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In the beautiful hinterland haven of Montville, tucked in behind the Sunshine Coast, sits a unique holiday house for you to call home. Considering it costs just a bit more than a cabin or hotel room in the area, there’s no need to forgo the creature comforts of real accommodation and the space that only a house can provide. Perfect for a family with kids, Seadrift Holiday House has wondrous views stretching all the way to the Sunshine Coast’s white, sandy beaches – with a great deck to kick back, relax, and soak it all up from.
Just a few minutes from the centre of Montville’s arty existence, and the great restaurants and local shops, this spacious house is spread out over two levels with lots of connecting rooms and spaces.
Seadrift – upstairs
The very spacious master bedroom has a queen bed, spa bath and pot-belly fireplace, as well as uninterrupted views all the way to the sea through floor-to-ceiling glass. The second bedroom is standard size with a double bed, and leads onto a third bedroom with two bunk beds for the kids. The separate upstairs bathroom also features a spa bath, and there’sa laundry with washing machine and dryer facilities.
Seadrift – downstairs
A spacious lounge downstairs boasts an open fireplace, perfect for the winter, and air-conditioning for the summer. Comfortably seating eight people, there’s also a TV and DVD player. Both the lounge and the adjacent dining room lead onto a large, partially-covered verandah looking out over the hinterlands and to the Sunshine Coast – a perfect spot to sit at the end of each day with a glass of wine. There’s also a BBQ and sun-bed, and two outdoor settings to enjoy. Also downstairs is a bathroom with toilet and shower, and a large open-plan kitchen equipped with cutlery, cooking utensils, dinnerware and a few basics. An extra bed is hidden beneath the stairs.
Local grooves
Montville is full of character for a small village-like town – or ‘area’ more like it – in the hilly hinterlands perched on the Blackall Range. Bursting with galleries, arts and crafts, boutiques, gift shops and cafes, life operates at a lovely, leisurely pace here. Montville is also close to the Kondalilla National Park, which boasts scenic walks and waterfalls, perfect for escaping into nature and possibly even a picnics and a freshwater swim. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk also passes through nearby for the keen walkers.
Balmoral Street , Montville , Australia
Contact tel: +61 (0)7 5478 5478 OR +61 (0)438 785 478, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The Beach Suites is a very beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of the famous holiday destination of Byron Bay, built to cater for people who can afford the best when staying in beautiful Byron. With absolute beach front that's a good start.
This high quality block of private apartments are owned by a celebrity and designed to cater for celebritys with a sense of prestige and privacy to go with it. In fact, they bill the Beach Suites as: "Byron Bay's most private beachfront luxury accommodation. The best of Byron with light filled and spacious rooms, quality furniture and fittings.
Two and three bedroom penthouse apartments with their own rooftop pool, Studio style rooms in a garden setting or Beachfront studios with their own private plunge pool and private front gates for direct beach access." This truly is stunning accommodation with great uninterrupted views to that famous beach across the road. The Apartment we stayed in was absolutely spot on clean and well maintained to perfection. Below is a shot taken from entrance to one of the ground floor garden apartments.
The in-apartment facilities are beyond what you would expect in a typical hotel - private washing machine, dryer, fully equipped kitchen etc. The roof top pool has to be a hit with any sane person - the ultimate in luxury. The pool has been carefully designed so that the glass pool fence creates a frame that exactly captures the beach scene - it is very cleverly done... and the poolside shower is a work of art , obviously a "one off" created by an artisan.
That's the amazing Byron Bay beach above. Well to get that close to the ocean you have to be able to afford staying at the Beach Suites without worrying about the price and I would say that this is totally 5 stars except there is no on-site restaurant, and as a guest paying $1500 per night I thought I could reasonably expect to go to the front desk and ask for restaurant recommendations. I was met with blank stares and "Oh I went to the xxx the other night and it was OK..." which made us laugh. I'd make a small suggestion - get a list together for guests not looking to cook!! but the Thai across the road became a favourite of ours and Byron certainly has a great range of food choices. The other possible negative to consider is that because of the central location, the Beach Suites are potentially quite noisy at night (especially when the bars and pubs close and the party crowd hits the street). Then again if you're young at heart you come to Byron for that party atmosphere.
That's the view from one of the penthouses above. Well sure, if it wasn't Byron, the price tag would scream "rip-off", but then again Byron Bay itself is a premium product and demand is high in this beautiful little town, hence the premium tag for staying in the iconic and laid-back establishment, and they do offer a lot for your money, particularly in value added extras and complimentary items such as wi-fi and secure undercover parking. This is a wonderfully built development, with owners obviously possessing impeccable style and good taste. The apartments don't need to be described in detail - they are as in the images only probably better. This would have to a great choice for that once in a lifetime honeymoon, offering days of bliss!
The housekeeping standards are great, with a complete detail each day. A fellow even comes in and cleans the balcony of sand and polishes the glass every day! Very good attention to detail.
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Perched perfectly amongst the native bushland and hidden from the road that leads just a bit further on to Uki, a quaint and historic village in the Tweed hinterlands of northern NSW, Ecoasis lives up to all that it suggests.
An eco-friendly haven that blends in with its surroundings – and built with minimal disturbance – the environmentally-friendly comforts come at no hint of sacrifice for guests. Efforts towards sustainability and conservation only serve to make Ecoasis all the more enchanting.
Water is gravity fed to reduce electricity demand, steel building frames eliminate all need for poisons and chemical sprays, and even better than the fact that not a single tree was removed during construction, more were indeed planted and a regeneration program put permanently in place. Having slowly expanded and maintaining these integral eco values over the years since its inception, Ecoasis has created a beautiful choice of architecturally-designed sanctuaries throughout its piece of 100-hectare heaven, each standing alone and apart, guaranteeing full privacy.
The Morning Mist Chalet, Spa Chalet, Sunrise Chalet and The Hideaway sit in amongst or just above the treetops, proffering stunning hinterland vistas from the Tweed Valley to the mountains, including spectacular views of the dramatic Mount Warning. Huge glass windows and large decks on both levels ensure you won’t miss it, whilst tables and chairs – and sunchairs – make the scenery all the more inviting, if that’s even possible. Nestled in amongst the lush green sub-tropical rainforest, from the canopy to the sloped rainforest floor, the Hidden Valley Chalet and Forest Chalet tout earthy, cosy interiors and fresh outdoor verandas naturally hidden by existing vegetation.
A common feature of all six chalets is their two-storey construction, offering space and privacy, and essentially a more homely, liveable feel. Each Ecoasis chalet comes fitted with queen beds and has its own complete, modern kitchen with the welcoming bonus of some essential supplies, including jam, butter, fresh milk, muesli and eggs. A fresh seafood platter, gourmet BBQ platter, cheese platter and champagne are also available upon request. Whilst the same tranquil yet luxurious feel emanates from them all, the furnishings and finishing touches are unique to each chalet. Double spa baths and double showers are a special feature for some, with views straight out the window, whilst others have single spas and showers. A lovely saltwater pool provides shared access for all guests, as does a dedicated massage room that you can book into in advance for treatments.
Blessed with a prime remote location, enchanting views, 100% comfort and fully self-contained facilities, there’s simply no better place to escape the bustle, immerse yourself in nature, and truly unwind in a setting of pure bliss.
*Ecoasis is a member of the Ecotourism Association of Australia
Tateywan St 55, Uki NSW 2484, Australia
Contact tel: +61 (02) 6679 5959, fax: +61 (02) 6679 5759BOOK NOW
Shangri-La luxury hotel in Australia's glamorous city of Sydney is where rock stars and world leaders choose to stay. In such a fabulous location as the Rocks Sydney, it's no wonder. 360-degree views of Sydney's Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour waterside are framed like a panoramic painting in your hotel room through jaw-dropping windows. On my visit, extra preparations were in order for the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister's arrival. Well, if it's good enough for the world's elite, it's certainly good enough for us...
Let's face it; any stay in Australiais not complete without a trip to the Opera House and a photo in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks area shows Australia's history through architecture, antiques and art shops. Buzzing weekend markets, interesting street buskers, shopping malls and tourist attractions are all within an easy walking distance too. Ten points go to Shangri-La Sydney for a great location.
The Shangri-La hotel, Sydney boasts 563 luxury rooms and suits, the most spacious of it's kind in town. Equipped with a large gymnasium and new, state of the art machines, you will enjoy the luxury of an indoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna plus sun deck. Two well-known award-winning restaurants, Altitude and Blue Horizon on level 36 allows for amazing city dining views, and tasty cuisine. Ask about Blue Horizon's cocktail-making classes for a fun and different activity.
The Shangri-La rooms in Sydney are exceptionally spacious and elegantly detailed with plush fabrics throughout, adjustable climate-control air con, full-sized executive writing desk for emailing home, and as mentioned magnificent surround views - you are looking through triple-glazed, soundproof awe-struck windows. Throughout the day watch over a colourful cityscape and at night let it become a spectacular light show. Pull the thick curtains shut from the rest of the world and cocoon into a well-made bed.
The Shangri-La beds in Sydney - Forget touring Sydney, in a Shangri-La bed is where you want to spend your time. Float into the Shangri-La signature bedding, with heaven-felt mattress, smooth and cosy sheets. Envelope in the plush soft-feather duvet (or doona as the Aussies say) as you read the delightful pillow menu. A huge flat-screen television is a remote control arms length away, showing free in-house movies, news, information and satellite television.
The Shangri-La Bathroom, Sydney - Some suites have a window level bath, which means from sky levels you can look down at the world as it passes by and you relax in warm, scented water. Soak into a relaxing bath in the large marble bathroom or stand under a perfectly pressured rainfall shower. Shangri-La branded complimentary toiletries, or L'Occitane for Horizon Club member guests will have you nicely fragrant. A hairdryer brings that extra comfort.
Business at Shangri-La, Sydney - Business travellers will be pleased with the Shangri-La's state-of-the-art business facilities. Using the hotel's Grand Ballroom, Horizon Club lounge, private meeting rooms and Business Centre makes for impressive dealings. All rooms are equipped with video conferencing services and wireless internet resources. Secretarial services, in-room faxing or translation services are also offered.
Shangri-La's Horizon Club, Sydney: If you are lucky enough to be privy to the Shangri-La's Horizon club membership, enjoy a VIP check in-and-out service, and complimentary breakfast. There's a private lounge just for members, with afternoon tea and evening cocktails, as well as broadband. Definitely a refreshing place to meet clients as you look out over spectacular views.
CHI Spa, Sydney A massage at CHI spa, the signature spa brand of Shangri-La worldwide, is not to be missed. Drawing inspiration from ancient Asian techniques, CHI Spa Sydney continues a high level of relaxation through massage, essential oils and trained therapists. Your individual element is identified and an essential oil concoction mixed especially for you, then worked and kneaded into your skin in a massage of your pressure choice. Australian-inspired treatments are worth looking at, such as Lemon Myrtle & Eucalyptus Polish or Australian Botanical Retreat.
I recommend: Decadent décor and delightful service, Shangri-La Sydney is a dreamtime story come true.