Welcome to Merricks North Retreat, a classic country home on five acres in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria's picturesque coastal wine region. Get away from it all in a stunning rural setting where large picture windows reveal horses grazing in rolling pastures. Offering a generous mix of indoor and outdoor living, the old orchard cottage has been lovingly renovated with a new bedroom wing to complement the original home and accommodates up to 13 guests. The Retreat has seven bedrooms, that look onto open paddocks or through French doors to a wisteria-covered courtyard. Stay cozy during the cooler months by lighting a fire in the brick, open-fireplace or enjoy the atmosphere of a blazing wood burner as you sip a glass of wine and listen to music on the inbuilt SONOS system. The chefs in your group can get creative in the well-equipped kitchen that includes a five-burner induction stove-top, oven and steam oven. Or if that's too much effort, we can arrange catering or a private chef on request. Once the cooking is completed, enjoy your meal around the 14-seater Jimmy Possum dining table, next to French doors that open onto the courtyard - creating a flow of indoor/outdoor living. Homely touches ensure that the Retreat is ideal for families. Enjoy the full-sized tennis court equipped with a basketball ring and hit up wall; with basketballs, tennis racquets and sports equipment available to you. For a rainy timetable, play a board game, read a book in the light filled sunroom or sit back and enjoy a movie on Foxtel. During the warmer months, relax by the 12.5m tiled, solar-heated pool or warm up in the heated Swedish Hot Tub next to the large pool house. This separate entertainment area has a TV, comfortable furniture, air-conditioning and a generous deck, along with an outdoor fireplace. It overlooks the pool and garden, then back to the Retreat. The owners firmly believe in a good night’s sleep and have ensured all rooms have quality Sleepmaker mattresses, made up with crisp linen along with plush towels for guests to use across three full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. The Retreat's elegant, country styling will make you feel at home while the fresh country air will leave you rejuvenated and inspired. If you are keen on exploring the area, the Mornington Peninsula is a world-renown wine region with spectacular wineries, cellar doors, restaurants, cafes, galleries and food stores, all just a short drive from the Retreat. They include the area’s newest luxury hotel and restaurant, Jackalope, which is less than one minute away from the Retreat by car. Merricks North Retreat is a favourite for families, small groups and corporate retreats and is less than one hour’s drive from Melbourne. ___ - No pets - No extra visitors without written approval - No camping, tents, extra beds to be brought onto the premises - No parties - No events of any kind without written approval - All guests and approved visitors must check-in on arrival, be fully vaccinated and have their vaccination certificate with them *** COVID-19 Cleaning: We take great pride in our cleanliness and hygiene. In response to COVID-19, we have taken additional measures as recommended by WHO, to ensure our cleaning and hygiene protocols are even more rigorous: 1. Continued use of hospital-grade disinfectant in our cleaning and increased frequency of cleaning door handles, appliances and other frequently touched surfaces, 2. Deployment of antibacterial hand sanitisers. As always, Merricks North Retreat remains an escape to the country. Take a moment to unwind and relax away from it all and enjoy clean and fresh country air. The Mornington Peninsula is a spacious and rural holiday destination with wineries and small businesses still open and servicing guests safely. We trust you will enjoy a fantastic getaway at Merricks North Retreat with shops and restaurants within a 5 minute drive, as well as supermarket home delivery available if needed. *** Merricks North, a neighborhood in Melbourne, is home to this vacation home. Pt Leo Estate Sculpture Park and Peninsula Community Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Quealy Entrance and Willow Creek Vineyard. Traveling with kids? Consider Redhill Recreation Reserve and Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens.