Ardour Hotels & Estates expands into Australia’s leading wine regions
From Bowral to the Barossa, Ardour Hotels & Estates is shaping a new chapter for luxury travel in Australia’s leading wine regions.
Salter Brothers Hospitality has announced the next stage of its Ardour Hotels & Estates rollout, confirming that two of Australia’s most recognisable regional luxury properties will join the collection in 2026.
Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley and Kingsford The Barossa in South Australia will both rebrand under the Ardour banner, extending the luxury collection into two of the country’s most celebrated wine regions. The expansion reflects continued demand for experiential, design-led travel in regional Australia, particularly in destinations where food, wine and place are central to the guest experience.
Spicers Guesthouse, long regarded as a signature retreat for wine tourism and epicurean stays, will become Ardour Guesthouse Hunter Valley, while the award-winning heritage estate Kingsford will re-emerge as Ardour Kingsford Barossa.
Read the latest edition of AccomNews HERE
Kingsford has been part of Ardour’s vision since the brand’s inception, according to Salter Brothers Hospitality.
The announcement builds on confirmation that Ardour Hotels & Estates will debut in 2026 with two landmark heritage properties, Ardour Milton Park Bowral and Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains, both currently undergoing multi-million-dollar renovations. The refurbishments are designed to blend the estates’ historic character with contemporary luxury, setting the tone for the brand’s approach to regional hospitality.
Salter Brothers Hospitality CEO Tash Tobias said Ardour is focused on elevating Australia’s most distinctive destinations while remaining true to their individual character.
“Ardour is about elevating Australia’s most extraordinary places into destinations of global calibre,” Tobias said. “We’re not simply creating hotels, we’re shaping experiences that celebrate the beauty, culture and authenticity of each region.”
Guided by its philosophy of Celebrated Luxury, Ardour Hotels & Estates will present a hand-picked collection centred on elevated dining, world-class wellness and distinctive event spaces. Each property is designed to deliver a refined guest experience that is deeply rooted in place, with a strong emphasis on meaningful moments and local connection.
Curated social gatherings at-Ardour Kingsford The Barossa
Brand signatures and service rituals are inspired by the natural rhythms of each destination, with Ardour Hosts curating intimate gatherings and facilitating access to authentic local experiences. Signature elements include Ardour Hour, a daily ritual encouraging connection in standout settings, alongside curated wine experiences developed with leading regional producers.
Wellbeing is central to the Ardour offering, with each property featuring in-room wellness rituals including bathing therapies and LED treatments. Select destinations extend the experience further through practices such as bush bathing, yoga and luxury day spas offering restorative treatments.
The inaugural Ardour property, Ardour Milton Park Bowral, will open with an exclusive offer for stays from February 2026. Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains, Ardour Guesthouse Hunter Valley and Ardour Kingsford Barossa are scheduled to follow later in the year, further cementing the brand’s presence in Australia’s premium regional destinations.
Read more about Ardour Milton Park Bowral in AccomNews HERE
Salter Brothers Hospitality is Australia’s largest operator of luxury retreat hotels, with a portfolio spanning Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.
