Saffire Freycinet

This was our second time to Saffire Freycient. Again we where spoilt from the moment one steps from the car you are greeted warmly. The staff are sensational, the views are sensational, the meals and beverages selections are sensational, the suites are sensational. The waitstaff are passionate and knowledgeable about Tasmanian local produce. The views from the suites are stunning and ever changing was the colours change in the granite hills across the bay. Many thanks to the staff, Dylan, Michelle, Cathy, Nicholas, Maria and the rest of the crew. The experiences on offer are well worthwhile and done in the typical Saffire style. Rob the beekeeper is passionate and funny man full of knowledge about the bees. The previous reviewers rave about how good and professional Saffire is. You will not be disappointed choosing to stay at Saffire.

My partner had arranged for a three-night stay at Saffire Freycinet at end July to celebrate my birthday. Tassie is beautiful at any time of the year, but winter is perhaps my favourite season there. The crowds thin, the cities and towns seem to take a breather, and the air is fresh and crisp. Our flight in was slightly delayed so it was a nice touch to be greeted at arrivals and guided to Saffire’s exclusive lounge to freshen up and be offered a goodie bag of snacks for the ~2.5h drive ahead. The drive itself was scenic and uneventful. Upon arrival, we mistakenly took a turn to the carpark (instead of reception/drop-off), but staff were obviously keyed in to our arrival, and a buggy was immediately sent to collect us (before we even managed to park). I won’t provide a blow-by-blow account of our stay, except to say that it was pretty magical. Life had been super hectic leading up to the trip and it was exactly what we needed to decompress and get away from the stresses of daily life (at least for a while). Some major highlights of our stay: 1.Definitely the Saffire experiences, most of which are inclusive with the stay. Our top favourites were the bay cruise (incurring a supplement, which in our opinion was well worth it), oyster farm visit and on-site beekeeping. On the cruise, we saw Australian fur seals and had a small pod of bottlenose dolphins riding alongside our boat. The geological formations, sheer cliffs, sea caves, pristine beaches and waters were simply breathtaking. There also aren’t many places in the world where you can step out (in undignified waders) into pristine waters, and slide a freshly shucked oyster just plucked off the cages into your mouth, alongside a glass of sparkling. The on-site Tassie devil enclosures hosting 8 ‘retired’ devils, where guests can book in to observe feedings, are also a meaningful ecological endeavour. Hamish and Nicole were excellent guides - passionate, knowledgeable, and engaging. 2.The food and beverage offerings exceeded our expectations. We were spoiled with delicious multi-course meals with beverage pairings, and it was lovely that the kitchen was generous and flexible in allowing us to mix and match the dishes we were keen to try. 3.Our accommodation was spacious and well-appointed, with a full stocked bar and mini-pantry (which we didn’t need at all, given how well we were fed). The best part was the breathtaking views directly facing onto the Hazards, which we could stare at all day. We have been fortunate enough to travel pretty extensively, and perhaps have certain expectations, especially at this price point. There were alas some niggles, most of which are easily fixable: 1.There was some miscommunication with my birthday cake, which fortunately involved a dietary preference, not allergy (but still!). Nevertheless, we understand mistakes happen and what we appreciated was the that management was quick to step in to try to address this. 2.There were some issues with the kitchen, and restaurant service could be patchy at times. Whilst service staff were generally friendly and eager to assist, whether your request was seen to or not, could sometimes depend on who you asked. For instance, delicious breakfast smoothies were magically produced one morning by none other than the GM Dylan himself, after we’d been previously told that smoothies and fresh juices were not available. Another minor quibble which could have easily been avoided was that we must have been asked at least 10 times during our stay whether we preferred still or sparkling water by the same or different waitstaff. Attention to detail by making guest notes or asking guests to complete a pre-arrival checklist (possibly also covering housekeeping, car valet preferences etc.) would have easily averted this. 3.Some minor room features are getting a bit tired and due for an overhaul (e.g power outlets not functioning, a rusted chip in the bathtub, shower seals peeling off). We’d commented on this to Operations Manager Ricky, who reassured us that all suites have been scheduled for a refurbishment over the coming months. Overall, we did immensely enjoy our stay at Saffire Freycinet, and rank it as one of the top properties (amongst the other Luxury Lodges) we’ve been fortunate to stay at. At the moment, Saffire is building a new and exclusive three-bedroom retreat on-site. We’re excited to come back to revisit after construction/refurbishment works have been completed to see the next stage in Saffire’s evolution!

Beautiful, relaxing experience with so many great activities. The stargazing was a highlight, along with seeing the Tasmanian devils. The team were fantastic, the food was outstanding, and the Tasmanian wines were next level. The helicopter experience is also a must. Federal Group and Tasmania have absolutely knocked it out of the park. Highly recommend!

So many elements combined to elevate our milestone anniversary stay at Saffire beyond our expectations, and beyond our previous experience of other luxury resorts in Australia and overseas. The property's design is a showcase of stunning architecture, highlighting the breathtaking location from everywhere - the central lodge, Palate Restaurant and suites. The water of Great Oyster Bay, the pink-tinged 'Hazards' and towering sky all draw you immersively into the landscape. Although the suites sit close together, our standard Luxury Suite was private inside and out, quiet and had every amenity we could have wanted. Visiting Saffire is worth it solely for the dining - every meal was a gourmet delight with its focus on creative dishes featuring local produce and fantastic local wines. We found the Saffire 'Experiences' added a dimension we hadn't consciously anticipated. The Bee Experience, Stargazing (very impressed with the warm coats, hotwater bottle and hot chocolates that kept us warm on a cold June night) and visiting Waub Distillery in nearby Bicheno were great highlights. Underscoring all this is the quality of the personalised service. From Guest Services Manager Sophie's welcome outside when we arrived, to Chief Operations Officer Ricky walking us out to our car as we left, and everything in between, we were super-impressed. General Manager Dylan leads from the front by introducing himself and mingling with guests, monitoring that everything is going well. Restaurant staff Corinne, Shaun, Michelle, Valentina and Cassie (and others) all knew our names and were all incredibly attentive without being intrusive. While we didn't get to meet the staff who refreshed our suite, they could not have made a more favourable impression. Freshly baked biscuits, sparkling wine on ice, the intimate ambience of tea candles illuminating the room, even a hot bubble bath ready after the chill of the stargazing Experience. Truly above and beyond. We noted time and again the sincerity and commitment of all staff in anticipating every detail to ensure we were having the best time. Thank you, Saffire. Many hospitality establishments aim for the quality and service standards you set. You live, breathe and walk the talk. These have been an incredible few days for us that will live fondly in our memories forever.

As a returning guest, it's great to feel comfortable when you arrive. Food, experiences (picnics!), the room, all the staff (thank you again, Corinne and Phillipe) all without complaint Is it pricey, yes. Is it worth it, definitely yes!