One of Australia’s most enigmatic entrepreneurs, John Singleton, only wanted a decent coffee close to home. When he couldn’t find it, he built Saddles Mount White – an acclaimed restaurant, bakehouse, and boutique estate on the NSW Central Coast – which, as of this morning, gets a 20-suite lodge in the bush.
The Grand Saddles Lodge opens today on 28 acres at Mount White, 45 minutes north of Sydney, across from the Homestead restaurant that has been drawing lunch crowds since 2018. Singleton has lived in Mount White for more than 25 years, and says he’s had one rule for the place: “If it’s not the best in the world, you won’t find it here.”
The Stay
Stays are two nights minimum, and the rate covers nearly everything. Breakfast is at the Homestead, lunch comes with house drinks, and dinner is five courses with matched wines, preceded by a drink at Ned’s. The minibar is included too. So are two experiences of your choosing, with return transfers in the Lodge’s Mercedes Sprinters: a cruise on the Hawkesbury aboard the private boat, The Grace Kelly, a visit to local oyster farms, a morning fishing with a guide, or a trip to Glenworth Valley to watch the horses run.
The Suites
The look is grand country house, built from spotted gum, leather and heavy fabrics, in the greens, greys and sandstone tones of the surrounding bush. Michelle Leslie Studio and White + Dickson Architects kept the buildings low and let them follow the slope, so they show up slowly through the trees. You arrive under a glass dome of sandstone, timber and brass.
Each suite stands alone in the bush with an open fireplace, a private terrace and a stack of vinyl. Blacksmith Saul Thompkins made the metalwork, and the walls carry Singleton’s own art collection, including Arthur Boyd, John Olsen and Sidney Nolan. A guided tour of it is part of the stay.
The Gardens suites open onto private garden terraces. The Classics add a heated circular plunge pool. The four Signature Suites are the biggest, with sun lounges, freestanding baths and larger plunge pools.
The Table
The Hawkesbury is the Lodge’s fine-diner. Head Chef Phillip Roberts, who has cooked at ARIA and Oncore by Clare Smyth, builds the menu around local seafood, premium meat and poultry, and herbs and vegetables from the estate’s gardens.
Zoe Brunton, formerly Head Sommelier at Monopole and Olympus, runs the Wine Room and is stocking it with lesser-known Australian wines from small producers. Marlon Kigonya is Hospitality Director for the whole precinct, covering the Lodge, the Barn and the Homestead.
Ned’s is the Art Deco-style cocktail and piano bar. It serves well-made drinks with live music, and it’s open to anyone.
The Spa
The Spa has five treatment rooms and a hydrothermal suite with a Finnish sauna, a domed steam room and a cold plunge. Synthesis Organics helped develop the treatments, which use certified organic Australian skincare, native botanicals, aromatherapy and gemstones. There are three signature rituals. Sunrise is dry body brushing, a massage and a gemstone facial. Heart of the Valley is reflexology, a massage and a facial. Sundown is a native botanical body polish and a slow massage.
Book It
Rates are for two nights and two guests:
- The Gardens: $3,800
- The Classics: $4,200
- The Signatures: $4,600
The Hawkesbury is open to the public for dinner on Fridays, lunch and dinner on Saturdays, and lunch on Sundays (16+ only). Otherwise it’s for Lodge guests. Ned’s is open daily from 3pm until late, walk-ins only.
