The search for a luxury spa weekender is no easy feat. It needs to be far enough from the city for a change of air without resorting to buying a canister of it, provides a tree or two to hug, a mountain to climb and well, something like the Sound of Music minus the nuns would be a bonus.
So when Fairmont Hotels launches its multi million dollar Ubika Day Spa we praise the spa gods. Now, it has to be said the Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, has been more of a nirvana for kids than adults, with playrooms, train and segway rides, tennis courts and swimming pools. However, the move to provide a sanctuary for adults kicks off in 2019. It’s off to a good start.
Sitting in its own grounds, the two story spa experience starts as you walk across water ponds, just mind the crocs (concrete not footwear) and pass the cascading stone water wall. The reception room is dominated by a roaring fireplace with sandstone, black and gold themes. In the changing room you’ll find a jacuzzi bubbling away under soft blue lights. Simply don your robe and slippers then shuffle to the day lounge. It’s tempting to indulge in a weekend’s worth of reading magazines from Marie Claire, Vacations & Travel or go hard core with a ‘Root to Bloom’ book – but once you’ve sniffed your way through 5 oils to find ‘the one’, its off to one of the 16 treatment rooms.
Our couples room revealed a private spa so whether it’s your bestie or partner, 15 minutes of bubble fun leads to a dreamy massage on rock star beds which cuddle your every curve; and if it doesn’t, there is a remote control to fix that! Ikou essential products are sourced from an Australian couple in the Blue Mountains who use elementals such as dark amber, ginger lilly, lemon myrtle and Fragonia to create blissful blends.
Peace and tranquility doesn’t need to end at the spa. If you want to find enlightenment then a night in the Dalai Lama Suite could be the ticket. It was created for his holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. As you open up the door you’ll realise this is no ordinary suite – you could hold a convention in here. Situated at the end of Megalong wing, it occupies the entire end wing. Balconies and views stretch from bedroom to lounge where a fireplace is hugged by an oversize chaise lounge sofa with a dining table looking onto grasslands, forests and rolling mountains. A complimentary bottle of Taihan Blanc de Blanc accompanied by chocolate dipped strawberries extends the happy coma, that’s before you reach the bedroom with its king size bed and spa bathroom.
Tempting as it is to watch a dramatic storm roll in or cozy up with a good book, diner at Embers is calling. Prance down the curved staircase past the baby grand piano and dine under a stag antler chandelier as the views from the three story windows transition from sunset to stars. Start with chilled sweetcorn soup followed by Sydney Rock oysters with lemon aspen jelly. Mains of Cone Bay Barramundi is a spin on a ‘Inspired by Her’ dish which celebrates women. This one in particular pays homage to hotel cofounder Eve Schwartz. Barramundi is accompanied by handmade spatzle and black garlic. A glorious slice of unctuous tea smoked duck on top of a glossy pool of jus is dotted with spring carrots is a worthy signature dish. Desserts of shortcrust pastry tart filled with goats cheese topped with fresh figs and flowers or ginger panna cotta with spiced plum are insta worthy dishes. Accomplished service ensures the wine pairing from Alpine Valley Beechworth Chardonnay, Mortimers Shiraz, to a DeBortoli Noble One will see you gliding back to your room for a silent snooze.
With the Blue Mountains at our Sydney doorstep, there are a million hectares (and reasons) to enjoy the cliffs, valleys, rugged tablelands in a world heritage landscape. The trouble is…you might just be having too good a time to actually leave the hotel and explore it!
Ubika Spa, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery by Sofitel
1 Sublime Point Road, Leura
https://www.fairmontresort.com.au/spa-welln, ess/ubika-spa/
Just as we get over Australia Day, a whole new year is dawning across the world. Our much loved Sydney restaurants and bars are embracing Chinese New Year (CNY) on Tuesday 5th February with celebrations and special events that kick off from around 1st Feb for two weeks. It’s the year of the Pig. Oink! Let’s go indulge our ‘inner piggy’!
If you haven’t had a Sydney staycation, make it a 2019 New Years resolution. It’s like tasting Gelato Messina – once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back. Simply because you are worth it.
If you haven’t discovered the narrow lanes that are Kensington street, the hawker food areas of Spice Alley, wine tasting rooms, White Rabbit galleries or shopping at Central Park, then Chippendale is putting on an artful show you’ve been missing. A wander down to Brickfields Bakery means we you can take home a stash of freshly baked sourdough. If chilling is more your thing, our guilty pleasure is Palace Central Sydney – newly renovated having taken over the top floor of Central Park. Head to the Prosecco Bar where you can enjoy sweeping garden views. Platinum provides the full VIP experience, simply add a bit of Freddie Mercury Bohemian Rhapsody and you have the perfect afternoon. 
The best things about staycations are that at the end of a day of adventure, wining and dining, there’s no fight for a taxi or a long journey home. It’s simply the touch of the button and you’re headed to no noisy neighbours, no humming aircon, just glorious 1000 count bed linen, peace, quiet and mmmm what’s for breakfast?