Boutique and unique – The first Eventhouse Hotel opens in Australia

QT has a baby sister, she’s inherited the good looks, sass and cheeky sense of humour whilst being a little less OTT on the styling front and easier on the pocket. You could say she’s a little less high maintenance. So what glamorous location gets the glory of being the first Eventhouse in Australia? Its Cronulla, forcing the former Rydges into graceful and much needed retirement.

The reception is a white on white head turner, double height ceiling with clusters of stunning suspended wicker lights, five oh so glamorous sofas surround a table containing new editions of glossy Grazia magazines. Grab your room key, enter a mirrored lift and you’ll be welcomed by a 50’s style girl dressed in a gingham bathing suit, red flower in her hair, listening to a transistor radio. She’s a life-size image, which fools the senses for a second, the other lift contains a cheesy grinned surfer dude.  This is hotel is just a bit different.

Room 1001 has views looking out onto surf loving seas, and airplane busy skies. The one bedroom apartment has been renovated with all white walls, a blue three seater sofa, with a collection of stylish table and chairs jazzed up by blue and orange stripy cushions. The hallmarks of QT personality are here, an imaginative tray of goodies ranges from a tin with an inflatable beach ball, Nobby’s nuts and Mother Megs pecan shortbread. Instead of a welcome bowl of boring fruit we have a surfboard! This is not the kind to take to the beach –  but an edible one covered in cookie crumb sand, confectionery lips, rose scented turkish delight and a chocolate icing thong!

As if by magic a knock at the door reveals a smiling Cody Coulton, F&B Manager with two ice buckets under each arm delivering a dangerously good DIY ‘Tiki In the Shire’ signature cocktail kit. A few scoops of ice, add ‘the secret batch’ bottle, shake, garnish, pour and enjoy from your Tiki Mug.

Whilst it’s temping to put the feet up; just steps away is the beach. Celebrations are in full swing as it seems almost every waterfront dining location is brimming with a wedding, 40th or 21st celebrations; there’s a lot of bling, high heels, laughter and an unusually large number of helium balloons.  The promenade goes forever leading to a range of ocean and rock pools, where quieter, sea loving species emerge. A range of wooden softly shelving seating mean there are plenty of places to stop and take in the views.

Perhaps it’s good that Eventhouse hasn’t yet been discovered by the locals. A retreat to forager inspired Red Radish restaurant makes it dangerously easy to slip from sunset drinks on the fern fringed patio to dinner.  Whether you opt for a glass of Saint Esprit 2012 Cotes du Rhone or Mumm Cordon Brut, a bowl filled with pebbles, topped with Pambula oysters is easily demolished, so too is the porcini and morel flatbread dotted with sticky onions and gorgonzola.

A tasty plate of Hawkesbury river calamari along with an elegant King Salmon poke are great share dishes and right on trend. Large plates are delicate servings; salmon arrives cut into two angular pieces on a bed of fennel, roe, samphire and sails of crispy puffed salmon skin. Berkshire Free Range Pork belly finds great foodie companions with local pears, and baby carrots. Finish off with a ‘passion on the beach pavlova’-rose water sticky meringue, passionfruit curd with a wig of raspberry fairy floss.

Surprisingly for its mainstream position, rooms are quiet and free from any late night revelers from nearby Northies.  After a sound sleep, a picture perfect sunrise awaits. For sea lovers and the adventurous, a surfing lesson with Cronulla surf school might be the perfect start.

It’s amazing what happens when you put designers, creatives and talented people together. Eventhouse is a fun new addition to Australia’s boutique hotel scene and a refreshing addition to Cronulla, whether you choose to get your feet wet in the surf or not!

Eventhouse
20-26 Kingsway
Cronulla