Minor Hotels is combining two of its properties in Australia’s Hunter Valley into a single resort called Avani Cypress Lakes Resort. The new property will bring together the existing Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and the neighboring Elysia Wellness Retreat, spreading across 340 acres. The company says this will make it the largest integrated resort wellness precinct in Australia. Construction and rollout will happen in phases from October 2026.
Once finished, the resort will have 204 rooms and suites, split between two different accommodation styles. It will also be the biggest Avani-branded property in Australasia. The full transformation isn’t expected to wrap up until the third quarter of 2027, so guests can expect ongoing changes for a while.
What’s Actually Changing
The resort is adding a fair amount of new infrastructure. Some of the additions include:
- Three pickleball courts
- An outdoor cinema
- A pool bar with a DJ booth
- Pilates reformers and outdoor cold-plunge pools
- A new restaurant called Chakraya, focused on Sri Lankan food
On the wellness side, the existing Elysia Wellness Retreat will become “AvaniWell,” a concept Minor Hotels first introduced at a property in Hua Hin, Thailand, back in 2024. This marks its first appearance in Australia. The space will include 70 wellness suites, a magnesium pool, and 26 treatment rooms, along with 10 Pilates reformers, infrared saunas, and more cold-plunge pools. Unlike a typical retreat that locks guests into a set program, AvaniWell is built to be flexible. Guests can book a single treatment or sign up for a multi-day program, and the facility will also be open to day visitors and people living in the area, not just hotel guests.
The resort will keep its 18-hole golf course and add 24 meetings and events spaces, positioning it as a venue for conferences, weddings, and corporate retreats. Business groups will reportedly have the option to fold wellness activities like yoga or pickleball into their itineraries. There will also be two new restaurant concepts, a pool bar, and all-day dining options, alongside family-focused programming for younger guests.
Part of a Bigger Regional Push
Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels Australasia, framed the project as a bet on the Hunter Valley’s potential as a wellness destination. He said, “From winery visits and long-table lunches to Pilates classes, cold plunges and educational seminars, modern wellness is personal, flexible, and increasingly integrated into everyday travel.”
Avani Cypress Lakes will be the third Avani-branded property to open in Australia and New Zealand this year. It follows the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, which opened in May 2026, and Avani Queenstown, which is set to launch in September 2026.
Avani currently operates more than 40 properties across 5 continents, a mix of city hotels, tropical resorts, and nature retreats under Minor Hotels’ broader portfolio.
