Winter Escapes: Discover the Beauty of Closer Destinations
Winter often brings a familiar question: should you travel far or stay close? Increasingly, savvy travelers are choosing the latter, opting for memorable escapes just a short trip away. Across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, world-class hotels now offer exceptional experiences that once required long-haul flights. With the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, members can enjoy perks such as 10 per cent savings on stays. Here are six unique winter escapes that prove staying closer to home is every bit as rewarding.
W Melbourne
Melbourne in winter has its own distinct rhythm. The city’s laneways glow with restaurant lights, theatres buzz after dark, and cosy bars beckon. In the heart of Flinders Lane, W Melbourne captures this energy with bold design, art-inspired interiors, and a social atmosphere that feels unmistakably local.
Start your day with coffee before browsing nearby galleries or boutiques, then return for a swim in the heated indoor pool. Dining at Warabi, a chef-hatted Japanese restaurant, delivers refined elegance. Later, Curious cocktail bar provides the perfect nightcap. This is vibrant Melbourne at its best.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
Not all winter escapes require coats. On the Gold Coast, sunshine keeps the season bright, and the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast turns warm weather into a full experience. Guests can drift between ocean swims at the hotel’s beachfront location, dips in the pool, or cocktails at the swim-up pool bar, or explore the brand-new wellbeing hub. Sheraton Fitness offers purpose-built zones for reformer Pilates, yoga, and targeted strength conditioning. Families love being steps from the sand and the close location to thrilling theme parks, national parks, and water activities, while couples easily carve out quiet moments by the water. Here, winter feels like summer.
JW Marriott Auckland
Sometimes the best escape is simply a change of perspective. A short flight across the Tasman brings travelers to Auckland, where harbour views, refined dining, and an easy pace make the city an effortless weekend retreat. Recently renovated, the JW Marriott Auckland pairs understated luxury with a calming presence in the heart of Auckland city. Guestrooms are designed for comfort, while an indoor heated pool, traditional Nordic dry sauna, and heated vitality pool, all overlooking the harbour, invite slow wellness mornings.
Trivet Dining celebrates New Zealand’s finest produce with Aotearoa’s flavours, and nearby Viaduct Harbour offers ferry links to secluded islands.
W Sydney
Few city views rival Sydney Harbour, and this striking Darling Harbour luxury hotel places guests at the centre of it all. W Sydney pairs dramatic architecture with sweeping water vistas and vibrant social spaces. The rooftop infinity pool overlooking the harbour offers a serene contrast to the city’s energy below. Dining ranges from modern Australian cuisine at BTWN to sunset cocktails at rooftop bar 29/30. Step outside and the harbour’s theatres, restaurants, and waterfront promenades unfold at your doorstep, making this a dynamic base for a sophisticated city escape.
The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart
For travelers drawn to winter’s quieter pleasures, Hobart offers a different kind of luxury. The Tasman sits within historic Parliament Square, blending Georgian heritage with contemporary design and harbour views. Inside, sandstone walls and rich textures create a strong sense of place. Dining at Peppina celebrates Tasmania’s finest produce with generous Italian-inspired dishes, while cocktail and spirits bar Mary Mary provides an atmospheric finish to the evening. Beyond the hotel, Salamanca Place, MONA, and nearby wine regions invite exploration.
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay
When winter calls for sunshine, Fiji answers beautifully, just a few hours flight from Australia. Set along the tranquil western coast of Viti Levu, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay offers lagoon views, overwater bures, and relaxed island luxury. Swim in the lagoon, unwind at the award-winning Quan Spa, or snorkel vibrant reefs just offshore. Eco experiences such as coral gardening and mangrove planting offer a deeper connection to the destination, while younger guests enjoy the Turtles Kids Club and splash-friendly pools.
Smart travelers know luxury isn’t about distance — it’s about choosing well. With exceptional hotels across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Marriott Bonvoy makes seasonal escapes close to home effortless.
To receive the 10-per-cent-off offer, you must be a Marriott Bonvoy member. It’s free and easy to join by clicking here. *T&Cs apply. To learn more about how to save 10 per cent on stays from April 1-June 30, 2026, visit staywithmarriott.com.au.
