With heartfelt vision, owner Jeanne Herholdt has shaped Chimes Spa Retreat in Denmark, WA, into a chic yet cosy sanctuary—home to blissful spa experiences and unforgettable coastal views.
Monica Tindall
The first to greet us at Chimes Spa Retreat wasn’t a receptionist, but a four-legged concierge named Shiloh—part Labradoodle, part hospitality prodigy, and fully committed to charm. With a soft woof and tail wag, she ushered us into a grown-up sanctuary perched high above Denmark’s coastline, where deep rest and pretty views go hand in hand.
Chimes Spa Retreat Denmark
Chimes blends boutique accommodation with a spa sensibility, offering just ten suites, each designed for indulgence without excess. From the elevated deck views to the hush of its forest-fringed gardens, this adults-only retreat knows exactly what it is—and more importantly, what weary travellers need.
Before you even meet Shiloh, Chimes Spa Retreat begins with Jeanne Herholdt, an owner whose story is both a renovation journey and a personal revelation. In February 2022, Jeanne acquired the 26-year-old property and saw beyond its dated décor to reshape it into something warm, refined and unapologetically luxe, all inspired by her African heritage and global travels. She set about reimagining the lodge and spa with a neutral palette, natural timbers, woven textures and a design philosophy that embraces what she calls a “hug-like feel.”
Today, each corner of Chimes—located on the ridge just outside Denmark—is a testament to Jeanne’s vision: a space that balances chic modernity with genuine warmth. Guests find solace, renewed connection, and inner peace after their stay—proof that Jeanne’s heartfelt makeover has done more than change aesthetics; it has elevated the whole experience.
Location
If you’ve made it as far as Denmark, you’ve already done something right. This pocket of Western Australia’s south coast is all dramatic coastline, tall-tree forests and wineries and food producers renowned for their quality, not to mention some of the most soul-soothing scenery in the state.
Chimes Spa Retreat sits just a few minutes’ drive from town, high on a ridge with views that stretch across the Wilson Inlet to the Southern Ocean. It’s close enough to duck out for a long lunch or a cellar door crawl, yet far enough removed to feel like we’ve left the rest of the world behind. Surrounded by nature but with all the creature comforts close at hand, it’s a spot that rewards both stillness and curiosity, whether you’re sipping Riesling on the deck or hiking through the karri nearby.
Accommodation
Chimes keeps things deliberately intimate, with just ten suites designed for rest, romance, and the kind of deep exhale you didn’t know you needed. Each is a little different—some with garden courtyards, others with views that sweep out to sea—but all share the same commitment to understated luxury. Expect plush beds, deep soaking tubs (the kind that demand at least one mid-afternoon soak), and thoughtful touches like locally made bath products and wonderfully fluffy robes we seriously consider packing.
We stayed in the Loft Suite, and it ruined us for regular hotel rooms. Split over two levels, it offers a bright upstairs bedroom that opens onto a private deck—perfect for catching the morning light with coffee or something colder at sunset. Two armchairs and a coffee table are ideally placed for a lazy card game or puzzle session, and a discreet kitchenette with a small fridge and microwave makes light self-catering easy.
Downstairs, there’s a cosy lounge next to the spa bath, where candles and aromatherapy set the tone. The double-basin bathroom also features twin rain shower heads—no sharing required. It feels more like a stylish beach house than a hotel suite, with enough space to properly settle in and enough silence to actually hear yourself think. And yes, the spa bath was very much put to good use.
Rise & Dine: Continental Breakfast
Every morning at Chimes begins with a little gourmet ritual in their light-filled conservatory, where the panorama of the Southern Ocean provides a scenic backdrop to our first meal of the day. We delighted in a spread that felt thoughtfully curated rather than thrown together: house-made Bircher muesli, silky yoghurt topped with seasonal fruit compote, artisan breads, regional cheeses, cold meats, plus fresh juices, perfectly brewed coffee and the chemical-free, Fairtrade Zoetic tea. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are on hand, so nobody feels like they’re getting the leftovers. And if you’ve got morning ambitions, a cooked hot dish is available at an extra charge.
Coffee and tea are available throughout the day (full cream dairy and almond milk available), with a cheeky slice of cake waiting to tempt us in the afternoon. Two barbecues and several picnic tables are available for guest use. If the mood strikes to cook up a proper feast, we are welcome to use the larger kitchen and utensils in the conservatory.
With the sun streaming in and a mug of something warm in hand, breakfast here is a gentle awakening of all our senses. And after a start like that, everything the day holds—be it spa time, scenic hikes or winery lunches—feels deliciously possible.
The Spa (Next Time, Definitely)
We didn’t book in this time, but it was hard not to notice the serene hum of Chimes’ on-site day spa, along with the occasional blissed-out guest emerging in a robe and daze of post-treatment glow. The spa offers a full menu of indulgences: from deep tissue massage and tailored facials to body scrubs and signature rituals, all using botanical-based, high-performance products.
There’s even a Turkish-style hammam, steam room and infrared sauna for those who want to turn the unwind dial all the way down. We made a firm mental note to leave space in the schedule next time—because after a morning of vineyard-hopping, what could be better than a truffle risotto followed by a full-body massage?
If You Can Leave the Spa Bath…
Tearing ourselves away from that Loft Suite spa bath and ocean view isn’t easy—but Denmark makes a compelling case. Just five minutes down the hill, the town tempts with artisan bakeries, quirky boutiques and cafés worth lingering in. For something more indulgent, cellar doors such as Singlefile Wines and Forest Hill Estate offer generous tastings and postcard-worthy settings. And don’t miss The Lake House for long lunches, vineyard strolls and house-made condiments that might just end up in your suitcase.
Nature, of course, is Denmark’s other great seduction. Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks are just a short drive away—perfect for coastal walks, wild swims (if you’re brave), or simply watching the Southern Ocean put on a show. Prefer forest to foam? The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is less than an hour’s drive and offers a treetop perspective of the region’s towering tingle trees.
Stay Like A Pro Tips: Chimes Spa Retreat
Don’t skip breakfast. The included breakfast of bircher muesli, artisanal bread, cereal, fruit and thick, creamy Greek yoghurt is served with views that somehow make our coffee taste better. Linger. Pour a second cup.
Watch the sunset light up the trees from the garden at the back of the reception. Skip the social media scroll and head for the patio instead. With a glass of something crisp in hand and the light softening over Denmark’s hills, it’s the best kind of live stream.
Make use of the conservatory. If you’re travelling with a partner on a different sleep schedule, use the conservatory and lounge as an additional room. I was able to go to bed early, while hubby watched tennis, and I could get up early to work and have coffee in the conservatory while hubby was still sleeping.
Add a day. One night might be enough to ease your shoulders. Two lets your thoughts slow down. But three? That’s when the real unwinding begins. If you can swing it, stay a little longer.
Chimes Spa Retreat Review
Chimes Spa Retreat leaves us feeling lighter. The views linger, the breakfasts spoil, and even the silence feels carefully considered. We leave with a slower pulse, a clearer head, and a soft spot for a Labradoodle named Shiloh.
Reasons to stay at Chimes Spa Retreat: spa-inspired rooms with a sense of style and serenity; sweeping views over rolling hills and the Southern Ocean; the feeling of being blissfully remote, yet just 10 minutes from town; a little snuggle time with resident Labradoodle, Shiloh.
Chimes Spa Retreat
467 Mount Shadforth Rd, Denmark WA 6333, Australia
+61 8 9848 2255
Link to Chimes Spa Retreat on Google Maps
www.chimes.com.au
@chimessparetreat
stay@chimes.com.au
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