Intrepid to open “hybrid hotels” across Australia and NZ through new joint venture

Intrepid Travel plans to open a series of “hybrid hotels” across Australia and New Zealand through a joint venture with Drifter Hospitality Group.
The project is Intrepid’s first move into the accommodation space and will be overseen by its new hotels division, led by former managing director for APAC, Sarah Clark.
Brett Mitchell, Intrepid’s chief sales officer, has stepped in to oversee the APAC region under his global role, as a part of the move.
Drifter Hospitality Group, which was established by Ryan Sanders as CEO with Hugh Stephenson and Joshua Hunt as co-founders, is raising a fund of initially $75 million to acquire and reposition hotels across Australia and New Zealand, with the objective to grow the portfolio to $500 million over time.
Intrepid is a 50/50 joint venture partner with Drifter and the cornerstone investor in the fund, which launches publicly this week.
The companies’ portfolio of sustainable owner-operated premium hybrid hotels will be located in prime urban locations, with eight hotels across Australia and New Zealand in the next three years, growing to 15 properties by 2025.

Artist’s impression of Drifter – an Intrepid Hotel, Christchurch
The group’s first new hotels will open in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in 2022, and positioned ‘Drifter – an Intrepid Hotel’, and an East Coast Australia asset is expected to be added in 2022.
Eventually, the group plans to take the concept globally, with targeted assets being a combination of repositioned hotels, hostels, repurposed commercial sites and new builds.
Hybrid hotels offer flexible room options (including private suites and shared rooms), located in popular city neighbourhoods with snazzy communal areas and unique cultural and dining offerings.
Research in 2019 by commercial real estate company CBRE found that Millennials are likely to spend more on hotels than Baby Boomers or Gen X, but that they seek transformational and shareable experiences, such as the ones offered by the hybrid hotel concept.
“We’ve long recognised the potential to bring our knowledge of sustainable experience-rich travel and the international tourism market – particularly solo and Millennial travellers – to the hotel sector,” said Intrepid CEO James Thornton.
“With Drifter, we’ll create truly unique hotels that travellers will love and the opportunity to grow across the region is profound.”

Artist’s impression of Drifter – an Intrepid Hotel, Christchurch
Intrepid’s newly appointed managing director of hotels, Sarah Clark, said the hybrid hotel concept will offer local and international guests a new type of experiential hotel stay.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be expanding into the accommodation vertical, with Drifter being our first launch partnership,” she said.
“We’ll offer high-quality, unique accommodation and sustainable experiences in the heart of buzzing urban CBDs and neighbourhoods. With travel reopening, people looking to reconnect, and the opportunity presented with city real estate, it’s the perfect moment to embark on this expansion phase.”
In true Intrepid fashion, the properties will be carbon neutral, and sustainable practices will be implemented across design, services, amenities, utilities and wider operational practices.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
accommodation brett mitchell Drifter Drifter Hospitality hospitality hotels hybrid hotels intrepid james thornton sarah clarkLatest News

WATCH: The Travel Weekly Wrap | 14 February 2025
Feel like your story should have got a run in our new video wrap? We'll be the judge of that, thanks.

Entire Travel Soirée puts the spotlight on niche travel
Niche travel is one of the hot topics at the moment, so we couldn't pass up the chance to learn more with Entire.

Happy Valentines! Jetstar launches 8 hour flash sale
Chocolate is nice, but a trip away is a lot better! You'll be in your partner's good books for months.

Chick-In, now open! KFC launches its own airline
We wonder if they are going to have a detailed plan, or, if they are just going to...WING IT!!

Travelport introduces Finnair NDC content and servicing solutions
The national carrier of the happiest country on earth knows a thing or two about NDC, just ask the team at Travelport.

Turkish Airlines confirms daily flights between Sydney-Istanbul
Ok Melbourne, you may have got in first, but Sydney is set to be the lead gateway between the two cities. Score: 1-1.

CATO opens nominations for International Women’s Day lunch ticket giveaway
With one of the Queens of last year's Olympic Games already announced, we know it's going to be one hell of a day!

Boutique luxury hotel opens in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane
Looking at the rooftop pool, this hotel looks like its situated deep in a Thai forest rather than the concrete jungle.

Croatia Airlines unveils new and restored routes to Milan, Prague, Madrid, Bucharest and Hamburg
When routes were scrapped early in the pandemic, no one would have thought it would be five years until they returned!

Salamander Voyages launches slow sailing itinerary in Türkiye
Okay everyone, time to sing - 'We are sailing, we are sailing, we are sailing...slowly...'

EXCLUSIVE: Emirates’ Captain Emily Sidoti on why gender disparity in aviation comes down to education
Emily is challenging stereotypes and inspiring a younger generation of women to earn their stripes.

Tura Turizm joins World Travel & Trade Council to promote tourism in Türkiye
Should we wind up on a famil in Türkiye, we're making sure to get on one of the famed hot air balloons tours!

Can you guess the world’s top spa destination?
If they ever need anyone to come and try the facilities for them, we are free most weekdays and weekends.

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards
They say you feel the effect of alcohol faster in the sky... Only one way to find out.

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
As Pip said, when people come to Australia they do so for the experiences not their hotel's sheet thread count.

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.