New Look Manly Pacifi c

The iconic new look Manly Pacific

On a beautiful morning, in the recently renovated Manly Pacific, John Vickery from Beaches COVERED. caught up with General Manager, Dylan Cole, to find out the importance of reconnecting people with travel. They’ve refocused with a stylish new approach that has transformed a much loved Manly icon.

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G’day Dylan. The grand old dame of Manly has  nally had a makeover. Fantastic news. The rooms look super stylish. Tell me about the inspiration behind the design from the artwork in the foyer to the overall styling of the new look Manly Paci c.

G’day John and welcome to Manly Pacifi c. One of the most immediate changes we have undertaken is reclaiming our original name, Manly Pacifi c. Manly has an iconic heritage and locals have always referred to the hotel as Manly Pacifi c so it was a natural decision that we embraced the nostalgia felt by our local community.

The infl uence of the local spirit fl ows right through into the design of the hotel. When anyone comes to Manly, they feel the change of pace and that’s exactly what happens the moment you step inside the hotel. We’ve moved away from the traditional hotel to ensure we offer a local fl avour.

The design and style has been one aspect, but we are crafting our authentic story - the signature of Manly Pacifi c’s personality and bringing that to life.

We have partnered with local photographer, Murray Fraser, who focuses on the early morning lifestyle of beaches up and down the Northern Beaches. The photo you see here in the lobby captures the essence of our hotel it was taken at Freshwater at dawn. There is a lot of creative talent on the beaches, and we want to be able to do more than just offer a night’s stay but be a platform to showcase what the area has to offer.

Coco Republic was asked to create the interior look and are renowned for beautiful bold pieces of statement furnishings. How have they transformed the vibe of the hotel room spaces?

It’s been such a perfect collaboration between Manly Pacifi c and Coco Republic. The partnership has provided us with a design that answers the true nature of the hotel – communicating a Pacifi c aesthetic with a welcoming and homely air in all areas of the redefi ned space.

They have used natural elements, colours and raw materials that have been juxtaposed with stronger aesthetics. For example, using travertine stone for the bedside tables which exemplifi es the sandy grain found along the beaches.

We’ve been able to bring the outside in using natural textures as you would fi nd in a beautiful coastal home. The rooms are contemporary and create a sense of calm drawing the ocean into the room. The palette of colours used also imitates the smooth gradient of the sky over the sea that Manly projects at different times of the day.

The new world has brought about many challenges across the hospitality tourist and accommodation sector. How are you meeting this shift in the mindset of the post-pandemic market?

It’s been diffi cult during lockdown and has had an impact on our community. What we’ve found is that there hasn’t been a shift in mindset as such but more of a desire to return to what people have missed out on. People want to reconnect with others and do what they love, especially travel again.

With the borders well and truly open now, we’ve seen guests returning to celebrate key milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries which they haven’t been able to do for a long time. It has been wonderful to see new memories being created once again!

The hotel’s new style suits the business market as well as the high-end tourist clientele. Was this the intent? Are these key markets driving the recovery of the sector or is the local staycation market a new goal?

The lockdown not only impacted us but local businesses in Manly. As a destination, Manly offers such a wide range of different experiences from fi ne dining and culture to health and well-being.

There are so many hidden gems around Manly and the Northern Beaches. We’ve found locals that are keen on exploring their own backyard.

MANLY PACIFIC GENERAL MANAGER, DYLAN COLE

We’ve also seen the rise of the discerning traveller and we know that when guests stay at Manly Pacifi c, they are craving a personalised experience away from the mass, which is what we are offering to our guests. We want to encourage our guests to support local businesses and boutique stores in and around Manly and the Northern Beaches.

The new style of the hotel is listening to what we hear our guests want and that’s what we’re committed to. The business traveler has evolved. They’re not in your traditional suit. They’re unleashing personal passions and are working remotely and demanding a work-life balance. Manly offers the close proximity to the CBD yet offers fresh air, a sea breeze and a relaxed pace.

I have heard you have a new offering for businesses that need a space to work for the day, but not necessarily need to sleep overnight. What’s this about?

With companies now making it the norm for employees to work from home, we wanted to give Sydneysiders a change of scenery where they can have the option to have a meeting, go for a surf and then grab a quick shower.

We’ve developed a stay that offers the day use of the Superior Ocean View Room at an accessible price point. The stay includes unlimited coffee pods, lunch at Bistro Manly and a cocktail when they fi nish their day. They also get access to the rooftop pool, gym and a personalised Manly Pacifi c Spotify playlist.

The French Bistro is a hidden gem in Manly. What are your top 3 dishes across the menu, and if I’m drinking cocktails, what’s not to miss?

I personally fi nd it very hard to go past the steak frites at Bistro Manly. It’s not your ordinary steak frites. It goes well beyond expectations using a 120 day dry aged bavette with a mustard seed salsa verde, pommes frites and red wine jus.

Chef Ryan has a keen eye on presentation too, and the Pipis and clams bouillabaisse with French beans is a show stopper.

For desserts, we’ve seen even those concerned about their waistline unable to resist the Rum and Raisin Bombe Alaska with brandy fl ambé – it’s a beauty. Bistro Manly incorporates a mix of local and French wines. It’s a well-considered wine list that has been carefully curated.

We also partner with ‘Manly Spirits’, another local gem who have a range of botanical vodkas and gins who take their inspiration from the coastline too. Our most popular cocktail is the Espresso Martini, combining the Manly Spirits local Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur and Vodka Grape. You’ll have to stay back and try one, John. I believe the conference and events level are next on the agenda for a makeover?

We’ve always played a signifi cant part of celebrating key milestones for our guests, and we will continue to ensure we deliver a space that our community can be proud of.

The design of the Conference and Events rooms is led by Coco Republic. They’re refreshing and tailoring the bespoke interiors to create a space that is not only inviting but relevant. From an intimate day meeting to a large corporate conference, there is a lot of fl exibility. It’s the ideal place to create special memories.

What’s your favourite new space in the hotel?

I’ve been able to have a sneak preview of the suites, and we’re only weeks away till they are unveiled. The space is extraordinary, combining comfort and style with a unique aesthetic. It takes in the jaw dropping panoramic view of Manly Beach, setting the tone of a relaxed room, fi lled with class and sophistication.

Final words. As the General Manager of the leading hotel in Manly, every day you get up and come to Manly Pacifi c to... Create lasting experiences for our incredible guests and my extraordinary team! •

MANLY PACIFIC // 55 NORTH STEYNE, MANLY // (02) 9977 7666 INSTA @MANLYPACIFIC // www.manlypaci c.com.au