Breathe
easy at exclusive forest retreat, by Gemma Patterson
- 20th Feb 2008
(Credit:
The Gold Coast Bulletin)
Stressed-out out celebrities and
overworked CEOs can soon flock to a new $1000-a-day
retreat for the mega-rich, but they can forget
the mobile phone, cigarettes, booze and sex --
because this is no romantic rendezvous.
The
$5 million resort, set on 22ha of rainforest near
Uki in the Tweed Valley, is a swanky fivestar
affair boasting a 20m pool, spas, a float tank
and views of Mt Warning.
With
a focus on de-stressing and detoxing, the resort
will offer a vegetarian-only menu and each visitor
must sleep in their own room, complete with double
bed and ensuite.
Former
property developer Grant Hilton, 37, built the
exclusive eco-resort, called the Universal Peace
Centre Retreat, which is to open this Saturday.
Mr
Hilton said the $5000, five-day retreats, aimed
at celebrities and wealthy businesspeople, would
mix modern luxuries with daily sessions of yoga,
meditation and 'breath work'.
"I
created this place because the celebrities and
businesspeople are all really stressed out, there's
so much pressure on them," he said.
"The
retreat is designed for people who need a break
-- this is a space for them to take time out and
lock everyone away.
"There
are no phones, no TVs, they just fully relax and
allow themselves time to de-stress and detox.
"We
want to make people feel bare, take them back
to nakedness.
"We're
the only retreat I know of that combines five-star
luxury and this spiritual aspect."
Mr
Hilton said this weekend's opening would feature
celebrity guests, but he wouldn't kiss and tell.
"All
I can say is that we'll have about 10 celebrities
plus five bands playing, including Sacred Earth
from Melbourne," he said.
The
invitation-only affair begins at 5pm on Saturday
and will also see the launch of a world peace
CD, featuring the John Butler Trio, to raise funds
for children who are victims of war.
"The
United Nations Ambassador for Peace Reuben Silverbird
has flown over from America to do a blessing,"
said Mr Hilton.
Mr
Hilton said his dream project stemmed from personal
experience.
"I
used to be a stressed out property developer,"
he said.
"I
lived at Sovereign Island in a two-storey house
and had a Mercedes, a boat and a beautiful wife
but I was still miserable.
"My
wife Naomi sent me on a 10-day silence meditation
retreat about four years ago and I've been on
a spiritual journey ever since."
For
more information about the resort visit www.upc.com.au
Profiles
Universal
Peace Centre
Grant
Hilton
Naomi
Hilton
Gold
Coast
Uki
Retreats
Health
Retreats
Luxury
Directory
Accommodation
Eco
Tourism
Disclaimer: Media Man Australia represents Universal
Peace Centre Retreat in a media and publicity
capacity
|