Salter Brothers Hospitality has announced that Southern Highlands NSW will be home to its inaugural flagship property to open under new-to-market hotel brand, Ardour Hotels & Estates. Following a $10+ million transformation, historic Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa will relaunch under the Ardour banner as Ardour Milton Park Bowral marking the brand’s official debut.
The multi-million-dollar investment by parent company, Salter Brothers, will see one of Australia’s most storied heritage estates undergo a bold and transformative evolution signalling not just a renovation, but the beginning of a new chapter as Ardour Milton Park Bowral. One where heritage meets contemporary luxury and the creation of a curated guest experience, deeply rooted in place and refined in every detail.
Introducing Ardour Hotels & Estates – Celebrated Luxury
Announced in 2024, Ardour Hotels & Estates is set to become a portfolio of immersive luxury retreats that celebrate life’s defining moments, located in some of Australia’s most breathtaking regional destinations. The collection is designed to evoke the richness of heritage estates, offering grand-scale hospitality with soul, complete with elevated dining, world-class wellness, intimate event spaces, and immersive landscapes.
A New Vision for an Australian Icon
Originally established in 1910 as a grand country residence, Milton Park has long held its place as a Southern Highlands treasure. Now, under the creative direction of boutique Sydney design firm MAC Design Studio, the estate’s transformation draws inspiration from the romantic countryside manors of Europe, infused with a distinctly modern sensibility.
Every element of the redesign has been carefully considered: the estate’s arrival experience will be transformed, with the reception relocated to the heart of the main house for a more elegant welcome. Guest lounges, the bar, billiards room, terraces, and private dining areas will all be luxuriously refreshed while honouring the original architectural bones of the manor. Milton Park’s signature offerings will evolve with the introduction of a new dining concept, day spa and wellness program to be revealed in the months to come.
Guest Rooms Redefined in Sensory Elegance
Ardour Milton Park Bowral will re-open with 44 guest rooms and an interior transformation designed in two distinct palettes—one in sage greens and the other in cobalt blues—rooms will be finished with rich timber textures, restored vintage furnishings, and layers of tactile luxury.
Details such as bespoke wool carpets, marble and walnut finishes, brushed brass accents, and custom-curated minibars elevate the everyday to the extraordinary. A mural feature wall in every room pays homage to the estate’s famed weeping beech tree, a living icon within Milton Park’s historic gardens.
Where Celebration Meets Tranquillity
At Ardour, the essence of luxury is defined by harmony between people, place, and purpose. The new Ardour Milton Park Bowral will offer guests a retreat designed to both celebrate and restore, where weddings, gatherings, and life’s milestones are set against a backdrop of curated landscapes, and where the day spa and fine cuisine nourish body and spirit.
Tash Tobias, CEO of Salter Brothers Hospitality, describes the transformation as a statement of intent for what regional luxury in Australia should be.
“Milton Park has always held a special place in the hearts of so many. With the Ardour brand, we’re creating something that’s not just luxurious, but deeply meaningful – a place people will come back to year after year. This is a destination where time slows down, and the extraordinary becomes part of the everyday.”
“Ardour Milton Park Bowral is not just a new chapter for this estate—it’s a defining moment for regional hospitality.”
General Manager, David McDonald who is overseeing the property transformation, added that the re-branding of this iconic hotel to Ardour Milton Park Bowral marks the start of a new era of celebrated luxury, setting a benchmark for regional boutique hotels.
“With a commitment to redefining Australian luxury, we’re excited to be transforming Milton Park into a destination that blends its rich history with modern elegance to deliver an unforgettable guest experience,” McDonald said.
With works currently underway, the official opening of Ardour Milton Park Bowral is anticipated in early 2026.
