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.”
Our first view of St. Patrick’s as we pulled through the gate. The manicured gardens framed the classic architecture that seems to fit naturally in this modest town of Koroit, Australia. Located half way between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, it is a bit off the beaten path.
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:
Down the hall from our room was the old chapel, now a sitting room.
Seen in a hallway.
This is our luxurious room with a sitting area.
With tall ceilings throughout, the staircase was quite long. The first photo is looking down from the upper level to the landing, the second is looking down from the landing.
When we returned from dinner Vivienne had already started a cosy fire in the Lilac Room, added romantic music, and suggested we enjoy a port and the magic of the evening.
We had our breakfast in the dining room, with two notable features. The tapestry on the wall was given to Vivienne by Mother Theresa. And it is the original stove that is still operational in the kitchen.
Bright and colourful the formal ruby dining room is worth an exploration.
The sign over another room’s bathroom reminds us of the simple life that once filled these walls. What is now an ensuite bathroom, once held the beds of four nuns.
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.
Alex’s Pizza Outback Bar.
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.
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Your certainly found two unique places. That hotel looks very rich with all the settings.
Unique and wonderful
What a perfectly charming place!
Charming is a great word for it.
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. 🙂
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
Wow! that looks brilliant never heard a a convent being converted to a hotel before heheh!
I wonder how many there are world wide
Such a gorgeous hotel. What a smart idea for an old convent.
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.
WOW those windows! They are so pretty. Seeing this makes me want to watch, The Sound of Music. The hills are alive…
And they are all tall, and gothic style. Yes, they were lovely. LOL about the Sound of Music. I am in Australia, not Austria.
Wow, Rhonda – this is gorgeous!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/12/dominus-flevit.html
I was so impressed as I walked through. Vivienne’s decor is so striking and lovely.
It’s magnificent
Maybe you will get a chance to stay there sometime.
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.
LOL – I don’t think this would feel at all like staying in a convent. It was quite luxurious.
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!
Beyond amazing, it exceeded every expectation I had.
Hi Rhonda .. what a truly amazing place to stay in .. looks incredible .. lovely area too – cheers Hilary
Hilary, this is your kind of place. If you ever get down to Southern Australia, be sure to stay here.
What beautiful place!
Agreed.
off the beaten path of course! Lovely building.
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.
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
As you know, we enjoyed every minute of our time with you.
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
Sorry you have such bad memories. I guess Saint Patrick’s isn’t for everyone.
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!
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
Thanks Paul. Wishing you and all my readers a joyous holiday season.
I was also really drawn in by the stained glass windows. I took so many photos of them.
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!
We love finding obscure and different places to stay. This was a real highlight.
I love the stained glass windows in the sitting room. We stayed at a similar place once, Monastero Santa Rosa in Italy
I will add Momastero to my bucket list.
Wonderful place, Rhonda, and you have done it justice withy our beautiful photos.
Thank you for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme, I look forward to seeing more of your entries in the weeks ahead.
The places is amazing. I did my best to justice to it.
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