InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, NSW

Where Is It: A stone’s throw from Double Bay Wharf, NSW.

Why Go: It is Sydney’s newest glamour hotel, ideal for a romantic getaway.

Best For: Couples who want to be near the city but enjoy a resort-like environment.

Three Things We Loved: The rooftop pool, the views, the local area cafés.

The Ultimate Factor: The understated glamour.

Overview:

The InterContinental is Sydney’s newest five-star hotel, opening last November on the site of the former Ritz-Carlton and Sir Stamford, with a major multi-million-dollar refurbishment breathing new life into what always was a majestic building. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, this hotel has it all. For one, it’s located in one of Sydney’s loveliest harbourside suburbs, just a few minutes walk from Double Bay Wharf, and in the heart of a local village atmosphere surrounded by elegant cafés, designer shopping, and close to the CBD for anyone keen to sightsee. But this resort-in-its-own-right also possesses an opulent decor, retaining some of its original features such as Italian marble floors and brass plated lifts, and fusing them with a contemporary modern look with charcoal and grey tones. 

The Accommodation:

Although the hotel feels grand at first it is actually quite intimate in size with just 140 guest rooms ranging from mostly Classic Rooms, to 14 Executive Rooms and a single Royal Suite. They all come with a view, however, either the bay and harbour to village or courtyard, and most have small European balconies with French windows and a table and chairs. The contemporary decor of the public areas continues throughout these accommodations, with a largely grey colour scheme brightened up with some splashes of colour, and general features including polished Italian white marble bathrooms, espresso coffee machines, and your choice of king or double bed arrangements. If you’re staying in one of the 15 suites, you also get access to Club InterContinental, an exclusive lounge and courtyard with perks including complimentary breakfast. 

Where We Stayed:

Our home for the night was a cozy Bay View Room with a view, and a balcony with seating for two. The decor is dominated by a striped carpet with various grey tones through it, stretching to the French windows, and soft pale textured wallpaper with grey drapes. The king sized bed had a built-in fabric headboard, with floor-to-ceiling mirrors behind the nightstands and crisp white linens, and there was a chaise lounge in the corner by the view. The television was flat to the wall, and there was a closet at the far end of the room which was home to the coffee machine and a mini bar. Splashes of colour were largely confined to the plush cushions arranged on the bed and the chaise lounge. The bathroom was a decent size and adorned in a white marble dotted with flecks of grey and earth tones, with features including a generous shower, a bathtub, a double vanity, and amenities including bottled water, plush white towels, and luxury toiletries.

What Else Is There:

The Stillery is the hotel's elegant combination bar and lounge, and the place to try a gin and tonic from a menu of over 60 local and international gins. Next door is The Stockroom, a romantic fine dining venue with a menu focussed on locally sourced produce including seafood and seasonal vegetables, with market-fresh sides, and with breads, preserves and sauces all made in house. A major draw card is the spacious rooftop pool with sun loungers, a bar and sweeping harbour views, and attached to the hotel for anyone in need of a spot of pampering or jet lag relief is the equally glamorous Trumps Spa; you access it from outside and below the hotel.

Read our full reviews of The Stockroom, and Trumps Spa.

The Verdict:

The InterContinental Sydney Double Bay is a marvelous new addition to Sydney’s five-star hotel lineup, enjoying a lovely location, and everything a couple could desire for a romantic escape, from lavish accommodations to fine dining, and in summer, that rooftop pool with a view.