Fruitful Design

Mango Hill Tavern is Brisbane’s newest family hotel, and it’s already proving itself a big achiever, taking out the QHA award for Best New Hotel. Brand & Slater spent 16 weeks designing the cosy ambience of the tavern that would attract Mango Hill families and neighbours. It’s a contemporary space set out over one level, with the furniture layout de- fining the dining, socialising, gaming and children’s play areas. The dominant ceiling feature in the din- ing area is composed of over 14,500 hanging hoop pine battens in an undulating pattern inspired by the surrounding pine plantations… only upside down. And custom-designed branch-like pendants protrude from the woodwork in a stalactite forest effect. Earthy stone tiling and custom carpet continue the natural tones, and the main bar comprises hefty blocks of timber stacked like a lumberyard pile with a glass counter top that doesn’t hide the raw element. A wood fire pizza oven covered in gloss red bricks sits at one end of the counter, and adds even more warmth to the organic design. For the kids, the children’s play area is packed with fun. Xbox, talk tubes, puzzle nook, movie zone and padded climbing elements are just the tip of the ‘forget the parents’ iceberg. In the sports bar, where the adults go to play, the furnishings have been lightened up to bring in a few more female punters, and a colour-changing LED light show in the atrium ceiling caps off the gaming room with- out detracting from the overall warmth and inviting natural charm of Mango Hill Tavern that will serve its families well.