Minor Hotels has entered the Hunter Valley health and wellness scene, having acquired the Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat and Spa in Pokolbin, New South Wales.
The property has undergone a slight name change following the change in ownership from Lasseters International Holdings, now known and marketed as the Elysia Wellness Retreat. The transaction applies only to the Hunter Valley property, with the Golden Door Spa and Health Club on the Gold Coast remaining in Lasseters hands.
In addition to 74 villas, the spa features 26 wet and dry treatment rooms and an extensive wellbeing program based on immersing guests in natural surroundings. Shaun O’Bryan, currently the General Manager at Cypress Lakes Resort by Oaks, has been brought in by Minor Hotels as the new General Manager.
All future bookings remain in place with the existing Golden Door wellness program remaining in place until at least the 2020 summer. Any decision on whether Minor Hotels’ wellness brands, including Anantara Spa, Avani Spa, Elemis Spa or Balance Wellness by Anantara will be made in due course.
Minor Hotels Australia and New Zealand General Manager, Craig Hooley, said the company was thrilled to be entering the thriving health and wellness retreat.
“Our understanding of holistic retreat programs and insights into the health minded traveller is extensive, having operated leading spas and wellbeing programs in our hotels for many years. We are keen to bring our experience to this 18-acre retreat in New South Wales.”