Saffire Freycinet – Hotel Review

No matter where you are in Saffire Freycinet, there’s a view of the undulating pink granite peaks of The Hazards. You can see Tasmania's iconic mountain range from the stingray-shaped main building and all 20 private suites, where spacious interiors wrought from Tasmanian timber and stone nod to the surrounding landscape. It’s also the backdrop when dining at Palate restaurant, where the local produce is as impressive as the view.

It's little wonder the high-end retreat is often named Tasmania’s most outstanding stay. While its ultra-modern design creates a unique sanctuary, it’s the complimentary activities, from beekeeping and guided kayaking to an encounter with Tasmanian devils, as well as its famed oyster experience (where guests don waders and feast on molluscs at a table in the middle of the bay) that takes it to the next level.

Where is Saffire Freycinet?

Halfway along Tasmania’s east coast, Saffire Freycinet stands at the gateway to Freycinet National Park. The resort can arrange car hire or chauffeured transfers for the two-and-a-half-hour scenic drive from Hobart or two-hour-drive from Launceston. Seaplane, helicopter and fixed-wing-aircraft transfers are also available and can be organised by staff.

What’s near Saffire Freycinet?

Muirs Beach is directly in front of the resort, while the renowned Wineglass Bay is a 15-minute-drive and one-hour walk south. It’s five minutes by car to the seaside town of Coles Bay, seven minutes to the oyster farm, 30 minutes to Waubs Harbour whisky distillery in Bicheno, and 40 minutes to Craigie Knowe, the oldest vineyard on Tasmania’s east coast.

Room types

If the greatest luxuries today are time and space, the first relies on you but Saffire Freycinet delivers on the second. The 80-metre-squared luxury suites are the smallest of the resort’s three-room categories, while the largest are the sprawling 140-metre-squared private pavilions. All include double showers and baths and private courtyards. Views of The Hazards can be seen from all 20 rooms but if you’d like your bathroom to overlook Oyster Bay, book a 96-metre-square Signature Suite. Prefer a plunge pool, separate bedroom and kitchen and dining area? Opt for a Private Pavilion.

Restaurants and bars

Oysters from Great Oyster Bay, lamb from Tasmania’s north-west coast, chocolate made in the town of Latrobe and honey extracted from the hives onsite. Tasmania’s finest seasonal produce turns up on the plate at Saffire’s exclusive, hotel-guests-only restaurant Palate.

The executive chef is a Tasmanian local, Paddy Prenter, whose resumé includes a stint at Melbourne restaurant Supernormal. His modern-Australian-meets-Asian menus change daily, as does the multi-course degustation paired with fine wines from Tasmania, mainland Australia and the rest of the world. The wallaby tataki with pepperberry is a standout.

Sustainability

This must be the only hotel in the world with a one-hectare, free-range Tasmanian devil habitat. In an effort to save the species from extinction, Saffire Freycinet sponsors the Menzies Institute for Medical Research’s quest to develop a vaccine for Devil facial tumour disease.

Also built into the property is a mission to heal damaged environments. Saffire has revegetated the land with 30,000 native plants and hydro-powers the entire resort; rainwater is collected and conserved; buildings include features designed to reduce energy consumption, such as double-glazed windows and natural-cycle air-flow systems.

Travel for work

Few environments are as stimulating as this one. Add world-class food and wine, fast Wi-fi and a boardroom kitted out with the latest technology, and you have a superlative setting for small conferences, meetings and workshops of up to 24 people.

Spa and gym

Expect relaxation with distinctly local touches at Spa Saffire, in treatment rooms that open onto native gardens. It uses Payot as well as active botanical skincare designed exclusively for the resort by Australian brand LaGaia, and the hot stones used in massages are handcrafted from The Hazards’ pink rock. Open daily from 10am to 7pm, there’s also a compact gym with exercise machines, weights and, yes, views over the rooftops of the suites to the mountains.

What you need to know

If you’re arriving or departing from Hobart Airport, make a beeline for Saffire’s private airport lounge for wi-fi and showers. Hosts also provide refreshments, help with baggage and streamline the check-in process.  

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