This old-school Victorian motor inn is now fun and fabulous

Check-in

Forget the humdrum motel check-in – Hara House has a Welcome Bar, where you are greeted with a glass of bubbles and a hot pink neon sign that spells out the vibe – “Check in Here for Good Times”. Staff including a team of Fijians, are known as Hospitality Heroes and provide a slick service. The adjoining shop, Hara Home Boutique, features designer goodies found in the rooms for when that “I want to take that home” urge surges.

The look

In another life, the iconic retro courtyard-style motel, built in 1986 by George and Patrizia Simone, was the Ovens Valley Motor Inn and home of the famous Simone’s restaurant. Following a serious facelift, it has morphed into a swish boutique hotel. Simeon and Shannon Crawley, who bought the motel 19 years ago and also founded Bright Chocolate, worked with Sydney luxury hotel branding agency, Corlette Design to give it a new look. Retro architecture has been celebrated – those blond exposed bricks remain, but a sprinkle of stylish decor boosts the charm.

Hara House Bright and its old school kidney-shaped pool.

The name Hara is inspired by Indigenous words from the local Dhudhuroa and WayWurra languages “evoking an inner tranquility and balance that the belly nurtures.” Landscaped gardens with an odd palm tree sprouting here and there and the restored heated kidney-shaped pool with sandstone crazypaving, contributes to a breezy Palm Springs aura.

The room

The adults-only hotel has 20 rooms and two luxury courtyard suites, all with king-size beds dressed in Frette linen. Botanical Utopia Fabrics feature, along with unique native bird lamps by StudioAustralia. Handmade floor tiles, a pastel stone vanity, large shower and Leif products feature. A complimentary mini bar showcases some of the High Country’s best drops, juice and beer and addictive chocolate coated pumpkin seeds.

Rooms have undergone a quality makeover.

Slim Aarons Photography artwork adorns the brick walls –you can buy your own in the gift shop. The late US photographer, who has a cult following, captured beautiful people in beautiful places.

Food + drink

The on-site Pepperberry restaurant that overlooks the pool is where two local chefs, Yasuaki Tokuda, former sous chef at Michael Ryan’s Beechworth Provenance and Emma Holbery, who had Templar Lodge in Tawonga South do their work.

Pepperberry chefs Emma Holbery and Yasuaki Tokuda.

They have created a fun retro-inspired a la carte menu with local produce, native Australian ingredients and wines from Rutherglen and the King Valley. Fancy pan-fried halloumi or salmon California roll for starters? We choose Kangaroo tartar for entree, local trout and beef stroganoff for mains and then bombe Alaska, and I can’t resist a brandied egg nog for a night cap.

A stone feature wall evokes a nostalgic touch along with a copper fireplace canopy and furry rugs, mustard-coloured armchairs and cosy sofas for after dinner natters. Breakfast and all-day snacks are available, and Coco’s Pool Bar will serve cocktails when complete.

Out + about

Take one of the complimentary pink bikes for a spin around the hood or get serious and head out on a longer pedal on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail that passes by the front door of Hara House. Pack your tennis shoes - there’s a court with a view of the surrounding tree-covered mountain and yoga classes and lawn games are planned. It’s 12-minute walk into Bright.

The verdict

An old-style motor inn turned into something fun and fabulous.

Highlight

A quality makeover with luxe touches that honours another era.

Lowlight

Those 80s starters such as devilled eggs should remain a distant memory.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The essentials

Rooms are from $395 a night including complimentary minibar and breakfast – suites are from $849 with inclusions; one accessible suite. See harahouse.au

The writer was a guest of Hara House and Victoria’s High Country.