Escape

slice A OF paradise

LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE HEN’S PARTY VENUE? THEN GATHER YOUR GIRLFRIENDS AND BOOK IN WITH BLUE MOUNTAINS GIRLS GETAWAYS, WHICH HAS TRANSFORMED THE AVERAGE WEEKEND AWAY INTO AN OPPORTUNITY TO LUXURIATE IN STYLE.

Back in 2000, Nicky Vaux noticed a gaping hole in the Blue Mountains accommodation market. “I saw the need for a little more luxury in the self-contained market –no girl wants to wash her sheets when she gets home from a break, and driving home from a massage defeats the purpose,” she explains.

By the end of that same year, Nicky launched Blue Mountains Girls Getaways. “We opened in Blackheath with one little cottage that had a studio for massages,” she says. “Within a year we expanded to include a second, larger house for bigger groups. Now we have two large properties in the Upper Mountains – Lavender Manor, in Blackheath, and Lavender Majestic, in Katoomba. We also have a property in Mollymook, on the south coast, for clients wanting a beach venue.”

As the business has grown, so have the options for guests. Girls looking for the ultimate escape can now choose from a range of packages that include one-night stays, gourmet experiences, horseriding, winery visits and hen’s party weekends.

Some of the packages on offer at Lavender Majestic even include a full-time butler. “This is a unique offering that allows our girls to enjoy a true break,” says Nicky. “Who doesn’t like being handed a robe as they exit the spa, or having their bed turned down in the evening? And who doesn’t like having a delicious breakfast cooked for them?”

With a background in hospitality and catering at five-star Sydney and London hotels, along with training in beauty therapy, Nicky understands the importance of providing a beautiful environment and going above and beyond for guests – her aim is for her properties to be known as the very best girls’ getaway venues in Australia.

“We are a small business that can adapt to the specific needs of our guests, and we like everyone to feel special,” she says. “Our beds are super comfy and our attention to detail brings delight – from our pre-arrival emails with tips on what to do in the area to the complementary umbrellas, everything has been thought about with love and care.” According to Nicky, the feature that makes her properties so perfect for hen’s weekends and getting away from it all with your girlfriends is the exclusivity. “Our properties are private for the groups that book them and, as such, many of our girls check in, pop on their fluffy bathrobe and pretty much remain like that for the weekend,” she says. “They hang out, enjoy the spa, drink wine, relax in front of the fire and have a massage onsite.”

Playing games also tends to be a popular activity. “It’s a way for guests to have a good giggle in the privacy of their own space,” Nicky adds. “Making a wedding gown out of toilet paper is one of the best games I’ve seen so far.”

As Nicky says, just being able to enjoy the region’s natural beauty is a treat for guests who live in the city. “The Blue Mountains is a very special place – it’s not only magnificently beautiful and full of fabulous restaurants, cafés and boutiques but it has an energy, an intangible feeling, that makes you feel refreshed and rejuvenated,” she adds.

“It’s a completely different feel to Sydney but its close proximity makes it the perfect short-break destination. Since girls rarely have a lot of time up their sleeves to escape, this is imperative.” BML

hen’s weekend PACKAGES

THE EXTRAVAGANT ESCAPE: Available all year round (except on long weekends), this two-night weekend package is for 4-6 girls at Lavender Majestic and kicks off with a stretchlimousine ride from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, with Champagne included. During your stay, you will enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast each morning, an abundance of gifts, dinner at a local restaurant on Friday night, a three-course dinner onsite on Saturday night, a guided walk and a guided shopping tour in Leura. Your full-time butler will ensure all your needs are catered to.

HEN’S WEEKEND ESCAPE: Designed for a minimum of 8 girls, this one-night package is held at Lavender Manor (on week nights only during winter). It includes a gift hamper on arrival, an onsite back massage or mini facial for each guest, plus chocolates and bath treats. SUMMER SERENDIPITY: Available from October to March, this two-night package is for 6-13 girls at Lavender Manor or 6-10 girls at Lavender Majestic. It includes a gift hamper on arrival, high tea at the Hydro Majestic, a back massage for each guest onsite, wine tasting and a cheese platter at Dryride Estate, and chocolates and bath treats. If you book in at Lavender Majestic, you will also have a full-time butler.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Nicky can organise a range of activities for your hen’s weekend – choose from a ghost tour with Blue Mountains Mystery Tours, wine tasting at Dryridge Estate, horseriding, candle parties, psychic readings and an onsite shopping experience with Tickle & Delight, which specialises in intimate lifestyle products. bmgg.com.au

Nicky’s LOCAL HOTSPOTS

GOVETTS LEAP LOOKOUT in Blackheath is my favourite lookout. I can still remember the first time I went there some 25 years ago – it literally took my breath away.

THIS LITTLE PIGGY WIGGY DELI, also in Blackheath, is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds – it’s just pure delight. Owner Sharyn Bagios organises special events for us here and at her lifestyle store, Cabin & Co.

DRYRIDGE ESTATE in Megalong Valley has to be one of the most picturesque cellar doors I have ever been to. Owner Emma MacMahon is a delightful host, and the wines and cheese platters are fabulous. Our Summer Serendipity Package includes a visit here.

EUROKA HOMESTEAD offers a great horseriding tour that includes a visit to Dryridge Estate. It’s a very lovely way to explore Megalong Valley.

BLUE MIST CAFÉ in Wentworth Falls is my favourite brekkie destination. Owner Alan Brown’s dry sense of humour gets you going for the day.

AVALON RESTAURANT is our favourite restaurant in Katoomba – I adore the quirky fit-out and eclectic crockery, and the deliciously consistent food is so comforting.

STATION BAR in Katoomba serves sensational wood-fired pizzas and awesome cocktails, and is a really fun night out. It’s walking distance to our Lavender Majestic venue, so our guests can enjoy as many cocktails as they like.

LEURA CASCADES is great for walking. It’s not a big or challenging walk but it’s such a beautiful spot.

SHOPPING IN LEURA & BLACKHEATH is a treat. Teddy Sinclair, Cat’s Meow and iKOU in Leura are favourites, as are Cabin & Co and Blackheath Boutique, in the heart of Blackheath.

BLACKHEATH GROWERS’ MARKET, held on the second weekend of each month, is where you can meet many local farmers selling many delicious products. I love it!