You’d be hard pressed to find someone who would give up a delicious spa treatment. That said, there are people who don’t mind spas, and then there are people who are truly what you would call “spa people” – they would rather spend their entire savings on a week-long massage in a calming setting surrounded by clean towels, soothing music and essential oils than invest in something more sensible and adult, like a house or shares. Spa people would give their left fuzzy slipper for a few hours of spa-style indulgence, and what better time to give them the opportunity than during a busy conference or meeting?
When it comes to golf, the situation is very similar. There are people who don’t mind a bit of golf and then there are those who are considered “golf people” – the type who are up at the crack of dawn each Saturday morning (when everyone else is sleeping) to lug their clubs around the greens while showing off their new golf pants and debating whether 9am is too early for the first beer of the day. These people would give their best putter for a good 18-hole slog, so imagine their excitement when they realise they can do so mid-conference to ease their brain-strain?
While your delegates may not be as passionate as golf people or spa people (or a rare hybrid of both), there’s every chance that they will be more than happy to participate in one or the other just for the experience.
A bit of indulgence never goes astray at a conference, so the offer of a massage will be well received by delegates wanting to wind down.
And even if they don’t enjoy golf, they might like the idea of driving around in those little carts, battling bumps and humps on the green while racing a fellow golfer to the next hole (or the most-anticipated 19th hole (read pub)).
So why not offer your delegates the choice of opting for a spa treatment or a round of golf? Even better, you could hold a conference or event at a resort venue which provides both options, giving delegates the freedom to select a little from column A (golf) and a little from column B (spa)!
We’ve found some properties which boast one experience or the other, and a number that are fortunate enough to offer both, plus conference facilities and accommodation catering to a wide range of function sizes.
(08) 9725 2777
www.sanctuaryresort.com.au
What: Four-star apartment-style accommodation set among 37 hectares of rolling green lawns, lakes and ocean vistas.
Where: Less than two hours south of Perth, set in the heart of WA’s Geographe Wine Region, eight minutes from Bunbury CDB.
Golf: Designed in 1994 by renowned Michael Coate, the course boasts 64 strategically placed bunkers and an abundance of man-made lakes that come into play on 12 of the18 challenging holes.
Meeting options: Function centre holds up to 350 cocktail-style, and the adjoining alfresco marquee can cater for 400.
(07) 5440 3333
www.noosasprings.com.au
What: A luxurious resort offering two- and three-bedroom apartment accommodation in a tropical setting.
Where: Three kilometres from Hastings Street, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Spa: Based on European traditions, the Noosa Springs Day Spa offers a range of facilities and treatments, including a purpose-built hydromassage pool, a floatation pool, an infrared sauna and blitz showers.
Golf: Tee off on Noosa’s only 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by course architect Graham Papworth. It is a challenging course for even the proficient golfer.
Meeting options: Its meeting facilities can accommodate up to 200 delegates theatre-style or 300 for cocktails, and a number of areas throughout the resort can be utilised for special events, like the lakeside area and lagoon gazebo.
(08) 9756 9100
www.mirvachotels.com.au
What: Five-star resort offering 150 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom villas.
Where: Three hours south of Perth in the Margaret River wine region, a secluded part of Western Australia’s south west.
Spa: The Spa at Bunker Bay offers six indulgent spa treatment rooms, including two double rooms for him and her, ergonomically designed tables ensure the neck, spine and leg muscles are cradled against any pressure points, and a private outside courtyard for each treatment room.
Meeting options: Conference facilities cater for small to medium groups, with its largest room accommodating 300 cocktail-style.
(02) 4993 1555
www.cypresslakes.com.au
What: A resort offering a combination of more than 200 five-star villas and first-class facilities.
Where: A 90-minute drive north of Sydney, in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country.
Spa: The Golden Door Spa offers a range of treatments to choose from for both men and women, including face and body treatments, hand and foot care, and specialty services.
Golf: The Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club features an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Steve Smyers of Florida, complete with more than 60 huge bunkers and dramatically-shaped greens. Each tee and green has panoramic views of the valley’s famous vineyards and surrounding mountains.
Meeting options: The resort’s convention centre has the capacity to cater for up to 500 theatre-style.
(02) 4981 1555
www.shoalbayresort.com.au
What: A four-and-a-half star resort set in more than five acres of beachfront property, offering 200 self-contained apartments.
Where: A few hours north of Sydney on the sands of Shoal Bay at Port Stephens.
Spa: The European-style Aqua Spa encompasses a 25-metre heated lap pool, three spa pools, six massage rooms, three aqua therapy rooms and a cardio fitness centre. The spa has uniquely tapped into the pristine salt water and surrounding mineral rich sand beds to offer a thalassotherapy spa experience.
Golf: The resort doesn’t have its own golf course, however it’s surrounded by international standard courses, including Pacific Dunes, Horizons, Nelson Bay Golf Course and Newcastle Golf Club – all within 40 minutes of the resort.
Meeting options: Its Whitesands Convention Centre can cater up to 300 cocktail-style.
(03) 9731 4000
www.mansionhotel.com.au
What: A boutique hotel and conference retreat offering 91 guestrooms and suites.
Where: 30 kilometres from Melbourne CDB, in the middle of Werribee Park.
Spa: The European-style Le Spa offers a 17-metre indoor pool and spa, steam rooms, three treatment rooms with Vichy showers, a private VIP treatment room and a Lancome beauty room.
Meeting options: A number of venues for groups from 10 to 180, including a ballroom for 150 cocktail-style, plus extensive formal gardens that can be used for functions.
(02) 6639 2138
www.thebyronatbyron.com.au
What: A resort offering a Byron Bay experience and five-star accommodation, including 92 one-bedroom suites within a 45-acre rainforest.
Where: Five minutes from the Byron Bay township, only a one-hour flight from Sydney.
Spa: The Spa boasts six luxurious treatment rooms, relaxation area, Vichy shower, Lithos hot stone massage, body wraps, serenity facials, relaxing music, herbal teas, hydrotherapy treatments and specialised spa therapies. The resort also offers a complimentary yoga class daily.
Meeting options: Its 216-square-metre conference centre seats up to 210 delegates in a variety of configurations.
(03) 5264 8801
www.peppers.com.au
What: A new retreat offering two interconnecting, three-level buildings containing 112 accommodation rooms with views of the surrounding area.
Where: On the north headland of Torquay at the start of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.
Golf: The resort is home to a Stuart Appleby-designed championship 18-hole golf course offering five tee positions, pitching and putting greens, driving range and golf pro. Moulded to the surf coast, the links-style course offers a challenge for golfers.
Meeting options: The modern facilities of the clubhouse function rooms can cater for small board meetings to a large cocktail function of 800.
This spa was created for pleasure-seeking guests to take some time out to rebalance and refocus, to relax and renew. Once inside, delegates can experience the spacious relaxation lounge and take advantage of the complimentary steam and spa facilities before or after a treatment.
While relaxing, they have the freedom to browse through the library, sip Golden Door herbal tea and unwind as they listen to the calming sounds of spa music – a welcome experience after a day’s conferencing.
The spa has an extensive range of treatments to choose from for both men and women, including face and body treatments, hand and foot care, and specialty services. Signature treatments will provide an experience with sensational results. Also on offer is a range of spa packages that combine a selection of the most popular treatments, offering great value for those who are lucky enough to be able to enjoy an extended spa experience.
Peppers Salt Resort & Spa at Kingscliff on the northern NSW coast has reported an explosion in conference bookings of late as more business leaders start to realise the importance of corporate health and wellbeing.
Group general manager Peppers Retreats, Resorts & Hotels, Gunter Steib, says Salt offers the perfect tonic for companies looking to hold an event in a coastal environment.
“As well as world-class conference facilities, Salt offers yoga sessions, water aerobics, surfing classes, Tai Chi, cycling and kayaking,” Mr Steib says.
“With the employment rate at a record low, corporate leaders understand how important it is to take care of staff, especially while away on business.”
The resort offers a conference package upgrade which includes a two-minute massage where delegates can enjoy a relaxing massage during the conference session. Peppers also has a re-charge upgrade where an energetic wake-up session can be run for a short time between conference sessions to re-energise delegates.
Set amongst tranquil gardens, the resort’s Golden Door health spa offers an extensive range of treatments, therapies and lifestyle programs for relaxation, rejuvenation and wellbeing, including signature facials, hot stone therapy and the popular Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage.
Mr Steib says in addition to the popular spa, everything required for a successful event is located on-site at Salt, including state-of-the-art conference facilities for events of all sizes and a host of team-building recreational pursuits to choose from. The resort offers 345 deluxe rooms and suites, while its ballroom can seat up to 432 delegates in theatre-style.
Peppers Salt Resort & Spa is located just 15 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, 30 minutes from Byron Bay and 75 minutes from Brisbane.
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