Hotel Vera, 1880
Sleeps 14 | Bedrooms 7 | Bathrooms 7
History
Built in the late 19th century, Hotel Vera is an impressive example of Victorian Italianate architecture overlooking Sturt Street, Ballarat’s original stock route and main boulevarde since 1851. During the 1800s, this was a busy thoroughfare - residents heading to the general store, the post office, or a coffee palace for lunch; young men on their way to the Mechanics’ Institute to attend a lecture; workers stopping in at the White Hart Hotel for a meal and a pint, or Lesters Hotel to hear a brass band play… and the bustling sound of horse-drawn carriages travelling up and down the street. In 1895, Mark Twain wrote that Ballarat ‘has every essential of an advanced and enlightened big city’. It was a place of political and social progress, where opportunity knocked, and fortunes were made. This was Australia’s boom town.
Hotel Vera was first built as a surgery and residence for Dr Stanislaus Zichy-Woinarski, known to be a skilful surgeon and physician. Born in Ballarat in 1857, he graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1879 aged just 21, and served as the Honorary Physician at Ballarat Hospital for over a decade. Married in 1882, he was a father to four children, and an active member of the community. His surgery on Sturt Street had a first class reputation. Living and working there for many years, the building features the original carriageway and stables to the rear, where the family’s horse and carriage was kept.
In 2018, partners Martin Shew and David Cook-Doulton took ownership, at a time when the building was being used as offices and in need of repair. With a shared passion for breathing new life into grand heritage buildings - leading to the success of their other luxury accommodation ventures, Lyon House, Lascelles Ballarat, and Hotel Ernest Bendigo - a sympathetic four year restoration followed. Melbourne’s Pitch Architecture + Design were commissioned to transform the original rooms into seven luxurious suites, and create a dining space flowing to a tranquil landscaped al fresco area on the ground floor. Seamlessly and artfully combining historic architecture and contemporary design, Hotel Vera has set a new standard for small luxury hotels not just within the Goldfields region, but across Australia.
Accommodation
Named after David’s late grandmother Vera, the hotel is a tribute to her warmth, generosity, and how she made people feel special. And Hotel Vera lives up to her name: upon arrival, you’re greeted with service experience centered around kindness, respect, and inclusion; coupled with an interior that’s not only aesthetically beautiful but soft, warm, and embracing.
Seven personalised suites, each named after a Goldfields township, showcase a curated collection of original artworks by Australian female artists, and ceramics by Neville French. Heritage elements are equally on show, with soaring ceilings, ornate cornicing, original windows and doors, and marble fireplaces adding a sense of Victorian grandeur throughout. Each suite features a unique colour palette, with king sized beds, soft textural furnishings, brushed gold fittings, pure linen bedding, indulgent bathrooms with luxurious amenities by Melbourne-based Salus, local teas and coffee, and delicious mini-bar treats including custom-made fine chocolates.
Kingston - The rich green of this room represents this region’s lush farmland, historically used for growing potatoes and wheat. Adorned with the vibrant works of Melbourne artist Ember Fairbairn, her oil-on-wood abstract paintings hang proudly above the room’s king-sized bed. A deluxe soaking bath awaits, nestled under tall sash windows and surrounded by Carrara marble.
Ercildoune - Painted in roseate and grey mist to reflect the rich agricultural soil of Ercildoune and its surrounds, this decadent, romantic suite features a free standing Claybrook soaking bath. Two of Neville French’s evocative Cloudlight porcelain works sit nearby one window, almost ethereal in the sunlight. Above the deluxe king-sized bed hangs Anthea Kemp’s grandiose Inside a Flower 2022, perfectly enhancing the space.
Sandon - The colour of blue summer skies, with a deep Claybrook bathtub and views of Ballarat’s city centre, this is one of Vera’s most adored rooms. Heather B. Swann’s fascinating work Waterfall adds an additional layer of emotion to this much-loved suite. Naarm-based, Swann has established a reputation as a maker of sculptural objects and ink drawings of a dark, sensual and fantastic presence.
Smeaton - Boasting a large greenhouse bathroom with double walk-in shower, Smeaton’s natural tones and soft textures immerse guests into a state of calm contemplation. The abstract work of Darwin First Nations artist Karen Mills, who draws inspiration on her experience and memory of Country, grace the canola leaf coloured walls of this grand suite.
Lonarch - The Lonarch is Hotel Vera’s pet-friendly suite, with oak floors, spacious bathroom with double rain showers and marble bench seat, and even a private courtyard space for your furry friend. The suite’s exposed brick wall is beautifully complemented by Carol Batchelor’s misty, immersive work Layers of Time 01.
Dunach - Hotel Vera’s most intimate suite, the Dunach provides guests with a cosy yet indulgent getaway experience. Boasting a striking palette of gold and grey reminiscent of the region’s canola fields, The Dunach is accentuated by the vivid artwork of Naarm artist Julia Powles.
Tourello - Sydney artist Tonee Messiah is the star of the Tourello, with her works held in galleries and private collections both nationally and overseas. The colours in Messiah’s oil on canvas piece Left Side Living perfectly complement the sunset shade that coats the Tourello, instilling a sense of romance and respite through the entire space. Situated on the ground floor, this is Hotel Vera’s spacious, fully-accessible suite.
Breakfast at Hotel Vera, overlooking a tranquil water feature in the courtyard, varies from day to day, based on what’s in season, and includes a range of gourmet fare, including Shultz dairy, local 1816 Bakery’s breads and pastries, St Ali coffee, Irrewarra granola, Salt Kitchen charcuterie hams, along with seasonal poached and fresh fruit.
Book your accommodation direct through Hotel Vera below for the best rates.
Special Features
Original Artwork
Breakfast Included
Luxe Bedding
Historic Surrounds
Things To Do
After breakfast, step out the front door onto Sturt Street, and take a stroll to admire stately architecture that lines the main streets - some of the most beautiful built heritage in Australia. The Art Gallery of Ballarat, housed in a 19th century building, represents renowned collections of traditional, contemporary and indigenous art. Take a brisk walk around picturesque Lake Wendouree, picnic in Ballarat’s impressive Botanic Gardens, with over 40 hectares of heritage gardens to explore, and as the day draws to a close, head to Pencilmark Wine Room for pre-dinner drinks or cocktails at Renard. For more on what’s on in Ballarat, including theatre, festivals and markets, visit the City of Ballarat’s website Visit Ballarat.
