The family-owned Fahey Hotel Group has led the Gravanis brothers into South Australia, selling Oscars Group a portfolio of three thriving hotels.
Already counting hospitality properties of all sizes and shapes, including Sydney entertainment landmark Luna Park, acquired late 2024, Bill Gravanis says they “are thrilled” to be entering the South Australian market.
“We were attracted to the portfolio due to the diversity and positioning of each of the assets,” he says.
Joining the Oscars stable is the Lakes Resort Hotel, in West Lakes, which the Group likes for its multi-faceted revenue profile. The Hotel incorporates the award-winning Tunki restaurant and a high-volume bottleshop, as well as its strong accommodation component, and conferencing.
The Bridgeway Hotel in Pooraka also has a strong retail bottleshop but is known as a destination for live entertainment, which Gravanis says aligns with one of their key capabilities. Opening in the 60s, it has hosted Aussie legends including AC/DC, Cold Chisel, The Angels and Midnight Oil, and even international stars, such as Iggy Pop. In recent years it has undergone a well-earned, somewhat overdue and significant renovation.
The elegant Maid and Magpie, self-proclaiming itself to be “Stepney’s best pub”, is a lovingly restored symbol of South Australian history, operating a well-patronised restaurant. For five months each year it plays host to summer pop-up Lucky’s Beach Club.
Word of the sale came via a leaked memo the Fahey family issued to staff, lamenting an “incredibly difficult decision” given the pubs have been in and “part of” the family for so many years.
“It’s with much emotion that the Fahey Family must announce the Lakes Hotel, Bridgeway Hotel and Maid Hotel are currently in the process of being purchased by the Oscars Group,” the family wrote.
The Faheys acknowledge the opportunities and growth that Oscars will bring to the properties, noting the brothers’ impressive portfolio and suggesting “they don’t do things by halves”.
Remaining in the Fahey stable is the Exeter Hotel, in Adelaide’s north, and the Valley Inn in Hope Valley, bought from Greg Maitland’s GM Hotels in 2019.
Sydney-based Oscars is one of the largest hotel businesses in NSW, also holding the WestWaters Hotel in Victoria’s Caroline Springs and resorts in Queensland. The Group’s entry into South Australia is pending approval from the state’s Consumer and Business Services.
“We are looking forward to working with the teams at each of the venues – which we will continue to operate ‘business as usual’ – and allow them to lean on Group support functions, to enable further growth across the portfolio,” says Gravanis.
