How The West Was Won

Colonial Hotel:

156 Victoria Rd, Werrington NSW
(02) 9623 1384 or www.vlandisgroup.com.au

The Vlandis Group is rounding up its cattle and re-‘branding it’. Last time we checked in, Vlandis had overhauled The Three Swallows in Bankstown and now it’s the Colonial Hotel’s turn. Bergstrom Architects took care of the transformation. Being way out West (of Sydney), and with a name like Colonial Hotel, Bergstrom decided to have a bit of fun with the ‘Western’ theme — we’re talking cowhide panelling, cow head motifs on the window and the steer’s head above the fireplace.

Meanwhile, tumbleweed lighting from Mance and brown leather ‘saddle’ seating, a mirror at the back of bar, timber ‘log’ cabin inspired wall treatments from Di Emme, and gunshot-inspired metal screens all add to the effect. Yee-hah! In truth, the cowboy theme is subtle and tasteful, with the focus on the practicalities of maximising revenues from the bar, bistro, lounge, gaming and bottleshop. Vlandis Group General Manager, Michael Samios, picks up on the story: “The refurb brings the city to the suburbs. When we bought the hotel in the early ’90s it was a country pub on the edge of the city fringe. Now, what with the suburban sprawl, the hotel is in the thick of suburbia and the client base has increased dramatically. “Most importantly, we wanted a hotel the locals could call their own. We didn’t want a nightclub or a schooner club, it had to be somewhere everyone in the area could feel comfortable in. I think we’ve done that — it’s now a first rate suburban hotel.”