Luxury Retreat Review: Mistere At Urliup

Surrounded by nature, from native fauna to exotic parrots and mountain brushtail possums, Mistere at Urliup is an ideal retreat for couples looking romantic escape deep in the stunning Tweed rainforest. 

• Location: 10 minutes from Murwillumbah, and 30 minutes from Gold Coast Airport.
• Accommodations: The retreat has three spacious and luxurious Australian style villas nestled in the middle of lush rainforest. They include Fountain View Villa, which has an open plan bedroom and living area, and as the name suggests, overlooks the pond and fountain which is super calming and tranquil. Highlights of this villa include a rainfall shower head, a two person chromotherapy spa, air conditioning, a fireplace, TV and DVD player, and an ambience that is elegantly calming. Waterfall Villa is the smallest of the three villas, and is a more intimate accommodation with a perfectly executed floor plan. It has a tranquil outdoor area, with a sliding door onto a balcony and stools where you can sit and indulge in the silence and views over a glass of wine. It also has a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a fireplace, a spa bath with large windows bringing the rainforest outside in, a BBQ, TV and DVD player. Mountain View Villa is the third and largest of the three (see below). 
• Dining options: There is no dining venue on site, however, you can pre-order breakfast and dinner hampers to be delivered to your door when you make your booking, or you have the option of stocking up on your own supplies in nearby Murwillumbah. 
• What else is there: In-room massage can be arranged for a truly indulgent treat. There’s a gorgeous Zen garden on site complete with a large Buddha, and the property has a number of great walking trails. 
• What’s nearby: Located between the Coolangatta on the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, you have easy access to a variety of pristine beaches for surfing or swimming, along with the many charms of the Tweed area including historic Tyalgum and Brunswick Heads. 
• Why go: Besides its tranquil, luxury accommodations, Mistere at Urliup is an ideal retreat for couples for a romantic getaway, offering an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, reconnect, and step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The Space

Part of Regal Retreats, Mistere Urliup is ideal for a couple’s getaway with three large, luxurious villas on site, and a convenient location between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. A stay here is Australian romance, escapism and ecotourism at its very best. The minute our car entered the Mistere Urliup grounds, we started to relax as the peace and calm of being at one with nature quickly enveloped us. The two unique features of the contemporary villas are how integrated they are with their natural surroundings, and how every element of them points to indulgence and pampering. Attention to detail is evident at every turn. A sumptuous basket of (mostly local) breakfast supplies and/or dinner awaits guests (depending on what you pre-order) which was the perfect welcome after our drive from Murwillumbah to the retreat.

Where We Stayed

Our home for our romantic escape was Mountain View Villa, which is arguably the most luxurious of the three accommodations at Mistere at Urliup. It comes with a huge four person spa, a sauna, and an expansive balcony offering stunning views of nearby Mount Warning. The interior was super spacious and stylishly decorated in a modern, contemporary style, with warm wooden floors and a neutral palette of colours inspired by its surroundings. There was a separate lounge, kitchenette and bedroom area, as well as a generous bathroom, with the indoor spa tucked away in another space. Everything from the BBQ to the TV and the kitchenette facilities were top notch, with plenty of attention to detail, and everyday luxuries including a coffee plunger supplied. Air conditioning is fitted for warm summer nights, and there is a cosy, oh-so romantic fire to take the chill off winter.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The serene rainforest location.
• Each villa has a well designed car space making access very easy.
• The magnificent spa in Mountain View Villa.
• The property feels like it is miles from anywhere but is a great base from which to explore the Tweed area.
• Walks here are spectacular, and plentiful, as nature and beauty abound. 

Insider Tips  

• Take time to enjoy a leisurely walk around the property as the forest surrounding the villas is full of world class sculptures sourced globally. This means Mistere at Urliup is not immersed not only in nature but also spectacular pieces of art, labelled carefully with bios of the artists and information about their inspiration and work.
• If you get out and go exploring, put the Tweed regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, which are nearby, on your list. There is a lovely cafe onsite featuring an outdoor balcony; if you go for lunch try the Gallery Buddha Bowl, which is a local secret, along with sweet delights from the in-house pastry chef. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

The Details

Mistere At Urliup is located at 1110 Urliup Road, Murwillumbah, NSW, 1300 7387 3287, misterespaandretreat.com/