Five To Book: Summery New Mornington Peninsula Stays

Camillo House , Blairgowrie
Just 50 barefoot paces from Blairgowrie’s back beach, Camillo House is the stuff of summer daydreams. The breathtaking (for real) new stay atop the rolling, greenery-strewn sand dunes is an ’80s beach house that’s been renovated into a three-storey marvel. Expect ready-to-pour, all-inclusive Negronis on arrival; an almost gallery-like feel, with mostly vintage furniture and 25 original artworks throughout; and views for days and days – every window is a picture window here. The show-stopping penthouse has an impeccably framed outlook over the dunes and the deep blue sea. There are also two custom-made bathtubs: one indoor, made of spotted gum; the other outdoor, a circular concrete slab where you can have a secluded post-beach soak.

Intercontinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula , Sorrento
Pretend you’re in Sorrento, Italy, at the Conti’s glamorous new 108-room Intercontinental hotel – in Sorrento, Victoria. There are rooms and suites (both one- and two-bedroom) in the delightfully restored 1875 limestone building, or you can opt for a stay in the newly created wing with a private outdoor terrace. Expect plush velvet furnishings and freestanding tubs. There’s also a Mediterranean-inspired pool deck exclusively for guests, with million-dollar views out over Sorrento and the glistening Port Phillip Bay. Green-and-white-striped furniture and chequerboard tiling give it Amalfi Coast vibes. Plus, the adjoining, sultry Aurora Spa & Bathhouse has opened just in time for summer.

Martha Beach House , Mount Martha
If there’s ever been a time to fight your friends or family for the master bedroom, it’s at this idyllic beach house that’s a slice of the Mediterranean in Mount Martha. Sure, the king-size bed is a legitimate cloud, but it’s the ensuite you won’t be able to stop thinking about. Although “ensuite” undersells it: it’s more of a mini day spa – but just for you. Flooded with natural light, the floors are paved haphazardly (but harmoniously) with chunks of stone, the vanity is made of mesmerising pink travertine, and the two-person shower is hidden behind a lovely linen curtain that’s no clinger. This spot sleeps eight and there’s a circular heated pool and a marble-splashed kitchen.

Cassis , Red Hill
Private plunge pools, outdoor concrete baths and lush vineyard views are just some of what awaits at Cassis, an ultra-luxe relaxation destination on the Mornington Peninsula. Recently opened in Red Hill, the tucked-away property has five self-contained villas. They’re all decked out with luxurious king-size beds, sleek ensuites, kitchenettes with all the creature comforts, spacious dining areas and cosy lounges. Named after the picturesque French fishing village, the accommodation is meant to emulate 17th-century farmhouses – with an obviously modern edge. And a bonus: being perfectly situated in the Red Hill hinterland, some of the Mornington Peninsula’s absolute best eating and drinking is only minutes away.

Crittenden Estate , Dromana
The Mornington Peninsula is home to some of Victoria’s best all-in-one winery, restaurant and luxury accommodation options. Among them is the sprawling Crittenden Estate , a longstanding spot in the seaside suburb of Dromana. After a charming refurb, its lakeside villas – set on 27 acres of vineyards and natural bushland – have reopened with a new look and are ready to book for your next wine-country-meets-coastal retreat. They’re decked out with freestanding spa baths (with lake views) and snug fireplaces. And if you don’t want to leave, there’s an option for in-room massages, picnic hampers and even a three-course dinner.