What is Spicers Tamarind Retreat?

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is a Selected hotel located in Maleny, Australia. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Spicers Tamarind Retreat have?

Spicers Tamarind Retreat has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Spicers Tamarind Retreat located?

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is located in Maleny, Australia, in the Oceania region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Spicers Tamarind Retreat?

You can view more details and booking information for Spicers Tamarind Retreat through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Spicers Tamarind Retreat | Selected in Maleny, Australia

Name: Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Address: Maleny, Oceania, Australia
Rating: 4.5

Spicers Tamarind Retreat, nestled in the lush Sunshine Coast Hinterland of Maleny, Australia, stands as a distinguished luxury escape, recently recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property. It offers an experience that seamlessly blends tranquility with sophisticated Asian-inspired indulgence amidst a serene rainforest backdrop.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Spicers Tamarind Retreat is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "wonderful" and "exceptional" destination for relaxation and special occasions. On Booking.com, it holds a "Wonderful" rating of 9.1 based on 131 reviews, with high scores across location (9.5), cleanliness (9.4), comfort (9.3), and staff (9.5). TripAdvisor also reflects a 5 out of 5-star rating from 859 reviews. Guests consistently highlight its peaceful rainforest setting, luxurious accommodations, and outstanding dining experiences as key reasons for its high acclaim, often making them "feel like VIP guests". The retreat's selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its global recognition for excellence in design, heartfelt service, and unique sense of place.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Spicers Tamarind Retreat:

Secluded Rainforest Location: The property's setting amidst pristine rainforest, with the calming sounds of Gardners Falls nearby, provides a unique sense of peace and connection with nature.
Private Villas with Indulgent Amenities: The standalone villas are a major draw, offering immense privacy, outdoor cedar hot tubs, and cozy open fireplaces, contributing to a luxurious and romantic atmosphere.
Renowned Dining at The Tamarind: The on-site restaurant, The Tamarind, receives glowing reviews for its modern Asian cuisine with a Thai heart, use of fresh local produce, and exceptional flavors.
Exceptional Service and Attentive Staff: Numerous guests commend the staff for being "wonderful and very attentive," "welcoming, and informative," and for "going above and beyond to be helpful".
Spa Anise and Cooking School: The flagship Spa Anise, with its hydrotherapy pool overlooking the rainforest, and the Tamarind cooking school are also highly celebrated amenities, offering enriching experiences for guests.

3. Room Quality

Spicers Tamarind Retreat features 22 rooms spread across 14 private villas, designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings. The accommodation is predominantly in villa format, with most being free-standing for maximum privacy. Rooms boast luxury linens, king-size beds, deep garden-view bathtubs, and open fireplaces, creating a luxurious and comfortable environment.

Specific room types include:

Spa Studio: Offers a private deck with a cedar hot tub and rainforest views.
Luxury Falls Villa: Features a separate lounge area, king bed, dual shower, combustion wood fireplace, and private outdoor cedar hot tub, located adjacent to Gardners Falls.
Luxury Forest Villas: Provide spacious retreats with elegant interiors, a private deck with a daybed, and an outdoor hot tub (in some configurations). Two-bedroom options are also available, featuring expansive living spaces, forest views, and fully equipped kitchens, ideal for families or small groups.

Villas are well-equipped for all seasons with air conditioning/heating and log fires. The design incorporates an "east meets west" aesthetic, with hints of Thailand and Indonesia evident in the decor.

4. Dining Experience

The on-site restaurant, The Tamarind, is a highlight of the retreat, renowned for its modern Asian cuisine with a Thai heart. Under Head Chef Alex Hall, the menu creatively combines sweet, sour, bitter, and salty tastes using locally sourced produce. Guests frequently praise the dinner experience, with dishes like char siu octopus and crispy fried Coral Sea trout mentioned as examples of its world-class offerings. Degustation menus are available and highly recommended for a full culinary journey.

Breakfast, often included in packages, is a delightful a la carte experience served in the peaceful rainforest surroundings. Options include an "awesome Asian breakfast" and dishes like a "Japanese pancake" or a "K-town Bagel," which guests find to be superb and often delivered directly to their villa's daybed.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Spicers Tamarind Retreat is consistently described as exceptional. Guests highlight the staff's professionalism, warmth, and attentiveness. Comments include staff being "wonderful and very attentive", "really welcoming, and informative", and "all go above and beyond to be helpful". Many reviews emphasize feeling "intimate" and "truly made to feel like VIP guests" from arrival. The resort's philosophy centers on "deeply personal and immersive guest experiences".

6. Location & Accessibility

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is situated at 88 Obi Lane South, Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, approximately 70 minutes from Brisbane and 40 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport. The retreat is "couched in a looping oxbow of Obi Obi Creek and surrounded by lush subtropical rainforest," providing a tranquil and secluded atmosphere.

Despite its secluded feel, it offers convenient access to local attractions. Gardners Falls is just 900 meters away, with a boardwalk providing private access from the retreat. Maleny's artistic town center, Maleny Cheese, and Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World are also within easy reach. The retreat itself offers walking trails and an art trail.

For accessibility, Spicers Tamarind Retreat offers one accessible bedroom in its Gardner's Villa, equipped with wider doorways, a shower seat, grab bars, and ramp access. Wheelchair access is available to most guest areas, including the restaurant entrance, with accessible toilets in the restaurant. However, the car park's gravel surface may pose challenges for wheelchairs, and the pool does not have wheelchair access or hoist facilities.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury retreat and Michelin Key Selected property, Spicers Tamarind Retreat comes with a premium price tag. Room rates vary depending on the villa type and season. Sample nightly prices include Spa Studios from $399, Luxury Falls Villas from $499, and Luxury Forest Villas from $599. While Booking.com rates its "Value for money" at 8.1, suggesting guests generally feel it's worth the cost, it's clear that the retreat offers a high-end experience rather than budget accommodation. Packages often include breakfast daily, and sometimes a bonus dinner on one night.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring criticisms have been noted:

Spa Treatment Value: Some guests felt that in-room massages, while provided by friendly masseuses, were "definitely not worth $260" due to lack of pressure, suggesting that the cost-to-experience ratio for certain spa services might not always meet expectations.
Minor Amenities/Details: One guest mentioned the cheese board on arrival was "average" and another noted issues with unlit path lighting at night. Another found the view from their cabin "ordinary".
Dining Consistency (Rare): Although generally highly praised, one review mentioned being "a bit disappointed with the evening meal," though this was addressed by staff. This appears to be an outlier.