InterContinental Sydney Is A Stylish City Sanctuary

Historic beauty meets modern luxury at the InterContinental Sydney, a stylish sanctuary for the most discerning of travellers.

The InterContinental Group is renowned for creating some of the world’s sleekest hotels, and their Sydney outpost lives up to the hype. Poised by Sydney Harbour, this five-star hotel offers respite from the outside bustle with its serene interiors, luxurious amenities and breathtaking vistas.

Location

InterContinental Sydney is a 20-minute drive from Sydney Airport. Centrally located on Macquarie Street in the iconic Circular Quay, the hotel is within close proximity of Sydney’s icons including the neighbouring Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Opera House which is a short 10-minute walk away. Circular Quay Station is a four-minute walk away and Wynyard Station is an eight-minute walk away for those who are keen to explore other areas of Sydney.

Style and character

Residing in part of the former Treasury Building that dates back to 1851 as well as a 32-level tower, the InterContinental Sydney exudes heritage meets modern charm in spades.

Revered architecture studio Woods Bagot was called upon to sensitively refurbish the hotel in 2019 as part of the $120 million transformation where guestrooms and suites, public spaces, wellness areas, the club lounge and the dining venues were updated. This extensive re-imagination saw the space retain its heritage features while bringing it into the 21st century, drawing inspiration from the Australian landscape, Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the revamp was the creation of the contemporary rooftop bar.

The heart of the hotel is the light-filled atrium, which serves as a gathering space and thoughtful meeting point between the two buildings’ architectural styles. Here you’ll find a large curved marble bar and seating that mimic the arched balconies above, lush palm trees and plush seating. A palette of calming greens and oceanic blues carries throughout the entirety of the hotel in the form of marble, furnishings and wallpaper.

Facilities

The InterContinental Sydney has wellness and leisure facilities including a premium gym and an indoor heated pool that overlooks the harbour and Opera House. On the ground level, there’s also a Vera Wang bridal boutique providing personalised service to find the perfect wedding gown.

Rooms

The 509 light-filled guestrooms and 28 luxe suites are generously sized, calm and quiet. All accommodations feature comfortable window-side chaises, InterContinental Cloud Beds, marble-clad bathrooms with covetable Byredo bathroom amenities, and outlooks of either the city skyline, Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Opera House.

Ultimate luxury can be experienced in one of the Signature Harbour Suites and Elite Suites which boast the best outlooks. The palatial Presidential Suite is a roomy 245 square metres and features a separate lounge room, a 14-person dining room, a butler’s pantry, a workspace and a grand piano.

Food and drink

There are four dining venues to work your way through during your stay: The Conservatory Restaurant, The Treasury, Pont Dining Room and Aster.

The buffet breakfast at The Conservatory Restaurant gives other hotels a run for their money. The elevated spread offers a bounty of breakfast options from continental classics to steamed dim sims and mouth-watering pastries.

Feeling peckish during the day? The Treasury bar on the ground level presents an all-day dining menu. Park yourself under the antique domed atrium at the curved central feature bar or plush banquette seat and treat yourself to dishes such as saltbush and pepper squid with lemon myrtle aioli or lamb shoulder with heirloom carrots, eggplant puree and braised figs. Quench your thirst with a glass of Australian wine or cocktail like the ‘Harvest Punch’ with Los Arcos tequila, BarSol Pisco, strawberry, mango, verjuice and condensed milk.

InterContinental Sydney The Treasury Bar — The Treasury Bar is clad in green marble.

Come nightfall, step into the intimate Pont Dining Room – a celebration of the diversity of Australia’s culturally rich landscape. Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Kanishka Amunugama, enjoy dishes such as Skull Island prawns with red curry butter and lime, Bangalow pork belly with chorizo jam, and pineapple aniseed myrtle with coconut cream, ginger crumb and candied desert lime.

Our tip? Don’t skip the kimchi-fermented potato fries with gruyère sauce.

InterContinental Sydney Pont Dining Room — Pont Dining Room features a whisky bar.

Aster Bar is a must-visit for those staying at the hotel as it arguably has the best views of any venue in Sydney and is one of Australia’s best rooftop bars. Head up to level 32 and sit on the terrace marvelling at the 270-degree vistas of the city.

InterContinental Sydney Aster — Sit on the terrace and admire the panorama.

Sip on classics with a twist like the ‘Tropical Old Fashion’, a delicious concoction of Plantation dark rum, Woodford Rye, coconut, banana and bitters, or bespoke tipples like the ‘Renaisance 60’ with Michter’s 10-Year bourbon, Mancino Bianco, Ruby Port and Grand Marnier. The drinks menu is to be enjoyed alongside modern Australian bites such as half-shell Hervey Bay scallop ceviche with finger lime and seaweed and Hasselback potatoes with sour cream, Yarra Valley salmon caviar and chives.

Does InterContinental Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

All rooms are accessed via a lift, and easy-access rooms are available.

Is InterContinental Sydney family-friendly?

InterContinental Sydney offers a Family Getaway Package which includes: A spacious four-person room, buffet breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 years old, parking for one car, $100 restaurant and bar credit and late check out.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, families, and design-savvy travellers.

Address: 117 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW

Phone: (02) 9253 9000

Cost: From $457 per night.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

InterContinental Sydney boasts the city’s most spectacular views