Winter staycationing done right: Getaways based on what type of travel couple you are

You’re the couple who know that staying in is the new going out. Sure, Sydney’s nightlife has a lot going for it after a recent renaissance, but there’s a certain cool about getting dolled up for an early dinner reservation and then being back in the room by 9pm to enjoy the soft king size bed, mega-sized tubs and fluffy robes synonymous with a luxe hotel stay. Rehydrate from the cold winter air with a couple’s self-care day at W Sydney’s AWAY spa completed with a sauna, steam room and beauty bar, or swim some laps in the infinity pool. Don’t feel complete without your pup? At Pier One, you can unwind in a suite with a soak in the big tub or kick back on the balcony with a drink and views of a Sydney Harbour Bridge sunset.

Melbourne’s appeal is that it's an edgy concrete jungle, and there aren’t many better places to perch yourself than right at the top – say, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne’s Cameo Bar with an award-winning cocktail and Atria Dining on the 80th floor. Melbourne just got named the best city in the world and a big part of that reason is because you’ve got collaborative community street art, heritage-listed laneways, vinyl shops, boutique galleries and indie gigs at every corner you turn. Melbourne is home to an array of Marriott Bonvoy hotels to act as your landing pad – from the Art Deco charm of Le Méridien Melbourne on Bourke Street to the modern Sheraton Melbourne on the European-reminiscent Little Collins Street. 

With salty water, plenty of sun and a laid-back vibe, Queensland is like the ultimate wellness getaway for couples. If you’re the pair that feel the seasonal blues kicking in come June, extend your summer months by heading further north where it’s still warm enough to swim. Grab your morning coffee and go beach hopping along the Gold Coast, or don’t even worry about leaving the resort – the JW Marriott Gold Coast has everything from cooking classes and high tea to aqua sculpt floating and a spectacular saltwater lagoon. If you’re after more of a city vibe, pop down south to Brisbane for the botanic gardens, art galleries and day trips to Moreton Island. Unwind after all your exploring at W Brisbane with plush robes, slippers and a bath in its signature 10-gallon drum tubs. 

A 9-5 is stressful – there’s no skirting the fact. But what do power couples do? They take their business remote for a couple of days in one of Australia’s best spots to catch a sunset. There’s no need to take annual leave when your body is begging for a break. A trip to Perth in winter offers a slower pace, less tourists and the chance to clock off at 5.30pm to the sun setting over Cottesloe Beach. Work at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth where the infinity pool and spa overlooks the Swan River and golden hour hits different at the sky-high Songbird Bar and Lounge. Weather not boding too well? Never fear because the Westin Perth still offers up the chance to decompress with couple’s retreats at the Bodhi Spa. Don’t forget that it’s also not a Perth getaway until you start your morning with an unhurried stroll with a coffee in hand.  

You share your morning coffee poring over the newspaper or emailing each other articles you found interesting – so naturally when it’s time for a couple’s vacay, museums are on the itinerary. It’s one thing gallery-going in the hustle-bustle of a metropolis, but it’s another thing doing it where time feels slowed, bare-branched trees line the streets and a stop for lunch is done so by the river. A lakeside stroll in Canberra come wintertime is the perfect excuse to snuggle up with your beau before visiting world-class spots like the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery. The Midnight Hotel Canberra is your perfect landing base, located in the up-and-coming suburb of Braddon where things are just as classy as they’re laid back. Order in-room dining, relax in the heated indoor pool or grab a nightcap at the Braddon Merchant bar.

There’s not so many winter activities quite so cosy (and stylish) as wine tasting, and what better place to go winery hopping than in South Australia. Set yourself up at the Adelaide Marriott Hotel located inside the historic Adelaide General Post Office building, which is just a 20-minute drive from the Adelaide Hills wine region. Shop ’til you drop at the nearby Rundle Mall and Festival Plaza, get dinner and a show at Her Majesty's Theatre.

You’ve been there and done that with the busy holidays. An itinerary packed by the hour. Instead, you’re looking for something slower, something more intimate – that’s when Auckland calls. With harbour views, volcanic mountain ranges, and island-dotted horizons, it’s less about what you’ll do, and more about how you’ll feel (plus how you’ll connect with your significant other when you’re not worried about emails, bookings, reservations and other hubbub). Spend some quality time together exploring the city at your own pace and then winding down at the JW Marriott Auckland with a dry sauna, vitality pool, cold plunge, 14-metre plunge pool with city views, fitness centre and other wellness offerings throughout the resort. Come dinnertime, settle in at the Trivet Restaurant where Polynesian cuisine meets fine dining. 

Couples looking for a mind-blowing, postcard-view worthy, do-nothing-all-day beach holiday tend to turn to the likes of the Maldives when Fiji is just a four hour flight away from Australia. In fact, Australia’s winter is the best time to visit Fiji – it's the dry season and the sun is out to play. The Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji is set on the stunning Mamanuca Islands, with rainforest showers, private patios and breathtaking views of white sand beaches. Spend the day snorkeling or lounging by the infinity pool. Consider the out of office already written…

There’s nothing quite like taking a couple’s vacay in a walkable city – a romantic dinner, a couple of glasses of wine and a leisurely harbourside stroll back to the room. When that room has a crackling sandstone fireplace? You’d be pretty hard-pressed to find a more comforting home away from home. Hobart is the place to be this winter and a stay at The Tasman – A Luxury Collection Hotel Hobart puts you in the centre of it all. Just steps away from Salamanca Place, rug up in the morning to explore the incredible weekly markets, and by night get toasty with a cocktail in the hidden Mary Mary Cocktail Bar where local Tasmanian distilled spirits get the spotlight. 

Sometimes all you need is a couple days' getaway with your significant other to kick back, relax and reconnect. Explore closer to home for your next couples vacay, with Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Australia, NZ and Pacific Islands. 

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