Everything you’ve been asking yourself about Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat
At Crystal Creek, what is the difference between a cabin, a bungalow and a lodge?
The accommodation at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat is quite varied in floor space, aspect, styling and ambience, so it’s difficult to describe them all in one way. Generally, although our cabins are still quite spacious, their feeling is more intimate; a bungalow is larger. Lodges are more spacious again; our largest lodge, Cedar Lodge, occupies over 200 square metres.
There are no star ratings for your accommodation on this site. What’s the reason for that?
Put simply, the ratings system is structured very much around comparisons of conventional accommodation, i.e., hotel rooms. The bungalows, and indeed the whole retreat experience offered by Crystal Creek, are so unlike hotels, serviced apartments and other luxury resorts that we find the criteria in the star rating system do not give a proper assessment. We rate the standard of amenities and luxury of our bungalows as an equivalent to 4.5 stars.
We have won numerous awards for our accommodation over many years, and each new class of bungalow is always more luxurious than the others. Our latest accommodation type, of which we now have six, is the Luxury Mountain View Lodge.
Are the hammocks over the creek in your photo real?
Yes they are and every guest has access to the hammocks via the rainforest walks.
Is alcohol available at the Retreat?
Yes, our Wine Cellar hosts a superb collection of over 1,500 bottles of international wines and Champagnes.
Do all the types of accommodation have spa baths, luxury baths or heated pools?
Yes all of them do. All our cabins, bungalows and the Luxury Rainforest Lodge have large double sunken spa baths. The Luxury Mountain View Lodges have freestanding bathtubs. All bathrooms at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat have floor-to-ceiling windows and rainforest views, and in the Glass Terrace Bungalows these views are on three sides of the tub. All the Luxury Lodges have a heated plunge pool.
Can we bring our own food and self-cater?
For guests who’d like a break from cooking every day, we have an extensive gourmet menu to choose from: Delicious Dinners, Gourmet BBQ Hampers, Breakfast Baskets and even Picnic Lunch Baskets. Or you are absolutely welcome to self-cater with your own food supplies, which is why we have fully equipped kitchens in each bungalow, with the Rainforest Canopy Bungalows including a full-sized oven.
Do you have a restaurant?
No, we do not have a sit-down restaurant but we do provide intimate, private dining for our guests with our gourmet menu.
How far do I have to book in advance?
This depends on the particular date you want to book. We would advise you to contact our reception directly with the specific dates you have in mind. We advise that the Retreat is popular and the longer you leave your booking, the fewer options you will have in the different types of accommodation.
Where exactly is the Retreat and how do I get there?
We are located on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, almost on the Queensland border.
We are generally accessed by car via Murwillumbah, which is about half an hour’s drive from Gold Coast Airport in Coolangatta, and we’re about another 20 minutes’ drive from there. All roads are tarred, except for the last short stretch leading to us, and our driveway itself, which is pebbled. The trip can be made in any domestic vehicle with no difficulty.
If you are flying to us, there are a number of car rental companies at the Airport – hiring a car can be good value for the flexibility it provides. If you like, we will be happy to organise a transfer for you.