From New Zealand luxury to tips for family-friendly Vietnam, and from Bordeaux to Hobart, travel editor Winsor Dobbin has the latest news and views.
New Zealand is home to some of the most spectacular luxury lodges on the planet. Beautiful Otahuna Lodge outside Christchurch is one of them: historic and stylish with great culinary offerings.
Otahuna Lodge has just launched its “Lord of the Manor” package designed for family milestones and other special occasions. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a birthday, enjoy a family reunion or looking for a memorable workplace retreat, weekend dates in 2026 are now open.
The Lord of the Manor package (available from May 1 through October 15) can be reserved at the rate of $NZ 9995 per night (weekday nights) or $11,995 (Friday and Saturday nights).
All Lord of the Manor bookings enjoy the following inclusions for up to 10 guests:
# Accommodation across five suites and two master suites; pre-dinner drinks with canapés; a four-course set menu dinner; matched wine pairings with every course; continental and cooked breakfasts. Up to six additional guests (for a maximum of 16 people) can be added at a rate of $600 per additional person per night.
This is a remarkably stylish property celebrated for its architecture, award-winning gardens, and sophisticated cuisine. A special place to stay.
For full details see www.otahuna.co.nz/
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Vietnam tips
A record number of Australians are flocking to Vietnam to enjoy the culture, food and sunshine.
BestPrice Travel, a Vietnam-based tour specialist, has revealed its choice of the best places for all ages to explore: from culture-rich cities and the vibrant culinary scene to beautiful beaches and idyllic islands
It has revealed its top five family-friendly destinations across the country. Here they are:
Hanoi: Culture and Cuisine
With over 1,000 years of history, Vietnam’s capital city immerses guests in culture and heritage. From the vibrant markets and French colonial architecture of the Old Quarter to the scenic shores of West Lake, this is a city that inspires the senses. Family-friendly food tours introduce iconic local dishes such as pho (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), and goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) at trusted venues to ensure peace-of-mind for parents, while local experiences such as water puppet shows and cyclo rides will delight curious explorers.
Ninh Binh: Nature, Heritage and Slow Travel
In the Red River Delta, just 1.5 hours from Hanoi, Ninh Binh offers a peaceful contrast to the city’s urban buzz. In this scenic region, families can cycle through a landscape of lush rice fields, valleys, and mountains at Tam Coc-Bich Dong, known as “Ha Long Bay on land,” take scenic boat rides, and get back to nature in national parks and wetlands. Rich culture can be discovered in Hoa Lu, which served as Vietnam’s capital city in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Danang: Beaches, Theme Parks and Easy Access
On Vietnam’s sun-soaked central coast, Danang is one of its most family-friendly cities, thanks to its long beaches, exciting attractions and modern infrastructure. Parents and kids can spend endless days relaxing on the sandy shore, which is lapped by warm seas, or head into the Ba Na Hills – home to cable cars, a theme park, and the iconic Golden Bridge, which is held aloft by a giant pair of hands. As the sun sets, the illuminated Han River is an enchanting place to take an evening stroll.
Phu Quoc: Island Escapes with world-class entertainment
Phu Quoc is a tropical island jewel that has become one of south-east Asia’s best family destinations. Known as the “Pearl Island,” it offers a wealth of attractions and activities for Australian travellers, including beautiful beaches, thrilling water sports, and a 7.9km over-sea cable car – the world’s longest.
Nha Trang: Resort Comfort for all ages
A popular beach destination on Vietnam’s scenic south-central coast, Nha Trang is known for its calm seas, year-round climate, and outstanding attractions for all ages. Family-oriented hotels such as Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh, provide international-standard accommodation, easy airport access, and child-friendly facilities, including a water park. Guests can discover the wonders of the ocean with island-hopping boat trips and snorkelling excursions, and families have plenty of opportunities to enjoy world-class cuisine, including fresh seafood.
# For Australian families, Vietnam is more accessible than ever. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar provide direct services departing Sydney with connecting flights from other capital cities. BestPrice travel is offering Australian families a great deal with an early bird 10% discount on a selection of bookings made by April 30. View eligible tours here: https://www.bestpricetravel.com/en-au/vietnam-tours/family-holidays
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Vineyard chic
One of the absolute best addresses in the vineyards of Bordeaux will re-open for the summer season with a refresh and a new name. COMO Hotels and Resorts has taken over the historic Cordeillan-Bages property, with the rebranded COMO Cordeillan-Bages scheduled to open for stays in May.
The 19th-century château in Pauillac was converted into a hotel and restaurant in 1989 by the Cazes family (the owners of Château Lynch-Bages among others).
It is home to a restaurant that has been steered by several esteemed chefs.
COMO Cordeillan-Bages will mark COMO’s debut in one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions though it does have French properties in COMO Le Beauvallon in Saint-Tropez, and COMO Le Montrachet, a delightful village’ inn at Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy.
It says: “This intimate 28-room retreat brings together craftsmanship, understated luxury, and a profound appreciation for food and wine in the heart of the Médoc.
“With interiors by longstanding design partner Paola Navone, the beautifully restored 19th-century estate pairs contemporary comfort with the quiet elegance of Pauillac.
“A destination for true wine lovers, offering privileged access to Château Lynch-Bages and Bordeaux’s most legendary vineyards.”
A stay or a meal will not be cheap, but the setting is superb. The property is exclusive and exquisite – when we dined a couple of decades ago Yves Saint-Laurent was among our fellow guests.
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Whisky heaven
The Tasmanian capital of Hobart has a new/old destination for whisky lovers: the reopened Lark Distillery tasting room in the waterfront precinct has been given a very snazzy makeover.
The venue now has some clubby chic spaces upstairs for private tastings and small groups, in addition to the downstairs area and the garden overlooking the Hobart fishing fleet.
The Davey Street cellar door’s newly refurbished spaces mark a new era for the home of the brand that started Tasmania’s whisky boom with Sydneysider (and my old Daily Telegraph colleague) Stuart Gregor taking over as managing director.
Guests at the tasting facility can discover the full Lark collection, from signature expressions to rare venue exclusives, alongside guided tastings, masterclasses, and a newly unveiled museum experience.
The venue is open daily, 11am–7pm, at 14 Davey Street in downtown Hobart.
See https://larkdistillery.com/
See more of Winsor’s travel tips and news at www.gourmetontheroad.com.