The place: It’s not as ostentatious or overtly sexy as other five-star destinations, but Cottages Monreale cannot be faulted when it comes to seclusion. In a gully next to Sassafras Creek, the estate was home to some of the region’s earliest guesthouses, and later a bordello. Now revived as a respectable hideaway for romance, it offers four cottages, built in 1998, and two apartments in the remodelled 100-year-old guesthouse. Open-plan cottages have cathedral ceilings, extensive windows, complete kitchens, plush lounges and spas. Bathrooms are dated but serviceable. Ponds and gardens add to the Zen atmosphere.

The experience:Arriving to a heated cottage, with the keys in the door, and no one else in sight, creates a feeling of utter solitude. Indeed, you needn’t see another soul all weekend. Light the pre-stacked fireplace and enjoy complimentary liqueur muscat, chocolates, DVDs and breakfast goodies. Gourmet dinner hampers can also be dropped at the door by extremely thoughtful yet invisible hosts. Depending on your sociability, you might encounter the estate’s resident animals (three friendly cats, myriad birds and trout), or drive to the villages of Sassafras and Olinda for bric-a-brac browsing and cake-gorging. Local bush or garden walks can be reached on foot from the property and take about half an hour, while more arduous excursions are minutes by car.”  Read more…   The Age Good Weekend 29 October 2011

“It’s luxurious and romantic accommodation. It’s everything you could dream of in a spring weekend retreat” “… it is the attention to detail at Monreale that makes you feel special, the chocolates on the pillow, the freshly laundered fluffy bathrobes and slippers in the wardrobe, the mini bar well stocked with local reds, whites and sparkling wines for your indulgence. All is designed with enjoyment in mind…” Jan Morgan Editorial Manager – Melbourne City Weekly

“If privacy, luxury and sensual delight are high on the list, Monreale Estate may well be your perfect destination…” “Each of the charming cottages has a cosy wood fire (as well as central heating and cooling) and an open plan design that’s perfect for lovers, the bed (king or queen), spa and fire are in the same visual space”. “… From every window there’s a superb garden/forest outlook. Each cottage also has a comfy lounge area and fully equipped kitchen …” Jane Mclean travel writer – Weekends for Two

Monreale Estate in Sassafras is only a short drive down Burwood Highway to Melbourne. The 2.5ha property, featuring four self contained cottages and two apartments, was built 11 years ago and has been winning the major Victorian and Australian tourism awards for some years. Each cottage is positioned for maximum privacy and has a special feature. Ours, “Oakbrook Cottage” has a large veranda overlooking a trout pond and trees hug all the windows. There are tree ferns seen from the spa corner, Japanese maples from the living room. Manchurian pear trees from the kitchen and a 40m-high pin oak dominates the veranda view. But what really sets Monreale apart are the in room dinner hampers. ……..we were handed a hamper at the door with a single red rose and were left alone for a blissfully romantic evening. Co-owner Cheryl Johnston is a truly, magnificent cook. After dinner there was nothing left but to watch my husband tackle the male science of fire stoking and settle on the black leather three seater to watch some DVD’s. The open plan cottage makes for easy living and communication. The entire apartment can be viewed from the king-sized bed. Breakfast is a struggle after such a big dinner the previous night but a quick walk to the nearby Alfred Nicholas gardens opens the appetite. Catherine Lambert – Herald Sun Writer/Review

Herald Sun Feature – 22 August 2010 Monreale Herald Sun Feature 22 Aug 2010 – PDF File

Free Press Leader – 30 September 2009 Steadily on in Sassafras, with eye to a tourism trio…A unique Sassafras business is in the running for a tourism award. Cottages Monreale, a collection of luxury self-contained cottages, has been nominated for a Tourism Victoria award. Each year the awards recognise leading businesses and individuals for their contribution to the Victorian tourism industry. Cottages Monreale is trying to achieve the trifecta this year, after winning the award in its category for the past two years. The estate has been run by Karl and Cheryl Johnston for the past 10 years. Ms Johnston said that over the years the business had built a loyal client base, and they had a number of loyal customers, including locals and those from interstate. She said although business dropped off in February after the bushfires, it was once again steady. Other popular attractions of the estate include three trout ponds with fresh fish, open fires and large fireside spas, as well as the surrounding bush scenery. Award winners will be announced on November 16.

Article Herald Sun 14 June 2009 Herald Sun Writer/Review Catherine Lambert Check – IN finding the perfect place to stay Winter is a great time to visit the Dandenongs,writes Catherine Lambert A CHILDHOOD in Melbourne usually involves regular Sunday drives to the Dandenongs. The trip is not always received well. There are possibilities of car sickness on the windy climb up the mountain and long waits while the adults look in bric-a-brac shops. For adults, the trip makes more sense. Only an hour from Melbourne is this little piece of Europe where the air is clean, the ground moist, the colours are glorious and the shops are fun. It is possible to miss autumn in many parts of Melbourne now, but in the Dandenongs the autumn colours still shines brightly as winter takes hold. The gullies and slopes are ablaze with red, orange and rust. This is the perfect season to visit the Dandenongs, and Monreale Estate in Sassafras is only a short drive down Burwood Highway to Melbourne. The 2.5ha property, featuring four self contained cottages and two apartments, was built 11 years ago and has been winning the major Victorian and Australian tourism awards for some years. Each cottage is positioned for maximum privacy and has a special feature. Ours, “Oakbrook Cottage” has a large veranda overlooking a trout pond and trees hug all the windows. There are tree ferns seen from the spa corner, Japanese maples from the living room. Manchurian pear trees from the kitchen and a 40m-high pin oak dominates the veranda view. But what really sets Monreale apart are the in room dinner hampers. For only $118 for two, we were handed a hamper at the door with a single red rose and were left alone for a blissfully romantic evening. Co-owner Cheryl Johnston is a magnificent cook. Her kitchen produces 12 different hampers. We chose soup, roast chicken with Macadamia nut stuffing, organic greens and potato gratin. Followed by sticky date pudding and baked cheesecake. It included the bottle of wine, crusty baguettes and candles. After dinner there was nothing left but to watch my husband tackle the male science of fire stoking and settle on the black leather three seater to watch some DVD’s. The open plan cottage makes for easy living and communication. The entire apartment can be viewed from the king-sized bed. Breakfast is a struggle after such a big dinner the previous night but a quick walk to the nearby Alfred Nicholas gardens opens the appetite. There is a back entrance to the 80-year old gardens only 300m from Monreale and is a breathtaking display. The reflection of the liquid ambers and maples in the ornamental lake is so pretty it could have a movie set. Even a walk through Monreale is pleasant because such attention to detail has been devoted to its design. That it lies so close to Melbourne makes it all the more special.