As 2018 draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on all the incredible boutique hotels, holiday houses and unique escapes that have wowed us this year!
The annual alluxia awards celebrate the best of the best in each of our getaway inspiration collections. We hope you'll discover something new, or rediscover an old favourite and above all be inspired to travel in 2019.
Congratulations to the alluxia award winners:
Best Regional Getaway:
Winner: Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula
What could be finer that escaping to the Mornington Peninsula for a wine weekend at Victoria's most unique boutique hotel, Jackalope. More than just luxury accommodation, Jackalope is also a dining destination with hatted restaurant Doot Doot Doot, vineyard and more. Essentially, Jackalope is the whole package – your total weekend escape plan.
Runner Up: Heart Hotel & Gallery Whitsundays, Airlie Beach
Browse our handpicked collection of rural retreats and plan your regional getaway.
Best City Break:
Winner: Ovolo Inchcolm Brisbane
We've long been a lover of Inchcolm, but with the relaunch and rebrand earlier this year to Ovolo, there's even more reason to check out this boutique hotel for your next Brisbane city break. Read Saskia's staycation review here.
Runner Up: Ovolo Nishi, Canberra
Browse our handpicked collection of city breaks
Best Coastal Cool Getaway:
Winner: Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
The award winning Elements of Byron just keeps getting bigger and better with the opening of more luxurious villas and an adults only pool over the past 12 months. The new adults only pool is a playground for adults with swim up tequila bar and chilled vibes for a weekend of relaxation and indulgence. You won't want to leave.
Runner Up: The Anchorage Port Stephens
Browse our collection of coastal getaways and make your escape to luxury.
Best Winter Getaway:
Winner: Bendooley Estate, Southern Highlands
It's hard to go past the new Bendooley Estate villas for the ultimate in style and sophistication for your winter getaway. The estate includes onsite restaurant, famous Berkelouw Book Barn, plus winery and cellar door – it's heaven for book lovers!
Runner Up: Mt Hay Retreat, South Coast
Browse our collection of winter getaways
Best Romantic Getaway:
Winner: Pumphouse Point, Tasmania
Pumphouse Point is one of Australia's most unique getaways. Located on Lake St Clair choose from the overwater pumphouse or serene shorehouse for the ultimate wilderness retreat. Choose a romantic night in and graze from the extensive in-room larder packed with a tempting range of local cheeses, cured meats, wine and more.
Runner Up: Villa Toraja, Byron Bay
Browse our full collection of romantic getaways and escape to luxury
Best Group Getaway:
Winner: Soul of Gerringong, South Coast
Gather your tribe and head to Soul of Gerringong. Located in the idyllic South Coast coastal village of Gerringong, the laid-back but stylish digs will refresh and recharge the busiest of city slickers. Combining The Farm House, Barn and Cabana allows you to entertain a large group in style, whether for a girls' getaway or corporate retreat.
Runner Up: Ayindi, Byron Bay
Browse our full collection of girls' getaways and group getaways and gather your friends!
Best Gourmet Getaway:
Winner: Spicers Tamarind, Sunshine Coast
The hatted Asian-influenced restaurant at Spicers Tamarind is central to the retreat, surrounded by natural beauty and tranquillity in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Relax in Spa Anise, learn new skills at the Tamarind Cooking School or explore charming nearby towns of Maleny and Montville. Alluxia found it the perfect location for our corporate retreat this year and we think you'll love it too.
Runner Up: Thorn Park by the Vines, Clare Valley
Browse our collection of gourmet getaways and salivate.
Best Wine Weekend
Winner: Abode Murrumbateman, Canberra region
The opening of Abode's new boutique hotel in Murrumbateman is a real game changer for the Canberra wine region. No longer just a day trip from Canberra city, you can now enjoy a wine weekend in modern surrounds amongst Canberra's finest cellar doors.
Runner Up: The Cellars at Heathcote II, Heathcote Wine Region
Browse our collection of holiday houses and hotels that are perfect for a wine weekend.
Best Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Winner: Hamptons Hinterland Retreat, Gold Coast Hinterland
If you're planning a family getaway you'll want to bring the four-legged member of the family too right? Enjoy a group getaway at this impressive 5-bedroom pet-friendly holiday house, complete with resort-style pool and large gourmet kitchen, perfect for entertaining.
Runner Up: Alure Stanthorpe, Granite Belt
View our handpicked collection of Pet Friendly Accommodation
Best Family Fun:
Winner: Ruby Collection, Gold Coast
The Gold Coast's newest resort has kids needs as the priority with kids club, kids waterpark, fun mascots and kids rooms in the three-bedroom sky suites even feature bunk beds and tee pees.
Runner Up: Rumba Resort, Sunshine Coast
Browse our family friendly accommodation and book well in advance to secure school holiday accommodation -
Best Spa Getaway:
Winner: Alamanda Palm Cove
Boasting absolute beachfront location at Palm Cove, Alamanda is the ultimate spa getaway destination. Relax in the day spa with the sound of the lapping waves just metres away and then retreat to the private rooftop plunge pool for a totally blissful experience.
Runner Up: Saltus Luxury Accommodation, Daylesford
Browse our collection of spa getaways and be pampered.
Best Luxe for Less Escape:
Winner: The Island Gold Coast
Need a place to crash on the Gold Coast? The Island is super central in Surfers Paradise, has had an epic makeover and killer rooftop bar with plenty of dining hot spots onsite and nearby.
Runners Up: Felix Hotel, Sydney
Browse our luxe for less collection and save.
Best Newcomer:
Winner: Little Albion, Sydney
Fall in love with this boutique guesthouse that feels more like a European Pensione than hotel, tucked away in cosmopolitan Surry Hills. Rooms and suites are exquisite and individually designed with a mix of 20's and 70's style and includes lots of thoughtful extras.
Runner Up: The Calile Hotel, Brisbane
