'When you return from dinner at the Inn, do please come and sit by the fire,' our host at The Robertson Hotel, Con Kotis, reminded us. It was surely a welcome invitation on a chilly winter's evening in the Southern Highlands. We were in town for the launch of the Robertson Food and Wine Cluster, which was held at the Hotel, where we were staying overnight as guests. We had visited the property once before, when we called in for a High Tea with Peter's elderly mam, Joan, who lives in the Illawarra region. Robertson is just beyond the halfway point on the trip from Canberra to the coast, so it's a great place to stop for a break. If you have ever passed through the Robertson township, you will have seen the grand white manor set in sprawling grounds, high on the escarpment and looking out across the valleys below and to the sea. Built in 1924 as a 'healing' misty highlands getaway for city folks wishing to escape Sydney's bustle, heat and smog, The Hotel Robertson boasted 100 rooms and offered a country club and golf course, horse riding, hunting and fishing - as well as the more genteel sports such as polo, cricket, tennis, croquet and lawn bowls. Deer, peacocks and other animals roamed the grounds. In 1925, the property was awarded the prestigious honour of being the 'most luxurious hotel in the Commonwealth' and was sold in 1930, after which it was renamed as the Ranelagh Country Club. The Great Depression brought about changes to the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by those who had once frequented. It is written that in the build up to the Second World War, the hotel became a WRAAF base, signals base and training area for pilots. And, immediately after the War, it was used as a hospice for returned pilots. A short time later, in 1947, the hotel became a Franciscan friary, seminary accommodation house and school run by Saint Anthony's College. The beautiful stained glass windows, grottos, and (now majestic) trees were put in place during that time. In 1972, the property was sold once again, renamed Ranelagh House and returned to its status as a grand hotel and country club. A further change of ownership took place in 2007, when the hotel was renamed Fountaindale Grand Manor and Ranelagh Gardens. It flourished until it was purchased more recently in 2014 by Con Kotis and Lisa Grant-Kotis of AEA Hotel Group. Con and Lisa have spent the last 18 months meticulously restoring the manor in an endeavour to reflect its previous grandeur, with a hint of fresh, modern glamour. They have renamed it The Robertson Hotel, with a nod to its original heritage. An open door, family friendly policy has also been introduced. 'We offer an event and conference venue, and chic Southern Highlands accommodation with a combination of family rooms, as well as romantic ones. Our guests love to explore the magical gardens and then come in and gather around one of the huge open fires,' Con Kotis explained. 'The property is ideal for weddings, as well as for companies wishing to hire the property for exclusive get togethers or corporate conferences,' he said. 'Renovations continue and we have a variety of room and suite layouts, which are quite flexible. There are King suites, Family suites, Family wings, a Grand Manor suite, and Heritage rooms. The latter have common bathrooms, which work well for groups such as wedding parties.' 'The dining room is open most Saturday nights and some Friday nights, when we have guests in the house. We also pre-book dinners from visitors wishing to dine at the Hotel. We use our White dining room, as well as the Salon or Ballroom.' Book ahead via email or telephone 02 4885 1111 if you would like to visit The Robertson Hotel for a traditional High Tea, Robertson High Tea or Devonshire Tea. I can recommend the scones with jam and cream! Fresh flowers and warm fires greeted us on the afternoon of our arrival. It was a bone-chilling cold day, so we were grateful to be told that the heating had been switched on ahead of time in our room. Having checked in, one of the staff kindly escorted us upstairs to our King suite on the first floor. The room itself was compact, but cosy and most comfortable. There was a good sized, wall-mounted TV, huge timber-framed bed (with deliciously crisp linen), bedside tables, and one of those open concept clothing racks. An armchair and throw rug occupied the space in an alcove by the window, which looked out to the gardens at the rear of the Hotel. The old fashioned bathroom was our only bug bear. With the shower in one corner of the bathroom, and no curtain or glass surrounds, most of the bathroom floor was wet after bathing - despite us taking care not to splash. That said, we slept soundly in the big, warm bed and enjoyed the historical aspect and quiet surroundings offered by this grand old property. The Robertson Hotel - postcards and morsels from a grand country retreat...The Robertson Hotel is located at 1 Fountaindale Road Robertson, (on the corner). If you are driving from the Sydney CBD, allow just under two hours, and about the same from Canberra. For bookings and further information, visit the web site. Thank you...The Good Things team enjoyed an overnight stay as guests of The Robertson Hotel. We made our own way to Robertson and home by private vehicle. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. A note of thanks also to Con and the team for so kindly retrieving the pearl earring that I had accidentally dropped into the basin in the bathroom. Of course it fell straight down the drain hole and was caught in the S-bend. The earrings were a gift, so it meant a lot to me to have the piece returned. Thank you again! Tell me dear readers, do you enjoy sitting by the fire on a chilly afternoon or evening? Have you ever visited Robertson in the NSW Southern Highlands of Australia?
18 Comments
Lizzy
17/9/2016 08:34:01 pm
Ha, Amanda. I didn't hear any noise. So is that one in my photo a pea hen?
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Bob Bennett
17/9/2016 07:19:55 pm
We've often passed through Robbo, stopping off at the Inn for a meal sometimes, or the cheese factory, but never been to this one, Lizzie. Seen it, though. It's quite a grand place by the looks.
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Lizzy
17/9/2016 08:32:46 pm
Do pop in sometime Bob!
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Peter
17/9/2016 07:20:28 pm
Nick and I enjoyed our time by the fire, while you and Jill were chatting with Costa!
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Lizzy
17/9/2016 08:33:12 pm
I know. You were both nearly asleep! : )
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Andrea
17/9/2016 07:59:52 pm
I will be showing my husband your write up, it looks so fabulous and a place to visit! Xx
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Lizzy
17/9/2016 08:32:20 pm
Thank you, Andrea, it is well worth a visit!
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John Bentley
17/9/2016 08:25:38 pm
Great review and photographs. the last time I visited there it was still a Franciscan Friary. It was an open day and enjoyed walking the grounds and devonshire tea.
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Lizzy
17/9/2016 08:31:47 pm
Thank you for your kind words, John. I should have taken my good camera. This one, the Samsung, was giving me some bother.
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Eha
17/9/2016 09:12:00 pm
Love, love staying in hotels, but have a huge dislike to the modern chain hotel variety! Knew of the location naturally tho' had never been - what an interesting history! Really like what is being done there and like the name has returned to the simple and historic and logical. Oh, and have always liked all-white themes: so peaceful and elegant . . . . hmm, a place to keep in mind when we get away for a promised weekend or two :) !
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Lizzy
18/9/2016 01:18:57 am
Most definitely, Eha. It is a grand old property and the grounds are truly lovely. Thank you for stopping by : )
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Susan
18/9/2016 12:26:14 am
The bird is a guinea fowl.
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Lizzy
18/9/2016 01:17:54 am
Aha, thank you Susan!
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Lizzy
18/9/2016 01:18:15 am
It really is, Christine. Thank you for stopping by x
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22/9/2016 12:01:30 am
I think I would like the open cupboard rack for when we only spend one night at a place. Looks like a wonderful place to stay.
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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