A Stylish Addition To The Southern Highlands Boutique Accommodation + Food Scene

It’s always exciting when a beautiful old building and property with a lot of local history has new life breathed into it…..especially when that new life incorporates stunning interior design, amazing South American inspired menus, snazzy cocktails, idyllic cabins and a peaceful location on the edge of a national park. 

This is Osborn House [previously known as Solar Springs] in Bundanoon.

Every part of this place has something unique and stylish to catch your eye. And we took a billion photos when we were just for our own interior design inspo. It’s like walking into a real life Pinterest board. 

Join us on our sticky beak of Osborn House and have a look for yourself.

Built in 1892 by George and Dinah Osborn, the property was originally called ‘The Knoll’. 

The new owners have incorporated the history of the original inhabitants by naming the hotel Osborn House and the two restaurants, George’s and Dinah’s. 

Since the building has had quite the diverse range of uses, from housing Dutch internees at the end of WW2 through to the health spa it became well known for in the last three decades. 

But now….. it is one stunning boutique hotel.

We enter a super funky courtyard which would be the perfect place to be at cocktail hour with the lights on the wall and the fire pit giving off a beautiful glow and keeping us warm.

And then it’s into the warm [literally] and inviting Reception area.

The open fire is pumping and we don’t know where to look first……at the beautiful furniture, gorgeous piece of art by Vicki Lee [just look at how that pink pops!]…..

…..or the super cute tassled room keys.

There are plenty of spots to escape to and relax in at Osborn House. We’re led down a light and bright corridor to this room…..

It’s the Library and perfectly demonstrates the design ethos of Linda Boronkay, the creative brains behind the interior styling and design of Osborn House.

The owners also worked with Alan MacMahon from MAC Design Studio in Sydney to help Linda’s concepts come to life [especially seeing she was stuck in the UK for the past couple of years].

We keep wandering down the corridor and discover the Osborn House Spa with all it’s beautiful green jewel tones…..how calming is this?

And we peek into the treatment rooms.

With treatments like Spiritually Soaked, OMG, Rock Star, Earthly Elements, it’s easy to see why this is one of the first places hotel guests come to when they check in.

Book in for a treatment and you get access to the revamped pool area – locals who used the old Solar Springs pool would hardly recognise it!

It’s had quite the makeover…..

It’s time to check out some accommodation rooms. You can choose from a range of suites in the main building.

And we are in love with the art deco inspired bathrooms here….

And the jewel tones in this bathroom….that green is just beautiful.

Now, one of the unique elements of Osborn House is the cabins in the grounds, nudging the edge of Morton National Park.

We love the dark, charcoal exteriors, the contemporary rustic interiors….

And to be honest?? They had us at bath on the deck!

We tear ourselves away from the cabins to head inside because we’ve been invited in for lunch.

So while our mouths start watering because we may have already checked out the menu online and are mentally preparing ourselves, we step into the gorgeousness that is George’s Restaurant.

The perfect combination of relaxing lounges, spaces to grab a sneaky pre-dinner cocktail or champers, gorgeous greenery and a relaxed but ever so stylish space to share a meal with friends and family….we definitely have design envy.

The colourful and quirky art of Jai Vasicek peppers the walls, and the space has this luxe Bahamian colonial feel to it but somehow retains a cosy feel and feels perfectly at home in a village on the edge of national park in the Highlands!

And we’re in love with this couch which is well over 6 metres long [apparently it took 13 of the staff to bring it in].

And this bar tucked away in the corner of George’s is perfect for an afternoon tipple.

Locals are welcome to come in and order a drink from 3-7pm seven days a week.

But after having lunch here, just one drink will NOT be enough. Book in for lunch or dinner for the full foodie experience in George’s Restaurant.

Strap yourselves in, peeps……we had ::

La Stella Burrata Served with Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes, Strawberries, Basil, Wollumbi Estate Oil and Olive Dust. 

Empanadas Argentine Style with Salsa Illajua [and here’s a tip we got from our lovely waiter, Paola – cut the end of your Empanada off and drop the salsa into it……sooooo gooood.]. 

House Made Robertson Gnocchi with Musset Farm Mushrooms and Lemon

Charred Cabbage With Roasted Sweet Potato, Fresh Grapefruit Segments and Cashew Paste Served with Celery Fresh Sauce

And it was all soooo delicious. Executive Chef, Segundo Farrell fuses his South American roots with local Highlands produce – a mouth watering combo, that’s for sure.

Dinah’s Restaurant [don’t you just LOVE that the restaurants are name after the original owners?] is in a beautiful formal dining room just off George’s and while we haven’t dined there [yet!], we had a sneak peek of the menu and it looks pretty darn spesh too.

See what we mean? And of course, there’s the gardens….

…..that have always been so special. And this driveway has got country vibes totally goin’ on.

We loved our afternoon at Osborn House!!

Osborn House is a stunning boutique hotel on the edge of Morton National Park in Bundanoon. It’s relaxed and stylish but without being pretentious….and the food is absolutely worth a visit. Find out more about Osborn House here. 

See you for drinks at George’s!!