ROOMS AT THE TOP
Rooms at the Top - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Rooms at the Top | |||||
| By: Katia Iervasi, Issue 46 – Autumn 11 | |||||
| (Ski, Australia, New Zealand) | |||||
| OF ALL THE LUXURIES NOW ON OFFER TO SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SKIERS, SKI-IN, SKI-OUT REMAINS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY. KATIA IERVASI LISTS LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE’S PICK OF THE BEST AVAILABLE ON THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND SKI FIELDS THIS SEASON. | |||||
Though it may be hard to believe, winter is just around the corner so it’s time to plan a winter escape. The holiday highlight of winter is a quick getaway to some local snow for fresh mountain air and that rush of adrenaline that comes from conquering the slopes. Australia and New Zealand have more ski luxury than ever before but the best kind of ski luxury is ski-in ski-out. Direct access to the slopes from your lodging is the way to go. Forget waiting for the shuttle bus, and using up your energy reserves dragging heavy skis around – the beauty of ski in ski out is that your day at the slopes starts and ends exactly where you want; at your lodgings. Over recent years, more travellers have cottoned on to the huge benefits of ski-in ski-out and so in Australia, there’s now a great selection of luxury digs from which to choose. When it comes to ski-in ski-out in New Zealand however, the options are still limited. Heli skiers however, will have a field day there. These are Luxury Travel Magazine’s best picks for ski in ski out luxury accommodation in Australia and New Zealand this season. | |||||
| Australia New South Wales | |||||
| Perisher Valley Hotel | |||||
| Located in the heart of Perisher Valley, this intimate boutique hotel is known for its unbeatable ski-in, ski-out location and its internal access to Perisher Arcade. The hotel boasts about its personal service, Cool Kids Club, in-house masseuse, spa treatments and round-the-clock concierge. The Snow Gums Restaurant offers buffet breakfasts, a la carte luncheons and gourmet dinners. With its open fire and live music, the in-house cocktail bar is a cosy and chic way to end a tiring day on the slopes. As for rooms, the hotel has regular, deluxe and superior suites. The three-level superior suites feature enclosed balconies, self-controlled heating, king beds, ensuites and the best views of the valley. Address: Perisher Centre, Perisher Valley, NSW | |||||
| perisher.com.au/winter/pvh/index.html | |||||
| Ph: 02 6459 4455 Rates: During peak season, room rates start from A$2,604 per week for a regular suite, to A$16,275 per week for the luxurious Alpine Suite. | |||||
| Ski In Ski Out (Thredbo) | |||||
| Ski In Ski Out manages a range of one, two, three and four bedroom five-star properties in Thredbo. All of them are privately owned and on the Crackenback Ridge estate, and beside or close to the Crackenback Supertrail. For those looking to stay at the very top of the luxury travel market, the “On the Run” penthouse offers comfort and elegance. A fully self-contained chalet, this property has four bedrooms, a balcony, two spa baths and a wood-burning stone fireplace. The “Eagles View” chalet is another popular option for luxury travellers. This four- bedroom chalet has star features such as an outdoor Jacuzzi and a steam room. Of course, both chalets have spectacular mountain views that are hard to match. Address: All properties are located in the Crackenback Ridge estate, Crackenback Drive, Thredbo, NSW | |||||
| skiinskiout.com.au | |||||
| Ph: 02 6457 7030 Rates: On the run and Eagles View are each A$5,880 per week in low season and A$11,200 per week in peak season. | |||||
| Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel | |||||
| The Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel is the best choice for those travellers who prefer to stay in luxury accommodation with age-old charm and understated elegance. Because of the surrounding terrain, it’s also a great choice for beginners or children learning to ski. This hotel, which has been a Snowy Mountains icon since 1938, offers three levels of lodging: the Classic Room, Superior Room and the Tower Suite. The Kosciuszko Chalet Restaurant is well known in the mountains for its quality regional a la carte cuisine and its extensive wine selection. It’s open for all meals and there’s an early children’s dinner setting that allows adults to enjoy a languid, gourmet dinner each evening. For a more casual setting, there is also the Cellar Bar and the Charlotte Adams Cocktail Bar, which features a log fire and lounges. Address: Charlotte Pass Ski Resort, Charlotte Pass, NSW | |||||
| charlottepass.com.au/chalet.html | |||||
| Ph: 1800 026 369 Rates: Rates are based on two, five, and seven night packages during the ski season. Prices are per person and start at A$709 for a two-night stay in a Classic Room. The rates include accommodation, breakfast, dinner, lift tickets, and oversnow transport. | |||||
| Victoria Astra Alpine Lodge | |||||
| This grand lodge offers private, opulent accommodation with the convenience of a ski-in ski-out format. While there are many levels of accommodation to choose from, the Astra Penthouse tops the list of luxury. The Penthouse features a master and second bedroom (both with ensuite) as well as a mezzanine, and sleeps six people in total. An upgrade to the Penthouse Deluxe includes two extra bedrooms and more living space. Guests enjoy panoramic views from anywhere in the penthouse as well as a fully equipped kitchen and wide plasma screen televisions. The Astra Lodge itself features a pool, spa and sauna as well as in-house massage and yoga. It also has a few fine dining restaurants and a vodka bar that boasts over 70 types of vodka. Address: 5 Sitzmark St, Falls Creek, VIC | |||||
| astralodge.com.au | |||||
| Ph: 03 5758 3496 Rates: The Penthouse rates start at A$5,900 per week in low season and A$10,900 in peak season. | |||||
| Huski Falls Creek | |||||
| If there’s one thing that stands out about Huski, it’s the distinctive architecture: each of Huski’s 14 individual lodgings resembles a giant snowflake and the interiors will certainly please design-conscious guests. All of Huski’s apartments feature stylish, contemporary interiors and furnishings. While it offers one, two, and three bedroom apartments, its most luxurious option is the four-bedroom split-level penthouse which sleeps ten people. The penthouse has three double bedrooms with ensuite, an open fireplace and access to the igloo-like Endota Day Spa. There’s also a private terrace and hot tub, underfloor heating and prime views of Mount Spion Kopje and the Kiewa Valley. Address: 3 Sitzmark Street, Falls Creek, VIC | |||||
| huski.com.au | |||||
| Ph: 1300 652 260 Rates: There is a minimum two-night stay at the Huski penthouse and peak season rates are A$4,640 for two nights and A$9,500 for five or A$11,550 for a full week. | |||||
| Hotham Heights Chalets | |||||
| The Hotham Heights Chalet development is the most prestigious on Mt Hotham. The chalets are fully self-contained with large modern kitchens, saunas and spas, central heating, spacious lounge areas and fireplaces. The chalet options range from eight share to fourteen share, and there are 18 luxury properties to choose from. For pure indulgence, look no further than the Blowhard Chalet. This ten-level chalet has all the features to make a snow holiday blissful: a cinema, games room, sauna, sundeck and a bar on the top floor. Address: Hot Plate Drive, Hotham Heights, Mt Hotham, VIC | |||||
| hothamholidays.com.au/accommodation/chalets/hothamheights.asp | |||||
| Ph: 1800 468 426 Rates: The eight share properties are A$3,348 for two nights and A$7,805 for a week in peak season. The other end of the price range is the fourteen share property, which is A$4,564 for two nights and A$10,675 for a week in peak season. There is a minimum stay of two nights. | |||||
| Alpine Woodsmoke Luxury Apartments | |||||
| The Alpine Woodsmoke Luxury Apartments has made its name as Australia’s only ski-in ski-out, drive in drive out accommodation. There are three and four bedroom apartments to choose from, and three levels of accommodation from standard to penthouse. The apartments are equipped with spacious living areas, stone fireplaces, king-size beds, spa baths and underfloor heating. These apartments are a great choice for families as they are close to the Falls Creek toboggan run, ski school, retail shops, ski lifts and daycare. Address: Bogong High Plains Rd, Falls Creek, VIC | |||||
| woodsmoke.com.au | |||||
| Ph: 03 5758 3182 Rates: The Alpine Woodsmoke’s Winter 2011 rates start at A$3,999 for seven nights in a three-bedroom apartment in low season and A$8,130 in peak season. | |||||
| New Zealand Snow Park Luxury Apartments | |||||
| These four luxury apartments are in a perfect position: isolated enough to enjoy prime views of the South Island sunsets, but close enough to feel the buzz of the Snow Park ski resort. Each apartment, which can sleep up to ten people, is spacious and airy, with large living areas and fireplaces. There are four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and guests can customise their rooms with either queen or twin size beds. Keen entertainers will be pleased to find that the apartments feature large outdoor decks which can be accessed via the living rooms as well as the bedrooms. While there is a fully equipped kitchen, there is also an a la carte menu available in the neighbouring Wool Shed Restaurant and Café. Address: Snow Park NZ, Wanaka, New Zealand | |||||
| snowparknz.com/accommodation/apartments | |||||
| Ph: +64 3 443 9991 Rates: NZ$680 (about A$498) per night, and there is a minimum stay of two nights in peak season. | |||||
| Chopper-in chopper-out | |||||
| For adventurous Australians, the closest heli-skiing location is New Zealand. The New Zealand season runs from mid-June to early October and the best heli-skiing is in the steep Mount Cook region. Here are some specialised, safety-accredited companies that operate heli-skiing tours suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. | |||||
| Harris Mountain Heli-Skiing | |||||
| Harris Mountain Heli-Skiing operates tours from Queenstown, Wanaka, and Mt Cook. Each heli-skiing tour includes a fully qualified guide, an alpine buffet lunch and transfers. Besides the one-day package deals below, Harris Mountain can also customise private charter and multi-day heli-skiing tours on request. Queenstown and Wanaka Three runs . . . . . . .NZ$775 (about A$568) pp. Four runs . . . . . . . .NZ$825 (about A$605) pp. Seven runs . . . . . . .NZ$995 (about A$730) pp. Extra runs . . . . . . . .NZ$95 (about A$69) per run. | |||||
| Mt Cook | |||||
| New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook offers high altitude heli-skiing and boarding. | |||||
| heliski.co.nz | |||||
| Ph: +64 3 442 6722 | |||||
| Southern Lakes Heli-Ski | |||||
| Southern Lakes Heli-Ski operates in Queenstown and Wanaka. It has four package options to match the guest’s skiing or boarding ability. For those who want to heli-ski and fly at their own pace and in smaller groups, Southern Lakes also offers private charters from NZ$1,450 (about A$1,062) per person. | |||||
| southernlakesheliski.co.nz | |||||
| Ph: +64 3 443 8092 | |||||
| Alpine Heli-Ski | |||||
| Alpine Heli-Ski operates exclusively in Queenstown and also has a range of packages that match up the guest’s skills and stamina with their guides and terrain. | |||||
| Private Charter | |||||
| The prices for the private charter are based on fly time, which is the collective time the helicopter is in the air. For instance, a two-hour fly time equals a full day of skiing. Prices range from NZ$1,900 (about A$1,392) to NZ$6,999 (about A$5,128) depending on fly time and location. | |||||
| alpineheliski.com | |||||
| Ph: +64 3 441 2300 | |||||
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