Luxury accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula for escaping the big city

As you turn down the long, tree-lined driveway of Lindenderry at Red Hill, with rolling vineyards on one side and a grand, white mansion on the other, you would be forgiven for thinking you had arrived at an English or French country estate.

After a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2018, this 40-room boutique property is the perfect mix of European charm and modern Australian luxury. Think white linens, grey woollen throws and nights in front of the fireplace as you look out on the verdant green views of 34 acres of working vineyards and luscious gardens.

You can try an award-winning Aussie gin at the nearby Bass & Flinders Distillery, or a crisp chardonnay at the French-inspired Mont Rouge Estate next door, but it’s the famed local produce that comes to the forefront at Lindenderry. Dishes highlighting seasonal specialities are matched with the estate’s own wines in the on-site restaurant, The Dining Room. Or for the perfect romantic experience with your better half, grab a blanket and hamper and go on a gourmet picnic among the vines.

When you want a home-away-from-home, but with all the luxurious comforts of a five-star hotel, then the only choice is Aquabelle Apartments. Located on the main café strip in the charming coastal town of Rye, the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are the perfect holiday base to explore all that the peninsula has to offer.

The expansive modern apartments look like they’re taken straight from the pages of an interior design magazine. All come with fully equipped kitchens so you can serve up a dinner using all the fresh cheese, chutneys and cherries you find on your visits to the surrounding farms. Head into the hinterland to explore world-class wineries, or hop across to the beach foreshore for some swimming, paddle boarding and snorkelling in the summer months.

A coastal retreat, luxury spa break and premium leisure and golfing destination all in one, Peppers Moonah Links Resort truly has it all. With two world-class 18-hole golf courses on-site, you might think you’ll never leave the links. But the resort is situated as close as you can possibly get to the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs—right next door in fact.

If you’re keen for an invigorating start to the day, the 45-minute Fire, Ice and Bathe package allows you to jump between hot saunas, the sub-zero Ice Cave and Deep Freeze chamber, cold plunge pools and geothermal hot springs all before your first morning tee-off time.

The late-night closing hours mean you can take a meditative reflexology walk, relax in a traditional Turkish hammam, or bathe in soothing thermal mineral pools while watching the sunset from the new Bathe House Amphitheatre and still fall into bed 10 minutes later.

Modern rooms embrace the natural colour palette of the surrounding land—light greens, burnt reds and muted oranges give a hint of ‘Australiana’. If you prefer a good book and an afternoon G&T instead of practising your putting skills, you can still enjoy the action from your large private terrace. All Open Rooms overlook the 1st Fairway, and also feature a deep bath and rain shower for relaxing after a long day on the green.

Only the best regional ingredients are used at Pebbles Restaurant, so you can indulge in grilled lamb rack with herb potato mash, Peninsula honey and rosemary jus before hitting up Spike Bar for a local tipple, such as a Foxeys Hangout Rosé or a Red Hill Brewery Scotch Ale, to cap off the night.

Less than an hour from Melbourne, on the southern end of the peninsula, a towering building appears as if it is entirely made of glass—this is RACV Cape Schanck Resort. The 184-room family-friendly resort has been around since 2005, but its complete renovation in 2018 has transformed it into an indulgent Mornington Peninsula getaway.

The building’s organic materials—wood, marble and glass—fuse together to mimic the waves of the coastline and the curves of the landscape. The sophisticated Peninsula Suite is all cool greys, blue and gold velvet cushions and luxurious fur throws that are perfect for snuggling under. The suite includes separate living and bedroom spaces, and a wrap-around balcony with panoramic views, which you can enjoy while soaking in the free-standing bath.

A personalised gift will be waiting for you on arrival and the delights of the ‘provision cabinet’ (a fancy name for a mini-bar) are all complimentary. It’s very likely you will never want to leave this opulent oasis.

But if you do, three restaurants, a 25-metre indoor pool, sauna, gym and an 18-hole golf course are all at your disposal. We suggest making a beeline for One Spa where eight different treatment rooms offer massages, facials and body treatments in addition to water therapies in the Relaxation and Vitality Pools. The signature two-hour Mornington Melt is a top-to-toe luxury experience—a full-body exfoliation, body wrap, full-body massage, scalp massage and complimentary hammam bathing are guaranteed to leave you in a state of joyful bliss.

If you’re looking for a remote and intimate getaway in the Mornington Peninsula, then you should head straight for George’s Boutique B&B & Culinary Retreat at Arthur’s Seat. The contemporary and architecturally daring building at the top of the mountain offers three suites, one standard room and magnificent views over Port Phillip Bay.

Try to book suite two, the premium suite. With its high ceilings, private balcony and modern fireplace it’s the perfect romantic haven for two. You won’t want to leave the incredibly comfortable king bed, but when you do, Molton Brown products are waiting for you in the spacious bathroom with dual shower heads.

Our breakfast pick is the wonderfully fluffy George’s Thick Pancake, with caramelised banana, pecans and Canadian maple syrup, but the culinary delights don’t have to stop there. Three-day foodie retreats take place throughout the year that include cooking classes, cellar door and farm-gate tours, and dinner at a local two-hatted restaurant.

The historic village of Sorrento is a favourite among Victorians looking for an enchanting weekend break, and sitting at the highest point on the village cliffs is the majestic Hotel Sorrento. Established in 1872, this iconic property has 37 elegantly refurbished rooms and studios, all uniquely designed, spacious, and most with breathtaking views over Port Phillip Bay.

The exposed limestone walls in the heritage section of the building transport you back in time, but the contemporary décor of brown leather seating coupled with blues and greys creates a luxurious and stylish feel. You can enjoy in-room massages on your private balcony or try a dram of whisky in the recently opened wine and whisky bar, The Cellar.

The hotel is located in the beating heart of Sorrento, with many of the region’s best cafés and restaurants nearby—a visit to Just Fine Food for their famous vanilla slice is a must. But it’s the beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters only a short walk away that keep people coming back to this quaint seaside town, as well as coastal walks like the Portsea-Sorrento Artists’ Trail. When the sun is high, and you want to enjoy a glass of local wine while dolphin-spotting, hop aboard the ferry over to the equally charming town of Queenscliff.

At the very tip of the peninsula, you’ll find the ever-popular Portsea, a small seaside village that boasts some of the most expensive real estate in Australia. Nestled amongst the opulent, clifftop mansions is Portsea Village Resort, a boutique complex of 25 self-service apartments. You can take a stroll over to the historical Portsea Pier and village centre, or stay at the resort and take a dip in one of two heated swimming pools between rounds of tennis and squash at the on-site courts.

Each apartment has all the amenities of home, including a fully equipped kitchen, but we suggest planning a stay on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night to sample the seasonal delicacies at the on-site restaurant, Piers@Portsea Village Resort. You’ll find dishes like tea-smoked salmon or coffee-roasted beets on the menu, or for true indulgence, a duck pie with honey and green tea followed by a dessert of bread pudding and butter ice cream. All paired with delicious Mornington Peninsula wines, of course.

When the summer heat hits and you want to be less than a two-minute walk to the beach, book one of the four deluxe rooms at Plantation House At Whitecliffs. The Rye Foreshore is so close to the property that the sound of crashing waves lulls you to sleep at night and walks along the sandy beach are possible before breakfast.

Built in 1932, this remarkable sandstone building has been updated with a tropical theme to match its lush garden surrounds, where you can find a BBQ area and jacuzzi. Stay in the Bahamas Suite with its four-poster bed, or the newest room, Upstairs at Plantation, and let your worries drift away in the spacious spa bath or read a book on your private balcony.