Margaret River woos the world in Best 50 Vineyards coup
The WA tourism body and the British food and drink list-maker will bring wine industry opinion leaders to Margaret River, a region three hours by car from the Perth, to toast its annual list, The World's Best 50 Vineyards 2025, this November.
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Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
One of the world's most beautiful art deco hotels is not where you'd expect
Shanghai may be a modern metropolis, but deep in its architectural soul it will always be an art deco city. In the 1920s and '30s, thousands of apartment buildings, offices, hotels, cinemas, clubs, department stores and civic buildings were built in what was then known as the 'modern style', part of a movement towards modernisation reflected in everything from transport to fashion, graphic design and furniture. Despite the rapid development of the past three decades, many of them are still standing. Art deco's distinctive ziggurats, speed lines and curves are everywhere. 'You just have to look up,' says Tina Kanagaratnam, co-founder of Historic Shanghai, a group devoted to recording and celebrating Shanghai's unique history. One of the most famous of all these buildings is the Peace Hotel. Commissioned by British tycoon Victor Sassoon and completed in 1929, the hotel was promoted as the most luxurious hotel in the east. As well as exquisite furnishings and interior design, it also had such radical innovations as indoor plumbing, air-conditioning and a sprung floor for dancing. The hotel lived up to the hype, immediately becoming the place to stay or be seen in Shanghai. Its jazz club was said to be the social hub of the city. Kanagaratnam takes me on an impromptu tour, pointing out some of the easily missed original stained-glass windows. In one of them you can make out the word 'Cathay', the original name of the hotel from the old European word for China. The level of detail in this space alone is extraordinary, from the sculptures and artworks reflecting the free-flowing fashion of the day to elaborate staircases and decorative ironwork, tiles and marble. It's also home to coffee shop Victor's and the Jasmine Lounge, where you can book in for afternoon tea and dine on delicate cakes and sandwiches while a pianist plays on the hotel's original Steinway. The Old Jazz Bar, behind a timber door with a grill, is an atmospheric space with a long timber bar, small stage, and clothed tables. Every night, anyone can sip a cocktail and listen to the band and guest singers. After our walk around the hotel and the local neighbourhood, where we spot many other deco masterpieces, Kanagaratnam leaves me to check in. I've been staying in the hotel equivalent of a musty cupboard for three nights and the cost of my one night in the cheapest available room at the Peace Hotel ($564) is almost double those three nights combined, so I'm determined to make the most of it. Tonight, I'll be sleeping in a building once graced by Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich and, more recently, Richard Nixon, Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau. They each stayed in one of the hotel's nine original Nation Suites, and it's easy to imagine them at home in these elaborately decorated, glamorous spaces. My room is merely the standard level of uber luxury – in art deco style yet thoroughly modernised with an enormous bathroom, coffee station, walk-in closet and the elegance, light and high ceilings the era was famous for.
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
One of the world's most beautiful art deco hotels is not where you'd expect
Shanghai may be a modern metropolis, but deep in its architectural soul it will always be an art deco city. In the 1920s and '30s, thousands of apartment buildings, offices, hotels, cinemas, clubs, department stores and civic buildings were built in what was then known as the 'modern style', part of a movement towards modernisation reflected in everything from transport to fashion, graphic design and furniture. Despite the rapid development of the past three decades, many of them are still standing. Art deco's distinctive ziggurats, speed lines and curves are everywhere. 'You just have to look up,' says Tina Kanagaratnam, co-founder of Historic Shanghai, a group devoted to recording and celebrating Shanghai's unique history. One of the most famous of all these buildings is the Peace Hotel. Commissioned by British tycoon Victor Sassoon and completed in 1929, the hotel was promoted as the most luxurious hotel in the east. As well as exquisite furnishings and interior design, it also had such radical innovations as indoor plumbing, air-conditioning and a sprung floor for dancing. The hotel lived up to the hype, immediately becoming the place to stay or be seen in Shanghai. Its jazz club was said to be the social hub of the city. Kanagaratnam takes me on an impromptu tour, pointing out some of the easily missed original stained-glass windows. In one of them you can make out the word 'Cathay', the original name of the hotel from the old European word for China. The level of detail in this space alone is extraordinary, from the sculptures and artworks reflecting the free-flowing fashion of the day to elaborate staircases and decorative ironwork, tiles and marble. It's also home to coffee shop Victor's and the Jasmine Lounge, where you can book in for afternoon tea and dine on delicate cakes and sandwiches while a pianist plays on the hotel's original Steinway. The Old Jazz Bar, behind a timber door with a grill, is an atmospheric space with a long timber bar, small stage, and clothed tables. Every night, anyone can sip a cocktail and listen to the band and guest singers. After our walk around the hotel and the local neighbourhood, where we spot many other deco masterpieces, Kanagaratnam leaves me to check in. I've been staying in the hotel equivalent of a musty cupboard for three nights and the cost of my one night in the cheapest available room at the Peace Hotel ($564) is almost double those three nights combined, so I'm determined to make the most of it. Tonight, I'll be sleeping in a building once graced by Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich and, more recently, Richard Nixon, Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau. They each stayed in one of the hotel's nine original Nation Suites, and it's easy to imagine them at home in these elaborately decorated, glamorous spaces. My room is merely the standard level of uber luxury – in art deco style yet thoroughly modernised with an enormous bathroom, coffee station, walk-in closet and the elegance, light and high ceilings the era was famous for.
Herald Sun
19 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Ticketing programme launched for Rugby World Cup 2027
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's time to get planning rugby fans. The 2027 Rugby World Cup is on its way Down Under and now fans can start booking everything in. The launch of the ticketing programme officially launched in Sydney on Tuesday with over 2.5 million tickets on offer to fans across the globe. It makes it the biggest and most accessible tournament in history with fans able to get their hands on tickets for just $40. Tickets are set to be released in phases starting with a presale in February 2026 for fans who register before the end of January 2026, with further tickets sold via an application phase in May 2026. For the real diehard fans who want to go a notch above, a superfan pass is up for grabs which gives the individual the ability to purchase up to four tickets per match and includes the World Cup opener and final. Chris Stanley, Managing Director of Rugby World Cup 2027 speaks during the launch. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) 'In total, over 2.5 million tickets will be made available for this expanded edition, more than any previous Men's Rugby World Cup, reflecting the ambition to deliver a tournament that is truly for everyone,' a statement read. 'Making the tournament as accessible as possible for everyone has been a key focus, with ticket prices for adults starting from just $40 for pool matches, and $65 to watch the Wallabies in their home tournament. 'Families have also been a core priority, with children's tickets starting at $20 available for all matches except the semi-finals and the final. The aim is to encourage families to enjoy world- class rugby in an unforgettable setting, creating lifelong memories. Children under two can attend RWC matches for free.' Michael Hooper speaks on stage during the Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia Ticketing Program and Hospitality Launch. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) The announcement comes on the heels of rugby booming in Australia off the back of the Wallabies taking on the British and Irish Lions tour. The Wallabies were denied an upset win in heartbreaking and controversial fashion after the visitors scored a last-gasp try to claim a thrilling 29-26 victory. Hugo Keenan went over for the Lions in the 79th minute to win it, only for Australia to desperately appeal the try, claiming Jac Morgan had made contact with the head of Carlo Tizzano at the breakdown in the lead-up. Referee Andrea Piardi, however, deemed there to be no foul play in the lead-up, much to the frustration of fans watching on. Despite the back-to-back defeats, interest in the Wallabies has risen and will only keep thriving as the World Cup draws closer. Head to and sign up before 31 January 2026 to access the presale tickets for the World Cup. Originally published as Ticketing programme launched for Rugby World Cup 2027
