Who's Going
Design Snobs, Party Crowd, Local Weekeners
Reason to Stay
Hip lobby and designer guest rooms in groovy Sydney location
Hotel Type
Boutique Hotel
From the owners of Sydney's Kirketon, one of the city's first boutique hotels, comes a luxury offshoot located in former-red light district of King's Cross. On the doorstep of Sydney's nightlife district and Darlinghurst Road, it's the first luxury property to hit an area far more familiar with smaller one-off design hotels. The façade resembles a manicured office building with floor-to-ceiling windows and elongated staircase running the width of the lobby.
A sleek and modern reception area features masculine-leather sofas and shiny-acrylic walls with freestanding lamps, high-ceiling and polished natural floors. The crowd is a mix of Sydney lounge society, hurried businessmen and weekend frolickers who have to be expelled from the in-house bar.
British born chef Alastair Smith formerly of Bistro Lulu and Light Brigade Hotel in Paddington directs the hotel restaurant, Penny's Lane. The décor is a bit more eclectic with mosaic floors and beige-color scheme reminiscent of the Aussie outback, but with a dapper style that oozes of modern Sydney sex appeal. While amenities like an in-house gym are nonexistent, there are passes to a nearby fitness center and plans for a small spa area.
The Room
For a world-class city, Sydney’s hotel selection is still stuck in the ‘80s. The mid-rise Diamant hopes to change that with 76-stylish guest rooms designed by acclaimed Australian decorators Edge Interiors. Standard guest rooms come equipped with king-size beds and small seating area accented by custom artwork and 42” plasma-screen television with X-Box. Rooms offer functioning windows and tiled bathrooms equipped with Kevin Murphy Toiletries. Higher room categories like the Harborview rooms and William Street Suite offer views of Sydney Harbor from well-outfitted living areas with cubist leather furnishings and more-extensive entertainment systems. All beds are tucked with premium all-cotton linens and signature duvets and I-Pod docking station within an arm’s reach. For first time visitors to Sydney the area may seem far away from the touristy areas of Circular Quay and The Rocks, but after a few days you’ll surely discover that it’s a good thing albeit with a $35-a-day parking charge.
Preferred Room
Harborview Room
Special Features
Minimalist Décor, Ocean Views, Trendy Clientele, Boutique Hotel
Amenities
Restaurant, Lounge, Bar
