Dappled sunlight filters through the treetops of the densely thicketed entrance to Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort. It’s the golden hour, that beautiful time of day just before sunset. As I take the peaceful tree-lined road, I start to exhale deeply and let go of the day’s stress.
The impressive porte cochere to this Mediterranean-style golf and spa resort comes into view, signalling my arrival.
I park and walk past the golf shop and take the stairs adjacent to Relish Restaurant up to the second floor, where the spa awaits.
There is something special and exciting about stepping into the spa foyer after regular business hours. I know my girlfriends and I are in for an exclusive experience.
It’s the lead-up to Christmas and I have rallied five of my best friends to experience the spa’s newest group offering.
The spa is now opening its doors to groups (minimum of six people) from 5pm on Tuesdays through to Fridays for a thermal suite after-dark experience.
Our friendly spa attendant gives us a tour of the thermal suite facilities, which include the hydromassage pool, steam room, infrared sauna, blitz shower, change room (with lockers) and relaxation lounge.
I open the door to my locker and find a freshly laundered white cotton bathrobe, slippers (disposable and biodegradable) and two towels.
I put the robe on over my swimmers, slip on my slippers, grab a towel and head for the hydromassage pool. There’s a marble bust statue by the pool, a stylistic nod to the ancient Roman thermal bath houses that it’s modelled on.
Though, there’s nothing ancient about this large thermal pool heated to near-body temperature.
We find there’s plenty of room for the six of us to experience the different and powerful underwater jets located around the pool’s perimeter. Each jet station works on different parts of the body to massage sore and tired muscles and improve the body’s circulatory system.
I have a desk day job, so I was immediately drawn to a jet that targeted the tight knot between my shoulder blades in my upper back. After just minutes of hydro-massaging, I felt the tension melt away. I then moved on to a jet station that worked on my entire back – bliss.
One of the best tension-busting experiences though, is traversing the walkway, where jets come at you from different heights and from both sides.
Firstly, I lifted the soles of my feet, one at a time, to the powerful jet to give my poor feet and ankles a wonderful massage (our feet are so vital yet often neglected when it comes to self-care).
Next, it was my knees that got all the jet action. I have creeping arthritis in one of my knees, so hydrotherapy is an effective remedy for the mild pain I experience daily.
Finally, my hips got a bit of love. According to ancient yoga wisdom, our hips are considered the seat of our emotions. They can hold tension arising from stored energy from past and current negative experiences. I lingered here a while as clearly I had some ‘unblocking’ to do.
My favourite jet was a powerful showerhead that bucketed water with tolerable force on my head and upper back. As the water cascaded over me – somewhat like a powerful waterfall – I felt all the nonsensical thoughts of the day spill out of me.
After I had completed a round of all the jets, I sat for a while in the steam room. You would think the high humidity of late spring on the Coast would make the idea of a steam room off-putting, but it was super relaxing. I felt the residual tension melt away.
The steam room and infrared sauna are best used in conjunction with the blitz shower – shards of cold water coming at you from different heights and angles. It not only washed away the sweat and toxins that surfaced in the saunas, it left me feeling soothed yet invigorated.
An hour evaporates quickly in the thermal suite, but I had just enough time remaining to do another round of my preferred jets in the hydromassage pool before exiting and slipping on my slippers and robe again.
We re-grouped to enjoy cheese and fruit platters alongside our beverage of choice, a glass of sparkling wine or juice. We idled a while, chatting as girlfriends do, feeling replenished of mind and body. I had arrived feeling a bit tightly wound and left floating on cloud nine.
The thermal suite after dark is where health and wellbeing meet indulgence that’s good for the soul – and friendships too. Recommended for Christmas parties, hen parties, birthdays, any life celebration – and just because you deserve it.