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For keen golfers, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort is best known for its PGA 18-hole championship course. But as someone for whom the appeal of golf will forever be a mystery, I like to think of the resort as a place where you can appreciate the beauty of the Australian bush.
In the early morning and late afternoon, sitting on the terrace of the resort Clubhouse is magical as our eyes are drawn to graceful eucalypts framing a view of bounding kangaroos. Walking from our villa to the Clubhouse, we hear birds twittering and kookaburras laughing. We’re told we might see koalas too, but sadly they remain elusive.
It’s truly a glorious setting as it no doubt is for golfers too – every tee and green has panoramic views of vineyards and the Brokenback mountain range.
The recently refurbished golf course and 200 villas are set across 340 acres, ensuring plenty of space for everyone. The one-, two- and three-bedroom villas have kitchen facilities, spacious living areas and private balconies. Premier villas, like the two-bedroom one we stayed in, are four-star accommodation. The yet to be refurbished Standard Villas are cheaper: keep an eye out for discounts on these.
The villas are terraced into bushland, and the roads leading to them are steep and not for the faint-hearted, especially at night. Thankfully a complimentary shuttle service operates 24 hours daily. On both occasions we took the shuttle, we waited no more than a few minutes at most. You can, of course, also use your own car as there is plenty of free parking in front of the villas.
Our villa was spread over two storeys, with kitchen, dining and living areas downstairs, along with a toilet. The two bedrooms upstairs each had their own ensuite bathroom. Everything was super comfortable. The only downsides were a very weak wifi signal, and a shower in one of the ensuites that required some serious contortion to enter and exit. It did have a great bathtub though.
The resort has 24-hour reception, a golf pro shop, great conference facilities, a gym, tennis court, bikes for hire, several swimming pools and a jacuzzi. The Clubhouse has a family-friendly bistro and bar on the lower level with both indoor and alfresco dining. On the upper level, Oak & Vine restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday and offers a superb fine dining experience with a Sri Lankan flavour. You can read more about its degustation experiences in this separate post.
A full buffet breakfast is offered every day in the bistro, and at night the bistro serves steaks, salads, pasta dishes and all the classics like fish and chips, chicken schnitzel, and roasted pork belly. For golf club members, there is a special members’ bar open Thursday to Saturday.
What to do? Well, you’re in Australia’s most visited wine region, so there are oodles of cellar doors to visit, not to mention restaurants, distilleries, breweries, gardens, spas and more. We enjoyed a splendid lunch at Baumé in the Ben Ean Winery and had great tastings at Tamburlaine Organic Wines and the classy new Savannah Estate cellar door.
A real highlight was the Hawaiian kahuna massage I was treated to at Elysia Wellness Retreat, which adjoins Cypress Lakes and is also part of the Oaks family. Previously the Golden Door Health Retreat, it has spectacular views and offers full packages with accommodation, meals, spa treatments and therapies. The Elysia Day Spa is open to the public and Cypress guests can book in on weekdays for some of the wellness therapies.
Katie, the therapist who did my Hawaiian kahuna massage, was brilliant at putting me at ease for a massage quite unlike anything I had experienced before. She channels the Hawaiian experience so much so that some of her clients mistakenly think she is Hawaiian.
With so much on offer in and around the resort, Oaks Cypress Lakes is the perfect base for a Hunter Valley getaway, whether you are a local, a golfer, or from interstate or abroad. Overseas visitors will be captivated by the wildlife, of that I’m sure.
If you go:
Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort
15 Thompson Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Tel: +61 (0)2 4993 1555
Reservations 1300 886 091
www.oakshotels.com
With thanks to Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort for hosting us for a fabulous two-night stay including meals and a spa treatment. We stayed in Villa 752. You can read all about the superb meal we enjoyed in the resort’s Oak & Vine restaurant in this separate post.
Aerial view and wine dinner photo supplied by Anne Wild & Associates and used with permission. All other photos © Food Wine Travel.
Stay in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Sip on locally crafted wines, and Savour exquisite cuisine with a Stay, Sip & Savour package at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort. Priced from $445 per room, it includes 3 nights’ accommodation in a Premier villa, $50 food and beverage credit per room, and a wine tasting for two at Brokenwood Wines. The offer is valid for stays until November 30, but you’ll need to book by 4pm on April 14. You can find more information about the package here.
A superb place to get away from it all, spend time with family, relax and do some wine-tasting too!
All of those things!