And here we…sitting on the balcony drinking a glass of rose surveying our kingdom like a smug seagull. My ears are tuned into the rhythm of the waves. As the sun dips the Norfolk pine trees stretch their shadows. An orchestra of voices rises from below; a shriek of laughter, the odd woof, babble of children playing, chatter – life.

This is Manly Pacific. The hotel is part of the MGallery Collection of 120 curated boutique hotels globally that offer one-of-a-kind designs, inspiring locations and memorable moments. Mr G and I are feelin’ the breeze.  I have already donned my stylish black Manly Pacific hotel slippers as an early submission to the cult. Over the next 24hrs we explore the reinvented hotel which graces one of the most famous beaches in the world. 

The Arrival

We are running late, we are supposed to be at Four Pines for a family lunch and we haven’t even checked in! We pull up the car outside and scramble our overnight belongings into our arms, just as a handsomely dressed, Palm Springs-esque looking concierge arrives by my side “Hey, let me get that for you” and just like that our car is valet parked.

The reception team greet us. “Have you come from far away?” It feels a bit ingenuous to say, “The Inner West”’ but I share! We are provided with keycards, passes for free cocktails at 55 North—the hotel’s swanky cocktail bar and a postcard adorned with historical wooden surfboards. “Send it to anyone you want. We will post it for you, the post box is just round the corner and I really love the little walk”. This might be the most simple offering but it says so much about the attention to detail and local hospitality which has no rule book. M Gallery is famous for its intimacy with its local area, something small like this at the beginning of our stay shares the values which are consistent throughout our stay.

The Vibe

Last time I was here was four years ago. The space was a soulless motel, barren of personality which had gone backpacking. Today, after $30m reno, it’s an unrecognisable thanks to a collaboration with Coco Republic. Soft curves are everywhere, sandalwood, black accents, white and black marble, touches of bronze. The ground floor has transitioned into liveable areas with oodles of seating, cubby holes to work from, rich fabrics and more. If the Hamptons met Australia, it’s applied for permanent residency and Manly Pacific is its home.

Accommodation – Coastal Suite 2 Bedroom Villa 515

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Our abode for the night is suite 515. As we step inside, the breathtaking view of Norfolk Pines leading to the ocean immediately creates ‘oooohhhs and arrhhhs’. A narrow, sweeping balcony embraces the apartment. In real estate, positioning is everything and this suite has the world at its feet with homely, but contemporary design elements such as white wood panelling, mirrors framed with black arches, and soft, pebble-coloured fabrics.

The open-plan living area boasts a deliciously comfy three-bed sofa, a rare find in hotel suites, and it’s not long before Mr G has assumed his natural horizontal position (and then zzzz) to the soothing sounds of the waves. A low black wooden table is decorated with a copy of ‘Beaches Covered’ and an empty packet of artisan Gumnut chocolates tells me that Mr G got there first! The suite is adorned with greenery, occasional chairs, and a six person dining table by the kitchen area which is complemented by a very welcome bottle of French Rosé. 

To balance out the temptation of raiding a decadent minibar we have the option to arrange for a Peloton in the room. We do have a Peloton at home so no need, but what a fun experience to have such a decadent room companion, which beats calling down for an extra firm pillow or trekking to the gym. After dinner we are welcomed with a surprise…a turndown service. I revel in the nostalga of an indulgence service which has been left behind along the way of hotel modernisation.

Bathrooms – There are two bathrooms (not ensuites) One by the main living space along and a second is along the corridor by the bedrooms. Both are beauties, with natural stone, warm woods, black tapware and to top it off Leif toiletries – personal favourite of mine. Showering takes three times as long just so I can try out all the different scents. A soft grey waffle robe takes you into Hugh Hefner territory minus the silk pyjamas and the mansion.

Bedroom 1 – Is the show off. A king size bed wrapped in crisp white linens topped with charcoal karate chopped cushions in the middle, because nothing says “I woke up like this” quite like a perfectly asymmetrical pillow. There is a desk by the wall, which I am guessing lacks any kind of productivity given access to the view. Instead we both choose to work from the gorgeous sofa or the dining room table. 
Bedroom 2 – Across the hallway, is a brooding sibling, it’s got its own charm with single beds and moody grey carpets.  Oh and did we mention the whole hotel is fur baby friendly!

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About town
I stroll down to the Corso. The Sunday crowds are swirling around the market stalls. Half way down I can see there is a buzz about Nellies, there must be over a hundred people in the line. I step down into the basement area and find out what all the fuss is about – wow this is the sandwich equivalent of Tiffany’s. It is a subterranean delicatessen heaven. A few metres down a similar fandom is occurring at Anita Gelato, a world-famous boutique gelato chain with branches in Barcelona, Cyprus, New York, Puerto Rico, Tel Aviv and Sydney.

Dinner at Bistro Manly
It’s French meets cruisy Northern beach flair thanks to Executive Chef Ryan Dawson (ex. Cottage Point Inn, Sugar Palm Restaurant Palm Beach). We settle into our table by the window and the same signature friendly service commences. What is it with these beaches folk? They are just so darn… well, happy! 

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We transition from complimentary warm bread (a rarity these days), to the star of our dinner; a plate of sea urchin risotto topped with big juicy seared Abrolhos scallops. It’s a show stopper in its generosity and flavour.  Delicate angel hair pasta is laced with a decadent addition of Eastern Tablelands black truffle and cream. We were tipped off earlier in the day that the confit duck leg was the star, and it didn’t disappoint, with a pea veloute and Paris mash. My barramundi with sand crab, coconut and fennel chowder is delicious. I love that the sides are generous as I love veggies! With mains around $40, sides $12 and starters $24 this is stunning cooking, in an unbeatable location which offers real value for money and a focus on seafood which is my MO. 

55 North Bar

We retire with our cheese plate and walk all of 10 metres to the bar. It’s a lovely winter evening. The bar has no doors to the street and its openness means locals and hotel guests alike feel part of the scene. We order our complimentary cocktails. The Lilly Pilly Pop VIP uses native Lilly Pilly Manly Spirits gin which is sourced from edible pink flowers on the coastal dunes of the Northern Beaches headland. It’s topped with a smoke bubble. An espresso martini doesn’t quite hit the mark of being a touch watery but here we are lounging on a gorgeous sofa, looking directly onto the ocean, our king size bed a skip away and seriously it’s the best!

Sleep Quality
In all our reviews sleep quality is everything. It is something no article can tell you unless the reviewer has stayed. It’s excellent. The sounds of the waves are soft purrs. There are no intruisive sounds from other hotel neighbours, nor street noise.  The aircon if you need it is quiet. With a firm mattress, good pillows we have a great night’s sleep. 

Health Kick – Gym & Pool
I get up early and catch the most beautiful sunrise. An orange and burnt red glow illuminates the moody pines creating long shadows. I head to the 3rd Floor for the gym and get completely lost as signs lose me. In desperation, I go down to reception who direct me to go outside, right, right and it’s on your left. It’s the Manly Beach Health Club and it’s packed with a ratio of 1:1 gym bunny and their personal trainers. I feel a bit like billy no-mates as I navigate the equipment. It’s a great gym.

I head up to level eight to tip my toes into the rooftop swimming pool. It’s already populated by dedicated lap swimmers whilst a few onlookers lounge on the blue and white striped beds. I could have booked into the infrared sauna via the hotel’s concierge service or used the services of the “Beach Club” to create personalised wellness experience from surfing lessons, kayaking, boot camps, beach yoga, facials, massages and cryotherapy. But instead I shower, then head downstairs and enjoy a decadent buffet breakfast.

The Verdict

What we are addicted to: This is what an oceanfront hotel should feel like – a chic, beachy, rather stylish buddy you have a bit of a crush on in a rugged, huggable kind of way. The warmth of the service is something which really stands out compared to other hotels. It’s genuine, thoughtful and you can tell the staff have autonomy to react to situations to make your stay better.  
What do we need to be more addicted? Honestly the villa is hard to fault. It’s relaxed, homely. The balcony is not big enough for a sunlounger but maybe you could squeeze one in? A lovely touch at this price point would be a free mini bar which would enable you to truly kickback. 

Manly Pacific Hotel. 55 North Steyne, Manly NSW 2095