Crystalbrook Collection, one of Australia's leading sustainable hospitality companies, has unveiled interiors for Kingsley, Newcastle's first five-star hotel. Set to open in April 2021, Kingsley will bring a new level of luxury to Australia's seventh-largest city and the gateway to the Hunter Valley.  

Situated in the heart of Newcastle opposite Civic Park, Kingsley will transform the city's former Council Administration Centre into an elegant and sophisticated 130 room five-star hotel. With the City Hall, Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery and War Memorial moments away, Kingsley is culturally connected, celebrating both what has been and what is to come.

Speaking on the upcoming hotel of the hotel, Geoff York, Interim CEO and Group Director, Hotels said: “We are so pleased to unveil the interiors for Kingsley. The hotel celebrates Newcastle's rich history whilst looking forward to what the emerging city has to offer. We are honoured to now be a part of Newcastle's cultural landscape.”

Paying homage to brutalist 1970s architecture, the redevelopment of the iconic building has been led by EJE Architecture.  With the original structure in mind, the colour scheme celebrates rather than competes with the positive masonry edifice of the existing structure.

Kingsley's interiors, designed by Suede Interior Design, make use of curves and rhythm to mimic the linear architecture of the building, while the colour palette is inspired by the Black Canary, in reference to the region's significant coal mining history. As such, layers of different textures of ivories are carried throughout the hotel and into the space from the exterior, creating a neutral palette that is broken up by hints of yellow of varying vibrant shades.

Spaces within the hotel are intimate yet specific to their function, to accommodate the existing structure of the building. Guest rooms are spacious towards the façade due to the natural flare formed by the existing shape of the building. In line with Crystalbrook Collection's approach to Responsible Luxury, every effort has been made to make use of sustainable, upcycled, recycled and locally sourced materials.

The rooftop restaurant and bar will boast panoramic views across the city and is themed around Newcastle's olive groves.  A series of olive trees line the spinal corridor and create a natural canopy of shade over guest tables throughout the day. The canary theme rings true, with cages hung in the canopy and opened for their flight to freedom. The glass ceiling, as well as the olive and charcoal colour palette, will give guests the sense they are dining in the groves.

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About Kingsley, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel

Set to open in April 2021, Kingsley will bring a new level of luxury to Australia's seventh largest city and the gateway to the Hunter Valley. 

Kingsley embraces Crystalbrook Collection's approach to sustainability and Responsible Luxury making use of environmentally friendly, upcycled, recycled and locally sourced materials. The hotel has a plastic free policy (no plastic water bottles or straws) and, through the use of technology, has removed 90% of the paper used by a typical five-star hotel

The name Kingsley, is a tribute to Newcastle's heritage and the city's earlier name of Kingston, dating back to 1804.  Ideally located opposite Civic Park, Kingsley is moments away from the City Hall, Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery and War Memorial.

While championing Newcastle's heritage, Kingsley is equally committed to contemporary luxuries with each room featuring an Apple iPad control centre, Staycast by Google for video streaming and access to hundreds of complimentary movies.

At a glance:

• 130 elegantly appointed hotel rooms and suites
• A rooftop bar and restaurant
• Lobby bar and café with an outdoor terrace
• Two private meeting venues

About Crystalbrook Collection

Crystalbrook Collection is one of Australia's leading sustainable and innovative independent hospitality companies. Each hotel in the portfolio carries an authentic expression of its location, a passion for responsible luxury, considered design and a twinkle of fun for a uniquely enriching experience.

Crystalbrook Collection is an Australian tourism and hospitality group. Its portfolio includes:

• Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, Cairns, Queensland
• Little Albion, a Crystalbrook Collection Boutique Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales
• Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, Byron Bay, New South Wales
• Bailey, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, Cairns, Queensland – opening September 2020
• Flynn, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, Cairns, Queensland – opening April 2021
• Kingsley, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel, Newcastle, New South Wales – opening April 2021

The Group also owns and operates a collection of ten restaurants, three spas, Crystalbrook Station and its subsidiary pastoral businesses.

Mindfully Safe

Mindfully Safe was launched by Crystalbrook Collection in response to Covid-19. The programme focuses on reducing travel anxiety by providing mindfulness and meditation tools developed in partnership with mental-wellbeing group The Indigo Project. Crystalbrook will also donate $5 to mental support service Beyond Blue for every stay booked directly until the end of 2020. Mindfully Safe also incorporates cash-free transactions and heightened deep-cleaning hygiene measures.

Learn more here:

crystalbrookcollection.com/mindfully-safe

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Group

Crystalbrook Collection is owned by accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud. Ghassan Aboud Group is a multi-business conglomerate engaged in automobiles, real estate, retail, bespoke catering, media and logistics. In business for more than two decades, the group operates from its global headquarters in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Australia, Belgium, China, Jordan and Turkey.