WHEN LUXURY MEETS HISTORY

When Luxury Meets History - Luxury Travel Magazine

When Luxury Meets History

By: Tina Templeman, Issue 36 – Spring 2008

(The Sebel Pier One Sydney, Hotel Lindrum, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Establishment Hotel, Blue Sydney, Hotel Conrad, MacArthur Chambers Apartment Hotel and The Henry Jones Art Hotel – Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart and Brisbane, Australia)

AUSTRALIA’S STANDOUT FIVE STAR HOTELS OFTEN HAVE AN INTRIGUING PAST THAT BELIES THEIR CURRENT STATURE.

What do government offices, a jam factory, a billiard hall, old wharves and a hardware emporium have in common? These historical structures now play host to some of Australia’s most beautiful and unique hotels. Each has an enviable central location and a fascinating past, which has little to do with luxurious accommodation. Step inside for a glimpse of days gone by in the most modern of surroundings. When luxury meets history, everything old is new again – and how.

The Sebel Pier One Sydney

Pier One served as a P&O passenger terminal for over 50 years so it is fitting the hotel offers a private pontoon for guests setting sail for their own grand adventure. With rooms suspended over the water it feels you are part of the action out on the busy working harbour. Fortunately there is no danger of getting your feet wet unless it is in the oversize bathtub. The hotel is located close to the historic Rocks area and provides the perfect starting point for morning walks beginning beneath the shadow of Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is worth opting for a suite with a day bed; these are perfectly positioned for soaking up million dollar water views.

Hotel Lindrum

Melbourne’s Hotel Lindrum shows that small is beautiful. This 59-room boutique property located on bustling Flinders Street feels more like a refined club than a hotel. Although tea merchants originally commissioned the building, it is perhaps best known as Lindrum’s Billiard Centre, which operated on the site from 1973 to 1988. The Hotel Lindrum has a dedicated billiard room featuring memorabilia donated by Dolly Lindrum and a beautifully restored table salvaged from the original centre. Guests are encouraged to pick up a cue and enjoy the convivial atmosphere. Complimentary DVD rental provides a welcome alternative to in-house movies, and business and leisure travellers alike appreciate Hotel Lindrum’s intimate thoroughly modern appeal.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Hyatt Hotel Canberra was once the only building in the nation’s capital with ‘lock up’ facilities. Its elegant suites often accommodated alleged offenders who, not unlike modern day guests, were in no hurry to leave. Art Deco décor evokes days gone by, and service is refined but never stuffy. This historic hotel is the perfect blend of old and new with an attention to diplomat. Hyatt Hotel Canberra has been described as the ‘second Parliament House’ and was often at the centre of plotting and political intrigue. It is renowned for its fabulous high tea, which can be enjoyed outside during Summer; a glass of red in front of an open fire is perfect on chilly evenings. Rooms in the original wings have numbers with single digits and are particularly charming. The diplomatic suites named after prominent Prime Ministers are spectacular in size and rich in historical significance. Both these accommodation options are currently being refurbished and will be relaunched later this year. Keep an eye out for attractive weekend rates when the heads of state, politicians and corporate leaders have gone home.

Establishment Hotel

Establishment Hotel, voted the country’s best boutique hotel in 2006 by The Australian Hotels Association, is a well-known haven for hip sophisticates. Its chic interior and cutting edge designer cool is a far cry from the building’s original beginnings as a hardware store. Guests approach the hotel via a side lane and enter through the original metal and timber doors of the Holdsworth Macpherson and Company hardware emporium. Of the two main room types, the City Scheme best captures the rustic nature of the original building. There are many drinking spots in the Establishment complex: the main bar features a stunning pressed metal ceiling and garden bar incorporates the jagged outer walls of the old building which was severely damaged by fire in 1996. One could say Establishment Hotel rose from the ashes.

Blue Sydney

The raw character of the original wharf, which remains the largest of its kind in the world, has been retained in this unique 104-room hotel. Wooden conveyor belts feature in reception along with exposed corrugated iron and timber from the original building. A striking sheepskin armchair provides a whimsical link to the wharf’s wool handling past. Integrity of the original structure had to be maintained during the redevelopment process so each room is unique. Much of the accommodation features original wooden beams, interesting angles and hidden surprises. Loft rooms are reminiscent of a classic New York apartment and come with sloped ceilings and a raised sleeping platform. Water Bar, which occupies a central atrium that once served as a roadway, is an ideal spot to soak up the sense of history, and the wharf complex itself includes a range of dining options. Blue Sydney is one of just four Australian Leading Hotels of the World.

Hotel Conrad

The sandstone building housing Hotel Conrad, Brisbane, was touted as ‘the most splendid public edifice in the Australian colony’ when it was built in 1886. After accommodating the Queensland Art Gallery and numerous government departments, the former Land Administration Building was redeveloped as a hotel in 1995. Rooms have four-metre ceilings with elaborate cornice work and heavy wooden doors; dark wood furnishings and traditional fabrics complement the heritage feel. Guests with artistic flair can request one of the beautifully appointed suites on Level Four, which once housed the art gallery. It comes as no surprise the quality of light is superb. Hotel Conrad’s lab bar + restaurant which overlooks George Street provides another excellent reason to stay. Service is exceptional as is the modern Australian cuisine.

MacArthur Chambers Apartment Hotel

General Douglas MacArthur was so impressed with this building in Brisbane’s CBD he commandeered it for his WW2 headquarters. His office and staff was on the eighth floor, the fifth housed the Anti-Aircraft Office and the seventh floor was home to Signals. MacArthur Chambers is now a luxurious apartment hotel with a palpable sense of history. Reception is somewhat cramped but apartments are enormous – a chic twobedroom starts at 115sqm – and the variety of floor plans allow for flexibility when selecting accommodation. Some apartments feature a dedicated study, others have three bathrooms, a few include balconies perfect for people watching. All are decked out with high-end European appliances and every modern convenience. While there is no restaurant, guests are welcome to dine at the exclusive, and ordinarily members only, Tattersall’s Club directly across the road. The excellent MacArthur Museum is well worth a visit even for those unable to stay.

The Henry Jones Art Hotel

The most striking feature of this boutique hotel is its industrial design closely followed by the artwork provided by students from the adjoining Centre for the Arts. The Henry Jones was Australia’s first dedicated art hotel and many pieces are for sale. While the exterior of the building remains largely unchanged, inside the industrial machinery blends seamlessly with modern design features. The IXL Long Bar is a nod to the building’s original life as the IXL Jam Factory. Rooms are decorated in earthy tones and have a cosy modern feel; the pick of these on the third floor come with enviable water views. All have windows that open to provide a welcome alternative to airconditioning. With just 50 rooms in total it is wise to book the Henry Jones well in advance. Several room types offer the flexibility of self-catering although most guests prefer to step out and sample the excellent restaurants within easy walking distance.

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