Dining centres on a 70-seat Wild at Byron restaurant while an hour or two in the day spa is almost mandatory. It has five treatment rooms, Vichy shower and plenty of relaxing music. The resort is only a five-minute drive from Byron Bay's shops, restaurants and bars, yet the feel is that of a retreat on its own – with worldly touches of sophistication. For accommodation deals, check out the website or telephone the resort.

Where: 77-97 Broken Head Rd, Suffolk Park via Byron Bay.

Contact: 1300 554 362, www.thebyronatbyron.com.au

Darwin: Feathers Sanctuary
Venture from your villa at Feathers Sanctuary and you will be greeted by a flock of brolgas. Four of them call the property home in the suburb of Jingili, along with three jabirus, rufous owls, squirrel and sugar gliders, a flock of bustards and various other birds. They are the charges of Peter McGrath, a property developer and naturalist who, with wife Suzanne, has turned his residential property into a live-in aviary, complete with billabong. Guests who have included everyone from Amanda Vanstone to members of the Australian Ballet – stay in four detached villas, each with stylish outdoor bathroom and aviary attached. Just make sure you close the curtains before you turn on the light at night. Feathered residents don't like being woken up.

Where: Freshwater Rd, Jingili, Darwin.

Contact: (08) 8985 2144, www.featherssanctuary.com

Cost: Rooms from $275 April-October, and $200 November-March.

Hobart: Henry Jones Art Hotel

Like what you see on the wall of your room at Hobart's Henry Jones Art Hotel? Then buy it for your home. What was once a row of run-down warehouses, and before that the headquarters of the Henry Jones IXL jam-making empire, is now the toast of Hobart's trendy harbour area. And it treats its walls as commercial art space, featuring the cream of Tasmanian art. The hotel is privately owned by Tasmanians Richard Crawford and Flora DeKantzow. Stone walls and exposed timber beams feature heavily in the decor, which strikes a balance between warm and rustic and modern. The furniture is built from Tasmanian wood by local furniture designers. Even if you are not staying, the IXL Long Bar is an impressive place for a drink. There's also a restaurant and shops.

Where: 25 Hunter St, Hobart.

Contact: (03) 6210 7700; www.thehenryjones.com

Cost: Rooms from $260 per night, without breakfast.

Melbourne: The Lyall Hotel and Spa

Tucked away on a residential street behind one of Melbourne's most fashionable shopping strips, The Lyall is a place for sophisticated souls who like to do, rather than see a city. It's a perfect base for shopping and dining and its own understated yet luxurious interior epitomises Melbourne style. Part of the charm is due to the fact The Lyall is also the only privately owned and operated five-star hotel in Melbourne. It offers intimacy and personal service as well as the facilities you expect from a big city chain. Owners Rowina and Peter Thomas took inspiration from hotels in Europe, Britain and the US for atmosphere and clever little touches. Decor is modern with a touch of the oriental. Rooms are light and bright with neutral tones and range from one-bedroom suites to the very smart Platinum Suite. Then there's the excellently appointed day spa, the top-of-the-line gym equipment and the breakfast area which becomes a champagne bar at night.

Where: 14 Murphy St, South Yarra.

Contact: (03) 9868 8222, www.thelyall.com

Cost: Packages for one-bedroom suites start from $290 per night.

Adelaide: Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury

The beautifully restored Treasury building is a favourite among Adelaide's suit set, especially around knock-off time on a Friday night, when the plush bar and adjoining courtyard is packed with bankers, lawyers, politicians and journalists. On a warm day, catch some sun and share an antipasto plate and a glass of local wine by the fountain in the courtyard. At night retreat to the fine-dining New York-style restaurant. The accommodation is modern and minimalistic. Studio, one- and two-bedroom serviced apartments are available, but if you don't want to cook the hotel is within walking distance of some of Adelaide's top eating and entertainment strips including Gouger St for Asian cuisine and Rundle St.

Where: Cnr King William and Flinders streets, Adelaide.

Contact: (08) 8112 0000, www.medinaapartments.com.au

Cost: Rooms from $280 for a studio room, valid until December 31.

Gold Coast: Palazzo Versace

Considered over-the-top, pretentious and too expensive by some local commentators when it opened in 2000, Palazzo soon saw off the critics to establish its credentials as the ultimate in opulence, luxury and service. That means Italian marble on the floor, hand-detailing in gold on the ceilings and Gianni Versace fashion portraits on the walls. Not to mention Versace cutlery and crockery, five different pillow types, an award-winning spa (Salus Per Aquum), staff who remember your name before they've met you and a free Audi convertible for special guests to run around in. These have included, in the past year or two, Rod Stewart, Pink, U2, Kate Hudson, Rachel Hunter, Hugh Jackman and too many other celebrities – many of them staying incognito – to name here. Unique.

Where: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Gold Coast.

Contact: 1800 098 000, www.palazzoversace.com

Cost: Rates from $410 per room (minimum two nights), including buffet breakfast for two.

Port Douglas: Sea Temple Resort and Spa

Port Douglas needed a resort like this a temple of self-indulgence, if you like, set on 4.4ha of tropical beachfront at the southern end of Four Mile Beach. That's a hike into town, but once you settle into your studio or apartment, or penthouse, you might not want to leave. If you do, there's a shuttle bus. This resort might be described as the ultimate in modern chic, with an open-air foyer adjacent to a massive pool and rooms from which you can walk straight into the water. Gourmet kitchens, spas and hot tubs, a day spa and a fine restaurant are among the attractions. Port Douglas is on the favourites list of many celebrities, including former US president Bill Clinton.

Where: Mitre St, Port Douglas.

Contact: 800 833 762, www.seatemple.com.au

Cost: Rates from $333 per studio room per night (low season), or from $390 per night (high season), based on a three-night stay and including buffet breakfast for two. Other packages available.

Orange: Black Sheep Inn

Located at a homestead known as Bed of Roses, a three-hour drive west of Sydney, the Black Sheep Inn has a rustic charm. Each of the five guest rooms has been decorated and furnished with private en suites, the central dining room catering for double the number of guests.

Where: Kyalla Park Homestead, Forbes Rd, Orange, NSW.

Contact: (02) 6362 6946, www.babs.com.au/bedofroses

Cost: Midweek from $195 per couple, including gourmet breakfast, $225 weekends, minimum two nights.

Sydney: Shangri-La

If you think Sydney's seagulls have it good along the harbour foreshore, try taking the elevator to the 36th floor of the Shangri-La. The best seat in the house is in the Blu Horizon Bar and as if to keep up with its spectacular view, the hotel has been enhanced by a $40 million refurbishment, including the dramatic transformation of Altitude Restaurant, also on the top floor. Minutes later, the neon lights of the skyscrapers take over, lighting up the waters of Circular Quay like a Christmas tree. The guest rooms and suites, in particular the 111 on the Horizon Club levels between levels 30 and 35, have been refurbished with wide-screen LCD televisions, DVD players and broadband internet access.

Where: 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks.

Contact: (02) 9250 6000, www.shangri-la.com

Cost: Packages from $498 per room per night, including breakfast for two at Cafe Mix, $150 food and beverage credit, bottle of champagne, early check-in and late check-out.