QT Hotels & Resorts open QT Bondi with boutique studios and apartments at Sydney’s Bondi Beach

BONDI Beach has a new player in the hotel industry and it’s bringing beach chic to boutique accommodation.

Opening its doors just over one month ago, QT Bondi offers 69 extra-spacious studios and apartments that mix barefoot luxury with designer digs.

QT Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its latest property in the former Swiss Grand Hotel after the iconic building underwent a massive redevelopment.

Designed in collaboration with renowned hotel designer Nic Graham who has helped with the other QT locations, the well-known white pillars and arches are now gone and in place are glass balconies and open spaces as QT brings a much-needed facelift to the famous Bondi strip.

Opening its doors just over one month ago, QT Bondi offers 69 extra-spacious studios and apartments that mix barefoot luxury with designer digs in the signature quirky-yet-stylish QT manner.

The philosophy of the hotel is to make you feel like a Bondi local with an emphasis on guests making the most of exploring the neighbourhood and staff are well versed in pointing out where to go.

Kick back in style in a deluxe king suite at QT Bondi.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Hidden off the street, the hotel reception area is cool, funky and stylish. Polished concrete floors are offset with brightly coloured Scandinavian-inspired furniture and neon pink flamingoes, while the walls of the lobby feature original artworks by celebrated Australian artist Shaun Gladwell.

CHECKING IN

The front-desk staff give me a friendly welcome and check-in is quick and professional. I’ve been allocated a suite on the fourth floor and am helped with my bags to my room where I’m left to settle in with a cold pressed juice (what everyone is drinking in Sydney’s eastern suburbs right now).

MY ROOM

The 69 guest suites all provide either city or atrium views with the choice of four room types – the QT king, QT king deluxe, QT atrium suite and QT Gould suite.

I’m in the Gould suite and it’s big, light and airy. The sand-coloured floorboards and pastel interiors give a beachy yet sophisticated, modern feel. More like a one-bedroom apartment than a hotel room, there’s a washing machine and kitchenette with a stove top and microwave.

The bedroom is huge with a king-sized bed and an almost bigger flat screen dominates the wall for lying in with a good movie (there are complimentary movies and wi-fi for all guests). The couch unfolds into a sofa bed that can sleep another two, there’s a small dining table and ample cupboard space for four.

The bathroom is bold in design with vibrant jade-coloured tiles interspersed with black and white. You know you’re in a hotel when the shower comes with two shower heads and there’s a bath perfect for relaxing or bathing the kids. The bathroom products are Malin+Goetz.

The minibar is well stocked with wine, champagne, soft drinks and snacks including the signature quirky QT amenities such as a beard kit (think Bondi hipsters), intimacy kit, Stonemen underwear, Pick Up Sticks, Dominos and Lifesavers.

And if your first stop is the beach, you can purchase a string bag with a pair of thongs found hanging near the entrance to your room.

Each suite has a Bose Soundlink system that wirelessly connects to your smart phone, tablet or other Bluetooth device to play music to listen to while you kick back on the huge balcony or in the spacious living room.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The QT Bondi is essentially serviced apartments as you won’t find the typical hotel facilities on-site such as restaurants, gym or spa.

Instead, the hotel wants guests to make the most of the neighbourhood where the biggest attractions are out the front door. The front desk is well stocked with beach towels for a day of swimming at famous Bondi Beach.

Guests are encouraged to download the QT Hotels & Resorts Concierge app to help design their own activities during their stay. Suggestions on where to eat, shop, workout, what to see and where to go for Bondi night-life are included.

Valet parking is available at the hotel as are private car transfers. QT will also organise to pick up and drop off at Sydney Airport at a price.

The newly opened Woolworths downstairs will help stock your room with snacks but if dining out is more your thing, you can’t go past the iconic Icebergs restaurant for lunch or dinner offering one of the best views in Sydney. The hotel organised my car transfer there for dinner where I watched the sunset over the ocean from my window table.

The service was exceptional and the menu showcased the best of the region. Sydney rock oysters, Iceberg’s signature gamberetti (perfectly fried local shrimp), charcuterie from Victor Churchill and a daily market fish selection. The special of red emperor risotto was standout, with the risotto rice sourced from the town of Griffith.

LAST IMPRESSIONS

There is a real sense of QT Bondi supporting the local community here whether it be recommending a coffee at a cafe around the corner or going shopping at one of the boutique stores. Guests will not be disappointed with the spacious rooms and tastefully chosen interiors mixed in with the signature QT flair.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BONDI

1. Walk the famous Bondi to Bronte coastal cliff walk
2. Take a surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing and brag about catching a wave at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach
3. Have breakfast like a local at Porch & Parlour — the green pea pancake and Will & Co coffee are standout
4. Start your day right with a hot yoga class at Power Living, a favourite with the locals.
5. Have dinner at the iconic Icebergs restaurant where the incredible views are matched with excellent service and seafood.
6. Go shopping on Gould St where boutique stores including Tuchuzy and Saturdays NYC will have you looking the part
7. Do as the locals do and indulge in a cold pressed juice at Cali Press
8. Get your caffeine fix at Sensory Lab, or grab a flat white and second-hand book at Gertrude & Alice. La Piadina is also popular with the Bondi crowd.
9. Visit the Bondi markets on Saturday where local food producers set up stalls on the grounds of the public school
10. Cool down with a scoop or two at the always busy Gelato Messina
    
    

The writer was a guest of QT Bondi.

ESCAPE ROUTE

QT BONDI

STAYING THERE

QT Bondi has studios and apartments ranging from $280 to $380. See qtbondi.com.au or ph (02) 8362 3900 or emailreservations_bondi@qthotels.com.au

AROUND BONDI

• Let’s Go Surfing has two-hour introductory surf lessons from $89 including board and wetsuit. See letsgosurfing.com.au or ph (02) 9365 1800
• Icebergs Dining Room & Bar is open for lunch and dinner and the terrace is open for breakfast. See idrb.com or ph (02) 9365 9000 to make a booking
• Power Living has drop in classes from $22. See powerliving.com.au or ph (02) 8964 7789
• Porch and Parlour is open for breakfast and lunch daily and dinner Wednesday to Sunday. See porchandparlour.com

Source: Perth Now, Rowena Ryan, 1^st February 2016