With only four rooms the grand Victorian Terrace in Richmond is one of the city’s smallest hotels but that’s just one of the reasons this place is so special.

Villa Donati exudes style from its European café-esque breakfast room to the ornate marble-and-iron fireplaces in its luxurious bedrooms. Filled with beautiful furniture, artwork and decorative items collected by the owners over many years of travelling, this opulent B&B is clearly a labour of love.

Our favourite boutique bedroom is the enormous Room 4, a doctors’ surgery in the hotel’s previous incarnation. It comes with slick polished Kauri Pine floorboards and a queen-size bed adorned in brightly coloured throws, to brighten up any day. A giant mirror with heavy frame leans against one wall and a large comfy couch rests in another corner, it’s as if everything here is taking a well deserved break; and the little outside courtyard, complete with table and chairs, is the ideal spot to enjoy your morning coffee.

 If you stay in any of the other rooms, there’s a superbly sunny balcony off the upstairs lounge with cosy French café-style furnishings and a charming view of the Melbourne skyline making it the perfect possie for a glass of wine in the evening.

If you’re planning a stay at Villa Donati make sure you bring an empty suitcase – the hotel is set in the heart of Melbourne’s interior-design district, and you’re bound to be tempted to buy something fabulous for your home. It’s also just a hop, skip and a jump from the trendy High St, Armadale filled with fashionable boutiques.

Also, bring your driving licence – the nearby Ferrari showroom offers self-drive day trips.

Mr & Mrs Smith members get a little something extra at every hotel they book with us so become a member when you book and you’ll also be treated to a complimentary bottle of Australian wine.

To book your stay at Villa Donati visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call Mr & Mrs Smith’s Travel Team on 1300 89 66 27, 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.