The challenge: a surprise birthday getaway destination for Mr LML – not too far from Sydney, with top notch food and wine, a touch of the great outdoors and a dose of wow factor.
The solution: Saffire Freycinet, in Tasmania.
What a welcome
Greeted with a view like this as we’re ushered into reception, glass of local Pirie Estate Sparkling Wine in hand, it’s clear Saffire and I are going to get on very well.
Located on the East Coast of Tasmania – an easy and beautiful two and a half hour drive from Hobart – this really is the destination you go to when you want to get away from it all. In ridiculous luxury of course.
Ahh the serenity
The five star property is part of the Luxury Lodges of Australia group: its awards shelf groans under the weight of its accolades. Super luxury and good value may not seem to go hand-in-hand but the Saffire experience is worth every cent. I promise by the end of this post, you will totally be justifying the splurge 😉
For starters, food and beverages are all included (drinks are selected from a very decent list – including 60 wines – that we don’t stray from but there are other options available to purchase too if you fancy something particular).
Yep, beating this is going to be tough.
Lunch, which we arrive just in time for, is a classy yet low-key affair served in the lounge area with a selection of salads, breads, cheeses and dessert, as well as two hot dishes from the kitchen to order.
All of the food options at Saffire change daily so there’s no chance of menu fatigue.
My kind of lunch buffet
The lounge area, complete with board games if you need an excuse to linger longer over that view
Not to overstate things, but I would plan a return visit for the salads alone!
Best. Salad. Ever.
While the mesmerising view of The Hazards mountain ranges could keep us entertained for hours, it’s time to check out our suite.
Which as it turns out, has its own picture perfect view of the landscape courtesy of the floor to ceiling windows. The generous 80 square metre open place space is designed for view watching, even from bed. With only 20 suites, there is definitely an exclusive feel to the property.
Room with a (damn fine) view
A bottle of local sparkling wine adds to the welcome. But it’s the all-inclusive mini-bar that really catches Mr LML’s eye. It includes red and white Tasmanian wine, Tasmanian whisky, gin, vodka, chips, local apple crisps and biscuits.
Hello complimentary mini-bar!
The mini-bar will have to wait but it doesn’t take much convincing to drag Mr LML away when our next destination is a mixology master class.
Saffire offers a number of complimentary activities for guests to pick and choose from (see, value people!) including archery, cooking classes and winery visits.
We’re run through the tips and tricks for making popular cocktails as we lend a hand – or at least try to!
Mixology experts
Next up is a visit to the award winning day spa. Each suite has a $100 credit to the day spa per stay. Treatments are on the expensive side so this does make it more affordable. Mr LML and I both agree it’s the best massage either of us have ever had. Yep, Saffire has really got this relaxation thing down pat.
Massages so good, Mr LML decided to extend his 5 minutes into his treatment!
Staying in a robe and ordering from the room service menu was tempting but safe in the knowledge of how good the lunch offering was, we know dinner at Palate, the onsite restaurant, can’t be missed.
With no reservation necessary, we arrive and are seated by the window and are again taken with view. We opt for the five course degustation menu with matching wines. Naturally. Five courses might seem like a lot but the serving sizes are just right and it would be shame not to sample as many examples of the gourmet produce Tasmania has to offer as possible.
Dinner delights – some of our fave dishes from our two nights
I’m not usually one to miss a rare sleep-in opportunity but a quick peek courtesy of our electric shutters reveals the most stunning sunrise. Not a bad way to start Mr LML’s birthday!
#nofilter
Just as good reflecting off our suite
The food stakes are just as high at breakfast with an a la carte menu. I’m pretty sure anything would taste good though with that morning outlook.
Going back to eating breakfast at my desk is going to be tough after this
It would be easy to not leave the Saffire property but with the stunning Wineglass Bay on our doorstep, we set out with our guide Joel on a walk to the lookout. His passion is contagious as he shares his knowledge of the area and before we know it we’ve reached the summit.
Wonderful Wineglass Bay
With extra time up our sleeve, we’re treated to a visit to Honeymoon Bay on the way back, a gorgeous bonus.
Honeymoon Bay
Can think of worse places to go kayaking
The activities for the day aren’t over yet. Among the most popular of Saffire’s offering is a visit to a working oyster farm. A quick 10 minute mini-bus ride away courtesy again of Joel, we don waders, make our way out to the water and hear all about the way the farm works before the Saffire luxury touch kicks in.
A table out in the water is laid with a white tablecloth and we gather around drinking sparkling wine and enjoying the freshest oysters possible as Joel and Will shuck them to order.
Pretty much heaven for oyster lovers
If it looks familiar, you might have seen it feature heavily in Tourism Australia’s latest campaign. Oyster lover Mr LML is in birthday heaven. Major brownie points for me.
Tourism Australia ad moment right there
Leisurely reading, a relaxing bath and maybe a nibble or two from mini-bar round out the afternoon before we head up to the lounge for pre-dinner drinks which start at 5.30pm.
Our night two meal is even better than the previous evening. The extra birthday dessert definitely helps too.
Happy Birthday Mr LML!
Ready to roll out of Saffire after two days of indulgence, we delay the inevitable with a wander down the path to the beach. Saffire might be all about luxury but at the heart of it, the natural beauty of Freycinet is the real drawcard…
Back to basics
With our flight back to Sydney not until late in the afternoon, we take the opportunity to sample more of Tassie’s gourmet scene on our way back to Hobart. Freycinet Vineyard is our first stop and it doesn’t take much convincing to purchase some souvenirs.
Try before you buy
Millton Vineyard is next and the iced Riesling is too good to refuse.
Milton Winery tastings
We round it out with a sweet visit to Kate’s Berry Farm. Famous for the ice-cream, I can’t go past the scones, while Mr LML’s crepes are a winner.
Because we *really* needed more food
And just when you thought the Saffire experience was over, it actually follows you all the way to Hobart airport where there is a guest-only lounge. What’s another cheese plate and glass of bubbly between friends? Good value, I tell you 😉 Just all part of the amazing experience that is Saffire Freycinet.
Where’s your ultimate birthday getaway destination? Have you ever surprised someone or been surprised with a holiday?