The Beacon

A bad meal can kill a good deal in Melbourne. We list the 5 institutions—including Gimlet and Society—where the food credibility matches the business stakes.

In Sydney, the venue you choose says as much as the pitch itself. From Rockpool to Icebergs, here are the 5 heavy hitters for a Power Lunch in the harbour city.

From Rick Shores to The Langham, the Gold Coast has serious venues for serious business. Here is where to take your clients for a Power Lunch on the coast.

In a world of Zoom calls, the Power Lunch is back. Here are the 5 best venues in Brisbane—from Blackbird to Hellenika—where serious business gets done over serious food.

'Discount' is a dirty word at ECSC. We believe in the 'Value Add'—offering members something special like a chef's starter or room upgrade, rather than devaluing your brand with cheap deals.

We often get asked: 'Who is an ECSC member?' The answer is in the receipts. See how one couple injected $2,000 into the Brisbane hospitality economy in just 48 hours.

For years, a weekend in Byron cost the same as a week in Bali. But in 2026, we are seeing a correction in Byron Bay accommodation prices. Value is returning, and mid-week packages are looking attractive again.

You can't talk about Sydney dining without watching the big players. Rumours suggest a new consolidation in Surry Hills hospitality, with a potential precinct linking to Redfern. Expect multi-venue concepts.

The Sunshine Coast is waking up. The Avani Mooloolaba opening this April marks the first major international hotel arrival in years. Expect a rooftop pool club that rivals the Gold Coast and a new standard for Mooloolaba accommodation.

If there is one trend we are happily burying in 2026, it is the QR Code menu. Top-tier venues are bringing back leather-bound menus and waiters who know the specials. Service is the new luxury.

Burleigh Heads has had its moment. The St Regis Gold Coast is the anchor of the massive La Pelago precinct, signalling a return to luxury for Main Beach. It’s quiet, it’s expensive, and it’s exactly what the north end needed.

It has been over a year since The StandardX Melbourne opened, and Fitzroy has grown up. The hotel has shifted the center of gravity for luxury stays away from the CBD to the inner north. Here is why it remains our top pick.