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New luxury stay opens in the Canberra wine region

Abode Hotel's latest offering is giving the little-known wine region the attention it deserves.
Abode Hotel Canberra

For a long time the town of Murrumbateman, just a 30-minute drive from Canberra (three hours from Sydney), was a well-kept secret privy only to in-the-know wine enthusiasts. Winemaking became popular in the town in the 1970s and the local industry is now a thriving producer of award-winning, cool-climate wines.

While the region has boasted an impressive line-up of cellar doors and boutique restaurants for many years (Clonakilla winery and dining hotspot Poachers Pantry are both must-visits), a lack of accommodation has stopped many from visiting. Now, thanks to the new hotel Abode Murrumbateman, the region is truly open for business.

Image: @clonakillawines

Designed by local Canberra architect Hugh Gordon, Abode Murrumbateman consists of a series of linked single-storey terraces. A nod to the grand pastoral homesteads famous throughout Australia’s rural heritage, the hotel’s timber and stone exteriors blend perfectly with its idyllic surrounds.

Curated by The Dept. of Design, interiors are modern and sleek. Within each room, personal touches are mixed with high-end finishes, guaranteeing a stay that feels as luxe as it does homely. With room service options and communal kitchen facilities, guests are free to cook for themselves, indulge in the local cafe scene, or put their feet up and have breakfast sent to their room. Whether you’re on a romantic weekend for two or a family holiday, Abode Murrumbateman offers the freedom of flexible accommodation, allowing guests to style their own stay — the perfect getaway for anyone.

Image: supplied

The hotel itself is a celebration of the burgeoning region, from quirky bedside tables resembling wine corks to a wall of Canberra region wines in the shared kitchen. Abode Group General Manager Rien Donkin engineered the hotel with Murrumbateman’s main attractions in mind.

“In anticipation of the kind of travellers we envisage for this property, who will be seeking a food and wine experience, Abode Murrumbateman will be a departure from the Group’s trademark, self-contained apartment model, by offering a choice of ensuite bedrooms as well as communal kitchen facilities, wine-tasting area, open fireplace and guest lounge,” Donkin says.

Image: supplied

Featuring a pantry stocked extensively with more than 40 Canberra wines and locally-produced jams and chutneys, as well as free bike and picnic blanket hire and a hotel-built map of the region’s best offerings, Abode Hotels has created a unique hotel experience with the spirit of Murrumbateman its focal point.

Standing against the stunning backdrop of southern New South Wales’ eroded mountain ranges, among a cluster of the region’s world-class boutique wineries, restaurants and shops, Abode Murrumbateman is shining a light on one of rural Australia’s most breathtaking gems.

This article is sponsored by Abode Hotels

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