This is a Public Service Announcement to the men of western Sydney – you DESERVE to be pampered too!
Our mums, wives, girlfriends, sisters, daughters and female colleagues know their stuff when it comes to a bit of tender, loving care.
Whether it’s visiting a beautician for a facial, getting a relaxing massage, or taking care of their mind, body and soul at a wellness spa or fancy rainforest retreat, women are the experts in looking after themselves.
But I recently discovered that us men can also get in on the fun.
While some fellas out there might think it’s not very manly to be wearing a white oversized bathrobe and soft slippers while strutting around a spa or bathhouse, I’m here to tell that it’s completely normal!
It’s time to screw what other insecure men may think and start putting yourself first.
As we continue to age in this taxing world that we live in, it’s never been more important for men (and women too) to start looking after their health and wellbeing.
Last weekend, my wife and I were lucky enough to road test the state’s first luxury bathhouse destination, just down the road in the beautiful Hawkesbury Valley.
Located 25 minutes from Penrith, VELA Spa & Bathhouse at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley brings Australia’s bathhouse boom to its natural home in the valley.
Now officially open to the public, guests can experience the first luxury bathhouse destination in New South Wales to combine a complete contrast therapy and bathhouse circuit, float therapy, luxury spa treatments, wellness dining, and an interactive retail environment with a full resort stay.
My wife and I both got to enjoy the spoils of this amazing place recently, but between you and me, I think I was a tad more excited than she was having never done anything like this before in my life.
This week’s launch of VELA Spa & Bathhouse in the Hawkesbury comes amid a surge in wellness travel demand across Australia.
The Global Wellness Institute’s 2025 Wellness Survey named Australia the world’s most desirable wellness tourism destination, with an estimated $29 billion spent annually on wellness travel nationally.
More than half of Aussies say they plan to take a wellness-focused break in the next 12 months, and bathing rituals – bathhouses, thermal springs, wild swimming and ice plunges – have emerged as the country’s fastest-growing wellness trend, embraced by 54 per cent surveyed.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer something new to this sector in NSW, contrast therapy and a luxury spa alongside a full resort stay and the local experiences of the Hawkesbury Valley,” General Manager, Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, Stephen Wills said.
“On September 22, this all becomes real for our guests and our local community. We’ve built VELA so that rest and recovery are within reach, not reserved for special occasions.
“Whether someone wants a spa day, a single restorative night or immersive escape, there’s now a considered way to experience VELA.”
Wills said the vision behind VELA was to create a spacious premium wellness destination that blends nature, relaxation and luxury in an immersive setting.
“We wanted VELA to be somewhere every part of the experience works together – the bathhouse, the spa, the dining, the stay, so guests can move through it at their own pace, rather than ticking off one thing at a time,” he said.
For more than 25 years, the site was home to Villa Thalgo Day Spa, a well-loved fixture of the Hawkesbury wellness scene. After the region’s repeated flood events impacted the facility, Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley made the decision to reimagine the space entirely rather than simply restore what had been lost.
That transformation is reflected in the destination’s name. VELA means ‘sails’ – a tribute to the boats that once travelled the Hawkesbury River, and to the mist that moves through the valley each morning. The ‘V’ also carries a quiet nod back to Villa Thalgo and its 25-year history on the site.
As for my experience at this ultimate wellness palace, I just couldn’t get enough!
VELA’s bathhouse circuit featured mineral pools, an outdoor cold plunge and barrel sauna, a traditional Nordic sauna, steam room, and a fire and ice room that included infrared sauna and cold plunge contrast therapy, alongside indoor and outdoor relaxation zones.
It was definitely a unique experience for this near 40-year-old bloke from Penrith, but one I really embraced.
I almost forgot to mention, VELA also has dedicated float rooms featuring two inbuilt float pools beneath a ceiling of stars plus spa treatments are delivered in partnership with Spanish skincare brand Skeyndor, and the on-site champagne bar is for guests who want a little joy alongside their restoration.
I must say that the 90-minute couples massage and facial my wife and I received during our experience at VELA was truly out of this world special and relaxing. We can’t thank the ladies enough for their care!
So, if you’ve ever been thinking of treating yourself – or your loved one – to something that will make you feel good both inside and out, a stay at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley and a visit to VELA Spa & Bathhouse is a must!
Offered exclusively through Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, bookings are now open for VELA Signature Escapes – a new collection of overnight wellness retreat packages for stays from Thursday, October 1.
For full package details and bookings, visit www.cphawkesburyvalley.com.au/offers/vela-signature-escapes.
