SHE knows that we are so lucky to live in Australia – and one of our most beautiful states is without doubt, Tasmania. SHE was travelling the East Coast last week to ultimately visit our newest and most luxurious destination – Saffire. Wow. SHE’s seen a lot of beautiful locations and some stunning accommodation, but its got to be said that this one really impressed. SHE’s delighted to report that SHE is starstruck!
There’s been a lot of press about this new boutique property – the team at Pure Tasmania and The Federal Group have done a brilliant job getting the word out. SHE’s seen more than one or two glowing articles in travel magazines; a friend forwarded me an article from a writer in New York. All have spoken highly of the location, the stunning design, their experience, and the service. Ah – the service…
SHE believes service is the difference between a good and a truly memorable experience. No point ticking all the boxes with great food, very comfy beds, and views to die for if the service isn’t up to scratch. This is surely one of Saffire’s greatest assets.
SHE was met by the delightful Marc Lacoste, Guest Services Manager (another one of Saffire’s great assets). What a fortunate day for us I say! Marc is the perfect fit for this role – he is knowledgeable, articulate, quietly confident and clearly passionate about the property he calls home for most of the week. How wonderful to be taken on the tour of Saffire accompanied by his wonderful explanations of the philosophy that is fundamental to the property. Marc spoke of Saffire’s desire to ‘give guests what they didn’t know they needed’ – the thoughtful little touches like your favourite tea, an ipod loaded with music you love, books you might like to read, wine you definitely want to drink! Ah…real service! At last! All understated, not too gushy, SHE likes to call it ‘very grown up’!
As we toured the property, Marc took time to show us the beautiful suites – all designed to take advantage of the stunning views of the Hazards (a rugged mountain chain in the heart of the Freycinet National Park). The floor to ceiling windows give the impression you could just reach out and touch those beautiful mountains. You’re a hard person if you don’t feel connected to a less material world in this beautiful location.Those wonderful people behind Saffire describe it as a ‘sanctuary’. SHE can’t think of a better place to help put yourself back together again. Or just to sit, and be, and take time to breathe.
There are all the comforts you’d love to have at home – drop down tellys (why spoil all that with the view of a TV screen even if it is a lovely flat screen?), really comfy beds, a lovely lounge crying out to be sat on (at least for an afternoon). Great furniture, all very comfortable, very tasteful – loved it! And privacy is guaranteed – SHE hates it when SHE’s running away for a few days and can hear everything from the room next door! There’s nothing special about that!
A luxury suite isn’t complete without a well stocked mini-bar…this one gets a ‘wow’. Definitely worth staying in for! Sparkling wine, a bottle of fine red (all excellent quality local Tasmanian of course!), a selection of local Lark Distillery spirits, plunger coffee, fine tea (and a teapot to serve it in), real milk! No reason to leave for at least a few hours. But when you do you might go to the spa, or for a walk on that impossibly white beach, or for a ride on that boat, or maybe to dinner…
SHE loves to eat – no secrets there. And SHE loves the fact that Saffire includes a 5 course degustation dinner with matching wines in the daily all inclusive rate. Now if those words ‘all inclusive’ sound a bit misleading to you, think again. That’s exactly what Marc invited us to do as we wandered the property and he explained all about those inclusions guests receive when they stay at Saffire. Let’s check them off…all meals (you can choose not to have dinner, but really…why would you? It’s incredibly good value!), selected alcoholic beverages (the wine list is a ripper! Nothing but the best of local and overseas on offer here!), spa treatments, mini bar (oh yes!), and lots of activities. And just to top it off, a small but important detail for those who can’t stand not to be in touch with the world… internet access. Hooray! Finally someone has included this in an ‘all inclusive’ rate!
So…service with a capital ‘S’, excellent value for money, and one of the most stunning locations in the world (yep…the world!). SHE is clearly impressed and can’t wait to get back there! Do yourself, or someone you like a whole lot, a huge favour and visit this beautiful property soon!
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SHE was on a fact finding mission recently to find out what all the fuss is about the Gili Islands. As a born and bred Perth girl, SHE’s spent many a holiday in Bali – a 3 and a bit hour flight makes getting there a breeze! But SHE is always in search of ‘new’ destinations – somewhere that takes us back to the days when life was simpler, where dressing for dinner involves a slip of a dress and a pair of thongs, somewhere that’s a bit off the beaten track. SHE’s excited to report that these stunning 3 tiny islands sitting off the coast of Bali and Lombok proved to be everything SHE had hoped for and more! But ssshhh…don’t tell anyone!
SHE began this adventure in Bali. There are any number of ways to reach the Islands – by fast boat (catamarans that the companies brag are built in Australia – therefore they must be good!); by very slow boat (uh..no thanks! Seasick…ugh!); by very short flight via Lombok (tick in the box to this one!). SHE decided to take the fast boat from Padang Bai on the East Coast of Bali (about 1 hour from Sanur hotels) to Lombok – a 1 hour trip over what was thankfully a very calm ocean. All hail the Ocean Gods – SHE loves the concept of boats but doesn’t always travel well on the ocean – the Lombok Strait can be awfully rough and isn’t for the faint hearted at certain times of the year. Ginger tablets are highly recommended!
SHE took the opportunity to stay a couple of nights on Lombok – all those visits to Bali and SHE had never set foot on the sister island! SHE found a lovely resort – Alang Alang Villas – to relax for a few nights. Great location, nice accommodation, small and boutique – and some of the most beautiful sunsets SHE has had the good fortune to see!
Lombok is much quieter than Bali. The beaches are lovely – it’s picture postcard ‘palm tree hugging the coastline’ scenery. The pick of the beaches is a trek from the main area of Sengiggi – venture to the south coast of the island and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful white sand beaches and not too many people to share it with! There’s no shopping to speak of so those of us who like a bit of retail therapy should make sure that’s well and truly covered in Bali.
So with Lombok ticked off the list, it was time to find the way to the Gili Islands. SHE chartered a boat from Lombok with a day of snorkelling and island hopping in mind. The 1 hour trip to Gili Trawangan (the largest of the 3 islands) was leisurely and trouble free (those Ocean Gods were smiling again!). Ady – our trusty and incredibly competent skipper – pulled his boat into the beach and invited us to explore the island, and step back in time…
There are no cars or motorbikes on Gili T. It’s walking, a push bike or a horse and cart if you want to get around here – and on a bike it takes around 1.5 hours to see it all. There’s nothing to do except swim, snorkel off the beach, laze in and out of the water, eat, drink…is this sounding like the perfect escape? 3 days here and SHE felt like SHE’d been on holidays for a week. It’s been a very long time – maybe all those years ago as a kid on Rottnest Island – since SHE has visited a destination that truly fits the bill for ‘doing nothing’. Oh sure – you can charter a boat and explore the other 2 islands (Gili Meno and Gili Air), go diving (apparently it’s fantastic) or snorkel in water that is described as turquoise – but that doesn’t do it justice. It’s blindingly blue and clear – and that’s not normally what you’d expect in and around Bali. Wow. You can do all that or you can just relax…sigh.
This tiny island is fondly (!) referred to as the ‘party island’. SHE happened to be staying when the final of the World Cup was played (don’t get soccer…SHE’s Aussie rules football all the way!), and on the following night, SHE ws invited to a Dance Party with what felt like the whole island and half the world’s backpackers! Ahh…the universal language of music!
SHE found lovely accommodation at the Villa Unguul – only 8 months old, a little further up the beach from all those ‘kids’ (aka backpackers, SHE’s showing her age!). There was a great swimming pool, very clean and spacious rooms – perfect! And when it’s time to eat (again, yep…really, may as well!), the food’s great. Choose cheap and cheerful or some of the freshest fish and best looking crayfish SHE’s tasted in a long time. Sit with your feet in the sand, kick back and enjoy the laid back approach of the locals. No-one’s in a hurry, everyone’s smiling – it doesn’t take long at all to slip into Gili T time.
All too soon it was time to leave – SHE decided to take the fast way home. Speed boat from Gili T to Lombok (around 10 hilarious minutes that felt like something out of a James Bond movie!), private car transfer to Mataram Airport (roughly 45 minutes via a very scenic road to the town that is the main gateway to Bali and beyond), and the very quick 30 minute flight to Denpasar via Garuda. SHE loved this combination – and all this meant a smooth connection with the midnight flight home to Melbourne. SHE can’t wait to do this again…wanna come? 
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SHE’s an independent traveller – and proud of it. Sometimes, unfortunately, it’s those of us who travel most frequently who sometimes get just a little complacent and forget the warnings we insist our groups take heed of. SHE had a rude wake up call on a recent trip – as it turns out SHE was very, VERY lucky and thankfully survived to tell the tale!
SHE was travelling in Asia, visiting a major city and on the way to a site inspection of a new hotel. Dressed for business SHE heads off, bag over the shoulder with the usual contents – wallet with all the credit cards (at last count there was 4), Imelda Iphone (can’t leave her at home!), camera for hotel pics, makeup etc. Walking along a busy city street, chatting with a colleague who was walking on the left, SHE crossed at lights where at least 50 motorbikes were stopped waiting for the change of lights (they were on our right). As we crossed on the ‘walk’ sign, chatting, watching for traffic but still involved in our conversation, a rider jumped the lights, accelerated in front of us and attempted to grab the handbag. He was determined – SHE was more determined, and hung on – rightly/wrongly – SHE defies anyone to willingly give up your handbag when a random stranger tries to take your personal property!
SHE’s still surprised SHE didn’t drag him off his bike – and is just a little sorry too! There’s no doubt he would have come out the worse for wear – SHE was carried along for a few seconds and hit the road hard when he eventually gave up. SHE didn’t even get a look at him it happened so fast. A very sore hand, grazes on the arm, knee and a ripper of a bruise on the hip that took most of the brunt of the fall – SHE considers herself to be extremely lucky that there weren’t any broken bones.
Lessons to be learned – SHE knows this was all some not-too-gentle way of being reminded of the downsides of travel in foreign countries. And to take heed of warnings in guides like the wonderful bible “Lonely Planet” so many of us take with us as a constant companion – the same one that says violent theft is rare. And yes it is. SHE broke all the rules that day – leaving the hotel with way too many valuable items in the handbag, not paying attention when crossing the road, having the handbag closest to the oncoming traffic – simple things that we often don’t think twice about. On this day, SHE was an open target for a random thief. Karma will get him.
SHE was really shaken up by this – your first reaction is you just can’t believe it’s happened to you, then you’re checking if anything’s broken, sprained, twisted; has anything been stolen – quick rummage through bag ‘oh my god what did I have in here…I could have lost it all!’. Then the anger sets in – that someone would try to steal something that’s yours – personal stuff. It’s a feeling of violation. SHE was feeling very shaky for the rest of the day – really emotional and couldn’t get back to the hotel to be in a ‘safe’ place fast enough. From what SHE’s heard they’re pretty common emotions – and not ones that SHE’s in a hurry to experience again. They passed of course – those feelings – but SHE was definitely a bit jumpy the following day and may have looked sideways with suspicion at a few too many people!
Travel is filled with experiences, it’s the reason SHE loves it so much. It’s not always easy travelling as a solo woman, we must all take care and remind ourselves that not all people are good and that sometimes bad things happen. SHE won’t let that stop her getting on that plane and visiting extraordinary destinations, nor will SHE become paranoid and let it ruin any future trips. SHE’s just had a wake up call to remember to practice what SHE preaches and leave as many personal belongings of value in a hotel safe – after all, that’s what it’s for.
Here’s to safe and happy travels for all of us.
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For those of us who remember Hamilton Island from at least 5 years ago (and much further back than that!) SHE is seriously impressed with the recent developments on this beautiful Whitsundays island.
SHE was fortunate to be included on a recent industry familiarisation program that saw us on a grand tour of the island and it’s many new additions and upgrades. Our group flew on Virgin Blue and arrived in time for lunch at Qualia – sigh…that’s a pretty tough view to take in over a glass of Jansz and a light lunch!
View from the deck at Qualia
After a wander around the stunning property and a peek at the pavilions it was time to head to the Reef View Hotel for a refresh before boarding the ferry for a 1o minute journey to Dent Island. Hamilton Island Golf Course is Australia’s only championship golf course on it’s own island – and what a stunner it is. There are the most amazing views from every possible angle – it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful. We jumped in our buggies and headed for the 14th tee for a glass of champagne as the sun set – and the moon rose!
Sunset drinks on the golf course
Dinner at the Golf Club followed – a feast accompanied with the wonderful Robert Oatley wines. Some great acoustic entertainment from local strummer Shane had us all dancing – bare foot on the grass! Truly a wonderful evening!
We were up bright and early on Friday morning – those playing 18 holes of golf earlier than the rest of us – thankfully! We were met at the golf club by the delightful Nick Maynard from Maui Jim, who fitted us individually with a pair of fabulous glasses – such service, such a treat, such rockstars! Once you’ve put a pair of these glasses on you’ll never look back (but if you do, the world will look a whole lot better!)
The world looks better through Maui Jims!
SHE joined the golf clinic girls – never having picked up a stick (ah I think its a ‘club’!) it was great to learn the basics from resident golf pro Cherie. She was very patient and of course there was a mini competition to motivate us – French champagne with an orange label to the winner! Hmmm…memo – must practice more to win beautiful bubbles.
The ladies golf clinic
A short ferry ride back to the Island and it was an afternoon of free time to sit by the pool and enjoy the sunshine. Big deep breath and …sigh! Now that’s what SHE calls a damn good Friday afternoon!
Feeling refreshed and relaxed, our group met for a 5 minute transfer to the marina to board one of the Cruise Indigo boats for a sunset cruise. It was a perfect night as we sipped champagne and took in the beauty of the Whitsundays. The sun sank in the west as we sailed by the stunning new Yacht Club. With an upmarket restaurant, a deck to enjoy a drink or three at pretty much anytime, and some great function space, this venue is a welcome addition to the Island.
Hamilton Island Yacht Club
And it was here we enjoyed our final night on the Island. We worked our way through a menu accompanied by Robert Oatley wines – the wonderfully articulate Darren Jahns (whose enviable job seems to involve trotting around the country eating, drinking and talking about it!) has converted most of us to the Pinot Gris and …wait for it… the Robert Oatley Chardonnay! There… SHE said it! And it’s excellent. And SHE’s officially a fan.
A huge thank you to the Business Tourism team at Hamilton Island who looked after us so well – Julie and Erin – great job! SHE can’t wait to get back with one of our clients in late August – does this sound like SHE definitely has the ‘best job in the world’?
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Stylish, hip, very cool – okay there’s every chance SHE’s biased given that Melbourne is home. SHE is, however, very impressed with the fabulous new Crown Metropol - opened for only a month and really looking good!
SHE was fortunate to be invited to stay last Friday night as part of a wonderful evening hosted by Crown – a group of us attended a charity event and were treated to an overnight stay at Metropol. SHE jumped at the opportunity – we’ve had the chance to look around the hotel and the rooms, but staying is really the only way to experience the true heart and soul of a hotel. Metropol did not disappoint.
SHE loves exploring a hotel room, opening and closing everything, bouncing up and down on the bed… and here’s what SHE found:
- Minibar: a mini bottle of French champagne (sigh!), some very swish water (didn’t get to that unfortunately…hmmm, trend here…)
- A mug (oh thank you) to drink the wonderful tea and coffee (beautifully packaged teas from Madame Flavour - really neat, AND born and bred in Victoria! And Robert Timms coffee bags – yep – they make a very decent cup of coffee compared to that standard old sachet, or an overpriced packet of espresso coffee.)
- Ipod dock: yay! What self respecting hotel opening or refurbing in 2010 wouldn’t include this as their number one radio / music / clock option? And of course, SHE forgot the phone charger so no problems here! Still able to send inappropriate text messages late at night…
- Nice little branded amenities – in nice little bottles with tops that unscrew easily. And nice soap too!
- A big snuggly robe in a most flattering colour – soft charcoal grey to match all that understated branding. And so much do the guests love those robes that SHE passed at least 4 of them in various random lifts during the stay, clearly on their way to the Isika Spa (well, actually, we questioned the poor guy who stepped into the lift with 8 people dressed in black tie! He was a little uncomfortable but promised to enjoy whatever treatment he had planned!). And the cool in-room thongs – loved them! So much more practical for padding around the hotel, between floors, to breakfast when your feet hurt from dancing the night before…
And of course there’s a beautiful big bed to be bounced on – very comfy, good pillows, lots of room if you do need to be starfish after a big night!
A really great night’s sleep
Let’s not forget the dining options that mean you really don’t need to leave the hotel – Maze is Gordon Ramsay’s new venture. SHE tried our luck on a whim one Sunday night – not a chance unfortunately! Restaurant fully booked! It pays to plan ahead and make the booking – especially for Friday and Saturday nights. SHE will get right on to that…
If you’re looking at indulging in a city escape, head straight for Metropol and take the option to include the access to Level 28. Wow. SHE expects to be back here as often as possible! Maybe SHE’ll bump into that good looking guy from the ad?!
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Our inaugural trip to Bali departed on 20 April – SHE would like to say a huge thankyou to the wonderful ladies who joined us on this trip.
Our first 3 nights were spent in Jimbaran staying at the wonderful Intercontinental Hotel – we took full advantage of the hotel facilities (breakfast was a highlight – nice buffet!). Our ‘welcome to Bali dinner’ was held on the beach at Jimbaran’s best seafood restaurant Sharkey’s (and SHE’s not the only one who thinks so – these wonderful people win awards on a regular basis!). Natalie (our lovely Aussie co-owner / hostess with the mostess) was given the task of ordering for us – she delivered beautifully! The ladies worked their way through a feast of seafood – and of course no dinner would be complete without a band of wandering minstrels serenading the group! (In fact at one stage SHE wasn’t sure who was seranading who!)
Dinner at Sharkey’s
We ate, we drank a cocktail or 5, we shopped and we ate (can’t get enough Nasi Goreng!). SHE made some time to give a little back too – we visited a local orphanage in Denpasar to see if we could share some joy – we’re still not sure who got the most pleasure out of our visit – the kids were amazing! We stopped at a local supermarket on the way and stocked up on pens, pencils, colouring books and…balls! Lots of them in all different sizes – these were a big hit with the kids (and with us!). We also discovered some hidden talents amongst our group – our lovely Trish delighted the kids with drawings of Aussie animals – well…we think that was a koala!
Trish & the kids
Suzanne & her new friend!
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!
The days went by way too quickly for any of us – before we knew it we were on the road to Ubud. The stunning Maya Ubud Hotel was home to us for the next 3 days – it’s hard to describe the overwhelming sense of peace and tranquillity that washes over you when you arrive at the hotel – it is a truly magical place.
SHE had arranged a very special surprise for the ladies – a blessing and purification ceremony with the High Priest of Ubud. We were measured for traditional Balinese outfits when we arrived at the hotel (that were delivered to our rooms the next day). Two of the beautiful Balinese hotel staff came to our rooms to show us how to tie our sarongs – we felt like we were getting ready for a wedding…all chatty and giggly – making sure we had matching earrings and our best sandals!
Purification ceremony with High Priest of Ubud
Our resort guide Wayan accompanied us to the temple and was our translator throughout the ceremony. It was a truly moving and memorable morning – we left the temple a little lighter in spirit (definitely a little soggier after being doused in holy water!) It was an honour and a privilege to be a part of such an important cultural and spiritual experience.
Praying at the temple
Wayan leading the ladies in prayer
SHE jumped at the invitation to join the inaugural VAustralia flight from Melbourne to Phuket early in December. (Phone call: wanna come? Oh wait…let me think about it for a minute, I’ll just check my diary…gosh I’m free! Count me in!)
A glass of bubbles with Neil from Virgin, & Helen Batt-Rawden
(travelling buddy & editor of Micenet magazine)
SHE joined fellow event managers and industry colleagues all terriby excited about the concept of flying to Phuket (8 and a bit hours), staying in a fabulous hotel, then flying home the next afternoon. Hilarious! Our mates think we’re mad (just before they mutter yet again – ‘that’s not a job’). The party started in the Lounge – nice – and always good to start a trip with my old favourite – a Bloody Mary.
We boarded the shiny new plane like a group of excited teenagers (what’s that about…we travel all the time but we still love it!) and the party began in earnest as we were greeted with our first glass of bubbles (mmm…Moet)! Time check: 9am Melbourne time.
Lots and lots of space at the front of the plane – SHE was very spoilt! The wonderful crew were typically Virgin – hip, young and funky, just the right amount of chat and banter accompanied by great, attentive service.
The girls & Jodie from VAustralia (pin up girl – she’s gorgeous!)
Jodie and the crew gave us an introduction to our seats – hey seat – how you doing? SHE hates that bit when you’d love to touch every button, open and close everything, and try all the settings on your seat but you’re pretending to look cool! Bugger that! It’s so nice to know how the sneaky telly gets out of its hiding place. And as for that bar in the sky…fabulous is the only word I have for it! A perfect little party for 6. (safety requirements folks…there is a serious side to the flight!). Stocked to the eyeballs with all that is top shelf in vodka, scotch, bubbles…
There was much anticipation and high expectations of my very comfy seat turning into a very comfy bed. Step aside crew…I’ll be the judge of this ‘lie flat’ bed business. (Note to cynics …SHE can tell you…it was FLAT. All snuggled into a lovely warm doona with PJs).
Gary makes my bed while I visit the ladies only loo!
SHE was very happy to meet the man flying us to Phuket – here’s Captain Matt!
Captain Matt flies us to Phuket and back
We’re pretty sure he had help – he was ‘stretching his legs’ on a fairly regular basis (SHE was paying attention ladies), doing his rounds and checking on his charges (I think around 230 of us on that lovely shiny plane?) – so we did double check he had a wingman – or 2… “Roger that Maverick – Goose taking charge on the flight deck.”
I digress…terribly actually – sorry about that! The Ladies Only Toilet is Fabulous! Thank you VAustralia for being bold enough to dedicate a loo on a plane just for us – SHE loves you. No toilet seat left up, nice clean & dry floor (sigh), lovely lighting that doesn’t make us look 30 years older than we are. There’s a nifty fold down thingy that goes over the toilet seat (that might be something like a baby change table except I don’t have babies so I’m only guessing) so we can sit and reapply if we need to (and we all know that reapplying is most important – especially if Captain Matt is flying your plane). SHE went to the loo even when SHE didn’t need to – it was lovely!
And look where we had lunch the next day!
Nai Yang Beach Phuket
Definitely worth flying 8 and a bit hours for! SHE was fortunate to stay at the Indigo Pearl Resort and this is the beautiful Nai Yang Beach – a short wander from the resort. Sit with your feet in the sand, eat fresh fish caught off the beach that morning washed down with a sneaky Aussie Sauvignon Blanc you brought with you Duty Free (the restaurant staff happily shove it in an ice bucket for you). Heaven.
So if you believe it’s not the destination but the journey that really matters – get on board VAustralia. Treat yourself to a seat at the front of the plane – Business Class is anything but Business (SHE had a ball). or if it makes you feel better to save a few $$ then go Premium Economy – you won’t be disappointed.
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SHE knows that we are so lucky to live in Australia – and one of our most beautiful states is without doubt, Tasmania. SHE was travelling the East Coast last week to ultimately visit our newest and most luxurious destination – Saffire. Wow. SHE’s seen a lot of beautiful locations and some stunning accommodation, but its got to be said that this one really impressed. SHE’s delighted to report that SHE is starstruck!
As we toured the property, Marc took time to show us the beautiful suites – all designed to take advantage of the stunning views of the Hazards (a rugged mountain chain in the heart of the Freycinet National Park). The floor to ceiling windows give the impression you could just reach out and touch those beautiful mountains. You’re a hard person if you don’t feel connected to a less material world in this beautiful location.Those wonderful people behind Saffire describe it as a ‘sanctuary’. SHE can’t think of a better place to help put yourself back together again. Or just to sit, and be, and take time to breathe.
SHE loves to eat – no secrets there. And SHE loves the fact that Saffire includes a 5 course degustation dinner with matching wines in the daily all inclusive rate. Now if those words ‘all inclusive’ sound a bit misleading to you, think again. That’s exactly what Marc invited us to do as we wandered the property and he explained all about those inclusions guests receive when they stay at Saffire. Let’s check them off…all meals (you can choose not to have dinner, but really…why would you? It’s incredibly good value!), selected alcoholic beverages (the wine list is a ripper! Nothing but the best of local and overseas on offer here!), spa treatments, mini bar (oh yes!), and lots of activities. And just to top it off, a small but important detail for those who can’t stand not to be in touch with the world… internet access. Hooray! Finally someone has included this in an ‘all inclusive’ rate!
