Inside Australia’s Most Epic Hotel Inspired by Californian Ranches in the 70s
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Published 2024-04-04
Sun Ranch is the brainchild of Julia Ashwood, Jamie Blakey and a circle of close friends whose collective backgrounds are rooted in the surf, fashion and hospitality worlds (Julia is a travel writer and Jamie founded fashion label One Teaspoon). As creative directors of one of the area’s most epic hotels, the duo worked closely with sustainable building company Balanced Earth and landscaper Land Company to bring their ambitious vision to life. “The idea of creating a place where we could all come together and celebrate in laid-back luxury was always appealing, and that’s the vision you see today,” says Julia. “We really didn’t pivot too far from the initial sketches on the back of a coaster!”
The existing homestead has been transformed into The Rambler Longhouse – a five-room, adults-only guesthouse – and there are six two-bedroom barns, each with Fisher & Paykel cooktops, refrigerators, single DishDrawers, rangehoods and Combination Washer Dryers. This high level of amenity affords guests the luxury of staying in and cooking for themselves while at the most epic hotel. What’s more, though the barns – which overlook a 25-metre pool constructed from basalt rock found on the property – are relatively modest in size, the appliances are discreet and complementary to the design, making for highly functional and homey spaces.
As well as the various types of accommodation, there’s also a wood-fired sauna and an ice bath at Byron’s most epic hotel. “It was important for us to have spaces where people could come together, yet also breakout spaces that were more intimate for smaller groups,” says Jamie. “The common thread is to encourage you to have a good time.” The design takes cues from a cluster of adjacent yet unexpected influences, culminating in something wholly its own and cementing this place as one of Australia’s most epic hotels. Julia says that Californian ranch houses, rock’n’roll’s edginess and Quentin Tarantino’s cinematic oeuvre all had a hand in Sun Ranch’s dynamic visual tapestry. Thankfully, these many stylistic influences have been synthesised into a design outcome that both jogs the memory and casts the mind somewhere more surprising.
Sun Ranch is many things, and herein lies its magic as the most epic hotel. The seemingly never-ending slew of activities and spaces are invitations to guests to immerse themselves a little or a lot. As Julia says, “I just love the look of pure excitement on guests’ faces when they arrive. We designed these spaces for good times and we certainly encourage it. Leave your worries at the door and let someone else take care of you for a while.”
00:00 - Introduction to the Epic Australian Hotel
00:57 - A Private Hinterland Location
01:30 - The Original Design and the Early Concepts
03:42 - A Focus on the Kitchen
04:46 - The Style Influences
06:06 - Key Features of the Hotel
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Photography by David Chatfield.
Styling by Megan Morton.
Build by Balanced Earth.
Project styling by Julia Ashwood and Jamie Blakey.
Landscape design by Land Company.
Engineering by Balanced Earth Architects.
Development by Rolling Thunder Group.
Joinery by Magicaxe.
Appliances by Fisher & Paykel.
Tap fittings and fixtures by Astra Walker.
Hardware by Pittella Design Studio.
Timber by Ironwood.
Tiles and marble by Artedomus.
Crazy paving by Eco Outdoor.
Lighting by Dunlin Home and Lighting Collective.
Artwork by Jedda Daisy-Culley, Lana Launay and Nathan Pickering.
Filmed by The Local Production.
Edited by HN Media.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Coopers Shoot, New South Wales, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
#Epic #Hotel #Ranch
All Comments (4)
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Many refreshing things about this project! There was something nice hearing the designers not denigrate what was there before (tiring and par for the course) - but acknowledge and appreciate the building had previously fostered joy. A really lovely sentiment to build upon. This looks like a fun place to stay!
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Have been dying to go stay here!
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Very Disturbing and dark!!!
