Best of the Gold Coast 2018: Top 13 day spas on the Coast

IT has been a hard year so far, it must be time for a pamper sesh. Here’s your guide to the Gold Coast’s most decadent day spas. All 13 of them.

IT has been a hard year so far, it must be time for a pamper sesh.

Here’s your guide to the Gold Coast’s most decadent day spas

Greenhouse Bathhouse

37A Tallebudgera Creek Road Burleigh Heads

Pablo Estevez and Sofia Etchechoury relaxing at Greenhouse Bath House in Burleigh. Picture: Jerad Williams

At Greenhouse Bathhouse, there are no clocks and no worries. Guests — male or female, young or old — are welcome to roam around as they wish, because being ushered from room to room is hardly relaxing. Owners Natalie Evans, Charlie Evans and Phoebe Venz totally get it. They created the space because the GC needed it, just like they did with vegan favourite Greenhouse Canteen. “Mainly we just like to create spaces we wish existed — that’s kind of how Greenhouse came about, and then the bathhouse followed,” Natalie says. “The concept of a bathhouse is pretty ancient from Turkey and Greece even in Japan, but it’s always been considered a total relaxation space around the world and we on the GC didn’t have anything. Ours is definitely a contemporary style, more a space so people can go, relax and rejuvenate. A lot of our research was around the health benefits, so minerals in the spa, magnesium in the pool and the detoxing rotation of moving your body from hot to cold. It clears you out mind, body and soul.” The Bathhouse’s signature session is a soak and massage. “So for our soak session and massage, you first soak for 90 minutes so you’re relaxed and detoxed before the massage,” Natalie says. “It helps the therapist because our guest’s muscles are already softened by the time they get to the table. It means they get a deeper massage rather than jumping out of the car and on to the table.”

SpaQ

QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

spaQ at QT Gold Coast

Naomi Gregory, head of SpaQ development and operations says QT’s resident day spa is intended to be a designer spa experience in every way. “We have a commitment to finding and hiring incredible talent As a brand QT Hotels and Resorts is known as a great place to work, and in our experience teams that are happy and enjoy coming to work, thrive in delivering excellent guest care. The spa menu has been crafted to address our spa guests needs in a coastal location with a focus on all-over skin health, realignment of the mental and physical wellbeing and promoting a deep sense of relaxation. Our skincare partner Uspa, helps us to achieve this with the use of natural botanical ingredients used in conjunction with the skilled hands of our therapists. Ultimately as a team we share the common values that we wish for spaQ to be a comforting and caring place to visit. Our guests often remark that they feel instantly at home which makes what we do incredibly rewarding”

One Spa

RACV Royal Pines, Ross Street, Benowa

“Our One Spa Philosophy is simple; combining well-appointed spa facilities, with genuine service and skincare that visibly improves skin, body and mind,” RACV Royal Pines manager of leisure David Hogben says. “In the caring hands of our dedicated spa professionals, you can rest assured that your individual needs and having a memorable experience is our priority.” David recommends the One Spa Escape Experience. “This is a total top-to-toe TLC and offers a well-deserved indulgence,” he says. “Beginning with a hot stone massage with warm stones and aromatic oils that combine to offer a massage of muscle melting proportions, it’s followed by a hydrating treatment for your hands and feet. Revitalise with a full body polish and a warm silky gel wrap and soothe your scalp, neck and shoulders with a customised scalp therapy before your choice of water therapy treatment to cleanse and uplift. Complete your experience with a customised facial and refreshments in our relaxation room.”

L’Aqua Day Spa

3032 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Whether you’re a local or here on staycation, Watermark Hotel’s resident day spa in the heart of Surfers Paradise, is the place to de-stress. “L’Aqua’s signature hot stone massage makes you radiant from the inside out,” senior beauty therapist Samantha Delohery says. “Heated and chilled basalt and marble stones positioned over chakra points and muscle groups ease tensions while nurturing massage strokes induce deep relaxation. In the couples retreat, you and your significant other can choose 50 or 80-minute massages in the same room followed by 20 minutes in the jacuzzi for a relaxing soak. Or, catering for groups of up to six, L’Aqua is a favourite of bridal parties with bride, friends and family choosing from options that include back massages, body scrub, foot or scalp massages served with tea or sparkling wine and cheese platters.”

Body & Soul Spa Retreat

1 Karingal Rd, Mount Cotton

Make a day of it and enjoy a countryside road trip out to Mount Cotton, where you’ll find Body & Soul Spa Retreat on 30 acres of picturesque natural bushland. Owner Gail Keith founded the retreat to escape the hustle and bustle of beauty salons and CBDs. “I opened the spa in 2014 as it has always been a passion to help people and offer clients a tranquil space where they can unwind with an experience they’ll always remember,” she says. “The salon environment has always been too busy and noisy for myself and I wanted to offer complete seclusion and quiet for my guests to be totally relaxed away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.” Gail’s favourite treatment is the Youthful You package, which includes a relaxing aroma body polish, scalp massage and anti-ageing collagen infusion to help repair fine lines, pigmentation and hydration.

Earth & Skin

2 Regency Pl, Mudgeeraba

Earth and Skin Mudgeeraba

This organic, chemical free and cruelty free day spa aims to provide luxurious services that avoid negative impacts on health and the environment. Eliminating those factors doesn’t compromise the luxury, it enhances it. “If we are talking total luxury, our most amazing package would have to be our Wild Moon Ritual where for nearly three hours our clients can experience total mind and body rejuvenation,” owner Louisa Hollenberg says. “We start with our guided chakra meditation then perform our detoxifying clay cocoon wrap followed by a crystal balancing ritual and soothing one hour massage. Then we customise a one-hour facial depending on our clients’ greatest skin concerns, which is completed with jade stone facial massage.”

Endota Spa

Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

Although there are more than 100 Endota Spas across Australia, with three on the Gold Coast alone, each centre still finds a way to make their guests feel special. The Broadbeach location on Oracle Boulevard recently underwent a small move and makeover, with the new and improved Endota dedicated to relaxing. Upon arrival guests are invited to take a moment to unwind in one of two relaxation lounges before replenishing mind, body and soul in one of their 12 treatment rooms. Their expert therapists specialise in relaxation, remedial, deep tissue, pregnancy and hot rock massage, organic and advanced facials, hydro-microdermabrasion, facial peels, body wraps and scrubs and beauty services so you’ll look and feel brand new.

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

192 Syndicate Rd, Tallebudgera

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Queensland - dining deck.

You’ll have to book an overnight stay to experience this exclusive day spa destination, but you won’t need much convincing to do so. “Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland offers a complete wellness destination for guests to step away from their busy lives and refocus on their health,” marketing manager Tracy Willis says. “Set high on a plateau on more than 200 hectares with views to the ocean, it is one of few retreats that are Ecotourism certified and has the largest land space of any spa retreat in Australasia. Several therapies are unique to Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, including the award-winning Spirit of Sound, using a fusion of massage styles and live percussion and drums, plus rockupuncture blends hot stone therapy with Japanese acupuncture for a spa experience like no other.”

On Eagle Wings

59 Lowry Ct, Neranwood

This hinterland retreat is the perfect example of a holistic day spa. Nestled in the trees with breathtaking Gold Coast views, On Eagle Wings have been making people feel a million miles away from their problems and stresses since 2008. The team believe their location is key to people escaping and doing a little soul searching, helped along by a comprehensive day spa treatment list. Qualified staff will treat you to a variety of spa packages and individual spa treatments including facial treatments, massage, body treatments, pedicures or manicures. Afterwards breathe in the fresh mountain air as you lounge by the heated 25m infinity lap pool and enjoy the peaceful sounds of water fountains and nature.

Ruby Spa Escape Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa

158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

Given the spa is a part of this establishment’s name, guest expectations are set high, and Marriot says Ruby Spa definitely delivers with their personal approach to spa therapy.

“Ruby Spa is a new concept in day spas specifically designed to welcome male and female guests,” marketing executive Militsa Antonova says. “Everyone is welcomed with a glass of bubbles or a boutique beer. Guests can even choose their own soundtrack for their treatment and design their own package. If it’s Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and an aromatherapy massage, we are one phone call away. If it’s AC/DC and a shiatsu head massage, your wish is our command.”

Escarpment Retreat

123 Alpine Terrace, Mt Tamborine

This is a day spa and retreat for couples, and as a result manager Carolynne Bax and the team have witnessed some pretty special moments at The Escarpment. “I think we’re all about milestones,” Carolynne says. “We just had a 50th wedding anniversary and sometimes we get couples who come to rekindle their romance if things aren’t going so well. So we just try to make everything as special and as perfect as we possibly can.” Of course, a spa treatment is a must, and you don’t have to stay at the retreat to take advantage of the treatment list. What could be more therapeutic and intimate than lapping up a full body massage with hot stones and organic oils next to your loved one?

La Belle Vie

Shop 26, 1930 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami

This French-inspired day spa is owned and run by Stacey Austin and Louisa Dutton, who have been in the industry for 16 years. Stacey says, while beauty and relaxation has therapeutic effects, there’s another side to what they do at La Belle Vie. “Caring for your clients is more important than anything,” she says. “Basically we’re also about being there for the people who need someone to talk to. Somewhere people can have a chat, relax, and relieve the stress of the everyday world — which is getting harder and harder. I think offering that at a day spa is just as important as the pampering and luxury.” Stacey says their facials and pedicures are of an extremely high standard.

Harmony Body & Mind Healing Centre

14 Billabirra Crescent, Nerang

This is certainly no ordinary day spa. Sure, they’ve got massages and facials and pedicures but they also offer weekly and full moon meditations, spiritual residentials, psychosomatic therapy, hypnotherapy, face reading, reiki, holistic counselling, spiritual healing and chakra balancing. Owner Marie Muller says despite being open since 1989, there has been a recent boom. “People are starting to realise the importance of coming back to their natural rhythm. They are really seraching for how to achieve balance and peace, especially on the GC where we’re getting busier and busier. We’re helping restore that balance.”