Berri might be best known as a classic summer stop along the River Murray, but winter brings out a quieter side of the Riverland. There’s a certain softness to the way the water sits in the cooler months, with rolling morning fog and a slower pace.
Set right on the riverfront, The Berri Hotel makes the most of that slower-season charm. It is the kind of place where you can arrive, unpack, wander along the water, settle in for lunch, head upstairs for a balcony drink and let the weekend unfold without much effort.
The hotel offers 101 rooms with a mix of waterfront villas, a pool, sports bar and hotel Bistro with dishes that change with the season and pair local produce with Riverland wine. With hotel rooms, family options and waterfront villas, Berri Hotel works just as well for couples wanting a low-fuss escape as it does for families, groups or anyone planning a proper Riverland weekend.
Hotel General Manager Jeremy Sweet said guest are often surprised at the great waterfront location.
“They are equally surprised by the seamless blend of modern renovated spaces with the relaxed and genuinely warm country hospitality.”
But it’s not just a place to sleep. The new and improved Balcony Bar is where you’ll find us sitting all afternoon, with an open-air seating and cosy fire, perhaps topped off with a glass of red to enjoy.
“The vision behind the Balcony Bar at the Berri Hotel was to design a modern and welcoming environment, the kind of place where you can happily sit all afternoon, watch the river flow, and let the hours slip away,” Jeremy said.
What pairs perfectly with a riverfront relaxation session? A bottomless brunch of course.
Let the Berri Hotel staff look after you every Saturday from 12pm to 2pm, as they serve bottomless drinks and a brunch board that you’ll want to sit close to and let the afternoon just do it’s own thing.
Think gourmet sliders, golden arancini balls and chocolate-dipped profiteroles, and yes, you absolutely deserve it.
When the afternoon just starts ticking that’s when you’ll find the beats start flowing and the atmosphere kicks up. Each Friday live music starts, followed by a DJ on Saturday nights turning the afternoon into a groovy love affair with the dance floor.
Ease your way into Sunday with their indulgent high tea offering.
We can already smell the warm house-made scones with Beerenberg jam and cream, the kind that melts in your mouth with sweet flavours and soft textures. From the ribbon sandwiches to the spinach and ricotta triangles and chocolate-dipped profiteroles, it’s crafted to impress.
It’s considered an experience worth travelling for and with that kind of offering, it’s easy to see why.
Something that visitors often miss, Jeremy told us, are the serene backwater creeks, “which are perfect for peaceful morning kayak trails away from the main river.”
“Wine lovers also frequently overlook the incredible Riverland Wine Centre at Pike River just down the road in Lyrup, which serves as a spectacular one-stop cellar door showcasing over 30 local boutique wineries.”
Adding even more value is the Berri Rewards free members program, where members save ten percent on food, drinks and hotel stays, earn points on every dollar spent, and redeem them for future purchases.
As a community-owned venue, the hotel also delivers on its commitment, investing over $1 million back into local sporting clubs, groups, and events over the last seven years.
“The Berri Hotel is a historic, community-owned gathering place where generations of locals have connected and celebrated milestones,” Jeremy said.
Right now, the Berri Hotel is currently offering 20% off Winter Escapes, available to book now until July 31 for stays until September 30. It’s the perfect reason to plan a Riverland weekend while the season is at its most serene.
The Berri Hotel
Where: 31 Riverview Drive, Berri
To book the bottomless brunch and high tea, click here.
To sign up for Berri Rewards program, click here.
To book a Winter Escape, click here.
