{"id":7028,"date":"2012-03-05T10:54:26","date_gmt":"2012-03-05T00:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=7028"},"modified":"2018-05-15T07:15:17","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T21:15:17","slug":"bliss-at-bells-at-killcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/bliss-at-bells-at-killcare\/","title":{"rendered":"Bliss at Bells at Killcare"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Looking for a NSW property to really impress? Look no further, Bells at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast is sure to please even the fussiest of travellers, writes lastminute lovely, Nicole.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\nThis post was originally meant to cover all of the details of my weekend on the Central Coast. It became clear as soon as we arrived at the gorgeous five-star Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel Restaurant & Spa<\/a> that this was a property deserving of attention not to be shared with anything else.
\nMy biggest challenge? Writing about this amazing stay without being too gushy (not a bad problem to have, you could say). I\u2019ll try but no promises!
\nGoodbye big smoke…<\/strong>
\nEscaping work with a Friday afternoon early mark, Mr lastminute lovely (Mr LML for short) and I head for the F3, leaving the big smoke of Sydney behind, ready to indulge in a weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation. Bells at Killcare here we come!
\n…Hello paradise!<\/strong>
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Located around an hour north of Sydney, Bells at Killcare is a boutique hotel like no other I\u2019ve visited. Its style is reminiscent of The Hamptons, the luxury beachside retreat popular with New York\u2019s wealthy crowd.<\/p>\n

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Home for the weekend… I could get used to this!<\/p><\/div>\n

While I\u2019ve had a plenty of getaways on the Central Coast, I\u2019ve never ventured to the Bouddi Peninsula. It encompasses the towns of Killcare, Hardy\u2019s Bay, Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe and with \u2018Bouddi\u2019 the Aboriginal word for \u2018heart\u2019 it\u2019s the perfect spot for a romantic break.
\nAs we turn off into the winding driveway, it feels like we\u2019re arriving at our ridiculously rich relative\u2019s home rather than a hotel to base ourselves for the weekend.
\nPicture country estate style gardens, manor buildings, nautical inspired blue and white stripes, and a perfect blend of luxury, elegance and sophistication. From the get go we know it\u2019s going to be hard to leave this adults-only retreat.
\nLiving it up<\/strong>
\nOn check-in, we\u2019re super keen to check out our villa and I\u2019m not disappointed.
\nA new selection of villas was opened in November bringing the total to 25 and we\u2019re lucky enough to be calling one of the new abodes home for the next two days \u2013 yeah baby!<\/p>\n

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Unwind? Don’t mind if I do!<\/p><\/div>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

The fact that there is no mobile phone reception in our cabin is a welcome finding (there is complementary Wi-Fi access if emails are a necessity \u2013 avoid it if you can, I say).
\nThe king bed is divine, the Ralph Lauren furnishings gorgeous, flat screen TVs in both the living area and bedroom super convenient and the freestanding bath has my name written all over it.<\/p>\n

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Sigh! Wish I had one of these at home<\/p><\/div>\n

Every little detail has been thought of, exactly what you want in a holiday and a world away from the often stale feeling of even the most luxurious hotel rooms.
\nMy favourite feature though is the gorgeous balcony which acts as almost an extra room, overlooking a pond (think of it as your own little oasis). Sitting out here with cup of tea first thing in the morning is the ideal way to kick off the day.<\/p>\n

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Perfect spot for a cup of tea<\/p><\/div>\n

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Not a bad view to wake up to<\/p><\/div>\n

If getting back to nature is your holiday style, the bushland setting means you share the grounds with ducks (too cute), kookaburras and even rabbits (one bounces across our path one evening, right on cue.)
\nFirst stop: the bar<\/strong>
\nWe wander up from our villa, through the grassy green grounds to our dinner date.
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Champers? Yes please!<\/p><\/div>\n

As we venture into the bar, our expectations are high. The award winning wine list provides many temptations but a celebratory champagne is the obvious choice. The bar is cosy and feels a lot like a posh country club that you have to yourself. So far, so good!<\/p>\n

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I could get very comfortable here<\/p><\/div>\n

For the love of food<\/strong>
\nAside from the amazing property itself, Bells at Killcare is also home to Manfredi at Bells, run by Stefano Manfredi and the proud recipient of One Chef\u2019s Hat in the acclaimed Good Food Guide every year since it started operating in 2008.
\nThe values of Manfredi at Bells – authenticity, simplicity and freshness- shine through on the seasonal menu, inspired by the produce grown in the estate\u2019s vegetable gardens (in fact, when having a quick swim before dinner one evening we witness a chef coming out from the restaurant with a large silver bowl to collect lettuce from the garden! Love it.)<\/p>\n

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Guarding the gardens<\/p><\/div>\n\"Doesn't<\/a>\n

In the name of research (of course), we test out plenty of the seasonal menu.
\nRestaurant Manager Hayley and her team are an absolute delight, providing plenty of useful recommendations.
\nI\u2019m not exaggerating when I say the sourdough bread (made fresh daily onsite) served with olive oil is up there with one of the tastiest varieties I\u2019ve ever had (seriously, hang the carbs and eat up!)
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Next up we share the Misto, a tasting plate that came highly recommended with phenomenal flavours (and impressive presentation).
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The entrees of duck breast with currants, walnuts and lemon sauce, and Grilled octopus both feature unique flavour combinations that I\u2019d never tried before but work together brilliantly.
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My main is my savoury highlight. The whiting is cooked to perfection and the dish\u2019s delicate flavours and textures combine to create a spectacular main.
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Mr LML indulges in the roast suckling pig and from my tasting it too was delicious.
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There\u2019s always room for dessert<\/strong>
\nThank goodness we have room to indulge with a sweet treat because the desserts are something special.
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Mr LML (not really a sweet tooth) chooses the strawberry and mascarpone torta and is immediately hooked.
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When in doubt, I\u2019ll always go for chocolate and this mantra served me well at Manfredi at Bells. The Tartufo di Amendei chocolate is ridiculously good. It appears like a truffle and when cracked open provides sweet chocolately goodness. If you\u2019re a dark chocolate lover, this is THE dessert for you.
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Work it off <\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s plenty to do on the Central Coast for a weekend away (you can check out all my suggestions here<\/a>) but the location of Bells at Killcare amongst the bush, makes a bit of outdoor adventure (to burn off all the calories!) an absolute must.
\nWe visit the nearby Bouddi National Park; a good way to shake off the cobwebs after the previous night\u2019s indulgences (there are plenty of bushwalking tracks and we received a map on check-in).<\/p>\n

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Ready to burn some calories<\/p><\/div>\n

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Back to nature<\/p><\/div>\n

The lap pool at Bell\u2019s also provides a good opportunity to get active (without working up too much of a sweat!)<\/p>\n

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Quick dip<\/p><\/div>\n

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Brekky time<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Morning has broken!<\/p><\/div>\n

I have been known to evaluate a getaway by the quality of the breakfast (there\u2019s nothing better than a good hotel brekkie).
\nHosted daily in the restaurant in the Manor House, the setting is even more enjoyable in the morning light than it was the night before. The large country style balcony overlooking the immaculate gardens is the perfect spot for reading the papers leisurely with coffee in hand.<\/p>\n

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Brekky with a view<\/p><\/div>\n

With continental breakfast included in the accommodation cost, the freshly squeezed OJ, organic granola with yoghurt and fruit (and of course, more of that freshly baked bread) is brekkie perfection.
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There is also an a la carte menu. Mr LML\u2019s scrambled eggs with trout hits the spot (items are mostly around the $18 mark \u2013 next visit I plan to try the pancakes).
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What a view<\/strong>
\nWhile it may feel like a world away from the CBD, The Bouddi Peninsula is in fact just across from Sydney Palm Beach (you could catch the Ferry if the F3 doesn\u2019t appeal). We venture to the nearby lookout to check it out for ourselves, spotting Sydney\u2019s landmarks in the distance.<\/p>\n

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Map highlighting the sights of Sydney<\/p><\/div>\n

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Say cheese!<\/p><\/div>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

The verdict<\/strong>
\nI\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve succeeded in not sounding too gushy but it should be clear at least that my recommendation is to book in a trip to Bells at Killcare for a special getaway, you won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n

Nicole and Mr LML stayed as guests of Bells at Killcare<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\"Manfredi<\/a>\n

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