$10m Portarlington Grand Hotel renovations complete

THE Portarlington Grand Hotel is officially back in business with its major renovation now complete.

The venerable Newcombe Street institution closed for the $10 million works in March of last year, and the finishing touches were put on the hotel last week.

“You have to say the venue is just stunning, to be honest,” venue manager Mark Henderson said.

“Our architects Techne Architecture and builders ARC Projects have completely restored a building from 1888. Externally it remains very sympathetic to the period in terms of the balcony, the cement render, and the colours.

“Then internally, you have a beautiful, warm, hotel feeling, and the new rooms upstairs are quite cutting edge.

“It’s a real game-changer for the region.”

The multi-million-dollar renovation included the refurbishment of 18 heritage inspired rooms across two levels, with some being able to access the balcony and bay views.

New areas such as the Atrium, which reopened in December, the lawn, the bistro and front bar featuring 18-foot high ceilings, which re-opened six weeks ago, were also part of the litany of upgrades over the past year and a half.

Mr Henderson, who has managed the venue for three years alongside co-manager Franco Biasuzzo, said accommodation opens to the public on August 1, but there was already a tremendous amount of interest.

The next challenge for the hotel is staffing to cope with the expected summer surge set to present itself.

“It’s business as usual, but it’s a different usual,” Mr Henderson said.

“We currently operate at five days a week and we are thinking of going to seven, but we’re in need of about 30 new staff members to cope with demand, so we’re hoping that when the hotel becomes unveiled, more people will jump at the chance.

“The hotel has a fantastic bunch of staff, and it has a great range of ages from 16 through to 68, I believe; they’re all focused on looking after the customer and they love the environment they are working in.”

The hotel, commonly referred to as “The Grand Lady”, will also lend itself to popular Portarlington-based events moving forward now that its renovation is complete.

“We got to experience our first Celtic Festival in three years a few weeks ago, which was absolutely exciting as we got to work very closely with the festival director Una McAlinden, and we’re in discussions for next year’s Mussel Festival,” Mr Henderson added.

“We have also just come out of a meeting regarding the Melbourne Cup visiting Portarlington and we’ll be a feature venue for the presentation, so there is plenty to look forward to.”

To enquire about potential work at the Portarlington Grand Hotel heading into summer, email [email protected].