Pampering indulgence and getting away from it all

We all need time-out every now and again. My friend is smack-bang in the middle of planning an elaborate wedding. On the stress-making scale, this rates precariously close to boiling point. So another mate and I decided to defuse the strain of matrimonial mayhem with a girl's weekend away.

We loved the idea of a spa but we loved the idea of lots of food and chocolate even more. Would we have to sneak in the lollies and hide the wine under our pillow? Thanks to The Golden Door's new spa resort getaways, there is no need for such calorie subterfuge. During the week, this a pure health retreat, with a programme focused on detox and serenity. On Fridays, the coffee and alcohol comes out and guests get the best of both worlds - a top-class wellness centre, absolute tranquility along with the wineries and restaurants of the Hunter Valley just a short drive away.

Tranquility in the winelands
Climbing up the hill to The Golden Door - Elysia Resort, nestled in a secluded lake-side spot in the NSW winelands, we felt instantly more relaxed. From the moment I opened the towering door (yes, it was indeed gold), I felt like Alice in spa wonderland. The entrance area was perfectly feng shui balanced with trickling water, pebbled floors, light caramel walls and soft mood lighting.

Our villa had a balcony with a glorious view over the valley, two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, a living area and kitchenette. The bedrooms were equipped with TV and dvd-player and the bathrooms were luxuriously fitted out with almond-shaped bath, shower and pampering products. The decor was contemporary with the furnishings focused on comfort.

There was no mini-bar and the only liquid in the fridge was mineral water. We hauled out our stash of chocolate and chips and felt a tinge of rebellion as we piled it up on the table. But no need for guilt on the weekend. Even housekeeping was quite happy to supply us with a bottle opener for our wine. Remember, it's all about unwinding and if we needed some refined sugar to help us on our journey, so be it.

Exploring the highlights of the Hunter
Before getting into the spa spirit, we decided to explore the Hunter. After a quick pop-in to the Hunter Valley Gardens shopping area, we drove to Lovedale for lunch at Mojo's. This is one of my favourite spots in the valley for a casual lunch. From the deli, we picked out a mini-pumpkin pizza, a vegetable tart, a fresh ciabatta with dipping sweet chilli sauce and dukkah and sat under the shade to share our feast. Each bite was tastebud heaven. We then retired to the beanbags on the lawn to relish our dessert of gooey lemon tart and custard pie. The city felt like a million kilometres away.

We stopped by Lucy's Run, a boutique winery and olive oil farm, where we each bought a bottle of their delicious oil. Then it was onto the more commercial Tempus Two, for a quick look into the far too crowded Smelly Cheese Shop followed by a tasting at the stylish winery. We couldn't resist buying a bottle each of the lightly sparkling Moscato - it's one of my favourite wines in the region.

Getting back to the business of relaxing
After our indulgent wine route, we couldn't wait to get back to the peacefulness of The Golden Door. I reckon just breathing the wholesome spa air knocked off a couple of grams from our gourmet excesses. We changed into fluffy white gowns and waffle-weave slippers and felt the part. Now, the real relaxation begins.

There is a variety of aqua choices at The Golden Door. There's a large outdoor pool, an even bigger indoor pool as well as a Jacuzzi in each of the change-rooms. We swam laps in the temperature controlled indoor pool before giving into the warm bubbles in the spa bath. Should we have felt up to it, there is a fully equipped gym, basketball court, tennis court and cycle room to work up a sweat.

Instead, we returned to our villa to give our appetites another work-out. This time, we enjoyed sundowners on our deck with some wine, glorious triple brie cheese and bread. We certainly weren't notching up any detox points but we were excelling on taking it easy.

Where to eat
The Fusion restaurant at The Golden Door offers a health-focused three-course menu with tempting meals (two courses at $49 and three for $59). All food is itemised with the calorie count - very helpful for those hoping to leave the spa in better shape. Despite the low kilojoule mandate, dessert and Hunter Valley wines is very much part of weekend dining.

We had already made a reservation at Restaurant Botanica at the elegant Vineyards Estate, a fifteen minute drive away from where we were staying. The chefs have clearly taken advantage of the fresh produce at their fingertips as the food was bursting with flavour. In an area, where fine dining restaurants pop up around every corner, this one stands above the rest. I'm going through an anti-degustation phase so it's a gourmet relief to relish well-sized portions without the pretension or fluff of three-hat diners. This is honest yet sophisticated home-style cooking, with comfort treats such as roast veal on soft polenta and dessert of cinnamon and ginger pudding. Despite snacking throughout the day, we couldn't bear to leave a morsel on our plates. Botanica offers great value with two courses at $55 and three for $65, including an amuse bouche and tea or coffee.

We passed out in wonderful comfort back at the Golden Door, feeling as if we had been on holiday for weeks rather than one day.

A healthy start to the day
The following morning, we went through to the restaurant for breakfast. I was surprised at how many other guests were staying at the resort. Throughout our visit, the spa never felt crowded or busy. We often felt as if we had the facilities to ourselves. The only suggestion we can make is to extend the locker area. It is a poky space and it's the only area where we jostled for some room.

Another surprise is that there are as many men here as there are women. These days, spas aren't gender restrictive and boys need to get away from it all just as much as girls. Next time I visit, I'll bring my husband along.

But back to the food. The brekkie was delicious. Who said low calorie food can't be tasty. The muesli topped with yoghurt and fresh fruit was a highlight. And if you wanted to indulge a little, there was a variety of breads, croissants, scrambled egg (no fat, no salt) and extra lean bacon.

Kneading out life's tensions
Then it was time for what we had all been waiting for - our treatments. First up was my friend Jo's Cleopatra Steam Infusion, which involved exfoliation, steaming, jet streams of water and a lathering in moisturiser. She looked as if she had spent a week in the Bahamas. I opted for a Swedish massage and I was most impressed when therapist Yvonne questioned me on what body parts I wanted her to concentrate on. All too often therapists start kneading without any attempt to personalise the treatment. This massage was moulded to my plea for back and neck relief. And boy, did Yvonne work out those tension knots. She was brilliant.

I wish we had another few hours to laze in the calming chill-out room and relish the feeling of being pampered from head to foot. But already, the health retreat guests were starting to check-in for their five-day vitality programme. It was time for us to leave the harmony of The Golden Door, infused with a mega-dose of wellbeing. We were ready to face the world again. I think we'll be back for the hen's weekend. I can't wait.

PLAN A SPA WEEKEND The Golden Door - Elysia The Golden Door - Elysia, nestled in the centre of the Hunter Valley is an obvious choice for a pampering spa getaway. During the week, the resort is a dedicated health retreat with a focus on wellbeing and healthy eating. From Friday to Sunday, The Golden Door becomes a spa hotel with all the pampering and serenity to de-stress even the most uptight city dweller. The Golden Door have a special spring package starting from $325 for two people per night for a one-room villa (breakfast and access to spa facilities included). For more info, visit The Golden Door.