A new experience has arrived.

Sydney Celebrates Rejuvenation of PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney

Sydneysiders this week celebrated a milestone in the history of one of Australia’s most respected hotel brands with the official launch of the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney. Hosted by well known travel presenter Laura Csortan and actor Rodger Corser, the event included a live performance from RnB star Timomatic and an intimate, surprise performance by X-Factor judge Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

Over 400 guests from the business, entertainment and travel & tourism industries enjoyed drinks and canapés in the expansive new lobby before moving to the new restaurant and conference floor. There they were treated to an intricately crafted array of dishes inspired by PARKROYAL hotels around the world, including Myanmar, Vietnam and Singapore.

As part of the showcase of destinations and experiences unique to the harbour city, Westfield Sydney staged a live fashion show to present the latest collections from their broad range of Australian designers. A destination itself, Westfield Sydney hosts some of the world’s most desired iconic brands and premium world-class dining options. Westfield Sydney also has an array of concierge services popular with tourists and corporate travellers including the Westfield Sydney Privilege Card offering visitors to Sydney exclusive discounts, special offers and access to our onsite Concierge Team, which includes the option of hotel delivery.

Among the guests were The Hon Martin Ferguson MP, Federal Tourism Minister, Tourism Australia CEO Andrew McEvoy and A. Patrick Imbadelli, President and CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, owners of the PARKROYAL brand globally. Also in attendance were local stars Dan Ewing, Timmy Trumpet and Victoria Morish.

“This event perfectly heralded a new chapter for the PARKROYAL brand in Australia,” said Craig Bond, General Manager – Oceania of Pan Pacific Hotels Group. “Although PARKROYAL hotels offer exemplary service in half a dozen countries, the birth of the brand was here in Australia and it has been synonymous with hospitality in this country for decades. The rejuvenation of the Darling Harbour property demonstrates to travellers both domestically and internationally that we will continue to provide a cutting edge hotel experience well into the future.”

The new hotel interiors were the work of internationally acclaimed design firm HASSELL, last year named Australasia’s number one architectural design practice in the BD World Architecture Top 100. The designers introduced a fresh, contemporary aesthetic that seamlessly merges the international characteristics of the PARKROYAL brand with Australian influences unique to the hotel’s locale. Incorporating the latest in hotel technology, the redesign will soon allow smartphones to be encoded as room keys.

Offering a personal level of service, the 340-room PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney is conveniently located on the eastern fringe of the CBD, placing it within walking distance of many of the city’s finest dining and entertainment options. With most of Sydney’s iconic tourist attractions nearby, it is perfectly situated for holidaymakers to explore the city at their leisure. For business travellers, the hotel’s Club Rooms offer a range of services and facilities including priority check-in, in-room Wi Fi, a complimentary laundry service and access to the Club Lounge to make their stay as streamlined as possible.

For further information or images, please contact:
Stuart Fyfe
Senior Publicist, 6dc
P 02 9280 1600
M 0404 092 377
E stuart@6dc.com.au

Libby Teale
General Manager, 6dc
M 0412 481 437
E libby@6dc.com.au

Amanda Fry
Managing Director, 6dc
M 0418 262 282
E amanda@6dc.com.au

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney Relaunches After Complete Rejuvenation

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, one of Australia’s most respected hotel names, has relaunched following an almost $20million interior redesign. The hotel now boasts a fresh, contemporary interior that incorporates the latest in hotel technology, offering a world-class hotel experience in the heart of the CBD.

The hotel’s rejuvenation was a collaboration between Pan Pacific Hotels Group, owners of the PARKROYAL brand, and internationally-acclaimed design firm HASSELL. The designers introduced a fresh, contemporary aesthetic that employs a bright palette of natural and earthy shades and textures, inspired by the Australian landscape from bush to beach. A vital component of the redesign was balancing the new aesthetic with functionality, the latest in hotel technology being introduced to enhance every aspect of the guest experience.

The new systems allow the preferences of guests such as their ideal check-out time and added touches they enjoy in their room to be conveyed to relevant staff ahead of their arrival. Room keys can track guest movements so that staff can be alerted if a guest with messages or a package waiting has just returned or even if they are leaving the hotel and their room has been left ajar. The new technology will soon also allow smartphones to be encoded as room keys, streamlining the check-in process even further.

“The rejuvenation of this hotel heralds a new chapter for the PARKROYAL brand in Australia,” says Craig Bond, General Manager – Oceania of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, owners of the PARKROYAL brand. “Although PARKROYAL hotels offer exemplary service in half-a-dozen countries, the birth of the brand was here in Australia and it has been synonymous with travel in this country for decades. The redesign of the Darling Harbour property demonstrates to travellers both domestically and internationally that we will continue to provide a cutting-edge hotel experience well into the future.”

The hotel’s 340 rooms and suites offer stunning views across the Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour precinct. All rooms have been furnished to create a residential feel, making the guest feel instantly at home. With modern amenities including LCD televisions, iPod docks and high-speed Internet access, each room becomes a comfortable oasis in the busy city. Guests can choose from a range of room sizes from the Superior and Deluxe Darling Harbour View rooms through to the larger Club and Executive Suites.

The hotel’s restaurant, Barkers, offers a mouth-watering menu of contemporary Australian favourites from breakfast through to dinner. Housed within the hotel, it provides stunning views across the city, making it a relaxing place to begin or end the day over a meal. For those wanting something lighter, Connections Bar & Lounge on the ground floor offers an extensive cocktail list and a selection of fine wines, the perfect spot to begin an elegant evening out.

For corporate travellers, the PARKROYAL Club Rooms offer a range of additional facilities and services to make their stay as uncomplicated as possible. Priority check-in, free WiFi and a complimentary laundry service are all provided while guests can also access the Club Lounge on the top floor of the hotel. Here they can  take in the stunning views across Darling Harbour over breakfast daily or enjoy twilight drinks and canapés in the evening, all complimentary. Club Guests can also use the Club Boardroom for  meetings, making it that much easier to do business while travelling.

Offering a personal level of service, the 10-storey PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney is conveniently located on the eastern fringe of the CBD, placing it within walking distance of many of the city’s finest dining and entertainment options. With most of Sydney’s iconic tourist attractions nearby, it is perfectly situated for guests to explore the city at their leisure.

For further information or images, please contact:
Stuart Fyfe
Senior Publicist, 6dc
P 02 9280 1600
M 0404 092 377
E stuart@6dc.com.au

Libby Teale
General Manager, 6dc
M 0412 481 437
E libby@6dc.com.au

Amanda Fry
Managing Director, 6dc
M 0418 262 282
E amanda@6dc.com.au

UNVEILING HERALDS NEW GUEST EXPERIENCE AT PARKROYAL DARLING HARBOUR, SYDNEY

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney has unveiled an expansive new lobby as part of the multi-million dollar refurbishment it has been undertaking for the past four months. With a fresh, vibrant interior palette and the latest in hotel technology incorporated, the redesign will deliver an entirely new experience for guests of the hotel from the moment they enter the new lobby and check in.

The lobby’s completion is part of the second and final stage of a complete transformation of the hotel that has already taken in the guestrooms and a new club lounge for corporate travellers. The final components of this second stage will see the restaurants and meeting spaces gutted and recreated entirely in time for an official relaunch of the hotel in February 2013.

Internationally acclaimed design firm HASSELL collaborated with Pan Pacific Hotels Group, owners of the PARKROYAL hotels in Australia, to harmoniously marry functionality with the fresh, contemporary Australian aesthetic. Inspired by the evolving needs of the 21st century traveller, the new interior introduces a residential feel intended to make guests feel at home.

“It’s been extraordinary to watch the hotel be taken back to its basic architectural features and rebuilt from within,” says Craig Bond, Area General Manager – Oceania for the Pan Pacific Hotel Group. “Once the finishing touches are completed in the new year, guests will think they’ve stepped into an entirely different hotel. However the one thing we have retained is the amazing people that have kept the PARKROYAL name synonymous with the highest levels of service.”

The technological advancements include systems that will place individual’s preferences for services and special touches in their room at staff’s fingertips prior to arrival. A new room card system will provide greater security features and soon allow for smart phones to be encoded as room keys. For more information or bookings, please visit www.parkroyalhotels.com/darlingharbour or
go to Facebook. For bookings, phone (toll-free) 1800 192 144 or email enquiry.prsyd@parkroyalhotels.com.

Refurbishment Timeline

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney has undergone some exciting changes recently. For an updated timeline on current events and scheduled completion dates, see below.

• Guestrooms - Now complete
• PARKROYAL Club - Now complete
• Lobby - Now complete
• Meeting Rooms (Level 1 and R) - Now complete
• Restaurant - Now complete

Dates are subject to change, so be sure to check back often.

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour set for multi-million dollar makeover

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour hotel in Sydney has commenced a multi-million makeover, one that includes an overhaul of the guestrooms, club lounge and lobby.

According to Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s Area General Manager for Oceania, Craig Bond, the refurbishment is “inspired by today’s travellers, their needs and expectations”.

“Prior to commencing the refurbishment project, it was important that we listen to our guests and their expectations,” said Bond, who is also the hotel’s General Manager. Read more.

What’s New In The World Of Travel

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour in Sydney is undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment which will include upgrades to the hotel’s guest rooms, club lounge and lobby. The revamp will include a fresh new colour palette which reflects the local environment, with neutral greys highlighted against blues and greens.

It will also have the latest technology available. Read more.