After four long years of development, the doors of Hotel Vera have finally opened to the public. Located in the heart of Ballarat’s historic district at 710 Sturt Street, this 19th-century mansion offers guests luxurious accommodation with a focus on sustainability and local heritage.
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Martin Shew and David Cook-Doulton, the local team behind the hotel, have created seven personalized suites that pay homage to different townships in the area. Each suite takes its name and decorative style from these townships, such as the rich green “Kingston” suite which is inspired by the area’s Irish heritage and the “Sandon” suite which echoes the blue summer skies. The hotel also features original period features such as five-meter ceilings, fireplaces and elaborate cornices, which are tastefully combined with contemporary design elements and luxurious amenities.
The hotel is also home to the award-winning restaurant, Underbar. Guests of Hotel Vera have special access to this intimate dining experience, where Culinary Director & Chef Derek Boath serves a healthy, European-style breakfast daily and a tasting menu of nine to eleven courses with matched drink pairings on Friday and Saturday evenings. Boath, Shew, and Cook-Doulton all share a commitment to eco-friendly practices and this is evident in the hotel’s restoration of an historic building, recycling of demolished materials, creation of lush gardens, paddock-to-plate ethos and installation of a Porsche EV charger.
The hotel also provides guests with special needs, with two downstairs suites that have wheelchair access and appropriate height and access amenities, as well as a pet suite with an enclosed courtyard and a sumptuous dog bed.
Hotel Vera is a true embodiment of attentiveness and unassuming grace, and is named in tribute to David Cook-Doulton’s grandmother. With its beautiful interiors, thoughtful amenities and commitment to sustainability, Hotel Vera is sure to be a hit with both locals and tourists alike.
