Abode’s latest offering, a four-star hotel in Murrumbateman outside Canberra will be a boon to local wineries and Yass Valley tourism.

“Construction has already commenced on the 50-room hotel and we expect to welcome our first guests in February next year,” Abode Group General Manager Rien Donkin said.

“We are excited about the opportunities for this market and being the first luxury accommodation in the region.”

Affectionately known as ‘the long house’ because of its allusion to the grand pastoral homesteads famous throughout Australia’s rural heritage, the building was designed by local Canberra architect Hugh Gordon. It is north facing with a low scale that features a series of linked single-storey pavilions. The reception is in the main entry pavilion with dining and living areas. This pavilion has high vaulted ceilings and tall window glazing to the north and south. To the east and west are the rooms in various sizes and styles with the larger bedroom pavilions clad in timber, with timber pergolas in keeping with the main entry pavilion. The exterior design and material selections of brick, stone, timber and glass walls and corrugated steel roofing is in keeping with rural vernacular in the Murrumbateman area. The architecture will be complemented by extensive landscaping.

Abode is the Canberra region’s largest hotel brand, with 400 rooms under management across four properties (Woden, Narrabundah, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin), and another 400 rooms in the pipeline with Murrumbateman on the way, properties under development in Kingston and Braddon, and further properties planned for Belconnen and the Kingston Foreshore.

“In anticipation of the kind of travellers we envisage for this property, who will be seeking a food and wine experience, Abode Murrumbateman will be a departure from the Group’s trademark, self-contained apartment model, by offering a choice of ensuite bedrooms as well as communal kitchen facilities, wine-tasting area, open fireplace and guest lounge,” Mr Donkin said.

“There are plenty of wonderful dining options in the area, so it made sense for us to encourage our guests to get out and enjoy all that is available locally. We expect this property to be well-utilised by Canberrans looking to take a relaxing weekend away to visit the wonderful wineries in the area, as well as by visitors from farther afield, such as Sydney which is just three hours’ drive away.

“We could see the potential of Murrumbateman as a location, and our strategy is to expand further into regional NSW looking at other key locations like Goulburn, Wagga Wagga and Albury.”

Mayor of Yass Valley Council and Chair of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation, Rowena Abbey said: “The new Abode Murrumbateman will enhance the choice of accommodation for visitors to the region and potentially open up the Yass Valley to a whole new group of people who had not previously considered coming here. We know we are a fantastic destination and providing our visitors with enhanced accommodation choices will continue to spread the word and entice people to visit.”

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