THE Hawkesbury has strengthened its credentials as a premium short-break destination with the opening of VELA Spa & Bathhouse at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley.
The new wellness attraction officially opened on September 22, adding another reason for visitors to discover the Hawkesbury and the wider Western Sydney region.
Located at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley in Windsor, VELA is being positioned as NSW’s first luxury bathhouse destination combining a comprehensive contrast-therapy circuit, float therapy, premium spa treatments, wellness dining and resort accommodation in the one location.
For Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley General Manager Stephen Wills, the development represents more than an expansion of the hotel’s facilities. It is an opportunity to establish the Hawkesbury as an important player in Australia’s rapidly growing wellness tourism market.
“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,” Mr Wills said.
The resort sits across eight hectares of landscaped grounds, around an hour from Sydney CBD and within easy reach of the Blue Mountains, making it particularly well positioned for the increasingly important short-break and experience-driven tourism markets.
VELA has transformed the space previously occupied by Villa Thalgo Day Spa, which operated at the property for more than 25 years. Following repeated flooding impacts, the hotel elected to completely rethink the facility rather than simply restore the former spa.
“Our vision was to create a spacious premium wellness destination that blends nature, relaxation and luxury in an immersive setting,” Mr Wills said.
“Rather than simply restoring what was there, we saw a chance to build something better, something that reflected where the property, and the whole community, were heading next.”
A new reason to visit the Hawkesbury
The resulting VELA experience includes warm mineral pools, Nordic and barrel saunas, steam facilities, outdoor and indoor cold plunges and a dedicated Fire & Ice room combining infrared sauna and cold-plunge therapy.
Two purpose-built float pools sit beneath an illuminated ceiling of stars, while spa treatments are offered in partnership with Spanish skincare brand Skeyndor. Indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and a Champagne Bar complete the experience.
The concept has been designed to encourage visitors to stay rather than simply visit for a treatment.
“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,” Mr Wills said.
Crowne Plaza has also introduced VELA Signature Escapes, combining accommodation with bathhouse access, treatments, float therapy and dining. Packages range from an introductory overnight Spa Experience through to two-night immersive wellness retreats.
The development comes as wellness tourism continues to expand and travellers increasingly seek destinations offering relaxation, nature, food and memorable experiences as part of the same trip.
For Western Sydney, that trend presents an important opportunity.
The Hawkesbury combines historic towns, the Hawkesbury River, national parks, food and farm experiences, accommodation and proximity to both metropolitan Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
VELA adds a significant new premium product to that mix – and provides another reason for visitors to turn a day trip into an overnight Western Sydney stay.
Visit: www.cphawkesburyvalley.com.au