8 amazing spa resorts to take your mum
It’s Mother’s Day and nothing says indulgence and thank you as much as a beautiful spa experience.
Whether it’s a golden dust facial, a blue water massage, a chocolate treatment or a pedi or mani, here are some of Australia’s most amazing spas, where your mother will want to stay forever.
InterContinental Hayman Resort
An outdoor massage at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
I can think of few places that have a more spectacular impact upon arrival than the InterContinental Hayman Resort in The Whitsundays. The luxury boat transfer from Hamilton Island is the perfect entree, and as you cross the cerulean blue water the island opens up before you like a jewel. Everything about a stay at Hayman is special. We here at The Finer Things have been lucky enough to stay in the stunning Beachfront Pool Villas with the beach in front and a pool inside the pavilions. Apart from the many things to do around the resort, the island and the Great Barrier Reef, any mum should spend at least an hour in the divine Hayman Spa. There are 11 treatment rooms where you can choose the usual array of pampering treatments, before soaking in the plunge pool or getting steamed up in the sauna. Even better, she can choose to have a massage under the palms of the resort’s Rainforest Cabana, on the sands of Coconut Beach, or within the privacy of her guest room. Your mum can also throw herself in more wellness experiences such as meditation and energy healing practices, sunrise yoga and clean eating concepts. Whatever treatments she chooses, she will return home rejuvenated, restored and forever grateful for your gift.
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Haymanisland.intercontinental.com
Injidup Spa Retreat, Margaret River
Injidup Spa Retreat is an amazing spa resort in Yallingup, Margaret River
This magnificent resort sits in splendid isolation on the coastline of Yallingup, in the spectacular Margaret River region. With only 10 adults-only villas, nature and the drop-dead gorgeous location are front and centre of a stay here. Raise your eyes to that aerial shot of the retreat. Now that is stunning in anyone’s language. While even just staring at the view from your private villa plunge pool is nurturing for the soul, book mum in for a treatment at the onsite Bodhi Spa. There are three well-appointed treatment rooms – including one for couples that has a hydrotherapy spa with views over the beach – where guests can choose from a world-class spa treatment menu. Massages, facials, spa journeys … why not book in one a day during your stay. They are that good. The treatments utilise products from eco-luxe skincare brand Sodashi, which is hand-made in Fremantle. You can also give yourself up to the signature indigenous Li’Tya Marta Koda Rock massage.
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Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, Victoria
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa in Victoria
Indulge in luxurious private mineral baths at this iconic bathhouse that offers fabulous treatments and wellness packages.
Just a one hour drive from Melbourne, people have been “taking the waters” since 1895.
The spa offers signature Aromatic Herbal Exfoliation, Mineral Detox or Radiance Renewal Exfoliation in the comfort of your own private treatment room.
You can also stay in one of the luxury villas. Choose from the Hepburn Spa Retreat or the newly developed Hepburn Springs Escape Villas.
Each villa is designed with comfort and relaxation in mind and include a luxury gas log fire, double spa baths, double shower, quality beds and linen.
Take a walk-through the Mineral Springs Reserve, soaking in the history of the region. Aptly named the Spa Country of Australia, you can indulge in luxurious spa experiences or simply kick back and relax on your very own private balcony overlooking the slender treetops and Spring Creek.
Located directly adjacent to the iconic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, you are simply in for a treat.
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The Langham Melbourne
Chuan Spa at The Langham, Melbourne
Step into the beautiful Chuan Spa and you will be transported into a haven of indulgence and comfort.
Chuan Spa builds on oriental traditions that seek spiritual and physical harmony by balancing the five elements: metal, wood, fire, earth and water.
Based upon the principles of Yin and Yang and the five essential elements, treatments are personalised to realign your body, mind and spirit.
The extensive menu makes use of Australian-made Chuan products and includes German-origin therapies from BABOR, combined with the nurturing qualities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
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COMO Treasury Perth
COMO Shambhala Urban Escape is part of COMO The Treasury, one of Perth’s fabulous hotels.
A visit there is all about hands-on healing and holistic treatments. Experts provide advice that helps you proactively improve and sustain good health by combining both Western and Eastern wellness traditions, including yoga, personal training, massage therapy and facials using carefully selected products and COMO’s own signature blends.
Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
While it is good that Elements of Byron is in, well, Byron, it is also really good that it is not in the centre of town. In fact it is REALLY good because when you stay at this place you almost feel like you are in the bush, because there is so much vegetation surrounding the lovely villas dotted around the fairly large resort. The property is so large that it has bushwalks through beautiful forest leading to the stunning beach where you simply must ensure mum sees the sunrise while trying yoga, or at least the sunset.
Elements of Byron is a wonderful place to relax. I know, because I have been there and done it. Relaxed, that is. I did do sunrise yoga. I did stroll through the forests to the beach. I rode a horse on the beach. I swam in a beautiful pool, drank cocktails by and in said pool. And of course there is the Osprey Spa. Any mum would love a massage within its serene walls. It is one of those places that relaxes you as soon as you walk in. It is beautifully designed and with a dreamy ambience. Choose from one of their many massages, or opt for an Osprey Ritual – two hours of spa bliss. Mum can choose to be pampered with a full body massage, facial, hand or foot treatments. Or just go the whole hog and book the Botanica Escape, which includes a Foot Ritual, Full Body Massage, Facial and Sole Therapy Pedicure.
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Crown Sydney
While a stay at Sydney’s first six-star hotel is pretty special, add to the experience by losing yourself in the amazing Crown Spa for a few hours. Designed to be up there with the world’s best spas, it gets close to the mark. The 2000-sq m spa is not just a zen space with beautiful scents of lavender or ylang ylang in the air. It has quite an array of treatments and ways to relax. Your mum is sure to love the Aqua Retreat which offers vitality pools, Swiss showers and steam rooms. Note to your mum – take a swimming costume. This awesome area is perfect for chilling out before you really chill out with one of the blissful massages in the spa. The spa menu is full of exceptional pampering treatments utilising La Prairie’s EXCLUSIVE Cellular Science combined with the philosophy of Ayurveda and Aromatherapy. Guests at the hotel also get to use the private fitness studio and open-air tennis court. That’s if they can tear themselves away from the spectacular pool and terrace with its views over Darling Harbour, Pyrmont and Balmain.
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Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
When you think of stunning, wild places in the Australian wilderness, Cradle Mountain could well pop to mind. It is rugged, beautiful and no wonder it is a beacon for hikers. It is not all outdoorsy though, because when mum comes back from a hike she could stay in the luxury of Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. One of the many joys of staying here is being able to book into the Waldheim Alpine Spa. To say this place has great views is a massive understatement. The Spa is spectacular. It overlooks the mountains and ancient forests of this Tassie wilderness area. Think tall pines, fresh mountain streams, the freshest of fresh air. As for the Spa, it has treatments rooms where you can zone out under the expert hands of the Spa’s therapists. There is also a steam room sauna, cool plunge pool and hot tub. For extra brownie points from mum, book her into The Sanctuary, which is a private space with a steam room, sauna, large hot-tub and cool plunge pool, as well as a relaxation lounge. To give you an idea of just how beautiful it is, it is pictured above.
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