Creative director and designer George Gorrow is notorious for his eclecticism and creative pursuits during his tenure at Ksubi, after co-founding the global streetwear label. An original adopter of the Boho Luxe phenomenon, Gorrow has cemented himself as an expert in ‘70s design, both sartorially and architecturally. His roving eye has taken on the herculean task of designing boutique accommodation, namely The Slow in Bali, followed by the announcement of his next venture alongside his wife Cisco Tschurtschenthaler. SEA SEA Hotel in sun-dappled Crescent Head, New South Wales, is the creative vision awakened by the couple, keeping their avant garde approach to design alive.
A tribute to the halcyon days of 1970s surf culture, this 25-room boutique hotel is a paradigm of barefoot luxury steeped in artistic fervour and ecological mindfulness. Located at 30-34 Pacific Street, SEA SEA Hotel is a response to the riotous confluence of surf culture, art and music. The design ethos channels the unrestrained spirit of the bygone era. “We are trying to create a hotel that allows you to deep dive into the local culture,” Gorrow explains. SEA SEA Hotel achieves this with aplomb, offering guests an experience that is equal parts adventure and relaxation.
Every corner of the property is imbued with bespoke creations, from surfboards by Wild Things Gallery to homewares, scents and sculptures by a roster of artisans. The curatorial of art, featuring emerging and established talents from Australia and beyond, alchemises its spaces into a living gallery.
At the heart of the property lies the Club House, a multi-dimensional space. Here, a surf and souvenir shop coexist with the Surf Club Gallery, which hosts seasonal photography exhibitions. Meanwhile, the hi-fi audio lounge becomes a stage for live music, curated by an in-house record selector. The space is punctuated by two roaring fireplaces, a bar and restaurant, and a 90-square-metre project room designed for games and cultural programming.
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Laid out across a single-storey – which itself was a conscious decision to minimise the ecological footprint – the accommodation integrates effortlessly with its surroundings. Each of the 25 rooms – from Studios and Suites to a vast Villa complete with a private pool – offers an array of options with differing design features and spatial planning. The Villa, in particular, comprises a private garden, a separate lounge and kitchen, and three bathrooms. Still, the aesthetic remains grounded in the natural, with a weight placed on materiality, evoking a profound connection to Crescent Head’s coastal environs.
With a locale famous for its crystalline waters and iconic breaks, it’s fit for surfers of all levels. Thus, the team leveraged their surrounding environment by partnering with Wild Things Gallery to ensure that guests have access to an enviable fleet of rental boards, including those by Gato Heroi, Dead Kooks and Neal Purchase Jr.
Next up: Melbourne Place is “the hotel that Melbourne needs”