Welcome to The Detour: Your food and travel guide to the best flavours, hidden haunts, insider tips and unforgettable new experiences that reward those who wander off course.

The Melbourne getaway we've been waiting for 

It's expensive out there.

So when I stumble upon a stay that oozes luxury, feels like a little treat and offers top-notch service for a very reasonable price, you better believe I'm telling everybody I know about it. 

Enter the 4-star Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street, a newly launched CBD stay that gets fundamentals exactly right - and does so more convincingly than many hotels charging twice the price. All for (from) $160 a night.

Its location is hard to fault, the styling is slick, the team is genuinely enthusiastic and the beds are stupidly comfy. It's the kind of place Aussies have been hoping for in Melbourne, especially those on a quick hop for work, weddings or weekends. 

The unassuming hotel is so new many locals are yet to discover it, though it's actually the largest purpose-built hotel to debut in the CBD this year following a $90 million investment. 

It's also a former tinsmith factory, which explains the subtle industrial detailing woven throughout the calm, contemporary aesthetic. 

Just steps from Flagstaff Gardens and within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Marvel Stadium and Queen Victoria Market, I enjoyed every second of my time at this effortlessly cool 18-storey newcomer. 

The rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows, well-stocked bathrooms and that unmistakable 'just opened' freshness without sacrificing the cosiness we all crave during Melbourne's chilly winters. 

The hotel's crown jewel, Suite 1603, features a two-person freestanding bathtub set against a window overlooking the skyline - a luxury touch you'd expect from a far more expensive address. 

'We're in a unique pocket of the city and are fortunate to have great separation between ourselves and other tall buildings on all sides,' General Manager Justin Phillips said. 

'So no matter where you stay in the hotel, you've got great views.'

Those planning a staycation can elevate their trip with a gin masterclass at Little Lon Distilling Co, a rooftop movie night at Brewmanity Beer Co or dinner aboard The Q Train, where refurbished dining carriages travel to Queenscliff and back. 

Mercure's dining and bar offerings are also a standout, with warm, entertaining staff welcoming guests like old mates without overstepping. 

On level six, the lift doors open to Foundry, fitted with bronze mirrors and reeded glass and welcoming both hotel guests and locals. 

The restaurant's open kitchen is anchored by a three-metre marble island, where hidden induction plates allow food to be heated directly on the stone surface, while the bar spills onto an outdoor terrace - one of only a handful in the area. 

By golden hour it's Melbourne's best-kept secret. 

The menu packs a punch, too. 

The bar menu is fresh and vibrant, designed for sharing, with dishes including prawn ceviche, triple-cheese croquettes with pimentón and aioli (adored these), and rare beef tataki with daikon and ponzu. 

In the restaurant, you can't go past the Humpty Doo barramundi and impossibly fluffy gnocchi. I was prepping for my wedding when I visited and even I couldn't resist the latter. 

If you're after a classic Melbourne experience with a little luxury and plenty of personality, put this one on your list. 

Few hotels offer this much value without sacrificing the details that matter. 

A sky-high 'must-visit' in Sydney 

For those looking for a more indulgent escape, the iconic Shangri-La Sydney recently surpassed every one of my expectations. 

Having lived in Sydney my entire life, few things delight me more than discovering there's still plenty left to surprise me. Especially when I realise I've been walking past a masterpiece in hospitality for more than a decade. 

The service and attention to detail here are incredibly hard to find in 2026. It's exceptional. 

Those checking in for a staycation will feel worlds away the moment they arrive and leave feeling refreshed and restored.

The rooms boast arguably the best harbour views in Sydney and, as a long-serving staff member told me: 'While you may get used to it, you never get sick of it.' 

The true drawcards, however, are Altitude Restaurant and Blu Bar on 36, both offering uninterrupted views across the Harbour City and beyond. 

And while Altitude isn't a budget-friendly option, I was pleasantly surprised by the value compared to many of Sydney's fine-dining alternatives. The generous and unforgettable Chef's Signature Menu spans five courses and costs $180 a head. 

For anniversaries, milestone birthdays or simply a memorable night out, it's one of the strongest special-occasion bookings in the city. 

Standouts for me? The Yamba prawn and spanner crab trottole, Australian pan-fried pink snapper with Champagne cream and the Aussie Wagyu with sautéed cabbage and charred leek powder. 

The dessert shot straight into my all-time top five: a limoncello meringue pie with lemon yuzu curd, mascarpone and honey sourced from the hotel's rooftop beehives. 

Whether you choose to extend the magic with a stay or not, a visit to these venues is something everyone should experience at least once. 

I can't believe I hadn't visited sooner - and I'll certainly be back. 

Pasta Shop: The Sydney hole-in-the wall worth your attention 

Those who stumble upon Pasta Shop are in for a great time.

Unpretentious and tucked away from the main road in Potts Point, this smart little newcomer is the brainchild of dining doyenne Paola Toppi. 

In a departure from her previous venues, Sydney institution Machiavelli and Bar M, the 35-seat Pasta Shop takes a far more relaxed approach to dining - and it's exactly what Sydney needs. 

Oh, and every item on the menu is under $30, including the iconic spaghetti Machiavelli and fusilli crab. 

Having transformed the former Sonora Mexican site, the casual space was born from Toppi's desire to make pasta more accessible. 

'People are doing it tough,' she says. 

'Pasta is for everyone, it was never meant to be exclusive. In Italy, it's a staple that people of all walks of life can afford to eat every day.'

A wall emblazoned with the words Pasta Always Forever greets diners on arrival, while walnut timber tables paired with terracotta directors' chairs have replaced the traditional white tablecloths. 

Perfect for a cosy winter date night or after-work wind-down, the restaurant offers 11 artisanal pastas, including the 40-year-old spaghetti Machiavelli, spicy rigatoni alla vodka, gnocchi gorgonzola and a classic lasagne. 

'It's decades of pasta knowledge, made accessible,' Toppi said.

'We're still using the premium ingredients we've always been known for, but by creating a more relaxed dining experience, people are able to enjoy them for less.'

In even better news, everything on the menu can also be delivered across Sydney's eastern suburbs. 

And it's not your standard takeaway. Toppi spent two years developing a custom-designed bowl that prevents pasta from overcooking in transit. 

Alongside the pasta offering, the menu features homemade polpette con sugo, a selection of salads, house-made focaccia and classic desserts including tiramisu and cannoli. 

The drinks list is short, with a rotating selection of Italian wines, ready-to-pour Maybe Sammy negronis and margaritas, Sardinian beer and traditional Italian soft drinks. BYO is also available. 

Our absolute favourites? The chilled red wine paired with the burrata and lasagne. 

And whatever you do, leave room for the tiramisu. It's exceptional and generously sized enough to share. 

Buon appetito!