Review - Lindenderry at Red Hill Victoria

Where:

Lindenderry at Red Hill is a chic boutique hotel located in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula that’s known for its many cool climate wineries, fabulous restaurants, pristine beaches, pretty bays and bushland.

Just a one-hour drive from Melbourne, it is set among 12 hectares of sprawling gardens, towering trees and manicured vines.

Back story

The popular hotel that opened 20 years ago has just undergone a major multi-million dollars revamp emerging from a slightly matronly look to chic country style. Founded by Australian family-owned boutique hotel group Lancemore, the company is steered by CEO Julian Clark. He with design company Hecker Guthrie, has led the vast country property into a new era and it’s well deserving of its recent rave reviews.

“We have been in Red Hill for almost 20 years now and have come to understand the sensibility of the people who love this region. The reincarnation of Lindenderry is for them,” he says. “Hecker Guthrie have delivered a contemporary fusion of European country hotel design features with a distinctly Australian touch, that we hope will become something special in the Australian hotel landscape.”

General manager, Carl Forrest, formerly of the Lancemore-managed Yarra Valley Lodge, award-winning Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld and the Art Series Hotel Group is excited about the revamp.

Rooms and Interiors

The 40 bedrooms spread over the Courtyard, Linden, Garden and Balcony wings offer various views of the stunning property.

Inspired by nature’s hues, they now have a sleek polished look with attention to detail. Gone are the chintzy florals, instead it’s all about cosy textures, polished finishes and design with a capital D.

Interior designer Hamish Guthrie, co-director of Hecker Guthrie, agrees building on the property’s sense of character was integral, wherever possible, amplifying generous views and using hues that emulate nature.

“We used a base palette in both a light and dark scheme, taking reference from the client’s extensive art and furniture collection, allowing every space to have its own identity, but also creating a cohesive aesthetic from one room to the next. We wanted it to feel like a gorgeous home-away-from- home, but imbued with a real sense of the Peninsula,” he says.

My Garden Suite overlooks an extensive lawn across to beautiful lofty trees and a lake in the distance.

The comfy fireside sofa is perfect for Sunday newspaper reading and there’s plenty of natural light.

The mini-bar is stocked with local produce and treats including gin, beer and Lindenderry award-winning wine.

The sleek bathroom includes a tub for soaking and quality bathroom products. As for the bed, it’s comfort plus and hard to leave but there’s much to see and do at Lindenderry, you don’t want to miss out on anything. A walk in the garden is a great way to start the day, followed by a swim in the indoor heated pool.

Dining

Dining is an adventure at Lindenderry at Red Hill, with executive chef Paul Witherington, formerly of London’s Soho House and Mornington Peninsula’s Port Phillip Estate, creating innovative dishes. The emphasis is on hand-selected, locally sourced ingredients worked into rustic assemblages. It ’s all about an elegant approach to hearty farmhouse fare.

A five-course degustation paired with matching wine or without is available plus an a la carte menu.

Menu standouts include zucchini and pine nut ravioli with tomato and broad beans, ‘Petuna’ ocean trout, grilled octopus, clams and harissa while the roasted quail with creamed corn, chorizo and consommé looks amazing.

Western Plains lamb noisette, garden silver beet, garlic puree, and a delicious chocolate parfait, dacquoise sponge and muscatels is another popular dish.

The white chocolate panna cotta with lemon sponge and lavender ice cream is also deserving of praise.

The new look dining room offers views over the manicured vineyards and rose garden courtyard. Shades of moss green and taupe meet mix-and-match hues of wood, reeded glass and curved-back chairs.

Service is slick and staff are knowledgeable about produce and wine, sharing recommendations of what to do and what not to miss on the Peninsula.

“We are so fortunate at Lindenderry as our location means we have access to the most incredible produce from fresh seafood to artisan cheese and chocolatiers to olive groves. So with access to all of this coupled with my career experience, I have the opportunity to serve up clever food that celebrates the local produce, exudes metropolitan chic and at the same time epitomises the country comfort that guests crave and come to us to experience.”

Breakfast offers an extensive choice of cereals, bread, fruit, yoghurts and cooked dishes. It’s a great start to the day.

Don’t forget if you have time order a picnic hamper packed with local specialities and treats, then head out to the gardens, roll out the rug and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds.

Cellar Door

The rustic cellar door is a great place to taste test Lindenderry’s award-winning wines and enjoy casual dining. Rows of manicured chardonnay, blanc de blanc and pinot noir vines form a romantic backdrop to the onsite 5 Star Halliday rated winery. Winemaker Barney Flanders has produced some great drops including an excellent hand-sorted Grampians Shiraz. A paddle of signature vintages goes well with wood fire pizzas including the San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella with basil or roast pumpkin and blue cheese. For a sweet finale, wood roasted scones served with local jam and cream and the famous Mornington Choc tops with chocolate, rock salt and caramel are fabulous.

Features

There’s a heated indoor pool and sun lounges for relaxing as well as a cosy library with interesting reading material. Fancy a game of billiards? There’s a billiard table to show off your skills but my favourite area is the Peninsula Lounge with a garden outlook. It features a John Peart artwork on loan from Lancemore founder Jan Clark’s private collection.

The gardens at Lindenderry at Red Hill are amazing and beckon you as soon as you arrive to follow wooded paths and trails – A sculpture by acclaimed Melbourne-born artist Michael Cartwright takes pride of place along with overflowing pots of pastel petunias, blue hydrangeas and lilies on the ponds.

What I loved

The cosy rooms, the fabulous artwork, dining and the beautiful setting. As soon as you turn into the tree-lined driveway you know you are in for something special.

Details

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