Inside Mornington Peninsula’s buzziest attraction
Nipped, tucked and spruced, the 145-year-old hotel has reemerged as a veritable hospitality hub.
This article appeared in issue six of Travel + Luxury magazine. Explore the full edition here.
Swathed in golden light, flushed with newness and animated with revellers, The Continental on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula was abuzz when T+L visited last month. Everyone loves a comeback and few have been as well received as the return of this limestone-clad landmark in Sorrento. The 145-year-old hotel was acquired in April 2020 by a consortium comprising the Victor Smorgon Group, the Kanat Group and Trenerry Property and polished to the tune of $100 million. Two years later, the new-look Conti is a veritable lifestyle hub brimming with restaurants, bars, an Aurora spa and an elegant 108-room InterContinental hotel.
At the launch event, hundreds of guests milled around this multi-level funhouse, enjoying canapes on the terrace, swaying to electronic beats and live drummers in the subterranean lounge, and soaking up the effervescent vibe of the numerous dining areas. At the centre of this lively scene was Scott Pickett, the indefatigable chef known for his ability to keep a number of plates spinning simultaneously. In addition to helming his stable of Melbourne restaurants, including Chancery Lane and recent arrival Smith St Bistrot, Pickett and publican Craig Shearer collaborated on The Conti’s venues. They range from fine-diner Audrey’s, named for Pickett’s influential grandmother and arrayed in nautical shades, to light-filled eatery The Atrium, and The Promenade, an alfresco spot on Ocean Beach Road. There are also three additional bars and a beer garden. “It’s the biggest things I’ve ever done,” says Pickett, “and I’m so excited.”
Seafood-focused Audrey’s serves the exquisite likes of lobster and caviar tartlet, John Dory with celeriac and tuna marrow bordelaise, and vacherin of rhubarb, apple and ginger. With its marble-topped bar, painterly rugs and large-scale portraits by artist Erik Madigan Heck, the space is intimate, inviting and refined. The airy Atrium has a more crowd-pleasing ambience with a soaring glass roof, graphic tiled floor and all-day menu. Barlow, meanwhile, is a speak-easy for late-night carousing.
Deftly designed by Woods Bagot, the project swirls together seaside motifs, heritage restoration and splashes of Art Deco style. At the hotel, scheduled to open next month, guests can choose between seaside views or pool deck vistas – and what a pool it is. The guest-only Mediterranean-inspired deck, overlooking Sorrento Bay, is decorated with pale geometric tiles and green-striped umbrellas. The hotel suites are equipped with sleek furnishings and thoughtful art, while a complimentary in-room bar features local wines, small-batch spirits and craft beers. Nipped, tucked and spruced, The Conti is the cynosure of the Mornington Peninsula.