The Whisky Hotel made its debut in the heart of Hollywood, at the intersection of Wilcox and Hollywood Blvd, this March.  This whisky-inspired destination is an adults-only property, concepted and designed from the ground up by celebrated restauranteur and hotelier Adolfo Suaya, the visionary behind Gaucho Grill and a portfolio of renowned hospitality concepts. In addition to impeccable hospitality, guests can expect an extensive collection of rare and vintage whiskies, as the hotel pays homage to the spirit from which it takes its name.

Blending Old World charm with Hollywood glamour, every detail of the hotel is a beacon for design enthusiasts, whisky connoisseurs, and travelers seeking an elevated experience. Each element has been hand-sourced by Suaya, from the collection of European artwork on the walls, to Parisian bistro stools at the rooftop bar, to the vintage rotary phones in each room. There’s also a rooftop that offers nearly 360-degree views of Hollywood’s skyline.

Bali North Airport, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has green-lit development for a second airport in the north of Bali, the facility now marked as a national priority. While Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation is yet to formally decide on a final site for the new airport, the project will also include a new major highway and facilities incorporating elements of Balinese culture. According to Indonesian news agency Antara, the airport will be developed in Buleleng District and is intended to boost the surrounding regional economy.  Timelines for the start of construction and operations have not yet been finalised

Initial plans suggest that North Bali International Airport will have the capacity to serve 32 million annual passengers and feature an aerocity, what is being described as an aerotropolis, a power plant, retail, lifestyle, and entertainment facilities, and much more.

Hong Kong Airlines has announced it will begin direct flights to Melbourne from 12 December 2025, marking the airline’s third Australian destination and a major step forward in its international expansion strategy.

The new Hong Kong–Melbourne route will operate three times weekly using an Airbus A330-300, becoming Melbourne Airport’s 39th international carrier.

This follows the successful resumption of Gold Coast services in January and the launch of Sydney flights in June, solidifying the airline’s growing footprint in the Australian market.

Hong Kong Airlines president Jeff Sun said, “Following the resumption of our Gold Coast service in January and the launch of our Sydney route in June, we are delighted to add Melbourne as another key destination within just six months.

This establishes Hong Kong Airlines as the second local carrier to offer direct flights to Australia’s major cities and marks 2025 as a crucial milestone in our international transformation.

This new service will not only provide passengers a competitive and high-quality travel option but will also cater to the diverse needs of business and leisure travellers, further deepening the trade, cultural, and tourism ties between Hong Kong and Melbourne.”

This latest addition underscores Hong Kong Airlines’ commitment to strengthening connections between Asia and Australia, offering more options for travellers and enhancing regional connectivity.

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Reach out at 1300 359 648 or email leisure.au@atpi.com and let us plan your next great escape.

QantasLink is set to launch two new routes from Perth to Newcastle and Hobart this year, offering further support for the WA resource sector and greater connectivity for travellers to and from Western Australia. 

Taking off in September, QantasLink will be the only airline offering a direct flight between Perth and Newcastle. Operating three times a week, the new flights will provide over 45,000 seats each year between the two cities, supporting FIFO workers and mining customers with a non-stop air service into Western Australia.

A direct Perth-Hobart service will also be reinstated by the airline for the first time since 2023 and operate three times a week most months of the year, adding an additional 32,000 seats annually.

Both routes will offer customers improved connectivity into Perth and the airline’s growing western hub, with one-stop connections to a range of Qantas international destinations including London, Paris and Rome (seasonal).

The flights will be operated by QantasLink’s Airbus A319 aircraft, which are currently used for intra-Western Australia services, primarily serving the resources sector. Each A319 has 150 economy seats.

The new services will be available for booking from 29 May.