Salvaged from a near death-by-doily demise, Victorian-era B&B Finches of Beechworth has recently been given a new lease on life – re-imagined, redesigned and fully renovated. Over a period of six months, new owners Margo Maller and Peter Brygel have together transformed the B&B into an artfully-cool luxurious six-room contemporary boutique gem.
Exploring the now decadent and somewhat eccentric spaces within Finches is a pleasing experience. The reinvigorated modern-meets-baroque interiors feature grand 1800s French gilt mirrors and Austrian chandeliers in both lounge and dining spaces. Margo’s palette of organic stone and silver neutrals allow art works, huge flower arrangements and hand painted cushions to ‘pop’ with energy. Scattered throughout is an extensive collection of brilliantly edgy limited edition prints by UK surrealist/photorealist Gill Del-Mace and paintings by Australian Colette Jonquieres.
Rooms range from Luxury Queen to King Deluxe. All include Egyptian cotton, newly refurbished ensuites, free wifi, LCD TVs with Foxtel, hydronic heating and reverse-cycle air conditioning. The numerous additional guest services include use of the Acqua Therepé pool, bicycles equipped with baskets (somewhere to store all the local produce you’ll be tempted to buy as you cycle around town), a manicured garden BBQ pavilion and off-street undercover parking.
We particularly loved the guests’ chill-out lounge/library with its soft jazz, samba and world music aiding relaxation on the large, soft, distressed leather five-seater sofa. Both the lounge and dining spaces feel smartly social, with breakfast provisions of house-made Bircher muesli, eggs any way you like and smashed avocado with herbs and feta. Freshly ground coffee and Beechworth apple juice happily inspire conversation. From the wrap-around elevated decking – a feature of the house – you overlook a well-constructed English garden complete with terraced garden beds, large water fountain and mature magnolia tree. Visiting king parrots colour its branches daily. Rooms start at $265 a night; gift certificates are now available.
3 Finch Street, Beechworth, Victoria
Tel 03 5728 2655
www.finchesofbeechworth.com.au
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