Welcome to Circa Hotels
Our ambition back in 2012 was to create a luxury boutique hotel experience unlike any other in Australia. Given our relatively limited budget, it was always going to be a daunting task—especially in a 21st-century world where "luxury" constantly redefines itself across regions, countries, and generations. Yet, by transforming historic, grand heritage bank buildings into intimate sanctuaries of art and style, we carved out a distinct premium identity. We are deeply humbled that our dedication to a "five-senses" approach to hospitality has resonated so strongly with travellers, consistently placing us among the very top-rated accommodations on Google, Tripadvisor, and Booking.com guest reviews.
Since those early days, the profound global challenges of recent years have only heightened the timeless business imperative to adapt and innovate. Moving forward, we continue to heed the words of rock icon Bruce Springsteen: "never stray too far from the stuff you do best." For us, that means keeping our steadfast commitment to developing and operating exceptional, award-winning hotel properties right here in the majestic Murray region. Nestled beautifully between the historic gold-rush charm of Beechworth and the legendary riverbanks of Corowa, our hotels provide the ultimate gateway to this spectacular part of Australia—where world-class regional wineries, gourmet food trails, and the breathtaking alpine snowfields are all within easy reach.
Increasingly, we are also pursuing our other great passion—design—through our sister company, KITABISA Design. Our creative studio in Sanur, Bali, is now fully operational, allowing us to design, manufacture, and showcase our acclaimed style and bespoke design products to a global market. There is no better home for this venture than Bali, a location truly at the forefront of international hotel design, which heavily inspires the eclectic, global artisan aesthetics found throughout our Australian properties.
Looking further ahead, we see an opportunity to achieve our greatest progress yet. By seeing past the appearances of age—sculpting and polishing the historic foundations that we began years ago—we will continue to refine that original vision into a living testament of enduring luxury and ageless design.
In the meantime, we invite you to follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook, and to experience our passion firsthand by visiting us at CIRCA 1928 in Albury, CIRCA 1936 in Corowa, and the KITABISA Design Studio in Bali.
Circa 1928
Situated in the tree-lined Paris end of Dean Street, the bold heritage-listed facade with its iconic entry columns create a sense of grandeur and drama as you arrive.
CIRCA 1928 has just three uniquely designed, luxurious suites and studios, providing an exclusive feel to the hotel. In keeping with the hotel’s celebration of art and culture, each was cleverly named after renowned artists born the same year CIRCA 1928 was built. All rooms feature their own luxurious ensuite bathroom, with walk-in showers, stunning deep bathtubs built for two, and bathing products from Australian natural skincare brand Hunter Lab. Well-stocked mini bars with chocolate, snacks, leaf teas, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Circa 1936
Circa 1936 has returned the glamour of the Art Deco era to the river bank town of Corowa. After the discovery of gold in the 1850s, the bustling township rose to national prominence when it hosted the 1893 People’s Convention, unifying the disparate colonies to form the Federation of Australia. The Murray River port town flourished, and in 1936, the Rural Bank of New South Wales built its impressive Art Deco premises in the town centre, to serve the burgeoning commercial and agricultural community.
Decades on, the bank building sadly fell into disrepair and neglect, until Ririn and Kevin Yaxley discovered the premises, and a significant restoration has returned the building to its former grandeur. Today, with its bold red brick facade gracing the tree-lined main street of Corowa, Circa 1936 upholds the vibrant story of almost a century in the life of this notable Australian rural town.
Throughout the hotel, admire high pressed metal ceilings, restored timber staircase and floorboards, two brick fireplaces, and the original bank vault with door - now a wine cellar and guest library. Leadlight windows inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s geometric Art Deco designs were custom made to reflect the building’s era.
Since launching CIRCA back in 2013, one thing that has raised eyebrows and set chins wagging has been the design and decor that is seen throughout each property. Upon seeing the decor, guests invariably ask "who is responsible for the interior design, and where do you source the items". The person responsible is Ririn Yaxley, co-owner and director of CIRCA Hotels, while the products are sourced from many varied locations, including here in Australia, but from as far afield as Morocco, China, Mongolia and Papua New Guinea. Items such as lighting, furniture and the hand made copper bathtubs are sourced from small artisans in Java, Indonesia - Ririns country of birth. Within the Kitabisa Gallery however, the bi-monthly changing artworks are 100% Australian and regional to each hotel.
Having had the opportunity to showcase her talent for design and curating within the CIRCA properties, Ririn ventured down a path that has allowed her to explore many different aspects of design, from fashion to furniture: utilising mediums such as wool, copper and even petrified wood. The name of this design component of CIRCA is Kitabisa, which literally translates to "we can" in Bahasa Indonesia. The thought being that anything is achievable, that design comes in many forms and that talented artists, craftsmen and tradesmen are out there, all searching for an outlet for their creations, and all with the same belief that guides Kitabisa in its design process and sourcing of products, "we can".
The products of those artisans are on show at the Kitabisa Gallery at CIRCA 1928 in Albury. An eclectic mix of unique pieces that caters for all tastes, where you are bound to find something that appeals, safe in the knowledge that whatever you choose, it is a "one of", invariably old, and with a story behind it, a treasure for today and an heirloom for future generations.
Now the KITABISA evolve to a design company, where Ririn creates a sustainable art and home decor design
CIRCA 1928
588 Dean Street , Albury NSW 2640
61 02 6082 9476 | 61 451 075 600 info@circahotels.com
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