Australia
Sounds of Silence
Sounds of Silence is a bucket list dining experience in the Australian Outback under the Northern Territory’s open sky.

Dining begins with canapes and chilled sparkling wine on a dune top overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Sounds from a didgeridoo then make the experience even more immersive as the sun sets and stars become visible. Diners are welcomed to an interactive chef’s station where they will be served their choice from a freshly-prepared, Aussie bush tucker-inspired menu incorporating native bush ingredients.

There’s also a resident star talker decoding the southern night sky and highlighting planets and galaxies visible due to the outback sky’s exceptional clarity.

Indonesia
Sababay Winery
This three-course Indonesian family-style lunch with wine pairing at Sababay Winery is available for corporate groups visiting Bali.

Before sitting down at the table, guests are taken on a tour of the winery and get to learn about its history, its grapes and other locally- sourced ingredients used to produce various wines and other distillery products. Guests will also learn about the history behind the Indonesian dishes served.

The three-hour programme can cater from 10 to 100 guests.

Indonesia
The Farm Terrace
The Farm Terrace at Raffles Bali features an intimate space for just eight guests – exclusive to hotel residents.

The al fresco dining experience is set under a passionfruit pergola in the middle of lush gardens, where guests can expect to nosh on dishes such as the Raffles Garden (an organic mix of vegetables, waluh metambus (a vegan dish based on a Balinese pumpkin recipe), and tahu kalasan (beancurd and vegetable dish).

JAPAN
Fukudome Small Farm
Based in rural Kagoshima Prefecture, this family-run farm-to-table restaurant offers groups umami-rich and sustainably-sourced meat dishes served in a verdant setting.

The owner/chef, who holds Germany’s renowned Meister qualification for meat processing, specialises in pork products crafted using traditional German techniques. Every item is sourced solely from pigs raised on the nearby farm with minimal environmental impact.

Groups can choose from the menu, which includes a vast range of hams and sausages, or opt for a tailormade course.

The restaurant has outdoor seating for 20 pax, and an open space that can be used to pitch a marquee to host larger groups.

Japan
Pino Collina Matsugaoka
This vineyard and winery in the fields of Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, features a high-end restaurant with indoor seating for 30 pax and space for 20 pax more on the verandah, overlooking the grapes used for the pinot noir and chardonnay varieties.

The menu is French-inspired and features local ingredients including the famous rice and edible silk, as Tsuruoka is an historical centre for silk-making. There is also a shop selling wines and other grape-based items.

MALAYSIA
OpenHouse
OpenHouse is a Malay fine-dining restaurant in Suria KLCC, where its decor has been inspired by the motifs and history of Malaysia, where the two main dining rooms are a modern take on Malaysia’s villages.

Interestingly, OpenHouse has collaborated with the Department of National Heritage to access their archives to recreate menus, some of which are almost extinct Malay recipes that have been gazetted as national heritage dishes.

OpenHouse also works with indigenous communities to source jungle extracts and Highland Rice from Borneo to keep recipes authentic.

For complete buyouts, the restaurant has a seating capacity for 80 people.

New Zealand
Cloudy Bay Shed
Located 45 minutes from Queenstown in New Zealand, Cloudy Bay has a shed it calls its “home away from home” where guests enjoy shared-style meals designed around each of their wines.

Menus change every three months and each dish tells a story – why it has matched with each wine, where the ingredients come from, and why they have been chosen for showcase in that season.

Originally set up as a tasting room, The Shed has evolved to focus more on dining since New Zealand chef Harry Bonning-Snook joined the team six months ago.

Philippines
Chef Tatung
This exclusive 10-course degustation menu is hosted by celebrity chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou in his home among the lush green hills of Antipolo, a city east of Manila.

Sarthou tempts the palate with traditional and contemporary Filipino dishes packed with flavour, made with quality ingredients from various parts of the country.

Come before sundown and bask in a dramatic sunset, where on some nights, fireflies dance among the garden foliage.
A maximum of 10 pax can be hosted in the formal dining room, with another 14 pax at the open cabana.

Singapore
Claudine
The interior of this French brasserie is a sight to behold. Design studio Nice Projects has conserved elements of this 1930s colonial chapel – the gabled roof, original mosaic floor, and grille work.

A 15m-long paper lamp custom-made by Spanish lighting designers Santa & Cole soars overhead in the main dining room, while at the bar & lounge area, an original stained glass window of the chapel is an eye-catching centrepiece.

The menu here takes a modern and elevated approach to quintessential French classics, where diners can expect dishes including bouillabaisse, steak flambe, and roasted pigeon.

Pricing for a complete corporate buyout is available only upon request, and is suitable for groups up to a maximum of 100 people seated.

Singapore
Kausmo
The brainchild of co-founders Lisa Tang and Kuah Chew Shian – in partnership with Les Amis – this restaurant aims to spark conversations about conscientious ways of living.

The six-course menu – which combines European techniques with Asian influences – repurposes fruits and vegetables that are over-ripened and oddly-shaped, as well as shines the spotlight on secondary cuts of meat, regionally farmed seafood, and forgotten native greens and florals.

The sustainable theme extends to Kausmo’s décor – think imperfect porcelain tableware, and coasters from upcycled fabrics.

There are two dinner seats daily, and a buyout for the 16-seater space starts from S$1,260++ (US$950), not inclusive of beverages.

Thailand
Kate’s Place
Pikun “Kate” Wangsantia turned a room in her home into one of the freshest private dining experiences in Bangkok – Kate’s Place.

Beginning as a place to hang out with her friends above her Thai restaurant Boonlang Noodles during lockdown, the supper club now offers a set menu that revolves around Kate’s imaginative takes on traditional Thai dishes. Think strawberry-infused panang curry with beef, and egg tom yum custard with crab & truffle.

The menu here changes monthly, and only 12 seats are available per night.

As soon as Western Australia reopened to the world in March this year – the last Australian state to do so, Perth Region Tourism Organisation (Destination Perth) went full throttle with consumer and travel trade engagement to make up for two years of pared-down marketing.

It was time to finally welcome people back and show off the many new experiences that emerged during the years of disrupted travel but were only able to draw international attention via campaigns that sought to keep the travel dream alive.

For the capital city and her surrounds, the lure of fresh experiences is especially important, as the region enjoys a high percentage of visitors who are no strangers to Perth as well as Australia.

According to Tracey Cinavas-Prosser, CEO of Destination Perth, on average, 71 per cent of international visitors to Perth have visited Australia before. From Asia, Singapore has the highest repeat visitation averaging 87 per cent, followed by Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong – all above 75 per cent.

“Perth did not stand still during Covid. Many tourism products evolved to attract and engage the domestic market, and many fresh ones were created,” said Cinavas-Prosser in an interview with TTG Asia during a June fam trip hosted by her organisation and the City of Swan.

“Every experience that is successful with the locals, which is the hardest market to please since they think they know everything about the destination, will 100 per cent work for the international traveller.”

Two high profile openings in Perth City, the popular gateway to the rest of Western Australia, is the Matagarup Bridge Zip+Climb and the Optus Stadium Vertigo at The Ozone – tantalising options for travellers in search of heart-pounding action in the city. The Matagarup Bridge Zip+Climb invites visitors to trek 314 steps up the steep frame of the bridge, then zip-line back to home base, travelling at up to 75km/hr, while taking in stunning city views. Vertigo guests are harnessed to the roof of Optus Stadium, and invited to walk several metres beyond the edge of the stadium. Bravehearts can even lean over the edge for a photo opportunity.

For a more calming activity, visitors can see Perth from a comfortable rickshaw ride with Peddle Perth’s new two-hour Perth Experience Tour, or eat and learn about Asian food culture through Victoria Park with Up Close & Local Tours.

Cinavas-Prosser said many of the new experiences cater to the growing desire for adventure among post-lockdown travellers.

“The spirit of adventure can mean different things to different people. Adventure could mean finding that amazing restaurant that you’ve always wanted to go to, or it could be zip-lining down the Matagarup Bridge,” she said.

“But for all of these things, people are looking for something different, fresh air and less congestion. Perth can satisfy all these desires, as the city has access to abundant wildlife and nature, which are at our doorstep.”

Indeed, a short and leisurely river cruise from Perth CBD will place travellers in the bosom of the Swan Valley, regarded as the food bowl of Western Australia. Here, one can feast their way through cellar doors, breweries, fruit orchards, produce stalls, and retailers of everything else. But the Swan Valley is more than just a gourmet destination, as it packs in art galleries, themed playgrounds, wildlife parks, and endless wide open spaces that soothe the mind.

Repeat visitors will notice welcoming differences now, such as the revitalised and expanded Sandalford Wines vineyard, the new Limeburners Whisky and Giniversity cellar door and restaurant, the new Marron Lake and Sculpture Trail at Swan Valley Station, fresh visitor experiences at perennial tourist favourites The House of Honey and Mondo Nougat, and many more.

City of Swan’s deputy mayor, Mel Congerton, said: “While our borders were closed, many of our businesses and the Swan Valley Visitor Centre used that time to adapt and create environments that were Covid-safe and appealed to the domestic market. You will find many venues have expanded or added alfresco eating areas to cater to those who want to eat in the fresh air, or added bookable classes and experiences to encourage repeat visitors through their doors.”

The Swan Valley is favoured as both a daytrip and multi-day destination, but Congerton said longer stays are always greatly encouraged because “those who stay longer experience more (and have) more stories to share with friends and family back home”.

He added: “A stay of three or four days allows plenty of time to experience all there is to eat, drink, see and do, from Caversham Wildlife Park and Bells Rapids to award-winning wineries, breweries and distilleries. Naturally, visitors who stay longer also spend more, helping our local businesses. The City of Swan is actively promoting the Swan Valley to Asian visitors as a great place to visit with a new inflight advertising campaign on Jetstar Asia, and through targeted Facebook advertising.”

The biggest tourism evolution, however, has occurred in Fremantle. Cinavas-Prosser described the change as being a “food renaissance”, as the port city has seen an eruption of new restaurants and bars in recent years, allowing visitors to enjoy more than just fish and chips on the waterfront.

Besides a slew of creative bars, eateries and patisseries on the well-known Cappuccino Strip, visitors will delight in many more lifestyle options such as Gage Roads Freo Brewery by the harbour; Running with Thieves bar, restaurant and retail outlet; and Nieuw Ruin wine bar that is set in a restored cottage.

Counting off a string of new F&B destinations and retailers across Fremantle, Wendy O’Shaughnessy, senior economic development officer for the City of Fremantle, said the developments did not happen at the expense of local heritage.

In fact, many of the new additions are located within conserved buildings, breathing new life into old but beautiful architecture and ensuring the spirit of Fremantle carries through the visitor experience.

The Old Synagogue, is an excellent example. Occupying what was once Western Australia’s first synagogue, built in 1902, the venue is now home to the award-winning Tonic + Ginger restaurant, The Arbor beer and wine garden, Mr Chapple café and bar, and L’Chaim speakeasy bar. The exterior is majestic and the interiors are an Instagrammer’s delight.

A landmark change in Fremantle is FOMO, part of the massive Kings Square redevelopment project, a joint initiative between Sirona Capital and the City of Fremantle that has renewed the entire neighbourhood and reinvigorated the city’s heart.

Opened in 2021, FOMO brings local art, architecture, retail, entertainment and food under one roof, alongside new public spaces, a civic centre, a library and a playground in Walyalup Koort.

O’Shaughnessy described FOMO as “an entertainment precinct at its core”, with every “tenancy artfully appointed”.

“The dining alleys are adorned with custom-made brightly coloured lanterns that lend a unique, addictive and eclectic feel. A destination of discovery, the precinct is dotted with sculptural artwork and an impressive array of large-scale murals from national and international artists.

“This development has also been the catalyst for a real and emerging upswing in confidence and investment in Fremantle, which can be seen in new hotel developments in heritage-listed buildings, exciting hospitality venues, and entire city blocks undergoing a complete refurbishment all in a way that retains the character and spirit of Perth’s old town and favourite port city,” she added.

With so many new attractions waiting to be discovered, O’Shaughnessy said Fremantle deserves to be more than just an afternoon feature on the traveller’s itinerary.

Tour planners and travellers can easily build their own stay, dine and play itinerary with a new tool now available on the City of Fremantle’s website, visitfremantle.com.au.

Adiwana Jelita Sejuba Natuna, Indonesia
Adiwana Jelita Sejuba Natuna is the perfect place for a beachfront getaway.

Located on Natuna Island, the resort has 33 rooms and villas, and guests are offered tailored activities like snorkelling to explore the thriving coral reefs; island-hopping; and even locally inspired cooking classes.

Enjoy spectacular views at the one-of-a-kind granite infinity pool built right into the ocean. Couples can opt for a romantic meal by the ocean.

Other facilities include a spa, gym, and floating function space.

The resort is a short 15-minute drive from Raden Sadjad Airport.

adiwanahotels.com/jelita-sejuba-resort-natuna/

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, South Korea
Fairmont Ambassador Seoul enjoys one of Seoul’s most prestigious new addresses, and its 326 well-appointed guestrooms offer panoramic views of the Yeouido skyline and the Han River.

Indulge in seasonally inspired menus at Mariposa and Spectrum, and sip signature cocktails at M29, an elegant rooftop bar.

Guests can relax with a personalised treatment at ESPA at Fairmont, or stay on track with their fitness routine at the gym or the all-weather-friendly indoor pool.

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul is 55 minutes by car from Incheon International Airport, and 30 minutes from Gimpo International Airport.

www.fairmont.com/seoul/

Hilton Singapore Orchard, Singapore
Hilton Singapore Orchard has earned plenty of attention in the marketplace since its opening in February, for being the brand’s largest property in Asia-Pacific. Its central location in the heart of Orchard Road and collection of 1,080 rooms, five dining concepts – with the largest being Estate which can seat 360 diners at once, along with 16 event venues make the hotel a formidable competitor in the space of leisure travel and business events.

The hotel marked a strong entry with its accommodation of all players and entourage attending the high-profile HSBC Women’s World Championship LPGA Tour, and continues to be a popular choice for weddings as well as corporate meetings and events.

Hilton Singapore Orchard takes over what was once Mandarin Orchard Singapore. A S$150 million (US$110.2 million) comprehensive renovation has given the property a new look and freshed hardware, where the hotel’s interior design pays homage to Singapore’s rich colonial history and the area’s agricultural heritage.

www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sinorhi-hilton-singapore-orchard/

Hoshinoya Okinawa, Japan
A luxury seaside resort in Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture, Hoshinoya Okinawa offers oceanfront villas and suites with rooms that open up to a garden, while the windows, balconies, and terraces open up to the sea.

The resort’s Yugafu Kitchen, a kitchen studio that offers an opportunity for guests to learn and enjoy Okinawa’s unique food culture, embraces the idea of using ingredients from nature without producing waste, as well as the idea that a balanced diet will prevent illnesses – one of the reasons behind Okinawans’ longevity.

Adjacent to the studio is the kitchen garden, where guests can enjoy the aroma of freshly picked herbs and vegetables. Meals can be enjoyed in the private dining area of the Yugafu Kitchen after a cooking session.

There is also a Ryukyu Karate Stay where guests can learn the martial art at the resort’s dojo.

hoshinoya.com/okinawa/en/

Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, Australia
IHG Hotels & Resorts’ boutique lifestyle brand, Hotel Indigo, debuted in Australia with the opening of Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets. The hotel’s 145 boutique rooms in Adelaide’s CBD pay homage to the legendary festivals of the city, and is located next to the Adelaide Central Market.

The hotel’s restaurants and bars tap into the best of local produce for seasonal appeal. Head to Market & Meander for a taste of rustic, home-style Modern Australian with its daily lunch menu, then chill on the rooftop at Merrymaker bar with a refined menu showcasing the best of South Australian seafood and charcuterie along with creative cocktails.

Other facilities include an outdoor infinity pool, 24/7 fitness centre, two boardroom-style meeting rooms and the option to hold events on the mezzanine level and rooftop.

www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/adelaide/adlmk/hoteldetail

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Maldives
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is nestled on the island of Thilamaafushi in the beautiful Lhaviyani Atoll, and is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane ride from Malé International airport.

Boasting a white sandy beachscape surrounded by a turquoise lagoon, Le Méridien Maldives is home to 97 overwater villas and 44 beach villas.

Guests can explore the two signature restaurants: Turquoise serves both local dishes and Asian and European favourites, while Tabemasu offers Japanese meal varieties.

This five-star destination also includes a kids’ club, adult-only pool, water sports centre and more.

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mlemd -le-meridien-maldives-resort-and-spa/rooms/

Lihim Resorts, the Philippines
Lihim Resorts by Araw Hospitality Group is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Located in El Nido, Palawan, it sits secluded in the forests of Calaan, beside the pristine waters of the Bacuit Bay.

Luxurious villas are located in varied environments, from lawn, forest, seaside, hilltop and more. Guests can opt for curated tours and nature walks, or simply lounge by the pool all day with a cocktail.

Enjoy culinary experiences at Gana Restaurant that showcases farm-to-table specials and heritage recipes. The Bacarrat Lounge and LangkaLounge are also
great for hosting intimate events, presentations, and meetings.

www.lihim.com

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, Thailand
Fronting Phuket’s longest stretch of sand sits Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Just a 15-minute drive from Phuket Airport, this new resort is a tranquil getaway comprising private pool villas, wellness pool villas, and suites with a Mediterranean-inspired touch.

All accommodation feature outdoor bathtubs, open-air showers and outdoor terraces, some of which are complemented by cabanas while others have private plunge pools. Highlights of the wellness villas include an open-air Vitamin C shower, daily massage, ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, air purifier, Tempur-Pedic pillows, fit ball and yoga mat.

Feast on fresh Mediterranean cuisine at Gaia Beach Club, enjoy South-east Asian delights blended with Mediterranean flair at all-day dining restaurant SASA, and down thirst-quenching juices and liquors at Elyxr Café. Leisure amenities include a spa, fitness centre, and kids’ club.

www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/phuket/melia-phuket-mai-khao/index.htm

Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence Hotel, China
The Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence Hotel combines with the existing Pullman Shanghai Qingpu Excellence to create an ideal destination with an array of offers for business and leisure travellers.

Function spaces include a pillarless grand ballroom, outdoor terrace space connected to the ballroom and 15 breakout rooms of varied configurations and sizes.

For families, the new 240-key hotel has two floors dedicated to family rooms – 25 in all – including four whimsically decorated family suites that can be connected with neighbouring family rooms.

Other facilities include InBalance fitness centre, and a range of F&B outlets.

all.accor.com/hotel/B7H8/index.en. shtml

Regent Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Guests seeking a serene sanctuary need look no further than Regent Phu Quoc.

Situated off the south-west coast of Vietnam alongside a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve, the luxury resort’s 176 suites and 126 villas feature expansive windows and verandas that invite natural light in, complemented by garden or panoramic ocean views.

Sensory baths are included in every suite and villa, and private cabanas where tailored dining experiences can be arranged.

With six restaurants and bars, guests enjoy complimentary gourmet beverages and snacks, breakfast buffet, pressing and laundry services, and unpacking service.

Regent Phu Quoc also has agents available to arrange bespoke services for a personalised experience.

phuquoc.regenthotels.com