Originally Posted by
number_6
The Australian high-end resorts certainly aren't for everyone. For example every Oscar nominee gets a stay at El Questro (worth $12,000). Now is it worth $12,000 when some guests stay for free (never mind that it is Kate Blanchett next door)? Along with stunning scenery and generally decent food and wine (maybe better than you'll get at those great value SE Asian 5-star resorts). Saffire/SOL/etc. are definitely not mass market, priced to keep it that way, and one-of-a-kind in the world experiences. Highly cost effective for some, a waste of money for others.
As for the OP's desire for hints and tips, you won't get much that is useful on FT. I haven't stayed at Saffire yet, but love SOL, hate Qualia ... so shows you how fickle it can be. Chartering a plane is pretty cost-effective for SOL to Saffire transfers, fwiw. I've had good luck with
http://www.flightoptions.com.au/corporate-jet-charter/
I find your post very interesting. Why would I want to subsidize some celebrity stay when they can more easily part with money than me? Why would I want them next to me knowing I'd be paying and getting a lower level of service. And why would should someone expect "decent" food and wine at a high end resort as opposed to something matching the one of a kind experience stunning scenery. To each his own but I'd want a lot more value out of my travel spend.
We have been to Australia more than a half a dozen times and enjoyed each time. We think we have a reasonable expectation and we are not disappointed. As to one of a kind experiences, our favorite Australian adventure was to Arkaroola in south Australia. We were flown from Adelaide by Doug Sprigg the son of a famous geologist who runs an eco resort. He is a real celebrity in that area. We got to see uranium and the night time activity was star gazing and looking through a telescope to see the rings of saturn. It was awesome and most people have never heard of it.