A Diamond in the Rough - "Circa 1928" Art Series Hotel, Albury NSW

[Sprucegoose]

I sometimes travel between Melbourne and Canberra, and I prefer to drive if I need to clear a busy head. The problem is that the straight drive can be slightly too long, and I occasionally stop in Albury for the night.

I receive pleasure from reading trip reports and feel 'duty-bound' to share this gem I've found right in our backyard, so to speak.

There is an Art Series Hotel in Dean Street Albury called 'Circa 1928' - its name derived from its owners to celebrate some great folk born in 1928! What a brilliant idea. The owners were ex-PNG Managers of a leading hotel in Port Moresby. A challenging place to do business at the best of times.

Circa 1928 only has two rooms (suites) at present and will expand progressively to five (Bo Didley is the next one) by the end of next year. The contemporary rooms celebrate Andy Warhol and Pro Hart. I have stayed in both and thoroughly recommend them.

I know hotels quite well, having lived in them for years; generally, they are less than inspirational and generally only distinguishable from the quality of management and staff. Not Circa 1928! Their hospitality approach transports you back to a golden era, and their Artwork is all-absorbing and transformative. Art needs to evoke feelings, broaden perspective and hopefully grant us a unique and quiet place. You can forget reality for a little while; in that regard, it can become an effective therapy.

A stay at Circa 1928 is a great experience; the owners are stylish (almost a fault), but all for you - the guest!

I'll let you decide from the photos. I book through the Qantas website.

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[zig]

Thanks for posting. Looks great, and I will keep it in mind if I stop in Albury. I would enjoy a soak in that gold bath tub.

 

[prozac]

Albury has a nice feel about it and the city economy is booming atm. When I stop there I like The Star hotel on Olive St for a drink and a reasonable pub feed. Good atmosphere in the bar too. They have unpasteurised Carlton on tap which is delivered by tanker directly into 2 large copper tanks. There is a newish Italian on the opposite corner (Norma which is on Guinea St) which I will try when I am down there on business next month.

 

[jakeseven7]

I sometimes travel between Melbourne and Canberra, and I prefer to drive if I need to clear a busy head. The problem is that the straight drive can be slightly too long, and I occasionally stop in Albury for the night.

I receive pleasure from reading trip reports and feel 'duty-bound' to share this gem I've found right in our backyard, so to speak.

There is an Art Series Hotel in Dean Street Albury called 'Circa 1928' - its name derived from its owners to celebrate some great folk born in 1928! What a brilliant idea. The owners were ex-PNG Managers of a leading hotel in Port Moresby. A challenging place to do business at the best of times.

Circa 1928 only has two rooms (suites) at present and will expand progressively to five (Bo Didley is the next one) by the end of next year. The contemporary rooms celebrate Andy Warhol and Pro Hart. I have stayed in both and thoroughly recommend them.

I know hotels quite well, having lived in them for years; generally, they are less than inspirational and generally only distinguishable from the quality of management and staff. Not Circa 1928! Their hospitality approach transports you back to a golden era, and their Artwork is all-absorbing and transformative. Art needs to evoke feelings, broaden perspective and hopefully grant us a unique and quiet place. You can forget reality for a little while; in that regard, it can become an effective therapy.

A stay at Circa 1928 is a great experience; the owners are stylish (almost a fault), but all for you - the guest!

I'll let you decide from the photos. I book through the Qantas website.
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Thank you! Looks lovely.

Do either of the ‘suites’ have seperate stand alone bedrooms to the living area do you know? Asking because we require them for certain people as part of our TP…

 

[BAM1748]

Nice looking room, I visit Albury once or twice per year so will investigate this hotel.

 

[dk4]

...There is an Art Series Hotel in Dean Street Albury...

Are you sure it is an Art Series Hotel? Art Series Hotels are a small Accor chain (sub-brand of Mantra) operating in every mainland state capital except Sydney. And while Circa in Albury may have a somewhat similar basic idea (on far less of a budget) I don't think that it is part of the chain?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thank you! Looks lovely.

Do either of the ‘suites’ have seperate stand alone bedrooms to the living area do you know? Asking because we require them for certain people as part of our TP…

Both are very spacious rooms. Hart has a second bed hidden behind a partition. I would give them a call to discuss your requirements as the owners are experienced hoteliers.

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2023

Are you sure it is an Art Series Hotel? Art Series Hotels are a small Accor chain (sub-brand of Mantra) operating in every mainland state capital except Sydney. And while Circa in Albury may have a somewhat similar basic idea (on far less of a budget) I don't think that it is part of the chain?

There are two of them, and independently owned and run nothing to do with Accor.

 

[Dr Bob]

Albury has a nice feel about it and the city economy is booming atm. When I stop there I like The Star hotel on Olive St for a drink and a reasonable pub feed. Good atmosphere in the bar too. They have unpasteurised Carlton on tap which is delivered by tanker directly into 2 large copper tanks. There is a newish Italian on the opposite corner (Norma which is on Guinea St) which I will try when I am down there on business next month.

The Star and Norma my new locals. Haven't had a feed at the Star since the new reno but by the parking in Guinea st it is popular. Also helps that it isn't a late night venue anymore. Norma is good rustic Italian pasta, small menu changing regularly. It doesn't do walk ups anymore with bookings for 2 nightly sittings but walking up at 8.30 will usually get 1 or 2 Information a feed. We frequent there every 3 to 4 weeks. Try the polenta chips - they are a staple on the menu.

 

[prozac]

The Star and Norma my new locals. Haven't had a feed at the Star since the new reno but by the parking in Guinea st it is popular. Also helps that it isn't a late night venue anymore. Norma is good rustic Italian pasta, small menu changing regularly. It doesn't do walk ups anymore with bookings for 2 nightly sittings but walking up at 8.30 will usually get 1 or 2 Information a feed. We frequent there every 3 to 4 weeks. Try the polenta chips - they are a staple on the menu.

Thanks for the tip. When was The Star reno'd. I was last down in 2021.
Will be down for a few days in around 3 weeks time.

 

[Dr Bob]

Thanks for the tip. When was The Star reno'd. I was last down in 2021.
Will be down for a few days in around 3 weeks time.

Just some small changes late last year in the lounge area. They have been trying to do something upstairs but council will not let them.
It is certainly packed Friday to Sunday. Have a beer and wonder to Norma's - enjoy