New luxury lodge to elevate the Saddles experience

Multi millionaire advertising mogul John Singleton is splashing out on The Grand Saddles Lodge, which will open this spring on NSW’s Central Coast. 

The opening will marking a new chapter for Saddles Mount White.

The luxury retreat will bring together "20 private villas, exceptional dining, an elegant piano bar, a restorative day spa and bespoke local experiences". 

The work aims to transform the Saddles precinct into a complete luxury destination where guests can stay, dine and reconnect with nature.

Saddles is Just under an hour from Sydney, where bushland meets the waterways of the Hawkesbury and the Central Coast begins. 

Set opposite the The Homestead at Saddles restaurant, The Lodge aims to offer "thoughtful luxury". 

Designed by Michelle Leslie alongside White + Dickson Architects, The Lodge seeks to reflect Singleton's appreciation for hospitality and his connection to the region. 

Hidden among the trees, The Lodge's villas have been conceived as peaceful retreats. Each villa features separate living spaces, an open fireplace, private terrace and plunge pool, while a communal infinity pool and pool bar overlook the surrounding bushland.

Located within the main building at The Lodge, the restaurant will showcase the best of Australian produce, while evening activities will centre on Ned's, an intimate Art Deco-inspired piano bar. 

Beyond The Lodge, guests can wander walking trails through the surrounding bushland, visit nearby oyster farms, or explore the Hawkesbury River. 

Bookings for The Grand Saddles Lodge will open this spring.

Image: Ryan Linnegar

Chef returns to where his career first blossomed

Chef Cameron Cansdell has returned to where his career took off by starting as Culinary Director at Central Coast hotspot Bells at Killcare.

Cansdell moved to the Central Coast 17 years ago when Karina and Brian Barry founded Bells at Killcare, and was the first head chef under the then Culinary Director, Stefano Manfredi.

The duo established a popular multi-award winning restaurant and the famed Bells kitchen garden, which had a big influence on changing the dining scene on the Central Coast.

While at Bells at Killcare, Cameron met then restaurant manager Hayley Hardcastle and in 2014 they married and went on to open Bombini at Avoca Beach, Fish Dining and Saddles at Mt White.

Cansdell's return coincides with the opening of The Lodges at Bells (below), where guests will have the option of booking a private chefs dinner in the luxury of their own lodge.

The Barrys said: "We look forward to this next chapter: Cameron’s simple and ethical approach to food, seasonally focused menus and humble nature have always been part of Bells DNA, so his return is like family coming home."

The menu at Wild Flower Bar & Dining at Bells will be revamped and there is already a new breakfast menu, with breakfast now open to the general public as well as hotel guests.

Meanwhile, guests have until February 29 to get a special deal on the Lodge launch offer, an
all-inclusive package for four guests (children welcome) for $599 per person, per night.

The package includes dinner at The Wild Flower Bar & Dining with a choice of three à la carte dishes or the five-course chef's tasting menu; gourmet lunch provisions; daily à la carte breakfast; premium in-lodge bar with a selection of wines, beers, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

Also think a heated private pool, two day beds and rooftop sunset deck with panoramic ocean views, daily turndown service, local transfers, complimentary wifi and in-room entertainment as well as parking for two cars and the use of mountain bikes. The package is normally $750 based on four people per lodge.

See bellsatkillcare.com.au

Gosford a go go with new international hotel

Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast, is to get an international hotel as part of a new development project.

IHG Hotels & Resorts today announced the signing of the seventh voco hotel in Australasia, partnering with leading Sydney developer ALAND to open voco Gosford (render, above) in early 2025.

The new voco Gosford will form part of Archibald by ALAND, a mixed-use development precinct overlooking Brisbane Water.

Named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford, the development will cover 5,656sqm and will include 320 residential apartments, the 130-room lifestyle hotel, a portfolio of hospitality venues and an outdoor pool with swim-up bar.

The hotel will feature guest rooms of up to 41sqm and executive suites of up to 54sqm.

Guests will enjoy views over the Central Coast, a street level pub and pizzeria, a rooftop sky bar and lounge on level 28, a signature restaurant under celebrity chef Dany Karam (former executive chef at Black Bar and Grill in Pyrmont), a wellness centre and conference and events facilities.

Marking IHG’s continued expansion into regional Australia, the hotel will be the second voco in regional NSW.

“This is an incredibly exciting development, and we are delighted to be part of a project that will transform the city of Gosford into a new lifestyle destination," said Cameron Burke, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Director of Development for Australasia & Pacific.

"I have no doubt the addition of voco to the city will help drive tourism across the region, and the adjacent hospitality amenity is sure to be a popular driver of patronage."

Andrew Hrsto, ALAND founder and director said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with IHG on this once-in-a-generation development in Gosford - one that will enliven the CBD and take this attractive regional city to the next level."

IHG is currently enjoying its largest ever period of growth in Australasia, with a significant number of new openings under its InterContinental, Kimpton, voco, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo brands.