Osborn House – Hotel Review

In a quaint Southern Highlands town, at the end of a tree-lined driveway, is a grand heritage guesthouse with a lovingly restored facade that hints at the treasures within. From the friendly face who greets you at your car, to the glass of wine offered at check-in, luxury boutique hotel Osborn House feels more like the country home of friends who have impeccable style, a laid-back, welcoming vibe and great taste in food and design. 

Where is Osborn House?

A relaxed two-hour drive from Sydney, the circa-1892 property sits on leafy grounds in the hamlet of Bundanoon. If you’d rather ride the rails, the town’s train station is an easy 10-minute walk from Osborn House. 

What’s near Osborn House?

While sleepy Bundanoon has a pub, a few cafes and shops and Chinese and Italian restaurants, you’ll find more dining options, galleries, antique stores, a golf course and more in nearby Bowral and Moss Vale. The property looks out over Morton National Park – ask the staff to recommend hiking trails – and is a 25-minute drive from Fitzroy Falls.

Room types 

Interior designer Linda Boronkay (former design director of Soho House, London) and interior architect Alan McMahon have imbued Osborn House’s 27 rooms with a sense of whimsy, applying lush textures, unexpected colour choices and a mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings. The nine suites located on Level 1 of the main building each have a luxurious king-sized bed, custom-made and vintage furniture and muted pastel palettes that nod to the history of the building. The Premier and Highland suites have four-poster beds, make-up counters and double showers – the latter also boasts a juliette balcony. The property’s 12 stand-alone cabins offer a modern contrast – the black-timber-clad suites sit at the back of the grounds near the bush and have outdoor bathtubs, indoor wood fireplaces (that staff can tend for you) and a more rustic aesthetic. 

Restaurants and bars 

There are two onsite eateries, named for the property’s original owners, the Osborns: George’s is a casual all-day spot for breakfast, burgers, empanadas and handmade pasta, while Dinah’s is more refined and only open to guests, serving elevated European and South American-style cuisine, such as beef tartare, smoked duck breast and Scotch fillet. Both proudly source produce from the region, including mushrooms from Mittagong, truffles and potatoes from Robertson, organic dairy from Bowral and wine from local vineyards, such as Wollumbi Estate. The bar makes a mean Martini, Negroni or Spritz, best enjoyed by fireplaces in the lounge, library or reception area.

Travel for work

If you can’t avoid checking in with the office, guestrooms have space to set up with a laptop, while the lounge area offers an enviable backdrop for Zoom calls and there’s a library tucked behind reception that offers a bit more privacy.

Spa and pool 

The conservatory-style pool is as glamorous and photogenic as the other spaces in the hotel, with part of the roof retracting so you can swim under the open sky. Osborn House Spa is a cocoon-like space of tranquil sea-green where you can warm up and unwind with a hot stone massage, choose a facial to restore your skin’s PH levels or set aside two hours for the Relax, Repeat treatment, which combines a full-body massage and customised facial.

What you need to know

Once your car is whisked away by the welcoming staff there is zero reason to get behind the wheel again for the rest of your stay. The new Forest Bathing Deck, is less than five minutes walk from anywhere on the property (just follow the rope track, enter near cabin number 10, up to the clearing), and is surrounded by grass trees, tall gums and towering pines. Once there, you’re immersed not only in nature but in all the warmth and icy temps of the new health hubs conveniently located together in the private glade. During your hour on the deck – bookings are essential – move from the 50-degree-celsius sauna, to the ice bath (set at a cool seven degrees), before finishing off with a long soak in the 38-degree jacuzzi. As trees sway high above, take in the views across to the national park and breathe. It’s next-level invigorating.

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