Picking a B&B in the Yarra Valley is like throwing darts at a board – you know what you want but never what you're going to get. I booked
Holly Lane Mews for a relaxing weekend away for two. Located just out of Yarra Glen, roughly an hour and a half from Melbourne, it turned out to be a winner.
In a very quiet part of the Yarra Valley, within easy reach of wineries and restaurants, the ex-thoroughbred stud opens to the road through rustic farm gates that set the feel of the place. To the left there's a small lake that the front rooms overlook, and to the right the old horse yards.
The old horse yards
Welcomed by a friendly host showing us to our room, we were offered a lift to one of the local wineries for dinner (in the event we had a few glasses of Pinot noir) and were then informed we wouldn't see her the rest of our stay, unless we knocked on her door. In my reckoning this is exactly how a good host should be, unnoticed.
The room itself was very warm – thick curtains, big comfy bed, heated throughout and replete with all the amenities expected of a country B&B. What made the room however, and the main reason I'd chosen Holly Lane, was the claw foot bath - perfect for some romance and relaxation.
A few of the locals
Outside the property, a quiet clay road winds along through green fields spotted with cows and horses to a couple of small independent wineries. Away from the tourists and traffic, it's the perfect B&B in my books, and I for one will be back.
Holly Lane Mews has three queen suites, two with spas and one with a bath, along with two apartments - a two bed and a three bed. Check the
website for availability and rates.
