Six excuses to visit the new $45m luxury riverfront Bridgeport Hotel
The $45million, 6-storey Bridgeport Hotel is now open… and wow! With views overlooking the Murray River and iconic twin bridges in Murray Bridge – this has to be one of the most luxurious regional Australian pub stays now firmly marked on our SA map. Here’s our best six excuses on why you should come and visit the Bridgeport Hotel ASAP.
The $45million, 6-storey Bridgeport Hotel is now open… and wow!
With views overlooking the Murray River and iconic twin bridges in Murray Bridge – this has to be one of the most luxurious regional Australian pub stays now firmly marked on our SA map.
And there’s plenty of good reasons to come for a night (or few) away to experience it for yourself – including the views from the riverfront terrace, the infinity pool and cocktail bar area, the event spaces, the beautiful modern restaurant, the weekend entertainment and the brilliant service.
Let’s talk about the location! Positioned within the town’s CBD strip, those that love to explore will appreciate its close proximity to local attractions, landmarks and geocaching spots, and the various riverside walking trails within reach. It takes less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide, and you’ll likely see its towering stature from afar not long after exiting the South Eastern Freeway.
This hotel has taken more than a decade of planning, including 6-years of architectural design – and it shows. As soon as you walk in, you’ll be blown away by the modern space and that exciting first view over the palm trees to the mighty Murray River.
As you explore the hotel’s five bars, event rooms and dining areas, it’s pretty easy (and inviting) to get swept up in the phenomenal Bridgeport Hotel’s redevelopment (as you imagine yourself enjoying a drink and bite from top to bottom of this incredible place).
But don’t take our word for it – be one of the first to come and experience this incredible venue for yourself. Here’s our best six excuses on why you should come and visit the Bridgeport Hotel ASAP.
ONE: You need to see these unbeatable river views first-hand
Here, you can literally watch the world float by. The boats, the birds, the paddlers – it’s all on display from here.
Even from the ground level and Lounge/Rivergum Restaurant area, you can still sneak a peek at the river. Then, the higher you go, the better that view becomes as you take in the best vantage point of magnificent vessels like the PS Murray Princess and Proud Mary as they pull up and let their guests explore the region on foot.
The Terrace at the front of the hotel will be the new iconic location for relaxing with friends and family over alfresco drinks and eats. This location will start a new chapter for Murray Bridge, and is something all South Australians should experience at least once!
TWO: It’s about time you experienced modern luxury in regional SA
Did we mention the infinity pool and cocktail bar on the second level overlooking the Murray River? This might just be our favourite spot in the WHOLE six-storey hotel, because honestly, who can’t imagine themselves sitting in here during the warmer months, sipping a cocktail, and watching the boats go up and down the river.
This hotel is nothing like what you would expect from Murray Bridge, or anywhere in regional South Australia for that matter. Its super-modern design, spectacular service, extensive wine list, contemporary cuisine and premium accommodation are all served up to you right along the river front.
Plus, if you’re after somewhere amazing to hold your next celebration or corporate event, this is perfect. There are 5 different event spaces – including everything from a private 16-person board room, all the way through to the immaculate Murray Room with its enormous balcony (and some of the best views in the region). Whether it’s a wedding, workshop, conference, 40th birthday, or retreat space – the Bridgeport has you covered. There is new technology wired across each room, so you will have access to giant screens, Bluetooth audio, teleconferencing equipment and more.
THREE: The Terrace, overlooking the river, is the perfect place to catch up with friends
Now this is the place we’ll be spending our Friday night drinks (or in fact, our any day of the week drinks). We’re not really sure if we can refer to it as a ‘beer garden’ because honestly, it seems like a whole lot more than that. But The Terrace’s GIANT big screen TV, coupled with the massive outdoor dining area (again, overlooking the river), just feels like the perfect place to spend time with friends.
Right now during winter, the Bridgeport team will have the roof on, the heaters on maximum and the footy on TV. While as we head towards spring and summer out on the deck – you can expect your morning breakfast watching the sun coming up over the bridges. Or later in the day, The Terrace will be perfect for some chilled tunes and relaxed dining in the warm weather.
Either way, this every-day alfresco food and drink deck is going to be one of the most popular at the new venue (and possibly in the whole of regional SA!).
FOUR: The super-stylish accommodation will suit you (and your friends)
Now sometimes, when you think of regional hotel accommodation, your mind might wander to something rather quaint, perhaps even a little vintage, and providing limited views or luxuries. And while that country charm works for some occasions – this description couldn’t be further from the truth for the new 100 rooms at the Bridgeport Hotel.
These rooms – ranging from a king share, all the way through to a room that sleeps 5 (or interconnects with the next-door room for larger groups/families) are simply beautiful.
The Bridgeport is a new style of overnight offering for the region – with everything from luxurious king-size linens, waking up to six-storey views, the flatscreen televisions (with all the Wi-Fi and popular streaming platforms you desire for down-time), gourmet room-service, gifts of local produce, beautiful bathrooms and more.
Plus, when you book a stay at the Bridgeport you get 24-hour access to the brand new gym, and access to the heated infinity pool and neighbouring cocktail bar. This space is reason enough to book a room – even for the locals (who are already talking about doing just that!). There are four room types to choose from – most with river views and some with city views… and trust us, the views are just as beautiful at night as they are when the sun comes up.
FIVE: The food, wine and cocktail menu is locally inspired
Like every Aussie pub, the Bridgeport has your much-loved traditional menu items like schnitzel, beef burgers and salt and pepper squid. However, with the executive chef and her team always creating new dishes, you can expect seasonal specials and delicious mains to suit every palate.
Some of the highlights from the Rivergum Restaurant’s winter menu include a shared starter of yum cha, slow cooked lamb shank, beetroot risotto, puttanesca pizza, gourmet haloumi burger, roast pumpkin salad and even a pork belly on the entrée list.
The best part – most of this is created around local produce, so you know it’s fresh!
You can grab this menu from the main restaurant area, The Lounge, on the Terrace – or even up to room service. There’s a smaller bar-style menu for the Cods Bar – the perfect list of tasty bites to get you through a day of watching the big screens.
Plus, the Bridgeport is bringing back some simple luxury by also providing a ‘High Tea’ in The Lounge area. This is the perfect bite-sized shared snacks for those who want a special-event, or different style of meal – and offers up everything from pavlova, scones and pinwheels, through to Rueben sandwiches and pumpkin tarts.
The Breakfast menu looks equally enticing, and with the sun rising over the bridges, might be one of the best times to dine in at the Bridgeport! These guys have mixed up all the sweet and savoury brekky favourites too, with a combination of bircher muesli and smashed avo on toast, through to a pancake stack, eggs benedict or a bacon and egg burger.
But it’s not just the food that’ll keep you coming back. These guys have hand-selected some sensational South Australian wines, boutique beers, created clever cocktails and have all the other drinks on hand you and your friends could ever need to accompany your meal or night out.
With almost 50 wines to choose from – and a good portion of these coming from our neighbours in Langhorne Creek, the Adelaide Hills and Barossa – you’ll be hard pressed to find a wine you don’t like.
Plus the new, carefully curated cocktail list means that you can taste something completely different every time you come to celebrate at the Bridgeport! [And these might be the perfect summer poolside drink for those having a sleepover too!].
There’s always plenty of beers on tap (these guys have one of the biggest keg rooms you’ve ever seen), plus a range of boutique beers and mixers in the fridges ready to please all tastes. The hardest part of dining in at the Bridgeport is choosing what to eat and drink!
SIX: It’s soooooo close to everything else! The perfect base for adventure
So even if the experience of this phenomenal new hotel isn’t enough to entice you for a trip to the ‘Bridge – how about all the amazing experiences and adventures you can do during your stay?
The beauty of Murray Bridge is that it’s central to some of the best experiences in the region – and close to some neighbouring SA beauties as well.
If you don’t want to travel too far, then why not stay in town and explore. The immaculately kept Murray Bridge Golf Club has a PGA-level 18 hole course (that will expand with two new fairways in the near future) and is one of the best regional SA courses. So you might want to grab your friends, pack the clubs and head on up for a week of improving your handicap.
If you love your sport, then it might be worth making a weekend of it when the Murray Bridge Races are on at Bridges Event Centre. This gorgeous new track on the edge of town is now home to a growing calendar of races and is fast-becoming one of the best tracks in regional Australia.
Otherwise, if a simple stroll around town is what you’re after, head across the road to the Marketplace and grab a coffee and treat from MOJOs, where the service and food are the perfect blend. From here, you can take a stroll along the riverfront down to Sturt Reserve, the giant playground, grass tennis courts and of course – Bertha the Bunyip! Otherwise, head in the other direction towards the historic Round House where you can catch a tour (bookings required), or cross the bridge and view the river while you’re standing on top of it!
Some of our favourite local experiences to check out while you’re here are Monarto Safari Park, The Bend Motorsport Park, Kinchina Conservation Park, a short lunch cruise on the Proud Mary, a quick scoot over to Mannum to visit the Dock Museum or get on the Mighty Murray with Four Knots Cruises… maybe even a combination of all of these! If you have the time, you might even want to venture to the Langhorne Creek Wine Region (only 20 minutes away) for some tastings.
Whatever your travel and taste style – we’re certain the Bridgeport experience is one you’ll remember for some time to come!
Book your stay or check out more here.