Brighton Savoy is a 4star hotel located in the Bayside suburb of Brighton, Victoria in Australia.[1] It is located opposite Brighton Beach at 150 Esplanade, overlooking Port Phillip Bay. Brighton Savoy has been in operation as an accommodation complex since 1959 and during that time has hosted a number of high-profile events, such as the second TV Week Logie Awards presentation ceremony in 1960.[2][3] The location for Brighton Savoy was originally built in 1909.[4]

Brighton Savoy
Map
General information
Location150 Esplanade, Brighton, Victoria, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates37°54′55.1″S 144°59′15.4″E / 37.915306°S 144.987611°E / -37.915306; 144.987611
Opening1959; 65 years ago (1959)
Technical details
Floor count3
Other information
Number of rooms60
Number of restaurants1
Parkingon-site
Website
www.brightonsavoy.com.au

History

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Prior to Brighton Savoy's establishment as a hotel, the location for Brighton Savoy was originally built in 1909 as a luxurious private mansion. In the 1930s, St Leonard's Presbyterian Girl's College used it as accommodation and an official boarding house for girls from the country. By the 1940s, it was known as Manoa and then as the 'Savoy Private Hotel'. The ballroom was often used for functions and guests began booking it for weddings. In 1959, permits for extension were granted, allowing for a motel with function rooms to be constructed.[5]

Brighton Savoy made a name for itself as a function venue, hosting the Second Logie Awards in 1960 during which Graham Kennedy won the Logie Award for Most Popular Personality.[2][3] Brighton Savoy was bought by the Lee family in 1967, under whose ownership and management it remains today.[6][7]

Notable guests

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Brighton Savoy has hosted a variety of notable guests, including: English glamour model Sabrina[8] and Australian politician Bob Hawke.[6]

Brighton Beach Web camera

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In 2020, the hotel introduced a free live streaming beach camera that features Brighton Beach. The camera vision has been well received by both locals and international viewers, who utilise the vision as a quick wind and weather check for Kite surfers or as a tranquil viewing experience.[9]

Bayside Tourism Network

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In 2014 the Brighton Savoy's Managing director Michael Lee was appointed to the Bayside Council's Bayside Tourism Network.

Tourism Network members contribute to successful local projects such as the Concourse Car and Bike Show, Shops on Show, Christmas in Bayside and much. The Bayside Tourism Network aims to better tourism in Bayside.[10] As of January 2023 Michael is still a member of the network group.

Music and art

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In June 2014, Brighton Savoy's venue was the location for the Music and art

In June 2014, Brighton Savoy's venue was the location for the Melbourne-based performance artist, choreographer and dancer, Daniel Pegler's video "Clone".[11]

In August 2014, Brighton Savoy was the video location for the music video by South African-born Australian actor, YouTuber, singer and songwriter Troye Sivan for his song "Happy Little Pill" released by EMI Recorded Music Australia Pty Ltd.[12]

In the media

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In January 2014, Brighton Savoy were publicised in the Bayside Leader newspaper in an article titled 'Brighton Savoy hotel criticised for sending out Valentine's Day mistress group email' in response to Brighton Savoy sending an e-mail offer to their e-mail subscribers stating "Come and join us with your special friend, partner or mistress for a romantic evening of sunsets, roses, wining and dining in the Seaview Restaurant".[13] The Bayside Leader reported that one of their readers 'Linda' (last name withheld) said she was "appalled by the tone of the Brighton Savoy email promoting a February 14 feast in its restaurant."[13] In the article, Michael Lee, Brighton Savoy owner is quoted as saying "Our social media department has been severely rebuked. I apologise sincerely. I can understand why some people would be offended."[13]

On 27 April 2020, hotel owner Michael Lee was featured in an article by the Australian Financial Review, where he discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the Australian hotel industry.[14]

As a result of Covid lockdowns the Brighton Savoy was closed in March 2020, you can view the Covid experience for a hotel in Melbourne Australia

State and Federal Government COVID-19 policies severely restricted the hotel's ability to trade and as a result the hotel was closed for 18 out of 24 months from March 2022 to November 2021. During this period the hotel actively lobbied many different media outlets from Channel 9, Channel 7, Sky news, Herald Sun, Financial Review, 3AW, The Guardian and many more to gain support and a roadmap.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "About Us - Brighton Savoy: Hotel Accommodation & Wedding Events Venue". www.brightonsavoy.com.au/. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "2nd TV Week Logie Awards, 1960". TVweeklogieawards.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b Ganska, Helen (30 April 2009). "TV Guide: And the winner is..." news.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  4. ^ "About Us - Brighton Savoy: Hotel Accommodation & Wedding Events Venue". www.brightonsavoy.com.au/. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  5. ^ Lee, Des (1 December 2010). I had nothing to lose: A life of ups and downs. Makor Jewish Community Library. pp. 145–176. ISBN 978-0-9807027-3-6.
  6. ^ a b Crafti, Stephen (29 February 2012). "Warm and fond memories". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  7. ^ Szego, Julie (7 August 2010). "In the midst of life..." The Age. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Sabrina in Australia". The Encyclopaedia Sabrina. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  9. ^ Lee, Michael (20 November 2020). "Brighton Beach, Melbourne, Australia. Live streaming camera. View Now!". www.brightonsavoy.com.au/. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  10. ^ Lee, Michael (10 February 2014). "Bayside Tourism Network | Michael". www.brightonsavoy.com.au/. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Daniel Pegler – Clone". Retrieved 11 April 2015 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Troye Sivan – Happy Little Pill". Retrieved 11 April 2015 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ a b c Andrews, Jon (28 January 2014). "Brighton Savoy hotel criticised for sending out Valentine's Day mistress group email". Bayside Leader. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  14. ^ Schlesinger, Larry (27 April 2020). "80pc of hotel rooms are empty, or closed entirely". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  15. ^ Lee, Michael (21 July 2021). "Brighton Savoy Media | Michael". www.brightonsavoy.com.au/. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
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