The Stayz 2016 Holiday Rental Awards

Stayz, our go-to website for weekend wanderlust, has announced the winners of its 2016 Holiday Rental Awards. And what a list it is. HB’s own Katrina O’Brien was on board to judge the Interior & Design category. From coastal holiday homes to inner-city digs and country retreats, this year’s shortlist is so divine we’ve already in full holiday planning mode.

Here, a gorgeous chef’s kitchen with a scene-setting splashback is the centrepiece of the open-plan living zone in this striking modern home, our first runner-up.

Pale finishes in the shape of white walls and cabinetry and light-hued timber combine with hits of texture to deliver a relaxed, modern, beachy aesthetic.The four bedroom home is available to rent through stayz.com.au. Check it out here.

Introducing runner-up number two, a fabulous apartment with spacious living areas and a tall ceiling void with a vast picture window offering a dramatic skyscape. 

The property has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and is available to rent through stayz.com.au. Check it out here.

Runner-up number three: a chic, boutique-style apartment with an arty vibe. 

Timber finishes line the open-plan living space, which gives onto a balcony with city views. Check it out here.

Next: runner-up number four, a multi-award-winning property built by Andreas Heidbrink and styled by interior designer David Rowland, who has sourced bespoke furniture and artworks from Australian and international artists to fill the striking interior. 

The four bedroom, three bathroom home exemplifies style, from the polished concrete floors to the exposed timber ceilings. Check it out here.

Number five on our list of runners-up is this Lynda Gardener-designed studio in Victoria’s Fitzroy; classic style with more than a hint of French flavour.

Have a look at the whole space in our web gallery, and check out the rental possibilities here.

Our sixth and final runner-up is a little different: recycled shipping containers formed into a unique home, resting on the banks of the Inglis River. 

The two bedroom, two bathroom home has a coastal vibe in-keeping with its waterfront location. We’ve showcased the whole property on our web gallery, and you can check out the rental details here. 

…and the winner is

The divinely rustic, Clifftop at Hepburn. Deep in the heart of Victoria’s spa and wellness precinct, this two-bedroom, self-contained retreat was designed by local Daylesford architect Robin Larsen to inspire awe from the moment you walk – make that float – through the door. Think high beamed ceilings, wraparound windows, open fireplaces and private spa baths all enveloped by an old pine forest set along a plunging cliff face.

The simplicity of black on black in the bathrooms quickly transports guests into a Zen kind of mood. To check out the entire winning property visit our web gallery, and for more rental details visit the listing here.