Hotel reopens after $10 million refurbishment
As post-summer holiday planning for the next getaway gathers steam, there’s no doubt regional Australia will feature prominently on our vision boards.
While Tourism Research Australia figures show a significant portion of domestic travel takes place outside capital cities, Tourism Australia’s trend reporting flags continued interest in nature-focused experiences and trips that rely on wide-open spaces and slower-paced travel. Just 120 kilometers south-west of Sydney, the Southern Highlands’ main town of Bowral fits such a bill.
Cricket enthusiasts know this because of its connections with Don Bradman. Gardening enthusiasts are aware of the award-winning plots. But with coastal escapes often dominating Australian short-break conversations, Bowral has tended to remain slightly out of the spotlight; The elegant charm of the countryside with its cool seasonal changes, heritage architecture and growing food and wine scene were more suited to Sydney getaways.
But more excitement was injected into Bowral. Here and across the wider Southern Highlands, more diverse dining options are now on offer, with creative cuisines reflecting the region’s incredible produce. Pubs have been creatively renovated or expanded in nearby Moss Vale and villages such as Hanginoon and Berrima.
Ngununggula, a $6 million contemporary art gallery in a converted dairy farm near Bowral, backed by artist Ben Quilty and local philanthropists, is a major regional institution, combining ambitious exhibition programs with a farm-to-table café and landscaped grounds.
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Now Ardor Milton Park Bowral is reopening after a $10 million refurbishment. For those familiar with old Milton Park, this is both a respectful revitalization and careful renovation. Heritage values remain in the bones of the 1910 property, but the experience has been recalibrated for contemporary travelers who value comfort, design and strong cuisine as well as history.
The transformation of the site was led by Mac Design Studio in Sydney, under the direction of architect Alan McMahon. The studio restored the Osborn House, which opened to acclaim in 2022. The boutique hotel is housed in an early 1900s guesthouse in Kendioon and is a star on the Southern Highlands hospitality scene.
Guest rooms at Ardour consist of two palettes: a muted sage green and a deeper cobalt blue, tied together by marble, brushed brass, and custom rugs.
Food, which has always been at the heart of Milton Park’s identity, is a pillar of the new Ardor era, with executive chef Mark Holland heading up the culinary direction. Holland has over 30 years of experience, including time spent at the Michelin-starred Box Tree in the UK, as well as experiences at Marco Pierre White, Nomad Sydney and the Paddington Inn. Its brief focuses on a refined pan-European approach, with a strong focus on Southern Highlands and wider NSW producers.
While the site’s signature restaurant, Horderns, has always been the heart of the cuisine, it has moved to a larger setting with garden views, increased natural light and capacity increased from 38 seats to 102.
Alongside this, Polo Bar is designed as a casual counterpoint from day to evening, offering small plates, classic cocktails and a wine list that champions Southern Highlands producers. A dedicated deli room will open soon, adding another layer to the venue’s presentation.
Towards the end of this year, a new on-site spa and wellness facility, Eliva Bowral, will welcome guests.
Ardor Hotels & Estates was born in 2024 when Salter Brothers Hospitality acquired the historic Kingsford Barossa, an 1856 farmhouse with 16 luxury suites. Bowral accommodation is the brand’s second accommodation, sharing the common theme of being “lifestyle” properties in Australia’s regional and natural landscapes. Expect more of the same kind.
Ardor Hotels & Estates joins Salter Brothers’ two other brands: Spicers Retreats, a collection of boutique hotels in NSW and Queensland, and Bannisters Hotels, coastal resorts in NSW.
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Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who’d rather be in Rome, but her hometown of Melbourne is a happy compromise.Connect via email.
