Establishment Hotel

"Opened in time for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Establishment is a pioneering 31-room boutique hotel housed in an 1890s steel plant near the modern-day stock exchange building downtown. Managed by the hospitality group Merivale—which started as a fashion house specializing in fascinator hats and mini skirts—the hotel is popular among brand executives who book the 328-square-foot Loft Penthouse for product launches and photo shoots. Rooms feature wood furnishings, swinging metal doors, animal hides, and suedelike daybeds as well as such amenities as Apple TV, Bose surround sound, and Lululemon yoga mats. Bathrooms are particularly luxurious here, with marble floors, freestanding tubs, Bulgari products, and tall windows that open up to Sydney’s bustling business district. The best part about the Establishment, though, is the internal access it offers to some of the city’s hottest bars and restaurants, which are housed within the same complex as the hotel. And after enjoying live music and a few stiff cocktails at the speakeasy Palmer & Co, guests are welcomed to bed with Sleep Tight tea and a homemade chocolate chip cookie."

"How did it strike you on arrival? In the heart of Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District), stylish, contemporary Establishment Hotel occupies a former warehouse, accessed via an alluring side door. The softly lit, flower-scented lobby lounge creates an instant sense of sanctuary. Nice. What’s the crowd like? Don’t expect shy and retiring types. Establishment attracts city slickers, lovers of good times, and fans of fine food and drink, given owner Merivale’s impressive roster of bars and restaurants, including seven venues at this epicurean one-stop-shop. The good stuff: Tell us about your room. This intimate hotel has only 31 elegant modern rooms, including two penthouses, with tactile finishes, sophisticated palettes, and luxurious comforts. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us? Enjoy generous queen-sized beds in 35-square-meter Studio Rooms or 50-square-meter Establishment Rooms. On the top-floor, the 100-square-meter, split-level Penthouses feature kingsize beds under exposed beams. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase? Minibars and in-room espresso machines tick all the boxes. Breakfast in leafy all-day diner/bar Establishment Garden. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down. Studio Rooms have overhead rain showers, while the upper two room tiers also feature large baths. Each Penthouse has a guest parlor room. Bespoke Le Labo products appeal to connoisseurs. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word? Free Wi-Fi, plus complimentary use of an iPad 2, Apple TV, Bose movies and music, and Netflix. Room service: Worth it? 24-hour room service, drawing on the Establishment’s respected restaurants and nearby Cantonese Mr. Wong. With so many dining options under one roof though, it’s a shame not to venture out. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why? Guests get priority bookings at all Merivale restaurants and bars so ask the professional staff to hook you up. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you. Some of Sydney’s best restaurants and drinking dens are part of Establishment Hotel’s stable. Kick off your evening at buzzy Establishment Bar, decorated with classical columns and a 42-meter-long white marble bar, before moving on to dinner at Japanese sushi e, Australian fine-diner Est or fabulous Cantonese Mr. Wong. Wrap up with cocktails at seductive lounge Hemmesphere or Prohibition-inspired Palmer & Co. Work it off at the hotel gym. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay? If you like a quiet night in, this sociable, super-central hospitality powerhouse may be too lively for you. Bottom line: worth it, and why? Fancy cocktails and top-notch cuisine before flopping into your boutique bedroom in the wee hours? This is your kind of establishment." - Sophie Davies

"In the heart of Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District), stylish, contemporary Establishment Hotel occupies a former warehouse, accessed via an alluring side door. The softly lit, flower-scented lobby lounge creates an instant sense of sanctuary. Don’t expect shy and retiring types. Establishment attracts city slickers, lovers of good times, and fans of fine food and drink, given owner Merivale’s impressive roster of bars and restaurants, including seven venues at this epicurean one-stop-shop." - Sophie Davies