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Arrive in style
The wall textures, in deep peach and eye-soothing earthy tones add to the rustic touch that’s the essential leit motif.
Just under two hours of feather-smooth driving leads you to the glorious climes of the Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. As you drive through the small town of Bowral and into shady country lanes hedged by timber fences, sky-scraping gum trees and
leafy embankments, the cool hill air exhilarates you instantly. As you pull up into the gravelled drive, round a delightful fountain and sheared bushes, you have arrived. The historic, award-winning country resort of Peppers Craigieburn is nestled among a nine-hole golfing green, landscaped gardens and vineyards, an over a century old stately monument refurbished with contemporary flair that offers choicest accommodation, fine dining and tranquil calm. I am escorted on a tour of this distinguished property whose reception area revels in pastel class tinged with a smart and bright floral display. Wrought iron filigreed arches and verandah canopies in colonial Australian design give way to a chic straight line credo with matted browns, greys, loud reds, maroon and sparkling white. Innovative Aboriginal art forms light up the fine dining hall, the lounge, the bar and suites, adding authentic verve and elegance. The modern design aspects of its rooms lend easily to vast green spaces and view of mind-calming woodlands beyond. The identity is clearly woven around neat and easily comprehensible tones of colours, form and shape, as I recline on lush sofas sipping a vintage 2002 Museum Release Centennial Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon by the cheery fireplace, admiring the warmth of the ambience.
Craigieburn distinguishes in creative fine dining that brings in patrons of good cuisine from far and beyond. Montfort’s reputation as the area’s finest dining haven earned from it’s eclectic fare and impressive wine list. The verandahs with all-weather Oakwood furniture adds rustic appeal as you enjoy morning coffee and cookies, watching a Kookaburra on the Elms shriek away his “good morning”!
Across the hinterland, two hours northwest of Sydney lies the fabled Hunter Valley Wine Region with its grand vintage reds and classy whites. With a famous winery for company, the Tower Estate, and the sprawling vineyards rolling down the valley around is the much-awarded boutique, the exquisitely designed Tower Lodge. Winner of the 2007 Hunter Regional Tourism Award and Grand Award Winner of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, the Tower Lodge is easily the finest boutique country accommodation in the Hunter. Look it up, just 12 deliciously striking guest rooms and suites, each designed and crafted in individual themes and feel, a Baronial dining room, a lounge, a bar, a comfy library and a stunning, sprawling courtyard akin to a Spanish Hacienda.
The wall textures, in deep peach scratch coat and eye-soothing earthy tones and washes add to the rustic touch that’s the essential leit motif. The nine Lodge rooms, all individually appointed with old, worn timbre rafters, rare collectibles, antique objects and elements add to the exotic feel. The romantic Oriental Room has Chinese and Far Eastern deco, a wooden hot tub, Oriental artworks and objects and a relaxed and imploring ambience. The main Chairman’s Suite, interestingly, is a free-standing layout with it’s own tower! And, to cap it all, in the hyper luxury scale is a King-size Rajasthani master bed and Louis XVI writing desk and chair for special effects. The bar, the lounge, the reception and the dining hall radiate a comfortable yet spacious country home, pre-dinner drinks and canapés making the svelte rounds in the evening hours. The eclectically designed Tower Lodge is distinctly for the chosen few who live life on the Platinum edge.
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SMITA IYENGAR takes in the exclusive design ethos and gorgeous surrounds of charming country resorts in New South Wales, Australia.
Warm ambience: The Lounge at the Tower Lodge and (left) the comforts of Craigieburn.
