A girlfriend of mine memorably once quoted that she doesn’t do camping – that the only stars she sleeps under are the five stars of a hotel or resort chain.
I looked up from the deck of my stand-alone suite at Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa last week and thought she’d be pretty impressed to get the whole Milky Way without nary a tent or camp stove in sight.
In fact there are probably just enough stars in the Milky Way to rate the quality of Wolgan Valley.
I was a guest of the resort and Sodashi skincare – an invitation accepted within approximately 2.4 seconds of receiving.
Why? It’s a place that’s long been on my bucket list – for the beauty, the grandeur and the kind of relaxed luxury that I’d love to accustom myself with on a regular basis.
It is THAT good that I lost the power of using a varied vocabulary from the moment we arrived and had to ban myself from uttering the word “amazing”.
Australia’s first luxury conservation-based resort is situated in a valley in the Greater Blue Mountains surrounded by rocky escarpments that change colour as the sun moves through the sky.
It’s 20 minutes from mobile phone coverage – so a retreat in every sense of the word (don’t worry I survived … there was very reliable free wi-fi 😉 ).
There was even a wombat hanging around on the grass outside my suite to remind me that this was a place of nurturing and nature.
For me, the essentials of a luxury escape are: superior accommodation, memorable food and some serious spa activity.
Wolgan Valley gets a gold star AND a merit stamp for all three.
Accommodation
There are 40 house-size suites dotted around the property – most are designed for single or twin accommodation. There are also some options with two bedroom for families or groups. The style is a modern take on early Australian homesteads. Lots of contrasting textures of timber, leather, slate and soft furnishings.
Each suite has its own heated pool – indoors for winter but can be opened up in the summer months. But too much soaking is never enough – there’s a massive bathtub with a view as well. The bathroom also includes a skylit rain shower. Amenities are by luxury Australian chemical-free skincare brand Sodashi.
I took advantage of the cooler temps and switched on the double sided fireplace. As you do.
There are places to sit at every turn. Luggage is easily stowed in the walk-in robe, meaning that hotel stay suitcase dump and spread (please tell me you do that too!) can still happen but out of sight.
We need to talk about the bed. The essential to any superior hotel/resort stay. This one would have to be the best I’ve ever slept in. The QT came close but I felt completely enveloped into a luxurious nights’ sleep in this four poster bed with the fireplace view. Apparently the bed is the top selling “souvenir” that guests from around the world take home (a Queen-size will set you back about $4000). It’s that good.
Oh and you know how at most hotels you drink from the mini bar at your credit card peril? Not here. All except the French champagne and spirits is included.
Food
From the moment we arrived and sat down to lunch of charcuterie plate, soup and cheeses, I knew we hand landed smack bang in the centre of foodie heaven. If I needed further confirmation it came later that night at the end of the eight-course degustation dinner that saw us standing in the cheese room salivating and shivering at the same time.
Most of the food served is organic produce sourced from within a 100km radius of the property. Much of the fresh produce and herbs are grown on site. I love this paddock-to-plate concept – it supports local producers but I swear you can taste the individual and collective difference. I don’t think I’ve ever oohed and ahh-ed over scrambled eggs like I did over breakfast – truffled and served with king brown mushrooms that did crazy good things to my tastebuds.
All meals, wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price of accommodation – and don’t worry about eating the same thing twice. The offerings change seasonally and the degustation menu changes daily. If eight course sounds too daunting, you can also order from the al a carte menu instead.
The main restaurant is upstairs in the lodge – lunch and snacks are served in the cafe downstairs. Picnic baskets can also be arranged if you want to go exploring on foot or on your included mountain bike.
The spa
I’m a spa rat from way back and I’m calling it – this one is on a par with the best I’ve ever experienced. For the record, those on par include Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland) and Six Senses Sila Evasan (Koh Samui, Thailand).
For me, the ultimate in spa experiences combines space and/or vistas, beautiful and relaxing decor, a connection with its surrounds and incredible treatments that leave you blissed out for days.
What clinches the deal for me is the incorporation of stunningly beautiful products. And in that respect Wolgan Valley goes to the top of the class with its Timeless Spa.
Since opening, the resort has used Soadshi skincare products in its treatments. Soadshi is an Australian skincare success story – founder Megan Larsen is considered a pioneer in luxury chemical-free skincare and has grown the company from humble beginnings on her home stove top to having her products stocked in more than 100 luxury spas around the world (18 in Australia).
I first met Megan about five years ago and quickly fell in love with her stunning products that look oh-so-stylish in violet (they appear black) glass jars. So much about so-called natural skincare is just marketing. Sodashi is The Business – and it gets results for your skin.
I was at Wolgan Valley for the launch of Soadshi’s latest product, Samadara Ultimate Age-Defying Elixir. This product is a combination of 15 different plant oils and extracts. Combined with the vibrational qualities of rose quartz (in the bottom of the jar) it works at a cellular level to do amazing things to your skin.
I’ll report back in a couple of weeks but I can tell you just from a few days of applying nightly my skin is singing. It’s not cheap – but it’s nowhere near the price of many luxury skincare options.
As part of my spa visit I was lucky to experience the most amazing facial incorporating this product and another favourite of mine – the Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask. Smooth rose quartz crystals are also used in the face massage.
A glance at the spa menu showed that the cost of treatments at Wolgan Valley to be almost on a par with your local beauty salon.
The rooms themselves are more suites than rooms – with two beds looking out and up to one of the escarpments. Each suite also has it’s own bathroom and dressing room – no communal change area – and a geisha tub.
I love a relax after a treatment and the large lounge area and deck invites you to bask in your new state of bliss over a herbal tea or fresh juice and yoghurt snack.
The essentials
Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa is about three hours drive west from Sydney. Road or helicopter transfers are available for those flying into Sydney.
It books out weekends in advance throughout the year and mid-week is super popular too if our Tuesday night was any indication. It’s a place to bring a partner or a girlfriend. It’s a place to visit by yourself and totally re-charge. It’s a place to add to your bucket list now.
All activities except horse-riding and the spa are included in your accommodation price, as are all your meals and set menu wines and beers (you can buy spirits and select wines).
Cost is from $1560 per suite a night. More info here.
The lasting impression for me was the attention to detail I experienced at every turn. It was like the staff were in my head – every single need was seemingly anticipated in advance.
That kind of over-and-above service comes from a skilled and dedicated team – all of whom when asked I was not surprised to hear loved working there.
Wolgan Valley, I’ll be back. With Mr SY in tow. He’s insisted.
Tell me … who as Wolgan Valley on their bucket list? Have you ever been? What do I need to see and do on my return (much longer) visit?
Comments 32
Me!! But the nearest I seem to have got so far is Emirates Business Class (bloomin’ marvellius)… anyway, working on it. I’d love the combination of horse riding and sheer luxury, and as I research responsible tourism more and more, I’d love to see how they do it up there.
Sounds very bloomin’ marvellius to me Seana! And yes from a research point of view I’m intrigued as it’s clearly working – luxury plus eco plus nature!
Sounds very bloomin’ marvellius to me Seana! And yes from a research point of view I’m intrigued as it’s clearly working – luxury plus eco plus nature!
I do! I do! I most certainly do have Wolgan Valley on my bucket list, my parents have been TWICE and loved every second. Looks truly beautiful.
Oh the fact they’ve been back twice says it all Alex!!
You do realise that I am now seething with jealousy?
I’d love to go, it’s probably out of my price range. Anyone care to ‘gift’ it to me? Any takers? *crickets*.
You never know when it might present itself. I certainly didn’t!
AllI can say is amazing!
It was!
That. Looks. Amazing!
What a lucky ducky you are to have experienced it. I’m so glad you took full advantage! I think it’s brilliant that all meals and drinks are included in the accommodation cost – it lets you relax and enjoy whatever you like without the stress at the end. And that scenery? Wow!
It does Sonia and sometimes those things can add up and get away from you – or is that just me when away for a break and forgetting the Budget word!
Ok, I’m just going to say this – I love your work Nikki and I think it’s wonderful that you managed to spend a night there on the house, but I think $1500 a night is really too much money to spend. Having said that, I guess we all have different priorities when it comes to discretionary spending, and I respect that others might have a different opinion.
Absolutely we all have different priorities Kate … as can be seen by some of the readers commenting here below who have been there before. Respect for everyone’s choices is a good thing – we don’t have to agree with them.
We stayed at Wolgan Valley two years ago – to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. I work in tourism and travel all over the world staying in beautiful 5 star resorts. But Wolgan Valley is by far the most superior property I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in. It’s remarkable ….. and yes Nikki, the word AH-MAZ-ING was uttered 6,148 times. It is worth EVERY PENNY to stay here for 2 nights! B xx
Oh Brooke – that is a great testimony and yes, that’s why when I go back it will be for two nights!
I have a thing for wombats (kind of like your pineapple thing – well maybe not quite that level ;-)!) … wild wombats just about seals the deal for me! The rest looks amazing too. Lucky lucky you.
Oh that’s a very good “thing” to have! Did you see on my instagram the wooden wombat they had in the room and were selling?
I did see it (and loved him) but didn’t know they were for sale!
Looks like a fabulous getaway and soooo relaxing! You must have come home feeling so refreshed!
I did but then right back into reality and taking son to swimming lessons! Just keeping it real.
Just beautiful photos. Your friends comment about only sleeping under five starts made me laugh out loud. My favourite saying is: “I really can’t cook but I can make an absolutely fabulous reservation!”
Oh I do love your quote! Gold!!
Divine. How I would love to visit. Maybe on my faraway wish list. V x
Faraway wish list is a good thing Vicki!
Omg Nikki I think i need to go here,it all looks so amazing,thank you for the review I am going to save my pennies and I think I need to get away all by myself it has been a rough year so far!
Oh yes, Lisa, it would be so restorative for you x
My husband and I spent the recent Easter break at Wolgan Valley, and I can honestly say it was our second best Easter weekend ever (we got married on Easter Saturday just over 16 years ago).
We loved the combination of activities with relaxing, eating and drinking. It meant we felt justified in spending a few hours over multiple glasses of Rose and sharing platters for the late lunch we savoured, after we’d spent 3 hours hiking to the glow worm cave and back in the morning.
The hot stone massage in the spa was SO relaxing, and that bed was out of this world. I get to stay in some very nice hotels for work and pleasure, but I don’t always sleep that well away from home. However I agree the absolute quiet and serenity, plus that bed, made for very blissful slumber.
Mr T bought me one of the throws the same as can be seen on the lounge chair in your suite for a souvenir, so every time I look at it on our lounge I can be reminded of our lovely trip.
Oh Johanne, I’ve got goosebumps, that’s just so lovely to hear that you had such a meaningful stay. That’s exactly what I want to do when I go back with my Mr x
not jealous or anything nikki!
keep resort hopping! … if someone has to do it and it, might as well be you!
enjoy … you deserve it! lol m:)X
I am living the life at the moment Merilyn! x