Luxury Travel Advisor - November 2008 - (Page 24)

THE SUNDANCE SUITE at Moondance Lodge has not only a private outdoor space, but a garden-view spa bath. media room. We recommend grabbing some yummy complimentary cookies, chocolates and port as comfort foods. The interior lounge, bar and dining area, with floors of Marri (red gum) wood, are totally conducive to relaxing around the huge, two-sided stone fireplace. Sit-down dining is available for 50, and a broad wooden deck composed of dark, handsome Jarrah hardwood is cleverly screened in to afford an outdoor dining experience indoors when weather doesn’t cooperate. We happily devoured the Aussie BLT breakfast sandwich—included in the price—and found the appetizing evening tapas menu delicious with a glass of plummy Margaret River Shiraz. Guests appreciate the Larsens’ farewell gift of two half-bottles of local wine. Plenty of Spirit Moondance Lodge (www.moon dancelodge.com) is a founding member of Hygeia Healing Hotels. Here, amidst 33 acres of bush land, “the energy is strong,” say owners Geraldine Reilly and Richard Doggart (stay@moon dancelodge.com). Perth architect Richard Reilly, Geraldine’s brother, designed this undeniably inspirational facility. In the Asian-inspired, contemporary Australian-designed eco-hotel, one’s gaze is automatically drawn to the 12-foot-wide stone fireplace in the main lodge, with its “cathedral” motif of high beamed ceilings and tasteful tones of orange—the hotel’s signature color. A vast outdoor terrace of ceramic and sandstone tiles fronts the lake, and is lit by lanterns. From it, you may descend to the shallow water. She told us that Moondance, which opened August 2004, is a hit with female business travelers and is a busy corporate conference and retreat site. Moondance offers a singular suite on the first floor of the main lodge. Eight other main suites are built in two groups of four, all designed around a justright, cozy central Villa Lounge or common room with its own enclosed wood-burning fireplace; there’s a convenient mini-kitchen and mini-laundry, too. We noted the flair of Jim Thompson Thai silk fabrics on chairs and duvet covers, plus original art from Geraldine and Richard’s private collection, amassed during the past 13 years. Other nifty decorative touches include rice rattan bedside tables, bamboo mats and floor-to-ceiling metallic sheer drapes. Four old recycled Jarrah-wood telegraph poles in each corner serve as ideal mounts for DVD speakers. It’s a little of the old mixing with the new. We especially enjoyed the peaceful deck or “day lounge” off the bedroom, with its huge king daybed. All rooms also include a pull-out trundle as the hotel welcomes children. Due to demand, Reilly and Doggart are constructing eight new suites in the new Valley Pool Villa, including a honeymoon Moondance Suite, plus an infinity pool for all guests—completion is scheduled for December. Natural stone counters accen- tuate extra-large bathrooms, and some feature ceramic mosaics on the wall. A delightful kit holds Moondance’s signature scent in aromatherapy essential oils next to the spa bath; a separate power shower is nearby. What makes Moondance different is the owner’s commitment to “nourishing the soul without judgment”—and that applies to all guests. We were entranced by an emotional wellness offering in the form of a didgeridoo meditation performed by Josh Whiteland and expertly guided by Reilly. Whiteland is also “cultural custodian” and grandson of the Aboriginal matriarch of the local area; the experience provides a unique and authentic connection to local tribal healing wisdom. Other experiences include a naturopathic consultation, spring flower essence bush walk or tarot card reading. Do not miss the Moondance Grape (body) Wrapture, delivered from the Wellness Menu in the lodge’s treetop massage loft. Gourmet breakfast is includ- 24 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | November 2008 http://www.moondancelodge.com http://www.moondancelodge.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - November 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Las Vegas Australia Virginia's Northern Neck Posh Penthouses K Club Four Seasons Florence Entertaining Luxury Caribbean Spas The Pulse Jetset Report Luxury Lifestyles Just Back Luxury Travel Expo Sightings Source List Virtuoso Insert

Luxury Travel Advisor - November 2008

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