SPA HOTSPOT: CHATEAU ELAN

HUNTER VALLEY LUXURY

Nadine Dilong shares her experience at the Spa at Château Élan Hunter Valley.

Just a 2-hour drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley really is a hidden gem that can sometimes be overlooked by tourists and Sydneysiders alike, but whenever we do make our way there, we’re reminded of its beauty. Nestled among rolling vineyards and overlooking manicured fairways, the award-winning Château Élan at The Vintage is one of Australia’s finest integrated golf, spa and conference resorts located in the heart of the famed Hunter Valley.

The perfectly manicured golf course is the first thing you notice when you drive up the grand entrance to Château Élan, which sits in between some of the best vineyards the country has to offer, making it perfect as your winetour-weekend-away accommodation. While the building reminds me of a European luxury resort, the Kangaroos and Wallabies hopping around the lawns make it obvious we’re in Australia.

The Spa at Château Élan Hunter Valley has won numerous awards and is one of Australia’s largest spas

The Spa at Château Élan Hunter Valley has won numerous awards and is one of Australia’s largest spas with a whopping 17 treatments rooms, and a comprehensive menu of services using brands, such as Pure Fiji, Synergie Skin, and Thalgo. Upon my arrival, I am guided to the spa’s Hydrolounge, which is a terrace with two mineral spa pools overlooking the beautiful countryside. Guests can order food and drinks directly to the pools, and as I am served a local cheese and fruit platter while soaking in mineral-rich water, another family of kangaroos jumps across the lawn in front of me – what a special experience!

The Hydrolounge also offers an infrared sauna and ergonomic lounges in front of a fireplace – I’d be happy to just stay here, but my therapist Alannah is ready for my treatment: The Milk and Honey Ritual. This 2-hour treatment is designed to hydrate, nourish, tighten and strengthen skin, starting with a coconut lime blossom sugar rub (all products used in this treatment are by Pure Fiji) that is applied all over my body. It is worth mentioning the extremely comfortable massage table, which has an armrest below the head piece so you can have your arms down instead of by your side.

After the scrub, a warm coconut milk and honey mask is applied to my body before I am wrapped in a cocoon of heated blankets. As the mask is infusing into my skin, Alannah pours exotic oil onto my head and treats me to a relaxing scalp massage – bliss! Then, I am unwrapped and guided to the shower to rinse off the body mask, before I get to spend 30 minutes in a bath tub filled with a Milk and Honey bath oil. As if this wasn’t indulgent enough, Alannah has prepared another platter of fruits and nuts as well as a cup of tea for me to sip on while I relax in the tub. And yes, you can also choose to have a glass of bubbles instead of tea.

The perfect ending to my very luxurious treatment is a 30-minute full body massage, with focus on whatever body part you nominate at the beginning. I can feel the muscle tension release as my therapist uses her hands, elbows, and forearms to really knead through any knots. 2 hours in, I am guided back to the Hydrolounge where I get to enjoy the serenity and stunning view of Château Élan once more.

There really is something for everyone at the Spa at Château Élan; it’s not just about relaxing treatments, but the spa has recently introduced ‘The Skin Clinic’, offering treatments such as peels, microdermabrasion, and LED therapy. Of course, there are plenty of couple’s treatments to choose from as well as bride and mother-to-be packages. I can’t imagine a better way to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.