Mantra Lorne’s AUD$1 million upgrade is well underway, with completion due at the regional Victorian resort just weeks way.
Due for completion by end of May, the short timeframe of work is expected to cause minimal impact on guests with activity contained to daylight hours in sections of the resort isolated from guest rooms.
All work is in keeping with the heritage listing standards and designed to enhance historic elements of the property.
Mantra Lorne General Manager, Abraham Dow, was the first to swing the hammer to mark the start of the refurbishment this week and said it was a project he and the team were keen to see take shape.
“These enhancements to Mantra Lorne will further improve on the conferencing and dining offerings we have in place here and really make these spaces stand out as the premier venues in the region,” he said.
The refurbishment project includes upgrades to the property’s unique Heritage Ballroom.
A 180 capacity banquet style or 210 capacity theatre style venue built in 1864, the Heritage Ballroom was converted from the stables of the former Erskine House and lovingly restored to maintain its original character.
The new lighting, window treatments, air conditioning and structural work will complement the heritage elements with contemporary conveniences and further enhance the space.
The restaurant at Mantra Lorne – already highly regarded for its superb cuisine and outlook over the beach – will install a brand new bar along with a spectacular new fireplace to create a cosy space for the winter months, complemented by impressive feature lighting. A purpose built buffet which will act as a ‘corner store style’ pantry when not in use will complete the refurbishments. A pop-up bazaar-style restaurant will operate as an alternative venue throughout the month long refurbishments.
“We are looking for a new name for the restaurant once we relaunch and encourage locals or anyone who has enjoyed staying with us to share their ideas,” Dow said.
The Observatory (formerly the Corner Café) together with the Heritage and Private Dining rooms for smaller gatherings will also incorporate new décor and fittings.
There are seven conference spaces at Mantra Lorne with capacity for up to 520 delegates in the main auditorium, the Convention Room. This venue can also be split into three separate rooms with a capacity of 170 delegates each room.
Commencing its life as Erskine House, Mantra Lorne is tastefully built around the oldest permanently operated guesthouse in Victoria. Built on 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoying the status of the only beachfront property in Lorne, it’s one of the largest resort and residential conference destinations in Victoria, combining unique historic elements with modern contemporary facilities.