This is my third visit to Golden Door health retreats, my second to Elysia. For the first time I went by myself.

My reservation experience was very easy, good responses to requests for information, plus confirmation and pre-arrival details e-mailed to me in plenty of time. The shuttle picked me up at the Sydney Airport in a timely manner, driver was very courteous and friendly, and it gave me a chance to chat with some fellow guests.

Check in was a breeze, followed by a tasty lunch and an afternoon of activities including yoga, meditation and a gym session.

Accommodation at Elysia is wonderful, large comfortable beds, excellent bathrooms with soaker tubs (lit by candlelight during turndown service), a separate lounge/kitchen/dining area and balcony overlooking the lovely Hunter Valley. Guests in the smaller numbered villas were treated to grazing kangaroos every day!

At the Golden Door I always do the 7 day programme. Price-wise it is better value than independant stay, once you include the price of treatments. I also like all the extra information on health and nutrition that comes with the programme. Unlike the Queensland programme, there is not a lot of pressure to participate in everything so you can take things at your own pace. One excellent addition this visit, a special seminar series for returning guests so you don't have to repeat things you've heard before. These seminars give you more personalised and in-depth knowledge of health and fitness issues.

The fitness staff at Elysia are excellent. Michael, Tony and Amor are especially terriffic and their classes are ones not to be missed. I love the variety of classes, from yoga, meditation, pilates, stretch, deep water running, hikes, fit-ball, boxing, spin, cardo circuit, gym circuit, tai chi, water polo, vollyeball, tennis... there is something for everyone. The "special" classes are really a treat, spirit dance, tribal dance, laugh workshop are real highlights.

The food was really nice, although I miss the choice of main at dinner time that you used to get. If there is one thing about Elysia I would change it would be that. Otherwise most of the food is interesting and healthy. I did not feel hungry or deprived at all.

The spa is a dream! I added several extra treatments to my programme, and upgraded a few of my standard ones. The Moor Mud bath was a real treat, salt scrub followed by a soak in a deep spa tub filled with mud-infused hot water and a hot stone massage... heaven! I also upgraded my facial to an oxygen one, very interesting. Several vitamin serums were applied, followed by my face being bombarded with cold pure oxygen from a small nozzle. I swear my wrinkles shrank and I glowed afterward. My massage treatments were also very nice, I won't say enjoyable due to the large number of knots I had in my neck and back.

One of the real bonuses of Elysia is getting to know your fellow guests. I met several interesting and lovely people over the course of the week. The round table in the dining room is a great way to indulge in conversation!

All in all I would recommend the Golden Door Elysia to anyone looking to kick start some lifestyle changes, relax and unwind, rejuvenate themselves and lose a bit of weight. I lost over 2kg in a week, a pretty good start to my fitness programme.