The Park8 Hotel is one of Sydney’s lesser known boutique hotels, but it’s the place to stay if you fancy taking Sydney by foot. Around the corner is Sydney’s busiest shopping strip, the Pitt Street Mall. And across the road is the iconic Hyde Park. Surry Hills, Kings Cross and Darling Harbour are not far from the Park8. We stayed in a 1 bedroom loft apartment, which includes a wonderfully large spa bath and rainshower.

The two-story loft apartment has double flat-screen TVs, comfortable couches, internet and a mini-kitchen. The interior design of the hotel is nicely done and reflects its surrounds with vivid colours, strong angles and touches of luxury; Sydney in a nutshell.

The lobby is tucked away from the busy Castlereagh street entrance, housing a European inspired espresso bar which offers the perfect perch to watch Sydneysiders bustle past.

The Park8 Hotel is a special boutique hotel to stay in and experience the best of Sydney from.

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The Charlotte Jane Hotel in Christchurch, New Zealand, remains open for leisure. The old mansion was originally a school for young ladies, and after managing to survive that run in, the recent earthquakes have done little to harm the Victorian throwback, with huge bathrooms, large, plush rooms and touches of elegance throughout. Our favourite was the stained-glass window near the entrance, depicting the original Charlotte Jane, one of the earliest ships to bring settlers to Christchurch.

The Hatton hotel epitomises Melbourne cool. Those who value design, location, and luxury will find The Hatton the perfect Melbourne base.

A boutique hotel nestled between Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens and Fawkner Park, The Hatton has 20 rooms, each unique in character and style. Our room had a private courtyard and was styled with a combination of antique and modern furniture. The old and new are combined skillfully; you are reminded this is no ordinary hotel, but a place to savour being in.

Style pervades at The Hatton. The 1902 building is a grand old dame, having been restored with skill by the Hatton family in 2000.

Detail has not been forgotten here. A diverse and wonderfully eclectic arrangement of art hangs throughout the building. The corridor outside the room we stayed in is covered in stencil and graffiti art, while elsewhere ancient Chinese, deco, and Aboriginal works adorn the walls. The lobby has iPads for those keen for connection, and tram cards are on offer for the quick trip into the city.

Our stay was faultless. The breakfast was divine, and in-room amenities were quality L’Occitane. The roof-top terrace, from which we enjoyed a pre-dinner drink, offers views of this special city. The staff are relaxed and friendly; they know Melbourne and are keen to share insider’s tips.

To me a Melbourne visit is about creative inspiration and the joy of discovering beauty and texture in this vibrant city. A stay at The Hatton is the perfect complement to this.

We stayed at The Hatton courtesy of TravelCandy.com.au.

Next time you feel like you need to get away from it all, disappear into Sweden’s new Tree Hotel. That’s right, literally disappear, into an invisible mirror cube hung from a tree trunk that only birds can see. The quirky eco-hotel launched this month with six rooms designed by five different architects, transforming the idea of a Tree House into a unique traveling experience. Each room has taken incredible measures not to impact the surrounding environment, with the mirror room being coated in an infrared film visible only to birds — to stop them from crashing into it.

If we believe the seedy world of Kings Cross as presented on current Australian TV hit Underbelly, you’d run a mile before considering laying your head to rest (unless six feet under by mafia lords) in the area. But the infamous nightlife strip has really cleaned up its act. In fact, as an ex-Sydney-sider who hasn’t revisited the locale in almost a decade, it’s almost unrecognisable. Enter the Diamant Hotel, perched side by side with the landmark neon Coca-Cola sign.

Here is the perfect demonstration of what the area now has to offer — an urban-cool oasis in the heart of the reborn hotspot. A dark and sexy mood still pervades, as you wander almost pitch black corridors lit by strategically placed down lights to guide you to your room number. Arrive at your suite to be greeted by a sleek all black, white and chocolate interior scheme. Simple, luxe and unpretentious.

Our favourite features? All rooms come with an in-built ipod dock and giant plasma screens with a mini keyboard to access the Internet in full screen splendour. In the lobby, an artful installation of light bulbs hangs above a massive six disk Bose sound-dock streaming laidback ambient tunes 24-7. Boutique hotel hunters Mr & Mrs Smith represent the hotel — you know if the hotel has made their selective list it’s going to be a super special experience. And the Diamant most definitely is.

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Whilst in Austin the other weekend, I spent a couple of nights at a beautifully designed hotel called the Kimber Modern, which is located in the happening SOCO area, just a short hop, skip and sideways roll to the bustling hive of restaurants and cafes along South Congress. The Kimber Modern is a hotel with a twist. First up, the architecture is stunning, this elegant and contemporary building with subtle splashes of color to break up the overall white-walled minimalism. And then there are the clever design touches, such as communal hammocks made from car belts, and a giant tank churning liters of water in a calming, almost Zen-like manner. [photos by Alison Zavos]

The other quirky but practical touch at the Kimber Modern is that there are no door keys. Woah! That’s right, no clunky door keys. Instead, guests choose a four digit password when making their booking and this gives them access to both the main building and the door to their room. As long as your memory is half-decent and hasn’t been clouded by the Sangria on tap at the local Tex Mex, this is a surprisingly efficient system. In the rooms themselves, cheerful colors mesh with the classic minimalism, while fun and vibrant artwork sits above the beds, acting as a gentle reminder that you really are deep amongst this cultural fermentation that is Austin, Texas.

Kimber Modern Bed and Breakfast
110 The Circle
Austin, TX 78704
Ph: (512) 912-1046

The Global Shortlist, the fifth in a series of stylish coffee table books from Mr & Mrs Smith, contains interesting photos and write-ups about their favorite thirty boutique hotels from around the world. It’s a thought provoking read and certainly puts the spark for traveling well and truly into your system. Barcelona in May? Athens in August? Well, yes please!

By definition, boutique hotels are the smaller, more fashionable, niche hotels which offer its guests enhanced levels of service. Previously we’ve covered some of the coolest hotels in the world, but given the rising popularity of independent boutique hotels, we thought we’d show off some of the best in Australia.

1. The Prince [Melbourne]
The Prince, St. Kilda, Melbourne is the 2008 Winner of Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel and rightly deserves it. Behind its eye-pleasing art-deco exterior each of the 40 guestrooms and suites are richly decorated with colour and texture. If staying at the Prince wasn’t unique enough, dip into the in-house Aurora Spa Retreat. Prices start at $450.

2. Orpheus Island Resort [Queensland]
Join the likes of Nicole Kidman, Elton John and Phil Collins on the list of past guests who have stayed on Orpheus Island. Everything about this resort is sophisticated and exclusive. A maximum of 42 guests can stay at any one time in the chicly appointed rooms. Far enough away from civilisation yet only 15 miles offshore is this true Great Barrier Reef island. The only way to arrive at the the island, of course, is by sea plane. Prices start at $725.

3. Sea Temple Resort and Spa [Port Douglas]
Nestled away in Queensland’s Far North, the Sea Temple Resort and Spa is a gorgeous place to stay. Although the Sea Temple Resort is larger than most boutique stays, its studio rooms, apartments, villas and penthouses retain that fashionable feel being so beautifully detailed and well finished. Guests staying can enjoy the tropical rainforest walk to the secluded beach, meander around the massive lagoon and even play some golf on the 18 hole championship course. Prices start at $384.

4. Adelphi Hotel [Melbourne]
A fantastic hotel situated in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, close to all the restaurants and theatres. The Adelphi is distinctively boutique in every way. Rooms are large, decorated in a funky style and the long-but-skinny rooftop pool which overhangs the edge of the building adds a real touch of excitement to the premises. Prices start at $305.

5. Longitude 131 [Uluru / Ayers Rock]
The renovated Longitude 131 is a luxury, green and romantic hotel situated in Australia’s Red Centre. Completely burned down in 2003 in a bush fire the hotel reopened in 2004 welcoming guests back again to stay in the 15 private luxury tents. From the rooms guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of Uluru from the comfort of the deluxe camping accommodation. If you fancy a break here then it’s time to break out your card and prepare for some serious financial damage! Prices start at (an eye-watering) $1618.

6. Cape Lodge [Margaret River]
The Cape Lodge is an ideal retreat for wine connoisseurs. Set in its own vineyard within 40 acres of native forest, the resort is renowned for its cuisine, seclusion and natural beauty. Prices start at $425.

7. The Hatton Hotel [Melbourne]
The Hatton is a 4 star boutique hotel with 20 suites decorated in a vibrant contemporary style. Just South of the Yarra River, very close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and only a few tram stops to the CBD, this gorgeous little hotel is a stunner. Prices start at $215.

8. Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa [Katoomba]
For a costly but award winning stay consider the Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa. Renowned as a haven of relaxation and just a few hours inland from bustling Sydney this 5 star hotel’s historic building is set in 2 acres of manicured gardens. Prices start at $705.

9. The Richmond [Adelaide]
Inside of this grand 1920′s-era building, The Richmond offers 30 beautifully renovated guestrooms and suites, generously sized with ample room Rated as one of ‘Australia’s Top 15 Small Hotels’ by Vogue Australia, the Richmond also has an exciting bar fusing stylish comfort with culture and fashion. The hotel follows an open plan theme throughout its lounge, restaurant and balcony which overlooks the Rundle Mall. Prices start at $180.

10. Kims Beach Hideaway [Toowoon Bay]
Only an hour’s drive from Sydney lays Kims Beach Hideaway occupying the prime beachfront position at the horseshoe shaped Toowoon Bay. Inside the resort bungalows and spa villas are luxuriously decorated and well facilitated with private pools, indoor spa bath, or outdoor jacuzzis. Prices start at $454. [pictured above]