Pop-up hotel pops up in Australia

WE'VE had pop-up bars and pop-up restaurants - now pop-up hotels have hit Australia.

Pop-up hotel in Sydney

WE'VE had pop-up bars and pop-up restaurants - now pop-up hotels have hit Australia.

Sydney welcomed its first temporary hotel this week when a specially designed luxury tent was erected overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera House for two nights only.

Hotels.com and Citygate Central Sydney hotel worked together to create the glamping - or glamorous camping - experience for a handful of lucky guests.

Review: My night in Sydney's first pop-up hotel

Built of plywood and waterproof canvas, the carpeted tent has two double beds with electric blankets, two area heaters, an outdoor deck, small fridge - but no shower.

It also comes with the services of a personal chef, concierge, waiter and security guard.

Hotels.com director of marketing Katherine Birch said the idea was inspired by a pop-up restaurant featured on the reality TV show Masterchef.

She said the pop-up concept gave people the opportunity for a unique experience and created a sense of urgency.

"We thought it was a really, really fun idea we could bring to life in one of the most iconic destinations in Australia,'' she said.

"It wasn't as hard to do as we thought it would be.

"The luxury camping experience is quite popular in other destinations around the world such as Africa.''

While there are no set dates yet, Hotels.com is looking at other pop-up hotels in other Australian destinations including Cairns in Tropical North Queensland and Uluru in the Northern Territory.

The experience will be available for members of Hotels.com's Welcome Rewards loyalty program, which gives customers one free night's accommodation for every ten nights booked.

Annika Wright, 26, and Laura Terrance, 22, had a peek in the pop-up hotel this week and loved it.

"It's a really great idea,'' Annika said.

"There's places that you can only really see during the day and getting the opportunity to stay there overnight and see the sun set is great.

"You wouldn't want to put a hotel there permanently because it's such a beautiful part of Sydney but to be able to stay there overnight is such a special experience.''

Pop-up hotel in Sydney