Double Bay, distilled: A quietly glamorous escape in the heart of Sydney

Just a few kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay offers an insider’s guide to a harbourside village where European elegance meets relaxed coastal living. From boutique-lined laneways to rooftop aperitifs, here’s how to experience Sydney at its most refined

Nestled in the leafy Eastern Suburbs village of Double Bay, the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay invites guests to experience coastal luxury just moments from the heart of Sydney. A unique village locale close to the city centre, this exclusive harbourside suburb offers visitors the best of all worlds – quiet elegance and easy access to world-class restaurants, buzzing nightlife, café culture, boutique shopping, and peaceful walks.

Just a few kilometres from the CBD, Double Bay is perfectly positioned for travellers wanting to explore Sydney’s iconic landmarks while enjoying a tranquil retreat. It combines classic sophistication with laid-back coastal charm, all set among tree-lined streets and heritage architecture and just a short drive from some of the city’s most renowned beaches, including Bondi and Tamarama.

The InterContinental Sydney Double Bay captures the spirit of its suburb, offering an experience that is at once bespoke and global. Whether coming to relax, celebrate, work, or play, the personalised nature of the hotel creates an home-away-from-home feel, except this home happens to be in one of Sydney’s most desirable postcodes.

Part of that “at home” feeling comes from the local knowledge of the hotel’s team, where every recommendation is tried, tested, and true, offering guests the chance to enjoy all that Sydney has to offer – from the well-trodden to the best-kept-secrets.

To lift the veil on the perfect Double Bay itinerary, we spoke with Vanessa, Head of Concierge at the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. An Eastern Suburbs expert, they’ve shared their must visit spots to dine, drink, shop, and explore, for an unforgettable Sydney escape.

Eat and drink

One of Sydney’s foodie hubs, Double Bay has amassed an impressive list of culinary icons and trending hotspots. For breakfast, the infamous ricotta hotcakes at Bills are calling, while a long lunch at newcomer Margaret should be on everyone’s itinerary. For dinner, swing by Matteos Double Bay for an aperol and some vodka rigatoni, or sink into Sake Restaurant & Bar for sushi and sashimi in one of Sydney’s sleekest restaurants.

For a casual evening or perhaps a nightcap, head to The Golden Sheaf or The Royal Oak, two iconic establishments that come to life as the sun sets.

Alternatively, spend the evening dining at The Bar, located in InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, where a curated menu of Italian- and European-inspired dishes is served in an ambiance reminiscent of the great hotel bars of London, Rome, Paris, and New York. While the sun’s out, guests can also enjoy the scenic Upper Bar on the hotel’s rooftop, where sweeping views, shareable small plates, and a refined selection of wines and cocktails are all on the menu.

Shop

No trip to Sydney is complete without sampling its shopping scene, with a mix of markets, boutiques, and shopping centres on hand for the best of local and international brands. The main streets of Double Bay and Paddington are the go-to for independent boutiques from Australia’s most renowned names in fashion, beauty, and homewares, with many-a-day able to be spent wandering the village-style streets.

On Thursday’s, Double Bay’s Guilfoyle Park plays host to the local markets, which are a must-visit for everything from fresh produce and homewares, to plants, fashion, and gourmet food. Just down the road, an iconic weekend market is Bondi Markets, where Australia’s most famous beach paints a beautiful backdrop to stalls filled with emerging designer wear, vintage fashion, handmade jewellery, and art.

Up from the beach, Westfield Bondi Junction is a shopping-lover’s mecca, with a mix of luxury international brands, Australian designers, and popular high street labels all under one roof.

Explore

Double Bay sits at the nexus of city and suburb, meaning there’s plenty of places to explore. Nature lovers will fall in love with Double Bay’s abundance of green spaces, like Steyne Park and Blackburn Gardens, both of which are perfect for a relaxed picnic, a morning stroll, or simply unwinding by the water. To get the steps up, a walk on the Bondi to Bronte coastal track is a must, with panoramic coastal views of the ocean and rugged cliffs along every step.

Of course, no trip to the Harbour city is complete without some time in the water, and for this visitors can take their picks from one of the many swimming spots that surround the Eastern Suburbs. Head to Bondi Beach for quintessentially “Sydney” swim, make like a local and explore Redleaf Pool and Beach, or head further around the headlands for a day at Camp Cove.

On days where a culture hit is calling, head to the nearby Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf or the iconic Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney City, or for something for the camera roll, board a ferry and jet around the harbour, where views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge await.

Stay

When it comes to the best place to rest your head for the night, or spend slow mornings and long afternoons wrapped in your creature comforts, the only answer is the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, where the peaceful atmosphere and luxurious spaces provide a serene retreat. Whether you’re unwinding by the rooftop pool or enjoying a quiet moment in your room with views of the bay, village or Parisian courtyard, the hotel truly has it all, making you feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD while in fact being a stone’s throw away from all the action.

Unwind in elegance – your bayside retreat awaits, book now and escape to luxury.