I love travelling with music. I like to think I have a playlist for every occasion, but sometimes you visit an establishment that has just the right music to suit your mood. That’s exactly what I discovered at L’Atelier, a charming new apartment in Daylesford with a great music selection including a nu-jazz compilation that suited the French styling to a tee.
Just 90 minutes from Melbourne and bursting with country charm, Daylesford is the spa capital of Australia making it the perfect choice for a romantic getaway or weekend away with the girls. Attracted by the allure of the natural minerals, people come from far & wide to ‘take the waters’, but also experience the emerging wine trail, farm to table food scene as well as a host of galleries, antique stores, boutiques, cafes and the peace, calm & relaxation.
I’m here to road-test recently opened L’Atelier, the creation of established Daylesford homewares store e’Casa owner JoAnne Stephenson. The passion and style infused in the renovation of the apartment above the store has created a little piece of five-star sophistication in the heart of Daylesford.
On our arrival, the lounge room is bathed in soft late-afternoon light & we’re left swooning at the French style and chic interiors. The huge lounge and dining area features plush sofas strategically placed in front of the fireplace with a book, CD and DVD library to help you settle in. The décor is Parisian chic in a black & white palate, which is crisp & clean yet inviting & cosy.
The kitchen is decked out with every imaginable gadget & utensil including coffee grinder, Bugatti toaster, serving platters and a huge range of quality glasses, including white wine, red wine and thank god champagne glasses.
The apartment has two queen-sized bedrooms with luxury linen from In the Sac. Since our visit, and as the winter chill is about the hit, the owner has added soft woollen covered hot water bottles to keep your toasty warm at night.
The standout feature of this apartment has to be the dedicated bathing room with gorgeous deep soaking bath and luxurious amenities procured from the gift shop below. Opposite, the more functional bathroom has a shower, Aesop amenities and plush towels.
On our visit, the finishing touches were being made to include new gardens and terrace area downstairs to ensure a country welcome and sense of arrival.
Feeling at home immediately, I fall into the deep sofa, open a bottle of wine, briefly contemplate the vast choice of restaurants below and decide to sit back, relax and devour the welcome platter of pâté, olives & crispbread from neighbouring provedore Bocconcini, in front of the cosy fireplace and curl up with my book. Bliss!
The CD selection reveals a gem - Saint Germain-des-Prie Café IV a French Jazz fusion album that feels so perfect I listen to it endlessly and it becomes the soundtrack to my stay.
For breakfast I wander down to Breakfast and Beer, a cool and eclectic café attracting an alternative crowd serving great coffee and menu of local, organic produce. L’Atelier is located right in the middle of town directly opposite Frangos & Frangos, Koukla, Jimmy’s Bar and the Endota Spa so you’re really spoilt for choice with dining options.
L’Atelier is set up perfectly for two couples or a girls’ getaway and for larger groups you can make use of the high quality sofa beds at no additional cost.
L’Atelier is brand new, discreet, quietly sophisticated and ultimately so Frenchy, so chic - the perfect base to explore the delights of Daylesford.
L'Atelier, available to book at alluxia.com from $175 per night midweek, $260 per night weekends. Includes complimentary welcome bottle of wine, pâté & biscuits and gourmet breakfast provisions when you stay two nights or more.
The writer, Sally Scott was a guest of L'Atelier.
