Crane Lodge – Hotel Review

At Crane Lodge, one of the Wild Luxury group’s high-end, eco-conscious exclusive-use lodges, the city may be conveniently close but everyday life – the traffic, work and stress – slips away as the door shuts softly behind you.

The beautifully renovated five-bedroom property is nestled in a lush hillside garden, strewn with huge boulders, and looks out toward the Pittwater and Avalon coastlines. Living areas are elegant and spacious, decorated with designer furniture and adorned with works by local artist Joshua Yeldham among others, and the connection between outdoors and in feels seamless thanks to french doors, walls of louvre windows and decking set with comfy seating areas. Purpose built for larger groups, gather together with your family or a bunch of friends to reconnect in this private and luxurious home away from home.

The location

In Palm Beach, about an hours’ drive from the Sydney CBD and 80-minutes from the airport, Crane Lodge sits high on a hill among the palms and mature Angophora trees of its mostly endemic garden. Windows at the front of the property look out toward Avalon Beach and Pittwater.

The rooms

Crane Lodge’s main house has four bedrooms: one king with ensuite and outdoor soaking tub; a room for the little ones with three bunks (and a pull down queen bed for bigger kids or parents); a queen bedroom next door; and a separate king bedroom/work space with walls of windows, which is accessed via an open-air walkway. There is also a chic studio on the property that sleeps four (one queen, two singles) and has its own full bathroom and kitchenette – ideal for multi-generational family stays.

Food and drink

Keen cooks will love the open-plan kitchen’s high-spec functionality as much as its broad terrazzo work bench, conservatory-style windows and collection of gorgeous serving ware. For those who think cooking hinders the holiday vibe, Wild Luxury can arrange for private chef Manuel Affarian from Secret Dining to bring supplies, whip up a feast and clean up before he goes. Depending on your preferences, dinner might include pan-fried king prawns with avocado salsa and herb-crusted baked Atlantic salmon. There’s also a barbecue and outdoor dining area adjoining the living room.

For business travellers

Though the lodge is set up for relaxing and reconnecting, there’s plenty of space to take five minutes to check emails. Wi-fi is fast throughout the property and one of the bedrooms has a desk that overlooks the pool (so you don’t forget why you’re really here).

For wellness travellers

If putting on your out of office and breathing in the fresh northern beaches air doesn’t help you reset, yoga classes can be arranged on the property’s lower deck. The pool is heated to a muscle-soothing 27 degrees Celsius and there’s also a hot tub.

The fab factor

Spotting kookaburras, cockatoos and the two bearded dragons that visit the property’s protected back garden.

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