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LUXE TRAVEL

MAGAZINE

HOT POOLS & HAVENS In Oceania and beyond...

VOL.23

CONTENTS 03.

EDEN HEALTH RETREAT

09.

15.

FEATURED INTERVIEW

19.

MARUIA HOT SPRINGS

23.

29.

33.

37.

ONSEN HOT POOLS RETREAT & DAY SPA

FEATURED INTERVIEW

BLISS SANCTUARY FOR WOMEN CANGGU

GLEN IVY HOT SPRINGS

IN THE NEXT EDITION...

EDEN HEALTH RETREAT AUSTRALIA

Provided by Eden Health Retreat

Eden Health Retreat is Australia’s longest-running health retreat. Set on 400 acres of rainforest, it is the perfect place to hike, explore or wander. Whether you’re relaxing by the labyrinth, the mud baths, or on your balcony – guests feel a million miles away from the real world. Guests can now choose between seven-, four-, or three-night stays (or choose to experience an extended stay beyond one week) at Australia’s longest-running health retreat. Each program at Eden includes activities in the state-of-the-art yoga and Pilates pavilion, mouth-watering, organic wholefood meals provided by the kitchen and enjoyed in the dining area overlooking the rainforest and valley and indulgent treatments. The spa area also includes an infrared sauna, steam room and relaxation area.

AUSTRALIAS LONGEST-RUNNING

HEALTH RETREAT SCAN ME TO SEE MORE

HIKE, EXPLORE

OR WANDER

BLISS SANCTUARY FOR WOMEN CANGGU INDONESIA

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Provided By Bliss Sanctuary for Women Canggu

The beautiful and luxurious Canggu Villa is located close to the beach and walking distance to great shops and amazing cafés. The villa is designed for ultimate relaxation with a gorgeous indoor/outdoor flow. With a relaxation room, outdoor yoga pavilion in the treetops, beautiful massage areas, a huge pool and plenty of places to relax. The bedrooms are beautiful all with air conditioners, comfortable large beds, mosquito nets and TV’s in each room. The indoor/outdoor bathrooms are fitted with large stone baths for a luxurious soak or wellness bathing. It’s all about modern comforts infused with Balinese pieces and design. 11

DESIGNED F

ULTIMAT

FOR

TE RELAXATION

SHONA PHILPS GENERAL MANAGER

EDEN HEALTH RETREAT CAN YOU SHARE YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY AND EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE WELLNESS AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY THAT LED YOU TO YOUR ROLE AS GENERAL MANAGER OF EDEN HEALTH RETREAT? The initial 15 years of my managerial career were a far cry from the idyllic existence one might associate with life at Eden. During that time, I found myself overseeing Luxury Boutique properties with fine-dining restaurants and fabulous wine lists. Working long hours under tremendous pressure, I didn’t take care of my body or my health. Weighing in at 110kg, I was burnt out and slowly self-destructing with food. I came across a book called 'Atomic Habits,' and it lit a fire under me. I was ready to change my life. I started making tiny 1% changes, like eating better and moving more. It took three years, but I shed a whopping 55 kilograms, and there was no turning back. Bringing my own experience to the GM role at Eden makes me a passionate advocate for the small ways we can support and offer changes in our guest's lives. And I'm not alone in this mission – I'm part of a fantastic team of 90 experts who all love what Eden represents, a place where people pause, reflect and gather some tools for life after Eden. COULD YOU DESCRIBE SOME OF THE UNIQUE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT DURING THEIR STAY AT EDEN HEALTH RETREAT? We believe in being really present in the moment at Eden, and not pre-planning too much so I’ll share just a few of the many offerings we have for our guests. Our Program is designed with three main elements at its core. Health, Wellbeing and Mindfulness. Across each of those streams, we have over 30 qualified experts providing classes and sessions. Our Health stream covers everyone from Gym aficionados to those who have never been in a gym before, with classes such as Functional Movement, HIIT, Frisbee Golf and daily guided bush walks (amongst others). Nutrition plays a huge role in the health element as well, with Cooking Demos and Nutritional sessions featuring daily. Wellbeing is the stream that allows introspection and the ability to see what serves us as individuals. Sessions such as Watercolour Painting, Align to Purpose (writing a letter to self), Forest Bathing or Ice Baths define areas we might find a little discomfort in. At Eden, we believe a little discomfort allows room for growth.

Our final stream, Mindfulness is the space to reset and prepare for life after Eden. Mindful classes include Yin Yoga, Soundbowl Healing, Manifestation and Pottery. We also encourage our guests to do only what they feel like! If lying by one of our pools and saunas is more their style, that's ok too! HOW DOES YOUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY AND PERSONAL BACKGROUND CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE AND OFFERINGS AT EDEN HEALTH RETREAT? I believe in the value of curiosity as a leadership approach, as it fosters a deeper understanding of perspective. Each member of our leadership team is an expert in their field, and my role revolves around nurturing their growth through empathetic and mindful guidance. It's possible that my team might describe me as having high expectations for our leaders, but they also understand that my aim is to empower them not only to achieve our collective goals but also to realise their individual potential. With the support of our exceptional leadership team, my ‘why’ is to weave each team member's talents through the Eden experience, to consistently position us at the forefront of the luxury wellness industry. THE LOCATION OF THE RETREAT, SURROUNDED BY RAINFOREST AND VALLEY VIEWS, SOUNDS INCREDIBLE. HOW DOES THE NATURAL SETTING ENHANCE THE OVERALL GUEST EXPERIENCE? The Currumbin Valley, with its lush green rolling hills and ancient rainforests, sets the tone for the Eden Experience. A place to pause, reflect and see what is serving us in life, the valley is a very special place and that can be felt as soon as you drive through the gates of Eden. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE DINING EXPERIENCE AT EDEN HEALTH RETREAT? HOW DOES THE EMPHASIS ON ORGANIC WHOLEFOODS CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELLNESS JOURNEY? Focusing on clean, minimally intervened whole foods, sourced from local, organic producers, our Food and Nutrition team serves delicious meals that explode with colour, flavour and texture. Here at Eden, we want our guests to be able to take away new skills and their dining experiences should not be any different. Dishes are sustaining, with ingredients that might be new to some of our guests. We encourage everyone to trust our qualified Chef Nutritionists and try each of the elements as new discoveries can not only lead to better health but to new faves too! COULD YOU PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO THE DAILY OPERATIONS OF EDEN HEALTH RETREAT, FROM GUEST ARRIVAL TO DEPARTURE, AND HOW YOUR TEAM ENSURES A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE? I may sound like a proud mother hen but we really do have a fantastic team here at Eden. Each person shares an authentic desire to connect with our guests from pre-arrival and the Wellness Consultation to post-stay programs and recipe books. Building rapport with our guests in this way allows a safe place for everyone to relax and really invest in their own well-being. Even if that just looks like enjoying as many spa treatments as possible!

THE RETREAT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF WELLNESS THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS. HOW DO YOU SELECT AND TRAIN YOUR STAFF TO ENSURE THEY PROVIDE TOP-QUALITY SERVICE AND CARE TO GUESTS? Our Spa Menu is an absolute delight of options these days. With energetic treatments, muscle balancing, fluid body massage, kinesiology and many, many more, we know it’s important to revive our guests with only the best treatments and beauty products. Results are important when looking at the products we use on our bodies and so we are very excited to share (for the first time) that Eden Health Retreat will be partnering with Biologique Recherche to give our guests not only completely personalised treatments but experiences with proven results. The training team at Biologique Recherche ensure our team is educated and well-practised with extensive training sessions. Our in-house training team regularly support our Spa and Therapies team to ensure everyone is well-versed and enthused about the treatments they share with our guests. CLUB MUD THERAPY SOUNDS INTRIGUING. COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IT INVOLVES AND HOW IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERALL WELLNESS EXPERIENCE? Club Mud is a great reminder that ‘play’ is very much a part of our adult lives! Covering yourself with the nutrient-rich clay, or helping a new friend reach the tricky spots is a surefire way to start laughing. Dry out in the glorious sunshine and shower off with a hot shower and a view of the duck pond. One thing that gets ignored, no matter how many times we say it, the clay is brown. Don’t use the green mud from the duck pond! AS GENERAL MANAGER, WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF EDEN HEALTH RETREAT? The connections we make with each other will always be my favourite part of Eden. I have been fortunate to have some of the most profound stories shared with me by Eden Guests and they have absolutely made me a kinder, more empathetic human. Second, but only just, is the digital detox. We’ve forgotten how it feels to be present in the moment. To not need to have our phones in our hands on average 140 times a day. There’s no signal out here and the stillness that brings in to our guest's journeys is profound. Allowing the space to make our own decisions, uninfluenced by Instagram, and welcoming other humans into our journey is absolutely life-changing if you allow it to be. I could go on, and on. I am so passionate about Eden Health Retreat and the opportunity it gives everyone who comes through her gates. WHAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OR PLANS DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR EDEN HEALTH RETREAT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR GUESTS? There are many, many exciting plans afoot for Eden in the coming year. We have just finished a $10 million dollar renovation including a new wellness hub, Premier Double Cabins and new treatment huts overlooking the valley. Our owner, Philanthropist Robert Christie, was a guest of Eden 8 times before he bought it in 2002 and remains as dedicated to developing the core values as ever. Working alongside Robert has been exhilarating and I can give you a cheeky hint by saying, there are plans to craft multiple programs with some specific retreats and goals in the not-too-distant future. We remain committed to being at the forefront of the Health and Wellness industry, Watch this space!

MARUIA HOT SPRINGS NEW ZEALAND

SCAN ME TO SEE MORE

Immerse yourself in the ultimate outdoor experience. Maruia Hot Springs is an award-winning natural hot springs, day spa and wellness destination tucked among the snow-capped Southern Alps on the picturesque Lewis Pass national reserve. Instantly feel connected to the mountainous landscape and nature surrounding you whilst you relax in natural geothermal mineral pools, nourish your soul with organic food and relax your body & mind in the daily wellness classes. Provided By Maruia Hot Springs

ONSEN HOT POOLS RETREAT NEW ZEALAND

T & DAY SPA

While Queenstown is generally done at full pace, Onsen Hot pools takes a step back to let you take in the beauty of the surroundings and simply relax. Exclusive use Original and Outdoor cedar tubs offer panoramic views across the Shotover River. Relax amongst the amazing alpine scenery, while at night you can dim the lights and watch the southern constellations wheel past. Onsen offers a range of options to suit all your relaxation needs. In addition to the exclusive use cedar hot tubs, Onsen is also home to a tranquil day spa with high quality therapists delivering an extensive range of treatments. The natural setting is matched by the pure water captured on its endless journey between the sky and earth to continually fill and refresh the pools, Onsen Hot Pools is relaxation the natural way.

Provided By Onsen Hot Pools Retreat & Day Spa

PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE

SHOTOVER RIVER SCAN ME TO SEE MORE

GLEN IVY HOT SPRINGS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 29

Provided By GOCO Hospitality

Your Wellness Experience Awaits… Glen Ivy Hot Springs pride themselves on being everyone’s resort. A destination like no other. Whatever you come for: a day with friends or family, a wellness escape, top therapeutic treatments, healthy food or the beautiful pools and lush landscape, the team at Glen Ivy guarantees to make your day special, seamless and above all, unforgettable. There is no other place quite like Glen Ivy Hot Springs. It has always been a unique destination of mineral spring pools and lush landscape where laughter fills the air. Quite simply, a hub for happiness and good health. Now they’ve put a new face on an old friend. Fresh facilities, even more activities, clean cuisine and serious spa and beauty treatments. All in all, an unrivaled place to relax and put your wellbeing back on track. 30

SCAN ME TO SEE MORE

A DESTINATION

LIKE NO OTHER

HARRISON MILLER & LAUREN WITEROW AUSSIE COUPLE FULL TIME TRAVELLING @HAZ_AND_LOZ HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY AS FULL-TIME TRAVELLERS BEGIN? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LEAVE YOUR CONVENTIONAL LIVES BEHIND AND EMBARK ON THIS ADVENTURE? We actually never intended for this to become our full time lifestyle! Our journey began when we left our jobs as an engineer (Harry) and a management consultant (Lauren) to travel across Australia in our four wheel drive. Our intention was to travel for six months from west to east, find new full time work and a base on the east coast. Fortunately we started photography and built up our social media during this time to the point that we were able to fund our journey and keep our travels going. It’s now been over 2 years since we made that decision, it’s definitely had it’s challenges but the freedom and experiences it affords are irreplaceable. TRAVELING FULL-TIME COMES WITH A UNIQUE SET OF CHALLENGES. WHAT WERE SOME UNEXPECTED HURDLES YOU ENCOUNTERED DURING TRAVELS, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? When you’re travelling full time the decisions are non stop! It can become very draining if you don’t accept that things aren’t always going to run smoothly and that it’s all part of the experience. When we were travelling Australia in our car we had multiple breakdowns which are always a bit stressful, but we were very fortunate that people we met along our travels lent helping hands - these ended up being some of our most memorable times on the road. AUSTRALIA IS KNOWN FOR ITS DIVERSE LANDSCAPES. CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES EXPLORING DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY? Travelling Australia opened our eyes up to the huge range of landscapes that we have in our own backyard, something that we weren’t fully aware of before setting off. Tropical North Queensland blew us away - we had no idea that Australia had such beautiful lush rainforest and waterfalls. We had a moment walking through a tea plantation there where it felt like we could be in a remote part of Sri Lanka. In contrast, we really enjoyed our time in Tasmania for it’s stunning mountains and alpine scenery, walking through the snow at cradle mountain with wombats surrounding us was an incredible experience. From swimming with playful sea lions in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, feeding orphaned kangaroos in a sanctuary in the NT’s Red Centre to cruising alongside a whaleshark in our boat in Exmouth Western Australia we have had some incredible encounters that will stay with us forever. 34

WHAT ARE SOME ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TIPS YOU'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH ASPIRING FULL-TIME TRAVELLERS? Don’t plan ahead too much to provide room for spontaneity, some of the best experiences come about from allowing time to travel with people you meet and making the most of the tips you hear from locals along the way. Before setting off, establish a rough budget and savings plan. Ensure you have enough funds to sustain your travels, including emergencies and unexpected expenses. Think about what kind of work you might be able to do throughout your travels, as well as ways you can save money along the way - things like house-sitting can be a great experience. Pack Light! Minimalist packing is key. Stick to versatile clothing, quality gear, and don't overpack. It'll make your travels much more comfortable and less stressful when you’re not lugging around huge amounts of gear. AUSTRALIA IS FILLED WITH HIDDEN GEMS THAT OFTEN GO UNNOTICED. CAN YOU SHARE A FEW LESSER-KNOWN PLACES OR EXPERIENCES THAT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU? This couldn’t be more true! One experience that comes to mind is when we were travelling along Western Australia’s coral coast. We pulled up to a beach and decided to go for a snorkel because it looked like there was some coral around. It turned out to be the most incredible healthy marine life we have ever experienced, and no one else was around. Western Australia and the Northern Territory also have a number of waterfalls and swimming holes that haven’t been shared too broadly on social media which has kept them pretty under the radar. The remoteness of these places means you can find yourself going for a dip in the outback without another soul, its pretty magical! SPENDING SO MUCH TIME TOGETHER ON THE ROAD CAN BE BOTH REWARDING AND CHALLENGING. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WHILE CONSTANTLY TRAVELING? Being together almost 24/7 definitely comes with its challenges! We’ve learnt to prioritise time for ourselves to do our own hobbies and conversely understanding when each other needs some time alone. Staying connected to friends and family has also been really important. As with any relationship, open communication is key, we’ve definitely become better at this as a result of spending so much time together over the last couple of years. YOUR LAP OF AUSTRALIA CONCLUDED IN DECEMBER 2022. CAN YOU REFLECT ON HOW THIS JOURNEY HAS CHANGED YOU AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COUPLE? This experience changed everything for us. Not only did we create lasting memories and gain a whole new appreciation for our country but we also started our business together and built a whole new lifestyle for ourselves. Having to make so many decisions and be really self sufficient during this time meant we both became more confident in ourselves and built our ability to draw happiness from the simple and slow things. As a couple, it shifted our priorities completely, we are now more than ever focused on enjoying the present moment and not worrying so much about what the future looks like. WHAT 3 COUNTRIES ARE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST AND WHY? It’s hard to narrow it down to just 3! At the moment it would be: 35

Antarctica - It would be incredible to see and photograph the wildlife there. Iceland - We would love to hire a van and roadtrip there in summer, the landscapes look like nothing we have ever seen before. Raja Ampat - We both have our scuba tickets and this is heralded as one of the best places in the world for diving, plus the scenery looks breathtaking. WHAT'S NEXT FOR HARRY AND LAUREN? DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING TRAVEL PLANS OR NEW PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE THAT YOU CAN SHARE AT THIS TIME? We are fortunate to have a lot of exciting projects in the pipeline! A trip we are really looking forward to is our group trip to the Philippines in March, we are really excited to meet some of our audience and share our love of this beautiful country with them. From a business perspective, our focus going into the new year is building our blog. We really want to be able to share our travel knowledge with a different audience and help people have the most memorable trips possible, so we’ll be writing lots over the next few months to kick this off!

IN THE NEXT EDITION... ELEGANCE UNVEILED: EXPLORING EUROPE'S CLASSIC STAYS

n our next issue, get ready to embark on a journey through time and luxury in the heart of Europe! We unveil a collection of the most enchanting classic hotels that exude timeless elegance and Old World charm.

TO OUR COLLABORATORS