Barefoot Luxury – Lancemore Milawa by The Stella Collective

Words by Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
Photography by Rhiannon Taylor
Interior Design by The Stella Collective

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estled in Victoria’s High Country, hotel Lancemore Milawa by Hana Hakim of The Stella Collective is designed as an ode to the region’s four distinctive seasons. With 40 well-appointed rooms and suites, intricate detailing and interior-exterior spaces that blend into one another, it is a country escape that coalesces with its surroundings.

Victoria’s High Country holds year-round promise. From wildflowers in the spring to golden sunsets in the summer, crisp autumnal landscapes to snow-capped winter wonderlands, it has something for every season. The newly opened Lancemore Milawa, situated at the brink of King Valley, leans into these panoramas. The boutique hotel, owned by the Lancemore Group, steps beyond the idea of a contemporary country residence by combining hotel-like luxuries with home-like comforts. Its redesign was helmed by award-winning interior designer Hana Hakim of The Stella Collective, who embraced intricate detailing and plush finishes to create restrained, free-flowing spaces that hold a mirror to the region’s four distinctive seasons.

The boutique hotel, owned by the Lancemore Group, steps beyond the idea of a contemporary country residence by combining hotel-like luxuries with home-like comforts.

Designed to evoke barefoot luxury, Lancemore Milawa is informed by Mediterranean influences that marry into the surrounding verdant pastures and world-class wine country. Similarly, both the exterior landscaping and interior design are equally considered. Hedged gardens with ornamental blossoms, luxuriant rose bushes and golden acacia reflect in the outdoor ponds, whilst the rooms and suites – 40 in all – feature polished concrete floors, bouclé daybeds or linen-covered sofas, custom timber joinery and commissioned artworks. The aesthetic is a product of both regional flavours and international influences; the sun-kissed interior palette has a decidedly Moorish spirit, whilst the outdoor hammocks, poolside cabanas and sunbeds are inspired by Mediterranean sojourns. As one of Australia’s most highly regarded wineries, the hotel is also reminiscent of the vineyards of Northern Italy.

The seamlessness between the indoor and outdoor spaces allows guests to move freely between the built form and its environment, regardless of the season. Divided across two levels, the east-facing rooms connect to the garden courtyard or elevated balcony, their windows framed by fragrant wisteria in the springtime. West-facing rooms afford sunset views of the Brown Brothers estate, an experience often made complete with a grazing board and a bottle of King Valley’s finest. Separately, a leitmotif that distinguishes the hotel from other destinations across Australia is the full series of original Ned Kelly prints that emblazon the walls, rendered by 20th-century artist Sidney Nolan.

The seamlessness between the indoor and outdoor spaces allows guests to move freely between the built form and its environment, regardless of the season.

Located in one of Australia’s oldest gourmet regions, less than three hours’ drive from Melbourne, the hotel is surrounded by famed wineries, boutique distilleries and premium food producers including Brown Brothers, Hurdle Creek Still and Milawa Cheese Factory. It also has its own onsite restaurant and bar, two luxurious lounge areas and a swimming pool. With equal nods to the past and present, and to lands near and far, Lancemore Milawa is a retreat for all seasons.