When you’re imagining a romantic escape centred around luxury, fireplaces, fine wine, and indulgent dining, you’re probably thinking it’s going to come with a hefty price tag. What I discovered at Alure Stanthorpe is you can get all that without tears from your credit card – but you might need to be prepared to try a stay that’s a little different.
I had all the above luxuries in mind, and Alure does cater for luxury. But I discovered one problem when it came time to book: all the villas were taken, and only a tent remained. Should we stay or not? It wasn’t an easy decision, or at least not for me.
I usually run screaming from even the idea of camping as much of my childhood revolved around camping holidays around Australia, armed with a spade, holes for a toilet and arguing with my older brothers. What changed my mind was the Alure Stanthorpe website which took my old ideas about staying in a tent and buried them.
Alure Stanthorpe is in a handy location in the heart of Queensland’s Granite Belt, with easy access to wineries, national parks and local producers. What we discovered with our stay is that it also offers a glamping experience that redefines outdoor luxury. With its massive African safari-style tent, indulgent amenities, and serene bushland setting, this retreat is perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway or anyone craving a peaceful escape from city life. And especially camping haters like me!
Checking in at Alure is also different to any other stay I have had as a short video is sent to you before you arrive with an overview of how everything works, what is included and everything else to help you settle in. This is because there is no meet or greet unless you would like one, so you’re left with an abundance of offerings that are yours to discover. I really liked how the video answered all the questions we often have at romantic self-catering accommodation like how to work the fireplace. It made settling in quick and easy!
When we arrived, it was like a treasure hunt of nice things which had my wife letting out the occasional squeal of delight as she walked through the tent which was a masterclass in blending French-themed rustic charm with five-star comfort. Spanning 56 square metres, the tent was fully self-contained and thoughtfully designed for year-round comfort, having air conditioning and a fireplace to cater for the temperature changes that are often dramatic in the Granite Belt.
Taking centre stage in the tent is a plush four-poster king-sized bed draped in fine linens of red, white, and gold. A spacious ensuite bathroom with double basins, heated towel racks, and L’Occitane toiletries add a touch of indulgence to an already fabulous setting. The decor is quite lush and a bit over the top in a good way, but it all works together beautifully so it looks incredibly classy and NOTHING like a tent.
With a fully equipped kitchen featuring European appliances, including a dishwasher, convection microwave, and induction cooktop, we soon discovered that self-catering in the evenings would be a delight. With daily outings to wineries, local providores, and butchers, we had so much fun foraging for evening meals that each night was a contest to see who and what we could put together to impress each other.
With decks both at the front and back of the tent, we often started our evening with a local wine of the day and cheese out front, with the views of the hills, complete with kangaroos. After dark, it was prepping in the large kitchen and dining on the back deck around the BBQ before chocolates and herbal tea by the fire.
In the evening, we could experience a canopy of stars from the bubbling comfort of the outdoor toasty warm tub. It was the perfect place to soak, sip champagne, and reconnect with nature, with an occasional hopping neighbour (kangaroo) to entertain us as well.
Entertainment was covered too, with a big plasma TV, Netflix access, and Wi-Fi, though the tranquil surroundings encouraged us to unplug and unwind to enjoy the serenity. In the morning, we set up the included breakfast goodies like local jams, croissants and homemade muesli on the deck to enjoy as we watched the birds and native parrots flitting through the trees.
We certainly weren’t planning on staying in a tent, but our Alure Stanthorpe glamping experience was so enjoyable we could come back here in a heartbeat. Combined with the many local attractions you will discover, like we did, that two nights are not enough and you’ll wish you had more time.
Disclosure: The writers stayed as guests of Alure Stanthorpe.
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