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Drifter, a new design-led hybrid hotel brand in Australia and New Zealand, will open its first venues in Christchurch and Byron Bay this year with two more slated to open in 2025.
New Australian lifestyle accommodation venture Leisure Accommodation Collective is behind Drifter’s roll out as part of its growing network of experienced based venues which also includes The Village hostel portfolio in Australia.
“We’ve seen amazing results as we’ve looked to elevate every part of the hostel experience with our portfolio of eight Village properties across Australia,” says LA Co CEO Luke Moran.
“With Drifter, we have an opportunity to take an even bigger step forward in meeting growing demand within the accommodation sector by creating lifestyle precincts that blur the lines between a traditional hotel and hostel to create truly new and exciting venues for travellers of all walks.”
Positioning itself as a lifestyle brand targeting free-spirited travellers both young and young at heart, Drifter is a new approach to travel and accommodation in Australia and New Zealand, with innovative design and shared social experience at its core.
Drifter properties offer a design-centric aesthetic with diverse rooms ranging from superior private suites to premium shared bunk rooms, workspaces, meeting rooms, buzzing bars and dining areas, wellbeing studios, and a rotating roster of social and cultural events showcasing both local and international artists and musicians.
“In developing the Drifter brand, we wanted to create experience-based precincts to cater to diverse travellers from across the globe,” says Drifter CMO Josh Hunt.
“Drifters have the vibrancy and energy of a shared accommodation venue combined with the curation of music, art, food, drinks, and culture most often seen in boutique hotel offerings.”
Housed in one of Christchurch’s great heritage buildings, Drifter Christchurch, opening in May 2024 at 96 Lichfield St, will offer 95 rooms across private and shared accommodations, a 150-seat bar, co-working space, meeting rooms and wellness space, along with a selection of retail and beverage venues. The design has been overseen by Auckland based designers, CTRL Space.
With interior design from Melbourne’s Anthology Studio, Drifter Byron Bay, opening June 2024 and located in the centre of Byron Bay at 1 Lateen Lane, will offer 52 rooms across private and shared spaces, a communal courtyard oasis with a sundeck, firepit, plunge pools and entertaining areas.
LA Co is also currently progressing development of two additional properties in Auckland and Wellington as part of its strategy to expand Drifter across all major destinations in Australia and New Zealand.
LA Co is led by CEO Luke Moran, who has 25 years of hotel leadership experience across Mantra Group, Lancemore Hotels and The Langham Group, and supported by industry heavyweights including Chairman Bob East, chair of Australian Venture Co, former chair of Tourism Australia, and former CEO of Mantra Group, as well as Drifter co-founders Hugh Stephenson, Joshua Hunt and Ryan Sanders.
