It’s one of the Mornington Peninsula’s newest and trendiest residences, but does function match form at RACV Cape Schanck Resort?

RACV Cape Schanck Resort reopened its doors on the Morning Peninsula in 2018 after an impressive redevelopment, and already the premium resort is off to a cracking start. In the space of a year and a half, it has been awarded for its build and given its first ‘hat’ in the Good Food Guide Awards 2020.

But can the resort last the test of time? Here’s Travel Weekly’s verdict.

First impression

RACV Cape Schanck Resort and its exterior facade – inspired by the coast and given a soft, rolling dune-like quality – are unsurprisingly the first and perhaps most striking aspects of the facility.

The resort’s builder Kane Constructions recently took out top honours at this year’s Master Builders Excellence in Construction Awards for design in Victoria; but while outside the design of the facility is mesmerising, the interior of the resort is equally well planned and executed.

Along with hospitable and welcoming staff, the exceptional designs of each room are impressive and make the most of the Mornington Peninsula’s renowned views – whether of Port Phillip Bay, the tip of the Peninsula, Bass Straight or the resort’s own golf course.

What’s more is that each of them takes advantage of the resort’s surplus of natural light – a highlight of the residence for meetings, incentives and events planners – which is enjoyed in a wealth of spaces of all sizes.

Adding to this are high quality in-house catering options from one of the resort’s three food and beverage outlets, Cape, which has come to recent renown.

Location

Set on an 18-hole championship golf course, RACV Cape Schanck Resort is a naturally embedded destination around an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Melbourne Airport. But despite its comparatively short drive from Victoria’s capital, it feels pleasantly further from the inner-city fold.

The leisurely drive along the Mornington Peninsula by the Peninsula link freeway to the resort is lovely with beautiful coastal scenery and winding roads fringed by lush trees along the way, while a wealth of rural properties selling fresh produce make for perfect pit-stops.

The view from the nearby Cape Schanck walking track

Although the resort describes itself as a “coastal escape”, there is happily no shortage of experiences close at hand throughout the region. These include clifftop walks, wineries and a selection of swimming and surfing beaches.

Family-friendly attractions are also on offer across the Peninsula at the popular tourist areas of Portsea, Sorrento, Red Hill, and Flinders.

Rooms and suites

The resort offers sun-drenched luxury in spades, while also providing a selection of great value accommodation options across three categories. These include rooms and villas with ocean views and endowed with simple yet elegant furnishings, as well as brilliant onsite dining and recreational facilities.

Deluxe room

Each of Cape Schanck Resort’s rooms offer plenty of space; however, for families and guests looking for added privacy and added personal space, the resort’s two- and three-bedroom villas, which sleep four to six people respectively, offer added flexibility.

In addition, all villas feature a large entertainment area, flat-screen TVs in each lounge and bedroom, a private balcony and a fully equipped kitchen – making them aptly suited for short- to long-term stays.

Peninsula Suite

Drinking and dining

The food and hospitality at Cape Schanck Resort are one of its highlights. Led by executive chef Josh Pelham – who joined after a stint at London’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, The Square, and Melbourne Press Club – the resort’s three premium food and beverage outlets are headlined by Cape restaurant.

The restaurant has come to wider acclaim as well, having been recently recognised with its first ‘hat’ in the Good Food Guide Awards 2020.

The resort also offers guests and visitors two other new food and beverage outlets – Mantellina and Lighthouse Lounge – each with a vibe of their own.

Mantellina offers a relaxed, family-friendly, café experience with an Italian-influenced menu. Think light snacks, stone-baked pizza and a la carte all-day dining.

Mantellina Restaurant

Lighthouse Lounge, on the other hand, is a modern all-day dining space offering a seasonal menu, light snacks and a handpicked selection of local and premium branded beer, wine and spirits.

What’s more, events and conferences can be catered to by the resort, with chefs preparing menus composed of local produce, regional wines and great service.

Amenities

While the resort is close to great outdoor experiences like Fingal Beach, the Mornington Peninsula National Park, and the popular tourist areas of Portsea, Sorrento, Red Hill and Flinders, it also offers attractions of its own.

The resort’s 18-hole golf course

Guests can whip out their golf clubs or hire a set and take to the resort’s 18-hole golf course, or pop on their trainers and head to the tennis courts, gymnasium or walking tracks.

If taking it slow sounds a bit more enticing to your clients, the resort also has a solar heated swimming pool, spa and sauna. Guests can also indulge in a treatment at One Spa, the resort’s day spa retreat.

Event spaces

RACV Cape Schanck Resort offers the largest event spaces of their kind on the Mornington Peninsula. With event capacity ranging from 10 to 450 guests, the resort’s facilities are suited to events of all sizes, including intimate meetings, large-scale events or weddings, to name but a few options.

Bass Meeting Room

With 10 conference rooms flooded with natural light, including two spacious ballrooms with stunning views, as well as six smaller, well-equipped boardrooms and two flexible pre-function areas, the resort offers plenty of options to boot.

On top of an already wide selection of facilities, event planners also have access to a green room, restaurants, lounge, recreation centre, and two terrace areas.

Horizons Ballroom 1 & 2

Moreover, the resort offers a full range of audio-visual equipment, including motorised projectors and screens, ceiling-mounted projectors or wall-mounted integrated TV screens, digital signage, three-phase power, simple-touch wall-mounted screen interfaces for lighting control, and automated block-out and shade blinds. Wireless internet is also offered throughout the resort.

Verdict: 8.5/10

RACV Cape Schanck Resort fills a valuable and desirable post on the Mornington Peninsula for business and leisure with a diverse range of dwelling types and a wealth of facilities for events of all sizes. Rounding these aspects out are a brilliant selection of in-house dining options and a swathe of intriguing and classy onsite activities.

All things point to this premium property only getting better with age.