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Glencoe Rural Retreat
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| The lavender and cream farmhouse that is Glencoe Rural Retreat is a piece of French country tucked away in the Tasmanian countryside.
Passers-by on the country road in northern Tasmania see a simple house surrounded by fields - with a back-drop of the craggy, impressive Mt Roland.
But those who step past the delicate iron-lacework of the verandah to enter Glencoe will discover that Ginette and Remi Bancal have inserted an intriguing slice of their own stylish French culture into the Australian Federation architecture.
All-pervasive is Ginette’s French flair for arrangement. The couple describes Glencoe as a place of harmonie and appropriately, the decorating style is unmistakably French harmony, blending an eclectic sophistication with the warmth and conviviality of a family home.
Remi’s epicurean finesse as chef and sommelier is reflected in Glencoe’s food. Hospitality experience at the Ritz of Paris, followed after moving to Australia by Mietta’s in Melbourne and Banc in Sydney, means that a simple breakfast cup of coffee from Remi is a total experience – from the depth of flavour to the Villeroy and Boch café au lait cup in which it is served.
Glencoe caters for the needs of guests who want to combine stylish accommodation and French cuisine with Tasmania’s offering of outdoor pursuits such as walks at Cradle Mountain or fly-fishing in nearby rivers.
Accommodation is in one of the four French country- styled rooms on offer, all with bathrooms. Breakfast is included and a table d’hote dinner of three courses is available on request.
And guests are welcome to absorb the peace of Glencoe by relaxing with a book or music in the guest lounge or seated under a spreading old golden elm in the garden.
“We want to help people enjoy what we appreciate here – fine simple fresh food and the country atmosphere you would experience in Italy or the south of France,” Ginette said.
“From our seven years at Calstock Country Retreat in Tasmania, we know people who choose this type of accommodation want to be looked after; it’s different from a hotel. And we want our guests to be rested when they leave.”
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Map (Beta Version)
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Sorry, Google is unable to show map.
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Things To Do
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| The Bancals believe Glencoe Rural Retreat is ideally suited as a pied á terre for visiting surrounding attractions.
From the Sheffield base, guests can visit wineries, chocolate, cheese and berry farms, antique shops and galleries.
Cradle Mountain, with its walks, forest environment and Dove Lake is a comfortable drive away and fishermen can be catered for on the Lakes of the Central Highlands or on three rivers nearby.
Activities such as horse-riding and golf are also close, as is Devonport, where guests bringing their own cars may arrive on the Spirit of Tasmania.
Among Glencoe’s first guests was a couple from Sydney who chose simply to stay at the house for the weekend, relaxing and playing boules in the garden.
“They needed to unwind; they said it was great just to be here,” Ginette said.
Other guests comment on Glencoe’s “relaxing ambience”, “fabulous food and wine” and repeatedly, on their wish to return to this place of harmonie.
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Rooms
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|  | Queen deluxe
Each of the four guest rooms at Glencoe has a different colour and decoration theme; the effect is a personalized, salon feel, with comfort.
Against a backdrop of soft taupe-coloured walls and carpet, the Toile de Jouy patterned fabric of the cushions, curtains and lampshades is picked up in pale blue, pale green and rose in three of the rooms. The fourth room has a more Asian feel, highlighted in the charcoal-coloured painting by Tasmanian artist Tony Smibert.
Each room has its individual antique carved wardrobe and cream-painted French provincial-style tables; the Kross slimline televisions bracket-mounted on a corner wall do not impose. And each features its own art; from insect prints in gilt frames to Smibert’s impressionistic sweeps.
The ensuite bathrooms are at once compact and luxurious: pale grey and white with shower, basin, toilet and masses of white fluffy towels. Hairdryers and luxury toiletries add to the sense of comfort.
Overall, the rooms have a sense of peace, light and airiness. Ginette Bancal said: “We wanted simple, classy rooms that were comfortable – where people were not afraid to put down their suitcase for fear they would knock something over.”
| Room Rate
$165 to $185 |
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Directions
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| From Devonport take direction Sheffield Cradle Mountain on the B14 pass Lower Barrington Glencoe Rural Retreat is on rith just before the turn off to Barrington.
From Sheffield take direction Devonport on the B14 and you will find Glencoe 8km on your letf . |
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