I stayed at Lancemore Milawa as a guest of the Lancemore Group.
MELBOURNE | Set at the gateway to Victoria’s High Country, the recently refurbished Lancemore Milawa is a boutique hotel option for those looking for a weekend away exploring the bountiful nature, food, and drink of the region.
Inspired by nature and its surrounds, award-winning designer Hana Hakim (The Stella Collective), led the refurbishment. It’s a contemporary hotel with indoor and outdoor spaces that flow freely, giving the hotel a real sense of place.
Location
About a three hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Lancemore Milawa is located in the town of Milawa. Directly across the road from Brown Brothers Winery, the hotel is at the foot of the Victorian alps, at the gateway to Victoria’s High Country.
This part of Victoria is known for its rugged terrain and natural beauty. There’s numerous scenic drives and walks to do while in the area, along with winter activities during snow season. Small, historic towns like Beechworth and Bright, are just a short drive away.
The region is also famous for its food and drink. You’re in the heart of the King Valley, Australia’s home of Prosecco, and have easy access to numerous award-winning wineries, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants. There’s also countless artisan producers of things like cheese, smallgoods, and chocolate.
Rooms
Lancemore Milawa offers 40 rooms. There are seven different types of room available, ranging from the 23 square metre garden rooms, to the 65 square metre suites. Each room features sweeping views across the property’s gardens and Merlot vines.
Polished concrete floors, timber furniture and joinery create welcoming, modern space. Each room features a firm, comfortable king-size bed, bouclé daybed, Samsung Smart television, Bluetooth speaker, mini-bar, tea and coffee making station, and ensuite. The suites also feature a standalone bar with kitchenette, bath tub, and sunk-in sofa.
There’s free Wi-Fi in all rooms (and throughout the hotel), a hair dryer, and iron with ironing board. In the bathroom, there’s a rain shower, and toiletries with native botanicals from Aussie brand Mr. Smith.
Amenities
Lancemore Milawa features a cosy guest lounge on the ground floor, filled with multiple areas to relax in. There’s magazines, board games, and a crackling fireplace during the winter. There’s an outdoor terrace with pond, hammocks, and daybeds for relaxing.
The hotel also features an outdoor pool and sauna.
Eat & Drink
Led by executive chef Aaron Jose is Merlot Restaurant and Bar. Breakfast and dinner is offered, with a paddock-to-plate selection of dishes that draw on Aaron’s 20 years of experience, showcasing the region’s best seasonal produce.
It was a winter menu when I visited in late May. Highlights on the menu when I ate at the restaurant were the Milawa goats chèvre tortellini with roasted pumpkin, spinach butter, and local mushrooms; King Valley Angus eye fillet with potato dauphinoise, and sauce Bordelaise; and a caramelised lemon tart with lemon marshmallow, strawberry, and Milawa honey yoghurt sorbet.
To drink, it’s wines from local winemakers, along with beers, spirits, and cocktails that highlight the region’s independent, small-scale producers.
Lancemore Milawa
223 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road
Milawa
Victoria 3678
Australia
Telephone: (03) 5720 5777
E-mail: [email protected]
Website