Arajilla Retreat: Relax in paradise...

Arajilla Retreat is just that; a retreat from modern life and a sanctuary within the sanctuary that is the Lord Howe Island itself. Nestled within a cluster of lush tropical Kentia Palms at the southern end of the island, the retreat is luxurious escape from the world without sacrificing the tranquillity that only nature itself can offer.

Arajilla, intent on providing more than just a place to sleep, offers a place to ‘stay’ in the true sense of the word. The retreat is designed so that if guests choose not to leave its grounds, everything is at their fingertips, with a restaurant, comfortable lounge, Ayurvedic spa, extensive gardens and private access to Turtle Beach.

Wooden boardwalks through the garden surrounds connect the rooms to the main building, which serves as a welcome area, guest lounge, and the resorts renowned restaurant. The decor reflects the natural environment whilst still offering a contemporary, comfortable space that could easily be somebody’s own extensive lounge room.

A tall lamp fashioned from dry tree branches sits next to a low lounge of earthy and bright tropical fabrics at one end, and a set of old leather arm chairs are clustered around a low table crowded with books and sea treasures. Either serves as the ideal place to relax in the afternoon after a hike while waiting to head off to the resort’s own Ayerverdic spa, or to retire to with a glass of wine after a sumptuous evening meal.

The rooms themselves are tranquil spaces that offer the kind of understated luxury that fits perfectly with the aim of the retreat; to offer a place where you can do as much or as little as you like and still reap all the benefits of visiting this unique paradise.

Neutral shades and soft furnishings, with smooth wooden floorboards and high ceilings work to create a tranquil refuge to return to at the end of a day exploring, or a place to while away a lazy afternoon.

And then there are the small touches that make the Arajilla experience unique. A selection of organic, handmade teas occupy the glass jars labelled ‘detox’, ‘relax’ and ‘wake up’ are arranged atop the minibar, soft white robes hang invitingly in the wooden closet, and ‘sleep boxes’, a blend of relaxing herbs and essential oils in a small jar await you on the corner of your turned-down sheet each night.

For those keen on exploring the island, Arajilla provides all the necessities. Find backpacks, water bottles, beach towels and even a fold up sun lounge in your room, and complimentary bikes and helmets await the intrepid guest outside the main building.

The restaurant, frequented by island locals and guests from the few other accommodations on the island, presents diners with an opportunity to sample the finest fresh produce from the island itself and beyond, where necessary.

Each night, expect to find Lord Howe’s pride; the succulent Kingfish featured on the menu, often caught by Arajilla’s host Bill Shead himself. If you ask him about his fishing expeditions, expect to be regaled of stories about the giant fish caught by he and his right-hand men Mista and Diesel, Arajilla locals who enjoy nothing more than to spend a day in the pristine waters of the Tasman sea catching 30 pound Kingfish by handline.

If you are lucky enough to call Arajilla home for more than one night, experience the chef’s expertise at creating a new way to present the delicious fish, along with other gourmet delights to pleasure every palate. The cuisine, combined with an impressive wine list and decadent deserts, makes leaving the restaurant at the end of the evening quite a challenge.

The Arajilla Spa, nestled amongst the Banyan Trees on the edge of the property, is a haven of relaxation. Located in a purpose-built wooden yurt, just stepping inside the spa causes a sense of calm and wellbeing to wash over you.

With an extensive menu of treatments including massage, face, and body treatments, all based on the traditional Indian alternative medicinal techniques know as Ayurveda, the spa aims to rest the body as much as the atmosphere of the retreat rests the mind.

Despite its remote location, or perhaps due to it, Arajilla is blessed with staff who fit the aim of the retreat; friendly and relaxed as well as being specialists in their field. They work together like the cogs in a finely tuned machine, or perhaps the members of a happy, well-functioning family, and some of them actually are.

Bill and Jan’s son in-law, trained in Ayurvedics, runs the spa and their daughter, also a student in the traditional Indian alternative therapies, is a yoga instructor. At the moment she conducts classes at the local hall but Bill and Jan hope that soon yoga will be added to the retreats list of offerings.

Arajilla’s hosts Bill and Jan Shead, are also its founders. Locals on Lord Howe for almost 24 years, the couple started out by running the Islands first real coffee shop on the waterfront before creating Arajilla. Bill talks about their achievements with both pride and modesty.

The Sheads were responsible with introducing the island to a few essential luxuries of the outside world; the first espresso coffee machines were brought over on Bill’s boat, they built the first desalination plant in order to bolster the island’s water resources, and their restaurant offered the first a la carte dining experience on Lord Howe.

At Arajilla you will find the culmination of their years of effort and innovative thought, yet a chat with them shows they are not yet done.

Mindful of the way things must constantly evolve not only improve the Arajilla experience but benefit the island on the whole, the Sheads have successfully evolved from pioneers to entrepreneurs, and those who visit Arajilla reap the benefits of their imagination and capacity to bring it to fruition.

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The writer stayed on Lord Howe Island courtesy of Arajilla Retreat.