InterContinental Sydney’s $120 million refurbishment takes full advantage of its harbour views

For a city obsessed with harbor views, Sydney’s hotels have never really made the most of them, or even incorporated rooftop space into their designs, with a few notable exceptions.

Take, for example, the 509-room, 32-story InterContinental Sydney, whose rooftop floors boast breathtaking views of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge, once only available to guests and those who paid an extra fee to use the InterContinental Club Lounge.

Well, that all changed, and, uh, no. Let’s explain: Thanks to a $120 million renovation by interior design giant Woods Bagot, the original Club InterContinental space has been absorbed by the new luxurious and public-friendly Aster Bar, and Club InterContinental has moved to Level 31, actually on the floor below.

Not only does the new lounge offer exclusive privileges to residents, but it also has views of the Royal Botanic Gardens in bloom, green after recent incessant rain, the harbor and the Opera House.

In terms of design, both Aster and Club Intercontinental utilize the blue end of the Woods Bagot palette, which aims to accentuate the watery tones of the harbour. The rest of the hotel has been infused with dark green in homage to the adjacent 30-hectare historic seaside gardens.

The hotel’s enclosed rooftop pool next to the lounge is another asset, and the suites and rooms on the hotel’s upper floors are beautifully decorated, some with club access, and offer some of the best views in the city.

One of the privileges of VIP room guests is that breakfast is served, only for club guests at Aster, and lunch and dinner are held at the new Club InterContinental, only for club guests.

While Aster, which has its own outdoor terrace, has been operating for a few weeks, the new InterContinental Club will open on December 28, just before Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks.

The author is a guest of the InterContinental Sydney.Look sydney.intercontinental.com