Anniversary gifts can be a recipe for disaster. Reputations are on the line, and the stakes are high. We’ve all given or received a bad anniversary gift, and the trivago Magazine headquarters are no exception.
But we have an idea: hotels to celebrate your anniversary. If you’ve screwed up and forgotten the big day, here’s how to say sorry with a hotel stay for all budgets.
Say you’re sorry with a hotel stay nestled between Sydney’s biggest icons, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The rooms at the Park Hyatt Sydney are decorated in natural hues – beiges, creams and chocolates.
King beds are decked out in custom-made cotton linens, commissioned artworks hang from the walls, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows provide views of the harbour. The rooftop pool is almost too picturesque for words. Take a look for yourself.
If you’ve ever walked down Flinders Lane, then chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of the historic Adelphi building. Today, the building is home to a boutique hotel that specialises in desserts. Yep, you read that correctly – an entire hotel for sweet tooths.
The hotel’s design palette is dessert-inspired, the lobby is filled with lolly jars, and handmade macaroons are delivered to your room each evening. If you’re really in the shit for forgetting the big day, then book the Palatial Suite.
After all, it’s impossible to be angry in paradise. 100-square metres in size, the suite consists of a separate bed, lounge and powder rooms. Added extras include palatial furniture, an espresso machine and a TV that would be too big for any other room.
As far as luxe hotels in Brisbane go, the New Incholm is at the top of the game. The good news for you is that the five-star service doesn’t come with a five-star cost.
The hotel’s turndown service is one of the best we’ve ever experienced. This entails room service changing your bedding daily, dimming the lights when you leave the room, and playing classical music on your return. It’s the perfect environment to say sorry and quell any relationship tension.
Breakfast wise, the buffet is every foodie’s dream – fresh pastries, breads, fruits, cheese and beverages. Far from basic, the spread includes blue cheese and more condiments than your nonna’s fridge.
The ground floor of the Incholm is home to Socialites Bar. The 1920’s inspired watering hole specialises in all things whisky and is perfect for a pre- and post-anniversary dinner drink.
It doesn’t get much more Melbourne than Chapel Street and the Yarra River. The Como Melbourne is located between these two icons, surrounded by some of the best shopping and eating in Australia. Nothing says ‘I’m sorry’ more than a $16 smashed avo on toast at a nearby café.
The bathrooms of The Como are among some of the best in the country. Black marble tiles give way to free-standing tubs. Toiletries come from Australian brand Appelles, and the room fridges are filled with T2 teas and local cold pressed coffee.
The rooms at the Brisbane-central Capri by Fraser are good, but it’s the extra facilities that really make it stand out from the crowd and an ideal hotel to celebrate your anniversary.
Leisure amenities include a 24-hour gym with yoga space, an indoor heated pool and a sauna. If you really want to prove how sorry you are, volunteer to do the laundry at the in-house launderette and make use of the laundry’s Xbox while you wait.
Back in the rooms, kick back in the Herman Miller chairs, and scrub down with Malin & Goetz toiletries. Coeliacs rejoice. The attached restaurant, Asana by Pete Evans (you might know him from his paleo cookbooks) specialises in all things gluten-free.
The Macleay belongs to a very rare category of Australian hotels called ‘four-star bargain bangers’. This is an entirely fictional category, but when you look at pictures of The Macleay you’ll get it.
Check-in and take your apology to the next level with a symbolic gesture. Build a bridge over your short-comings while looking out to Australia’s greatest bridge. Rooms come with some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, especially when considering the price.
This hotel is saaaah Melbourne, without the Melbourne price tag. On the outside, Middle Park looks like your quintessential Melbourne corner pub. On the inside, it is your quintessential Melbourne pub – Federation era carpets, pub grub, private dining booths and 45 beer taps.
Design of the upstairs sleeping quarters was carried out by Melbourne architecture firm Six Degrees. The four room types offer amenities like large bathtubs, Egyptian cotton linen, flat screen TVs and iPod docks. Dine downstairs in the bar and take advantage of the weekend roast, which will give your Grandma’s a run for its money.
The ibis Brisbane offers a 15-minute satisfaction guarantee, meaning the hotel will deliver your breakfast or fix any room related query within 15 minutes flat. If only the problem of you forgetting your anniversary could be fixed in 15 minutes.
Opt for a room that overlooks the Brisbane River and skyline. Rooms are simple but tastefully decorated, and the new custom-made Sweet Beds by ibis Bedding are worth a mention.
Enjoy the buffet breakfast from your room or the hotel restaurant before walking to the nearby City Botanic Gardens. Check out the Botanic Gardens website for a list of current events.
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