Milton Park County Hotel, Bowral

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Posted 2012-11-11 by Sandra Moore ⇒ follow

A 50th birthday celebration for a dear, dear friend had 8 adults drive to Milton Park Country Hotel in Bowral for a weekend. It was talked up a fair bit, so I went with high expectations and I must say, all of them were exceeded.

When we drove up the kilometre (almost) driveway and saw the ranch style fencing, I was captured.

We parked the car outside of the back entrance, walked past the Spa, pool and gym, then, the very beautiful Weeping Beech tree. This majestic European tree had leaves hanging from its ever so high branches down to the soil below. We all stepped into its swaying branches and we were like drops in the ocean The shaded area could easily fit 50 people for a dinner party with a dance floor. It was magical in size and magical in colour. Such beautiful greenery hitting off the brown branches, flattering the aged trunk in the middle. There began our European stay in Australia.

Forcing ourselves away from the trees and garden, we walked through the reception doors and were greeted by a very lovely lady named Danielle. While she was checking us into our rooms, I slipped into the bar area that had a huge coffee machine on the counter, I smiled, I knew that my breakfast was not going to disappoint me.

Through the bar area was an enormous room filled with a full sized billiard table. The chest of draws to the side of this room had every kind of snooker, pool or billiard ball you can think of but only one cue stick. We agreed to go back for 'Kelly Pool' after dinner.

The hotel was decorated in French Provincial and antique furnishings. It did feel like we were in the middle of Europe, a true case of to see is to believe. Quite dumbfounded and in absolute awe of our surroundings, we were ready for lunch but wanted to take a walk around and pinch ourselves back into reality.

Our bags were taken to our rooms while we took our picnic baskets, blankets and lots of cheese and wine deeper into the gardens. We came to a leafy tunnel and walked through it with the sun speckled through the leaves and felt like we were in a magical land, husbands putting their arms around their wives, all feeling softened and romantic, it was lovely. We made it to our picnic spot by the beautiful white birdhouse, and just where there was a wedding the day before.

A couple of kilos of cheese, 2 bottles of wine, a few beers, and some gin and tonic later, we were quite full but happy to stay put. While watching young children play in this stunning garden, I decided to go and take a further look. I found a 'Fairy Walk' which was a lovely cobblestone path through the trees, bushes and shrubs.

The restaurant giving a European/Mediterranean feel was where we dined and I ate the very best grass fed Angus beef. We had a delicious, gourmet meal and gave my sincerest compliments to the chef.
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After the hot and cold breakfast the next morning, we went for a swim in the 'pool area' which is an oversized room with a flush pool sitting in a Greek design. I took many photographs to try and capture the essence of its time. The pool looked so inviting, the water was clear, motionless and heated (thank goodness).

I took a walk over to the Spa, I didn't have a treatment but instead spoke to Ariane, the therapist in charge. She explained all of their treatments in detail, she showed me the spa area and the gym that was right next door, and had me test some products. It is definitely on the cards next time.

There is so much to do in a place that is created for you to relax, forget the city, work, the kids, and all of the other worries. Wonderful service, excellent facilities, friendly staff, gorgeous gardens and fabulous food, why wouldn't anybody spend a romantic weekend away at an affordable price?