Jackalope is one of the most luxurious destination hotels in Australia, winning multiple awards when it opened in 2019 and attracting visitors from across the country and around the world. Easily the most sought after luxury weekend away from Melbourne, Jackalope is located on the Mornington Peninsula, which is just a 1 hour drive from Melbourne. We stayed at Jackalope for two nights, as part of our 10th anniversary weekend celebrations, and had such a lovely time staying in such luxury lodgings.
We were very lucky to get our room last minute – we were planning to spend 4 nights at Cradle Mountain Lodge in Tasmania, but unseasonably early snows meant we got snowed out and had to cancel last minute. We couldn’t get four nights at Jackalope, so ended up doing a 2 night staycation at QT Hotel in Melbourne (our first staycation, so much fun!) and then 2 nights at Jackalope on the Mornington Peninsula.
Staying at Jackalope in Winter
We stayed at Jackalope in July, which is the middle of winter in Australia. It was such a perfect winter escape, with an in-room bath, a huge outdoor hot tub overlooking the vineyards, and a fire set up on the patio every evening, where we could toast marshmallows and make s’mores (biscuits + toasted marshmallow). Plus, the Mornington Peninsula is famous for its excellent pinot noir, and it was truly pinot weather!
The Rooms at Jackalope
The rooms at Jackalope are compact and moody. We had a pool and vineyard view, which felt very private. Our room had a large bath, as part of an open plan bathroom that overlooks the bed. It is cosy, very comfortable, and quite masculine in design – lots of charcoal tones and clean lines. There were a few cute touches, like a handwritten welcome note celebrating our anniversary, and a cheeky bookmark stuck into a random page in a book I’d left out.
Doot Doot Doot: Jackalope’s Fine Dining Restaurant
Doot Doot Doot is Jackalope’s on-site restaurant, which has been awarded a Chef’s Hat by the Age Good Food Guide. Doot Doot Doot is one of Victoria’s landmark destination restaurants, and the experience doesn’t disappoint. The $130pp set menu is well priced for the level of service and quality, and inventiveness, of the dishes. It was a beautiful restaurant to celebrate our 10th anniversary!
Flaggerdoot Cocktail Bar at Jackalope
Jackalope’s on-site cocktail bar, Flaggerdoot, bills itself as a haute cocktail bar and alchemist’s workshop. Its maximalist design and inventive cocktails make it a fun spot to while away an hour or two, with games of Connect Four dotted around the room. It was quiet when we visited, after check in and before dinner.
Included breakfast
Breakfast at Jackalope is served in the restaurant, Doot Doot Doot. Open to hotel guests only, breakfast was included in our room rate, and was excellent! We ordered a la carte, and helped ourselves to a tasteful buffet, including an abundance of fresh fruit – I gorged on raspberries and blueberries every morning.
Room service
Room service is universally overpriced, so it’s one of my favourite guilty pleasures when I’m staying at a beautiful hotel (I would never bother at a standard hotel – it would be a waste of money!). We had brought a bottle of Champagne that had been gifted to us for our engagement, so we enjoyed that in the room alongside in room dining – a burger, a salad and some popcorn, which we enjoyed while watching a movie in bed (another thing I never do at home!).
Pool & Hot Tub
Jackalope has a stunning infinity pool and oversized hot tub, overlooking the vineyards. The pool is heated, but it was still too cold outside to swim, as we visited in the middle of winter. The hot tub, however, was perfect – it just involved a freezing few seconds of getting in & out! There’s an infrared sauna and spa, both of which I’d love to try, but we ran out of time during our stay.
Cellar Door
Jackalope’s cellar door offers wine tastings from a range of wines from their LL vineyard. We loved the convenience of a wine tasting just a short stroll from our room, and recommend stopping in. The Mornington Peninsula is one of the best wine regions in Australia, so check out my guide to the best wineries on the Mornington Peninsula for some more ideas!
Rare Hare
Rare Hare is Jackalope’s more casual restaurant, which is extremely popular with visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. It was completely booked out during our stay (and has been booked out when I’ve been to the Mornington Peninsula since!) so I am still yet to try it. I’d love to visit next time I’m on the Mornington Peninsula – I’ll just need to book further in advance!
Jackalope: Is it worth it?
Jackalope is expensive, but it is an excellent luxury short stay. We were visiting on weeknights, and in the middle of winter, so we got a great deal on the room rate, which helps the value proposition. I think there’s enough to do at Jackalope for a two night stay.
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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