Review: Is Sequoia Lodge at Mount Lofty Estate worth the money?
It’s SA’s most exclusive accommodation and recently attracted tennis star Novak Djokovic. So, at a cost of two grand a night, is Sequoia Lodge worth it?
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We’re all of 12km, as the crow flies, and within a 20-minute drive of our suburban home when we arrive at the gates of the much-anticipated Sequoia Lodge.
It feels like we should have to travel further, or be more isolated, to reach a destination exuding such exclusivity and luxury. But here we are in the grounds of the historic and picturesque Mount Lofty Estate, a quick drive up the South Eastern Freeway and just out of Crafers in the Adelaide Hills.
Sequoia is the $20m uber luxury and indulgent addition to Mount Lofty Estate. Its opening was delayed a year by the pandemic but it’s been up and running for almost 18 months now and wasted little time developing a reputation as the place to stay.
Tennis supremo Novak Djokovic even went out of his way to stay there when he was in Adelaide recently, so you know it’s making waves.
Any minor concerns that we might not be anywhere special enough to match the hype is dispelled upon entering Sequoia’s reception and lounge area. It’s there that we are greeted with an arrival drink, a run through of a personally curated itinerary and the most spectacular view of the Piccadilly Valley.
The view alone is quite symbolic of where we’re at and what it’s all about. A lot of people would have travelled to Mt Lofty Summit many times to take in the view back west over the city.
Here, we’re looking east, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and over the rolling Adelaide Hills – a patchwork of greens, browns and earthy tones that changes across our stay as summer takes hold of the landscape. We might only be 20 minutes from home, but we may as well be in another world now.
Our suite is one of 14 nestled on the escarpment and screams high end from the moment we’re escorted into it.
Some of that has to do with the fact that as soon as we enter, the blinds automatically lift to reveal the Piccadilly Valley, music starts playing and the fireplace and some ambient mood lighting turns on.
But it’s also the fit-out and the materials: Basket Range stone, spotted gum timber and that fireplace that makes us wish we were staying in winter. The balcony, complete with comfy daybed, does just fine in summer though. There’s a retracting TV and bedhead to ensure there’s no obstruction of that glorious view, and a lavish bathroom with a deep bath from which you can relax and soak up that vista again. That’s providing you don’t want the privacy of the automatic switch glass that changes it from transparent to opaque at the press of a button.
The Arcisan Synergii shower panel is also an experience in itself.
Then there’s the little things and attention to detail: the Stephen Trebilcock original artwork, Nick Stock and Glass Factory glass work and ornaments and Jurlique washes and moisturisers.
The room is fully automated, with everything controlled by the touch of a button on control panels. There’s bluetooth connectivity to play your own tunes through the speaker system and if you’re wanting to stream a movie or your favourite show, it’s easily configured through the TV and Wi-Fi network.
The complimentary minibar is a showcase of South Australian produce and includes a bottle of Mt Lofty Summit sparkling wine, made from the grapes grown on the estate’s own vineyard, local beers from Lobethal Bierhaus and Prancing Pony, Bickfords drinks, A Rock and a Hard Place water, Charlesworth nuts, Steven ter Horst chocolate and the rather delicious Sam’s Popcorn. There are also four loose-leaf tea varieties and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Somewhat surprisingly to note initially, the 14 accommodation suites are all adjoining in a line running across the hill. They’re not individually tucked away in more isolated parts of the estate.
Once you’re inside though, you’d never know you’re sharing Sequoia with fellow guests. It’s just you, your lavish suite and that valley that feels like it’s creeping indoors to envelop you.
If the setting and your surroundings haven’t left you feeling pretty Zen, a yoga session will help.
Small group sessions are held by an experienced instructor at 8am four times a week in what I imagine is one of the more picturesque settings to do yoga.
It’s suitable for all levels, including this absolute novice, and just feels like the right thing to do when you’re staying at a place like this. Yoga is one of several on-site experiences at Sequoia that are included in your stay and can be built into your itinerary. Others include wine tasting in the Mount Lofty House cellar, a cheese masterclass (both included on 2+ night stays but $75pp if staying a single night), a guided nature walk on the Heysen Trail to Cleland Conservation Park, time in the artesian spring-fed hot pools and star gazing using the rather fancy, powerful telescope.
All of them are thoroughly enjoyable, with the wine tasting and cheese masterclass proving to be interesting, entertaining and an amazing display of what SA has to offer.
Josh, our host for both of these experiences, blends his deep knowledge of the products with humour and charisma. Of course, the produce we’re tasting is pretty fine too. If you haven’t tried Section 28 cheeses out of Woodside, do yourself a favour. There are also a bunch of other off-site experiences guests can choose to do, at an additional cost, such as wine and Adelaide Hills tours, koala holding at Cleland, helicopter scenic flights, Prancing Horse supercars driving (where you can get behind the wheel of a Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren or Aston Martin) and a tour of the RM Williams factory, which comes with your own pair of boots.
The dining at Sequoia is an absolute delight. Breakfast can be ordered and delivered to be enjoyed in the comfort of your suite, or can also be had in the lodge lounge. One of the many highlights of the stay was choosing what to order each morning from a menu full of goodness.
The two restaurants at Mount Lofty House – Hardy’s Verandah and Martha Hardy’s Kitchen – are a leisurely stroll from the lodge and are recommended. After all, why would you want to leave the estate?
The eight-course degustation menu at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant is a sensation. Head chef Jin Choi has curated an amazing seasonal menu with ingredients including marron, toothfish and his signature wagyu and tenderloin dish, creating some of the best tastes this mouth has experienced in a while. While the food, view and ambience is top notch, the dining experience is truly made by sommelier Abhas, whose insights and knowledge of the menu and wine, coupled with his selection of the paired drinks for the dishes, is exemplary.
His theme for the night, in keeping with what this place is all about, is showcasing the best of what SA has to offer. This includes more traditional wines for which our state is known and has forged its reputation on, as well as some from local producers pushing the boundaries with new varieties and styles.
As a proud South Aussie, there’s something about staying at Sequoia, aside from the scenic setting and plush accommodation, that truly hits home.
Mount Lofty Estate owner David Horbelt and business partner Malcolm Bean wanted the lodge, and the experience of being there, to not only be a luxury and indulgence but also a showcase of the best of the Adelaide Hills and SA more broadly.
There’s a parochial sense of pride knowing that interstate and overseas guests are being exposed to it, lapping it up, and hopefully taking the gospel back to share with friends and family.
So, at around $2000 a night, is Sequoia worth it? We’re staying as guests of Sequoia, as is often the case for media famils (familiarisations) when it comes to travel.
While we have to pay for some food and drinks, our out-of-pocket expenses are a fraction of what they would otherwise be.
Value is in the eye of the beholder, but for a special occasion, a luxury splurge or just to unwind for some R&R, it’s unlikely there are many better places than here.
One of the more surprising things we encounter during our stay is the fact many of the guests are return visitors. That, in itself, speaks volumes. We’ve already started saving to get back there.
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