Winter and summer, Lilianfels is the top pick for many Sydneysiders in need of an indulgent and luxurious weekend getaway.
For many Sydneysiders it's an annual ritual - escaping the big city for the fresh, clean air and the wide open spaces of the stunning Blue Mountains. But those in the know have another, more indulgent reason to head for the hills. If you're in need of a spot of unparalelled pampering Lilianfels in Katoomba is the place to go. An historic five-star, European style country house perched on the edge of the Jameson Valley, and only a 90-minute drive from the Sydney CBD, Lilianfels is widely regarded as one of Australia's leading mountain resorts.
It has everything you could wish for - first class hotel facilities, views to die for, and a luxurious day spa. And as of this year, it also boasts new and exclusive ranges of treatments from Payot, and the legendary house of Carita in Paris.
The Decor:
The style throughout this resort hideaway fuses old world charm and elegance, but the spa has a more modern spin on contemporary design. It's a quiet, warm and serene environment boasting lots of light wood - a place where you can feel your aches and woes melt away from the moment you step inside. The spa sits in the basement of the resort, below the resort's elaborate indoor pool, featuring a number of treatment rooms - some for couples - and a comfortable lounge.
The Treatments:
If the spa at Lilianfels is one of its main drawcards, then the addition of Carita to its menu will further enhance the spa's appeal. If you’re not familiar with the Carita brand, it’s synonymous with luxury and pioneering anti-ageing treatments. The story begins in the 1940’s, when two Spanish sisters, Rosy and Maria Carita, opened a beauty salon in the famed Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré in Paris - and took the world of beauty by storm.
The innovative pair convinced Parisian women to ditch their hair curlers, cake makeup and cold creams, and replace them with a modern take on beauty. It included revolutionary hairstyles, including the Brigitte Bardot ponytail, and a preventative approach to skin care. One of the most sought-after treatments is called the Pro-Lift - a facial treatment which combines deep cleansing with a machine induced, non-surgical “face lift”. After massive success in France, it was launched in the UK and the US, and by all accounts is set to continue Carita’s enduring legacy.
The Pro-Lift is no ordinary facial - and costs $245 per session. My treatment began with a relaxing upper back and shoulder massage, and then the cleansing of my skin. Next was a 20-minute-long exfoliation process focussing on my face and neck, using a concoction called La Renovateur - a gentle-yet-effective blend of crushed sunflower seeds and essential oils. The exfoliation follows a very specific, intensive routine, and is designed to produce a radiant complexion.
Next, a combination of serums and the Carita machine were used to deep cleanse. Several electrical currents were delivered to my skin via two sponges. Then eye and lip patches were applied to address fine lines and puffiness, and the serious business began with the “pro-lifting” phase; a 25-minute-long facial massage using Carita’s Progressif Serum and the machine.
The left side of my face was treated first to demonstrate the instant “face lift” effect. The therapist moved special probes across my skin to deliver the currents which stimulated facial muscles. The first-half result took me by surprise. There was a definite lift around my jawline, my nasolabial lines had all but disappeared, and the fine lines around my eyes had smoothed out. My skin also had an incredible glow and was baby smooth to the touch.
The Verdict:
Lilianfels is a haven for nature lovers, a retreat for romance, and the perfect place in which to unwind and recharge body and soul. It also has a superb fine dining restaurant, spacious accommodations, and plenty of nooks and crannies in which to wile away time. And the Payot body treatments aren't half bad either!
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