Some places are destinations, and some are sanctuaries. Aurora Spa & Bathhouse is both. Now nestled inside the beautifully restored InterContinental Hotel in Sorrento, Aurora has become a seaside retreat where modern design, therapeutic bathing, and evidence-based remedies meet. For the first time there will be a Kamalaya x Aurora retreat, good news for those seeking self improvement.

For founder Lyndall Mitchell, it is more than a spa—it is the culmination of a lifelong vision to create a wellness ecosystem that inspires people to live their best lives. Lyndall has been at the forefront of Australia’s wellness movement for over two decades. She pioneered the concept of the “urban retreat” with Aurora Spa in St Kilda back in 1997, long before wellness became the industry it is today. She introduced the ASPAR range of botanically active spa products into homes around the country. She has written books, led masterclasses, coached executives, and toured with her “Chaos to Calm” workshops. A coach, speaker, author and entrepreneur, she is often described as a walking bible of wellness.

What is less known is where Lyndall herself goes to recharge. For all her knowledge and experience, she still turns to a particular place – more than others – when she needs to truly reset: Kamalaya, a globally recognised wellness sanctuary on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand.

Why Kamalaya Matters

In Sanskrit, Kamalaya means “Lotus Realm”—a place of growth, unfolding and transformation. Since opening in 2005, it has become one of the world’s leading wellness destinations, blending ancient Eastern healing traditions with modern medical science. With more than 80 international awards to its name, Kamalaya is not about prestige: it’s about depth. It is a sanctuary that speaks to the timeless need for rest, reflection and renewal.

For Lyndall, who has travelled widely and sampled the best wellness destinations around the globe, Kamalaya is her number one. Year after year, she returns to its serene surrounds, not as an expert but as a guest, a student, a seeker. It is where she rewinds, reconnects and restores her energy.

Bringing the Lotus Realm to Sorrento and the Peninsula

This October, Lyndall is doing something remarkable. She is bringing a taste of Kamalaya home to Aurora Spa & Bathhouse in Sorrento. In collaboration with Kamalaya, Aurora will host two unique experiences: a one-day reset program (already sold out) and a three-day immersive retreat (almost sold out).

It is a way of opening the door for others to experience what Lyndall has long found so nourishing—without having to fly to Koh Samui. For anyone drawn to self-development, emotional renewal, and deeper wellbeing, this is a rare opportunity to access Kamalaya’s wisdom right here on the Mornington Peninsula.

Guided by a Life Mentor at Kamalaya x Aurora Retreat Sorrento. 

At the heart of this collaboration is Sujay Seshadri, Kamalaya’s leading Life Transformation Mentor. Sujay spent 14 years as a monk in India, immersed in the study of ancient philosophies, meditation, and spiritual principles. Through years of practice, he cultivated a profound understanding of the human mind and the different states of consciousness we all move through.

Today, Sujay blends that depth with modern therapeutic approaches—psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, NLP, EFT and EMDR—to help people move beyond limiting emotions and perceptions. His sessions are about creating emotional flexibility, unlocking new perspectives, and building habits that enrich both mind and body. He has guided thousands around the world toward greater awareness, healing and freedom.

For the first time, Sujay will bring this distinctive approach to Australia, guiding guests at Aurora through a journey designed to reset the body, transform the mind, and awaken the spirit.

The Inner Awakening Retreat

The three-day immersive retreat, titled Inner Awakening, will take place on October 13–15, 2025. Guests will be invited into a rhythm that balances structure with spaciousness:

• Daily workshops and mentoring with Sujay
• Guided movement and breath-work to unlock energy and presence
• Silent periods for deeper reflection
• Coastal walks in nature to connect with the land and sea
• Unlimited access to Aurora’s Bathhouse, including the signature bathing ritual with hot-and-cold contrast therapy
• Nourishing meals to support physical vitality
• Two nights at the InterContinental Sorrento, staying in the Classic Riley Lane Wing Room with Juliet balcony, in-room bar and ASPAR amenities

It is not just a retreat—it is a carefully curated environment designed to support lasting transformation.

Why Now?

The timing could not be more relevant. We are living in an age defined by pace, uncertainty, and pressure. Stress and burnout are no longer fringe issues; they are daily realities. What people are seeking is not more noise, but more meaning. Not another trend, but something deeper, rooted in wisdom and supported by evidence.

Lyndall knows this. Her career has been built on creating experiences that go beyond surface wellness. By bringing Kamalaya to Sorrento, she is offering Australians the chance to experience the kind of inner shift she has personally found so powerful—without the barriers of distance or time.

A Full Circle Moment

There is also something poetic in this collaboration. Almost three decades ago, Lyndall introduced Melbourne to the idea of the urban retreat. Now, in partnership with Kamalaya, she is expanding that vision again—this time from the historic seaside town of Sorrento. Aurora at the InterContinental becomes the meeting place of East and West, of ancient and modern, of global excellence and local authenticity.

For Lyndall, it is a full circle moment: to take what has nourished her personally and share it with her community. For the Mornington Peninsula, it is a gift: an event that puts Sorrento on the map not only as a coastal escape but as a centre for world-class wellness.

The Response

The one-day reset sold out almost instantly—a clear sign of the appetite for experiences that go beyond quick fixes. The three-day retreat remains a chance to step into that space, to slow down, reflect and recharge in a way that can ripple through every part of life.

At Love the Pen, we believe the most powerful stories are the ones that connect people to place. This is one of them. A story of a local visionary who has drawn from global wisdom to create something unique here, in our own backyard.

Final Word

Lyndall Mitchell has everything—decades of expertise, international recognition, and a career spent building the wellness landscape we see today. She has travelled everywhere, and she could go anywhere. And yet, time and again, she chooses Kamalaya. That choice speaks volumes.

Now, she has chosen to bring Kamalaya to us. To Sorrento. To Aurora Spa & Bathhouse. To the InterContinental Hotel, where history, design and wellbeing converge.

This October, an invitation awaits: to reset your body, transform your mind, and awaken your spirit. To experience a taste of the Lotus Realm, right here on the Peninsula.

AURORA SPA & BATHHOUSE

23 Constitution Hill Road Sorrento, Victoria, 3943
(03) 5935 1222