*Denotes local charge
*Denotes local charge
Next to the beach and located in the centre of Lorne, the Cumberland Lorne Resort offers a number of contemporary self-contained apartments which have a kitchenette, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and a private balcony with corner spa bath. Resort facilities include a sauna, swimming pool, fitness centre and the Endota Day Spa, offering a selection of treatments. 102 rooms.
Owned by a husband and wife team - a resident artist and a culinary director – Lake House has been transformed from an old, overgrown mining site into an internationally renowned destination. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia and reminiscent of a fine country club, Lake House’s classic interiors create a feeling of intimacy while the hotel’s lake setting among natural mineral springs makes it a reposeful location for a country escape. Given a place on the prestigious Condé Nast Gold List in 2016, the hotel exudes modern elegance. Each room is individually designed and features a Nespresso machine, marble-topped vanity and a luxurious European-style bath. The Salus Spa, hidden down some stone steps, uses pure mineral water and Elemis products for an utterly soothing experience. No trip to Lake House would be complete for any without dinner at the restaurant, where hotel guests receive priority booking. Championing regional cuisine, the owner has been a key pioneer in the shift in the Australian culinary scene in producing menus with more locally sourced produce, and has been awarded with an Order of Australia for her services to the Tourism and Hospitality industry. Whether you would call yourself a foodie or not, dining here is a must and as you might expect, Lake House’s gastronomy is all about producing exquisite seasonal dishes, delicately plated and made with the best ingredients from local suppliers.
Tucked away in Dunkeld, a small town at the foot of Mount Sturgeon, this hotel is a surprising find. The hotel’s interiors are minimalist, creating a calming effect – choose a Deluxe Mountain View Room to get the most out of your superb location. If you prefer your accommodation with a little more character, the one and two-bedroom Mount Sturgeon Bluestone Cottages are rustic and have their own closer view of Mount Sturgeon, just under two miles from the hotel. With over 99 miles of walking tracks and private paths from the hotel, The Grampians is a spectacular stop for keen walkers. The main attraction, however, has to be the hotel’s restaurant. It has been awarded two ‘Hats’ out of a possible three (referring to the Chef Hat rating system, Australia’s alternative to Michelin stars). The eight-course degustation menu offers a chance to experience the hotel’s acclaimed dining experience, complemented by an award-winning wine list that is easily one of the most extensive in Australia. The only thing that could make the food here taste even better is learning that an impressive portion of the produce is grown in the acre of the hotel’s organic kitchen garden, which the chefs give daily tours of for inquisitive guests.
Cumberland Lorne Resort
Lake House, Daylesford
Royal Mail Hotel, Grampians National Park
