QT Sydney

The Hotel – QT Sydney

One of the hippest hotels in town, QT is a magnificent mesh of two of Sydney’s most prominent buildings nestled in the heart of its bustling CBD (central business district). From the sassy hostess in tails at the door to the art deco and gothic inspired architecture/ interiors, the place is dripping with old school glamour, and it is easy to imagine old school Berliners with a penchant for decadence revelling in its opulence.

QT Sydney – Rates & Directions 

The Rooms

Our room at QT Sydney featured a sensuous palette of deep reds, oranges and yellows characteristic of all QT’s rooms, creating a luxurious boudoir atmosphere complemented by a spacious, dark stone bathroom. This was topped with quirky design touches such as labels dotted around the room reading ‘Bottoms up’ on the cocktail shaker and ‘Cover up’ on the bath robes, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Added extras which made the room complete were a well stocked mini bar, a ‘Damn Handsome’ beard kit, emergency bow tie and a copy of the latest Art Guide Australia – perfect.

Suites with sex appeal – a palette of deep reds creates a sensuous style in the QT Sydney rooms. Image courtesy of QT.

Art/Design/Architecture

In terms of architecture QT is a unique mixture of two of the most distinct buildings in town, one half State Theatre building and the other Gowings department store. Designed by renowned department store architect Crawford H Mackellar, Gowings was constructed 1912-1929 in an interwar Palazzo style building; its gothic features since lovingly restored. The Grand State Theatre on the other hand is an indomitable mixture of architectural elements, including cinema baroque, Gothic, Italian and art deco design.

The Member’s Lounge at QT Sydney drips with glamour. Image courtesy of QT.

Juxtaposed with the old school glamour of the building’s facade is the cutting edge technology of the contemporary art pieces inside. Curated by Amanda Love – a prominent art collector who has served on the Biennale of Sydney board, among other projects – the hotel’s art collection heavily features digital pieces. A couple of our favourites were Australian artist Daniel Boyd’s dreamy ‘A Darker Shade of Dark #s1-4’, a floor-to-ceiling high definition video on display in the Gilt Lounge, and New Zealand based artist Daniel Crook’s ‘Static No. 18 (phase shift)’ on display in the reception and lounge areas. The interiors of the State Theatre feature also feature rare original artworks and fixtures from William Dobell and Charles Wheeler, two of Australia’s most significant artists.

Food & Drinks at QT Sydney

The QT Sydney food and drink experience begins on street level with Parlour Lane Roasters, where you can grab not only breakfast and snacks throughout the morning/early afternoon but also that all essential coffee (Australians pride themselves on their caffeinated goods). A beautiful interior featuring restored heritage tile floors and retail cabinets with a quirky modern day twist, it is an enticing sanctuary from Market Street and come night time transforms into an aperitivo wine bar with the best dressed bunch in town enjoying pre-theatre drinks. Moving upstairs main restaurant Gowings Bar & Grill offers a sumptuous European brasserie style menu with a ‘signature seafood accent.’ An excellent choice for a bite (be it business or pleasure), the breakfast menu was on point, the ‘Eggs Rockefeller’ from the ‘QT favourites’ menu selection a particular hit. For night owls the Gilt Lounge is an excellent after dinner option, situated just above Gowings Bar & Grill and providing a cosy environment with creative cocktails and a relaxed ambience until 2am.

Gowings Bar & Restaurant have a European style menu Berliners will enjoy. Image courtesy of QT.

Things To Enjoy

Those wanting to escape the city pressure can relax with SpaQ, a designer spa less ordinary offering finely tailored packages. Facilities include not only treatment rooms and a men’s barber but also a hammam inspired steam room complete with ice fountain, the perfect antidote to a stressful week. SpaQ also offers a relaxation lounge, spa boutique and menu filled with rejuvenating treatments by U Spa and Kerstin Florian.

Other hotel highlights include the guest lounge on the first floor which is every bit as hip as the neon decor proclaiming it, and features the intriguing Qtique – an exquisite collection of carefully curated items available to purchase, from cockatoo lamps to sausage dog earrings – a real cabinet of curiosities.  

Look your best with the QT barber, on hand to tame that beard! Image courtesy of QT.

The Crowd

The crowd at QT are every bit as eclectic as the wonderful artwork/architecture, a mixture of young and old locals and visitors there to enjoy Sydney’s vibrant CBD. The one thing all visitors have in common – a distinct appreciation of style.

The Neighbourhood 

Visitors to Sydney will love the location of QT in the heart of the city’s CBD, especially shopping enthusiasts, the Gowings building home to Australia’s flagship Topshop store. There are plenty of retail opportunities, restaurants and bars in the immediate surrounding streets as well as a number of beautiful parks, the serene Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park providing excellent spots to enjoy warmer weather. The iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour bridge are a short stroll away, as is the Circular Quay where you can not only catch a number of ferries to the northern beaches but also find the wonderful Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (tip: go Thursday evening for the late opening times and dinner with a view on the rooftop restaurant). Overall an excellent spot to explore all that Sydney has to offer!

Text: Marie J. Burrows

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