Image credit: Jonathan Van Der Knapp
South Australia has been graced with another luxury staycation, the Pago Middleton situating itself as Adelaidians next getaway sanctuary retreat.
Residing in the gardens of the historic Middleton Mill, the stonewalled stables has finally opened their doors, revealing the stunning renovations which have been five years in the works.
“We are really excited to be open. We’ve had such a strong vision for the beautiful sanctuary and restorative place we wanted to create in the old stables of the old Middleton Mill,” said owner Rose Kentish.
“It’s not that we haven’t’ had momentum or purpose. Nothing’s rushed at Pago, it was about reaching that level of craftsmanship for us.”
Starting from scratch, Rose and her husband, artist Sam Harrison, funnelled a labour of love and care into the curation of Pago, giving a breath of life to the stables old bones.
What emerged from the historical ruins and the five-year passion project is a stunning haven nestled at the gateway of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city lifestyle, Pago Middleton has patiently been built with restoration and relaxation in mind.
“Everything has taken time, thought and consideration. We wanted the space to feel unrushed, unstuffy and uncomplicated because there’s been deep thought into how the design, layout and pieces came together,” says Rose.
“Rather than just restore [the stables], we wanted to create a space that we felt like people could relax, enjoy and feel quite beautifully enveloped in the gardens and the mill behind them.”
Each detail has been carefully considered in the design of Pago, from the high timber beams, hand-cut tiles and the handcrafted furniture by Sam and Melbourne-based furniture company Jardan. Interior architect Kate Harry further worked with Pago to ensure that the design of the old stable restoration unfolded harmoniously with the finer elements.
Guests can book the romantic sanctuary for themselves, retreating to a luxurious room overlooking the 20-meter magnesium pool or stunning two-acre garden. The light and lofty rooms feature a king-sized bed and fitted en suite with a deep spa bath.
For larger bookings, groups of eight can book the entire Pago accommodation and enjoy the stunning accommodation together. Rooms begin retailing at $850 for two nights. The retreat is also adults-only, with Pago Middleton embracing the crux of the R&R mantra by asking you to leave the kids at home.
The peaceful sanctuary is home to a fully-equipped kitchen and BBQ area, encouraging guests to meander through the Willunga Farmers Market and whip up a beautiful, home-cooked meal from local produce.
With a minimum two-night stay, Pago Middleton is the perfect opportunity to relax and explore the Southern coastline. Curl up in a reading nook and devour a novel from the already filled bookshelves or catch the wild surf and rolling waves at the beach 400m down the road.
Having lived in the Fleurieu for a decade, Rose and Sam will also reveal the hidden walking route gems, allowing guests to get under the skin of the region and discover areas that aren’t tourist hotspots.
An acclaimed distiller and winemaker herself, Rose is excited that Pago Middleton will allow South Australians to explore the peninsula that has long been her winemaking playground. Sparking a connection to the Fleurieu location, the sanctuary retreat gives locals the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the state’s backyard.
“We’ve all been through an extraordinary few years, and we can’t travel, so I’m excited for people to come and experience the beauty of what South Australia offers.”
To find out more about Pago Middleton, head to their website and Instagram.
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