Brae Birregurra Accommodation Review

Last weekend my partner and I celebrated our anniversary. And let’s just say I was very, very spoilt! We have both been talking about going to Brae in Birregurra for ages, but have never managed to find the time, and money! So we finally  bit the bullet and visited last weekend to celebrate our anniversary (not that we needed an excuse to go). My partner surprised me and booked the newly developed Brae guest suites (and yes I refused to look at the invoice).

My review of Brae Restaurant will follow in the next post since there is just so much to write about on the accommodation alone.

Location

Birregurra is a tiny country town nestled in the foothills of the Otway Range, but what it doesn’t have in size, it makes up for in character and charm. At only an hour and a half from Melbourne, you will feel like a lifetime away. The town is full of farms lined with white fences, old gum trees and green pastures, home to hundreds of grazing cows and sheep. The town’s very fertile, arable soil  produces some of the best beef, lamb and certified grass seed in the country.

The setting of Brae is beautiful. As you drive up the dirt driveway, you are welcomed by gorgeous fields, vegetable gardens and converted farm homes.

Before checking in, we had a quick stroll in the garden, ogling at hundreds of lorikeets and crows in the trees and the resident gardeners at work. At 3pm it was time to check in, and we were guided to our room for the evening.

The Suite

Brae’s six luxury guest suites feature artisanal, handcrafted finishes and accommodate two adults. With a stylish contemporary design in mind, the suites have been beautifully appointed, blending timber frames with exposed brick and slate. Skylights and floor to ceiling windows take advantage of natural light, with no real need to keep the lights on during the day. And you can fall asleep watching the stars through the star-gazing skylight over the king sized bed.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the suites use recycled materials, solar energy, harvested rainwater and a worm farm waste water system, which means the building has zero net emissions.

The lodges aren’t rustic by any means, but manage to seamlessly blend in with their natural surrounds.

Perhaps my favourite room of all is the bathroom, which is appointed with a gorgeous ceramic bath tub, overlooking the farm. If you’re feeling shy, the electronic blinds can easily be closed 😉

There’s also a deck outside with views to the rolling hills of The Otways, perfect for watching the sun go down.

 Features & Facilities

As far as features go, the suites are the best of the best, ranging from the luxurious Jardan sofas to the temperature controlled wine fridge and underfloor heating.

There’s an old school turntable and impressive record collection with artists like David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave and Bob Dylan, perfect to have a pre-dinner boogie.

The drinks list is equally impressive (but it comes with a price unfortunately!). A cocktail making kit and menu is also available to make your own cocktails.

Hunter Gumboots are also available to have a wander around the farm in style.

Breakfast

Breakfast is a definite highlight at Brae. At 8am we were delivered some freshly baked pastries and a newspaper on our doorstep to accompany our breakfast platter of organic, wood-fired sourdough bread, freshly squeezed juice and preserves. All the produce is harvested from the property and nearby. And what better way to enjoy it than the outdoor deck.

And Brae also have great coffee taste – with plenty of St Ali Coffee to stock up the pantry…

Brae is close to activities such as platypus spotting by canoe in Lake Elizabeth, the Otways Fly Treetop Walk, and exploring the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula.

What a great day to spend a weekend.

THE FINAL VERDICT

Highlight: The features – definitely the bath tub and record collection. And of course being able to stumble home after eating at the restaurant.

Low light: The sky high price of alcohol in the room (starting from $14 for a spirit). Making a cocktail would cost approximately $40!

BRAE GUEST SUITES

Bookings are available for adults only, together with a lunch or dinner reservation on the same date.

A 4285 Cape Otway Rd, Birregurra VIC 3242
T (03) 5236 2226
W braerestaurant.com/reservations/guest-suites/