InterContinental to Transform former Ritz-Carlton Double Bay Hotel

Double Bay’s legendary hotel situated at 33 Cross Street is soon to become InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Singaporean-based Royal Hotels and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have signed a management agreement for the 140-room InterContinental hotel on this famed site in one of Sydney’s most luxurious suburbs.

Royal Hotels will undertake a multimillion-dollar refurbishment of all guest rooms and public areas of the hotel, after which it will reopen as InterContinental Sydney Double Bay in January 2014.

Purpose-built in 1991 as the Ritz Carlton Double Bay, the hotel established a reputation as the place to stay for celebrities when visiting Sydney. It became the Stamford in 2001, before closing in 2009 with a view to being redeveloped.

Australian architects, Bates Smart have been appointed by Royal Hotels to restore the hotel to its former glory. Facilities will include a ballroom for up to 300 guests, meeting space, an all-day dining restaurant, Club InterContinental, café, lounge and bar, rooftop pool and bar and generous underground parking. Underneath the hotel, a ground floor arcade will be developed and is anticipated to include a health club or day spa as well as retail space.

Bobby Hiranandani, Director of Royal Hotels said, “We are tremendously excited about re-launching this property and becoming a member of the internationally-renowned InterContinental family.  We selected IHG as our partner for this hotel based on the strength of the InterContinental brand both here and worldwide, and its proven ability to deliver premium returns on the assets that bear its name.

“Our plan is to rejuvenate this ideally-situated hotel and its surrounds, making it the destination for Eastern-suburbs locals and Australian and international visitors alike. InterContinental Sydney Double Bay will become an ideal destination for weddings, conferences and dining as well as luxury hotel accommodation.

"We are pleased to be partnering with IHG in this, a landmark in the Australian market. We have been impressed with IHG's support to date, and in them believe we have a partner that will assist us creating an exciting new guest experience in Sydney", said Hiranandani.

IHG Asia, Middle East and Africa CEO, Jan Smits continued: “The signing of InterContinental Sydney Double Bay is a significant development for the InterContinental brand in Australia. The site at 33 Cross Street has long awaited the arrival of a new luxury hotel for Sydneysiders and visitors, and we feel confident that in partnership with Royal Hotels we will create something very special for our guests”.

InterContinental Sydney Double Bay will be the fifth InterContinental hotel in Australia, and will join the family of 169 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts around the world.