Inside Sydney’s new five-star hotel: InterContinental Double Bay opens
Stillery gin bar manager Aaron Gaulke at the soon to be opened Intercontinental Double Bay. Picture: Danny Aarons.
The grandeur that attracted A-listers from Madonna to Elton John still exists as does the $5000-a-night royal suite.
But that’s about all that is left of the former rundown Ritz Carlton, now transformed into a swanky five-star resort which will officially open its doors tomorrow.
The Stockroom restaurant at the new Intercontinental.
Following a lavish multi-million renovation, the Intercontinental Double Bay marks a return to the suburb’s days of glamour and is expected to become one of the city’s hottest hotels.
An estimated $25million has been spent on the renovation, and the interiors are beautiful. A 160kg chandelier towers above the Italian marble floors in the lobby and the 140 spacious rooms and suites are now light and airy, many with harbour views.
A quiet corner in the ultra-modern hotel. No expense has been spared in fitting out interiors.
There is a grand ballroom with a capacity for 360 people, a rooftop bar, a new gin bar called the Stillery, plus the Stockroom restaurant overseen by executive chef Julian Pouteau.
The Royal Suite with four balconies facing the bay, includes a bedroom with ensuite, walk-in wardrobe, a dining room, butler’s pantry and kitchen, a large living room and study.
The rooftop pool over looking Double Bay.
The 160kg chandelier towers above the lobby and staircase.
The hotel’s operators plan to be more involved in the community, chief concierge James Nobleza said. It has joined the Double Bay Wedding Collective as the first step in building business relationships in the area.
“I have been meeting shop owners and boutique owners and restaurant managers. I have been meeting a lot of those people, really just trying to get into the fabric if Double Bay. That has been the biggest focus.”
Chief Concierge James Nobleza. A decorative fireplace in the lobby area.
Italian marble floors and golden lift doors add to the opulence of the hotel.
Building on Double Bay’s growing food and wine culture, the Stillery, Stockroom restaurant and rooftop bar will all be open to the public.
Stillery bar manager Aaron Gaulke said he was looking forward to familiarising Sydneysiders with the multitude of gins and cocktails on offer.
“Most bars would use one or two gins as their focus. With our cocktail list we have 25 base spirits,” he said.
Following in the wake of the city’s whiskey bars, The Stillery offers patrons a different experience with 25 base gin spirits available.
The hotel also includes Sydney’s only Kosher kitchen.
Hotel general manager Frederic Brohez said proudly he had seen the site grow from “a construction site into a stunning contemporary retreat replete with designer furnishings
Built in 1991, the former Ritz Carlton once attracted big names from Madonna to Bill Clinton before it closed in 2001. It is also where Michael Hutchence died in 1997.
Frederic Brohez the new manager of the Intercontinental Hotel in Double Bay.
The property had languished unoccupied for several years until it was bought by Royal Hotels Australia for an estimated $60 million.
The group, which signed on InterContinental to manage it, has spent a reported $25 million on renovations.
The grand opening
The six-floor hotel will open Thursday.
You can be one of the first to experience the Intercontinental, with a special opening rate from $390 per night including breakfast for two.
For more information and reservations, email reservations.doublebay@ihg.com, call 13 83 88 or visit www.intercontinental.com/doublebay.
