Former Rothschild MD turned hotelier David Kingston has sold his rejuvenated Beachcomber Hotel in Toukley to the Gravanis brothers’ Oscars Hotels for a reported $20 million.
The local institution ‘Beachie’ enjoys a generous 1.1-Ha (11,000sqm) site between two lakes and the Pacific Ocean, with lawns stretching down to nearly 100 metres of lake frontage.
Kingston purchased the Beachie in 1998, and after enjoying years of local patronage found the business struggling in competition with growing local clubs.
In 2016 he presented to Wyong Council a proposal to demolish the pub and convert the site into a mixed-use development with accommodation, residential apartments and retail. Wyong Council approved the rezoning application, but plans did not proceed.
More recently, the Beachie was closed for what original posed as a six to eight-week renovation.
It reopened this month, looking to be a “fully integrated hospitality experience” for locals as well as an attractive weekend getaway option for Sydney-siders, offering 80 four-star rooms, many with water views, less than 90 minutes’ drive from the big smoke.
The new-look Beachcomber Hotel & Resort counts multiple indoor and outdoor bars and restaurants, including the new cocktail bar Peachies and sports bar with six-metre big screen TV, gaming, a three-storey carpark and a bottleshop. For Hotel guests there is also a 20-metre pool, sauna, gym and wellness service.
It offers all-day dining with a share-style menu, coming from a feature open-plan kitchen with woodfire pizza oven and rotisserie.
Children are encouraged, provided with a petting zoo, kids’ playground and minor-friendly milk bar.
The Beachie’s new design is said to be “Hamptons-inspired”, with a true beach feel, including the option for guests to arrive by boat at the private jetty.
Oscars has taken on the revised resort-style Hotel for an undisclosed amount, with the refreshed business expected to employee over 100 people.
The private Gravanis brothers declined to comment, but revealed to PubTIC there is more to come at the new Beachie, notably the opening of a high-quality restaurant, to be named Pelicans, and private function areas.
