Need to know
Rooms
14 suites with valley views
Check–Out
11am. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
More details
Rates include an à la carte breakfast, two-course daily lunch, three-course dinner plus one five-course dinner at Hardy’s Verandah per stay, minibar with artisan produce and selected wine, spirits and cocktails in Sequoia Lounge.
Also
There are two suites specifically designed for wheelchair users. In these rooms all control panels are placed at wheelchair height, doorways and walkways are widened for better clearance, and bathrooms have handrails and an accessible shower.
At the hotel
Spa with three treatment rooms, tennis courts, spring-fed hot pools, campfire, wildlife enclosure, walking trails. In rooms: WiFi, hidden TV, built-in fireplace, room control panel, tea- and coffee-making kit, stand alone bath tub, wellness shower with four different settings, organic Jurlique toiletries
Our favourite rooms
All 14 open-plan suites are identical – the only difference being the original oil painting that takes pride of place in your sunken lounge (although all were painted by local artist Stephen Trebilcock). Two wall panels control the fire, floor heating, mood lighting, music and climate in your room, and each suite has an elevated freestanding bath tub with views over the valley.
Poolside
Two private, naturally spring-fed hot pools (ranging between 38 and 40 degrees) can be booked for couples. There’s a main infinity pool perched on the valley rim, too.
Spa
The Gatekeeper’s day spa was once a National Trust building and has been meticulously restored to house three treatment rooms, including two couples rooms and a private, post-treatment landscaped garden. Indulge in an organic facial or rejuvenating massage – all treatments use organic, locally sourced products from the nearby Jurlique farm.
Packing tips
Keep plenty of room in your suitcase to bring back bottles from boutique McLaren Vale wineries: labels include Samson Tall, Bekkers Wine and Yangarra Estate. Bring lightweight layers, too. Temperatures in Mount Lofty are typically between five and seven degrees cooler than the Adelaide Plains. In fact, summer here is cooler than anywhere else in South Australia – so prepare for slightly fresher mornings and evenings.
Also
Adelaide is home to the largest surviving koala population – you’ll likely pass plenty of fluffy friends snoozing peacefully in tree forks.
Children
Sequoia Lodge is an adults-only hotel.
Sustainability efforts
You’ll notice local products throughout the hotel – including sandstone walls, ceramics, artworks and bath products – carefully chosen to reduce the lodge’s carbon footprint and support local makers. The lodge also works to reduce its food waste and use of energy, water and plastics where possible.
