This was published 1 year ago
Sunnymead Hotel, Aireys Inlet: Australia's newest reimagined '80s motel is on the Great Ocean Road
If you're the kind of traveller who hears the word "motel" and thinks of white bread toast in a paper bag and plastic shower curtains clinging to your calves, you've clearly not caught up on the motel revival trend that's continuing apace.
Most motels in Australia are pretty comfortable these days but there's a revival that's turning a growing number of humble motor inns into chic destination stays.
The latest to launch is Sunnymead Hotel, a takeover and reimagining of the 1980s motel, the Lightkeepers Inn, in Aireys Inlet at the start of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.
As the owner of the Great Ocean Resort at nearby Anglesea, Damien Cerantonio says he had his eye on the motel for a while before securing it. He closed it mid-2022 and with his business partners, began the transformation.
Like the slew of new motels debuting in recent years, Sunnymead features retro accents, bright, warm colours and Mediterranean vibes amid a renovation that takes advantage of the original spacious rooms and prime location.
But Cerantonio was determined to make his new property a place to bunker down rather than just spend a night.
One of the biggest issues for operators on the Great Ocean Road is that tourists tend to either motor on through – it is, after all, one of the world's great drives – or stay only a short time.
To offer something worth lingering for, the manager's residence of the old Lightkeepers has been turned into Indie Spa with a bath house attached. Sunnymead also features the Santara Restaurant opening this month with an Indian-inspired menu, but it's only a short walk from the Aireys Pub and popular eateries, A La Grecque, Great Ocean Road Gin Kitchen and the new French deli and bar, Le Comptoir.
It's also close to Aireys Inlet beaches, including the hotel's namesake, Sunnymead, a hidden gem.
There's an outdoor area with a magnesium pool accompanied by a pool bar, Sunnies, plus a fire pit and pizza oven. The whole pool area is available to be booked for private functions.
"We're hoping to attract groups of friends and couples, girls' trips and corporate groups as well, packaging up a combination stay with the day spa and the restaurant," says Cerantonio.
Sunnymead's bright yellow Volkswagen Kombi is also available for private tours, bridal parties and other fun transportation purposes.
Rooms feature mini-bars full of locally sourced treats and amenities are from The Herbalist at Jan Juc near Torquay, around half an hour away.
The Great Ocean Road has historically had a shortage of higher end hotel-style accommodation.
Cerantonio hopes Sunnymead inspires other motel owners in the region to step up their game – and perhaps also inspire visitors to embrace the area mid-week and out of season. See sunnymeadhotel.com.au
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