The elite are spending up to $250,000 per week to stay in a six-bedroom penthouse in Sydney for a summer holiday, ideal for watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Contemporary Hotels’ The Residence in the heart of the CBD is fit for Hollywood stars, royalty, dignitaries and billionaires.
The Residence is a penthouse in the heart of the CBD that costs $75,000 per night.Credit: Contemporary Hotels
The nightly rate is $75,000 with a minimum two-night stay, but cashed-up holidaymakers can get a discount if they stay for the week, paying $250,000.
There is a rooftop pool, wine cellar and “floristry room”, and services include a full-time chef, butler, personal trainers, cleaning staff and chauffeur, plus discreet private lift access from Pitt Street.
Contemporary Hotels chief executive Matthew Fleming said travelling into Sydney is strong this summer, with a mix of first and second-time travellers, returning expats and Aussies looking to spend Christmas locally at their range of holiday homes.
“People are now ready to holiday at home. We’ve got many bookings, particularly Australians who live in Sydney and want to spend Christmas at Palm Beach for example,” Fleming said.
Cashed-up holidaymakers can get a discount. If they stay the week it’s $250,000.Credit: Contemporary Hotels
Fleming’s clientele are willing to pay up to secure properties with al fresco communal dining spaces, great lawns and swimming pools.
“When people spend tens of thousands, sometimes $100,000 for a holiday retreat, they’re looking to make the most of it,” he said.
The Gibson in Vaucluse is a six-bedroom home set among subtropical gardens with direct access to the harbour, a sauna and steam room. It will set the holidaymaker back $70,000 for the week.
The Residence is in the heart of the CBD and is fit for Hollywood stars, royalty, dignitaries and billionaires.Credit: Contemporary Hotels
For $30,000 per week, guests can soak up interrupted Sydney Harbour Bridge views at The Wharf Birchgrove, or relax by the infinity edge mineral pool at The Curve in Palm Beach for $40,000 per week.
There is demand for glamorous coastal homes in Sydney this summer after a post-Covid trend saw Australians booking flights to overseas destinations such as Europe, America and Japan.
Contemporary Hotels says many Australians are choosing to spend Christmas in locations such as Palm Beach.Credit: Contemporary Hotels
While it’s common to already find a gym, pool, spa and sauna in these multi-level mansions, it’s not unheard of for holidaymakers to request a particular brand of mattress or have a spa or sauna of their choice shipped to the home.
Luxico founder and managing director Alexandra Ormerod said that while properties with wellness inclusions are a drawcard, their concierge team is familiar with arranging specific requests, particularly for A-list clients.
The Balmoral Luxury Estate is available to rent from $7000 per night.Credit: Luxico
“The luxury villas are half of the service we offer, the concierge is the other half. Whatever clients dream up, we will find a way to facilitate,” Ormerod said.
“It’s common for us to bring in Peloton bikes, an infrared sauna, spa or a particular brand of mattress, however, the majority are just looking for privacy and exclusivity. Those out-of-the-box requests are the exception.”
The 10-bedroom mansion called Sutherland at Darling Point is available from $8500 per night.Credit: Luxico
Ormerod said 76 per cent of guests are overseas travellers, including repeat travellers, celebrities and Aussie expats returning for summer. The average booking at a Sydney villa for a week or more over summer is $49,979, while some pay up to $80,000 for a week alone.
Among the most impressive in her portfolio are a five-bedroom home in Balmoral from $7000 per night, a Bellevue Hill apartment owned by an ‘It’ couple from $2500 per night, a Bronte compound with a heart-shaped pool from $3000 per night, and a Darling Point mansion for $8500 per night.
Luxico founder and managing director Alexandra Ormerod said it’s not unheard of for VIP guests to request a particular type of sauna to be shipped to a property.Credit: Luxico
Home owners can trade their unused time in their second home to gain access to other members’ yachts, villas, estates or castles via an exclusive club.
ThirdHome is a luxury home exchange program for the rich where members can travel rent-free, with the club using a travel credits system.
Members pay a nominal exchange fee from $US495 ($796) to $US1395 per week. For a home to qualify, it has to have an average value of $US2.4 million.
Home owners can trade their unused time in their second home to gain access to other mansions, estates, villas and yachts.Credit: ThirdHome
Sydney properties include a four-bedroom home at Newport Beach with a pool, lift and four TV zones, and a four-bedroom home at Whale Beach with views of the Pacific Ocean, a gym and games room.
Launched in 2010, ThirdHome is a home exchange program for millionaires and billionaires.Credit: ThirdHome
Stayz travel expert Sarah King said their demographic is the domestic traveller seeking a private home with ample space for groups to disconnect and enjoy one another’s company.
“Travellers booking holiday homes are embracing JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out, which means doing less on holiday to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” King said.
“With 67 per cent of Aussies seeking increased relaxation, many of our luxe listings feature a statement bathtub, gym or yoga room, media room and sauna.”
An estate in Warrawee on the upper north shore comes with a koi pond.Credit: Stayz
For $12,089 per night, a six-bedroom estate in Warrawee comes complete with a Koi fishpond, pool, spa, tennis court, media room and bar.
The Amalfi Villa in Palm Beach costs $2345 a night and has a central atrium with retractable roof, while properties in Bronte and Vaucluse can accommodate up to 10 people from $3000 to $5717 per night.