A new luxury retreat, Grand Saddles Lodge, opens at Saddles Mount White on November 2, bringing 20 private villas, a restaurant, piano bar and day spa to the Central Coast hinterland.
Traveltalk visited for a property inspection and media lunch, with owner John Singleton (and his Ridgeback, Sergeant) there to show guests around.
The lodge sits within the Saddles Mount White precinct, where bushland meets the Hawkesbury and the Central Coast begins.
The lodge builds on the existing Saddles destination, best known for The Homestead restaurant. At lunch, John Signature Group chief executive David Norris said the accommodation began as a way to complement the precinct. Singleton’s vision, he said, was to “bring New York to the bush” and create something distinctive for the region.
The 20 villas have been designed as private retreats, with terraces and open fireplaces. Interiors use sandstone, spotted gum, brass and locally crafted furnishings, drawing on the colours and textures of the surrounding landscape. Stays have a two-night minimum.
Every room features a wood burning fire.
Most of the villas feature their own private pool and courtyard.
Michelle Leslie, John Singleton’s long time interior designer, showcases her work at the new Grand Saddles Lodge
The copper baths are a standout feature of the villas. Where possible, the lodge’s furnishings and finishes were sourced locally and within Australia, with these beautiful tubs the exception, imported from England.
The stay package includes breakfast each morning at the Saddles Homestead Restaurant, plus lunch with house beverages each day except departure day.
Guests also receive pre-dinner drinks at Ned’s Bar, followed by a five-course dinner with paired wines at The Hawkesbury Restaurant. A premium in-villa minibar and two signature experiences, with return transfers in the lodge’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fleet, are also included.
Dining is central to the experience. The Hawkesbury restaurant showcases Australian produce, including local seafood, with herbs and vegetables from the lodge’s gardens.
At the lunch, the team spoke about working closely with nearby suppliers; Norris said fresh vegetables had arrived that morning straight from the farm.
Evenings move to Ned’s, an Art Deco-inspired piano bar with cocktails and live jazz.
The Piano Bar
The day spa has five treatment rooms, steam room, saunas and ice baths, while the wider property gives guests a base for exploring the bushland, Hawkesbury River and nearby oyster farms.
The new lodge is the latest chapter in a precinct that has grown since The Homestead opened in 2018. The 11-hectare Saddles Mount White property is about 45 minutes from Sydney, positioning it as a short-break escape within easy reach of the city.
