Travel: Mount Lofty House Stunning Accommodation in Adelaide
Mount Lofty House is an Adelaide icon and part of the MGallery Collection of Hotels with sweeping views and grand design.
Where to stay in Adelaide? Unlike Sydney and Melbourne it is entirely suitable to stay out of the CBD at Mount Lofty House and still only be 15 min away from the city. Mount Lofty House is a charming destination that is closer to the CBD than many think - a short trip down the Eastern Freeway to the CBD without hassles of excessive traffic. Mount Lofty House is perfect for luxury getaways, overnight accommodation, fine dining, weddings, corporate events, conventions, holidays and retreats.
The World Loves Melbourne needed to stay in Adelaide for some events and we chose Mount Lofty House due to its location in the middle of the "foodie scene" in the Adelaide Hills, its proximity to the city, sweeping views, boutique charm and history, smart restaurant and exceptional service. We at The World Loves Melbourne are fans of the whole MGallery concept; rather than predictable hotels that all seem the same the MGallery hotels are bespoke and boutique with their own story and charm.
The history of Mount Lofty House is captivating; from the early days of wealthy Arthur Hardy building it for a summer residence between 1852 and 1858; to the history of the young couple who suffered when the Ash Wednesday fire came through and burned a large part of the residence (apparently no insurance) in 1983; to the romance of local architect Ross Sands restoring the residence to a greater glory; and then the recent history with Accor and MGallery Collection which has seen further changes for the better.
The rooms at Mount Lofty House are top notch with the best of modern meeting heritage. The World Loves Melbourne stayed in a well appointed suite which opened on to a delightful balcony with unparalleled views of the Adelaide Hills and Piccadilly Valley. This is itself was therapeutic.
We were greeted on arrival by the Manager Toby who showed us around this large hotel with a plethora of nooks and crannies. Just wander around and you may get lost; but delightfully so.
A highlight is the library; where you can while away the hours relaxing, reading or playing chess. You notice there's an abundance of superb artwork throughout the hotel.
The Drawing Room is another haven in which to relax and imbibe...
The grounds themselves are first class and Mount Lofty Houses is a popular venue for weddings. There's the fountain; the pool; the tennis courts to name a few highlights.
Piccadilly Restaurant has an ambience of finery and provides some of the best views in Australia for dining. The full breakfast was a rewarding experience.
The menu resonates with local country produce and we couldn't go past the Country Hot Plate, after imbibing the continental array of delights.
Open for lunch and dinner Piccadilly Restaurant impresses with its fine menu and excellent wine list.
The World Loves Melbourne also imbibed some of the local attractions.
Mount Lofty Summit, a few minutes away, showcases a spectacular view of the gamut of Adelaide and its stunning coast.
Also spectacular is the adjacent Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.
Bird in Hand winery in nearby Woodside is well worth a vist, with top class wines and exceptional cellar door.
Shaw & Smith in Woodside have one of the best cellar door tastings we've seen from a cellar door with their stunning facility and Wine Flight with cheese offering.
Then we enjoyed more indulgence at The Lane with its spectacular views...
We met winemakers, beer and cider makers and foodies during our travels around the Adelaide Hills. We even popped in to new venture Section 28 Artisan Cheeses in Woodside, whose French cheese is being seen at exclusive outlets across Australia. All of this is a further indicator of the Adelaide Hills being a foodie hub. And it's all so close to Mount Lofty House. Get on it!