Smiths Beach Resort, Yallingup, Western Australia
What is it? Sleekly crafted, urban-style sophistication nestled within a rugged landscape. Just steps from a sweeping arc of sand, off which surf gods ride tubes of swirling foam, a stay here is about space and light and the freedom to explore nature's raw beauty - or simply look out over an endless Indian Ocean, glass of local Margaret River chardonnay in hand.
What is the accommodation like? Compact and low-rise, to ensure minimal visual impact on the landscape, one-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom 'shacks', three-bedroom villas and larger beach houses epitomise the laid-back Australian lifestyle. Spacious, open-plan living is contained in minimalist boxy structures that are softened by sandstone quarried on site. Clean lines, vast glass windows, polished concrete floors and white walls provide the canvas for squashy leather sofas, sleekly appointed kitchens, and bedrooms and bathrooms decorated in neutrals and natural textures. Beyond each broad balcony, furnished with a state-of-the-art barbecue, the roll of the ocean competes with music from the iPod dock and surround-sound speakers.
Can you eat out there? Yes, you can, and the temptation to stock up with food from the resort's excellent Wine Store & Deli and dine alfresco on your balcony is strong. Otherwise, a chalkboard menu for casual breakfasts is available from 7am at the deli, where a barista keeps the coffee and muffins coming throughout the day. The outdoor terrace of the resort's Lamont's restaurant/bar rocks in summer and its cosy interior offers a warm welcome when the weather cools.
What else is there to do? A 25-metre swimming pool is set alongside a children's wading pool, and racquets and balls can be hired for a game on the full-sized tennis court. Smiths Beach has a couple of swimming spots where you won't get clattered by a surfboard, but many visitors enjoy simply strolling this sandy crescent. Invigorating walks range from the gentle 200-metre Caves Trail to the five-kilometre Wyadup Trail. Don't miss the nearby Canal Rocks, where Indian Ocean waves have sculpted a network of channels into the headland, producing a patchwork of rocky islands. And then there's Yallingup's award-winning wineries, jewellers and art galleries. In September, storm activity out over the sea provides spectacular night pyrotechnics, which are especially enjoyable when sitting by an open fire. The Indian Ocean becomes a whale highway during October and November's great migration.
Is there a spa? Just a five-minute drive away, the resort-affiliated Injidup Spa provides the sanctuary and serenity that travellers have come to expect as part of a spoil-me getaway. Here, the sound of pounding surf is overpowering, the spa's French doors opening onto wooden decks and ocean vistas. Using harvested rainwater, the spa imposes its own environmental restrictions and focuses on a holistic approach rather than aqua-based therapies. Ten self-catering villas, each with a heated plunge pool, line the clifftop for those wishing to spa and stay.
What's the bottom line? Low-season rates for a one-bedroom apartment or two-bedroom beach shack start at A$235 (HK$1,800), ocean view villas at A$395 and four-bedroom beach houses at A$800.
