GQ_Australia_-_February_2017

50 GQ.COM.AU FEBRUARY 2017

T

TASTE & TRAVEL

DEAN STREET TOWNHOUSE

THE PENINSULA

C

orporate travel. Two words that can

easilymeandertomentalimagesof

airporthotelsandstalesandwiches,

coupledwiththesneakingsuspicion

ofcolleaguesandpartnersthatsuch

tripsareabitofajolly.Sure,there’s

timeswhentheycanlandalittletoofrequently–as

experiencedbymostprofessionalAustralians–but

we like to view them as opportunities to embrace new

horizons,evenifitmeansanotherMelbourne jaunt.

BeitaSouth-EastAsianpresentationoranhour

face-to-face in LA, the key to a successful outing

–beyondairlineclass–isstayinginahotelwith

excellentfacilitiesandastronglocation.Inthe

nameofbusiness,wetraveltheworldtopresent

GQ’s approved list of hotels that really work.

DEAN STREET

TOWNHOUSE, LONDON

The British capital offers

awealthofchoice–the

Corinthia, for example, has

arefreshinglyformaldress

codeandislocatedastone’s

throw from Westminster,

while Knightsbridge’s Bulgari

has superb suites, spa

treatments and a pool.

Yet Dean Street Townhouse

remains our favourite. The

Soho location puts it smack

bang in the thick of Central

London, ensuring almost

anywhereinthecapital–the

best bars, restaurants, sights

• is accessible on foot. You’ll
  also struggle to find more
  accommodating staff –
  these guys can organise
  thatdinner reservation to
  impress a client, have your
  drycleaningexpeditedor
  sort any request. Try them.
  Andifthat’snotenough,
  breakfasts are brilliant and
  filling, there’s all-day dining
  and the wi-fi’s free. While
  theremaynotbeagymor
  spa, you’ll hardly need one –
  that’snotwhatworktripsto
  London are about.corinthia.
  com; bulgarihotels.com;
  deanstreettownhouse.com

11 HOWARD, NEW YORK

We’reherefortheneighbourhood

–hey,it’sSouthofHouston–and

thelight,Danishcharmsthatare

awelcomereprieveinacitythat

lovesadarkhotel.Thisfive-star,

221-room NYC property is

locatedatthecrossroadsofthe

Bowery,Chinatown,andLittle

Italy, and has everything you

couldwant–aco-workingspace,

contemporary French restaurant,

Le Coucou, and electric

skateboards available to hire

shouldyouworkintech(or

wanttolooklikeadick).Bestyet,

a portion of all directly-booked

rooms goes to the Global Poverty

Project, whose mission is a world

without extreme poverty by

2030.11howard.com

PARK HYATT, SYDNEY

Becausewakinguptothatview

–CircularQuay,thecityand

theOperaHouse–isarguably

abetterboosttoworkmorale

than a double shot espresso.

Arguably.Ithaseverythingyou’d

expect from one of Sydney’s

most prestigious hotels, such

as24-hourbutlerservice,

floor-to-ceiling windows, spa and

world-classart,butthetrickisto

wake up early and walk through

the Botanic Gardens, the 74 acre

parkwithviewsoftheOpera

House and Harbour Bridge.

AnotherSydneyCBDfave

comesintheformofthe

discreet, designer charms of

The Establishment with its

marble bathtubs, velvet sofas and

exposed brick rooms; or The Old

Clare, a boutique hotel situated

in two heritage-listed buildings

complete with restaurants from

acclaimedchefsClaytonWells

and Jason Atherton.sydney.park.

hyatt.com; merivale.com.au;

theoldclarehotel.com.au

THEPENINSULA, HONG KONG

When asked where you’re

staying, you want to reply,

“ThePen”–itspeaksofstyleand

status, and that’s big in HK. The

iconic ’20s property overlooking

Victoria Harbour is close to

everything, and beyond small

talk about the pro-democracy

riots, there’s no demand the staff

can’tdeliver.Withasmile.

Modernised interiors mean

light, teched-up rooms, while

the gym and indoor pool boast

incredible views of Hong Kong

Islandasstandard(thelatteralso

featuring an outdoor terrace).

Oh, then there’s the free

international phone calls. Sold.

hongkong.peninsula.com

CROWNMETROPOL,

MELBOURNE

Nothing else washes away stress

like Metropol's infinity pool

on the 27thfloor, which is heated

to exactly 28°C and boasts

floor-to-ceiling windows.

Afterwards, try Dinner by

Heston, which mixes the

Michelin-starred Brit chef’s

recipes with fresh Australian

produce and views over the

Yarra River.crownhotels.com.au

11 HOWARD

CROWN METROPOL