An iconic '80s motel, reimagined. Sitting along Torquay's Esplanade, just down the road from the legendary Bells Beach, Surf Hotel is a celebration of coastal living, Australian surf culture and considered design.
Brought to life by Jack Davis and George Robinson, the former Surf City Motel has been transformed into 16 beautifully designed rooms and suites, a sprawling four-bedroom Penthouse and a restaurant led by acclaimed chef Jo Barrett.
This Home Life Series, we're taking you inside the Penthouse, where raw textures meet refined finishes, vintage surf history lines the walls and ocean views come standard. We chat about the building's transformation, the stories behind its interiors and the art of slowing down on the Surf Coast.
First things first, we'd love to know the story behind Surf Hotel. What sparked the idea to bring this project to life?
Surf Hotel is a project by Blackwood, our hospitality venture. We saw an opportunity to bring new life to an iconic Torquay building while creating something that felt genuinely connected to the local community. We wanted to build more than just a place to stay – somewhere that celebrates the surf culture, creativity and character that makes this part of the coast so special.
Sitting right on Torquay's iconic Esplanade, overlooking the foreshore, Surf Hotel has a pretty special position. Can you tell us about the history of the building and what drew you to this particular location?
The building was originally the Surf City Motel, a familiar fixture on The Esplanade since the 1980s. We loved the character of the original red-brick architecture and wanted to retain that sense of nostalgia rather than completely reinvent it. Torquay has such a rich surfing history, and being right on the foreshore, just down the road from Bells Beach, made it a pretty special place to bring this project to life.
The Penthouse feels like a beautiful meeting point between a coastal retreat, a considered home and an art gallery. What was the original vision for this space, and how did you want it to feel different from a traditional hotel suite?
We wanted the Penthouse to feel more like a home than a traditional hotel suite. With four bedrooms it comfortably sleeps eight, making it perfect for families, groups of friends or longer stays. The generous living and dining spaces are designed for coming together, whether that's cooking a big dinner, playing records, enjoying the art collection or sitting out on the deck overlooking the ocean. We wanted it to feel considered and special, but somewhere you could really settle in and make yourself at home.
Your rooms have an incredible collection of artwork celebrating vintage surf culture, giving the space so much character and personality. Who was responsible for curating the collection, and what was the creative brief? Are there any particularly special pieces or stories behind the artworks?
Andy Mac curated the collection, working closely with the local surfing community to bring together archival works, contemporary art and special commissions. We wanted the art to tell stories about the people and history of this coastline. One particularly special contribution came from Rip Curl co-founder Doug Warbrick, who loaned us a collection of his personal surfboards, ridden at Bells Beach back in the '70s. It's those connections to local surf history that make the collection so meaningful.
One of the most striking elements of the Penthouse is its use of contrasting textures and materials. What inspired this material palette, and how did you bring all these different elements together?
Pasquale Cook led the interiors alongside Forum Studio, with a focus on retaining the raw character of the original building while introducing more refined details. The surrounding coastal landscape was a big influence, from timber finishes reminiscent of rippled sand to industrial steel and aluminium, balanced with high-gloss surfaces and softer furnishings. The result is a space that's considered but never too precious – somewhere you can come straight from the beach, kick off your shoes and feel completely at home.
Torquay has such a distinct identity, steeped in surf culture, creativity and coastal living. How has the local landscape and community influenced the hotel's design and personality? Were there particular eras, designers or places that inspired the interiors?
Torquay's surfing history has been a huge influence, particularly the culture of the '70s and '80s. The original architecture, local artwork, vintage surf references and natural coastal materials all play a part. Ultimately, we wanted Surf Hotel to feel like it belongs here.
Food is another big part of the Surf Hotel experience, with chef Jo Barrett at the helm of the restaurant. How does the food connect with the hotel's coastal setting and the local region?
Jo leads the restaurant alongside Head Chef Aaron Brodie, with a strong focus on seasonal produce and the incredible growers and producers in the region. There's such a great food culture developing along the Surf Coast, and we wanted the restaurant to be part of that. The approach is thoughtful but relaxed, reflecting the produce, people and pace of life down here.
We can't come to Torquay without asking for a few local secrets! Where do you head for your morning coffee, a refreshing dip, a long lunch or a little creative inspiration?
The Jan Juc to Bells Beach coastal walk is hard to beat, particularly at sunrise or sunset. Point Addis is another favourite for its incredible views, and About Time Bath House is a great spot to unwind.
