With silly season in full swing, and the curtains drawing on 2023, it is (once again) as if the entire year has evaporated before our eyes. And with it, the chance to lock in a summer escape. In the midst of the end-of-year hustle, Xmas parties and family gatherings, the thought of planning a getaway may have eluded even the most organised operator, but fear not, IHG Hotels & Resorts has got you covered for a last-minute sojourn.
A holiday is not just a luxury; it is a necessity, and the festive season punctuates the end of one year and the start of the next with a proper mental reset, allowing you to attack the new year refreshed. Join us as we explore the enticing destinations offered by IHG Hotels & Resorts, where the promise of relaxation, adventure, and mental rejuvenation awaits those willing to seize the opportunity for a spontaneous escape.
Swing Like Vijay Singh
Nestled in the heart of Fiji’s Coral Coast, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa provides travellers with a tranquil retreat for the perfect summer escape. The luxury resort boasts a range of stunning accommodations including incredible beachfront suites and Club InterContinental rooms with private plunge pools, as well as an award-winning spa, multiple dining options, and a world-class 18-hole championship golf course.
Designed by Vijay Singh, the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course boasts postcard-worthy ocean views on 15 of the 18 holes, and offers a challenging round for golf enthusiasts of all skill levels, featuring manicured fairways, undulating greens, and strategically placed bunkers. If golf ain’t it, indulge in a wide variety of activities including snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing, as well as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, horseback riding, beach volleyball, tennis and lawn bowls for those with a competitive spirit.
After a day of adventure, unwind and recharge at the award-winning Spa InterContinental. Set amongst serene tropical gardens, the spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments using indigenous Fijian ingredients. Visitors can choose from therapeutic massages, facials, body wraps, and other luxurious treatments to pamper and restore balance.
 While staying in Club InterContinental rooms, enjoy complimentary canapes and drinks as the sun sets, followed by dinner at fine dining restaurant Navo — complete with epic wine cellar — or sample the buffet at Sanasana, with post-dinner cocktails at Kama Lounge.Â
Bliss Out In An Overwater Bure
Twenty minutes boat ride from Bora Bora International Airport, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa welcomes you to a tropical vacation of a lifetime. Once you see the breathtaking overwater accommodations, with commanding views of Mount Otemanu, you’ll realise why so many choose to journey to this remote French Polynesian oasis.
Like a child on Christmas day, you’ll be encapsulated by the beautifully designed villas with immediate access to the inviting water below, or to your own private plunge pool, also hovering above the water. For couples with young children, or for couples travelling together, the two-bedroom Villa Teremoana represents the height of luxury, with two master bedrooms overlooking the pristine lagoon and island.
During your stay, enjoy flavours from the resort’s multiple culinary offerings from the intimate Le Corail restaurant with the largest wine cellar in French Polynesia, to the more casual Sands beachfront eatery. Each location uses fresh, local ingredients to create delicious dishes inspired by both French and Polynesian cuisine.
Given its spectacular location the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa offers a host of engaging activities, be it exploring the tropical underwater world, relishing the stunning vistas during kayak rides, or blissing out at the exquisite Thalasso Spa, serving up supreme relaxation in a wonderfully serene environment.
Wanderlust In The Whitsundays
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is a gorgeous getaway situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, accessed via Hamilton Island airport and a scenic one-hour ferry, or a 15-minute helicopter ride. Highly regarded for its stunning surroundings, the resort and its marina are equally as popular with hotel guests as they are for private and charter vessels.
The resort boasts 166 guest rooms, suites, and villas, each designed with comfort and elegance in mind. Guests can choose from a range of accommodations, including lagoon-view rooms, poolside suites, and beachfront villas. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities and offer private balconies or terraces with captivating views of the Whitsunday Islands.
During your stay, partake in a variety of activities and experiences that champion the best of the island setting including snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, guided bush walks, seaplane tours, or the famed Whitehaven Beach experience, finishing their day at the Hayman Spa & Salon for a revitalising clay wrap.
Five distinct restaurants and bars — Pacific, Amici, Aqua, Bam Bam and Grove Boutique & Café — offer a kaleidoscope of dining, snack and coffee options. For an unforgettable lunch, organise an ‘Island Escapade’ and purchase picnic hampers before transferring to nearby Langford Island or Hook Island for an epic self-guided exploration.
Exploring Links & Lakes
Crowne Plaza Queenstown offers a prime location for those who seek unforgettable golfing experiences in New Zealand’s adventure capital. Strategically located in the heart of the town, and within a five-minute stroll of the famous Fergburger, this lakefront property is the ideal home base for avid golfers, hikers, mountain bikers or fly fishers. Â
Host destination to the New Zealand Open, Queenstown boasts eight spectacular golf courses, including four international championship courses. Crowne Plaza Queenstown is within half an hour’s drive of Jack’s Point — the #2 course in NZ — as well as The Hills and Millbrook.Â
Fishing enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either, as pristine rivers and lakes provide the perfect spots for casting a fly. For diehards, BLACK offers full-day fly fishing adventures to some of the most beautiful locations and rivers around the Southern Lakes.
Crowne Plaza Queenstown offers accommodation options to suit all budgets but the Lake View Rooms are the pick of the bunch, boasting stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. During your stay, sample delightful breakfasts or high tea at ThreeSixty before unwinding on the balcony with their favourite cocktail.Â
Underrated Dining Delights
Situated in the laid-back coastal town of Terrigal, about a 90-minute drive north of Sydney, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific is a great option for travellers looking to access some of NSW’s most underrated dining destinations, while enjoying sleepy afternoons on the beach.
Retreat to comfortable, stylish rooms, with private balconies before enjoying the sunrise steps away on Terrigal Beach, followed by a relaxed morning at the hotel’s pool deck or hitting the well-equipped gym. Venture up the hill to ‘The Cowrie’ for a lunch that will rival the best meal you’ve ever had, then join locals for sundowners at the Terrigal Beach House on the ground floor.
Grab an early morning coffee at Ocean Haus surf shop then stroll the boardwalk around to The Skillon for an epic view east or south to North Avoca. Explore a diverse array of cuisines at the excellent Shahi Matal Indian, located on the ground floor of the hotel or mosey on over to fine diner Yellowtail or the casual but delicious IIl Toscano, then finish with cocktails at Pocket Bar on the beachfront.
For those looking to do some proper walking, Wamberal and Forresters Beach are both accessible by foot and present a great opportunity to admire the various lagoons and lookouts dotted along the coastline.
Your summer escape awaits you. Click here to book now with IHG’s Summer offers, plus enjoy an additional 10% discount as an IHG One Rewards member.
This article is sponsored by IHG. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
