Drift House

An exquisite conception of a collection of award-winning designers, this modernist-inspired residence featuring 12 suites, serves as a ‘home hotel’, with an additional level of luxury. Looking out across the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens or the city of Melbourne, each suite encompasses a spacious terrace, an ideal spot for tucking into the complimentary gourmet breakfast at the start of your day or for unwinding with a nightcap.

Every fitting and furnishing has been carefully selected to enhance the hotel’s overall feel of understated sophistication. Fully-equipped kitchens, with laundry amenities and airy living areas, sporting mini-bars allow guests to feel completely at home. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior spaces with natural light, illuminating the muted or dark colour schemes, and the soft velvet elements.

A designer in his own right, Melbourne chef, Scott Pickett heads the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, Matilda 159 Domain. Here, the dishes are masterpieces of contemporary flame-grilled delights, made with local meats, and seasonal produce and created to match the equally enticing décor. If you aren’t dining in this low-lit, wood-panelled den, then you can enjoy a meal served by your personal butler in the comfort of your suite.

During your stay, your on-call butler can assist you with reservations or recommendations for restaurants or activities in the city. Additionally, you can make use of the butler service to arrange yoga, Pilates or personal training sessions, or to book a treatment at a local salon.

Designed to reflect the natural surroundings of the beautiful Goulburn Valley, this remotely positioned accommodation, encircled by vineyards, promises the most serene and quality wine-filled escape.

The interiors present a soothingly neutral colour scheme, with earthy tones, wooden touches and natural materials. Grey marble flooring is softened by woollen rugs, and expansive windows allow light to inundate the corners of the suites. You can opt for views of the vineyard, or the river, and conclude each day on your private balcony, with a glass of the nearby estate’s wine.

Further sampling of local labels can be enjoyed at The Muse restaurant, alongside modern farmhouse cuisine on the banks of the Goulburn River. Fresh, seasonal produce plays a pivotal role in the dishes on offer, in a simple yet sophisticated setting. If you fancy packing a picnic and setting off for the day, The Provedore has all the cured meats and preserves that you need, hailing from artisans in the area.

Guests who are happy not to leave the grounds can book a treatment at the spa, where botanical therapies and natural products are central to its ethos. You can also unwind by the infinity pool, and take a stroll around the shady lawns or through the vineyards.

Dunkeld’s historic Royal Mail Hotel is idyllically located at the southern end of The Grampians National Park, offering spectacular mountain views, endless hiking and nature activities combined with some of Australia’s best food and wine.

Originally established in 1855, the hotel retains its historical charm while providing guests with contemporary, architecturally designed facilities that take advantage of the stunning natural surroundings.

The Royal Mail Hotel has been long known as a destination dining experience which sees diners travel from all over the country and internationally to sample the hotel’s seasonal menus. The dining options focus on fresh seasonal produce much of which is grown organically on-site. The options include a bistro serving hearty, rustic-style fare and a fine dining restaurant which serves modern Australian cuisine based around produce grown in the hotel’s kitchen garden.

Located in the trendy district of South Yarra in the south of the city, the Lyall Hotel is a luxury boutique property with a wonderfully intimate feel to it.

There are just 40 suites, contemporary in style with Australian made furniture and plush fabrics, and featuring their own private balconies. Each floor of the hotel has an art gallery showcasing the work of local French artist, Thierry B.

Take a seat at Bistro Lyall and enjoy modern, seasonal cuisine that reflects Melbourne’s multicultural influences. Meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant or out on the terrace if you want to make the most of the Australian sunshine. The Lyall Champagne Bar showcases a selection of French champagne which can be enjoyed alongside the tantalising bar menu. The staff are also a dab hand at mixing cocktails as well, if you’d rather.

The spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, and when you’re not relaxing at the hotel then the boutiques and restaurants of South Yarra and the botanical gardens are in easy reach.