Travelbeat Editorial Review The Grand View: Mt Lofty House Adelaide Hills, SA Story and photos by Kerry Hennigan We happened to arrive at Mt Lofty House, A Mercure Grand Hotel, just as the staff was arranging seating for a wedding party on the lawn overlooking the Piccadilly Valley. Inside the house Hardy's, an intimate formal dining room, was similarly dressed for the wedding reception. We never got to see the bride or groom, but we certainly were able to appreciate the location they had chosen for their special day. Located just below the summit of Mt Lofty, tallest peak in the Adelaide Hills, Mt Lofty House is a famous local landmark. It was built in the mid 1850s by Arthur Hardy, a South Australian politician, lawyer, pastoralist and businessman. All but destroyed in the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983, the restored Mt Lofty House was reopened as a boutique hotel containing just 8 guestrooms. The number was later expanded with the addition of a new wing. While much of the original property is now part of the nearby Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, the caretaker's lodge and coach house remain a functional part of the hotel complex. Our exploration of the house took us past reception, the elegant lounge (at right) and Hardy's, past some stunning medieval tapestries on the walls, and on into the Tiers Lounge (lower right) which boasts a billiard table and a view over the swimming pool. (There are also tennis courts on the grounds for the more energetically inclined!) From here we found our way to the Piccadilly Restaurant, located at garden level, with a jaw-dropping view of the valley from which it takes its name and the ranges beyond. It was Sunday, and the restaurant was enjoying a busy "Sunday Classic Sunday" (choice of two or three course meal comprising of classic dishes). The restaurant is also open for Breakfast and Dinner seven days a week. We settled in to the sumptuous leather lounge by the log fire to savour our coffees, as more people began arriving for Mt Lofty House's famous Sunday afternoon teas. Later a stroll of the grounds and gardens revealed further visual treats - garden beds of herbs and flowering bulbs, as well as the roses for which Adelaide has an international reputation. Much of the seasonal produce cooked in the Piccadilly Restaurant's kitchen is grown organically in Mt Lofty House's own kitchen garden. The wines, housed in the original 150 year old cellar below the house, are sourced from the local wine region, plus Tasmania, New Zealand and France. On a fine day, after a hearty meal or a delicious coffee, the garden is a beautiful place for a peaceful read with just the sounds of nature for company. In inclement weather, the lounge by the fire in the Piccadilly Restaurant could hardly be cosier. In sunny or misty conditions, the view over the valley is awesome, and the facilities at Mt Lofty House are located to make maximum use of it for the enjoyment of guests and day visitors. The house, grounds and outbuildings are also excellent for conferencing, as well as for weddings, birthdays and other significant functions. Or perhaps, as in our case, you might just be passing by, and decide to call in to sample some of the Grand Mercure Mt Lofty House award-winning hospitality. For more information visit www.mtloftyhouse.com.au or www.accorhotels.com.au which periodically offers Hot Deal Rates for this and other Accor properties. Back to Front Page