Where to stay in Hanmer Springs for easing the winter blues

As it gets chilly, nothing is more inviting than a weekend away in a secluded manor with crackling open fires and plush antique furnishings. Heritage Hanmer Springs fulfils this narrative with resounding success. The handsome manor is nestled in immaculately landscaped gardens, and offers guests old-world style rooms.

If you’d rather stay put instead of venturing into Hanmer Springs for dinner, don’t despair. Hotel restaurant, Isobel’s, is popular with guests and locals alike thanks to its seasonal menu that’s inspired by the Pacific. Think fresh market fish with celeriac puree and seasonal vegetables.

If the menu doesn’t already woo you, surely the restaurant’s setting will. Reminiscent of a stately ballroom, you can be treated to vivid carpets, high period ceilings, and an open fire – ooh la la!

For some, the perfect way to spend a winter evening is under an enveloping duvet, while for others nothing beats a steamy, bubbling spa. If this combination sounds like heaven, a stay at Select Braemar Lodge & Spa will surely heat things up. Just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Hanmer Springs, this alpine spa resort offers sweeping views across to the mountains and forest.

The elegantly appointed suites feature Californian king-sized beds, marble bathrooms, and open-fires. Our pick is to go for the Medway Spa Suite, which offers its very own outdoor hot tub. Heaven!

If you’re indulging in a weekend stay at Braemar Lodge, you’d be foolish not to book yourself a dreamy spa treatment. We suggest going for the Aroma Bliss, which uses essential oils and restores mental balance.

Rather than fighting winter, why not embrace it with a true alpine-style lodge stay? Positioned under the snow-capped mountains of Hanmer Springs, The St. James will evoke the feeling that you’re staying amidst the Swiss Alps.

Whether you’re planning a weekend family vacation, or you’d like to spice things up with your respective other, hosts Paul and Rae will guarantee a personalised stay from start to finish.

The architecturally designed suites offer fully-appointed kitchens, super inviting corner spas, and a cool alpine aesthetic of white and soft greys. You can be guaranteed a toasty night in thanks to your very own slow-combustion fire, which provides a truly cosy ambiance.

If the cold season has left you and your beau or belle feeling a little blue, heat things up with a weekend in the opulent Amuri Lodge. Housed in a stone building, overlooking manicured gardens, this couple’s only retreat is simply made for romance.

Spend the afternoon chilling out – figuratively – in the communal hot tub, then relax in your elegantly appointed room.

In keeping with the hotel’s style, rooms reflect a cottage aesthetic. Think bespoke cushioned headboards, brocade-printed bedspreads, and soft lamps framing either side of the bed. When in Hanmer Springs, a trip to the natural mineral springs is a must, and fortunately they’re just a three-minute walk away from Amuri House.

When you think of a cosy weekend in Hanmer Springs, chances are you’ve probably envisioned something similar to Cheltenham House. This charming white weatherboard B&B sits amidst a flourishing garden, and is just 200 metres from the region’s famous thermal pools.

Suites are decked out in a classic style, reminiscent of 1920s England. Be treated to antique furnishings, floral drapes, and beautiful crisp white linens that guarantee a dreamy slumber.

If you’re travelling in numbers, opt for one of Cheltenham House’s nearby holiday homes which offer up to five bedrooms. While the little ones run amuck, you can settle in front of your gas fire with a book in hand – bliss!

Looking for a home away from home whilst holidaying in Hanmer Springs? The quaint Scarborough Lodge is certain to tick all the boxes.

Housed in a white weatherboard building you can be treated to a boutique stay with all the indulgent essentials. We’re talking a fully-equipped kitchen, an LCD TV with satellite channels, and a dreamy corner spa.

If your idea of the perfect weekend away comprises of a body treatment, we recommend stopping by the lodge’s in-house Sanctuary Massage. Otherwise make use of the communal BBQ facilities and dine to a feast come evening.