Salter Brothers Hospitality (SBH), Australia’s largest luxury retreat hotel operator today announces that two more iconic destinations will join its Ardour Hotels & Estates collection in 2026 with Spicers Guesthouse (Hunter Valley, NSW) and Kingsford The Barossa (South Australia) both rebranding under the Ardour banner. With the demand for experiential, design-led travel in regional Australia at an all-time high, Ardour’s 2026 expansion signals a new era for luxury hospitality in the country’s most sought-after wine regions.
Spicers Guesthouse, a signature retreat known for its wine tourism and epicurean experiences will become Ardour Guesthouse Hunter Valley while Kingsford The Barossa, an award-winning heritage estate long envisioned as part of Ardour since the brand’s creation, will become Ardour Kingsford Barossa.
A Transformative Chapter for Regional Luxury Hospitality
Defined by its philosophy of Celebrated Luxury, Ardour Hotels & Estates will debut in 2026 with two of Australia’s most storied heritage estates, Ardour Milton Park Bowral and Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains both revealing multi-million-dollar renovations that blend heritage elegance with contemporary luxury.
“Ardour is about elevating Australia’s most extraordinary places into destinations of global calibre”, says Tash Tobias, CEO of Salter Brothers Hospitality, “We’re not simply creating hotels, we’re shaping experiences that celebrate the beauty, culture and authenticity of each region.”
Ardour’s hand-picked collection will showcase elevated dining, world-class wellness and distinctive event spaces. Each destination will offer a refined guest experience that is deeply rooted in place, elevated in every detail, and designed to honour life’s most meaningful moments.
The Ardour Experience: enriching, elegant and attuned to place
Guided by distinctive brand signatures and service rituals inspired by the natural rhythms of each location, Ardour sets uncompromising standards in refined hospitality, anticipatory service and destination expertise. Ardour Hosts curate intimate gatherings and unlock authentic local experiences that reveal the true spirit of each estate.
From the moment of arrival, guests are invited to discover signature rituals such as Ardour Hour, a daily celebration of connection in spectacular surroundings, and curated wine experiences developed with leading regional producers, offering a sensory journey through terroir and taste.
Personal wellbeing is central to the Ardour philosophy with each property offering in-room wellness rituals including bathing therapies and LED treatments. Select destinations extend this further through immersive practices like bush bathing, yoga and indulgent day spas offering restorative treatments in serene, luxurious settings.
With a commitment to world-class luxury hotel experiences, Ardour invites guests to escape, reconnect, and celebrate a new kind of luxury—one best shared.
Be the first to experience the inaugural property of the luxury collection, Ardour Milton Park Bowral, with an exclusive opening offer for stays from February 2026. Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains and the two newly announced destinations will follow later this year further defining Ardour’s commitment to elevated luxury hospitality experiences.
