Retreat from the world in these fabulous honeymoon suites

Photo: Photolibrary/
Deborah JaffeWORDS ANNE LOH

Deciding where to spend your precious honeymoon days can be difficult. You want sumptuous décor, soothing ambience and the perfect, memorable location – and then there’s the all-important privacy factor to consider. But relax! We’ve done the legwork for you and come up with eight fabulous hotels and resorts, all with their own unique attraction. One thing’s for sure: you’ll have a great time staying in!

Watermark Hotel & Spa Gold Coast, Queensland

For couples seeking days of endless sunshine, sweeping views of the Surfers Paradise beach action and the buzz of holidaymakers, the Watermark Hotel & Spa comes up trumps. The hotel’s Club Watermark Spa Indulgence package – at AU$320 a night – comes with a Club Watermark king room on the top floors of the hotel, a 50-minute massage in the L’Aqua Day Spa and full access to the gym, two heated pools, spa and sauna. Fuel up with pre-dinner cocktails and canapés and a freshly cooked breakfast in the Club Lounge for complete satisfaction.

Sofitel Seminyak Bali, Indonesia

Indulge in contemporary French style combined with Balinese serenity at Sofitel Seminyak on picturesque Seminyak Beach. Set within a secluded 4.5-acre garden, its special honeymoon package – just for Jetstar passengers – includes two nights’ accommodation in a Superior Villa; private airport transfers; a welcome pack of garlands, drinks, flowers and fruit; a Balinese massage for two; and a romantic dinner on the beach. Can’t tear yourself away from your villa? Send out your butler for supplies! The package rate is AU$892++ (till 31 March 2008).

Peppers Springs Retreat & Spa, Hepburn Springs, Victoria

You’ll love swishing into the art deco elegance of this retreat in Hepburn Springs in the heart of Victoria’s spa country for your honeymoon getaway. An hour’s drive from Melbourne, it offers old-world grace, contemporary décor and a new Mineral Spa boasting three open-air plunge pools. The Ultimate Indulgence package, at AU$2,911 gives you five nights in the unique Gatsby room, champagne on arrival, daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, 45-minute relaxation massage for two, wine tasting and canapés on Saturday, and 90-minute spa retreat access passes.

The Sebel Pier One Sydney Hotel, New South Wales

For absolute waterfront, luxury honeymoon accommodation, the Sebel Pier One Sydney Hotel takes the cake. With Federation architecture but contemporary style, the hotel has fantastic views of Walsh Bay and the harbour, with easy access to The Rocks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The Walsh Bay Suite is the choice for honeymooners, with a king-sized bed, deep spa bath and daybed lounge. The hotel’s honeymoon package includes a bottle of Jansz sparkling wine on arrival, handmade Swiss chocolates, room-service breakfast in your suite, Crabtree & Evelyn bath tablets, and a 1pm checkout. The package is AU$495 a night.

The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa, Byron Bay, New South Wales

Nestled within magnificent rainforest, beside a beach and golf course, The Byron is a place where you can do as much or as little as you like. Tread the rainforest boardwalks, take sunset beach strolls, have a spa treatment – or take the complimentary shuttle to Byron Bay village for endless activities. The Love Essential package comprises five nights in a Spa King suite, Bollinger Champagne and cheese on arrival, a two-hour Isle of Delight treatment in the wellness centre, a candlelit dinner for two in The Restaurant at The Byron and a full buffet breakfast every day. What a way to start your marriage! The package is AU$2,275.

Grand Mercure Allegra, Hervey Bay, Queensland

Hervey Bay is the jumping-off point for World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and its gorgeous, unspoilt beaches. So what better place to make a love-nest than at the brand-new, 49-apartment Grand Mercure Allegra? Book a penthouse apartment on the top of the building and you’ll have the dreamiest sea views, a designer kitchen, a master-suite with outdoor spa bath, and your very own private rooftop terrace with a spa pool for skinny-dipping soirées. Now, that’s the life! The penthouse honeymoon package comes with champagne and chocolates, at AU$310 per couple per night.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Thailand

Even among Phuket’s many great resorts the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket stands out as one of the most romantic, with its oneand two-bedroom villas built over the waters of a tranquil lagoon just steps away from a postcard-perfect beach. The Bliss package includes limousine transfers, a bottle of champagne, a two-hour spa package, a sunset elephant ride, romantic prepared bath, breakfast or dinner lagoon cruise, and a barbecue dinner with wine in your villa, on the beach or in the tropical gardens. The package is US$1,300 (AU$1,577) on top of the room rate.

The Chateau on the Park, Christchurch, New Zealand

Enjoy a break at The Chateau on the Park, a city retreat that boasts a resort atmosphere thanks to its five acres of beautiful flowering gardens. Book the resort’s Ultimate Honeymoon Hideaway package and you’ll be able to relax in a suite after the excitement of the wedding savouring a bottle of bubbly, nibbling on chocolates and dipping into the Pamperpack before slipping into your private spa bath. Breakfast can be served to your room. The rate is NZ$330 (AU$284) a night.

For all your travel choices, go to jetstar.com

Find it:

Watermark Hotel & Spa Gold Coast
3032 Surfers Paradise Blvd,
Surfers Paradise, QLD tel: +61 (7) 55 888 333
Sofitel Seminyak Bali
Jalan Abimanyu, Seminyak Beach, Bali, Indonesia tel: +62 (361) 730730
Peppers Springs Retreat & Spa
124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, VIC tel: +61 (3) 5348 2202
The Sebel Pier One Sydney Hotel
11 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, NSW
Free call: 1800 780 485 (within Australia)
The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa
77–97 Broken Head Rd, Byron Bay, NSW tel: 1300 554 362 (within Australia)
Grand Mercure Apartments Allegra, Hervey Bay
468 The Esplanade, Torquay, QLD tel: +61 (7) 4194 7200
Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket
10 Moo 4, Bang Tao Bay, Cherng Talay, Thalang District, Phuket, Thailand
tel: +66 (76) 324 101
The Chateau on the Park,Christchurch
189 Deans Ave, Christchurch, New Zealand tel: +64 (3) 348 8999

Wondering what to pack?
Melinda Dunn, spa manager from The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa, recommends honeymooners bring:

• massage oil and body scrub
• scented candles
• sexy lingerie
• a couple of nice outfits
• digital camera
• your favourite CDs
• spontaneity