Escaping Perth: 6 romantic getaways for a steamy retreat

If you’re looking for a hideaway brimming with romance and relaxation, Eight Willows Retreat in Metricup is just the place. The hustle of city life will soon fade as you put down your bags in one of the 24 deluxe chalets that span the hotel’s 75 acres of woodland and greenery.

Spend lazy days wandering forest trails or enjoy a long, sensual soak together in your chalet’s spa bath. Begin dewy mornings with a stroll to the property’s peaceful lake. Fishing rods are available for hire should you want a succulent rainbow trout to grill up for the evening’s supper on your private veranda. To complement your catch, seasonal fruits can be plucked right from the retreat’s orchards: try sweet peaches, figs, mandarins, limes, lemons and apricots, depending on the season.

Nearby Injidup Natural Spa is on hand if you want to indulge in a ‘spa journey’, though there’s plenty to keep you on-site at Eight Willows, too. Dive into a Vasse Virgin Spa Pack for some in-room pampering with bespoke hair and body products.

Set in its very own vineyard and surrounded by lush forest, parklands and a glistening lake, the grounds alone of the award-winning Cape Lodge in Margaret River are enough to steal your heart. Five-star guest rooms with plush interiors and sumptuous surroundings suggest cosy nights curled up on the couch under a pile of rich blankets. Larger rooms come with extra touches like in-floor heating and snuggly robe and slipper sets to elevate your stay to Cloud Nine.

The on-site spa has a range of treatments to titillate the senses: favourites include intimate couples massages or the Hawaiian Huna package to stimulate flows of energy. The Lodge’s close proximity to world-renowned wineries means you’re never far from a bottle of something special to share. If food is where your passions lie, the Lodge’s widely acclaimed gourmet restaurant is waiting to satisfy with an elegant, French-inspired menu. When you fall in love with velvety dishes like the chef’s bouillabaisse and double-baked seafood souffle, sign up to on-site cooking classes and learn to recreate them yourself. It’s worth remembering that dishes can be enjoyed on the captivating overwater terrace or in the secluded comfort of your room. Breakfast in bed, anyone?

Keen to spend some quality time with your other half, but short on travel time? A night or two at Rosebridge House in Kalamunda could be just the thing. Hugging the edge of Gooseberry Hill National Park, this exclusive five-star bed and breakfast is just a 30-minute drive from central Perth yet will have you immersed in tranquillity in record time. In addition to inviting queen-size beds, choice suites offer intimate spa baths built for two.

Lush grounds present a swimming pool for cooling off during hot summer days. Nearby, you’ll be served complimentary breakfasts made to order each morning. With just six boutique suites, guests at Rosebridge House can enjoy the charming 1920s décor and a garden teeming with marsupials and bird life without disturbance (except by the occasional kangaroo). The village of Kalamunda is just a short stroll away, and nearby national parks offer secluded bush walks so you and your significant other will be spoilt for entertainment. End your day with a complimentary port on the terrace under the stars.

Perched on the edge of sparkling Mandjar Bay, The Sebel Mandurah is a serene oasis made for weekend escapes from Perth. Choose from a guestroom or an apartment and unwind with room service and an in-house movie. If full relaxation is what you’re after, treat your other half to a Water View King Suite where a spa bath and private terrace with views over the bay mean you needn’t ever leave the comfort of your room. You might even catch a glimpse of the resident pod of dolphins.

Breakfast here will set you up for the day, with a range of continental and à la carte options available daily. Fill up on silky poached eggs with smoked trout and creamy hollandaise, then head off to explore the Mandurah Museum. For simple pleasures, stroll along the Boardwalk in the sunshine. For a sightseeing treat, head down to the marina and hop aboard one of the many boats offering cruises through the city’s meandering waterways so you can sail dreamily into the sunset.

If you’ve never considered Bunbury for a romantic weekend, this retreat will change your mind. The Mantra Bunbury is just minutes from the beach and overlooks the turquoise waters of Koombana Bay, offering incredible views of golden sand and glittering ocean from 70 comfortable and contemporary studio apartments.

Relaxation here is unavoidable: indulge with a swim in the heated indoor lagoon-style swimming pool or feel your muscles release under a hot stone massage. After a Himalayan bath treatment at the on-site Hussh Body and Soul Day Spa, order a Cosmopolitan and a sumptuous selection of local delicacies at Silos Restaurant and Bar. For a bit of seclusion, wander up to Bunbury Lighthouse to watch the sun go down over the ocean.

Nearby restaurants to the hotel will spoil you for choice on where to dine. You might just find, however, that a night on your private balcony with room service dishes like handmade gnocchi and banoffee crepes is hard to beat.

For the eco-conscious couple, Forest Rise Eco Retreat in the Margaret River region is the ultimate romantic escape. Tucked away in a fairytale forest are these environmentally friendly chalets, all with touches of luxury through spa baths, private patios and cosy wood-burning fireplaces. Warm, earth-toned décor in terracotta, deep leather or champagne furnishings bring the forest spirit into your living space for a zen-like stay.

The Retreat offers indulgent spa treatments that can be taken in your room or beneath the breezy shelter of whispering eucalyptus trees; while the in-house chef can be booked to come to your chalet for a privately catered, intimate dinner. Gourmet hampers are packed thoughtfully with wood-fired bread, smoked salmon and preserves can be delivered on request from award-winning caterers at The Larder.

Spend the day exploring the sun-drenched bushland with walking and mountain bike trails and fantastic lookout points that showcase the natural beauty of this bio-diversity hotspot. Come sunrise, arrange a private Hatha yoga session in the comfort of your chalet or on dew-laden grounds with instructor Mandy Lancellas.