Queenstown NZ... Truly Magical !

Queenstown is one of the wonders of the world. It's landscapes are amazing and nothing like I have ever seen. The town is very tourist friendly, probably a little too much as it is extremely expensive there. The Luge up on the mountains and the funicular are great activities to participate in. The surrounding lakes, mountains and rivers are pristine and everywhere you look there is something more beautiful than the last time you opened your eyes. Queenstown is a definite must do when visiting NZ. We stayed at the M Gallery Hotel and it was absolutely gorgeous, it is a walk into the main town though.

M Gallery Hotel Suite, best hotel suite bedroom in the world... it is complete black out as the bedroom is between the 2 living areas and the bathroom and has no windows... loving complete black out !

View of the mountains and fells of Queenstown and the Lake from our Hotel Suite

Nom! Mouth watering sensations at Westin Auckland

Westin Auckland...Quay to success!

Rob and I stayed in many hotels and B&B's during the month we visited in February 2010. The Westin Auckland Hotel is uber trendy. very modern, very industrial design right on the Viaduct harbour in the heart of Auckland and was by far our stand out number 1 hotel in NZ.

This hotel is close to awesome must do's such as the Minus 5 Ice Bar http://www.minus5experience.com/
definitely something to check out. The restaurant at The Westin is sensational and the service in this hotel is second to none. The rooms are ultra comfortable with favourites such as Heavenly Beds and Rain Showers and of course one gets turn down service which is fantastic. Definitely 5 star and they know how to do it well.    

Heavenly Bed in our Deluxe Harbour View Room

 

Sitting Area in room

Fabulous deep bath

These ponds are built in between the hotel precinct

My boof head with Westin in the background

cheeky Mr jumping in my compulsory room photographs before he is allowed to jump on the bed and make a mess of the room ha ha... my fave bear

Westin Melbourne, Chic and Luxurious !

Sensational Stay...
As you aproach this gorgeous hotel situated on beautiful Collins Street; it's modern contempory look and funky boutique feel is warm and very inviting. It is perched on top of City Square and abuzz with sidewalk cafe's and all that Melbourne CBD has to offer.

The hotel is within walking distance to Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, some of Melbournes best restaurants and bars and shopping experiences. We stayed in a Deluxe Room on the Starwood Preffered Guest Floor overlooking Collins Street, floor to ceiling bay view windows and french doors overlooking Collins street. The rooms are fresh, modern, very clean and of course you will enjoy the  Heavenly^® Rain Shower and signature Westin  Heavenly^®  King Size Bed. The rooms are spacious and comfortable.

Must do's in Melbourne ! 

Hairspray The Musical- totally sensational

Visit to ABBA World - if you are an ABBA fan it's too late as it closes Sunday 31 Oct.

Horse and Carriage ride through the city in the evening
cost - $100 for 1/2 hour, well worth it,  very romantic!

Breakfast @ The European Restaurant- great food and good service

Vue deomonde Restaurant - once a french restaurant now a fine Australian Fare Restaurant




The Chefs Pass with our fabulous waiter Kevin

 

Listed below is the menu that we thoroughly enjoyed with Tony and Nathan from NZ on the night of Rob and My Engagement Proposal. Truly stunning weekend. Saturday 30 October 2010

Vue demonde Restaurant -  Menu GourmandAMUSE BOUCHE

White truffle marshmallow

&

Blue fin tuna

&

Shultz yoghurt

&

Vegetable terrine

BABEURRE, POMMES, FENOUIL, FLEURS

Buttermilk, apple, fennel, flowers

Betterave et raifort

Beetroot & horseradish

oeufs de SAUMON, pomme de terre, moutarde

Salmon roe, potato, mustard

anguille fumÉe, pomme, chocolat blanc

Smoked eel, apple, white chocolate

OEUF DE CANARD, AGNEAU RIS DE VEAU, ASPERGES, TRUFFE

Fried duck egg, lamb sweetbreads, asparagus, truffle

JARDIN DE LÉGUMES

Heide vegetable garden

SORBET AU YAOURT

Yoghurt sorbet, elderflower granite, pommelo

ÉCREVISSE RÔTIE

Roasted marron, crab, radish

KANGOUROU

Kangaroo, rosella, coffee, chocolate, lightly smoked at the table

BŒUF DE BLACKMORE ET BETTRAVE

Blackmore wagyu beef cheek, beetroot

FROMAGE

Kytren Rondelle, pumpkin, rye bread

Milawa Tomme, pumpkin, rye bread

Milawa blue, pumpkin, rye bread

ENTREMET SUCRÉ

Frozen lolly, popping candy, homemade lemonade

Malte de banane

Banana malt

fraises et crÈme soufflÉ

Strawberries & cream soufflé

NOTRE SÉLECTION DE CAFÉS, THÉS, INFUSIONS ET PETITS-FOURS

A selection of coffee, teas, infusions & petits-fours

WINES

2009 Whisson Lake, Pinot Noir “White Label” Piccadilly, South Australia

Vintage Vilmart ‘Grand Reserve’ Champagne, France

  Martini's @ Martini Bar @ Westin Lobby



Sebel and Citigate Hotel Albert Park

Hi everyone, I am on a work trip starting today and after a very long delay sitting on the tarmac due to the cockpit door not closing, I have finally arrived in the beautiful city of Melbourne.

Work have put me up in the Sebel Albert Park which so far, is quite nice. I'm in a Lake View King Room in the Sebel Tower, 7th floor and the rooms are well appointed. It's a 4.5 star hotel apparently but I feel that it would be better suited to a 4 star rating due to it's limited facilities, such as they don't offer turn down service and the bathrooms although very clean and have been slightly modernised, they still have a long way to go to be a 4.5 star hotel.

The view is breathtaking at night and day, the lovely Albert Park and Lake. The pool and gym areas are well equipped .

You are only a few shorts minutes walk from Cafe's etc on St. Kilda Road and  trams that venture straight into the city.

Vue de monde | French Restaurant Melbourne

 What bad can one say about Vue de Monde in Melbourne? Absolutely nothing... from the moment you walk in to the restaurant you feel like you are dining in style. The staff are incredibly attentive but not so much they make themselves comfortable and sit down at the table with you... What they do best is provide an experience of a backstreet Parisian restaurant with fine dining service and exquisite cuisine.

Best to book well ahead, months even as this little baby is very popular. Their signature dishes from the Gourmand Menu is divine.

The Menu options are varied from bistro style lunch fare to the ultimate dining experience at the Chefs table. We highly recommend this restaurant, you certainly will not be disappointed!

March 2010 Holiday in KL, Phuket and Krabi Thailand

 

Sawatdi Krap



 A spectacular view from our resort in Thailand, definately one of the most beautiful resorts i have ever stayed in, the Sheraton Krabi Resort is stylish, sophisticated, pristine and reasonabily priced. If you want luxury, fantastic service and complete tranquility, this is a holiday destination I would definately reccomend!

Clear blue infinity pools on a secluded beach, swim up bar and sun lounges a plenty, this is a great place to get away from the hussle and bussle of daily life.

 A daily boat trip into clear waters of Thailand is a fantastic day out, you can book tours or do what we did and book a private speedboat, this way you can come and go as you please and chose the Islands you wish to visit. We booked with the local people, just outsside of the resort gates, their names are Mr and Mrs Kee, they do a fantastic job, Mr Kee drove us into Phuket for a full day also in an air conditioned SUV, fantastic people at a fraction of the cost if you booked it through the hotel directly. Mrs Kee also washes and irons clothes for a very cheap price and does a fab job too!

 Rob checks ouChicken Island



This is the gang in a small bay on a secluded island that our driver took us to, all ours, just the 6 of us and the two drivers, great way to spend a day !



Hotel Lobby into Executive Lounge

Starwood Preferred Guest Wing - Ocean View Deluxe Room - beautiful and spacious, lovely cold air conditioning, exceptionally comfortable mattress, great room service and extremely cheap! A fantastic place to stay.

Rob having traditional Thai Massage just down the road from the Krabi Resort. Fantastic !

Cocktail Hour at the Executive Club Lounge... A MUST !

Me posing for a change

The Lads on a Local Took Took ! Cheap Lah!

Do i looked relaxed, This is not a usual look i have...I so want to go back here again soon ! sensational Hioliday with great friends.

Highly recomend this resort, the breakfast is fantastic, service is great and there are day trip to Ao Nang and Krabi towwnsite. Krabi townsite is pretty crap but worth a look so you can say you have been there. the resort is about 20 mins from the townsite.