Port Fairy’s Drift House has made a great impact on Australian tourism and was inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Halls of Fame in November last year after being awarded the Best Luxury Accommodation in the state for the third year in a row.
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Drift House is owned and operated by sea-changer couple John Watkinson and Colleen Guiney. John is a former corporate executive, having held senior marketing, operational, strategy and general management roles with a range of iconic Australian organisations. Colleen is an artist, freelance visual merchandiser and stylist.
“We were absolutely thrilled with this award,” said John. “We’ve only been in operation for a little over three years so to be presented with such an amazing accolade so early in our history is overwhelming.”
Drift House made a big impact upon opening in late 2013, scooping both the Victorian and Australian Tourism Awards; receiving a commendation in the Australian Institute of Architect Awards; reaching the finals of the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards; and being voted the world’s fourth best new hotel in the prestigious Smith Hotel Awards.
“We set out with the aim of re-defining luxury in the context of Australian accommodation” says John. “We think luxury seekers are getting a bit tired of the same old cookie-cutter approach to hotel design. In response to this we created something that is entirely bespoke to appeal to those looking for accommodation that is a little more interesting and individual.”
To some people Drift House is a boutique hotel and to others a retreat. The label is not important. Put simply it is a special place to stay. It does not represent over-the-top opulence nor doily wrapped Victoriana. It is unique, individual and entirely bespoke.
Striking external architecture combines with sumptuous and sensual interiors to create a supremely relaxing environment
Co-owner Colleen Guiney believes luxury is not about brand names, star ratings or dollars.
“It is an outcome of how we feel; a certain state of mind; an individual experience; and it is always influenced by our surroundings,” she says. “Our suites are equipped to an impeccable standard and maintained in the spotless condition required for any official five star rating, but it is the beautiful design and the environment that it creates, coupled with thoughtful and personal service, not the ticking of boxes, that makes Drift House so special.”