{"id":19365,"date":"2013-02-22T08:23:49","date_gmt":"2013-02-21T22:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=19365"},"modified":"2015-03-16T13:15:39","modified_gmt":"2015-03-16T03:15:39","slug":"lovely-lorne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/lovely-lorne\/","title":{"rendered":"Lovely Lorne"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the market for a relaxing getaway? lastminute lovely Louise takes a break (again) in the coastal town of Lorne. <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As an adventurous sort, I\u2019m not one to repeat a holiday. So I find myself with a bit of a quandary with Lorne. I\u2019ve holidayed there a few times; same hotel, same restaurants, same routine. To risk sounding old and boring it\u2019s simply lovely. Bear Grylls, I\u2019m sorry, avert your eyes. My Lorne getaway has relaxation written all over it.<\/p>\n

The town<\/strong>
\nLorne\u2019s got that Cape Cod chic thing going on that Victorian villages seem to have got down-pat. Think boardwalks beside the ocean, cute boutiques, breezy cafes and a cool beach-town vibe. From barefoot surfy babes to boat-shoed fancy men, this town has something for everyone.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

The resort<\/strong>
\nMantra Lorne<\/a> is my hotel of choice. It\u2019s a big resort with nearly 300 rooms but it doesn\u2019t have the feeling of an impersonal complex. It\u2019s couple, family and group friendly. And the beautiful landscaped site, centered around the tennis courts, gives the hotel a unique, almost country-coastal-retreat feel.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

The resort has great facilities – four tennis courts, an indoor pool and a croquet course (hotel guests can hire equipment free of charge from the front desk). You can\u2019t help but get your exercise on here! And with the hotel located just off the beach, you can scoot down to the ocean in your swimmers in mere seconds. If all that physical exertion doesn\u2019t float your boat, Mantra also has an on-site Endota spa. Hellooooo relaxing facial.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

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The things to do<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Morning walk to the pier
\nHugging the coast is a pathway that runs from the hotel, along the main beach towards the pier at the far end of town. Active types get running!<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

2. Beach <\/strong>
\nMy recipe for one heck for a relaxing day: Sunbake. Swim. Ice-block. Repeat.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

3. Nature spotting<\/strong>
\nLorne is surrounded by beautiful Aussie bush. I got a little bit overexcited when we saw this sleeping koala literally two minutes drive out of town.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

4. Drive the GOR<\/strong>
\nLorne is a great base for discovering the epic Great Ocean Road. My hot tip \u2013 get a convertible for the ultimate wind-in-your-carefree-holiday-hair look.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

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The places to eat & drink<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When in town there are a couple of joints I always hit up:<\/p>\n

The bottle of milk<\/a><\/strong>
\nThis cool cafe on the main strip makes gourmet burgers, hot chips and a yum iced coffee served, you guessed it, in a cute milk bottle.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

Chopstix <\/a><\/strong>
\nFor a quick and lazy dinner off the beach go to this funky little noodle bar and grab a cold beer and a bowl of fresh noodles.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

So there you have it. Lorne has all the ingredients for a perfect relaxing break that\u2019ll have you coming back for more.<\/p>\n

Do you have a holiday destination that you keep returning too? Do you ever stay in the same hotel again and again? Dish the dirt on your holiday heaven faves.<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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