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Autumn Mooney is a photographer/photo editor & travel writer based in Sydney, Australia. Having worked in glossy magazines in Sydney, London, Dubai and Singapore, the charm of wanderlust continues with reviewsinternational.com
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See her photographic blog & website: hotelphotographer.org
Located in Marina Mirage on Australia's famed Gold Coast, the world's first luxe designer hotel from fashion label Versace is the five-star award winning Palazzo Versace Hotel. Entering the hotel foyer, weekend high-tea diners are seated under giant chandeliers, sipping tea from signature Versace print teacups. This is indeed a fancy affair..
Glancing around the hotel it is impossible not to recognize Versace's signature design everywhere, right down to the smallest of details. Some people call this trademark décor over the top or tacky, some call it sublime high fashion. Either way, the fine decor unmistakably a Versace hotel and I feel at the height of fashion simply standing in the foyer.
Surrounded by a renaissance splendour of Italian classical design and architecture, the avant guarde hotel prides itself on extravagance and over-the-top attention to detail. Marble floors have been imported from Benedictine monks in Italy, all china and cutlery imported from Europe for example a chandelier from Milan's state library hangs over the very opulent foyer. The hotel also boasts the second largest pebble mosaic in the world, which definitely makes for an impressive driveway.
Guests can expect rooms to be adorned with Donatella Versace's signature furniture and accessories. Fashion photographs decorating the walls are a who's-who of the fashion world. And as for the bathroom, treats are first class including complementary cosmetics and perfumes, slippers and then for sleeping there's a pillow menu for guests to choose from. How luxurious!
Around the outdoor lagoon pool, a ‘water salon' has been created where custom made Versace cabanas and daybeds are adorned with Versace cushions and guests can relax and sip French champagne in the privacy of their own cabana.
With a luxurious spa, mouthwatering restaurant and a white sandy beach imported from nearby Surfers Paradise, a stay at the Versace Palazzo is as good as it gets in luxury on Australia's Gold Coast.
The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat is a winter warming paradise in Australia’s Blue Mountains. The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat in the Blue Mountains is a wonderfully heart-warming city break during Sydney's cold winter months.
Although a wonderful site in it's own right, the monotony of Sydney's grey buildings against dull winter skies can motivate you to head off for a weekend - perhaps into the picturesque Australian country-side; such as a quick two-hour drive to The Blue Mountains where The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat is located.
Relax in the scenic landscape of Australian gum-trees, mountains and valleys, fresh crisp air, and chill-axed arty people. Yes - this is the home of many creative folk - musicians and craftsman, woodcarvers, candle-makers and bakers, who show off their wares in shops and markets dotted in towns around the mountainsides. Australian painter, Norman Lindsay, made the area famous when he based his studio and home in The Blue Mountains - watch the DVD called Sirens starring a young Hugh Grant, Elle Macpherson & Portia Di Rossi for an insight into the local artists inspirations.
The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat
The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat embraces the surrounding countryside into the Hotel's décor and lifestyle. Reminiscent of an English cliff-side manor, the hotel is situated at the peak of a mountain. Gorgeous floral drapes frame enormous windows with views of an entire town and valley; where the three-sisters rock formation live. In what seems like two seconds, you can drive to the Three Sisters rock formation, which should really be classified as the eighth wonder of the world!
Although I was slightly distracted during my visit (by the cold weather and the melting hot chocolate in a nearby chocolate gallery), I was still struck by the amazing natural beauty of the area. I arrived to low clouds floating just above a green tree-lined valley with the three rocks (sisters molded in time, according to indigenous stories) rising stoically above. When the fluffy white clouds beckoned me I strolled to a viewing platform and watched them swirling below.
It is this breathtaking view you'll see in the distance whilst enjoying breakfast at The Mountain Heritage Hotel. The health conscious can sip a detoxing herbal tea and feast on satisfying Bircher muesli, while guests who prefer a traditional brekkie can stick with a full continental buffet breakfast with coffee, juices, bacon, eggs and mushrooms galore. Relax and read your newspaper with fellow guests or head to the country-themed sitting rooms, with open-log fire and winter Christmas decorations for Christmas in July.
Hotel décor is country style. Flora and fauna paintings adorn walls, floral drapes frame frosty windows, and low-lit lamps create a calming ambience. Spacious rooms exude a homely feel with open fireplace and luxe lounge sofa, and also comprise reverse air-conditioning, full-length mirror and flatscreen TV with DVD. The bathroom is conveniently stocked and features a deluxe spa bath.
Yulefest
The Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat is credited with bringing Yulefest, a traditional celebration of Christmas in July to Australia, so you could rightly expect a song and dance about this! Well, a few songs at least, for the hotel boasts a feast and carols, with visit from a present-laden Santa as part of the Yulefest Celebrations and Dinner Experience. A delicious five course meal including turkey and trimmings, mulled wine and bon-bons, piano serenade, cabaret show and glass of good dessert port is why guests keep returning.
Spa Sublime
On the grounds to the hotel, but a separate entity, Spa Sublime offers massage, facial and hot-stone therapy to complete your rejuvenating weekend. Working with Australian Indigenous products to complement your surroundings and create heaven-in-a-room for your spa treatment, Spa Sublime is only 90 minutes away to total serenity. Try the calming hot-stone massage, where a trained masseuse utilizes the temperatures of warm stones smoothed over your aching muscles. Great if you've spent the day bush trekking!
Nearby
Nearby cafés and eateries are a-plenty. Visit The Common Ground Café for a unique and healthy dining experience. The Common Ground is a community project, co-op style eatery, serving healthy organic and gluten free foods. The interior is just like a giant tree house - this craftsmanship is not to be missed!
Services swimming pool, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, air-conditioning
Gibraltar Country Club Hotel and Spa in Australia's Southern Highlandsis a stylishly modern Sydney city escape, set amongst rolling greenery, sunlit lakes and lush pines. Of (golf) course - It also happens to be a golfers paradise!
Gibraltar Country Club Hotel & Spa is located in Bowral - an antique town, filled with arty people and scenic views. Annual flower shows bring yearly visitors to what is considered one of the prettiest café and garden communities in Australia. Gibraltar Country Club Hotel & Spa, easy to find, is enormous on sight. Perched majestically on a beautiful golf field, it's easy to see why not only golfers are attracted to weekends away here.
Quite modernly styled, Gibraltar Country Club Hotel & Spa has only recently opened - meaning everything in the vicinity is new and shiny. Friendly staff greet you at reception with a guided tour of the grounds. Adorning the walls is a collection of mostly Australian themed etchings, paintings and drawings - hand selected by the hotel owner. An owner, who clearly has design taste, for he played a large role in the entire hotel décor. Simple stylish elegance and comfort are designed into your stay. Spacious rooms face directly out to the golf course landscape, with artwork, heavenly bed, large deluxe spa bath, flat screen TV and all the typical modern trimmings highlighting your happiness.
Restaurant and bar
In-room dining is available, or dine at the Gibraltar Grill, where a perfectly cooked succulent steak awaits - if you choose, from the grill. Meet the locals at Harvey's Bar on weekends.
The Gym
New equipment is decked out in the gym, including exercise bike, treadmill and weights. Rolled towels and reclining lounge give that added hotel glamour, and an indoor heated pool is perfect if you've spent the day on the course. What a great way to unwind!
Weddings & Business trips
Enormously high ceilinged conference rooms are available for functions and weddings, if your trip is for this reason - you are in for a treat. All function rooms look out over the magnificent golfing grounds. Sip your tea, and watch the sun catch light from the duck's favorite lake, while your meetings are underway.
Day Spa
The hotel spa is appropriately named The Bowral Day Spa. Appropriate that is, because you will want to spend all day here. Walking into a low-lit lounge to fill in your information-form and sip detoxing tea, your therapist soon escorts you to a personal room for changing. It's the little details like a soft lux dressing gown and slippers which make such a difference! Treatments compliment natural surroundings by embracing ancient indigenous techniques and products, as inspired in the Australian LI'TYA range. LI'TYA uses mud powders, local infused oils like lemon myrtle or bush rose. Serenading your senses are ancient indigenous chants set to modern beats and piano sounds. At your choice, treatment will begin with a welcoming smoking ceremony from Australian bush barks. I tried the hot stone massage on my visit. Stones from the west of Australia's land have been hand crafted, and are heated to 38 degrees before the therapists glides them over my body, kneading away any tension and inducing a relaxed state of mind. Pure Bliss!
Nearby
Vineyards
The Southern Highlands region, being one of Australia's most picturesque tourist destinations, wouldn't be complete without quintessential romantic vineyards scattered throughout. I visited the Centennial Vineyards for a spot of wine tasting, with afternoon lunch at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant. A dessert wine aptly named 2009 Autumn Late Harvest Chardonnay, (which yes, I selected because of my namesake!) won numerous awards and accidently found itself purchased by me for later consumption! Well, who could resist sweet wine offering a beautifully balanced palette of white peach, nectarine, and subtle caramel/vanilla aromas!
The Centennial Vineyards Restaurant offers European barn style elegance; with high beams, antique farming equipment and wagon wheel props embedded in the decor to create an amazingly charismatic ambience. Dine on fine delicacies, I recommend The signature Highland tasting platter, as you glance out a window showing baby lambs and sheep roaming sunlit vineyards.
Illawarra Flyover
Imagine walking through the tallest of age-old trees at extraordinary heights!The Illawarra Flyover is a 45-minute walking track raised up in the air, set inside a beautiful tropical rainforest stretch. First take a peaceful stroll through the flora and fauna at land height, soaking in nature. Then embrace your innerCrouching Tiger Hidden Dragon for the ascent into the air. If you love views, climb the central tower to experience a magnificent sight of rolling green hills and leafy green forest, which stretches out to the distant ocean. Not for those who experience vertigo, as sometimes the footpath moves with the breeze...however all the more fun for the slight thrill-seekers among us!
Getting there:
The Southern Highlands are an easy hour and a half away from Sydney city; unless you're travelling at peak ‘weekend escape time' being 6pm Friday night, in which case definitely include traffic time in your itinerary. Or opt for the easy 2-hour train rides which stops in the heart of Bowral town.
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, room service, business services, internet access, golf course, tennis courts, air-conditioning
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The Marriott hotel’s Lattouf hair and day spa, on Australia’s sparklingGold Coast in Queensland, combines an intoxicating infusion of the senses in order to create a perfect signature candle therapy massage. The Marriott hotel’s Lattouf hair and day spa is where amazing aromas, serene sounds and magical massage become like art.
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Marriott hotel sits on a glistening canal. If you arrive early, you might perch on a comfortable outdoor sofa to enjoy a moment of recreated tropical paradise within a city of sun. Or perhaps, seat yourself inside and soak in the elegance with air-chilled interiors. Lattouf Spa is located on the level 1, accessed only by lift, along with a state of the art gymnasium. The spa offers an abundance of hair indulgences and relaxing spa treatments, plus Jacuzzi, steam-room and sauna within a lovely five-star setting.
Antique wooden doors and burning candles frame Lattouf’s spa entrance, to immediately induce in guests a sublime relaxation state within the beauty den. On arrival, friendly staff will seat you, offer a soothing tea such as peppermint and liquorice, take your details, and escort you to a candle filled oasis treatment room - or into the modern hair salon, depending on the booking.
I enjoyed a Lattouf signature treatment; the pure Lattouf candle massage for intense hydration. A melon and fig infused candle was melted into oil, then expertly massaged and absorbed into my skin. While the candle aroma lingered, meditative soft tunes played on in background. Candle therapy works well for unwinding, with gliding elbows and kneeding hands on pressure points all the more smooth and sensual. Guests choose the candle scent to be burnt during massage. On offer are Lattouf exclusive aroma’s such as vanilla cinnamon and clove, or lemon and green tea, or Patchouli, aniseed, with ylang ylang – sounds like a hard decision? It is.
I recommend The Marriott Hotel Lattouf Hair & Spa to anyone seeking a spa which sparkles - a purely relaxing and indulgent day on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Contact tel: 1300 36 3737
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, near beach, parking, hotel restaurant, concierge, air-conditioning
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