Those looking for any excuse to visit the Margaret River wine region have a new destination to enjoy, with the opening of Chandeliers on Abbey, near Yallingup, the first foray into the hotel market by professional golfer Glenn Parry and his wife, Jody.
The pair bought 22.3 hectares of rolling pastoral land along Abbey Farm Road two years ago and have spent more than $2.2 million constructing three unique bungalow-style retreats on the property.
Busselton architects Joseph D’Agostino and Stuart Luff have designed each bungalow to include three separate zones incorporating a living/home theatre, master bed suite and spa bathroom.
Ms Parry, a former public relations manager at Burswood International Resort, believes the family has created a romantic haven without parallel in the region.
Each master bed suite features a king-size leather-upholstered bed, LCD television and imported chandelier, providing each bungalow with a different character.
Aside from one outdoor heated pool off the Plunge Retreat, guests can also enjoy sunken spa baths in floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms, heated floors, double rain showers, 107 centimetre plasma TVs, leather lounge suites and full gourmet kitchenettes.
“We’re closet interior designers, but it really is a passion of ours,” Ms Parry told WA Business News.
“I’ve worked in hospitality for a long time and have applied everything I’ve learned to this project, particularly my experience working with the Burswood refurbishment team.”
Ms Parry has also drawn on her strong connections to the Yallingup region, having had family living in and around Yallingup for over a century.
Her family was the first occupants of the Abbey Farm homestead, along the same road where her new venture resides today.
Ms Parry said that, unlike some resorts in the region, Chandeliers on Abbey offered single-night packages for those guests who could only escape for a short time.
The Parrys and their two children, Taylor and Cooper, plan to build their own dream home on the property shortly, and are considering extending the Chandeliers on Abbey group with another four retreats next year.
When not touring the international golf circuit, Mr Parry is likely to help out with the new additions, having already restored the Chandeliers Art Barn.
