A lot cheaper compared to other places in such a popular location. We stayed in the spa villa after me organising a surprise new years day two night trip away with my fiancé.

This place is completely secluded up in the higher areas of Hepburn Springs away from the main street where there's much more expensive accommodation. The host Helen manages a wonderful establishment. She greeted us upon our arrival and believes in a personal check in service guiding us to our spa villa upon arrival and showing us through so we know what's where. That was the last we saw of her until checking out as we were completely left alone for the remainder of our stay.

Breakfast ingredients were provided with the villa being completely self contained. For breakfast there is cereal available as well as eggs, bacon and bread for toast. All cooking utensils are provided in the kitchen. The evening we arrived we had a home made BBQ dinner after getting supplied from the supermarket in nearby Daylesford.

The villa has two floors, the first floor (the one you walk into from the car park at the door) is the lounge area with a kitchen, bedroom with ensuite and outdoor verandah with BBQ. Wander down the spiral staircase and down to the lower level which is identical in structure as the first floor with a kitchen, single bedroom ($100 extra to have it unlocked) but instead of a lounge area there is your indoor spa area with massive windows looking out into the bush. The spa area is also equipped with a spa side table with candle and there's also another candle stand in the room. The CD player/radio is over on a corner shelf. This room is ultimately set up for a typical romantic type evening for a couple. It's that private and equipped that you can experience the spa surrounded by lit candles, put on a nice easy listening CD and leave the front facing windows open giving that feeling that you're surrounded by nothing but nature.

The day spa is also on site. My fiancé had the massage & facial package for $170 and says it was well worth it. She was expecting a quick back rub but the massage was more 'full body' and the lady providing it seemed very experienced and professional.

The check-out is 12pm. I believe this is possibly because you're expecting to clean up and leave the place pretty much as you found it. This is what probably also keeps the costs down. It's not the sort of place you hang out in, make a mess then leave so that some housekeeping staff clean up for you. You're expected to clean it up before leaving which I figure is fair enough considering it's so cheap in comparison to other places similar.

I am struggling to fault this place. We will be going back there regularly and can't wait until next time.