Luxe Automobile and Resort Road Test
Motoring clubs often carry with them the stigma of a dated boys club, something far from the tastes of a woman with drive. We decided to road test some of Australia’s motoring club offers and see how they faired against the high standards of a woman with drive.
We started in Victoria with the RACV Club in Melbourne, located in the heart of the CBD. The club and hotel could easily be overlooked as the large office block exterior camouflages it from the outside. However, once we stepped inside the club we were pleasantly surprised.
Our pick for accommodation is The Retreat, located on the 8th floor of the club. With 24 luxury suites featuring décor by interior designer, Joseph Pang, guests are also treated to a private lounge serving canapés and drinks all evening. We will certainly be staying on this floor for our next stay.
The club offers benefits to its members, with impressive dining, social, business and hotel facilities. For business guests, the conference facilities are outstanding and, perfect for large events or networking, and they provide stunning views of Port Phillip Bay.
The RACV Members Dining Room is the signature restaurant of the club, and has the tough challenge of impressing the culinary standards of local Melburnians. The experienced chefs offer an exciting menu with modern-Australian dishes and a fabulous wine list – something that makes or breaks a restaurant in our eyes. The wine list includes a well-selected list of local Australian wines and delicious international delights. We were definitely impressed.
We didn’t stop at just one RACV Club. While recently travelling along the Great Ocean Road in the Porsche Macan, we had the chance to test the RACV Resort in Torquay. The resort is perched on a large golf course with beautiful ocean views.
The building itself is an interesting design, reminding us of an army bunker with its low roofline and grey tones, but inside it certainly lives up to its luxe reputation. We stayed in the Ocean Spa Suite, equipped with a large living and bedroom area, rain shower and Roman spa bath. The pillow menu and L’Occitane beauty products also went down a treat.
If you’re not an avid golfer, and the weather isn’t on your side, opt for just one or two nights stay, and make the most of the secluded location of the resort. A trip to the Day Spa is also highly recommended and a great way to spend the daytime.
The dining areas at the resort aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing with the large area split into three sections. We dined at the Number One restaurant and were however, very impressed with the food and drinks on offer. Our meals were certainly on par with Melbourne fine dining restaurants. Our favourite dish was definitely the trio of desserts – chocolate ganache torte; apple and rhubarb pie; and crème brulee, simply delicious!
Membership to the RACV Club is $545 per year plus a joining fee of $612 for people over 25 years of age. New members over 51 years old, incur no joining fees. As a member, you will have exclusive access to both the RACV City Club and the Healesville Country Club; receive at least 25% off full accommodation rates at all RACV Resorts, located in Victoria at Cape Schanck, Inverloch, Torquay and Cobram, in Queensland at Noosa and Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, and in Tasmania at Hobart; and have exclusive access to over 160 reciprocal clubs around the world. In addition, members can also take part in member interest groups and member-only events.
For more information and other resort locations visit: http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/primary/RACV+resorts
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