When you pull into the driveway of Hotel Sorrento, set on a clifftop with sparkling views of Port Phillip Bay, you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere exclusive. There’s a heritage Hamptons vibe to the original limestone building, which was built and has been well preserved by the family who owns and runs it as a hotel, with restaurants and bars. But when you enter, the mood is far from exclusive and snobby. The styling is coastal chic, but the place is warm and welcoming. As mentioned, it’s family owned and run, and that shines through in their customer service, the little details, and everything they do.
You can just come in for a feed or a drink but, lucky me, I’m staying. I’m in a Sunset Suite, and I have a round, black-stone bath outside on my room’s private terrace. This will do.
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The room is all earthy tones: timber floating floorboards, pale stone finishings in the bathroom and on the terrace, and a round yet modern armchair by the window. I have an outlook of huge Norfolk pines – they peep up above the ivy-covered stone wall that shields me from onlookers while I take an outdoor bath with a glass of bubbles.
The hotel is an easy two-minute stroll from the pretty-as-a-picture town of Sorrento as well as the beach, but there’s no real reason for you to ever leave the hotel grounds. There are six different areas throughout the property where you can eat and drink. There’s an included à la carte breakfast for guests in the Dining Room, which is in the original building that looks out over the bay. On entry, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful old fireplace. And the menus are led by George Calombaris, so you’re in good hands all the way from breakfast to lunch and dinner. The food is simple modern Australian fare, like elevated pub grub (I had a chicken parma).
There’s also Shihuishi, a Cantonese-style restaurant in the original Hotel Sorrento ballroom. And many other perfect places to park yourself (the Front Bar, the Rooftop, the Lawn and more), depending on the weather, time of day and what sort of view you’re after.
If it’s summer, you probably won’t peel yourself away from the pool very often. It’s Insta perfect – the sun lounges are shaded by pretty mint and white umbrellas. (Note: the pool is only accessible to people aged 16 and over, so you’re in for a very relaxing time.)
If you’re here in the cooler months, you can still bathe – but you’ll prefer the local hot springs offerings to the pool. Hotel Sorrento is a short walk to the divine Aurora Spa and Bathhouse where you can disappear for a couple of hours of bathing bliss. If outdoor bathing is more your thing, the popular Alba and Peninsula Hot Springs are a little drive away.
They also have a spa in the hotel – Marlo Spa offers massages, organic facials, Ayuverdic treatments, a steam room and even a ‘fire and ice’ experience. And they have a partnership with Studio Evolution Fitness, just a short stroll from the hotel.
Only problem with Hotel Sorrento is that once you settle in you won’t want to leave.
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