There is something about being decked out in a white robe and flip-floppy terry-towelling slippers that just screams respite. Well, ‘screams’ isn’t the best word to use. I guess it’s more of a calming whisper. Either way, indulging in a relaxing spa treatment while away on a conference can be the perfect means to unwind.
With your health and wellbeing in mind, a number of resorts with meetings and events facilities offer uninterrupted treatments aimed at boosting clarity of mind for lengthy conference sessions. A one-hour massage before, after or even during a meeting or event could be just the thing to keep you on your toes.
But spending a few hours wrapped up in mud may not be everyone’s cup of lukewarm herbal tea.
What about a leisurely round of golf? You might consider it therapeutic to swing a club around the greens of a well-manicured golf course.
Many resorts offer ‘stay and play’ options for conference and incentive groups who are avid golfers, knowing that the game can be the perfect way to bring both fun and productiveness to a team building activity.
Seeing incentive groups driving from hole to hole in a super-speedy golf buggy, eying off the many water features and sand bunkers scattered across a challenging golf course may be the ideal way to boost your next conference agenda.
So whether you’re after an exciting game of golf or a few hours of peace and quiet, there are a number of fantastic venues around the country, as well as internationally, that are keen to leave incentive groups grinning and glowing.
Quay West Resort Bunker Bay
Spa: The Spa
Be one of the first to experience Quay West Resort Bunker Bay’s brand new spa. Nestled in a secluded part of Western Australia’s south west, 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. The five-star resort’s conference facilities cater for small to medium groups, with its largest room accommodating 300 cocktail-style or 200 theatre-style. For more information telephone (08) 9756 9100 or visit www.mirvachotels.com.au.
Noosa Springs Resort
Spa: Noosa Springs Day Spa
Golf course: 18-hole championship course
Nestled between green rainforest and the Pacific Ocean, Noosa Springs on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is just three kilometres from Hastings Street, and offers stylish two or three bedroom apartment accommodation. The resort has flexible meeting facilities including its main function area that can accommodate up to 200 delegates theatre-style or 300 for cocktails. A number of areas throughout the resort can be utilised for special events, like the lakeside area and lagoon gazebo. Delegates can also tee off on Noosa’s only 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by course architect Graham Papworth. It is certainly challenging for the proficient golfer. The resort also offers a day spa and fitness centre featuring a hydrotherapy pool, floatation pool and a beauty salon. For more information telephone (07) 5440 3333 or visit www.noosasprings.com.au.
Hyatt Regency Coolum
Spa: Sun Spa
Golf: 18-hole Australian PGA championship course
Located at Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast, just 20 minutes south of Noosa, the Hyatt Regency Coolum offers 324 suites and villas each set amongst natural bushland and rainforest. The resort’s leisure facilities are ideal for meetings and incentives with an 18-hole golf course, Home of the Australian PGA Championship, Sun Spa, nine swimming pools, a private patrolled beach and the Activities Centre, which can assist with all leisure and team-building activities. Hyatt Regency Coolum also boasts a number of multi-purpose conference venues, including The Pavilion which caters for 600 banquet-style. For more information telephone (07) 5446 1234 or email coolum@hyatt.com.au.
Cypress Lakes Resort
Spa: Golden Door Spa
Golf course: Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club
Just a 90-minute drive north of Sydney, in the heart of the lush Hunter Valley wine country, Cypress Lakes Resort offers a combination of more than 200 five-star villas and first-class facilities. The resort features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Steve Smyers of Florida, two tennis courts, two swimming pools, and a gym. The day spa, the Golden Door Spa, offers 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. The resort’s convention centre has the capacity to cater for up to 500 delegates theatre-style, or 280 guests banquet-style, and the complex has the capability to divide into four smaller rooms. For more information telephone (02) 4993 1555 or visit www.cypresslakes.com.au.
Shoal Bay Resort & Spa
Spa: Aqua Spa
Set on the golden sands of Shoal Bay at Port Stephens, just a few hours north of Sydney, Shoal Bay Resort & Spa boasts a sleeping capacity of 600 guests in a range of suites, apartments and villas. In addition to its four restaurants, three bars and three swimming pools, the resort also offers a European Aqua Spa where guests can enjoy a range of European therapies and treatments. The resort’s Whitesands Convention Centre can cater up to 300 cocktail-style, and while the resort doesn’t have a golf course, it is surrounded by international standard courses, including Pacific Dunes, Horizons, Nelson Bay Golf Course and Newcastle Golf Club – all within 40 minutes of the resort. For more information telephone (02) 4981 1555 or visit www.shoalbayresort.com.au.
Royal Pines Resort
Spa: Resort Spa
Golf: 27-hole composite course
Positioned between the golden beaches of Surfers Paradise and the rainforests of the hinterland, Royal Pines Resort is a five-star resort and conference venue that offers a range of meeting, golf, and health and wellness facilities all under the one roof. In addition to its 330 guest rooms, it offers a convention centre that can cater for groups of eight to 1800 and has 12 meeting rooms. The resort also boasts a full compliment of health and fitness facilities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a health club and gymnasium, the region’s only 27-hole composite golf course, and a resort spa. With express packages designed with the corporate traveller in mind, the spa offers an experience that doesn’t take excessive time from hectic meeting schedules. For more information telephone (07) 5597 8755 or visit www.rpr.com.au.
Le Meridien Port Vila Resort, Spa & Casino
Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Spa: Namele Day Spa
Golf: Nine-hole course
Overlooking the serene waters of the Erakor Lagoon and set in 60 acres of tropical gardens, the four-star Le Meridien Port Vila Resort, Spa & Casino offers 155 guest rooms, 10 of which are five-star Lagoon Villas, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and Vanuatu’s only international casino. Catering for 10 to 250 delegates, the resort’s Erakor Ballroom and the Valea Room provide indoor and outdoor meeting facilities with a sophisticated ambience. The Erango Room is also available as a casual, semi-outside venue. The resort also offers relaxing treatments and massages at its Namele Day Spa. For more information visit www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/vanuatu
Laguna Phuket
Location: Phuket, Thailand
Spa: Banyan Tree Spa/Angsana Spa
Golf: Laguna Phuket Golf Club
One of Asia’s finest destination resorts, Laguna Phuket consists of five hotels: Banyan Tree Phuket; Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket; Dusit Laguna Resort; Laguna Beach Resort; and Allamanda Laguna Phuket. The hotels are linked by sparkling lagoons and tree-lined avenues, and all have access to the 18-hole, par-71 resort course, Laguna Phuket Golf Club, designed by Max Wexler and David Abell. The course features a wealth of scenic lagoons, coconut groves and undulating fairways. The Laguna Phuket resort complex offers a variety of conference facilities, with the largest available conference space being the Laguna Beach Resort’s Layan Ballroom which caters for 300 cocktail-style and 240 banquet-style. For more information telephone 66 (0) 7632 4416-7 or visit www.lagunaphuket.com.
Amari Emerald Cove Resort & Spa
Location: Koh Chang, Thailand
Spa: Sivara Spa
Located on Koh Chang, the Amari Emerald Cove Resort is one of Thailand’s hidden secrets, only an hour’s flight from Bangkok. The resort is on the secluded Klong Prao Beach, and offers 165 superior and deluxe guest rooms, several restaurants, a swimming pool and a fitness room. The clear blue waters and coral reefs of Koh Chang are perfect for both snorkelling and diving enthusiasts and trips for groups can be arranged through the dive centre. For serious pampering, the Sivara Spa offers a complete range of massage, body and facial treatments. With four banqueting and convention rooms, the resort can cater for small and large groups. The largest space, the Wanakita room caters for 200 banquet-style and 350 cocktail-style. For more information telephone +66 (0) 3955 2000 or visit www.amari.com/emeraldcove/.
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