Overview
If your weekend away usually entailed a bathhouse visit, one spot in the Greater Blue Mountains was a standout attraction — Villa Thalgo Day Spa. Located at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley in Windsor — about an hour's drive from Sydney CBD — it was a convenient yet beautiful spot for day-trippers to get some overdue rest and recuperation. However, in both 2020 and 2023, the spa was inundated with significant flooding.
While temporary measures kept the day spa open, what was once thought of as a straightforward refurbishment has become a full-scale reimagining, with AURA Spa & Bathhouse set to launch on Tuesday, September 1. When the new vision is finally unveiled, guests will discover an extensive spa resort stay nestled on eight picturesque hectares.
"We could have rebuilt what was here before. Instead, we asked what this place could truly become — and AURA is the answer. It is a privilege to be opening something this extraordinary in the community," says Stephen Wills, General Manager at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley.
AURA's amenities are comprehensive. Featuring a complete contrast therapy and bathhouse circuit, expect mineral pools, an outdoor cold plunge and barrel sauna, a traditional cedar sauna, steam room, and a fire and ice room with an infrared sauna and cold plunge. Plus, for weightless calm, a float room features two dedicated pools.
Yet this destination isn't just for the day. Soak it all in by staying overnight, waking amid nature with views of the Blue Mountains, and taking your time with the wellness offerings. Of course, you're welcome to explore the hotel's health-forward dining, where wholesome dishes are enjoyed alongside the champagne bar, adding another layer of relaxation to your visit.
"AURA is not just for people who can take a week off. You can be here in 60 minutes, spend a few hours in the bathhouse, have a good meal and be home before dinner. Or stay the night and make a proper break of it. That flexibility is very deliberate — rest and recovery should be within reach, not just reserved for special occasions," says Wills.
AURA Spa & Bathhouse is expected to open on Tuesday, September 1, at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley. Head to the website for more information.
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