PEACEFUL PARADISE PEACEFUL PARADISE Sitting on the terrace of one of three private villas at the new Ruffles Lodge, it?s hard to believe Surfers Paradise is only 30 minutes away.  Set high on a hill in the hamlet of Willow Vale, with sweeping valley views, Ruffles Lodge opened in May ? the creation of John and Jan Nicholls, who once operated charter boats on Sydney Harbour.  They wanted to create a true lodge environment where guests meet over pre-dinner drinks and dine around a communal table.  Each villa has beautiful timber fittings, century-old ironbark floors and lime-washed walls plus all mod-cons, and Mount Tamborine villages and wineries are only 20 minutes away.  Prices start from $360 per night per villa, including breakfast.