Looking up at the words “Convent of St. Patrick” in the stained glass over the entry door, I had to wonder what I was doing here. In truth, my confusion began as we turned onto the drive and I looked up at the classic architecture while hubby announced, “this is where we are staying tonight.”
With no hint of it being anything other than a convent, I was hesitant as hubby knocked on the door. From the moment it opened, we entered an alternate reality filled with warm colours and eclectic decor. We were warmly greeted by Vivienne, the proprietor and we entered this former convent, turned luxury boutique hotel.
Renovations updated 107-year-old Saint Patrick Convent while maintaining its original style. The eccentric decor reflects Vivienne’s fascinating life of travel. It’s impressive. And it works. Take a look:
And if staying in a former convent wasn’t unusual enough, we had dinner at Alex’s Pizza Outback Bar. Our directions were to enter the pizza restaurant and tell them we want to eat in the “back room.” If it had not been raining, we could have entered from the exterior, but those doors were closed today. So, without hesitation, we were taken through a side kitchen, down a hallway, and brought into the most bizarre restaurant setting I have seen for a while. Clearly Australian, the wall decor covered everything from sports to crocodiles. And the menu was equally as random with options ranging from Thai chilli to Spanish paella.
Practical Information:
- Koroit is approximately 15 minutes west of Warrnambool and 10 minutes east of Port Fairy. It is on land originally inhabited by the Peel Whurrong Aborigines.
- St. Patrick’s has an interesting history from a convent to school, hostel, and finally a luxury boutique hotel.
- Koroit is listed by the national trust as one of Australia’s most complete examples of an early Irish settlement.
- Nearby (5 minutes drive) is Tower Hill, a national park located within the crater of an extinct volcano. We didn’t visit, however, we have heard that sunset is a great time to spot koalas, kangaroos and emus.
- The Grampians National Park (blog post coming soon) begins an hour to the north.
- Southern Right Whales can be spotted from July to September as they calve at Logan’s Beach in Warrnambool.
- Koroit was our last stop after two days driving the Great Ocean Road, the first day focused more on amazing beaches, surfing, and a waterfall, while the second day seemed filled with and rock formation and a wild koala sighting.
- We use Lonely Planet – Australia to find unusual places while we travel and then we check Booking.com for the best prices.
Our only regret: Not staying longer.
Given the option, would you stay in a former convent off the beaten path, or would you prefer to stay in the main town?
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Disclaimer: Nothing to disclaim today. We were paid guests of St Patrick’s Luxury Boutique Hotel, and Vivienne was not even aware that we are travel writers. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
ArabellaOnWest
Oh Wow, Lovely places and what an amazing place to stay in.Rich and comfortable plus decoration are attractive. My next stay would be here probably 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Have a Great time
Rhonda Albom
The places is amazing. I did my best to justice to it.
Suze
I love the stained glass windows in the sitting room. We stayed at a similar place once, Monastero Santa Rosa in Italy
Rhonda Albom
I will add Momastero to my bucket list.
Kelleyn
What a fun place to stay and visit! Isn’t it fun when something like a hotel room could be an attraction in and of itself. Have a great week!
Rhonda Albom
We love finding obscure and different places to stay. This was a real highlight.
Marie Moody
Well, I must say I’m in awe! Ohhhhhhhhhhhh if walls could talk!!! I absolutely love stained glass windows. When I’m in church I find myself staring at them because of their beauty. Thank you so very much for sharing. I am now following you. Oh yes, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Have a very Merry Christmas Rhonda and your hubby. Any things planned for New Years? My wife & I just rest for the evening, watch some TV and at midnight see the big ball in New Year comes down, give each other a kiss and go to sleep. Boring isn’t it. I guess we’re getting old. LOL See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Paul. Wishing you and all my readers a joyous holiday season.
Rhonda Albom
I was also really drawn in by the stained glass windows. I took so many photos of them.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
This place is very beautiful but I couldn’t stay here. When I was younger, I was an alter boy and had to go to the Catholic convent to help with mass. It was very early in the morning and even to this day I still have memories of negative things in my mind. It would be very hard to sleep in a bed with my wife just knowing that nuns & priests had been there. I know it’s crazy but that’s how I feel. Crazy aren’t I. Oh well that’s me
I’m glad that you enjoyed the place. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
Sorry you have such bad memories. I guess Saint Patrick’s isn’t for everyone.
Vivienne Porter
Dear Rhonda,
Thankyou so very much for the magnificent photo’s and generous write up.
Restoration took many years and now the convent exudes a luxurious ambience with a gentle sense of calm.
My mother and I did it up together, we had so much fun like two little girls playing house dress ups
We chose to decorate in mostly purple and reds as the colours match the stained glass and are the colours of the Catholic Church.
When she housed the nuns there were no bathrooms or toilets inside they had to go outside. Now every bedroom has its own ensuite bath, shower and toilet.
When we first opened we invited the nuns whom were still alive to visit and they said “if it had been so lovely as this they would never have left'”.
kindest regards
Vivienne
Rhonda Albom
As you know, we enjoyed every minute of our time with you.
Kathe W.
off the beaten path of course! Lovely building.
Rhonda Albom
For us it was probably a good thing that it was a bit off the beaten path, as we made the reservation somewhat last minute. Otherwise, it might have been filled up. Although, it should be booked out every night. It’s only 10-15 minutes from either main town, and so cool.
Photo(Geo)grapher
What beautiful place!
Rhonda Albom
Agreed.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda .. what a truly amazing place to stay in .. looks incredible .. lovely area too – cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
Hilary, this is your kind of place. If you ever get down to Southern Australia, be sure to stay here.
Jay @CraftySpices
Wow, I am sure this was an amazing experience, the architecture and attention to detail is wonderful. I am very happy for you.
Happy Holiday Season!
Rhonda Albom
Beyond amazing, it exceeded every expectation I had.
Jeanna
I don’t know if I’d stay in a convent given 12 years of Catholic school. They always seemed so mysterious, almost gothic to us. I do love the idea and lush reds and fireplace though. So cool the tapestry is from Mother Theresa.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I don’t think this would feel at all like staying in a convent. It was quite luxurious.
Rhonda Albom
I was so impressed as I walked through. Vivienne’s decor is so striking and lovely.
Jim, Sydney, Australia
It’s magnificent
Rhonda Albom
Maybe you will get a chance to stay there sometime.
Alissa Apel
WOW those windows! They are so pretty. Seeing this makes me want to watch, The Sound of Music. The hills are alive…
Rhonda Albom
And they are all tall, and gothic style. Yes, they were lovely. LOL about the Sound of Music. I am in Australia, not Austria.
L. Diane Wolfe
Such a gorgeous hotel. What a smart idea for an old convent.
Rhonda Albom
Actually, it would have been quite a lot of work to convert, as they lived a simple life, and now each room needs a bathroom attached.
stevebethere
Wow! that looks brilliant never heard a a convent being converted to a hotel before heheh!
Rhonda Albom
I wonder how many there are world wide
Comedy Plus
Some of those rooms would make my eyes bleed. The patterns and colors that is. I think I’ll stay in the main town.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
The colour theme throughout is actually quite regal, its based around deep red and purple. I quite liked it, but you know I like things a little bit different
ladyfi
What a perfectly charming place!
Rhonda Albom
Charming is a great word for it.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Your certainly found two unique places. That hotel looks very rich with all the settings.
Rhonda Albom
Unique and wonderful