The Sanctuary by Kate Walker Design is a refined retreat set within Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, offering elevated accommodation for rest and renewal.
Located just 90 minutes from Melbourne, this collection of five luxurious private villas and two studio rooms sits high on the ridgeline within Alba Thermal Springs & Spa’s 15-hectare site. Designed as a space to slow down, relax and reconnect, The Sanctuary offers guests a calming and immersive retreat that complements Alba’s exquisite wellness experiences.
From the beginning, Alba director of sales and marketing Kadi Morrison knew Kate Walker Design (KWD) was the right design partner. “We were very familiar with KWD’s reputation as a renowned design studio based on the Mornington Peninsula,” she says. “KWD was specifically engaged for their expertise in high-end residential design that embodies a sense of refinement, comfort and exclusivity while also feeling deeply personal and unique.”
The Sanctuary’s gentle, muted interiors reflect the surrounding environment and draw subtle references from the broader site. Softly curved walls in the sleeping area and sleek fireplaces nod to the architecture of the main lobby, while lighting details simulate the bubbles of the thermal springs. Each villa is discreetly positioned with expansive private decks that open to uninterrupted views of the native bushland. “Wellness is woven into every aspect of the interior design,” says Kate Walker, founder of KWD. “This approach has crafted hideaways that invite a disconnection from the world and a reconnection with nature.”
The palette is intentionally soft with warm neutral hues, handcrafted finishes and natural materials selected for their ability to gracefully patina with age. In the dining zone, an aged bronze and travertine table is paired with custom velvet dining chairs, while the sleeping area is cocooned by wheat-toned upholstered wall panelling. In contrast, the living space features a bar in striking Nero Picasso marble, its dark surface swirled with lustrous gold and white veining.
The bathroom is serene and luxurious, wrapped in vein-cut travertine tiles. A monumental freestanding bath positioned by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooks the Alba grounds and surrounding forest. Suspended above the stone vanity is a sculptural pendant in bronzed brass and hand-cast glass by lighting designer Alex Earl, its curved metalwork echoed in the shapes of the mirror. “We believe in creating spaces that reflect the rhythm of life,” says Walker. “In today’s fast-paced world, where time is the most precious commodity, our design philosophy is driven by the need for restoration, wellness and balance.”
Beyond the villas, guests can enjoy the full range of Alba’s wellness and dining experiences – from the onsite restaurant Thyme to expansive spa treatments and bathing in the twenty-two natural hot springs. The Sanctuary offers a space where thoughtful design and material detail create a calm, soothing atmosphere geared towards rest and rejuvenation.
Interior design by Kate Walker Design. Lighting by Alex Earl. Flooring by KWD&Co.
