An old shipping container has just been named Australia’s best holiday home

This villa has just been named Australia’s best holiday home and guests say it’s truly amazing — but it has a very unexpected history.

2 min read

October 17, 2019 - 1:13PM

Paris Villa at Clifftop at Hepburn, Victoria has been named Australia’s best holiday home. Picture: Stayz

An old shipping container in country Victoria has been named Australia’s best holiday rental house.

The five-star Paris Villa, near Daylesford at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, has won the People’s Choice Award in the Stayz Holiday Home of the Year awards announced on Thursday.

The stunning villa also took top prize for Australia’s most unique holiday home in the annual awards.

Paris Villa at Clifftop at Hepburn, Victoria. Picture: Stayz

The stunning villa has been transformed from an old shipping container. Picture: Stayz

It provides incredible views. Picture: Stayz

Far from its former incarnation as a shipping container, the villa has wooed holiday-makers with its sheer glass floors offering waterfall and rock pool views, bottomless infinity daybeds and a luxurious wooden bath.

The stylish one-bedroom cottage, which measures 50sq m and sleeps two, is a quiet bush oasis but with plenty of exciting features such as a TV with Netflix and PS4, an infinity daybed, floating king bed and a fireplace.

The cosy cottage also has an incredible glass floor. Picture: Stayz

The villa’s former use as a shipping container is more apparent from the outside. Picture: Stayz

The average price per night is $435 on the Stayz website, where reviews for the Paris Villa are exceptional.

“We have travelled to many places, and stayed in many amazing luxury motels and boutique accommodation, but all pale in comparison to the amazing villa we stayed in at Clifftop at Hepburn,” one reviewer wrote.

“It is obvious to see that the owners have placed a lot of attention to detail from the colour changing lights, to the massage chair and the floor-to-ceiling window/floor,” another wrote. “Not to mention the PS4, speakers & the biggest TV I’ve seen in my life.”

“It was honestly incredible,” another guest wrote.

It’s part of Clifftop at Hepburn, Victoria. Picture: Stayz

Paris Villa is close to the spa town of Daylesford. Picture: Stayz

“The view from the windows/glass floor was amazing and the massage chair had heaps of different settings to suit different preferences. The location was also great as it was close to shops and restaurants (a few minutes drive) but far away enough to feel secluded, peaceful and away from the bustle of the town.”

The Australian public voted on the People’s Choice Award, while judges determined gold, silver and bronze winners in the other categories: family friendly, pet friendly, unique and design.

Here are all the winners:

People’s Choice

Paris Villa, Daylesford, Victoria

Unique