By Sheriden Rhodes
THE PLACE
Santai Retreat.
THE LOCATION
Santai Retreat sits a short stroll from Casuarina Beach, part of a long stretch of coastline which extends all the way to Kingscliff to the north and Norries Head to the south. Bounded by the Pacific Ocean and with Mount Warning as a backdrop, the uncrowded Tweed Coast is surely one of Australia's most underrated destinations. There's none of the hype found on the Gold Coast just over the NSW border, nor the crowds and hip factor of Byron Bay further south. It's an easy 20-minute drive from Gold Coast Airport.
THE SPACE
The luxurious Balinese-inspired property offers 100 spacious self-contained apartments, with water features, lounge recliners, a day spa, and an award-winning Thai Restaurant, Spice Den, which is reason enough alone to stay. Guests enter a foyer with soaring ceilings with reception to your right; restaurant to the left. Rooms fan off in either direction. There are secluded nooks for relaxing, frangipani trees, and a lagoon style pool which runs the length of the property.
THE ROOM
We're staying in a king studio apartment which is super spacious and has the bonus of an extra bedroom. Our room is on the third (top) floor. The bedroom looks out over a fairly busy road with views to Mount Warning in the distance and can be set up in a twin or king-bed configuration. It also has its own en suite. Additionally, there's another king-size bed, marble bathroom with spa bath and L'Occitane toiletries, kitchenette with hotplate, microwave and dishwasher, a coffee machine with complimentary pods and large plasma TV with Foxtel. An open-air balcony overlooks the pool. Santai offers various room categories, the lead-in being the king studio apartment.
THE FOOD
I first visited Santai Retreat about six years ago and lamented that the on-site restaurant was rarely open. You couldn't get a drink by the pool, and there was virtually nothing within walking distance (not fun as my daughter was a toddler at the time). Thankfully that's all changed thanks to the opening of Casuarina Town Centre a short walk away, and the on-site restaurant Spice Den, run by an independent operator, which also delivers to guest rooms. This contemporary Thai fusion restaurant is busy day and night (open Wednesday-Sunday). There's swish Asian-inspired decor, sheer curtains fluttering in the breeze and warm, friendly staff. But the real star is the excellent pan-Asian cuisine, closely followed by the inspired cocktails. Expect dishes like crunchy corn and coriander fritters wrapped in butter lettuce, moreish crispy barramundi and caramel pork and soft duck pancake with pickled chilli, which packs a bite. The pear and ginger martini is to die for.
STEPPING OUT
Once checked in hit the beach for a barefoot stroll. Most likely you'll have the long, empty stretch of sand all to yourself, unless it's at dusk where you may see small wallabies in the dune vegetation. In the morning pick up a coffee from Ross from the Artful Barista, who operates a mobile coffee caravan just around the corner from Santai. The vintage red caravan is parked directly across the road from his girl's day care centre (which is a little bit cute). Just down the road, book a table for a memorable lunch at Paper Daisy at Halcyon House, which has more or less put this part of the NSW coast on the map. Take a drive to Brunswick Heads for a glass of wine at Fleet, and late afternoon book in for a massage at the Santai's Wellness Spa. This intimate spa uses heavenly chemical-free products LaGaia. Post treatment relax on the deck with a herbal tea and watch the bush turkeys rummage in the garden.
THE VERDICT
This boutique Asian inspired resort offers the best of both worlds – luxury apartment-style accommodation but with the benefit of hotel services too. With a gorgeous pool, spacious rooms, great food, and an intimate spa, it's a slice of Bali on one of Australia's most pristine beaches.
ESSENTIALS
9 Dianella Drive, Casuarina, NSW. Phone 1800 882 360. Santai is offering a Winter Warmer Escape from $299 for two nights (Saturday night surcharge of $50) in a king studio apartment. santairetreat.com.au (santairetreat.com).
HIGHLIGHTS The friendly staff who bend over backwards to make your stay great; and the amazing food and cocktails at Spice Den.
LOWLIGHTS The room's combined shower-toilet combo made for slippery footwork on the marble floors. Also the pool temperature was bracing, however it's about to be heated, which will change everything.
Sheriden Rhodes was a guest of Santai Retreat.
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