Look out Eastern Suburbs, there’s a new hot spot in town. After a long hiatus, the beautiful building at 33 Cross St, Double Bay is open to the public. Previously The Ritz Carlton, then a Stamford hotel and empty for five years between then and now, The Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay’s doors swung open in its place yesterday (November 6) and made a pretty grand first impression.
This hotel is not just for the pearls and cashmere sweater crowd, it’s hot and hip and set to be the place to hit over the silly season.
The rooftop terrace bar, pool and cabanas have uninterrupted views of the harbour but we’re guessing the crowd will be doing plenty of people watching too. When things get too hot upstairs, The Stillery, the hotel’s specialty Gin Bar, will be the spot for a cocktail or two. That’s if you can go can past a classic gin and tonic, especially when there are 60 gins to choose from. But if you’re feeling adventurous, bartender Olivia Lambert will whip you up a Cross St Covergirl – pink grapefruit, sage, No. 3 gin, vanilla and pamplemousse liquor.
If you’ve worked up an appetite at the Stillery, head across the hall to the Stockroom, where InterContinental chef Julien Pouteau keeps the focus on fresh produce in a cool space reminiscent of a European deli pantry.
The hotel itself has just 140 rooms, the largest is the Royal Suite, where you can hang out in your lounge room or on the balcony while your butler whips something up in the kitchen. Mere mortals will still love the classic and executive rooms – we’re big fans of the muted colour scheme and big big beds.
Sleep, eat or soak up the sun, Sydney’s newest five star hotel is our pick for the weekend.
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay
33 Cross St, Double Bay 2028
(02) 8388 8388
intercontinental.com/doublebay
