Latest news with #DylanCounsel
Sydney Morning Herald
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This famous Aussie resort costs $3000 a night. But is it justified?
They have a policy at Saffire Freycinet that begs to be tested. The idea: 'no nos'. As in, no one on staff will ever answer your request with the word 'no'. 'We just don't say no,' says general manager Dylan Counsel. 'The idea is that we make everything happen. Or we at least think about how it could be done.' It's tempting to push the limits of this in the most obnoxious of ways. A bowl full of green M&Ms, thank you waiter. A bottle of vintage Cristal to my room, free of charge. A few extra nights' stay on the house? No nos, right? But you don't do that, as probably almost all guests don't, because you're not like that. Instead, it's just small things you ask for. And you get. Can you sub out one of the wines offered at the restaurant tonight for something else you prefer? Yes. Can you have your evening cocktail sent to your room instead of drinking it in the bar area? Yes. Can you have your entire dinner sent to your room because you don't feel like eating with everyone else tonight? Yes. These are just small requests because, honestly, you're rarely left wanting at Saffire Freycinet. This Tasmanian resort is one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, and the sort of place with instant name recognition, even if you've never stayed there. The resort is also celebrating its 15th birthday this year, so it seems an ideal time to revisit an old favourite and see how it fares. This might be one of Australia's leading properties, but it's also up there with its most expensive, at almost $3000 a night – can any hotel or resort justify that price?
The Age
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
This famous Aussie resort costs $3000 a night. But is it justified?
They have a policy at Saffire Freycinet that begs to be tested. The idea: 'no nos'. As in, no one on staff will ever answer your request with the word 'no'. 'We just don't say no,' says general manager Dylan Counsel. 'The idea is that we make everything happen. Or we at least think about how it could be done.' It's tempting to push the limits of this in the most obnoxious of ways. A bowl full of green M&Ms, thank you waiter. A bottle of vintage Cristal to my room, free of charge. A few extra nights' stay on the house? No nos, right? But you don't do that, as probably almost all guests don't, because you're not like that. Instead, it's just small things you ask for. And you get. Can you sub out one of the wines offered at the restaurant tonight for something else you prefer? Yes. Can you have your evening cocktail sent to your room instead of drinking it in the bar area? Yes. Can you have your entire dinner sent to your room because you don't feel like eating with everyone else tonight? Yes. These are just small requests because, honestly, you're rarely left wanting at Saffire Freycinet. This Tasmanian resort is one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, and the sort of place with instant name recognition, even if you've never stayed there. The resort is also celebrating its 15th birthday this year, so it seems an ideal time to revisit an old favourite and see how it fares. This might be one of Australia's leading properties, but it's also up there with its most expensive, at almost $3000 a night – can any hotel or resort justify that price?
