Indulge at Onsen Retreat + Spa in VIC

Sponsored by ONSEN RETREAT + SPA June 7, 2016

The raw beauty and serenity of the alpine region naturally inspires you to shake off the city stress and leave inhibitions behind. Crisp, fresh air, endless views, icicles in windows, spectacular sunsets and crackling fireplaces create utter tranquillity, and the majesty of Hotham’s mountains powdered with snow echo a Zen-like silence.

Onsen Retreat + Spa offers beauty and body treatments, massages, an indoor pool, gym and group fitness classes for a total wellbeing experience.

All this combined makes the alpine region of Mount Hotham the perfect location for the Onsen Retreat + Spa, offering many therapeutic benefits after a long day spent skiing and snowboarding.

Just outside of Hotham, surrounded by mountains and gumtrees of the high country, Dinner Plain village is home to the Onsen Retreat + Spa. Featuring a Japanese-inspired 40-degree outdoor onsen (hot spring), it is perfect for bathing and restoration after a rigorous day spent in the snow. The spa also offers Beauty and body treatments, massages, an indoor pool, gym and group fitness classes for a total wellbeing experience.

Facilities and treatments

The retreat has five treatment rooms and a couples Mizu room for delivering luxurious massages, skincare and body treatments.

However, the main feature of the retreat is the 40-degree outdoor onsen, which can help restore the body back to optimal condition by stimulating circulation and easing muscle tension, all while snowflakes gently fall around you, mesmerising the senses.

There’s also an indoor heated pool, a fully equipped gym and fitness classes, with memberships available for frequent users.

A range of treatments are available during your time at Onsen Retreat + Spa including body exfoliations and wraps, hand and foot treatments, plus a variety of massage styles including Moroccan remedy massage, aroma stone massage, muscle-zone focus massage and remedial therapy massage. Additionally, there’s the Onsen signature massage, a technique combining the best of a range of massage methods: Swedish, aromatherapy, relaxation, breathing techniques and passive stretching. Your therapist works to optimise the various systems of your body with this exclusive signature massage to restore balance and harmony. Customised signature aromatic oil blends are used to enhance your experience and your therapist will help you personally co-create the ideal essence for you.

Why bathe in the onsen?

The Japanese have been bathing in the natural spring waters of onsens for centuries, healing their bodies with a long soak in the hot mineral-rich waters. Bathing in mineral water is said to treat all sorts of ailments, ease conditions such as back problems and is proven to be very effective for rehabilitation, arthritis and stress-related illnesses. A soak in the onsen is a great way to relax the body and mind before going into a treatment.

Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain

Mount Hotham is a beautiful mountain and ski resort located in the Australian Alpine National Park, only four-and-a-half hours’ drive from Melbourne and eight hours from Sydney. The winter months boast excellent skiing and snowboarding terrain as well as great food, après-ski and a nightlife scene.

Staying at Mount Hotham, you can enjoy everything the resort has to offer with on-and-off mountain accommodation or at Dinner Plain, the ambient and quaint alpine village only 10km from the resort. The accommodation includes self-contained apartments, chalets, lodges and motel-style rooms that are suitable for singles, couples, groups or families.

Getting there

The Onsen Retreat + Spa is located in Dinner Plain on Big Muster Drive. There is street parking available or you can catch the Dinner Plain to Hotham Bus that runs in the winter season from Hotham Central.

Things to remember

Please check in at reception at least 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment, ensuring adequate time for you to prepare for your treatment. Please understand that if you arrive late, your treatment time may be reduced accordingly.

Some guests choose to undress completely for body treatments, while others prefer to wear underwear. Our advice is to choose what makes you feel most comfortable. During body treatments, we drape your body with warm towels, only exposing the specific area undergoing treatment. Please wear swimwear when using our communal bathing facilities.