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A new $50 million six-star luxury hotel proposed for Seppeltsfield’s winery in South Australia's Barossa Valley region has been granted planning approval, permitting construction to commence later this year.
The architectural 12-storey hotel, which has been dubbed ‘the slug’ by apathetic locals, was approved this week by the Light Regional Council.
Called ‘The Oscar’, the hotel is expected to bring in an additional $90 million in tourism expenditure for the region according to vintners Seppeltsfield, and is set to create 365 jobs during the construction phase and 350 ongoing jobs for the region once operational.
“We are thrilled to finally have approval and to move into the next phases after investing almost $2 million into the project to date,” project director Toby Yap said.
“A tender process has been undertaken to choose a luxury hotel operator and we look forward to announcing this exciting partnership soon.”
Located in the heart of the Barossa, a region most famous for Shiraz wines, The Oscar will be the crown jewel at Sepppeltsfield’s cellar door, and will boast 71 rooms including suites and penthouses - all with their own private balcony.
There will be a viewing deck on the top level with 360-degree sweeping views of the Barossa. The ground floor will have a wellness day spa including treatment experiences, relaxation spaces and an infinity pool. The hotel will also have its own restaurant, private dining room and boardroom.
Seppeltsfield proprietor and executive chairman Warren Randall said The Oscar would complete the company’s “grand vision” to become “the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide”.
“Positioned gently in the middle of our Great Terraced Vineyard, the Oscar Seppeltsfield will be surrounded by century-old bush vines, an amazing tranquil location and a short walking distance to the Seppeltsfield precinct – home to our world-class Cellar Door, Centennial Cellar, 1888 Gravity Cellar, FINO restaurant, Jam Factory Craft and Design Studios, Artisan Knife Making, Vasse Virgin, Master Cooper, Segway Vineyard Tours, Fine Art Photography Gallery and Artisan Caterer,” said Randall, who hopes The Oscar will become a national architectural icon á la the Sydney Opera House.
“After wide and extended community consultation and support for the first six-star luxury resort and spa in an Australian wine district, the Barossa is the winner."
The development comes after locals failed in a court bid to halt the progression of the hotel project, with the South Australian Environment, Resources and Development Court throwing out an appeal in July last year.
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