Whether you’ve got children or not, sometimes it’s nice to escape the pitter patter of little feet for a few days. Don’t let somebody else’s brats spoil your adults-only getaway. Play it safe and choose a hotel that ‘doesn’t cater for children’. In other words – no kids allowed!
1860 Luxury Accommodation, Beechworth, Victoria
1860 is ‘Man From Snowy River’ meets ‘Home Beautiful’, a lovingly restored timber cattelemen’s hut that’s rented out to one couple at a time. 1860 was built in, you guessed it, 1860 but a stay here is hardly roughing it. Re-imagined blacksmith bellows make for an avant garde coffee table and there’s a huge stone fireplace flanked by chocolate brown leather lounges. Rustic yet incredibly stylish, these cottages are ideal for surprising the man in your life – there’s not a doily or chintz cushion in sight.
Shizuka Ryokan, Hepburn Springs, Victoria
Leave your shoes and your cares at the door of Shizuka Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn located in the spa capital of Victoria. Traditional decor soothes the senses, soft tatami matting is gentle underfoot and water flows soothingly in your own private Japanese garden. Staff replace the tables and chairs with authentic bedding each evening and prepare a bath with fragrant cedar-wood dipping bowls, mineral bath salts, flickering candles and scented soaps. Want another good reason to stay here? Futons don’t have creaky springs.
VDL Stanley, Stanley, Tasmania
VDL Stanley was once a storage facility for the Van Diemen’s Land Co, a former bluestone warehouse which shaped much of the region’s history but these days original artworks rather than bales of wool fill the interior. Gorgeous, expensive interior design flourishes abound – VDL Stanley is definitely not suitable for kids. Park your car and forget about it; every funky art gallery, cafe and restaurant is within walking distance.
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El Questro Homestead, Kununurra, Western Australia
El Questro Homestead is an all-inclusive uber-lodge perched atop the Chamberlain Gorge in the Western Australian wilderness. Catering to a maximum of half a dozen couples, it feels like this beautiful place is yours alone most of the time. Take a tour of Zebedee Springs, find the perfect boab tree for a picnic or sit back with a sundowner in the communal guest lounge. Drinks are top shelf and guests are encouraged to relax and help themselves. You may have to sell the kids to stay here, prices start from $1960 per room, per night.
El Questro Homestead
Red Feather Inn, Hadspen, Tasmania
Built by convict labour and licensed as an inn in 1844 this Georgian property located just outside Launceston has been transformed into an intimate French provincial style B&B. Beautifully appointed suites overlook the secluded gardens and there’s an on-site cooking school offering hands-on classes most weekends. Much of the food comes from nearby heritage farm ‘Haggerstone’, something which makes staying at Red Feather Inn an experience to savour.
Witches Falls Cottages, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland
Surrounded by pristine rainforest and towering gum trees, these secluded, self-contained stone cottages set the scene for a romantic stay. Witches Falls National Park is located just across the road and myriad antique stores beckon. Pick up a bottle of local bubbly to enjoy in the spa then relax with a Ripple Chocolate Massage or snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a bottle of red. Self catering is easy at Witches Falls Cottages thanks to the attractive private BBQ area attached to each cottage.
The Louise, Barossa Valley, South Australia
The Louise is a hotel hideaway for food and wine connoisseurs, a luxurious 15-suite culinary nirvana attached to an acclaimed Barossa restaurant and surrounded by world-class wineries. Rooms come with a gift of tawny port and house-made cookies and a lavish king size bed. Enjoy uninterrupted views across the adjacent vineyards from a private terrace with a tasting platter from Appellation and a glass of something special. Stay mid-week and you’ll save over a hundred bucks.
Kims Beachside Retreat, Toowoon Bay, New South Wales
Located on the shores of a splendid horseshoe bay, Kims Beachside Retreat has been a favourite weekend escape for posh Sydney-siders for over 100 years. Choose a luxuriously appointed beachfront bungalow or a private villa hidden amongst the ancient Norfolk Pines. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in the tariff and announced with the ringing of a ship’s bell. Kims is perfect for an upmarket beach break without the school holiday hordes.
Somewhere Unique, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Two architecturally stunning cottages make up Somewhere Unique, a secluded adults-only hideaway surrounded by native Australian bushland. Appointments are top-notch – think heated towel rails, handmade soaps, divine Natio bath products, and extras like complimentary bike hire. The lavish breakfast basket packed with smokehouse bacon, free-range eggs, handmade jam, natural muesli and loads of other goodies gets rave reviews.
Disclosure: The writer wishes she had been hosted at all these gorgeous hotels but sadly that’s not the case.
Want something different? How about Australia’s Most Exclusive Islands or these gorgeous Australian Island Resorts?
