A Home Away. . .

The Sun Herald

Saturday May 28, 1994

EUCALYPT RIDGE,

EILDON, VICTORIA

TEL: (TOLL FREE) 008 25 1958

Just two hours by road from Melbourne is the exclusive Eucalypt Ridge, where there are never more than just eight guests who are accommodated in four luxury suites with spectacular views of the mountains of north-east Victoria and the nearby Lake Eildon.

This beautiful country retreat is set within 100 acres of natural bushland, home to koalas, wombats, kangaroos and many native birds.

Proprietors and hosts, Corinne and Brian Dixon, extend a warm personal welcome to each guest. Sumptuous gourmet meals are provided by Corinne, a trained chef who has had experience working in Thailand, Italy and Australia.

At Eucalypt Ridge activities include bush walks, tennis, horse riding and skiing. The resort also has its own jet boat and launch on Lake Eildon.

The tariff, which includes all meals and drinks, and the use of the jet boat and launch, ranges from $400 to $600 per person per day.

THE PARK GRAND

161, ELIZABETH ST,

SYDNEY

TEL: (02) 286 6000

A landmark hotel, overlooking Sydney's Hyde Park, the Park Grand is truly grand.

Rising to 24 levels above Elizabeth St, the hotel has a unique and striking facade from the outside.

Entering the hotel, the Grand Lobby, three storeys high, is, well, grand. From the inside the hotel projects graciousness and charm in all the public rooms, lounges and restaurants. The hotel's Gekko Restaurant, offering contemporary Australian cuisine, has become one of the city's "in" dining rooms.

The hotel has 561 rooms, including 50 suites. At the Park Grand, even the standard rooms are "grand." At 40 square metres, they are the largest standard hotel rooms in Sydney. All rooms have walk-in wardrobes, safes, and luxurious bathrooms of black granite and marble.

The hotel, owned by the Kajima Corporation of Japan, is ideally situated in the centre of the city for shopping and sight-seeing.

THE PARK HYATT,

7, HICKSON RD.,

THE ROCKS, SYDNEY.

TEL: (02) 241 1234 OR

(TOLL FREE) 008 222 188

At the Park Hyatt, the doorman gently ushers you into a world of inlaid marble, fine furniture and exquisite works of art. Here you are in Sydney's only true harbourside hotel, built in a gentle curve around the shores of Circular Quay.

The Park Hyatt, the winner of the 1993 Australian Tourism Award for best international style accommodation, is rapidly becoming a mecca for visiting celebrities. Billy Crystal was there just a few weeks ago.

They appreciate the discreet and personalised service of the Park Hyatt and so will you |

The hotel offers 158 luxurious guest rooms, including 36 even more luxurious suites.

At the Park Hyatt, nothing is ordinary |

Currently, the Park Hyatt is offering special packages which will enable you live at this prestigious waterside address for a weekend of sheer indulgence. These packages are available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights

Packages start at $415 for one night and that includes valet parking, champagne on arrival and a champagne breakfast.

At the other end of the scale is a night in the Park Hyatt's Governor Suite, with separate lounge, bedroom, dressing room and six balconies overlooking the Sydney Opera House. Here the champagne is French and is served by your personal butler. The price is $2,500.

ALLENDALE COTTAGE

CLARENCE RD.,

BLACKHEATH, NSW

TEL: (047) 87 8270

Allendale Cottage offers romantic weekends or week-day escapes for never more than couples because the accommodation is limited to just two guest suites: an in-house bedroom with its own cozy parlour and open fireplace and the fully self-contained pavilion suite, with a private balcony and a bathroom with floor to ceiling windows.

Allendale Cottage, nestled in four hectares of historic and very private garden, was built 100 years ago. In the lower garden a natural spring bubbles up creating a valley of ferns. The pure spring water is available in the guests' rooms.

Beyond the gardens a forest of Blue Mountain ash leads to many spectacular walking trails. Breakfast is included in the package and dinner is available on request.

LILIANFELS,

LILIANFELS AVENUE,

KATOOMBA, NSW

TEL: (047) 801 200 OR (02) 267 7599 OR (TOLL FREE) 008 25 1958

Amidst expansive park-like gardens of majestic pines and exotic trees, Lilianfels is the European-style Country House which is setting new standards of accommodation and dining in the Blue Mountains.

The resort is built in the grounds of an historic Blue Mountains landmark, Lilianfels House, once the summer residence of a Chief Justice of NSW, Sir Frederick Darley. The house was painstakingly restored as the 86-room country house was being built in a design to complement the original architecture.

The hotel's premier restaurant, Darleys, named after the original owner, can be found in Lilianfels House.

At the end of a grand, winding driveway is the hotel where all 86 rooms have magnificent views over the gardens or mountains.

Guest facilities include a tennis court and a health club.

Lilianfels is a member of Select Hotels & Resorts International.

STONELEA,

CONNELLY'S CREEK RD.,

ACHERON, VICTORIA

TEL: (057) 72 2222

Stonelea is one of those wonderful places, a sophisticated country resort, where you can do everything or do nothing. The choice is yours.

Designed in 1987, it was originally built for family holidays offering accommodation in cosy timber cottages which may look rustic on the outside but offer all the comforts of home on the inside.

Today, families still enjoy holidays and weekends at Stonelea but the resort has also become extremely popular for business conventions.

Doing everything that Stonelea has to offer will keep you busy. Intrepid adventurers can enjoy a variety of activities including abseiling, white water rafting, hot air ballooning, cruises on Lake Eildon, cross country and down-hill skiing, golf, bowls, croquet, cycling, canoeing, bush-walking - and that's just a sample.

Doing nothing involves relaxing in your cabin by a log fire in winter or on your own balcony in summer, contemplating all the things you're not doing.

The resort has an award-winning restaurant located in the original Stonelea homestead.

The Novotel

MELBOURNE ON COLLINS

270 COLLINS ST.,

MELBOURNE

TEL: (O3) 650 5800 OR

(TOLL FREE) 008 637 796

When the giant French hotel chain, ACCOR, went looking for a Melbourne location where else to look than the fabled Paris end of Collins Street, one of Melbourne's great shopping and dining boulevards.

Within one or two blocks of the Novotel can be found Melbourne's major business houses, top theatres, boutiques, department stores and restaurants.

Adjoining Melbourne's newest hotel you will find the prestigious Australia On Collins retail complex which offers the best in local and imported fashion and food. Described as the jewel of Collins Street, the Australian On Collins retail complex contains more than 50 fashion and homeware boutiques and 20 food stores.

The Novotel Melbourne On Collins has 323 rooms, including 31 studio suites and eight executive rooms with private offices and fax machines.

The hotel also offers a heated indoor pool and health club which has a commanding view over the lofty atrium.

Michel's Parisian Brasserie, on the reception level of the Novotel, offers fast and innovative brasserie-style dishes with an extensive list of local and international wines.

Described as "the best French brasserie in town" by renowned food critic Stephen Downes, writing in The Sunday Age last year, Michel's Parisian Brasserie has been modelled on a Parisian original and features art deco fixtures and an elaborately patterned mosaic floor. Parisian ambience as well as great food.

THE ANCHORAGE,

CORLETTE POINT RD.,

CORLETTE, NSW

TEL: (049) 84 2555

This Port Stephens resort has a high international rating. Of 51,000 resorts around the world, The Anchorage was rated number 12.

A little over two hours by road north of Sydney - 90 nautical miles if coming by boat - the Anchorage combines the relaxed atmosphere of a coastal village with the elegance and attentive service expected from a resort with a number 12 rating |

Right now, The Anchorage is offering special midweek getaway packages for city dwellers seeking to forget the winter woes. Midweek stays, between Sundays and Thursdays are a great option with the resort offering reduced rates.

Packages available include the "think two" package with two night's luxury accommodation, buffet breakfasts and a three-course dinner at the renowned Merretts Restaurant - all for $460.

Golfers can sample the "whole in one" package: one night's accommodation, breakfast and entrance to the nearby Horizons Championship Golf Course for$255 per couple.

NOVOTEL BRIGHTON BEACH

GRAND PARADE & PRINCESS STREET,

BRIGHTON-LE-SANDS, SYDNEY

TEL: (02) 597 7111

Although only a 15 minute drive from the centre of Sydney, Novotel Brighton Beach is a peaceful haven where guests are cosseted away from the bustle of city life.

With a beach across the road and sweeping views over Botany Bay, the atmosphere of the hotel is that of an exotic resort. It even has its own lagoon and waterfall.

The suites are spacious and beautifully furnished, incorporating king size bedrooms, private balconies, marble bathrooms and separate lounge rooms. Some suites have spa baths, others have extra large balconies and there are even two penthouses for those who want the ultimate in luxury.

Novotel Brighton Beach has some great value packages on offer, including a Winter Escape priced at $75 per person, twin share. The package is one night's accommodation, hot buffet breakfast and a 370ml bottle of port which is bound to keep you warm. The package is available from June 1 to August 31, 1994.

If you want to take in some of Sydney's attractions during your stay there is a courtesy shuttle service to the centre of the city, and also to the international and domestic airports.

REYNELLA HOMESTEAD,

BOLARO RD.,

ADAMINABY,

TEL: (064) 542 386

AND

MT SELWYN SKI RESORT

VIA CABRAMURRA, NSW

TEL: (064) 549 482

As the 1994 ski season approaches, Reynella and Mt Selwyn offers a unique double act.

Reynella is a working sheep station offering bunk-house style accommodation, home-cooked meals, and a relaxing, friendly atmosphere.

Mt Selwyn is a family ski resort which, in 1994, appears to have achieved the impossible: adults need pay only $25 for a full-day ski lift tickets, under 15s pay just $15 and children under six are free. Compare those prices with some of the other resorts in NSW and Victoria |

Mt Selwyn, roughly three-quarters of an hour from Reynella, covers more than 45 hectares and has 12 ski lifts giving access to ski runs ranging from very easy to s-t-e-e-p |

© 1994 The Sun Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home