Lake House, Daylesford 

A stunning, family-owned lakeside hotel with award-winning regional cuisine.

Owned by a husband and wife team - a resident artist and a culinary director – Lake House has been transformed from an old, overgrown mining site into an internationally renowned destination. A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia and reminiscent of a fine country club, Lake House’s classic interiors create a feeling of intimacy while the hotel’s lake setting among natural mineral springs makes it a reposeful location for a country escape. Given a place on the prestigious Condé Nast Gold List in 2016, the hotel exudes modern elegance. Each room is individually designed and features a Nespresso machine, marble-topped vanity and a luxurious European-style bath.

The Salus Spa, hidden down some stone steps, uses pure mineral water and Elemis products for an utterly soothing experience. No trip to Lake House would be complete for any without dinner at the restaurant, where hotel guests receive priority booking. Championing regional cuisine, the owner has been a key pioneer in the shift in the Australian culinary scene in producing menus with more locally sourced produce, and has been awarded with an Order of Australia for her services to the Tourism and Hospitality industry. Whether you would call yourself a foodie or not, dining here is a must and as you might expect, Lake House’s gastronomy is all about producing exquisite seasonal dishes, delicately plated and made with the best ingredients from local suppliers.