Want to know the recipe for a perfect weekend away? lastminute lovely Erin shares her foolproof list of happy holidaying ingredients.
Ever feel like your job is sending you cray cray? After a full on month at work I was in need of some serious downtime. That’s why on a Friday afternoon I found myself driving to Kingscliff on New South Wales’ Far North Coast. That’s where I discovered the perfect ingredients for prime relaxation.
Ingredient one: Good company
Another lastminute lovely, Karly, was joining me for my first night as Mr LML decided he wanted to go to the footy. Pfft! I mean, can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
Ingredient two: A luxe base
Checking in at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, we have an “ooh” and “aah” session as we explore our gorgeous, modern one bedroom spa suite. We’re so excited that we have direct access to the pool and lobby bar that we almost miss the delish welcome gift waiting for us.
Hello comfy king bed!
How spoiled are we?!
As shocking as it sounds, we leave the wine and cheese for later. We have a reservation for dinner and a date with some cocktails that just can’t be missed.
Ingredient three: Good food and drink
Mahsuri Thai is one of my fave places to eat and, seeing as it’s part of the Salt Village complex, we don’t have to worry about the dreaded drive home.
It’s mojitos all ‘round as we settle in for dinner. They’re absolutely divine and are the perfect way to kick off a couple of days of chillaxing.
Hot tip: make sure you book in advance if you want to try Mahsuri on a Friday or Saturday night. They’re super popular.
Ingredient four: Location, location, location
After a lazy sleep-in (a must-do on any relaxing weekend), we start off on a morning stroll before breakfast. Kingscliff’s certainly turned on the charm.
Could you get any more of a picture perfect Saturday than this?
Salt Village actually has its own beach – how cool is that – so we get to walk off last night’s dinner with the sand crunching between our toes and a few dashes in and out of the waves.
Stunning!
Fancy seeing you here!
Mr LML shows up after breakfast but that doesn’t stop Karly and I from paying a quick visit to the shops. We can totally justify the purchase of a cute kaftan and some new hats – we’re simply being sun smart! Plus, the lagoon pool is calling our name.
We have to take advantage of the fact we can laze away on a sun lounge and have a cocktail brought to us, right?
Like our new hats?
Drinks by the pool with a cherry on top.
Ingredient five: Shop and be pampered
Karly says goodbye and I prepare myself for the afternoon ahead. The mission: hit the shops along the main drag of Kingscliff and then surrender to three hours of pampering.
Sambara Spa is my go-to in Kingscliff whenever I need some serious de-stressing. They offer five star service and amazing value for money in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. I’m truly able to switch off as I indulge in a hot stone massage, body scrub, facial and pedicure given to me by not one, but two therapists. Bliss!
I can confirm that I saw great results after my retail ‘therapy’
Ingredient six: An early night (after a repeat of ingredient three)
Dinner at the funky Italian restaurant Bluscooter looks to be a good choice from the get-go. We’re taken to a table right next to the blue scooter itself (squee!) and I spy a cocktail on the beverage list I’ve never heard of before – the Chocolate Cake (yum!).
THE Blue Scooter
It’s also a treat to see more on the menu than just pizza and pasta. Mr LML, a true carnivore, is drawn to the Grande Meat however, so pizza still ends up on our table. But that’s not all we devour…
Can’t go past a good bruschetta to get started
Pollo Genovese – that’s chicken breast stuffed with ham, bocconcini and basil in a garlic cream sauce for the non-Italians out there
We end the night with a liquid dessert and take advantage of the free in-house movies. Call me lame. But I reckon it’s just what I needed.
“Dessert” back at the Resort
Ingredient seven: Enjoy the simple things in life (and take advantage of your surroundings)
Sunday morning comes and it’s another gorgeous day in Kingscliff. After a late buffet breakie at Season Kingscliff, I decide to do something I haven’t done in a while – sit down and read the newspaper. Like, an actual, made of paper, newspaper.
Just try and tell me you wouldn’t like to spend a lazy Sunday morning like this
Forget the lounge room. When you’re this close to the pool area, why wouldn’t you claim a possie out here?
One of those sun lounges has my name on it
It’s hard knowing that I’ll be back doing the normal day-to-day again on Monday, but when I feel the workplace blues setting in, I’m just going to shut my eyes and think of…
