Amytis Gardens Retreat & Spa

Hotel/motel/B&B

Although it is only ten minutes’ drive from busy Maroochydore, this retreat is in a peaceful mountain setting. It has four luxurious cabins with sunken spa baths and crackling open fires. There’s also pampering on hand at the day spa using Elemis and L’Occitane products, and a cooking school specialising in European-style food. You can have dinner and lunch in the dining room or in your chalet, prepared by London’s Dorchester Hotel–trained chef Matthew Conroy. On Wednesdays and Sundays high tea is popular.