Melissa Hoyer
The chic Ardour Milton Park Bowral will officially open its gates on Monday, 2 February 2026, unveiling the next chapter for the storied Southern Highlands estate.
A multi-million-dollar renovation will reveal a new vision for the heritage icon, presenting a luxuriously transformed hotel with an elegant arrival experience, transformed guestrooms, dining and social spaces and a design narrative that adds contemporary allure while honouring the property’s historic soul.
The hotel’s reopening introduces its signature dining destinations; Horderns and The Polo Bar, with The Polo Bar’s dedicated charcuterie room to open soon after. The culinary heart of Ardour Milton Park Bowral is led by executive chef Mark Holland, whose pan-European approach underpins the dining experience at Horderns. Designed around seasonality, local produce and shared plates, the restaurant brings a sense of theatre and connection to the table, with a dining flow that encourages lingering and celebration.
Executive chef Mark Holland said: “We’ve created a menu for Ardour Milton Park Bowral that feels at home in the Southern Highlands. It’s refined but relaxed, guided by flavour, season and a deep respect for the ingredients rather than passing trends,” Mark says.
“One dish I’m especially excited to cook for guests is our steamed rainbow trout with a classic beurre blanc. It’s simple, precise and lets the quality of the fish speak, which really sums up how we want to cook here. We’re drawing heavily from producers across the region and New South Wales, letting what’s available shape the menu. The goal is food that feels timeless, honest and connected to place.”
The opening menu reflects this philosophy, moving between refined simplicity and generous centrepiece dishes. Guests can begin with small plates including: Vintage English cheddar, mustard and caramelised leek croquettes; Misty Valley oyster mushroom skewers with harissa mayo; crisp potato rosti, charred octopus & romesco; and 12-month cured jamón serrano, house-made pickles.
Dishes from the larger plates reinforce the restaurant’s communal approach to dining, with highlights including: house-made pasta, zucchini, pecorino, lemon, hazelnut pesto; XL Yamba prawns, burnt chilli butter, squid ink & black garlic aioli ; chef’s special cut, dressed mixed leaves, selection of local condiments; and slow braised Cowra lamb shoulder for two, served with a fresh herb salsa, pickled fennel and braising jus. Dessert continues the sense of occasion, with an Eton mess to share with strawberries, whipped white chocolate & vanilla cream and honeycomb meringue, served tableside. Other highlights from the dessert menu include: dark chocolate delice with mascarpone sorbet and hazelnut praline; and a selection of Southern Highlands and South Coast cheeses and accompaniments.
The Polo Bar will open alongside Horderns, while its adjoining charcuterie room, first revealed in October 2025, will open shortly after. Further detail, including the opening date of the charcuterie room and menu for The Polo Bar, will be announced soon.
Together with Horderns, these spaces will extend the estate’s food and beverage offering with small plates, hand-cut charcuterie, classic cocktails and a wine list celebrating the Southern Highlands. A long-standing favourite, Milton Park’s High tea will also return as part of the opening phase, offering a refined interpretation of the classic European ritual using seasonal local produce.
Ardour Milton Park Bowral general manager David McDonald said: “We are eager to welcome guests back to Milton Park to showcase the depth of care that has gone into every detail, from the accommodation, our new spa offering to the dining experience at Horderns. This is just the beginning, with The Polo Bar’s charcuterie room and our new Èliva Wellness Spa set to follow and further enrich the guest experience”.
Originally established in 1910, Milton Park has long been a cherished landmark of the Southern Highlands. Its transformation into Ardour Milton Park Bowral signals the debut of Ardour Hotels & Estates, a new collection of immersive luxury retreats in Australia’s most compelling regional destinations.
Ardour Milton Park Bowral opens Monday 2 February 2026. Bookings are now live.
