BONUS!
EXCLUSIVE: Includes 1 FREE night

Click here to download the complete Travelscene Top 10's Best 10 Brochure online >>

Click here for Bookings and enquiries >>

Conditions: Valid for Sale to: 10Mar12. Prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing the cost of accommodation. Surcharges apply for travel outside of the above dates. Taxes and prices are correct as at 03Feb12, are subject to change without notice & subject to availability. Special conditions apply for bonus offers. ^Phuket Orhid Resort & Spa; 3 course dinner is a set Thai or Western dinner and only valid 1 per room per stay. Bali Visa: A visa is required and payable on arrival in Denpasar. A 30 days for approx. AUD$26 (USD$25). A departure fee is payable in Denpasar at a cost of approx AUD$19 (Rp150,000). Hawaii: Room upgrade is from Standard to City View. Las Vegas: Price is based on Sun-Thu night stays.Stay/Pay specials are only valid on consecutive night stays and free nights are already included in cost. Prices do not include taxes or charges collected directly by third parties. Savings based on cost of free nights or reduced rates, included meals, upgrades and included value add-ons. Surcharge may be imposed on credit card transactions. Please see Top 10 flyer for full conditions.

Refinery 29 Dream Vacays

Refinery 29 is an online global hub of fashion, beauty and shopping for trend-savvy individuals worldwide. This article by the R29 team is packed with inspiration for stylish travel-lovers. Four Refinery 29 Editors shared their dream escapes and divine packing lists so that readers can spend their holiday in style. These delightful stylish escapes are comprised so well, you'll want to follow them to a tee!

Here's a sneak peak:

Dream Vacay 1.: Belize

By: Christene Barberiche, Editor in Chief
Accommodation: Matachia Resort & Spa
She says: "I'm really not a beach vacation person, but Belize has been at the tippy-top of my dream vacations list for like, ever. Finally, this March, I'll be booking a week's escape at the (hopefully!) magical Matachica Resort & Spa. There's just something about tropical rainforests, quiet beaches, Mayan ruins, and a good hammock that seems to fit the bill right about now."
Read more >>

Dream Vacay 2.: Mexico City

By: Piera Gelardi, Creative Director
Accommodation: Condesa DF
She says: "I'm not great at sitting still so I love me some city vacation! I've heard such amazing things about Mexico City in the past few years and I'm dying to go check out the melding of old and new in the city and the blossoming art and music scenes. I'm going to call Condesa DF home for the five days I'll be there in March. It's in the 'SoHo of MC."
Read more >>

Dream Vacay 3.: Hokkaido, Japan

By: Connie Wang, Global Editor
Accommodation: Shikotsuko Daiichi Hotel Suizantei
She says: "When they say Japan has everything they really mean it. On the northern island of Hokkaido, you can go on a skiing session in the mountains, explore the hot springs in their many national parks, and get blitzed at a bar on Sapporo (in Sapporo, their capital city) all in the same day. Oh, also gorge on some of the best seafood in the world."
Read more >>

Dream Vacay 4.: Courchevel, France

By: Kristian Laliberte, Senior Editor
Accommodation: Les Airelles
He says: "As much as I'd love to be on the beach, I want to get in some skiing this season. In Courchevel, I can still work on my tan and get some deep powder. It ain't VT — the Trois Vallées is one of the largest ski resorts in the world. Plus, the apres-ski scene isn't just hot cocoa — there are designer boutiques, glam creperies, and oui, even nightclubs."
Read more >>

Bizarre Hotels from Around the Globe

Are you seeking a holiday that promises a genuine escape from reality? Here's eight bizarre accommodation options that promise a truly out-of-this-world experience.

1. The Balancing Barn, England

This hotel was designed and built by Living Architecture, a holiday home company from the UK. Using modern architecture and high quality materials, and situated in the peaceful and beautiful Suffolk, it was designed to work on the connection between environment, architecture and happiness - a perfect balance in fact.

2. Wild Brown Bear Hotel, Finland

The incredible surroundings are the focal attraction of this hotel. A fairy tale setting for wildlife-lovers and nature-enthusiasts. It provides the opportunity to spy on bears and wolverines, kayak through the peaceful lakes and commune with Finland's natural side.

3. Hotel Saratoga, Cuba

Hotel Saratoga screams "ultimately cool"! Its rooftop pool overlooks some of the best views in town, and is high enough to diminish the noisy hustle and bustle of the city! If you're nearby Havana, this hotel is the place to stay.

4. Akköy Evleri Cave Hotel, Turkey

This rock-cut hotel is situated in Cappadocia. It comprises of fire boutique rooms designed as caves and built in ex-cave houses. This caveman style experience doesn't lack exceptional service either.

5. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania

This amazing place is located on the edge of Ngorongoro volcano, promising superb views over the Savannah. The surrounding conservation area, protected by UNESCO, places hotel guests on the path of wild animals. Marvelous safaris await you with this truly African experience.

6. Adrère Amellal Ecolodge, Egypt

This resort is closely situated to the Sahara desert, allowing its guests to explore its freedom and unspoilt beauty. With no phone, no internet and no electricity, this true escape from reality is all about astonishing sunsets over the sand dunes with not a single distraction at all.

7. Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

From the walls and floors to the beds and chairs, everything here is made entirely from rock salt. This unique hotel is located on a vast expanse of white salt on the Eastern shores of the Great Salar de Uyuni. Enjoy the great night views of the stars, light shows on the salt lake, relaxing salt spas or the salty golf course.

8. Great Orme Lighthouse, Wales

This old lighthouse was built in 1862 and was used as a warning for ships up until 1985. Today it comprises of a beautiful history and a 180 degree view over the cliffs of north Wales and the Irish Sea - for those who like a room with a view!
 

Click here to enquire about or book your own out-of-this-world experience >>