Latest news with #Rydges
Sydney Morning Herald
08-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney hotel won't win any beauty awards, but it's all about location
I'm on one of the top floors, so my room features a floor-to-ceiling window not found on the lower storeys. It's narrow and on my previous stay I was concerned it would mean non-north facing rooms would be dark. I'm facing east on this occasion and the room remains bright late in the day as the sun bounces off the Radisson Blue Plaza opposite. At this height, that hotel looks very European so my view leaves me feeling a little like I'm in Paris rather than Sydney. The design changes are subtle from my last stay – the bedheads and bedside tables have been replaced with more modern versions, as has the lighting and carpet. The room is compact but functional enough, though something that bothered me last time – the desk sitting directly under the large TV screen – remains the same. The bathroom is also on the smallish side, with no bathtub, but at least it is an actual room with a door on it, unlike so many other modern hotel bathrooms. Toiletries are from Thankyou in large re-fillable bottles (though there's no moisturiser). Like many hotels these days, guests are encouraged to forego daily servicing ostensibly for sustainability reasons (though it also saves the hotel money, of course). However, in a nice touch, Rydges actually rewards guests with a $10 credit for food and drink every time they skip servicing. The food The restaurant remains the same as it was as the Tank Stream – Le Petit Flot, which features a French menu with Japanese flourishes, such as wagyu tartare, barramundi with seaweed butter or beef cheek with red wine miso jus. A new addition is the wine bar Poco off the lobby, with Italian-influenced share plates. Breakfast at Le Petit Flot is a standard buffet with all the items you'd expect. Stepping out You're in the heart of the CBD, with the emphasis on the B, so you won't find many attractions on your doorstep, but there is a multitude within a short walk. One of the closest is the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at Circular Quay. The verdict While its original design limits what any brand can do with the building, Rydges has done a decent job of sprucing up the property. The central location means the best of the city is on your doorstep or at least a short walk or train/tram ride away. Lowlight My bed is rather noisy when getting up and down. It doesn't bother me too much but might bother couples (particularly amorous ones).
The Age
08-07-2025
- The Age
Sydney hotel won't win any beauty awards, but it's all about location
I'm on one of the top floors, so my room features a floor-to-ceiling window not found on the lower storeys. It's narrow and on my previous stay I was concerned it would mean non-north facing rooms would be dark. I'm facing east on this occasion and the room remains bright late in the day as the sun bounces off the Radisson Blue Plaza opposite. At this height, that hotel looks very European so my view leaves me feeling a little like I'm in Paris rather than Sydney. The design changes are subtle from my last stay – the bedheads and bedside tables have been replaced with more modern versions, as has the lighting and carpet. The room is compact but functional enough, though something that bothered me last time – the desk sitting directly under the large TV screen – remains the same. The bathroom is also on the smallish side, with no bathtub, but at least it is an actual room with a door on it, unlike so many other modern hotel bathrooms. Toiletries are from Thankyou in large re-fillable bottles (though there's no moisturiser). Like many hotels these days, guests are encouraged to forego daily servicing ostensibly for sustainability reasons (though it also saves the hotel money, of course). However, in a nice touch, Rydges actually rewards guests with a $10 credit for food and drink every time they skip servicing. The food The restaurant remains the same as it was as the Tank Stream – Le Petit Flot, which features a French menu with Japanese flourishes, such as wagyu tartare, barramundi with seaweed butter or beef cheek with red wine miso jus. A new addition is the wine bar Poco off the lobby, with Italian-influenced share plates. Breakfast at Le Petit Flot is a standard buffet with all the items you'd expect. Stepping out You're in the heart of the CBD, with the emphasis on the B, so you won't find many attractions on your doorstep, but there is a multitude within a short walk. One of the closest is the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at Circular Quay. The verdict While its original design limits what any brand can do with the building, Rydges has done a decent job of sprucing up the property. The central location means the best of the city is on your doorstep or at least a short walk or train/tram ride away. Lowlight My bed is rather noisy when getting up and down. It doesn't bother me too much but might bother couples (particularly amorous ones).
The Age
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Property veteran buys $66.5m freezer warehouse; Thredbo owner to sell $300m block; Pearl Bondi gets approval
EVT, run by long-standing chairman and major shareholder, the rich lister Alan Rydge, is selling the property to focus on its hotel division which includes brands such as QT and Rydges, and Thredbo ski resort. The latest annual report has the property portfolio worth about $2.3 billion. Loading It comes with a stage 2 development approval for a 43-level, 28,283-square-metre mixed-use tower including residential, hotel, cinema, and retail space. The high-rise levels of the tower will include 98 luxury apartments, totalling 12,671 square metres. In addition, an 11,068-square-metre five-star lifestyle hotel will occupy the low to mid-rise section of the tower, featuring 285 premium rooms with bar, restaurant and conference facilities. The retail part of the development will include tenancies with street frontage along George Street of 405 sq m, and 333 sq m along Albion Lane. The existing Event Cinemas complex currently operates sixteen screens across the 525 and 505 George Street properties. The full complex will remain operational until 525 George's redevelopment starts, after which fewer screens will operate. CBRE's Michael Simpson, Ben Wicks and Tom Gibson are managing the sale. New airport The hotel sector is anticipating a jump in demand following the completion of the construction of the Western Sydney's International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport terminal in Badgerys Creek. Accommodation Australia chief executive James Goodwin said it was encouraging to see the momentum building for the new airport. 'We know each and every international flight will go a long way to help fill more hotel rooms and create more secure jobs in the accommodation sector, not only in Sydney, but right across the country – and that's good news for the entire sector,' Goodwin said. The new airport is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026. Bondi build Central Elements has expanded its presence in the eastern suburbs with approval being gained for a $150 million development of luxury apartments. Located at 20-22 Sandridge Street and 21 Wilga Street, the Pearl Bondi complex will overlook the beach. It was designed by architects MHNDU and the interiors by Madeleine Blanchfield. Building is expected to start later this year on the amalgamated 2050-square-metre site. There will be seven three-bedroom residences – two houses and five house-size apartments on the oceanfront. Parramatta lease Space within the recently refurbished Parramatta Town Hall is up for lease. Completed in 1883, the Victorian Free Classical architectural style building was built to serve as the town hall and municipal chamber for the Borough of Parramatta. The space within 7 Parramatta Square, known as the Jubilee Hall, has an internal footprint of 122 sq m, with outdoor licensed seating of 57 sq m fronting the adjacent laneway and neighbouring the recently opened Ippudo Ramen restaurant. Colliers' Janelle Coorey and Liz Chuck have the listing.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Property veteran buys $66.5m freezer warehouse; Thredbo owner to sell $300m block; Pearl Bondi gets approval
EVT, run by long-standing chairman and major shareholder, the rich lister Alan Rydge, is selling the property to focus on its hotel division which includes brands such as QT and Rydges, and Thredbo ski resort. The latest annual report has the property portfolio worth about $2.3 billion. Loading It comes with a stage 2 development approval for a 43-level, 28,283-square-metre mixed-use tower including residential, hotel, cinema, and retail space. The high-rise levels of the tower will include 98 luxury apartments, totalling 12,671 square metres. In addition, an 11,068-square-metre five-star lifestyle hotel will occupy the low to mid-rise section of the tower, featuring 285 premium rooms with bar, restaurant and conference facilities. The retail part of the development will include tenancies with street frontage along George Street of 405 sq m, and 333 sq m along Albion Lane. The existing Event Cinemas complex currently operates sixteen screens across the 525 and 505 George Street properties. The full complex will remain operational until 525 George's redevelopment starts, after which fewer screens will operate. CBRE's Michael Simpson, Ben Wicks and Tom Gibson are managing the sale. New airport The hotel sector is anticipating a jump in demand following the completion of the construction of the Western Sydney's International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport terminal in Badgerys Creek. Accommodation Australia chief executive James Goodwin said it was encouraging to see the momentum building for the new airport. 'We know each and every international flight will go a long way to help fill more hotel rooms and create more secure jobs in the accommodation sector, not only in Sydney, but right across the country – and that's good news for the entire sector,' Goodwin said. The new airport is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026. Bondi build Central Elements has expanded its presence in the eastern suburbs with approval being gained for a $150 million development of luxury apartments. Located at 20-22 Sandridge Street and 21 Wilga Street, the Pearl Bondi complex will overlook the beach. It was designed by architects MHNDU and the interiors by Madeleine Blanchfield. Building is expected to start later this year on the amalgamated 2050-square-metre site. There will be seven three-bedroom residences – two houses and five house-size apartments on the oceanfront. Parramatta lease Space within the recently refurbished Parramatta Town Hall is up for lease. Completed in 1883, the Victorian Free Classical architectural style building was built to serve as the town hall and municipal chamber for the Borough of Parramatta. The space within 7 Parramatta Square, known as the Jubilee Hall, has an internal footprint of 122 sq m, with outdoor licensed seating of 57 sq m fronting the adjacent laneway and neighbouring the recently opened Ippudo Ramen restaurant. Colliers' Janelle Coorey and Liz Chuck have the listing.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- News.com.au
Incredible sight from hotel balcony
It's a magical morning when you are gazing out from your hotel balcony and spot dolphins playing in the water below. I caught their antics while staying at the newly refurbished Rydges in Port Macquarie. My family quickly raced down to watch these beautiful creatures frolic in the river for over half an hour before we spent three days exploring the coastal town. We spent two nights at the revamped hotel where its rooms now boast airy and bright spaces, comfortable beds, a lounge to relax on, a dining table and chairs for planning, a massive bathroom and a much-needed large balcony to watch the sunrise (and dolphins). It's in a central location too which gives you easy access to the town's stunning beaches, lighthouse and, surprisingly, wineries. Our first night we decided to eat at the hotel's restaurant called Zebu. It was buzzing with live music in the bar area and requests for any cocktail you could imagine. Given its popularity, the restaurant was packed but it was worth the wait for our meals. We feasted on burrata, gnocchi with prawns, scotch fillet steak and charred broccolini - the portion sizes were generous too which is always a bonus. Our room also came with buffet breakfast included which was incredible to set us up for the day. It included fruits, cereals, pastries breads, hot foods and made to order poached eggs. The highlight for kids was the pancake machine, which rolled them out with a press of the button. Port Macquarie is known for its beautiful beaches and lighthouse. We spent a lovely morning checking out the epic views and playing on Lighthouse beach as nippers practised their surf lifesaving skills nearby. However, one of the things that surprised me most was that Port Macquarie has a booming winery scene just 20 minutes out of the town centre. The kids can explore the vineyards and parents can get a true taste of the region. We stopped in at Cassegrain Wines, which have an impressive amount of huge barrels to greet you before you enter the tasting room. The winery has a large selection wines on offer to taste and it was interesting learning about the history of the vineyard. It's $10 for a tasting but you get that money taken off with any wine purchase. The standout though for me was Long Point Vineyard & Art Gallery. They have a smaller section of wines but an interesting port collection. It's on a sprawling property where you can take a picnic and indulge in a delicious cheese board for just $25 and the kids can play on the sculptures dotted through. Shout out too to the excellent customer service – the lady was an absolute delight and the kids were thrilled they were allowed to play with her dog. I would also recommend checking out Billabong Koala & Wildlife Park. While it wasn't cheap for entry it was a fun morning watching the animals and marvel and taking in huge sculptures dotted throughout the park. Back in town, there are a bunch of restaurants and cafes within walking distance of Port Macquarie Rydges. Literally a minutes walk away from the hotel was Pancake Place – a delightfully indulgent lunch spot for children, while the restaurant Pizza Obsession offered an easy takeaway dinner in the hotel room. We also spent a night at the more exclusive Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges. The room's direct access to the pool was a real highlight and the kids had great fun splashing between the various swimming options, including a heated sauna. There was also a friendly lizard that frequented our balcony and the kids excitement was sweet – while we quickly discovered that spotting lizards dotted around the hotel grounds was an excellent game. You could order cocktails and food directly from the pool area via a QR code. We had a pina colada and mojito and some chips and arancini balls. Unfortunately, service was a tad slow and they forget our chips and we had to chase them up. I personally love a big bathroom and the one's at Sails were a tad small. There also appeared to be an issue with the hot water but thankfully it was fixed in no time. During our stay at Sails, we dined at its Boathouse Bar and Restaurant, which offers front row seats to boats docked in the marina and some green space to go lizard spotting. I was impressed they included cucumber sticks with the kid's fish and chips, while the warm sourdough was divine. We enjoyed the lamb shoulder to share with salsa verde, pickled spanish onion, mixed greens, chats and jus – which literally melted in your mouth. For dessert, I had the chocolate crème brulee with raspberry sorbet. We finished off our stay with a beautiful sunrise to start the day and a splash around the pool before the drive home. As a family we preferred the refurbished Rydges rooms in the town centre for our stay. The only thing that would have made it better would be to import the Sails pool set up with the direct access to swimming through the room's ground floor balcony.
