Facilities & Services
The Villa
The villas have a studio-style layout, with everything you will need without feeling cramped. So much attention to detail has been put into the design of the villas. They have positioned the furniture in a way that no matter where you are, you’ll always have a view. I appreciated the quality & comfort of the furniture and even the little Forero “Rochér” chocolates waiting for us on the bed.
In the main area of the villa, there’s a king bed (I’ve never slept in sheets so soft), decent-sized lounge suits and T.V. The kitchen is well equipped with quality appliances such as 5 burner gas stove, dishwasher & espresso machine.
Included in the room’s rate is a very generous breakfast hamper, filled with fruits, vegetables, fresh juice, milk, eggs, bacon, cereals, plus a loaf of sourdough & spreads. The perfect place to enjoy your delicious brekky is sitting at the breakfast bar. Open the windows right up, and enjoy the fresh country air.
If you do have any dietary requirements, just let Graham know before you arrive and they’ll be happy to accommodate.
The villa also had a large balcony with a BBQ and three comfortable seating options. I loved sitting outside & having my own private view of Mount Warning, especially as the sun was setting.
There’s also a two-sided fireplace for those visiting during the cooler months.
Now, to the best part of the villa! The bath, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, and because of the position of the villa, you’re still given privacy. Not forgetting the finer details, they’ll be a bamboo bath caddy stocked up for you with aromatherapy candles, bath salts & a small bottle of Prosecco.
There’s no better way to unwind than enjoying a drink in the tub with these amazing mountain views.
Not Forgetting This Is An Eco Retreat
An effort has been made in the villa to ensure all guests can be easily environmentally friendly. There aren’t any single-use plastics provided in the kitchen. All the spreads, cereals, juice, etc are in refillable glass containers. And, in the bathroom, there are large bottles of beauty products provided, instead of the small plastic bottles hotels generally offer.
Also, the type of dishwasher in the kitchen was specifically purchased as it uses less than the average water per wash. And, there’s air conditioning in the villa but it’s encouraged to only use when necessary.
I have stayed in Eco Retreats before in Thailand & Bali, and they were both amazing. But the difference here is there was nothing basic about La Rochér. Graham has spent the time and extra money to make the property eco-friendly but also extremely comfortable & luxurious.
Being surrounded by such natural beauty it’s obvious why these little efforts are so important for helping the environment. The fact that La Rochér made it easy for me to care for the environment during my stay was much appreciated.
Pool & Spa
Northern NSW has pretty good weather all year round, so the pool at La Rochér Eco Retreat is very popular with guests. And, on the cooler days, there is a heated spa. But keep in mind that the maximum amount of guests is 8 people so the area will never be too busy.
The pool area in a hotel is always one of my favorite facilities. The space is a refuge where I can sit and do nothing, and never feel guilty about it. And I found the pool area at La Rochér was such a peaceful space. There’re a few different areas to lay, in the shade or the sun. Plus the landscape surrounding the pool, particularly the tropical plants made me feel like I was relaxing in a secrete garden.
During our first night we wandered up to the pool area for sunset and I’m so glad we did! The pool sits higher on the hill compared with most of the Villas so there is an even clearer view of the mountains. Then as the sun was falling all the soft colors and the clouds were creating the most beautiful reflections on the pool.
Walking Trails
When I hear the phrase eco-retreat my thoughts go to being in nature and exploring the natural environment. So I was so happy to discover that La Rochér has three walking trails on the property. The longest is 1.4km, so not overly difficult, but it’s beautiful to see the forest. And keep your eyes peeled for Australian wildlife. Especially Koalas as a section of the property is a part of a Koala conservation zone. – Which is fantastic to hear.
In the villas compendium, there are maps and further details on each trail.