A beachfront stay in Manly offers a welcome chance to recharge, with enough indulgence to make it feel like a proper holiday.
I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s about this time every year the proverbial wheels start to fall off. My ambitious New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten and silly season is approaching faster than my bank account–or my social battery–is ready for.
As much as I’d love to take off on a fly-and-flop holiday to Bali or the Whitsundays, an annual leave allocation already stretched to its limit means I’m limited to something closer to home. Fortunately for me, the Manly Elysium has just opened wellness suites that were able to give me some much-needed restoration. And as a bonus, it’s only an hour from home.
What is a ‘wellness suite’?
The Manly Elysium has recently introduced six new wellness suites, each facing Manly Beach with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. The suites open up onto a beachfront terrace that houses a private infrared sauna that’s yours alone to use during your stay, along with lounge chairs for enjoying the view. If you’re an early riser, I recommend getting up for sunrise–sipping a coffee as you watch the pink and orange hues dance over the ocean is an unbeatable way to start a restorative weekend.
The beachfront terrace has enough space to make the most of the fitness equipment in the suite. (Credit: Georgette Barling)
The two person sauna is a dreamy post-sunrise activity. (Credit: Georgette Barling)
Lounge chairs on the terrace help you make the most of the sea view. (Credit: Georgette Barling)
You also have access to compression boots and an LED mask during your stay, with yoga mats, fitness equipment and virtual Pilates classes in your room for keeping up with your fitness regime. The thoughtfully curated room is heavily focused on recovery, with blackout curtains that help you sleep as late as you like, and a complimentary minibar full of health-focused food and beverages.
Location
The panoramic sea views are what make the suite really special. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
The hotel sits on North Steyne, directly across the road from Manly Beach, so getting your daily dose of salt water requires very little effort. If you’re a runner, there’s also no better place to tick off your morning miles. The Corso is a couple of minutes’ walk away, putting shops, cafes and restaurants within easy reach should you feel inclined to venture beyond the hotel.
For those like myself coming from the city, catching the ferry from Circular Quay makes for a suitably scenic start to a weekend away. I was lucky enough to see a spectacular sunset over the Harbour Bridge and do some whale watching en route that made me feel very lucky to be a Sydneysider, so sometimes leaving the car at home is the best option.
Either way, once you arrive, you can leave the car out of the equation and let the hotel’s valet service park it for you while you settle into a routine of beach swims, coffee stops and very few firm plans.
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Style and character
The calming interiors flowed well with the view. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
This bed and the blackout curtains can claim the credit for my 11-hour sleep. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
If the hotel looks familiar but the name doesn’t, you’re probably remembering it as the Manly Pacific. It became Elysium Manly in August 2026, following an extensive refurbishment that included a $40 million transformation of the rooms and suites by Coco Republic. Elysium has a much-loved property in Noosa, so the expansion to Sydney is an exciting development for lovers of luxury hotels.
The interiors take their cues from the beach outside, with pale timber, natural textures and soft coastal colours that make the rooms feel calm without being bland. There’s plenty to appreciate inside, but with huge windows everywhere you look, the Pacific Ocean remains the star of the show.
The wellness suites take that relaxed feeling a step further. Having everything from yoga equipment to a sauna within reach means there’s very little organising required, which is particularly welcome when you’ve come away to give your brain a break. Each suite also comes with a dedicated VIP Host, adding yet another touch to a stay that makes slowing down feel very easy.
Facilities
A plush robe is a wellness weekend non-negotiable. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
The bathroom came with everything you could need, including a Dyson hairdryer. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
It's also stocked with products from Australian luxury brand IKKARI. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
The 5-star facilities of The Elysium stretch far beyond what’s in the wellness suite. On the roof you’ll find a glittering infinity pool that overlooks the beach, with a nearby pool bar if you’re after an afternoon cocktail while you enjoy one of the best views in Manly.
If the fitness equipment in the room isn’t enough, guests get complimentary access to Manly Beach Health Club where you’ll find all the free weights and cardio equipment you’d usually find in a gym, along with Pilates, strength and yoga classes you can book.
During my second night at the hotel, I wanted to spend as much time as possible in my suite. After a sunset sauna, I had a nourishing shower using the luxurious IKKARI products, blow-dried my hair using the Dyson Supersonic in the room and slid into the plush Elysium robe. I then used the Chromecast to connect my phone to the smart TV, put on a comfort movie and ordered a glass of red wine and a burger to be delivered to my room. If there’s a more restorative evening lineup than that, I can’t quite imagine it.
Burgers just taste better when delivered to you in bed. (Credit: Jessica O'Donnell)
My night in started well before the sun went down. (Credit: Jessica O'Donnell)
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Food and drink
I spent two nights at the Elysium, which was fabulous for obvious reasons, particularly because it meant I had the opportunity to sample a strong variety of the food options the hotel has on offer.
During my first night, I headed down to the hotel’s bar, 55 North, for a pre-dinner tipple. The vibe is sultry, with low lighting, a roaring fireplace, and one of the best martinis I’ve had in a long time. Yes, this was a wellness weekend but I’m never going to turn down a martini. It’s all about balance.
Dinner was at Cibaria Manly, which I’d heard so many gushing reviews about I feared there was no way it could live up to my sky-high expectations. Once the food started arriving though, I knew I needn’t have worried. The hatted, Italian piazza-inspired restaurant has a menu that makes it tough not to over-order. If you’ve got a booking coming up, please trust me and order the scallops and the wagyu beef bresaola–I’ve been dreaming about these dishes ever since. My only complaint about Cibaria is that it’s too hard to narrow down the menu to what you can comfortably eat in one sitting, so if you’re anything like me, you’ll leave planning your next visit.
Cibaria has a very European vibe. (Credit: Elise Hassey)
I'm already planning my meal for when I'm back next, (Credit: Elise Hassey)
Each morning I headed down to Bistro Manly for breakfast, which serves breakfast buffet-style. When I think of a buffet breakfast, it brings to mind trays of sausages and soggy bacon, but the expansive offering at Elysium Manly’s buffet is just as well thought out as the rest of the hotel. It still has the classics (you won’t have to go without pancakes, don’t worry) while also offering everything you’d want for a more health-conscious breakfast. There’s a juicer with a selection of fruits to make your own juice, a range of yoghurt options and all the toppings you could dream of, smoky baked beans and eggs however you’d like them.
Verdict and details
I arrived at Elysium Manly wanting a little time out and left feeling like I’d actually had it. Having a sauna on my own terrace made it easy to slow down, while the ocean views and a very comfortable bed gave me plenty of reasons to stay put. Add in dinner at Cibaria and a beach on your doorstep, and it’s a getaway I’d happily repeat.
The wellness suites are a lovely option for anyone who wants to prioritise rest without committing to a strict retreat schedule. You can fit in a workout, spend an afternoon in your robe or order a martini with dinner. For me, having the freedom to do all three was a big part of the appeal.
Best for: A wellness weekend Address: 55 North Steyne, Manly NSW 2095 Bookings: Elysium Hotels Manly Rate: From $1200 per night for a wellness suite, $450 per night for other rooms at the Manly Elysium
Planning a trip to Sydney? Here are a few more hotels we recommend
The outback is calling, and the adventure is made all the easier with this hot new AAT Kings’ tour.
It’s the desert palette of rust-red earth and vast cobalt sky that calls you at first, for where better to get away from it all than the outback? Of course, once you start driving, taking note of all the weathered pubs, dusty tracks and tiny towns held together with humour, resilience and more corrugated iron than ever deemed possible, something else grabs a hold of you: the idea that far from the celebrated icons and landmarks associated with Australia, you’re finally immersed in an authentic slice of local life that few have ever experienced.
Ancient landscapes, proud pastoral histories, ghost towns, culinary powerhouses and a rich Indigenous heritage; there are plenty of facets to life on the land. The best way to experience all of the above with both ease and like-minded friends? AAT Kings’ new Outback New South Wales Adventurer, a 9-day small group tour. This Sydney-return itinerary is designed to connect travellers not only with iconic outback destinations, but with the characters, culture and experiences that bring each place to life.
Highlights? The Adventurer has more than a few, but here are eight to start.
1. Broken Hill
See the striking art at Living Desert and Sculptures. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Welcome to Broken Hill, where mining history, outback eccentricity and a surprisingly rich arts scene unite in a rusty desert landscape. In Australia’s first heritage-listed city, exploration is quickly rewarded. Begin with a guided walking tour taking in the city’s grand Victorian and Art Deco architecture. Later, enjoy visits to both the Broken Hill City Art Gallery and the Living Desert and Sculptures – the perfect place to enjoy the changing colours of an outback sunset. Of course, no visit to Broken Hill is complete without a stop at the historic Palace Hotel Broken Hill, famous for its role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Happily, it makes for the perfect spot for dinner.
2. White Cliffs
Strap on your hardhat and head underground. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Strap on your hardhat and start spending your imaginary fortunes; White Cliffs, Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, is begging you to come in search of rare pineapple opals. Admittedly, you’re much more likely to find white opals, but the true gems of White Cliffs – where much is built underground to escape the desert heat – are everywhere.
Here, you’ll descend 13.5 metres underground into a working mine to learn about the region’s heritage, and observe how miners continue the search for these prized gemstones. Perhaps you’ll even find a couple yourself?
3. Mungo National Park
Spend time in the striking, lunar-like landscape of Mungo National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)
With its lunar-like landscape made up of ancient, dried lake basins and sculpted sand and clay formations, a drive into UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park is somehow two things all at once: uniquely Australian with vast outback skies, and somehow otherworldly, as though you’ve been dropped off by spaceship. At its heart lies the iconic Walls of China, a 30-kilometre sand-and-clay lunette shaped by thousands of years of erosion.
Understanding more than 40,000 years of Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa history begins with a visit to the Visitor Centre, and concludes with a sunset tour led by local Aboriginal guides. A key experience? Learning about the discovery of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady. At 40,000+ years old, these are among the oldest human remains found anywhere in the world.
4. Kinchega National Park
Meet the locals of Kinchega National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Some come to Kinchega National Park for its iconic Darling River landscapes full of birdlife and haunting river red gums; others visit for its rich First Nations and pastoral history. Your visit will encompass all of the above, with a guided tour (part of AAT Kings’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience) designed to give a deeper understanding of Barkindji cultural heritage, history and traditions.
Walk with local guide David as he shares ancestral knowledge and creation stories, and explains how native plants – through bush food and bush medicine – have sustained Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Then sit back and enjoy those views alongside native tea and sweet treats.
5. Griffith
Treat your tastebuds to ‘the food bowl of Australia’. (Credit: Destination NSW)
How can you say no to a visit to a destination widely regarded as ‘the food bowl of Australia’? Shaped by fertile farmland and home to approximately 75 per cent of New South Wales’ wine grapes, this is a day to roll up your sleeves and enjoy the best gastronomy the state has to offer. Think vineyards, cellar doors, cafes and restaurants largely shaped by its multicultural heart (Griffith is not only home to over 60 nationalities, but has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry anywhere in Australia).
6. Mudgee
Visit some of Mudgee’s best wineries. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Nestled by the Cudgegong River, Mudgee packs a big punch for a heritage country town, having carved a reputation for itself as one of the country’s leading (and award-winning) wine regions, a key epicurean destination, and a regional arts centre growing in both visibility and vibrancy.
Take a moment to enjoy the town’s 19th-century charm before heading to Lowe Family Wine Co. for a guided tasting of organic and biodynamic wine, followed by a relaxed lunch featuring a feast of homegrown and local produce. Will you walk away with bottles of Mudgee’s iconic reds under your arms? It’s a distinct possibility.
7. Silverton
See the living ghost town of Silverton.(Credit: Destination NSW)
A once-booming silver mining hub, the dystopian setting for Mad Max 2, and now a tranquil settlement that’s home to around 50 people; Silverton is considered a living ghost town and remains a sight to behold.
Take time to explore its heritage streets (and perhaps take a look at the quirky Mad Max 2 Museum) and the Silverton Hotel, an iconic outback pub, before a visit to Silverton Gaol & Historical Museum. It’s home to a wealth of colonial artefacts, early mining equipment and stories from the outback’s pioneering past which will serve to anchor you firmly in place.
8. Shear Outback
Get a glimpse behind the wool curtain. (Credit: Destination NSW)
If you ever find yourself singing, “click go the shears boys, click, click, click…”, you’ve come to the right place. Shear Outback, an award-winning tourist and education attraction located in Hay, brings to life the traditions and stories of one of the outback’s most enduring industries: sheep shearing.
Here, in the heart of the Riverina, you’ll enjoy live shearing demonstrations, meet the shearers, shedhands, sheepdogs and yes, sheep, who come together to show guests exactly what it takes to provide Australians with all that glorious wool.
