Gone are the days where bath towels are laundered every day, where garden sprinklers run endlessly (unless the water is from a natural or man-made source), and where the only form of relaxation is some shut-eye back in your bedroom. The top-quality resorts of today provide so many opportunities for not only quality up-time – ie – conferencing - but certainly plenty of great experiences in down-time.
And even better news for the environmentally conscious is that resorts have a great understanding and indeed passion for environmental sustainability, with many striving extremely hard to negate their so-called “carbon footprint” in their day-to-day activities and operations.
In terms of resort spa facilities there is now mass appeal with conference groups, and of course incentive travel reward groups. This is especially true of resort destinations that are out of big city centres where conference delegates may be accompanied by their partners. While delegates are in meetings, what better time is there for partners to indulge in a little rest, relaxation and rejuvenation than in the spa connected to the resort.
And, as varied as resorts are, so too are the types of pamper packages available. You can be wrapped in plastic, bathed in milk, snooze under a vichy shower, take a spa with rose petals and essential oils, or be slow-roasted over hot rocks. Okay, so maybe a few of these are a little odd (and perhaps not quite correct), but there is little doubt that there is a treatment and pamper package to suit almost everybody, whatever your requirements and desires may be.
Over the following pages mice.net gives readers a few examples of resorts that are going the extra mile in pampering, primping, and the preservation of our environment.
Conferences held at Cypress Lakes Resort in the New South Wales Hunter Valley now have the added benefit of accessing premium health and wellness activities from leading day spa and health retreat company, The Golden Door Australia.
The Golden Door Health Retreat Elysia, located adjacent to Cypress Lakes Resort, has now extended its premium service offerings to conferences and meetings held at neighbouring Cypress Lakes Resort.
Golden Door’s health and fitness professionals have developed a comprehensive corporate activities menu which will inspire and energise conference delegates with the program line-up covering the full health and wellness spectrum. Conference organisers can choose from a range of activities including relaxation, fitness and wellbeing sessions designed to educate delegates about exercise and managing a balanced lifestyle while also rejuvenating them for their next conference session.
Chief marketing officer for The Golden Door Australia, Stuart Ford, says they have seen an emerging trend with companies seeking ways in which to integrate wellness into their workplace.
“Many of our clients have recognised the importance of employee wellbeing and have seen how effectively our programs can assist with fatigue and employee stress,” he says.
Golden Door’s programs can also help enormously with boosting employee morale and help bring about positive lifestyle changes.”
On the menu are invigorating breakout sessions of tai chi, stretch or yoga; health seminars covering all-important topics like stress management to women’s and men’s health; relaxation sessions including meditation, body balance or pilates to energetic fitness sessions like deep water running and cardio boxing.
Visit www.cypresslakes.com.au.
 
Thankfully, that is exactly what Couran Cove Island Resort is doing, fast-earning its reputation as one of Queensland’s premier eco-sensitive and environmentally aware properties in the process.
After 10 years of dedicated commitment to the preservation of the fragile eco-system of South Stradbroke Island, and the development of a resort founded on principles of sustainable tourism, Couran Cove Island Resort is now coming of age.
With a range of bushland represented within its boundaries - from rainforests and swamps to natural bush and sand dunes - the resort offers guests the chance to get up close and personal with the island’s amazing wildlife, fauna and flora.
On face value, guests will also marvel at the resort’s environmentally-focused buildings and resort infrastructure. Wooden walkways wind through the complex to ensure minimum impact on the natural bush surrounds.
Numerous ecotourism awards won in recent years is testament to Couran Cove’s commitment to a sustainable environment. Adding to the resort’s award list it most recently won the “Best Corporate Caterer 2007” awarded by Restaurant and Catering Queensland.
Couran Cove Island Resort is just a short ferry ride from the Gold Coast’s Hope Harbour Marina.
For further details visit www.couran.com.
Revive Day Spa and Health Centre within Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach provides guests with a unique and relaxing experience that will relax, rebalance, rejuvenate and reconnect mind, body and soul.
The venue offers extensive conference facilities with the spa providing delegates with their own sense of wellbeing. Indeed, delegates can tailor their stay with a regime of health and rejuvenation.
Guests can immerse themselves in the resort property’s extensive outdoor swimming pool area, indoor pool or steam room. Delegates can select from a wide range of indulging treatments at Revive Day Spa and Health Centre or take advantage of the fully equipped gymnasium.
The Day Spa offers a combination of specialist treatments to soothe away stress and fatigue while the beauty salon offers the latest in cosmetic beauty treatments, and the health centre features modern equipment and facilities to exercise the whole body. Services include: skin care, body treatments, hydrotherapy, retreats, a fully equipped gymnasium, personal training, aqua aerobics and fitness classes, yoga, pilâtes, tai chi and meditation, nutrition and natural therapy clinics, and lifestyle retreats and seminars.
Visit www.novotelbrightonbeach.com.au for further details.
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