Six luxury hotel openings worth travelling for in 2023
The six Australian properties you will want to factor into your 2023 travel plans.
In many cities and regional towns across Australia, preparations are well under way for a year of monumental hotel openings. While several projects stalled under the pressures of the pandemic, border closures have done little to deter the likes of The Ritz-Carlton and W Hotels from forging ahead with plans to unveil five-star properties.
Among the highlights: Sydney will lay claim to the largest W Hotel in the world, a mega complex that’s set to transform the harbour foreshore; Australia’s tallest hotel will welcome guests in Melbourne; and one of South Australia’s beloved lodges will make its triumphant return.
Here are the hotels travel and luxury editors are most looking forward to checking into this year.
W Sydney
Location: The Ribbon, a new hotel-hospitality development that’s set to transform Sydney’s waterfront precinct of Darling Harbour.
Opening date: October
One of the most anticipated hotel openings across the country, Marriott’s W Hotel has been a long time coming. Responsible for the complete transformation of the old IMAX building in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, the new property is W Hotels’ third Australian property, after W Brisbane and W Melbourne, and will call the $1 billion ‘Ribbon’ complex home. The hotel will be one of the largest in Sydney upon completion, and recently released renders of the rooms are stunning examples of London design agency Bowler James Brindley‘s vision for the space.
The hotel boasts a massive 585 rooms and occupies 25 floors of the Hassell-designed building, which will still retain its IMAX theatre and retail spaces. A build that was plagued by pandemic-related delays, we’re looking forward to this stunning hotel open for business in 2023.
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
Location: On Spencer Street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Opening date: March
Melbourne might be well known for its thriving laneways and subterranean bars, but The Ritz-Carlton’s new property promises visitors a different vantage point of the city. Housed in a gilded 80-storey skyscraper in the heart of the CBD, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne will be Australia’s tallest hotel, with 360-degree, sky-high views of the city below.
Upon entry, guests will be whisked away to check in at the ‘sky lobby,’ a vast glass-wrapped reception area housed on the 80th floor. With 257 guest rooms and suites, the hotel has been confirmed to have a yet-to-be-named restaurant and bar. That’s just a taster of what’s to come: it also boasts an indoor plunge pool with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the cityscape and of course, a Ritz-Carlton Club, perched 79 storeys above street level.
Capella Sydney
Location: Bridge Street in the centre of Sydney’s CBD.
Opening date: March
Singapore-headquartered Capella Hotels and Resorts will unveil its first hotel on Australian soil in March: a 192-room property in Sydney. Taking up residence in the former Department of Education, a heritage-listed building in the centre of the city, the project aims to contrast the heritage charm of the building’s original sandstone features, with sleek, contemporary design for its interior. With 192 generously sized guest rooms and suites, Capella Sydney has set itself the goal of becoming the ultimate urban sanctuary in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Further than the rooms, the grandeur of the hotel will include conference rooms, dining spaces, and an indoor pool set below a large heritage lighting fixture.
The Capella Sydney is the hotel group’s latest venue, adding to its existing portfolio of five-star properties across Singapore, Ubud, Hanoi and Bangkok.
Southern Ocean Lodge
Location: Kingscote, on the southern side of Kangaroo Island.
Opening date: The second half of the year.
Kangaroo Island’s beloved Southern Ocean Lodge will make its grand return, following the devastating fire that obliterated the original structure. Although technically a reopening, SOL 2.0 as it is affectionately dubbed by its owners, is a brand new ground-up build and as such, takes its place on our list of the best hotel openings to look forward to next year.
So, how did architects Max Pritchard and Andrew Gunner improve upon their original design? Championing sustainability and environmental regeneration, the new lodge will follow the contour of the surrounding landscape. Its 25 suites have been reoriented slightly south, so as to capture even better views of the ocean.
They have also added an ultra-premium Ocean Pavilion, which sits apart from the other suites, boasting an extensive outdoor terrace with its own wet-edge pool and private accommodation within, including four bedrooms and bathrooms. The lodge has made space for three specialised treatment rooms, a gym area, a sauna, and both hot and cold plunge pools, all of which are surrounded by pristine views.
Sea Sea
Location: Crescent Head, NSW.
Opening date: May 2023.
The brainchild of former Ksubi creative director and creator of The Slow in Bali, George Gorrow, Sea Sea will be a new ’70s inspired surf club hotel on the NSW north coast. The 25-room boutique hotel blends the pillars of Gorrow’s life: surfing, fashion, music, hospitality and art.
Contributions from his friends across the industries he remains close to will be incorporated into the property; including P & V Wine + Liquor Merchants, world traveller and mixologist Antonello Arzedi, and chef Daniel Medcalf. But what’s most exciting about the project, is that beyond the rooms there will be a revolving curated selection of music performances, mix tracks, and art exhibitions within the space.
A melting pot of everything that is so alluring about the laid-back lifestyle of the north coast of NSW, the hotel will be a place to unwind in style, with all the quiet luxuries that come with being outside of a capital city.
Le Méridien Melbourne
Location: Bourke Street.
Opening date: First quarter of 2023.
Paris-born hospitality group Le Méridien is returning to Australian soil with the opening of a new hotel on Bourke Street in Melbourne’s theatre district. The 235-room property boasts a plush restaurant and bar, as well as an expansive rooftop pool deck with views of Parliament, Fitzroy Gardens and the CBD skyline.
The original building has come full circle, constructed as a hotel in the 1850’s before being used as a cinema and live performance venue. Guests will discover a 12-storey building behind the Art Deco facade, created by Melbourne-based architecture firm Peddle Thorp. Inside, curved velvet banquettes, fluted glass and wood panelling create an elegant, intimate atmosphere that pays homage to its theatrical heritage.
It’s not the first time the upscale brand has had a presence in the Victorian capital; Le Méridien previously occupied the Rialto skyscraper on Collins Street, which is now the InterContinental Melbourne.