Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat

Set in Victoria’s picturesque Daylesford and Macedon Ranges, this grand 1930’s guest house has been transformed into one of regional Victoria’s finest heritage country hotels; with stylish lounges, cocktail bar, leafy gardens and stunning courtyards. Situated in Hepburn Springs, just three minutes from Daylesford, 60 minutes from Melbourne airport and 75 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat wraps you in comfortable elegance with 40 stylish rooms to choose from; including a self contained 1864 Villa Parma with four exquisite bedrooms, roomy self-contained villas, heritage hotel rooms and cosy garden rooms. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom, individual climate control, tea/coffee making facilities, minbar, refrigerators, TV, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, direct dial STD/ISD telephones, internet access and CD player. Meanwhile, the foodie media is buzzing about the epicurean boost to the region with the opening of Wild Birch, the elegant dining room of Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat. Reinventing the traditional Executive Chef model, the kitchens are run by a new concept, the Chef Collective; tapping into the collective brains and skills of the most ambitious team of collaborative young chefs this side of Melbourne. These chefs are equally obsessed with the creation of menus genuinely based on season produce and the integration of nature’s Super Foods; ensuring Wild Birch and Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat’s place as one of the Healing Hotels of the World. The Wild Birch Dining Room is a foodie enthusiast’s heaven; merging European elegance with Australian inventiveness and wild country flavours. After dinner, sink into deep club chairs and sofas around roaring fires at the intimate Tipperary Bar + Lounge, one-part private club, and two-part return of old world glamour. The soul of his relaxed haven lies in tradition and warmth, with surroundings that reflects this – quiet, intimate, relaxed and inviting. Then during the day, enjoy one of the most elegant afternoon teas in provincial Victoria with High Tea under the Arches. Settle into deep cane armchairs and relax over freshly brewed tea in fine bone china and exquisite, art-form petit fours, freshly baked scones with double-whipped cream and traditional berry jams. Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for this truly elegant high tea experience. One of the great pleasures of staying here is the multi award-winning Mineral Spa, tucked in the grounds of the hotel. Mineral Spa is one of the largest and most acclaimed rural day spas in Australia; winners of Australasian Spa Association Best Hotel and Best Day Spa, as well as the current Victorian Tourism Award winners for Health and Wellness (Hall of Fame) and the Spa Life magazine reader’s choice for Best Destination Spa. Specifically designed as a sanctuary of healing and relaxation, therapists each have their own area of expertise. They are selected for their healing hands and calming spirits, ensuring that every guest experiences a beautiful and personal spa experience; with individual consultations and exclusive specialist treatments. As part of its philosophy for integrating healing through earth’s natural elements, Mineral Spa has harnessed the power of mineral water, unlike any other spa in Australia. The spa’s key feature of healing through water is The Retreat; a mineral water therapy zone following in the healing traditions of the famous mineral spas throughout Europe. Tucked in a private and peaceful indoor/outdoor corner of the spa, The Retreat comprises two 100% mineral water spas, a cold plunge pool, steam room, infra-red detox box and the only basalt stone sauna in the Southern Hemisphere. During the winter months, The Retreat turns into a steamy twilight haven with Night Bathing every Friday evening. Water continues as a healing theme that runs throughout the entire spa, with highlights such as the 180 power jet massaging Hydro baths and Australasia’s only Soft Pack Floatation Beds. Signature treatments are by the prestigious spa specialist, Pevonia Botanica. The Spa Menu is extensive and includes specialist healing treatments such as pregnancy and oncology massages. In keeping with the sense of tranquillity, Mineral Spa is architecturally designed to reflect the environment and landscape, creating an ambience of healing; suffused with natural light shimmering across white stone walls, enhanced by the soothing sound of flowing water, and breathtaking views into the countryside.