Arriving at the entrance Sydney’s five- star QT hotel you instantly know you are in for something different.
Located in the heart of Sydney equal distance from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, this stunning boutique hotel housed in the former buildings of Gowings department store and the State Theatre has been tastefully restored into a designer space an eccentric mix of modern art, vintage accessories and quirky features.
We were welcomed by Director of Chaos and a modern day Bell Boy, their cutting edge cool look set the tone perfectly for the sensory experience we were about to enjoy. Cool vibes hit us as we entered the street level Parlour Lane Roasters, by day a European style café in which to enjoy good coffee and light bites and by night a cool aperitivo wine bar.
One cannot stay at the QT without mentioning the lifts, oh the lifts, an entertainment centre all on their own, detecting the number of passengers, the music plays accordingly and it’s not uncommon to find people alone in there roaring with laughter to the bonkers clips before being ejected to the to the barrage of “Hasta la vista baby”.
It is evident that a full design team were involved in the restoration and dressing of this hip hangout. Personal attention has been painstakingly given to the placement of every single item and the materials used, right down to the design of the staff uniforms. Whilst we had planned to dump our belongings and head out down-town, time ran away with us as we explored the treasure trove that was our room, marvelling at the little finds such as silk leopard print eye-masks, vintage glassware and animal head coat hooks. What’s more, many of the designer and vintage pieces in the rooms are available for purchase.
The luxurious rooms are lush and whilst I would absolutely stay at the QT on business, this is simply too good an experience not to share with another, fur rugs, iPod docking stations and espresso martini kits make for a fun night in and the mini-bar contents couldn’t be further from the eighties humdrum that most other hotels keep on offering us.
I pampered myself with the Uspa goodies, an Australian brand of botanical products used throughout the hotel and in the spa. The slate wet room was gorgeous with circular bath, walk-in shower and the best hotel hairdryer I have ever encountered.
I headed down to spaQ for some serious R&R, again the spa area was impeccable, a feast for my eyes, perfect accessories, perfectly positioned spotlessly clean and a pre-treatment hammam set the tone for an hour of indulgence.
Forty degrees, 99% humidity and accumulated sun and windburn had left me looking a tad ‘tired’ so I opted for a facial super-charge – the Hydramax facial. Although there is a fixed spa menu, each treatment is tailored to each individual client and whilst this particular treatment promised plump, juicy, sexy skin (and the first two being achieved!) my therapist Karen worked on my eye area too leaving them brighter and plumper as a result. This treatment uses the Uspa products, containing the essential oils of Rose, Jasmine, Calendula and evening primrose. The sign of a good facial for me is one where the facial massage sends me to dreamland and Karen managed that within minutes.
For dinner we headed up to the trendy Gowings Bar and Grill for cocktails and dinner. Again it was clear how much thought had gone into every little detail from the cocktail menu, the décor, and the crockery. This buzzy loft style restaurant was full, even on a Monday night with a hip and interesting crowd. I would have been disappointed if the food hadn’t followed through but my Rock Flathead fish in lemon and caper sauce was genuinely the nicest dinner I had enjoyed in over a two week stay in Australia.
Breakfast is also taken in Gowings, by day this is a bright hang out for fashion and creative tights and a popular spot for breakfast meetings. There’s no tired buffet style breakfast here, but an exciting menu of power breakfasts of detox smoothies and biodynamic eggs.
It really didn’t take the QT long at all to feel like my home from home, being surrounded by beautiful people, beautiful things and cosseted by a warm and friendly team made me want to move in – permanently, it is the perfect space from which to live and work. For more details see the QT hotel web site
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