With a host of new hotel openings on the horizon, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, we take a look at the ones promising to make the biggest splash…
Sydney, NSW
Behind the sprawling sandstone Edwardian Baroque building lies the hotly anticipated Capella. Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt of The Bentley Group have signed up to run in-house restaurant, Brasserie 1930. Beyond the marble foyer will be 192 guestrooms joined by an upper-level wellness spaces including an indoor pool, yoga platform and Auriga Spa. Guests will also be granted access to the private Living Room – a signature of Capella properties across the world. Here, local pros or Capella Culturists will be on hand to organise guest activities both in and outside the hotel.
Room at Le Méridien, Melbourne
Melbourne, Vic
The Parliament end of Bourke Street will welcome back Le Méridien to Australian shores. Originally built as a hotel in the 1850s before going through lives as a cinema, nightclub and theatre, the building has returned to its origins as a hotel for the first time in decades. The 235-room hotel offers expansive views over the Royal Botanic Gardens along with a rooftop pool deck.
Liberty Suite at Capella Sydney;
(Photo: Timothy Kaye)Melbourne, Vic
Many have set out to become the “Rolls Royce” of hotels but this boutique stay has real claims on the title. It helps the site was the car brand’s original Melbourne home. Even more deserving is the latest refurbishment, which aims to immerse guests in glamour. An illuminated porte-cochère (a grand arch) will greet guests, joined by 94 guest rooms, a marble staircase and fireplace, 24-hour concierge, and a swanky bar. In the rooms, freestanding baths, Molton Brown amenities and botanical wallpaper will round out this spiffy South Yarra spot.
Design render of the Conservatory at The Royce, South Yarra
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, March 2023
Melbourne, Vic
Never-before-seen views of Melbourne, a sharp eye for design, and two highly respected chefs are set to be the calling cards of Australia’s latest Ritz-Carlton. Mark Best will lead the kitchen charge as culinary advisor; joined by executive chef Michael Greenlaw, with the duo taking the helm
to deliver hyper-local, seasonal and cutting-edge cuisine across the luxury hotel’s culinary offering. The restaurant will sit a cool 80 floors above the CBD alongside the lobby, and below it will lie a holistic wellness spa and 257 carefully appointed rooms.
Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne exterior
Sydney, NSW
Sydney will continue to revitalise historic architecture with new age hotels, when Morris arrives on Pitt Street. Situated in an Italian renaissance building the Accor boutique hotel will sit near the Capitol Theatre and World Square. Expect 82 art deco-inspired rooms; and a swanky new bar within.
Render of guest room at Hotel Morris, Sydney
Crescent Head, NSW
Anyone who has spent a gloriously chilled afternoon at The Slow in Bali’s Canguu will be excitedly awaiting this seaside opening. Creative director, George Gorrow (original Ksubi co-founder) and his wife, designer Cisco Tschurtschenthaler are the reigning monarchs of laidback luxury. For Sea Sea, they are bringing a ’70s spirit to a modern surf-club hotel. The 25-room boutique stay will call upon the pair’s style credentials as well as surf culture and music to set the scene. On the hospitality front, P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants and Daniel Medcalf (No 35 Kitchen and Bar) are on board. Guests can also expect an in-house fashion line, designer souvenirs and a crowd of cool kids for high-octane people watching.
Sea Sea, Cresent Head
Sydney, NSW
The glossy glass facade of this striking hotel has been sitting almost-ready for guests for years, but 2023 is the year the W Sydney will finally swing open its curvy and cool doors in Darling Harbour. In October, you can expect luxurious rooms replete with azure blue bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes; a patterned infinity pool and a two-storey rooftop bar.
Bookings yet to open
More to look forward to…
Raes will expand its footprint on Byron Bay, with a new luxury apartment hotel in the centre of town. Due for completion mid-2024, Bonobo by Raes will include a grand central courtyard, retailers, luxury serviced apartments, plus a five-star hotel.
The Calile Noosa
Brisbane’s hottest hotel, The Calile, is set to welcome a sibling to the sunny shores of Noosa, sometime in 2026. With developers Calile Malouf Investments lodging an application for development. Works are set to start next year.
For more content, see our March 2023 issue, on sale now.
