Drift House, Small Luxury Hotel and Dining Room

Drift House: A Luxurious Haven of Understated Elegance Arriving on a blustery July day after a night in a basic Apollo Bay motel, stepping into The Drift House, felt like discovering a hidden paradise. Owned by the talented John and his wife (whose impeccable design vision shapes every detail), this boutique retreat is a masterclass in luxury and warmth. My son stayed in the stunning fireplace suite, while my own room—equally opulent, with understated elegance—was a sanctuary. The owners have transformed several heritage houses into a secluded oasis near the river, blending architectural charm with sumptuous interiors that rival Europe’s finest hotels. With only five or six rooms, the attention to detail is flawless, and Marley who manages front of house and almost all other aspects performs gracious hospitality ensuring every need is met. But the true highlight? Dinner at The Kitchen, Set in an intimate, beautifully designed dining space, the Spanish-inspired menu (which changes daily) was so authentic it transported us back home (we live in Spain!). John and his wife draw inspiration from annual trips to Spain, and it shows—every dish was a revelation. Whether you’re seeking a romantic weekend escape from Melbourne (just three hours away) or a sublime stop along the Great Ocean Road, Drift House delivers perfection: luxury, warmth, unforgettable dining and genuine caring service. Don’t miss it. **A flawless gem in Port Fairy.**

Had the most wonderful long weekend at Drift House! The room with the fireplace and large balcony was very quiet, spacious and clean. Colleen was a wonderful host and we loved her art work on display throughout the property. The location is excellent, across the road from the beach and boardwalk and a short walk to the main drag. Now, on to the important stuff - the food! Wowwoweee the dinner we had at the on-site restaurant was super delicious and on par with fine dining restaurants in Melbourne. The local octopus dish blew us away and the cheesecake was one of the best desserts we’ve ever had!! The coffee served at breakfast was expertly made to Melbourne coffee snob standards and the food options were simple, super fresh and delicious. Can’t wait to stay again, (mostly to eat John’s cheesecake again!)

Our room was spacious, original, and very comfortable. The welcome and pre-organization was very hospitable and helpful. |Breakfast, which was imaginative and delicious, was one of the highlights. I recommend the Staff Breakfast. |Dinner was beautiful with local produce and interesting wines to choose from. |The owners are very involved and hands-on which adds a lot of charm to the stay. |We loved it.

My husband & I stayed 3 nights at the beautiful Drift House. Our room was Suite 2 on the second floor. It has a large living room that has a kitchenette, TV, fireplace & separate bedroom with full bath. It also has a balcony that is the entire length of the Suite. The bed is super comfortable. The service was lovely, but the food was exceptional. The dinner menu has a Spanish tapas theme. The croquetas, the fresh tomatoes with tomato sorbet, the pork meatballs & the fresh fish were all extraordinary….as was the cheesecake! My husband & I have eaten at Michelin starred restaurants all over the world & The Salon was as good - if not better. Hats off to Chef John! We would highly recommend.

If you're in Port Fairy (for locals and visitors) and you want to really treat yourself for dinner, make sure you look out for the opening times for this stunning little restaurant and book yourself in! (Usually Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - but do check first.) It's currently Port Fairy's best kept secret. But I can guarantee it's not going to stay that way. On arrival, you will be offered drinks and warming cocktails in their sunken lounge room, and then taken to the dining room where you will be offered the most exquisite Spanish-inspired dishes and excellent wines! The menu changes with the seasons - as a result, everything we had was so flavourful - and surprising in the best possible ways. Look out for the Buñuelos de bacalao – (Seville’s famous salt cod fritters) and the Beetroot, blue cheese & caramelised walnut platter, the chorizo, and the duck. When our lovely host asked us what we thought was the standout dish for the evening, we started to name every plate we'd had! I think that's a very good sign of the excellence here.

We only booked one night here as part of our Great Ocean Road trip. I wish we’d booked for longer as the hotel is fabulous and Port Fairy itself is very quaint. We stayed in Suite 5 which was large and had a great bathroom (and an actual bath which is a treat in hotels these days!)|Unfortunately we stayed on a night when the restaurant was closed, but the receptionist was great with giving local recommendations.|Highly recommend this place!

The owner and her staff team were wonderful - informative, charming, helpful and also unfussy.||The idea is genius - Spanish inspired cuisine all made from local Australian produce.||And the execution was magnificent- the squid, the beetroot, the cheeses, the design - all were superb. This has to be one of the very best restaurants in the whole world.

You check in and are made to read the rules as you check in. The room is very nice albeit somewhat impractical. At all times during our stay we felt as if the hotel were doing us a favour and we were an inconvenience. Arrive a little early for breakfast and the lights are left off while we sit there. |A real attitude problem from the owners.|At dinner a choice of just one desert - equals no choice.