High life at home

You don't need to escape to a tropical resort when there's one at the doorstep? And forget about pokey hotel-style accommodation.

Here's a grand apartment, a short walk from the Newmarket shopping mecca, where you can indulge in luxury without leaving home.

Reminiscent of the expensive boutique resorts that lure the rich and famous for summer holidays, Almorah Rise is a fabulous retreat of 12 apartments set in half a hectare of manicured gardens in Almorah Rd, Epsom.

You can feel the stress of winter fade as you watch bubbles pop to the surface of the huge, tropics-inspired, heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool. This awesome feature is linked to a generous private outdoor courtyard and barbecue area. Big enough to entertain large crowds in winter or summer, it includes a gym for residents.

From this apartment on entry level, north-facing views extend over Newmarket to the harbour and Rangitoto Island.

Because of its private, elevated position, windows across the expansive living area can be left free of drapes to allow the view to be fully appreciated.

The living room and the two bedrooms lead to a sunny, semi-enclosed, curved balcony that creates a relaxed indoor/outdoor conservatory atmosphere. This second living space could remain as an extension to the main living area, or it could become a spacious study or guest room.

The layout makes this apartment wonderful for entertaining. Dividing the kitchen from the open-plan dining and living areas is a floor-to-ceiling display screen with cutouts to show off objets d'art, so those working in the kitchen can see and talk to guests at the dining table or in the lounge.

An unusually large formal entry opens into the living area through double timber and glazed doors. Because of its size, the foyer immediately suggests a larger home rather than the more conventional cramped apartment. One wall curves around a bathroom towards the master bedroom. The owners highlighted this curve by turning it into a family portrait gallery.

Plain cream drapes screen the sun that pours into the two double bedrooms. The master bedroom leads through a walk-in wardrobe to a stunning teal blue bathroom, with small white tiles stepped half-way up the walls. A second bathroom for children or guests is just inside the entry, opposite a spacious storage cupboard.

Security is high, whether you enter through the shared entrance lobby or use the lift from the carpark. Strangers are not allowed in.

The owners have moved to a slightly bigger apartment in the same building. Like other residents, they love it here. Many are businesspeople who travel overseas regularly, so it tends to be quiet.

The splendid surroundings are enhanced by kereru and kingfishers, drawn to the many native trees in the park-like grounds.

Each apartment has a covered carpark under the building, a large storage locker, and another park alongside the visitors' area.

A private drive leads to the Northern Motorway from Gillies Ave.

An on-site manager maintains the grounds and makes sure everything runs perfectly.

This home embodies the features of an apartment lifestyle, security and low-maintenance living plus the benefits of a stand-alone house, large grounds, pool and top locality.

Vital statistics

Address: 2/35 Almorah Rd, Epsom.

Features: Easy access from entry lobby directly into apartment, close to all amenities, harbour views, formal entry into apartment, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, gas hob and electric oven, gas points for heating, two carparks, security intercom system.

Size: land area 5192m2, floor area 146m2.

Rates: $1377.79 pa.

Body corporate: $6900 pa.

Sale: Auction August 7 at noon on site.

Agent: Nicola Bull, Kellands Real Estate, 302 2209, ah 5244 511, mob 025 774 667.