CHECKING IN: Azjure Studio Retreat | Ballandean, AUSTRALIA
We were supposed to be in Bali for the June school holidays, then Rona showed up and COVID-19 became a familiar term. The country went into lockdown and all of our flights were cancelled, so we decided to take the car for a drive in our “backyard”, around the Granite Belt & Scenic Rim. After all, Queensland is a bloody beautiful state. Much to my surprise, all of our usual accommodation options were already booked out. I started searching around and that’s when I stumbled upon Azjure Studio Retreat’s website. I dialed the telephone number on the website and a softly spoken lady answered. Cheryl was her name and within minutes, our accommodation was booked and confirmed.
The drive to Azjure Studio Retreat took around three hours with a stopover in Stanthorpe for lunch. Located in the quaint town of Ballandean in the Granite Belt Region of the Southern Downs, the turn off to the estate lead through a stretch of gravel road lined with meter high grass in the shade of Hawthorne yellow as if the colour had faded after years of weathering in the Queensland sun. Our spa studio, being one of three, was the first one on the left as we turned off the gravel road. The key to our studio was stored in a safety box located next to the front door. The security code was messaged to me by Cheryl a few days before our arrival, along with step by step instructions. As we opened the door, we were welcomed with aromatherapy burning oil and soft lounge music. I was relieved that the studio, clean and private, looked the same as it was presented in the photos on the website. The self-contained studio had a sizeable kitchen fully equipped with all the utensils including a proper coffee machine. One of the highlights of the studio was without a doubt the extravagantly spacious jet bathtub that offered a sweeping view of the country fields. On the dining table, we found a personalised note from the owners next to a bag of chocolate hearts. The living room opened onto a patio and then onto a vast stretch of land. The other travel bunnie and I sat down and watched as Minibun George ran around chasing birds and occasionally announcing that he had discovered yet another cool insect.
The temperature dropped quickly as darkness blanketed the sky. I made everyone a cup of hot chocolate (with plenty of marshmallows floating on top) and we cuddled up on the couch watching logs of wood burning away. It was so simple, yet so perfect. The next morning when I got up to make breakfast, I saw loads of kangaroos directly in front of our studio. I grabbed my camera and quickly ran outside. Those cute, furry creatures lifted up their heads, ears pricked up, studying me. They soon realised that I wasn't nearly as interesting as what they were doing before and kept their heads down to enjoy their breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, sitting in the fridge was a breakfast hamper prepared by Jamworks Gourmet Foods (a popular spot to visit in the area) that I had pre-ordered from Cheryl. At $60 each, the hamper included everything that I needed to make a hot, hearty big breakfast for the three of us. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the breakfast, taking in the scenery before packing up to make a move for our next destination. The check-out process was perhaps one of the easiest we’ve ever had. We simply locked the door behind us and placed the key back into the safety box, and off we went. Later that day, I received a message from Cheryl thanking us for our stay. I felt her warm hospitality through those simple words and that personalised touch will linger in our memory for a long time.
The drive to Azjure Studio Retreat took around three hours with a stopover in Stanthorpe for lunch. Located in the quaint town of Ballandean in the Granite Belt Region of the Southern Downs, the turn off to the estate lead through a stretch of gravel road lined with meter high grass in the shade of Hawthorne yellow as if the colour had faded after years of weathering in the Queensland sun. Our spa studio, being one of three, was the first one on the left as we turned off the gravel road. The key to our studio was stored in a safety box located next to the front door. The security code was messaged to me by Cheryl a few days before our arrival, along with step by step instructions. As we opened the door, we were welcomed with aromatherapy burning oil and soft lounge music. I was relieved that the studio, clean and private, looked the same as it was presented in the photos on the website. The self-contained studio had a sizeable kitchen fully equipped with all the utensils including a proper coffee machine. One of the highlights of the studio was without a doubt the extravagantly spacious jet bathtub that offered a sweeping view of the country fields. On the dining table, we found a personalised note from the owners next to a bag of chocolate hearts. The living room opened onto a patio and then onto a vast stretch of land. The other travel bunnie and I sat down and watched as Minibun George ran around chasing birds and occasionally announcing that he had discovered yet another cool insect.
The temperature dropped quickly as darkness blanketed the sky. I made everyone a cup of hot chocolate (with plenty of marshmallows floating on top) and we cuddled up on the couch watching logs of wood burning away. It was so simple, yet so perfect. The next morning when I got up to make breakfast, I saw loads of kangaroos directly in front of our studio. I grabbed my camera and quickly ran outside. Those cute, furry creatures lifted up their heads, ears pricked up, studying me. They soon realised that I wasn't nearly as interesting as what they were doing before and kept their heads down to enjoy their breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, sitting in the fridge was a breakfast hamper prepared by Jamworks Gourmet Foods (a popular spot to visit in the area) that I had pre-ordered from Cheryl. At $60 each, the hamper included everything that I needed to make a hot, hearty big breakfast for the three of us. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the breakfast, taking in the scenery before packing up to make a move for our next destination. The check-out process was perhaps one of the easiest we’ve ever had. We simply locked the door behind us and placed the key back into the safety box, and off we went. Later that day, I received a message from Cheryl thanking us for our stay. I felt her warm hospitality through those simple words and that personalised touch will linger in our memory for a long time.
Bunnies’ Travel Notes:
Room Number: 1
Room Category: Spa Studio
Bath Products: Kudos Spa
Tea Brand: Twining
Check In / Check Out: 2pm / 11am
Time of Stay: June 2020
