Drift House, Small Luxury Hotel and Dining Room

From the moment we checked in our experience at this wonderful small hotel was outstanding. We stayed in Suite 2 which is very spacious with separate living area, extremely comfortable bed, funky bathroom and a large verandah. The delicious breakfast is included and you can eat as little or as much as you like. We had dinner one night and it was exquisite. Colleen suggestions on how to approach the meal were fantastic and really helpful. A business is only as good as the people who work in it and the staff here are top shelf. I could not recommend this hotel more highly.

Awesome place. Very tastefully furnished room (we stayed in Suite 1). Incredibly warm and friendly hosts. Fantastic restaurant with very fairly priced wine list. Wonderful breakfast. We only stayed one night as we were driving up the Great Ocean Road from west to east but can totally recommend this hotel for people on longer stays.

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.**

This is a very interesting place. The rooms and dining room are architect designed and they really look and work well. The breakfast is innovative and a little bit different and it is the highlight. The coffee is very good. The dinners are good but are a bit pricey - more expensive than Melbourne for what we consider roughly equivalent fare. I wouldn’t let this put anyone off, but it needs to be pointed out. The service is very good. We had Marley (spelling?) look after us most of the time but also Marci and Colleen. We LOVE the open fireplace in the room and the fire kit they would put in each night for us to set a fire. We did discover though a wine we drank (which interested us) was highly priced. $20 a glass and a bottle is only $38 from the winery itself. We perfectly understand the markup on wine at restaurants but that is excessive. We had a really nice stay and would likely return next year.

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!)

A hidden gem! I came just for the restaurant, as the hotel was fully booked. The food was excellent, and showcased local produce. The service was personalised and very attentive, and I greatly appreciated the local tips. The space is very well designed and intimate, only seating around 10 people. The quality was quite reasonable for the price, but on the higher end. Highly recommended.

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.

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.