As you drive through the entry gates of the Parklands Country Garden and Lodges and approach the Parklands Day Spa, you begin to notice that you're not in for an average spa experience. The grounds are filled with well-manicured gardens bursting with flowers, and the gravel road is flanked by a row of humongous trees, that have no doubt been rooted there since the property was established in the 1880s.
You enter the stately building that houses the day spa to a reception area filled with plush lounges and staff that greet you as warmly as the crackling fireplace. The decor features period accents and lodge vibes with wood-panelled ceilings.
The Parklands specialises in creating space to make every client feel special and well looked after. The energy here is absolutely not high-turnover. There are two spacious double treatment rooms and two single rooms handled by a passionate team. In some rooms, you’ll find deep bathtubs overlooking broad windows with tranquil views of the gardens, and large natural landscape paintings you can get lost in.
Tying in with the European echoes in the decor, the spa uses Swedish influenced facial, body and bath products from Kerstin Florian. You’ll be soothed by the scents and texture of oils and salves infused with essential oils and natural ingredients like thermal mineral water, mud, algae, and herbal extracts.
The Parklands is part of the Escarpment Group, which runs three of the Blue Mountains’ most luxurious day spas, also taking care of Lilianfels Resort & Spa and Echoes Boutique Hotel.
Couples treatment packages are popular here. Amongst the top of the crop is the signature Parklands Serenity package ($495), which is a combination of most of the spa’s favourite treatments including a soak in the bath, full-body exfoliation and mud wrap, massage and personalised facial; and the Ginger Renewal body treatment ($195) which incorporates the healing and warming properties of ginger into exfoliation, massage and 'cocooning'.
Massages are also a big hit at this mountain escape, with the Aroma Relax Massage ($125-$195) and the Stress Relief Massage ($135-$205) the most popular options, available in increments of 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes. Time Out was invited to try the one-hour Stress Relief Massage, which is a firmer massage geared to release muscle pain and tension and is popular with people who do physical work or carry the trademark tensions of working at a desk and computer. As the therapist sets to work pushing out your knots and kinks, they also go to length to check on your comfort and create a relaxing environment. Despite the particularly bad weather in the Blue Mountains during our visit, the sound of sleet brushing the windows and the invigorating scents of orange and pine from the special blend of massage oil added to the soothing ambiance.
“We have some really super therapists,” the day spa manager Trudi tells us, speaking on what sets apart the treatments here. “It’s an exchange between the therapist and the client... I really think that the people that do the treatments give. We do actually really love our jobs.”
She shares stories about couples who’ve made a weekend of the spa in lieu of cancelled European holidays, and mums and dads-to-be able to take a break and de-stress with the Baby Moon package ($290), which caters to the needs of expectant couples.
The Parklands maintains high standards, and if you have the money to spend, the payoff is bliss. Find out more and make a booking here.