Unwind with a pondside sauna at Leaves & Fishes
There’s plenty to keep you busy in the Hunter Valley, but sometimes the best part of a weekend away is having nothing planned.
At Leaves & Fishes, a new pondside sauna gives you a good reason to leave a little space between cellar door visits and long lunches.
Set in Lovedale, the boutique property is known for its overwater accommodation and lotus pond. It’s a peaceful spot to return to after exploring the region, or somewhere to settle in for a weekend without much on the agenda.
A sauna with a view
Positioned beside the lotus pond, the Alpine barrel sauna is a spot to sit back, enjoy the view, and take a little time out during your stay.
A sauna overlooking a lotus pond isn’t something you come across every day, and it makes a pretty nice addition to a weekend in the Hunter Valley.
For owner Kristy McGuigan, it was important that the sauna felt like a natural part of the property.
“We wanted to create something that felt like it had always belonged here. The lotus pond, the stillness, the view – the sauna is an extension of everything Leaves & Fishes already is.”
Available exclusively to in-house guests, the sauna operates on a booking system that gives you private use for each session. Every stay includes one complimentary session, with additional bookings available for a fee.
Stay over the water
Leaves & Fishes has four Boathouses and a two-bedroom Villa, with room for up to 12 guests across the property. You can book individually for a couples’ escape or reserve all five for a getaway with friends.
Each Boathouse features a king bed, tea and coffee facilities, and a private deck overlooking the lotus pond. There’s space to enjoy your morning coffee outside or settle in with a glass of wine before dinner.
Three of the Boathouses have large baths, while Boathouse 1 offers ramp access and an accessible bathroom. Pet-friendly stays are also available in Boathouse 1 by arrangement, so your dog doesn’t necessarily have to miss out on the trip.
For those travelling with another couple or wanting a little more space, The Villa has two king bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and open-plan living and dining areas. Its private overwater deck makes a lovely spot for breakfast or dinner together.
Depending on when you visit, you might also catch the pond in bloom. Lotus flowers typically bloom from November through to March, while the water lilies generally flower from September to May.
Between the overwater accommodation and a private sauna session, there’s plenty of reason to spend a little longer at Leaves & Fishes.
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