Hunter Valley retreat: Château Élan at The Vintage lures couples seeking a weekend reset
A wine country spa and golf resort near Pokolbin blends luxury wellness with dining and countryside scenery for a couples’ escape about 1.5 hours from Sydney.
About 1.5 hours from Sydney, Château Élan at The Vintage in Pokolbin has become a draw for couples seeking a weekend reset in wine country. Located on The Vintage’s 18-hole golf course, the resort blends a tranquil rural setting with hospitality experiences. Golfers will recognize the course designed by Australian golf legend Greg Norman, while non-golfers find a spa-centric retreat in the same grounds.
At its heart is The Spa at Château Élan, a quiet sanctuary with 17 treatment rooms offering facials, massages and a range of skin therapies. Treatments include relaxation, therapeutic and pregnancy massages, Balneotherapy in a private bath, and a lineup of iKOU organic facials designed for hydration, rejuvenation or glow. Prices start from $165 for facials, and massages run from $175 to $325. For a full-immersion option, the Spa Ultimate Ritual is a five-hour experience priced at $720 to $830 and includes a full-body exfoliation, body wrap, scalp massage, aromatherapy-infused spa bath, a facial and a relaxing massage, complemented by bubbles, chocolates and Hunter Valley cheese.
The Hydro Lounge within The Spa offers two heated outdoor ocean mineral spas and single-person infrared saunas, with relaxing quiet spaces for pre- and post-treatment downtime. Spa guests can opt for exclusive private use of the spaces, and staff are available to provide beverages and refreshments as part of the calming experience. All treatments include access to the Hydro Lounge and its deck area, aimed at promoting detoxification, muscle relief and overall wellbeing.
Accommodations range from spa suites to one- and two-bedroom villas, each with a private balcony or terrace offering views of The Vintage fairways or the Hunter Valley hills. On-site dining options include Spike Bar for a casual lunch and room-service-style fare, and Legends Restaurant in the clubhouse, which features a modern menu focused on seasonal produce and flame-grilled steaks. A daily breakfast buffet is served each morning.
If the drive back to the city feels long, guests can extend their stay with overnight accommodations within Château Élan, allowing couples to linger in the tranquil environment without leaving the property. Beyond the spa, guests can also take to the on-site golf course, swim in the outdoor pool, hit the gym or stroll through the surrounding vineyard landscape, with occasional wildlife such as wallabies roaming the grounds.