Who's Going
Young professions, owner-Justin Hemmes’ friend Keith Urban
Reason to Stay
Architectural Design, City-Center, Boutique hotel
Hotel Type
City Hotel
On a bustling downtown thoroughfare leading to Sydney harbor, this lively boutique hotel offers an urban sanctuary for partying locals and savvy travelers looking for design-conscious rooms. While the main hotel entrance is a bit-hard to find on a separate side street, most guests enter through the lobby lounge. It's the quintessential boutique hotel complete with darkly dressed doormen, overcrowded cocktail bar and sleek check-in area where guests congregate after-10pm to complain about the noise.
The lobby area features the well-hyped Establishment Bar with its lofty pounded-tin ceiling and Victorian pillars that attempt to contain the bloated-egos of studly bartenders and the leggy ladies that chase them. Behind the bar is a translucent glass atrium that peers-through to an interior courtyard of exposed brick-walls, and is nicely equipped with Le Corbusier (but fake) loungers for prime posing. Hotel facilities include well-equipped conference rooms popular with local media companies as well as in-house Est restaurant featuring modern Australian cuisine. A small fitness center is offers a few cardio-machines and free-weights, but leaves much to be desired.
The Room
Divided amongst five floors, 33-guest rooms and two-penthouse apartments offer minimalist design and a sedate color-palette. Rooms feature two design schemes that are hard to differentiate aside from the dark-ebony floors and Japanese accents in one and muted earthtones in the other. Entry-level rooms feature small bedrooms with windows overlooking the downtown cityscape, or perhaps just the building next door. Bathrooms are generously laid-out with double-sinks, rain showers and the occasional soaking tub in larger room categories. Towels and bed linens are fluffy and soft, especially considering the lack of Italian sheets or even Frette in most of Australia’s hotels. Some guests complain of air-conditioning noise on the 5th floor, so opt for something on the 3rd or 4th floor if available. For those looking for something a bit more posh, try one of the bi-level penthouse suites with loft-style living areas popular with Aussie film stars.
Preferred Room
Studio Penthouse
Special Features
City-Center, Trendy Clientele, Designer Hotel
Amenities
Restaurant, Lounge, Fitness Center
