Former Ritz Carlton Reopens as the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay

Michael Hutchence died here. Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior stayed here. Elton John played the lobby piano here. Now, one of Sydney's grandest hotels (with quite the rambunctious history) is reopening its doors. After dwindling into disrepair and being accused of housing "undesirables" for a few years, the former Ritz Carlton has swept away the cobwebs (and the alleged brothel operators) and is set to reopen as the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay on Thursday, November 6.

Announcements have been dropped all over the joint regarding the hotel's design, resident eateries and bars — with particular vision toward enticing locals as much as guests. With executive chef Julien Pouteau popping across from Intercontinental Sydney to kick the in-house restaurant, Stockroom, and resident eateries into gear, the hotel's nosh offerings have generated quite the buzz throughout Sydney — from Shaun Presland's Sake to a Lobo Plantation/The Island team up and now, the hotel's own dedicated gin bar, The Stillery.

Plans for the ground floor retail level have been confirmed over the last few months. This latest news for the buzzed-up hotel will delight gin lovers: a seven-metre long, marble-clad, dedicated gin bar featuring rare and vintage spirits is set to open this December. The Stillery will be open to the public and will have ginthusiasts rubbing their paws in anticipation.

Joining the Stillery, Urban Purveyor Group's (the team behind Ananas Bar and Brasserie, Bavarian Bier Cafe, The Cut Bar and Grill and Swine and Co.), Saké is set to open in December. With sushi master and executive chef Shaun Presland commandeering the menu, the Double Bay establishment will serve the contemporary Japanese cuisine Saké is already celebrated for — joining hatted sister venues in The Rocks and Brisbane, alongside its Melbourne counterpart. We're talking 'gramworthy new-style sushi to significantly impress your date.

Shiny new hospitality company The Group — the teaming up of The Island operators Adam Abrams and Julian Tobias with The Lobo Plantation's Eddie Levy and Michael Hwang — will draw from the formidable foursome's 15+ years of running kickass Sydney venues to open a yet-to-be-named new bar and restaurant at the InterContinental. Think Australia's first and only floating beach club meets Cuban colonial elegance — or more likely something entirely different and equally novelty.

Bondi institutes Henley's Wholefoods and Shuk have officially signed the lease to join the Double Bay hotel's ground floor family. Expanding their North Bondi marketplace-like spot, Mediterranean artisan bakery Shuk are confirmed to bring their sensory overload of homemade baked goods and aromatic breakfasts to the party. Boutique paleo, organic and lean cafe Henley’s Wholefoods will bring their sustainable produce to the party as well — a welcome change for the often tired eateries of hotels.

Preserving the classic features of the building itself, the Intercontinental team are making a few upgrades to the 140-guest room establishment — and they're pretty damn grand. Alongside your usual decadent 24-hour room service, a 200-square metre jawdropper royal suite has been confirmed, with Italian marble staircases and bathrooms, French provincial courtyards, Parisian balconies and contemporary rooms alongside a rooftop infinity pool open to the public — and who doesn't look for an infinity pool in their top tier stays, honestly? Don't worry, there will be cabana lounges on offer and plenty of ostentatious cocktails ready for your diamond-encrusted paws.

Putting the glamour back into business lunches, there's set to be seven meeting rooms within the well-dressed walls as well as a magic-sounding pillarless ballroom with 450 (theatre style) and 360 (banquet style) person capacity. Plus, parking's not a problem; there's significant spots within the hotel and a council carpark across the street.

Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay is opening Thursday, November 6, with bookings available from here.