You get to see a lot of Country Pubs as you travel around Regional Australia, however on a recent trip to Tenterfield in NSW I had the good fortune to stay in an outstanding property, the Commercial Hotel. Built in the 1940’s and reopened after an extensive renovation in 2014, this one is really a standout.
The family owned and operated hotel was reopened in September 2014 after being closed for 8 years. The renovation by the Sibley & Dillon families aimed to give the building a new lease on life through restoration and transformation.
The results are outstanding, with clever use of color palettes and tasteful restoration work – notably the ceiling cornice in the lounge area, the polishing of the originally bare hardwood floors, and the recommissioning of the beautiful original open fire place in the lounge.
There were originally 18 bedrooms upstairs, now reconfigured with the removal of five walls to leave 7 larger ensuited bedrooms upstairs, along with 1 wheelchair & pet friendly bedroom in the northeastern corner of the lower level (the old staff quarters).
The upstairs hallway is now adorned with ten full-length mirrors in the original doorways allowing the original solid silky-oak architraves to remain in tact whilst carrying the natural light.
The bar and lobby feature the 1941 construction plans along with local photos of the era and some original wrapped-tin advertisements.
Commercial Hotel Tenterfield NSW
The six members of the Sibley & Dillon families have created a wonderful ambience with the notable absence of any gambling facilities. This unorthodox and ambitious business model has presented certain challenges, but has been adopted through a desire to be a socially positive venue with a progressive outlook.
The food is first class while the coffee is worth the drive from Brisbane… and did I mention the extensive selection of quality wines and beers.
If you are heading through or to Tenterfield this is the place to stay… and dine.
You can make a reservation here http://thecommercialboutiquehotel.com
This is not a commercial, however it is one of the best Regional Hotels I have stayed in during the past 20 years of traveling through all Australian States.
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