New Luxury Leadership: Erin Proud Appointed to Helm Boutique Oceanfront Hotel The Whale Narooma Opening in Early 2026

Merivale’s new boutique hotel The Whale in Narooma has been placed under the leadership of experienced hotelier Erin Proud, who has been appointed as General Manager ahead of the property’s debut in the first half of 2026 on New South Wales’ far South Coast. In this senior role, Proud has been positioned at the centre of the hotel’s development, with the appointment signalling Merivale’s intention to establish The Whale as a flagship regional property. The hotel is being integrated into Merivale’s growing Narooma portfolio, which already features Quarterdeck, Lynch’s Hotel, The Inlet and Surf Beach Holiday Park, creating a cohesive cluster of venues within the destination.

Through this appointment, The Whale is being framed not only as a new place to stay, but as a strategically important asset within the broader South Coast visitor economy. The decision to entrust the project to a seasoned luxury specialist underscores the ambitions held for the property and the role it is expected to play in attracting both domestic and international travellers to Narooma.

A seasoned luxury hotelier at the helm

Over more than two decades in luxury hospitality, Erin Proud has built a career across several of the world’s key hotel markets, including London, Asia, the United States and Australia. Before taking on the role at The Whale, she served as General Manager at the luxury award‑winning Spicers Peak Lodge, where a strong emphasis was placed on personalised service, attention to detail and refined guest experiences. This background has shaped a management style that combines operational discipline with a guest‑centred mindset.

Earlier in her career, Proud held roles at a series of landmark hotels such as The Savoy London, Raffles Beijing, Fairmont Grand Del Mar and Rosewood Miramar Beach. Across these positions, a reputation was developed for lifting operational standards, crafting distinctive stay experiences and building high‑performing teams in competitive luxury environments. This blend of global exposure and regional experience has been regarded as particularly valuable for a project that aims to deliver city‑level sophistication in a relaxed coastal setting.

Scope of the new General Manager role

As General Manager of The Whale, Proud has been tasked with end‑to‑end responsibility for the hotel’s lifecycle, beginning with its pre‑opening phase and continuing through launch and day‑to‑day operations. Her remit has been defined broadly to encompass guest services, wellness and leisure programming, recruitment and training of staff, and active engagement with the Narooma community to ensure the property is embedded within the local visitor economy.

This wide‑ranging brief places Proud not just as an on‑site operator, but as a key architect of the hotel’s culture, service ethos and community relationships. Under her leadership, the operational frameworks, service rituals and team structures will be shaped before opening, allowing the property to welcome its first guests with systems, standards and local partnerships already in place.

A ‘70s‑inspired coastal boutique retreat

The Whale is being developed as a ‘70s‑inspired boutique hotel designed to merge a relaxed coastal atmosphere with playful retro design elements. The property will feature 19 newly designed rooms, giving the hotel an intimate scale and allowing for a strong emphasis on individuality, character and sense of place rather than standardised, mass‑market accommodation. Each guest space is being envisioned as a distinct retreat tailored to design‑conscious leisure travellers.

The hotel occupies an elevated position overlooking the turquoise waters of the South Pacific Ocean and Narooma Inlet, with views extending towards the adjacent national park. These vistas are being treated as a core component of the guest experience, with rooms oriented to maximise natural light, water outlooks and the surrounding landscape. Through this approach, a resort‑like environment is being created, ideally suited to coastal escapes, slow‑travel itineraries and restorative short breaks on the South Coast.

Room types, design language and in‑room comfort

Within the compact footprint of the hotel, several room categories are being planned, including a garden penthouse and nine suites, supported by additional guest rooms designed for couples, friends and independent travellers seeking an elevated stay. All accommodation spaces are being described as eclectic and retro in feel, with design references drawn from 1970s aesthetics while maintaining contemporary levels of comfort and functionality.

Terrazzo flooring is expected to feature prominently, providing a durable, textured and visually distinctive base throughout the rooms. Custom furniture will be crafted by a mix of local and international artisans and makers, creating a layered narrative that integrates regional craftsmanship with global design influences. This design direction is intended to ensure that each room feels carefully curated rather than generic, appealing to guests who value originality and thoughtful detailing.

Many rooms are expected to showcase sweeping views of the ocean, inlet and nearby national park, strengthening the connection between the interior spaces and Narooma’s coastal environment. While full room inventories have not yet been publicly detailed, the planned mix of suites and penthouse accommodation indicates that generous living areas, comfortable bedding, well‑appointed bathrooms and seating zones oriented towards the views will be central priorities.

Wellness and leisure under Proud’s direction

A strong wellness focus is being integrated into The Whale’s offering, aligning with current trends in luxury and boutique travel. Guests will be provided access to a heated magnesium pool, which is anticipated to deliver a more mineral‑rich and gentle bathing experience than a conventional chlorinated pool. Additional wellness features will include a traditional sauna and an ice bath, allowing guests to engage in contrast therapy and restorative rituals.

These wellness facilities are being positioned as complementary to Narooma’s broader outdoor lifestyle, where coastal walks, ocean activities and national park exploration form a natural extension of the on‑property experience. Under Proud’s guidance, it is expected that wellness and leisure programming will be curated carefully to balance rest, rejuvenation and immersion in the surrounding landscape, contributing to a holistic stay rather than a purely transactional overnight visit.

Dining with Queen Chow and waterfront views

Dining at The Whale will be anchored by the adjoining restaurant Queen Chow, which is scheduled to reopen in conjunction with the hotel and will share the property’s waterfront outlook. Queen Chow is being characterised as a venue that celebrates locally sourced produce and fresh seafood, interpreted through a bold Cantonese lens that pairs regional ingredients with vibrant flavours.

For hotel guests, this arrangement will provide seamless access to a destination restaurant without leaving the grounds, enhancing the appeal for travellers who value food‑led experiences as part of their stay. The combination of coastal produce, seafood‑focused menus and a strong design aesthetic is expected to reinforce the positioning of The Whale and Queen Chow as a notable pairing on the South Coast, particularly for visitors seeking both culinary and accommodation highlights in a single location.

Guest experience and target market shaped by new leadership

Under the leadership of Erin Proud, the guest experience at The Whale is expected to be defined by highly personalised service, careful attention to detail and a relaxed yet polished delivery style consistent with her luxury hotel background. Operational priorities are likely to include smooth arrivals and departures, proactive concierge‑style assistance, and subtle but meaningful touches designed to make each stay feel considered and individual.

The property appears particularly well suited to couples’ retreats, special‑occasion getaways, design‑focused escapes and longer stays for travellers wishing to use Narooma as a base for exploring nearby coastal towns and nature‑based attractions. The limited room count, integrated wellness amenities and on‑site signature dining collectively indicate a focus on depth of experience over scale, appealing to guests who prefer intimate, character‑rich hotels over large resort complexes.

Strategic role within Merivale’s Narooma portfolio

The Whale Narooma is scheduled to open in the first half of 2026, with the exact opening date yet to be confirmed. Once operational, the hotel will join Merivale’s established Narooma venues – Quarterdeck, Lynch’s Hotel, The Inlet and Surf Beach Holiday Park – creating a multi‑layered network of hospitality and accommodation options catering to different trip styles and budgets.

Within this network, The Whale is being positioned as the design‑led boutique anchor, offering a premium stay experience that complements the more casual coastal venues and holiday park accommodation already available. With a high‑calibre General Manager now appointed, the property is being readied to attract a broader mix of domestic and international visitors, contributing to the evolution of Narooma as a sophisticated yet relaxed South Coast destination.

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