Minor Hotels has announced the launch of Avani Cypress Lakes Resort, a lifestyle and wellness development in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. The opening will take place in phases from October 2026, with full completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
The project brings together the existing Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and the adjacent Elysia Wellness Retreat on a 137.6-hectare site, forming what the group describes as Australia’s largest integrated wellness precinct. The combined property will also become the largest Avani property in Australasia, with 204 rooms and suites spread across two distinct accommodation experiences.
A phased ramp-up
The site’s progressive transformation will introduce three pickleball courts, an outdoor cinema, a pool bar with a DJ booth, Pilates reformer equipment, and outdoor cold-plunge pools. The dining offering will be expanded with the addition of Chakraya, a concept inspired by Sri Lankan flavours and culinary traditions.
The property will also offer an 18-hole golf course, the AvaniWell spa and wellness centre, 24 meeting and event spaces, two concept restaurants, and a pool bar with all-day dining.
AvaniWell makes its Australian debut
Avani Cypress Lakes Resort marks the introduction of the AvaniWell concept to the Australian market, following its launch at Avani+ Hua Hin Resort in Thailand in 2024. Designed as a flexible alternative to a traditional wellness retreat, AvaniWell allows guests to weave wellness into a classic resort stay or follow a more structured programme.
The current Elysia Wellness Retreat will be transformed into AvaniWell at Cypress Lakes Resort, featuring 70 wellness suites, a magnesium pool and 26 treatment rooms, alongside 10 Pilates reformer machines, infrared saunas, outdoor cold-plunge pools, and dedicated spaces for seminars and group sessions. The facility will offer multi-day wellness programmes as well as individual treatments and classes, accessible to resort guests, day visitors and local residents.
Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels Australasia, believes the Hunter Valley has all the ingredients needed to establish itself as the country’s leading wellness destination.
“We believe the Hunter Valley has all the attributes to become the home of wellness in Australia,” he said, pointing to vineyard tours, table d’hôte lunches, Pilates classes, cold-plunge sessions and educational seminars. He added that Avani Cypress Lakes Resort was designed to let guests build wellness into a family holiday, a corporate retreat, a golf getaway or a weekend break, and said the launch reflects Minor Hotels’ confidence in the continued growth of wellness and experiential tourism in Australia, particularly in regional destinations.
Golf, families and business events
Once complete, Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will roll out the brand’s signature offering on an international scale: flexible wellness programmes, events designed to encourage participation and connection, and AvaniKids activities centred on movement, creativity and the outdoors.
The property will also strengthen the Hunter Valley’s offering for conferences, incentives, weddings and corporate seminars. Its 24 meeting and event spaces will be able to incorporate yoga, wellness sessions, golf, pickleball and outdoor activities into conventional business itineraries. Rates and packages will be available from 1 October 2026.
A third Avani address in Australasia
Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will become the third Avani property in Australasia, following the opening of Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel in May 2026 and the upcoming launch of Avani Queenstown, due in September 2026 in New Zealand. The three openings reflect the growing momentum of the brand’s premium lifestyle portfolio across Australia and New Zealand.
Launched in 2011, Avani Hotels & Resorts now comprises more than 40 properties across five continents, and continues to expand in both Southeast Asia and Australasia, as illustrated by the recent appointment of a general manager for the forthcoming Avani Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. The brand belongs to Minor Hotels and is part of the unified Minor DISCOVERY loyalty programme, linked to GHA DISCOVERY.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Project: Avani Cypress Lakes Resort, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Site: 340 acres (137.6 hectares), combining Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and Elysia Wellness Retreat
Scale: 204 rooms and suites, becoming the largest Avani property in Australasia
Amenities: 18-hole golf course, AvaniWell (70 wellness suites, 26 treatment rooms), 24 meetings and events spaces, two concept restaurants
Timeline: phased opening from October 2026, full completion Q3 2027
Portfolio context: third Avani property in Australasia, after Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel (May 2026) and Avani Queenstown (September 2026)
