The newest luxury boutique hotel in New South Wales is set to open in the state’s Southern Highlands in January, with operators promising bespoke accommodation, food and wellness amid lush gardens and a sweeping forest setting.

At Osborn House, expect highly personalised service at the 22-suite property, which occupies a secluded knoll between Bundanoon village and Morton National Park.

A group of investors, led by well-travelled entrepreneur Adam Abrams, wanted to “create a style of luxury retreat found overseas but lacking on the Australian hotel landscape”.

Abrams has a long history of designing excitingly different hospitality offerings in Sydney, having co-created The Island, Matteo Double Bay and Matteo Downtown.

He will be responsible for operating Osborn House alongside his partner Eddie Levy (Matteo, Lobo Plantation, Kittyhawk).

With Osborn House, they have curated a special blend of country hospitality, sophisticated design, inimitable dining and drinks, and restorative spa treatments.

Abrams said the Osborn House experience begins as soon as guests arrive at the property, with a long and meandering path through established gardens leading them up to a thoughtfully restored and transformed heritage listed building.

From there, guests will embark on a journey which is unique to the Southern Highlands and reimagines the boutique hotel experience in Australia.

Osborn House General Manager, Adrian Levy, said the Osborn House team is building on a rich legacy of leisure as Bundanoon has hosted holidaymakers since the 1890s, when guests took the steam train to the charming railway village.

“Our vision was to establish a new regional playground where our guests can leave behind their everyday and escape to a place where relaxed retreat and playful guesthouse meet,” he said.

“We want them to feel as if they’re spending time at a luxe family home in the Cotswolds countryside with our history, quirks and the privacy of the hilltop location all helping to take them a world-away-from-their-worlds.

“At Osborn House, we take our guests on a magical journey which imparts new experiences, ideas and memories. Osborn House really does manifest its own time and place in the world, making it a truly special offering in Australia.”

Levy said existing accommodation has been transformed into 15 effortlessly chic suites, to which seven new luxury self-contained cabins have been added.

He said all suites enjoy glorious garden and forest outlooks while the cabins also have a fireplace and balcony bath. The delight really is in the detail, with vintage, European sourced furnishings and objects ensuring no two accommodations are the same.

The owners placed the design brief in the experienced hands of London-based designer Linda Boronkay, formerly the lead creative at renowned international members club Soho House.

Boronkay and her team collaborated with Sydney-based Mac Design Studio, led by interior architect Alan McMahon, specialising in high-end projects including boutique hotels and wellness spaces globally.

“The complete design transformation of the original 1892 guesthouse is key to the property’s relaxed luxe offering,” Boronkay said.

“The accommodation has been scaled up to suit a clientele accustomed to the comforts, conviviality, and understated nuances of world-class boutique accommodation.

“The combination of reclaimed materials paired with rich and tactile fabrics, curated objects from around Europe and personal touches in the different spaces will make you feel like you are being embraced by an interesting individual.”

Levy said guests will enjoy two premium dining and drinking experiences, with Dinah’s restaurant and George’s bar both offering indoor and outdoor terrace spaces with views over Morton National Park.

“The rustic yet sophisticated food offering at Osborn house will be led by executive chef team Segundo Farrell and Luz Gimenez, who both spent considerable time learning the art of fire cooking with Latin American food legend Francis Mallmann,” he said.

“Their approach champions the regional produce which abounds in the Southern Highlands to create a generous and seasonally led menu which feeds the soul.

“Utilising their skills cooking over fire, Segundo and Luz will bring the theatre of cooking this way to Osborn House, with frequent outdoor events which complement the more traditional dining offering.

“A kitchen garden has been established in Osborn House’s century-old gardens, and a cooking school will be added in early 2022.”

Levy said wellness facilities include a 25m lap pool and an ultra-luxe spa with four treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, cool plunge, and gym. Osborn House Spa uses premium Australian skincare LaGaia Unedited products.

He said the hotel is also in a prime position for accessing outdoor activities, wandering the local township, or exploring vineyards, gardens and historic homes across the Southern Highlands.

Rates range from AU$660 per night for suites to AU$1,045 per night for cabins, inclusive of full breakfast and complimentary mini bar (non-alcoholic).