If you haven’t booked a Christmas holiday yet, fear not, we have some pretty luxurious suggestions for you! In celebration of InterContinental Hotel & Resorts 70th anniversary, InterContinental has compiled a list of seven of the best ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences on offer amongst its hotels across the world. The beauty of travel lies in the richness of one’s experiences, and each experience highlighted below should be added to every traveller’s bucket list.
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
As the only establishment in the world that uses water drawn from the Pacific Ocean at depths of over 900 metres, guests are treated to a spa experience like no other. The Deep Ocean Spa is a haven of peace and harmony, offering hydrotherapy, beauty care and gentle energy. Glass-floored over water bungalows are a highlight, enabling guests to admire the marine life during sessions. There are also relaxation areas available with a perfect view over the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa will provide a truly memorable experience.
InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers
Soaring above the Skyline the InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers boasts stunning views of the City of Gold. Guests can immerse themselves in the rich culture of Johannesberg, exploring nearby attractions, browsing handmade African artefacts at the Rosebank Craft Market or visiting the vibrant Nelson Mandela Square. If guests fancy exploring some of the world’s oldest fossils instead, the InterContinental Concierge team can organise a scenic drive from Johannesburg to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Previously a laneway adjacent to Melbourne’s lavish Collins Street, a glass-topped Atrium, combining two heritage listed gothic style buildings, forms the iconic InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto. The hotel maintains its own secret laneway within the hotel, where local street artists hold graffiti workshops. Guests have the pleasure to marvel at a stunning 40 x 5 metre graffiti and street art installation from the beautiful Laneway Rooms. In the spirit of Melbourne’s love of local products, the hotel also houses a sustainable kitchen garden, complete with citrus trees and herbs, as well as eight urban beehives populated by 100,000 bees on its rooftop. The 100 kilograms of honest that is extracted each year is used in drinks and dishes by the hotels bars and restaurants, or given to guests as gifts.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi is set high on a hill between downtown business and the Corniche. The property offers guests dazzling views of the skyline and Arabian Gulf, as well as access to a pristine, white-sand beach, marina and various restaurants. A short drive away guests can explore the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest places of Muslim worship. The mosque features the world’s largest hand-woven carpet and chandelier as well as spectacular architecture. For a truly unique luxury experience, the concierge team at the hotel can arrange a trip to the desert, where guests can step into an Arabic tent, enjoy a belly dancing performance and watch the sunset in the horizon, before indulging in a delicious barbeque buffet.
InterContinental Marine Drive – Mumbai
Known for its modern hospitality and unrivalled views of the Arabian Sea, InterContinental Marine- Drive Mumbai offers an experience like no other. Nearby is the historically rich Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, where Mahatma Gandhi once lived. The museum is dedicated to showcasing a visual story of his life, with a library that houses an impressive 40,000 books and periodicals written by and on Gandhi. The property is also close to a UNESCO World Heritage site, the majestic Victoria Terminus railway station which is also the country’s busiest train terminal. Mumbai is full of rich culture and history, and is an experience not to be missed.
InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
Located only a few minutes from Hanoi’s famous Old Quarter and uniquely placed on individual pavilions over the serene waters of Westlake lies InterContinental Hanoi Westlake. The Vietnamese-designed guest rooms and suites offer dramatic and unique views of the expansive lake from a private balcony. To enrich the experience guests can travel to the most significant temple in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, which represents the Confucian ways of thought and behavior.
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
For those seeking a unique and unforgettable gastronomical experience that is second to none, make a visit to InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Multi-award winning French Restaurant Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire helmed by three-Michelin starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire, serves modern European dishes with an ever-evolving menu. The menu reflects the very best produce that is available. Guests can experience locally-inspired dishes with French flair, while overlooking the calm and iconic Dubai Creek. The hotel also is home to the first pâtisserie in the Middle East, Choix Pâtisserie, offering guests exquisitely-made French desserts and pastries.
