HideAway Haven in 2010

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Babymoon

Babymoon is a  term used to describe a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby

Combining the intimacy of a bed-and-breakfast with the luxury lodging accommodations of a boutique hotel, HideAway Haven offers personal touches for parents-to-be. 

We have been hosts to many couples who are expecting their first baby.  We offer them peace, privacy, modern conveniences and serve a delicious gourmet breakfast each morning to give them the required energy needed for a day of sightseeing in beautiful Albany.  Our breakfasts are never boring and there is always something different on the menu each morning.

As it is not advisable to sit in a steaming jacuzzi while pregnant, due to the risk over overheating, we are quite happy to drop the temperature in the Jacuzzi to a comfortable and safe 36 degrees, so pregnant Mums can still enjoy the therapeutic massage of the jets on their back.

An evening session in the jacuzzi will help you to relax and sleep better by relieving any aches and pains With so many physical and emotional changes happening during pregnancy, it's no surprise that 8 out of 10 women have insomnia and other sleep problems during pregnancy.  An evening soak in the Jacuzzi certainly goes a long way towards having a better night’s sleep.

Location Location Location

It was a beautiful sunny day with blue skies and a gentle breeze.  It is only an hours walk to Emu Point.  We had lunch at the Emu Point Cafe.  We were so happy to see Emu Point alive and buzzing.  How fantastic that we finally have a place at Emu Point that is open and serves fantastic food.  A cafe with million dollar views.  The smell of coffee as I walk past there once a week is wonderful.

         

On our way home we were awestruck by the Western Australian Christmas Tree.  Nuytsia floribunda is well known in Southwest Australia, where it is named the Christmas tree, the common name outside of this region is Western Australian Christmas tree. The appearance of abundant flowers in summer is a spectacular display especially with the backdrop of our blue skies.

We passed a Horse Farm and were welcomed by some gorgeous friendly horses.  You won’t experience any of of this in any other location. 

While staying at HideAway Haven, take the time to walk to Emu Point, enjoy their lunch (if you can eat after our breakfast).  Peace and tranquility, water, waves and sand, sunshine and warmth awaits you

What a Fun Filled Night at 'The Wild Duck'

Pork Belly with celeriac and apple puree, seared scallops & apple air

Red Lentil Dahl and onion bhaji with tomato fondue and a coriander salad 

Orange Sponge with chocolate ganache, orange jelly with orange air
chocolate delice with carrot ice cream, orange cream and cointreau gel

Adina's dessert of Fried Egg on Toast; meringue and mango,
toasted brioche, custard, cream and fresh fruit

Waffle with bacon and egg ice cream, caramelized banana
crispy bacon and maple syrup jelly

A licorice lovers delight!!
Licorice all-sort ice cream with orange licorice sand,
raspberry air and sambucca gel
(This was the first item on the dessert menu... I didn't look further)

When the lid was taken off the dam buster a huge cloud of steam escaped
AWESOME!!

Dam Buster
seafood chowder and a fish mouse dam served with seared scallops and grilled king prawns

Grilled Fish of the day on caramelised leek, fennel puree and peas
with an asparagus sauce ravioli

We have special friends staying with us this weekend.  Adina and Michael first stayed with us last year and this is their 3rd time at HideAway Haven.  We have all become very good friends.  Adina's parents are visiting from Romania and Michael's parent's are visiting from Adelaide. 


 It is Adina's Father and Micheal's Mother's birthday on Sunday and a stay at HideAway was part of a special gift for them.  


We had a lot of laughs tonight and enjoyed a gourmet style meal at 'The Wild Duck'.  The food served on our plate looked like paintings with the rim of plates its frame.  Glad we didn't have to wait as long as it took Rembrandt to do his portraits. The colours, shapes, textures and flavours were amazing.  There were so many surprises, like taking off the lid to my entree 'Dam Buster' and a huge cloud of steam escaping, or cutting the ravioli on Becki's Fish dish spilling out a beautiful asparagus sauce.  Adina's dessert of Fried Egg on toast reminded me of Martin Blunos's signature dish on Master Chef which looked like a boiled egg with toast soldiers, but was actually a dessert of vanilla ice-cream, pastry cream and mango coulis in an egg shell, served with shortbread. 


Service was smooth and unobtrusive, and there were some small surprises along the way such as an appetizer and a palate sensor (cleanser) between entrée and main.  We had such a laugh when Maureen thought it was a sensor ....all kinds of scenarios were thrown around.


When booking your stay at HideAway Haven we highly recommend a visit to 'The Wild Duck' for dinner.  Gourmet cooking and presentation taken to a whole new level.  Well Done Kristy & Andrew......your awards are all well deserved!!

Once Experienced - Never Forgotten

You don't have to travel far to experience the aromas and flavours  of Asia


Asian Steamboat Menu  
($150 per couple)

A traditional Asian steamboat consists of a simmering pot of stock at the centre of the table with platters of assorted meats and vegetables. With the use of a small basket food is dipped into the simmering broth, extracted and eaten with the dipping sauces, rice and noodles.
Your eyes will be treated to a vista of the freshest and most colourful food and your nose will be tantalised by the aroma of the steaming wok and your tastebuds will be captivated with the variety of taste and texture.

Entrée
Asian Hummus with Pita Chips

Main
Asian Steamboat with Marinated prawns, beef, pork and chicken; Tofu

Bok Choy, cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, baby corn, broccoli, snow peas, zucchini, yellow squash (seasonal from local suppliers) Authentic Asian Noodles, Rice Bowl Dipping Sauces: Sate, 'sweet & spicy' Thai seafood, Sweet & Sour, Honey &
Soy, Asian BBQ

Dessert Berry Meringue Parfait

Spend an Afternoon in the Jacuzzi

We thought the ultimate luxury was a Jacuzzi under the open skies and under a trillion stars.  Tonight the Haven stays empty so we treated ourselves to 5 o'clock wine time in the Jacuzzi.  This is the time when the birds come out to feed and play.


We were delighted to observe two devoted and very affectionate doves. One bird of the pair was sitting in a tree branch right above us and called out for its mate with a two-note call.  They were reunited and he greeted her  with very low, raspy coos. We watched as they cuddled with each other and exchanged very rapid light pecks around the neck and head while slightly shaking their wings. 


We watched the Finches, Parrots and Rosellas play in the trees and eating seeds.


The Jacuzzi has panoramic views of farmland, Emu Point and the Kalgan River. So spend the afternoon in the Jacuzzi and languish in peace and tranquility

Who stays at HideAway Haven

Ask us about our Asian Steam Boat
Asian Steamboat Menu

Bacon & Egg Puffs
Filled with bacon, eggs, sun dried tomatoes, spring onions, feta and cheese

Chicken Lasagna Alfredo

We had a family of 3 sisters and their husbands from NSW stay with us for 2 nights. The accommodation was booked through Jetset Travel Hurstville. They were awarded "State Office of the Year" for 2009/2007.  Can't go wrong by recommending their clients to HideAway Haven

A couple travelled all the way from Perth to celebrate their wedding anniversary.  They enjoyed a romantic Italian Dinner in the common room.  HIdeAway Haven is the perfect place for that romantic getaway.

We have had business guests, in town for business and coming back to HideAway to relax at the end of a stressful day.  Hideaway Haven provides a way to escape the pressures of time and formality. Our relaxed, secluded environment provides a base for creativity and problem-solving.

Last week 4 sisters spent the night together.  The eldest sister was celebrating a special birthday. They came from Switzerland and over East for a weekend of celebrations and then spent a night here.  They enjoyed a steamboat dinner, Jacuzzi, movies and foot spa treatments.  A gourmet breakfast was waiting for them in the morning and they were joined by their mother.  HideAway Haven is completely independent and self contained with an equipped laundry, kitchen and a Jacuzzi under the open skies. . 

HideAway Haven is the place to stay for all occasions and any reason.  We offer offer superb 5 star accommodation, perfect for business trips, corporate relocations, adult family holidays or for that luxury overnight stay to celebrate a special occasion. All linen and a gourmet breakfast are provided

Book your room today at HideAway Haven

Dining out in Albany

As luxury accommodation providers, our aim is to give our guests the ultimate experience while in Albany.  We like to be able to recommend places to eat, so we are trying the many restaurants in Albany.

Tonight we headed off to the ‘new’ Rustlers Steak House. The minute we walked through the door we were immediately impressed by the gorgeous surroundings. Rustlers have chosen their colours wisely and used the space well of what used to be a Health Club.

Rustlers has a real rustic steak house feel

The stunning interior

Rustlers has an extensive wine list featuring local wines

16oz porterhouse steak with creamy garlic prawns

Deep Fried Jalapeño Peppers - yummy!!

Alkoomi Late Harvest Riesling - our favourite Wine

Herb Crusted Barramundi with Tempura Prawns

Tempura Bowl - Chilli Salted Squid, Crab Claws, Tempura and Battered Prawns

The owners have combined the art of communication, service and awesome presentation of the food to create the perfect dining experience.  The menu was extensive and catered for all tastes and includes vegetarian and a kids menu. For those of you that have dined there before you will be pleased to know that their menu of ‘man-sized’ sizzling steaks and local seafood has not changed. For those of you planning a trip to Albany put it on your list of places to eat while staying at HideAway Haven. Rustlers have been gold plate finalists from 2003 – 2007 and again in 2009. Great job Tammi, Dean and staff!!

Is this true? - if the cows are lying down, the fish are not biting

Yesterday I was educated that when the cows are lying down, the fish are not biting.  Well even the horses were laying down yesterday.  Did that mean that the whales were also not out? Mutton Bird Island is a favourite fishing spot approx 16km from Albany. Main species that can be caught here are herring, skippy, rock species, whiting, salmon, silverbream, pike, flathead, shark, queen snapper and sampson fish. 

But yesterday the beaches and the rocks were empty and there was not a fisherman in sight.

Mutton Bird Island a favourite fishing spot - no fisherman to be seen

Spring – a time of new growth

It's Spring again and with it comes the warmer weather. It's time for nurturing new growth and life that is starting to show its face in our award winning garden. We love to watch the tender new growth of our plants and the baby birds come to full maturity