Hotel Sorrento needs no introduction. The seaside venue which boasts two restaurants, five bars and guest accommodation has been proudly sitting on a clifftop in Sorrento, overlooking Port Phillip Bay, for more than 150 years.  

While Hotel Sorrento is packed with old-world charm (see the heritage limestone facade for proof), this venue does not shy away from embracing the contemporary with its recent additions. As of today, Hotel Sorrento swings the doors open on 13 brand new Sunset Suites, a day and wellness spa – called Marlo Spa – and a 30-metre long pool and poolside bar to match. Let’s dive in. 

The rooms

Generous in size, the travertine covered suites are tastefully simple, but lush. There are obvious luxuries that are easily spotted. A large dark marble bath sits on the sprawling outdoor terrace (NB: It should only be soaked in with the custom Hotel Sorrento x Hunter Lab bath salts, which promise to detoxify and relax muscles). There is also a king-sized bed, rain shower and Jardan custom-made furniture. 

More subtle touches of luxury include sensor bathroom lights that automatically turn on as you enter and sensor smart switches that light up as your hand approaches it so you can see which button you’re after, saving your eyes from getting blinded by the reading light in the morning. 

The pool 

Just steps away from the Sunset Suites is the all-new, guest-only pool and terrace area. The travertine deck and muted green and cream umbrellas are reminiscent of a certain Brisbane institution, but Hotel Sorrento make it their own with custom-made Sorrento sun lounges by Grazia and a decadent poolside menu and bar. Guests can order dishes like kingfish ceviche, salt and vinegar zucchini chips with dashi yoghurt and poached prawn club sandwiches to their sun lounge as well as cocktails and drinks. For guests wanting to skip the dip (which we don’t recommend) sundowners can be sipped poolside at the tables and chairs on the bar patio.

The food and drink 

Hotel Sorrento guests benefit from being able to order food to the pool and room from the existing restaurant The Dining Room, which is led by the venue’s culinary director, George Calombaris. Breakfast is served in The Dining Room – don’t leave without trying the Chilli scrambled eggs – and for lunch allow Calombaris showcase the Mornington Peninsula through a Chef’s Table seating. The Victorian chef will plate up fresh muscles caught that morning, alongside Spring Bay scallops, natural oysters with a mignonette, tuna tacos and more. 

For dinner and a change of scenery you don’t have to venture far. Descend the stairs from the landing of the hotel to shihuishi, pronounced ‘she-who-she’, to find a dimly lit restaurant serving a modern Cantonese-inspired menu. Spearheaded by head chef Junlin Lui, the flavours are traditional with a cheeky spin. The Kingfish tea cup takes a Chinese restaurant staple, prawn cracker, and transforms it into a crunchy bite-sized cup filled with Kingfish ceviche. There are also touches of Calombaris here too. The prawn toast is topped with the Greek, fish roe based dip, taramasalata. 

The Yuzu Dragon cocktail is an experiential drink, where meringue is rapidly cooled over liquid nitrogen. Once cooled, you quickly place the sweet meringue in your mouth and exhale through your nose so that the cloudy vapour from the liquid nitrogen is released making you look like a dragon releasing smoke from its nostrils. The sweetness of the meringue is cut through with a sip of the sour and tangy yuzu gin based cocktail. 

The spa

Marlo Spa has been helping Sorrento locals unwind and find their zen for more than 27 years. Initially located on the main strip in Sorrento, Hotel Sorrento approached the owner, Marlo Johnston, to move into the subterranean-like space, a staircase down from the pool terrace. Johnston brings her soothing massages grounded in Ayurvedic principles to guests who need to destress, decompress or simply decide they deserve a little TLC. Believing that the oils used in a treatment are equally as effective as the actual massage, it’s suggested that post treatment guests sit in the steam room to help the OmVeda oils absorb into the body. 

The details 

The new Sunset Suites start from $550 per night. All of Hotel Sorrento’s existing rooms have also recently been refurbished. The Pool Terrace rooms are fitted out with travertine, timber floors and boast views of the pool and parklands. And the classic rooms set in the original limestone building feature balconies with views over the bay. For more information or to book your stay, visit hotelsorrento.com.au 

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