Gaia retreat and spa

[Tue 23/03/2010 11:05:57]

Gaia, meaning ‘Spirit of Mother Earth’ is nestled amongst the green valleys and undulating hills just minutes from Bangalow and Byron Bay. With virtually no resemblance to its past, the original property was built in the late '70s as one of the first health farms in Australia.

Gaia view

Ahead of its time, the concept did not take off and decades later as Gregg Cave and Olivia Newton John were scouting the hills for a country house for they stumbled across this highest point in the hinterland and realised its potential as a world-class spa and retreat with a spiritual sense of place.

Gregg and Olivia invited two other friends to join the venture, Warwick Evans and Ruth Kalnin, hence the formation of the Gaia, a name global spa and retreat goers are becoming increasingly familiar with.

Gaia is nestled on 25 acres and offers three levels of beautifully appointed villas and Gaia’s signature cuisine is all part of the package. Spa treatments and activities are built-in but are cleverly offered according to the desires of each individual .
 

Inspired by the healing cultures of Byron Bay, Kukura House, the central meeting and dining point at Gaia embodies an almost surreal atmosphere – one of complete nurturing for the mind, body and soul.

The attentiveness of staff is unparalleled by most guest houses with their commitment to your wellness and experience evident throughout every moment spent at Gaia.

“Gaia is a representation of what we want when go on a holiday and the whole idea is to provide people with the platform to re-connect,” said co owner Gregg Cave. “We don’t pretend to be a particular style of retreat, we really focus on accommodating individual needs and ensuring the experience is in-line with what our guests want and expect from their time with us."

Gaia pool

As Olivia Newton John says, “Gaia is like barefoot meets Armani – it’s an elegant yet unpretentious retreat where you find solace in the simple things, while enjoying the good things in life. You are able to choose the activities you want to take part in, maybe morning yoga or an afternoon of tennis or just indulge in the spa treatments. Gaia provides a spiritual environment to relax and rejuvenate,” she said.

Among countless accolades, Gaia has received another two awards from the 2010 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards for Best Relaxation/Spa in the World and in the South Pacific. It was also voted third place in the Top 10 Celebrity owned Hotels of the World among an elite group of famous actors, musicians and fashion icons including Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, Ford Coppola, Donnatella Versace, Gloria Estefan and De Bono – all who own boutique hotels around the world.

The Gaia team

Gaia is not just a retreat for the individual, it’s a great opportunity to create harmony in the workplace and give team’s the opportunity to bond and re-group while reinforcing work ethics. Gaia has taken on many forms since its inception.

Everything at Gaia has been carefully selected to ensure a holistic experience with Li’Tya and Sodashi products used exclusively in the spa. “We chose Li’Tya and Sodashi because they are the most natural products you can get,” said Gregg.

The beautifully appointed spa features everything you’d expect in a world class spa but with a relaxed open environment. Newly constructed, the Secret Garden is an outdoor treatment room nestled amongst a rainforest where treatments and bath soaking is guaranteed to send all guests to new levels of relaxation. The Koda treatment is a must for any stressed-out city folk.

Gaia cuisine

The cuisine is equally as appealing to the senses, much of which is sourced from the Gaia garden or local organic farms. Head Chef Todd Cameron is a drawcard for the most discerning foodie with a bent towards health and nutrition.

Packages start from $830 twin share for two nights and includes all gourmet organic meals, daily yoga and other selected activities such as a one hour massage and full use of all retreat facilities. Visit www.gaiaretreat.com.au/