Sunshine Coast’s ‘romance capital’ Montville spices up the passion
Tahiti, Paris and Venice accommodation on notice
Having positioned the Sunshine Coast hinterland village of Montville as a haven for lovers when it was awarded the ‘Most Romantic Hotel in the World’ accolade in the annual Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ Awards last year, Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat has now expanded its overall accommodation choice with the opening of two luxury Balinese-style villas.
Our latest AccomNews print issue is available now! Read it HERE.
Named White Cockatoo and Black Cockatoo with interior designs to match the contrasting colours, each villa features include a plunge pool, private veranda, double spa and log fireplace, kitchenette, and flat screen TV, a fridge is stocked with the best local produce, and a host of romantic offerings ranging from handmade chocolates to fresh roses.
The property’s owners, Ali Kahn and Xochi Lindholm say their goal is to enable guests to “cocoon in nature and just relax, unwind, and luxuriate in the amazing setting”.
The two new villas add to Narrows Escape’s existing six pavilions, and the owners are looking to add plunge pools to each of these in the future.
While many guests are happy to stay within the Retreat, utilising the swimming pool and nature tracks, they also offer a popular Luxe Trekking package that incorporates guided walks along the Hinterland Great Walk, while providing luxury overnight accommodation and facilities for the ultimate revival treatment.
Confirming Montville’s position as the ‘romance capital’ of Australia, the aptly named Lovestone Cottages has also unveiled two stunning, fully redesigned and indulgently decorated cottages – Quandong and Rosewood – joining the originally-refurbished Maple Cottage.
Named after the rich forest trees and orchards that attracted European settlers to Montville in the late 1800s, each private, fully self-contained cottage is perfectly designed for luxurious getaways. Features include a free standing spa bath with sweeping views over the rainforest escarpment, while fireplaces in every cottage are ideal for cool Hinterland nights.
A private wooden deck with hooded BBQ, along with a fully-equipped kitchen and separate lounge and bar seating, makes each cottage ideal for intimate dining. An outdoor garden area with fire pit provides a perfect setting for star gazing.
Lovestone Cottages’ owners Tamara and Jonathan Large said that each cottage boasts a contemporary and luxurious design, with a palette of colours based specifically on blending harmoniously with the local setting.
“As well as fully renovating the cottages we have been upgrading the landscaping and gardens to make this a perfect romantic retreat,” they said.
Montville today is a thriving Hinterland shopping village with a rich and diverse array of cafes, restaurants, gift shops and fashion boutiques. The village is also a hub of quality art galleries and studios featuring works from established and emerging artists.
A popular base for outdoor adventurers, Montville is located close to the Kondalilla National Park, which forms part of the Hinterland Great Walk, a great place to go hiking, walking, have a picnic or cool down in a waterfall.
Montville is just 30 minutes’ drive from the coast and Sunshine Coast Airport, and because of its elevation offers a temperate climate year round.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
