Sparkling luxury resort Saffire Freycinet celebrates ten years

During a decade of operation the acclaimed lodge has hosted movie stars and royals – now locals get the chance to experience its charms with a special two-night getaway giveaway on offer. SEE HOW TO ENTER >>

Acclaimed luxury lodge Saffire Freycinet with the unmistakeable peaks of the pink-hued Hazards in the background.

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WHEN Saffire opened its doors 10 years ago there were plenty of doubters.

“How could a luxury lodge possibly be a success in a sleepy little place like Tasmania?” some asked.

Others predicted it would be a short-lived venture, unable to sustain occupancy, particularly as the East Coast resort was built in the middle of the global financial crisis.

But as the acclaimed luxury lodge celebrates its 10th birthday this month — and continues to be fully booked despite a global pandemic — it shines as a trailblazer for Tasmania’s luxury tourism sector and a major drawcard for visitation to the state.

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Some of the world’s biggest names have stayed at Saffire — oil magnates, tech giant chiefs, celebrity chefs, musicians, actors, politicians and even royalty have been among nearly 20,000 guests who have stayed for an average of 2.8 nights at the all-inclusive property in the past decade.

Acclaimed luxury lodge Saffire at Freycinet at dusk.

The bulk of visitors (57 per cent) hail from mainland Australia, while 30 per cent come from overseas.

But Saffire, which has won more than 60 major state, national and international tourism awards along with a host of architectural awards, is also a popular getaway among Tasmanians, making up the remaining 13 per cent of visitors. And this month the resort will be more accessible to Tasmanians than ever before, with a special 10th Birthday Open Day on Wednesday, September 16. Up to 80 guests will have the chance to enjoy a four-hour mini Saffire experience, including lunch, a guided tour, and a unique activity for just $50.

Federal Group tourism manager Matt Casey (pictured above right) says the open day will provide an ideal opportunity for people who wouldn’t normally visit the property to check out what’s on offer. Due to COVID-19 and Tasmania’s closed borders, Saffire is only open to guests from Friday to Sunday, which Casey says presented the perfect opportunity to open the doors to the public during the week.

Federal Group’s tourism manager Matt Casey says Saffire’s open day will provide an ideal opportunity for people who wouldn’t normally visit the property to check out what’s on offer. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

And he expects Tasmanians who attend the open day will be surprised by what they see, as the success of Saffire is about far more than luxurious linen and fine dining.

Casey says what sets it apart from other luxury accommodation offerings is the people who work at Saffire and the unique and personalised experiences they provide to guests.

“What Saffire has done over the last 10 years for us, is it has shown the rest of the world that Tasmania can do super luxury,’’ says Casey, who has been involved with Saffire since its inception.

“Yes it does all the mandatories — it’s an amazing resort physically and it has an incredible view — but [luxury resorts] all do that, to be honest.’’

“But at Saffire it’s all about the staff and the staff personalities. It’s all about interaction and promoting Tasmanian people and the Tasmanian way of life.

“Saffire actually delivers quite a different style of hospitality. It’s actually an incredibly surprising property, giving guests something they just don’t expect. And it’s so down to earth compared to other luxury properties. It is exclusive and it is very private. But once you’re there you are part of a family.’’

Wild Hives beekeeping experience is one of several unique activities on offer for Saffire guests.

That “family” includes horticulturalist Rob Barker from Wild Hives Honey, who provides fresh honey to the Saffire kitchen and takes guests in full beekeeping suits for an interactive tour of his on-site hives. It also includes Aboriginal guide Mick Quilliam, who offers guests a personal insight into his heritage while touring an area of Coles Bay where his ancestors once lived.

Then there’s head devil keeper Nicole Dyble, who is passionate about introducing guests to the resort’s resident devils Melrose, Mabella, Noah and Possum — who have their own 1ha architecturally designed enclosure.

One of Saffire Freycinet’s resident Tasmanian devils who resides in the resort’s 1ha architecturally designed enclosure.

Saffire has raised more than $125,000 for the Save the Tasmanian devil program so far — the devils at Saffire are retirees from the devil breeding program who get to live out their remaining years at the resort while helping educate visitors about the plight of the devil.

Meanwhile local oyster farmers Giles and Julia Fisher help wader-clad guests pluck oysters straight from the shallows of Freycinet Marine Farm, a job they never tire of, despite being involved with Saffire from the beginning.

Wader-clad Saffire guests pluck oysters straight from the shallows of Freycinet Marine Farm.

The Fishers had been quietly growing their local family oyster business when Saffire came along and helped catapult their enterprise into the international spotlight. Images of guests standing in knee-deep water, beside a semi-submerged dining table, enjoying Tasmanian oysters and sparkling wine with the picturesque Hazards mountain range in the background have been a cornerstone image in Tourism Australia’s international marketing campaign in recent years.

“It’s pretty special,’’ Giles Fisher admits.

Inside the resort — which consists of 20 private suites, a day spa and the esteemed Palate restaurant — executive chef Iain Todd ensures local produce shines in his menus. More than 30 per cent of food and beverages served at Saffire are sourced from within a 50km radius of the luxury lodge and about 85 per cent of suppliers are Tasmanian, with 60 Tasmanian wines featured on the drinks menu.

Saffire’s luxury day spa.

Casey says Tasmanians have been hugely supportive of Saffire since the pandemic hit, with the property operating at full capacity most weekends.

He says with interstate and overseas travel currently on hold, Tasmanians have been looking to indulge in local experiences they’ve never tried before.

Others return every year without fail for special occasions like birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Guests are typically aged between 35 and 60 and more than 10 per cent of guests are return guests within 15 months.

Casey says the aim at Saffire is to “make people feel like they’ve had a seven-day break in two days”.

He believes people are increasingly wanting to get away from big cities and enjoy a quieter existence.

“They want space and time together, to appreciate the important things in life,’’ he says.

“Hardly anyone goes there to brag … there are very few Instagram check-ins. For that sort of money (all-inclusive luxury suites start at $2100 per night) they expect something way more meaningful.

“They want a short break but a really, really good one.’’      •

The view of the Hazards from Saffire Freycinet.

Saffire’s 10th Birthday Open Day will be held on Wednesday, September 16.

Guests will enjoy a four-hour immersive experience including lunch, a guided tour and a unique activity to connect guests to people and place.

Tickets are $50, and will be available for sale from Saturday.

All proceeds of the Open Day will go towards proceeds supporting Wildcare Tasmanian devil Fund and are available at saffire-freycinet.com.au

COMPETITION DETAILS:

WIN A two-night luxury stay at Saffire Freycinet

Federal Group together with TasWeekend are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a weekend at Saffire Freycinet for two people.

Saffire Freycinet is Australia’s premier luxury lodge, a gem of Coles Bay providing an authentic and immersive connection to the magnificent Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay in Tasmania. Distinct in its design, exclusive in its features and set apart by its approach to individually tailored experiences and service, Saffire features 20 private suites, a luxury day spa and an unforgettable culinary offering.

The prize is for two nights in a Private Pavilion, valued at $6,400 and valid for 12 months (expiry September 30, 2021).

It includes meals and beverages, complimentary mini-bar, lounge beverages, complimentary Saffire experiences, wifi and a $200 property credit for use on spa treatments and additional signature experiences.

To enter email [e-mail] with ‘Saffire’ in the subject line and your name, address and contact number in the email body. Tell us in 50 words or less who you want to spend a weekend at Saffire with and why. The competition closes at 11.59am, on Tuesday September 15, 2020. Winners will be notified and published in TasWeekend on Saturday September 19, 2020.

Terms and conditions: Entries open 12.01am on 5/09/2020. Winners drawn 12 noon 15/09/2020 at Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart. Winner’s name will be published in TasWeekend on 19/09/2020. Only ONE entry per email address per person will be accepted. The prize is not exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash. Only Tasmanian residents are eligible to enter. The winner must be over 18 years old. Total prize pool valued at $6,400. We may disclose your information to authorities if you are a prize winner or otherwise as required by law. No further use of this information is made. Details about how we handle personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, how we deal with a complaint of that nature, how you can access or seek correction of your information and our contact details are in our Privacy Policy at newscorpaustralia.com