The Denmark Hotel in WA’s Great Southern region has reopened after undergoing significant renovations. As part of the revamp, the pub introduced two new additions: The Lodge accommodation; and Denmark Drops, a community cellar bottle shop. The renovations of the hotel have been made to further appeal to travellers in the region looking for great F&B experiences.
Built in 1926, the coastal pub has established itself at the heart of the Denmark community. Co-general managers Ryan O’Meara and Andries Mostert said that rewarding the community was the focus of the latest renovations.
“The Denmark community deserves somewhere like this. It’s the kind of place that acts as a meeting place, where everyone is welcome, as well as providing a focal point for guests visiting the region. That’s something the whole town can benefit from,” said Mostert.
“We know locals won’t be disappointed by this upgrade to the Denmark Hotel. The authenticity of the town’s pub has been retained, but we’ve taken the food offering to the next level and created this modern, relaxed setting for it,” added O’Meara.
Bar and bistro
The hotel’s new bar and bistro menu has captured the essence of the Great Southern region of Western Australia, offering a rotating menu that supports both local farmers and growers.
Overseeing the menu and dining experiences at The Denmark Hotel is executive chef Ali Osborne. Osborne has established herself as a well-known figure in Denmark, after his previous work at local café Mrs Jones.
“At the Denmark Hotel, making food is a labour of love. We’re surrounded by pristine land and sea that inspire us daily. Our local growers provide us with the finest produce, including prime meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables, grains, and nuts – all sourced from our own backyard. I feel fortunate to be able to craft fresh, vibrant dishes alongside comforting pub classics, showcasing the best our region has to offer,” Osbourne said.
Some dishes include share platters like Denmark lamb koftas and crispy chicken baos, with other side options including fires and salads. It also offers traditional pub mains including a chicken schnitzel range, gnocchi, beef burger, scotch fillet as well as the classic fish and chips. There is also a range of desserts and kids’ menu available.
The Lodge
The six-month renovations saw the hotel’s previous accommodation space transformed. The 24 newly renovated spaces offering a range of different rooms, designed to facilitate the seasonal crowds that visit the South Coast and its surrounding areas.
The Cosy Room (23sqm) offering a queen bed, and The River Room (28sqm) offer a choice of either a king bed or two singles, is ideal for couples or solo travellers. The River Family Room (40sqm) and The River Family Two-Bedder is suited for family and groups. And lastly, The Apartment which sleeps up to six across its three bedrooms, offering two bathrooms, a kitchenette and open-plan living area.
Michael Benson, creative director of Fremantle-based Benson Studio said the latest transformations capture the essence of the original hotel, paying homage to the character of the region with a contemporary twist.
“Each guest room has been inspired by the natural beauty of the region: the colour palette draws from the land and sea, where sandy shores meet the bush. We wanted to create relaxed, inviting spaces designed for comfort and adventure, places where guests can truly unwind without feeling constrained by formality,” he said.
“One of our first steps was removing ceilings, cladding and floors that had concealed any historic character. This revealed The Lodge’s heritage features like the original balconies, now proudly showcased in the Bar & Bistro, old lighting fixtures and timber floors. This process, combined with our contemporary application of traditional materials, and the restoration of fireplaces throughout the venue, has resulted in a warm and inviting space for all.”
Denmark Drops
The Denmark Hotel’s bottle shop, Denmark Drops, offers a range of wine varietals, most of which are sourced from local and surrounding wineries of the Great Southern region.
It offers a bookable tasting room for a cellar door experience for local operators and producers. It can also be used as a small function space for events.
With viticultural backgrounds, O’Meara and Mostert, are well placed to champion the wines of the region within Denmark Drops. O’Meara is behind Express Winemakers which produces wine from six vineyards across the Denmark, Mount Barker and Porongurup regions. Mostert runs Brave New Wine, which produces naturally fermented wines.
“As local winemakers ourselves, we could not be more excited about championing the Great Southern’s producers of wines, but also local beers, spirits and cider. In addition to all the regional representation on the wine list and the taps at our Bar & Bistro, Denmark Drops brings this super eclectic range of drinks from around Australia and the world – the kinds of rarities you really can’t find anywhere else in the region. You’ll also get able to grab some locally produced cheeses, small goods and other delicious snacks from the Drops’ own pantry,” said O’Meara.
“Whether you need a longneck of Swan Draught to quench a thirst after a hard day, or maybe an interesting artisan bottle of wine to impress dinner guests, we’re going to have something for you. And for any budget. Plus, with Denmark Drops we can offer a really in-depth level of local wine knowledge, and trustworthy advice on pairings, that feels accessible for everyone,” added Mostert.
Having been built in 1926, the new renovations have readied Denmark Hotel for celebrations for its one hundredth anniversary next year.
