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Arthur Hardy, a politician, lawyer, pastoralist and businessman built Mount Lofty House between 1852 and 1858. The property served the Hardy family as a cool summer residence, later becoming their permanent home.
The coach house and stables are still part of the property, with most of the original land now being occupied by the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens. “The Lodge” on Mawson Drive is where the caretaker lived and the head coachman resided in the cottage that is now across the road.
Mount Lofty House was built of sawn freestone and local sandstone with sheets of glass as the damp proof course. You are still able to see the glass edge at the base of the old house. The house saw many distinguished owners, including Arthur Waterhouse and John Richardson. Various additions were made to the house during this time.
The Waterhouses were known for holding great dinner parties, where the coachman was instructed to send the carriages off at five-minute intervals to prevent collisions going down the gravel roads.
Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983 destroyed all but the stone walls on the property. A young couple had just bought the property as a residence and they were arranging delivery of their possessions from interstate when the fire went through. The devastated owners sold Mount Lofty House and the purchaser began the restoration of the ruined property into a boutique hotel.
The ‘new’ Mount Lofty House was officially opened on February 12th 1986, at that time operating with eight guest rooms, Hardy’s Restaurant, the Arthur Waterhouse Lounge and John Richardson Room with the Tiers Bar and Lounge areas.
October 25th 1988 saw the official opening of the Piccadilly Wing extension, comprising a further 21 rooms, refurbishment of the original Coach House, conference rooms and Piccadilly Restaurant.
On July 1st 1993, another South Australian family purchased Mount Lofty House and since then further restoration work has been undertaken throughout the property. Mount Lofty House has it’s own presence and is renowned nationally as a very special experience.
We are proud that it has won awards in the following categories:
- 1999 & 2000 Yellow Pages Best Deluxe Hotel
- 1999 Australian Hotel Association Best Accommodation under 100 Rooms
- Gardening awards
- 2000 National Tourism Awards
- 2001 Adelaide Hills Tourism Awards
- Two glasses in the national Tucker Seabrook wine list awards 2002 & 2003
- Best Function Centre (SA Restaurant & Catering Association 2002) Finalist 2003, 2004, 2005
- Best Superior Restaurant (AHA Awards 2002) and
- Best Dinner in the national ACCOR restaurant awards in the 5 star & boutique category 2002
Much time, thought and effort has been put into the property, developing the Mount Lofty House experience.
In 2002, the Piccadilly wing was totally refreshed and the Piccadilly Restaurant rebuilt to take advantage of the stunning view over the Piccadilly Valley where some of its produce and wines are sourced. The Piccadilly Restaurant now provides a dining experience second to none in South Australia and a very Adelaide Hills experience.
The grounds are continually being developed with the latest addition being the organic kitchen garden from which fresh herbs and produce are sourced and the patch of Chardonnay vines which are hand tended and managed within organic principles.
Grand Mercure Mount Lofty House is a relaxed country house focused on fine food and wine, service, luxurious accommodation and meeting and conference facilities.
This beautiful house in a beautiful environment is here for you to enjoy.
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