(Images courtesy of : http://www.australiantraveller.com/component/content/article/4220)
The Betties know where they want to spend Easter weekend this year … in the Ala Moana house in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island!! Ala Moana, Hawiian for “Ocean Pathways” is a property developed for Melbourne businessman Martin Wagg and is now available for private rental at a cool $5500 a night (minimum five-night stay).
Staying in this lush residence for the week would entail collection from Hamilton Island’s airport in Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands in one of the resort’s golf buggies, and you would then be taken to property. As you enter a host would whisk your suitcases upstairs while you suck up the view photographed above - a water feature that runs down the spine of the house into a bubbling spa and Infinity pool. Grey marble is used throughout the house and there is a seamless look between indoor and outdoor spaces. And beyond is nothing but the ocean. The house was several years in the making. Understandably, the local council is strict about the type of development it allows and Ala Moana’s distinct curved roof is far removed from the straight lines seen on other buildings.
Apart from its knockout location looking east over the Whitsundays, there’s a lot more to Ala Moana to justify the price tag. There’s an open-plan kitchen and adjoining dining area that seats 12, a separate living area with Aboriginal artwork, an oversize lounge and groovy armchairs. Upstairs there’s a television room with plasma screen, custom-made rugs and chic Dedon outdoor furniture.
There are also five luxurious guest rooms. They’re all lovely and generous in size and the master bedroom, on its own level with king-size bed, huge bathroom, private bar, lounge area and a wraparound deck. Flick the remote control and automated blinds reveal, 360-degree water views. We don’t know about you but this sounds like HEAVEN to us!!
The four lower-level bedrooms, with ocean or tropical garden views, each have their own open-plan ensuite, king-size beds, cowhide rugs and tropical flower arrangements. The best thing about Ala Moana is it’s all yours. You can wander down for breakfast in your pyjamas or host a dinner party with your own chef (at an additional cost). And you get the use of Ala Moana’s 12.8-metre cruiser and skipper for a day of exploring the islands, visiting Whitehaven Beach, having a picnic in a secluded inlet, some game fishing or snorkelling.
So while you sit on your private balcony, glass of champagne in hand, watching a lone catamaran on the sparkling turquoise sea you can think back to the days of going to your friends beach houses (bunk deds and all) and admire the enormous leap to luxury you’ve made and at $27,500 for five nights, you’d better hope so!!!
Mon XX
