WHAT began as a plan to attract visitors from south-east Queensland and beyond to Tenterfield to experience “genuine country, fantastic wine, and historical architecture” has tuned into a labour of love and all-out family affair for new part-owner of the Commercial Hotel Justin Sibley.
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After visiting Tenterfield in 2013, both he and his fiancée said they were captivated by the historical charm of Tenterfield and saw potential for a weekend destination inland tourism experience for visitors from Brisbane and the surrounding region.
After over a year of renovations and support from the whole Sibley family, Justin confirmed last week the Commercial Hotel will re-open on Friday, September 19, after more than eight years out of business.
“We want people living in Brisbane and elsewhere in south-east Queensland to realise that they don't need to fly to Tasmania or Victoria to experience beautiful country and great wineries,” Justin said.
“We are putting the finishing touches on an eight room boutique hotel for travellers keen to stay in an historic building, but with the luxury of beautifully furnished bedrooms and bathrooms. The accommodation will be ready soon.”
Capitalising on the heritage and inherent aesthetic value of building, Justin said the new Commercial Hotel will be fashioned into a boutique accommodation premises centring on providing good food, beer and wine sourced largely from the local and surrounding producers.
“We've tried to create something completely different in Tenterfield, with a craft beer and wine bar,” he said.
“Our craft beer pays tribute to family owned small brewers from the New England, wider NSW, Brisbane and Victoria.”
Justin said the Commercial has been a larger undertaking that any of his previous projects and the first project to involve the whole family.
“Like any project of this magnitude, there will always be challenges,” he said.
“The building has been kind to us though, with no serious issues or surprises. We hope that it will be as satisfying an outcome as it has been a challenging and rewarding project.”
As the team makes final preparations this week, Justin said the project is progressing on schedule to open this weekend, with a share menu and tapas set to ring in the new Commercial Hotel experience.
