An intimate luxury retreat with curated fabric shopping and insider inspiration, designed and personally led by Kelly & Sarah.

Imagine five nights in Melbourne surrounded by beautiful fabrics, inspiring women, and expert guidance with absolutely no pressure to rush, host, or organise a thing. Every detail has been thoughtfully taken care of, so you can relax and truly enjoy the experience.

The Haute Escape: Melbourne is a 5-night / 6-day fabric shopping and style retreat, personally hosted by Sarah from SJM Styling and Kelly from Miss Mary. Together, we’ll guide you through Melbourne’s most inspiring fabric stores, stylish eateries, and a handful of special surprises, removing the overwhelm from fabric shopping and helping you choose with clarity, confidence, and joy, all at a gentle, considered pace.

Tour dates – May 2026
• Thursday 14 May – Tuesday 19 May 2026

---

What is The Haute Escape: Melbourne?

Your Pre-Retreat Planning Session

Before we even arrive in Melbourne, you’ll meet privately with Kelly and Sarah online for a pre-retreat style and fabric planning session. This is our way of getting to know you – what you love to sew, how you dress, and what you’re hoping to create – so we can support you thoughtfully and make fabric shopping feel fun, clear, and easy once we’re together in store.

Where we are staying – Next Hotel Melbourne.

You’ll be staying at Next Hotel Melbourne, Curio Collection by Hilton, right in the heart of the city. It’s stylish, calm and beautifully designed – the perfect base between fabric shopping adventures. Our group has reserved Next Level King Rooms and Next Level Twin Rooms, with breakfast and Wi-Fi included.

Your stay includes daily breakfast in La Madonna Restaurant, with a continental buffet and made-to-order hot options so you can ease into each day at your own pace. The rooms are thoughtfully designed with sumptuous DreamWeave super king bedding and luxury linen, custom furnishings and considered amenities. You’ll also enjoy a twist on the traditional mini bar, stocked with locally sourced provisions and signature cocktails aged in the hotel’s Barrel Room. You can arrive, unpack and settle in knowing everything has been carefully taken care of.

A peek at the itinerary.

The full itinerary will be shared with guests, but here’s the flow of your week:

Day 1 – Thursday: Arrival & Welcome

You’ll arrive at Next Hotel Melbourne, settle in at your own pace, and join us in the evening for welcome drinks and a relaxed dinner with the group.

Day 2 – Friday: Fitzroy Fabric Heaven

You’ll start the day with breakfast before heading to Fitzroy to explore a collection of favourite fabric stores with guided support from Sarah and Kelly, enjoy a hosted group lunch, and spend the afternoon wandering, shopping, or unwinding before returning to the hotel.

Day 3 – Saturday: City Chic & Beauty Treats

After breakfast, we’ll visit a central city fabric store, followed by a special beauty experience at Mecca Bourke Street, and finish the day with a fun and welcoming group dinner where you can dress up or come exactly as you are.

Day 4 – Sunday: Slow Morning & Exhibition

You’ll enjoy a slow and spacious morning to relax, shop, or journal before we come together in the afternoon for a curated exhibition or cultural experience, with the evening left free for you to enjoy Melbourne in your own way.

Day 5 – Monday: Buttons, Bargains & Farewell Toasts

We’ll begin with breakfast before visiting more fabric and accessories stores for unique finds and great-value treasures, enjoy a hosted group lunch, and end the evening with relaxed farewell drinks.

Day 6 – Tuesday: Departure

We’ll share a final breakfast together before checking out and departing at your own pace.

What’s included in your Melbourne Fabric Tour?

• 5 nights’ accommodation at Next Hotel Melbourne (single or twin share)
• Daily breakfast at La Madonna Restaurant
• 3 hosted lunches at venues close to our fabric stops
• 2 group dinners, including a fun Saturday night dinner
• Farewell drinks on Monday evening
• Curated visits to Melbourne’s best fabric stores
• On-the-ground hosting and support from Sarah (stylist) and Kelly (sewing and fabric expert) throughout the tour
• Style and fabric guidance so you can shop with purpose and confidence
• A thoughtfully prepared welcome pack with style and sewing inspired treats
• Time built in for rest, exploring and simply enjoying Melbourne

What’s not included?

So you can plan ahead, the following are not included:

• Flights to and from Melbourne
• Travel insurance
• Additional meals, snacks or drinks outside of the inclusions
• Excess baggage for your (very understandable) fabric haul
• Personal shopping purchases

---

Dates & Costs.

Each tour is limited to 10 women, to keep the experience personal and relaxed.

Tour
Thursday 14 May – Tuesday 19 May 2026

Tour Investment per person
Single Room: $4759
Twin Share: $3939
(Please note there are a maximum of three twin rooms per tour.)

---

For a little extra indulgence we are offering a limited number of VIP upgrades which include:

• Room upgrade at Next Hotel Melbourne (higher category with extra comforts)
• Return limousine transfers to and from Melbourne Airport
• A one-on-one private session during the tour with either Sarah or Kelly – your choice (styling deep-dive or sewing/fabric planning)

VIP upgrade single: $880
VIP Upgrade twin: $400 per person (no room upgrade available)

Payment Options
Pay in full. OR
Pay $1000 deposit and remainder three payments over four months. OR
Pay in full via EFT and receive 5% discount.

Are you ready to join us in Melbourne?

Choose the experience that best suits you.

Each option includes five nights of boutique accommodation at Next Hotel Melbourne, breakfast daily, guided fabric shopping and creative sessions with Sarah and Kelly, and all the thoughtful touches that make this week so special.

Spaces are limited to just 10 guests per tour. Select your tour dates and payment option below and the link will take you directly to our booking page to secure your spot. 

If you’re booking a twin room to share with your bestie, we’d love to know! Simply email us (at sarah@sjmstyling.com.au) their name after booking so we can make sure you’re roomed together. 

Book now.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful creative experience and take such great care of us. Past retreat attendee.

Meet your hosts – Kelly & Sarah

Is this small group fabric tour right for you?

You’ll feel right at home if you:

• Love sewing, fabric, fashion or craft – at any stage of your creative journey
• Want help choosing fabrics that work for your style, lifestyle and skill level
• Prefer small groups where you feel seen, heard and included
• Are craving time away that’s just for you, but still warm and social
• Like the idea of being gently guided rather than doing all the planning yourself

You do not need to be an expert seamstress or a confident dresser. If you enjoy fabric and you’re open to inspiration, you’re absolutely in the right place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an advanced sewer to come? Not at all. If you enjoy sewing or working with fabric, whether you’re just getting started or have been sewing for decades you’re welcome. We’ll tailor our guidance to your experience and comfort level.

Is there any sewing on the tour? No. This is a fabric shopping, style and inspiration tour, with plenty of time to relax, connect and enjoy Melbourne. You’ll head home with fabrics, ideas and a plan – the sewing magic happens once you’re back in your own space.

Can I come on my own? Absolutely. Many women will come solo, and the group size is small and welcoming. You will get to know Kelly and Sarah during your pre tour session, however if you have any questions to feel more comfortable please reach out via email sarah@sjmstyling.com.au

What if I have dietary requirements? We’ll collect your dietary needs when you book and pass them on to our venues and the hotel so you can relax and enjoy your meals without stress.

What’s the payment process? When you click Book Your Place, you’ll be able to choose which Tour you wish to join and whether you’d like to pay in full or a payment plan. The links take you to our payments page and if you choose a payment plan we will send you an invoice with the future payment dates and details.

Can I extend my stay in Melbourne? Yes, subject to hotel availability you’ll be able to add pre or post nights at Next Hotel Melbourne at the group rate, and we can provide details once you’re confirmed on the tour.

Cancellation Policy

The Haute Escape: Melbourne Cancellation Policy.
We understand that plans sometimes change, and our aim is to make everything as clear and reassuring as possible while honouring the commitments we make on behalf of our touring group. The following policy outlines how cancellations and changes are managed so that arrangements remain smooth and fair for everyone involved.

Deposits and Payments.
A non-refundable deposit is required when you reserve your place on the Melbourne Fabric Tour. This payment secures your room and your spot on the tour, and allows us to confirm bookings with the hotel and our suppliers.
The remaining balance is invoiced in stages, with timing set out clearly in your booking confirmation. Your place on the tour is fully confirmed once all payments are received.
If you choose to pay in full at the time of booking, the deposit portion of your payment remains non-refundable. The remainder of your payment is covered by the cancellation terms below.
If you are travelling in a twin-share room, both guests share responsibility for the full room payment.

If You Need to Cancel.
If you need to cancel your place, please notify us in writing. Because accommodation and event bookings are confirmed well in advance, the following terms apply:
More than 91 days before the tour. Your initial deposit, or the deposit portion of your full payment, will be retained.
90–61 days before the tour. Half of your total tour payment will be retained.
60–31 days before the tour. Seventy-five percent of your total tour payment will be retained.
Within 30 days of the tour start. No refund can be provided, as all arrangements will have been finalised and paid.

We suggest arranging travel insurance that includes cancellation cover if you feel unexpected circumstances may arise.

Room Changes or Twin Share Adjustments.
Once rooming lists are submitted to Next Hotel Melbourne, any changes or reductions may attract fees from the hotel. If you are in a twin-share room and your roommate cancels, we will always do our best to reassign rooms or match you with another guest. If this is not possible, a single-room supplement may be required.

Meals, and Events.
Some tour inclusions, such as special dining and group experiences, are prepaid shortly before the tour begins. Once final numbers are confirmed with these partners, these bookings become non-refundable. If you are unable to attend a particular component of the tour, we will offer alternatives where possible.

If We Need to Postpone or Cancel.
If the tour must be postponed or cancelled due to an unforeseen situation outside our control, such as a major disruption or hotel closure, we will work with you to move your booking to new dates or provide a refund with any unrecoverable supplier costs deducted.

In Kindness
We appreciate the commitment you make when you join us on a creative experience like this. These terms have been designed to balance flexibility with the practicalities of coordinating a group tour. If you have questions or personal circumstances you would like to discuss, please reach out as really want to do the best we can to support your needs. We are here to support you wherever we can.

With warmth,
Sarah and Kelly