New luxury lodge to elevate the Saddles experience

Multi millionaire advertising mogul John Singleton is splashing out on The Grand Saddles Lodge, which will open this spring on NSW’s Central Coast. 

The opening will marking a new chapter for Saddles Mount White.

The luxury retreat will bring together "20 private villas, exceptional dining, an elegant piano bar, a restorative day spa and bespoke local experiences". 

The work aims to transform the Saddles precinct into a complete luxury destination where guests can stay, dine and reconnect with nature.

Saddles is Just under an hour from Sydney, where bushland meets the waterways of the Hawkesbury and the Central Coast begins. 

Set opposite the The Homestead at Saddles restaurant, The Lodge aims to offer "thoughtful luxury". 

Designed by Michelle Leslie alongside White + Dickson Architects, The Lodge seeks to reflect Singleton's appreciation for hospitality and his connection to the region. 

Hidden among the trees, The Lodge's villas have been conceived as peaceful retreats. Each villa features separate living spaces, an open fireplace, private terrace and plunge pool, while a communal infinity pool and pool bar overlook the surrounding bushland.

Located within the main building at The Lodge, the restaurant will showcase the best of Australian produce, while evening activities will centre on Ned's, an intimate Art Deco-inspired piano bar. 

Beyond The Lodge, guests can wander walking trails through the surrounding bushland, visit nearby oyster farms, or explore the Hawkesbury River. 

Bookings for The Grand Saddles Lodge will open this spring.

Image: Ryan Linnegar

Hyatt brand hits Hua Hin with a hint of Sanook

I've been looking for a new Thai destination for a proposed trip later this year. Hua Hin just jumped to the top of the list.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation this week announced the opening of The Barai Hua Hin, marking the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Thailand.

Located on the historic Khao Takiap coastline in Hua Hin, a favourite seaside destination for generations of Thai royalty, the 98-room beachfront resort is designed in the spirit of Sanook (สนุก) - the Thai expression for the joy of living.

Long before the concept of the "wellness retreat" became fashionable, Hua Hin was one. 

The destination has been a seaside escape for Siamese nobility since the early 20th century. 

Drawing on this legacy, The Barai Hua Hin opened as a spa 20 years ago. It has now expanded into a boutique resort. 

“Every stay is designed to unfold at the guest's own rhythm,” says GM Marco Avitabile. 

“Our philosophy is rooted in Sanook, the belief that joy, ease and delight should be part of life’s most meaningful moments. Whether guests come for deep rest, movement, spa rituals, culinary discovery or time by the sea, we invite them to experience renewal in a way that feels personal, memorable and entirely their own.”

Guests can also explore the Kui Buri National Park, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, and Phraya Nakhon Cave in the region.

The resort has 27 suites and a pair of two-bedroom penthouses. 

Higher-category suites include butler service, terraces, in-suite rituals and daily massage inclusions. 

At the centre of the resort, The Barai Spa takes its name from ancient barays, reservoirs that once sustained daily life in the ancient empire. 

Wellness extends to the two-story Wellness Hub which includes a 24-hour fitness studio, yoga studio, holistic zone and wellness shop. 

The resort offers two dining destinations led by chef Benn Rowe, whose career spans kitchens across Australia and Thailand. 

I've made a note of this one. Small resort, wellness focus, interesting location. 

See www.thebaraihuahin.com

New Hunter Valley hotel concept unveiled

Details have been revealed about a new luxury hotel in the Hunter Valley. 

HVL Hotels has announced the launch of Laval Hunter Valley, a "landmark new luxury resort and tourism destination" scheduled to open in the second half of next year. 

The property is set across a 165-acre Estate in Pokolbin that previously housed Lindeman’s Estate and Ben Ean Estate. 

Laval will mark the Hunter Valley’s first new-build luxury resort development of this scale in more than two decades. 

The resort is set to become a major new culinary destination for the region with a dining offering led by leading chef Justin North, including signature Mediterranean restaurant Vallery, an on-site kitchen garden, Cali-Mex poolside bar La Vida, and a social lobby bar.

A drink program curated by wine expert Jon Osbeiston spans a 10,000-bottle cellar and 1,000-strong list celebrating Hunter Valley heritage along with global producers - featuring rare private collections, Coravin by-the-glass access, and an emphasis on local shiraz and semillon.

The new-build luxury resort will feature 65-pavillion-style villas surrounded by 165-acres of commercial vineyards, a Veraia Spa, and one of the world’s largest collections of Gillie & Marc artworks.

The project is expected to generate approximately $49 million per annum in economic activity and create up to 479 jobs in construction and ongoing operations, delivering lasting impact for the region.

“Laval is more than the answer to a longstanding gap in the Hunter Valley’s luxury accommodation segment," says Dominic Lambrinos, managing director of HVL Hotels. 

"It represents an ambition to do something that hasn’t been done before, on the most magical piece of land within the valley. 

"Building from the ground up, we have complete freedom to shape our vision for Laval without constraint. What we’re creating is a unique experience where intentional contrasts unfold at every turn, designed so our guests can experience the joy of feeling something new”

A private helicopter landing facility will enable fly-in, fly-out access. 

Find out more at  https://www.lavalhuntervalley.com.au/

After 130 years this bathhouse has a new look

After 130 years of welcoming guests to its mineral-rich waters, Australia’s oldest, and longest-running bathhouse this week officially reopened following a $1.7 million refurbishment.

To mark the milestone, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has unveiled a series of upgrades including five new private bathing areas.

These modern, unique bathing areas each offer a bespoke experience and were part of a wider renovation by contestants of the Daylesford-based 21st season of Channel 9's The Block.

Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa will imminently feature across several weeks of programming on the renovation series.

Guests can enjoy Private, Sanctuary and Bathhouse Mineral bathing, a new spa treatment menu, a new Apothecary experience where guests blend their own custom body scrub with natural ingredients, a choice of 23 luxe villas, and a locally inspired wellness menu at the Pavilion café as well as bushwalks around the property.

The $1.7 million renovation also included upgrades to the property’s change rooms, an entrance refresh, new tiling, lighting, fittings and fixtures, ceiling restoration, a new audio system to enhance the guest experience and a general refresh of all internal areas.



“Through this restoration, we were very careful to pay homage to the history and heritage of the property - which we know locals hold very close to their heart - whilst modernising various areas to guarantee an elevated experience for our guests," said Belgravia Leisure group chairman Geoff Lord.

“This property plays an integral role in our aim of supporting the health and wellness of communities across Victoria, and we certainly can’t wait to hear the feedback from our guests on the transformation, and of course, I’ll be tuning in to see the property and the region enjoy the national spotlight on The Block.”

See https://hepburnbathhouse.com/

Hoi An to get a new resort with a different spin

I probably get more press releases about new hotel properties in Vietnam than anywhere else in Asia. 

And many of these have recently included new hotels in the delightful city of Hoi An, which I fear may soon become a victim of over-tourism if local authorities are not careful. 

The latest newcomer will be Namia River Retreat which is set to open in Hoi An before the end of this year. 

Namia River Retreat is billed as "a quintessential Hoi An experience not to be missed" 

With a focus on cultural journeys and wellness-inclusive therapies inspired by Vietnamese herbology at the Lumina Spa, it sounds like it will offer a cerebral experience. 

Highlights will include private pool villas, hyper-local Hoi An dining experiences, and stunning pools in landscapes overlooking the Thu Bon river. I'll be staying tuned. 

Chimes rings in new spa offerings

Want to combine wine tasting with some luxury spa treatments?

After a two-year renovations program, Chimes Spa Retreat has reopened its doors in the south-west of Western Australia.

Originally built in 1995, and perched on Mount Shadfort, outside the town of Denmark, the adults-only luxury wellness escape promises to offer "a new level of rejuvenation and relaxation" for the Great Southern region, Tourism Western Australia reports.

Featuring 10 guest rooms, the resort showcases deep, freestanding circular baths.




The Day Spa at Chimes can accommodate up to five guests simultaneously, including two double treatment rooms.

Among the offerings are a traditional Finnish sauna, steam deck, Vichy shower, and a refreshing cold plunge pool.

Chimes Spa Retreat also offers a range of high tea and platter options for guests after they have indulged in the vinous delights of the Denmark wine region, where local wineries include Harewood Estate, Rockliffe, Forest Hill and Singlefile.

A two-night Stay and Day Spa Package starts from $695.

Rotorua unveils a unique indigenous wellness experience

Been to Rororua lately?

The New Zealand city has a new tourism attraction with the opening of the luxury Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa.

Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, the new facility was officially opened by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Wai Ariki combines the region’s healing geothermal waters with the centuries-old legacy of local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Whakaue culture, healing practices and manaakitanga (hospitality).

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa general manager Rania Sears says Wai Ariki is not only a unique development for Rotorua, but also reclaims New Zealand’s pre-eminent position on the global wellness stage.

Which might be just a little bit of hype.

“Wai Ariki is the living embodiment of the reason the geothermal city of Rotorua was first established," she says. "Since the 1800s, people have been visiting our city from all over the world to experience the region’s healing geothermal waters.

“We are so proud to deliver an experience that is tightly woven with who we are as Ngāti Whakaue and to be able share our uniqueness with the world in this way.”

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa has been described as the the most significant luxury spa development in New Zealand for more than 100 years and is also one of only a handful of indigenous-owned operations in the world.

Elements of te ao Māori are infused throughout the development, including through the physical design of the building, its spa and wellness experiences.

“Every element is founded on Ngāti Whakaue principles, practices and stories, reflecting the whakapapa (kinship) we have with the natural environment, from the heavens, to the water and the earth," Sears says.

“These have come to define us through time. In particular, the hot and cold experiences – while delivering therapeutic benefits – draw on the story of our ancestor, Ngātoroirangi, who called on life-saving geothermal heat when he was close to perishing on the cold and ice of Mount Tongariro.”

The site - managed by Belgravia Leisure - has two main spa areas: Wai Whakaora (restorative journey) and Te Ahuru Mōwai|the Sanctuary - a premium space for bathing and spa treatments. There is also a café and gift shop.

See https://www.wai-ariki.co.nz/

Six Senses reveals plans for first Australian resort

Leading international hospitality group Six Senses will open its first Australian property at Burnham Beeches, a heritage mansion and 22-hectare estate in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne.

Designed by architect Harry Norris in 1933 for the Nicholas “Aspro” family, the property is located 40 kilometers from Melbourne. The mansion is one of the finest examples of domestic Art Deco in Australia.

Burnham Beeches has been on the Victorian Heritage Register for over three decades and adjacent Alfred Nicolas Memorial Gardens are managed by Parks Victoria.

With an initial 43 guest accommodations and hospitality venues, the facility will include a restaurant with outdoor seating, a library bar, and a rooftop retreat.

The guest rooms will be spread over the mansion’s three main wings with the aim of creating a "decadent retreat" with quirky touches.

The vibe will be "rustic luxe" and there will also be a separate two-bedroom cottage with interconnecting one-bedroom suite within the site’s Hilltop Retreat.

Subject to planning applications, the masterplan will incorporate a premium glamping offer.

The Six Senses Spa will be on the lower ground level of the mansion with a tea lounge, treatment rooms, gym, hydro area and sauna, and relaxation spaces.

“For Six Senses Burnham Beeches to be regenerative, it will not be a static place,” says Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs.

“We’ll evolve and respond to bring the rich heritage of Burnham Beeches to life, inviting moments of exploration, discovery, connection to nature, and delight through interactive gastronomy, wellness, and sustainability experiences.”

Trenerry Consortium announced its acquisition of Burnham Beeches in early 2021.

Subject to receiving the support of all stakeholders, Six Senses Burnham Beeches is slated to open in mid-2025.

A bath and a half for everyone

The quirky and eclectic village of Daylesford is known for farmgate trails, wellness warriors and holidaymakers looking to escape the big city for the perks and privacy of the countryside.

Daylesford and neighbouring Hepburn Springs are also well known for their hot springs and spas.

In the midst of the madness that was 2021, two of Australia’s most highly awarded accommodation operators embarked on a journey to build Australia’s best outdoor baths in Daylesford.

David and Mani  Penman are the operators of Clifftop at Hepburn and Samurai Villas, which featured here a few days ago. 

“We learned early on that its all about the bath," says David Penman.

"Bathing isn’t just about intimacy and comfort…there are real health benefits too. Immersive bathing increases body temperature and enhances the flow of oxygen.”

Clifftop at Hepburn offers a decadent choice of indoor and outdoor baths, from stone to blackwood, bronze, copper and stunning terrazzo marble. 

Clifftop’s new Samurai Villas boast a 2.6-tonne outdoor stone behemoth carved from a massive boulder (set in one of the state’s best Japanese gardens) and the new Precarious villa will showcase a camphor laurel wooden bath with fibre-optic lighting inlaid in resin (below) – the only bath of its type in the world.

 

And the Penmans are not resting on their laurels. There’s plans in hand for one-of-a-kind outdoor baths built on gigantic ethically-sourced logs weighting up to 20 tonnes each…and there is also talk of a treehouse with a bath!

For details and bookings see www.clifftopathepburn.com.au/