The Ridge at Maleny

The room was stylish, modern, and comfortable, with all the amenities we wanted, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. I also loved how icy cold the air conditioning was. The bed was the problem. It sagged badly in the middle and felt like it had been there for years. Neither of us could get comfortable, and we woke up with sore backs after the first night. We even thought about using the couch for our second night. We stayed in cabin 11 for two nights. For luxury accommodation, we expected the room to be serviced daily. Instead, we were asked to wash and put away our dishes, and to carry our rubbish up to the main reception before leaving. That felt more like an Airbnb than the kind of stay we expected.

The management team were wonderful throughout, and we've found our go-to getaway on the Sunshine Coast. We recommend this hidden gem, even if part of us would rather keep it secret. The apartment was spacious, beautifully designed, air-conditioned, and luxurious, with views from every angle. It was fully self-contained, and one of the rooms even had a bathtub overlooking the scenery, which was more relaxing than we'd expected. Both ensuite bedrooms had the same sweeping outlook. The views were so magnificent that the online photos don't do them justice. It was a short, lovely drive from Maleny to The Ridge apartments. Once we opened the front door, the huge glass sliding doors revealed rainforest gullies and valleys stretching into the distance. We heard only bellbirds calling from far below during our few days there. The sunrises and sunsets were hard to describe, and “peaceful” barely covers it. We'd seen the venue photos and details online and thought it looked perfect, but the real place completely amazed us. It's a wonderful spot to unwind and recharge. Five stars don't feel like enough.

We had such a comfortable stay in a clean, well-appointed two-bedroom cabin. My best friend and I each had our own bathroom and bathtub, which we loved. We went to The Ridge for a child-free weekend of quiet luxury, and enjoyed it so much we've decided to make it an annual mini break. Thanks, we're already looking forward to coming back.

The quiet here is something you don't get in the city or at other escapes, and waking up to those wide hinterland hills and valleys was lovely. The five-star accommodation made it feel like an idyllic break. I'd highly recommend it and can't wait to return. Seems great for a romantic stay, or a family or group occasion.