New design-led hybrid hotel brand Drifter to set a new bar in experience-based travel and accommodation

Drifter will open its first venues in Christchurch and Byron Bay mid-year with two more slated for opening in 2025.

Positioning itself as lifestyle brand, Drifter offers a fresh approach to travel and accommodation for free-spirited travellers both young and young at heart, with innovative design and shared social experience at its core.

Drifter properties have a design-centric aesthetic and feature diverse room options ranging from superior private suites to premium shared bunk rooms, as well as workspaces, buzzing bars, dining areas, wellbeing studios, and a dynamic calendar of social and cultural events showcasing local and international artists and musicians.

Drifter’s co-founder, Joshua Hunt, said: “With Drifter, we want to create experience-based precincts that appeal to all types of travellers from across the globe. Drifters have the vibrancy and energy of a shared accommodation venue combined with the curation of music, art, food, drinks, and culture most often seen in boutique hotel offerings.

“This is the idea we founded Drifter on, seeing an opportunity to create a travel and accommodation experience that brought together the best of hotel and hostel features, fosters connection and hasn’t been seen in Australia and New Zealand before. Drifter Christchurch and Drifter Byron Bay are the first versions of this concept and we‘re really looking forward to swinging our doors open soon for travellers to share in the experience of them.”

Housed in one of Christchurch’s great heritage buildings, Drifter Christchurch will open in May 2024 at 96 Lichfield St. Drifter Christchurch will offer 95 rooms across a mix of private and shared accommodations, a 150-seat bar, co-working space, meeting rooms and wellness space, along with a selection of retail and beverage venues. The design has been overseen by Auckland based designers, CTRL Space.?  

Opening June 2024 with interior design by Melbourne’s Anthology Studio, Drifter Byron Bay is in the centre of Byron Bay at 1 Lateen Lane and will offer 52 rooms across private and shared spaces, a communal courtyard oasis with a sundeck, firepit, plunge pools and entertaining areas.