Mr & Mrs Smith

Zealandia

Mornington Peninsula, Australia

You'll feel like you're starring in an interiors magazine shoot when you take up residence in laid-back yet design-savvy beach house Zealandia. Within strolling distance of desirable Portsea village and its two beaches, this retro-cool white-timbered Fifties home offers three spacious bedrooms (sleeping six), two bathrooms, chic entertaining areas inside and out, and a fully kitted out 'cook's kitchen' for luxurious self-catering. Kick back in an Eames lounge chair, sip a latte from the Noguchi coffee table and admire the modern art, indigenous craft pieces and stylish surfboard on the wall. Interiors fans will lap up the elegant vintage accessories; hedonists will love the glamorous pool with its generous deck. Draw back the endless glass sliding doors and dive in...

Need to know

• Rates information AU$450–AU$900.
• Ideal for Couples or pals who fancy a chic beach break; a family holiday with flair (well-behaved, older kids are welcome); cool-hunters who appreciate style.
• Sleeps Six.
• Property style Restored retro-glam Fifties beach house.
• Grounds Surrounded by handmade tea-tree fences and minimal succulents, Zealandia's simple garden of lazy lawns and soothing trees offers peace and privacy.
• Minimum hire Three-night minimum stay.
• Children This hotel is better suited to couples - leave the children at home! More...
• Booking process On booking, a confirmation agreement will be sent to you outlining terms and conditions, check-in and check-out times and the full property address. To confirm bookings, credit card details are required. For bookings four weeks or more before arrival, a deposit of 50 per cent of the fee is required; less than four weeks before arrival, you'll need to pay the full fee to confirm your booking. Rates are subject to change without notice.
• Also Zealandia is not suitable for children under seven and doesn't allow smoking indoors, parties or events. Pets are only permitted by special written agreement.

Floor plan

• There's a dash of glamour about this restored Fifties beach house in Portsea, aided and abetted by its carefully curated collection of mid-20th-century Danish furniture teamed with cutting-edge Australian art.

• Bedrooms

  Zealandia sleeps six across three double bedrooms. Beds are made up with crisp white linen, tactile throws and colourful cushions, and stylish furnishings throughout are simple yet sensual, with each room sporting a cupboard, wooden chest of drawers, bedside table and lamps. Vibrant art adds attitude. 

  Bedroom 1: the airy, open master bedroom, at the front of the house, is the most spacious with a king-size bed set under a large window offering views out onto the garden. Bedside lamps are handy for reading.

  Bedroom 2: this queen-size bedroom is in the core of the house, with glass doors giving onto one of the informal living spaces with views out to the pool beyond. Again, furniture is simple with sleek hardwood floors, leaving interesting art to do the talking.

  Bedroom 3: a similar size to the second bedroom, this room features two single beds, which can be made up into a king if necessary, and has a window. Aboriginal artwork and craft pieces picked up on the owner's travels add intrigue.

• Kitchen

  The light and airy contemporary kitchen, off the poolside living area, is in keeping with the rest of this stylish house. A fully equipped, state-of-the-art space, it includes a professional-quality oven, fridge and ice-makers, dishwasher, a coffee machine, European knife set and sleek stainless-steel pots and pans. A wide hatch connects the kitchen with the adjacent reading room, handy for serving up snacks. Bar stools perched alongside beg for a cocktail moment.

• Living room

  Make the most of the three generous, light-filled living spaces at Zealandia, including the entry lounge with slimline retro sofas and a jaunty surfboard on the wall. Next up there's a reading room with an Eames lounge chair and a slate fireplace for cosying up on winter days. The third living area, nearest the pool, is the go-to spot for lounging by the TV, with a vast sofa and garden views. An elegant mix of classic and contemporary furniture and fittings, spanning iconic Danish and Fifties pieces, ups the style ante, complemented by polished timber floors and tactile accessories. Cutting-edge Australian art and indigenous works top it all off.

• Dining room

  Overlooking the back yard, a second entertaining deck and the pool, the dining room forms part of a spacious open-plan living area, adjacent to the kitchen. A lovely table easily seats six, if you've got a full house, with Zealandia's trademark mix of modern and retro design details making its poised presence felt again.

• Other

  Two well-appointed bathrooms, with a bath and shower, mean no fighting over mirror time. Full laundry facilities, including a washing machine and dryer, are on hand for wrangling sandy swimmers and beach towels.

• Poolside The blue-mosaic swimming pool is dreamy for cooling dips, although it's heated during filtration periods so shouldn't prove too nippy. Pull up a lounger on the adjoining deck, play cards at the white-metal outdoor table, or retreat to the shade of the nearby trees to nail that novel.
• Gardens The house's huge windows and sliding doors give onto the tranquil gardens, so it's easy to let the outdoors in. Lawns are simply arranged and dotted with succulents in outsize pots. The small back yard boasts plenty of trees and flowers.
• Private parking There's a car parking spot on site, but no garage or covered space.
• Other Under a dramatic cantilevered roof, you'll find a massive entertaining deck flanking the living quarters, offering an eight-seater wooden dining table and barbecue for cooking up a storm.