Located in the Hunter Valley, in the countryside north of Sydney, Elysia is the first world-class, purpose-built health retreat in Australia. The Golden Door resort offers 74 villas and lodges and the latest in luxury facilities, built to the highest standards of design and comfort. Facilities include tennis courts, a gymnasium, aerobic and exercise pools, a sauna and spa, yoga and pilates studios, physiotherapy and treatment rooms, a restaurant, boutique and theatrette.

The philosophy behind Allen Jack+Cottier’s masterplan is central to the success of the resort. The villas and treatment rooms are built around – and into – the beautiful natural hilltop site, preserving intact the hill’s original form. Dubbed ‘meditation hill’, the villas and health and relaxation facilities encircle its middle and lower levels. The site has a strong natural energy and a high open knoll with wonderful views to the Brokenback Mountain Range. These mountains arc in a beautiful sweep form the north east, through the west to the south, forming a broad canvas to the changing moods of the day, form sunrise to sunset. The site demanded a strong unambiguous concept that would sit comfortably within this powerful landscape.

While the villas face outward to the views of the mountains, and towards the west over vineyards and farmland, all the beauty and health treatment rooms, many with private courtyards, face inwards towards the hill. The formation creates a sense of community reminiscent of villages of Asia. These villages respect the structure and landscape on which they are built rather than changing them. These principles were behind the concept, which reinforces the natural site features.