Project Team

design: Hassell

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney has launched 477 newly refurbished and luxurious guestrooms and suites located on levels four to 29 of the hotel.

With a brief to highlight the oversized room layouts and harbour views, interior design company Hassell sought to create a modern oriental style with a theme of oriental blossoms. To enhance the harbour views, a key feature of the rooms, Hassell designed purpose-built window seating to provide guests with a relaxing space to take in the views below. Additional features include custom designed furniture and carpet and increased storage space for luggage to enhance guest comfort.

Technological enhancements to the rooms include universal plugs, an iHome dock and Bluetooth media hubs, as well as sensor air conditioning and master lighting that turn off once the guest departs the room, to reduce energy consumption.

“The launch of the newly enhanced guestrooms is a crowning touch to our six-month, A$20 million refurbishment programme,” said General Manager Franz Donhauser. “Enhancing the comfort and sophistication of our rooms and suites will further strengthen Shangri-La’s position as Sydney’s leading five-star deluxe hotel, and provide a new benchmark for luxury accommodation today’s frequent travellers deserve.”

Hassell was commissioned to continue with its successful design concepts following the design of Shangri-La’s Chi Spa in Sydney in 2009. The brief included the complete refurbishment of all typical guestroom floors of the hotel, guestroom corridors and lift lobbies.

The client was seeking a memorable design that spoke to the timeless qualities that Shangri-La is recognised for globally and a design solution that marries quality and durability without compromising either. The design needed to provide complete luxury and comfort to hotel guests while also taking full advantage of the hotel’s position by enhancing the iconic Sydney harbour views.

The design solution by Hassell was drawn from Shangri-La’s rich Asian heritage combined with a contemporary luxury aesthetic. The result was the modern Oriental Blossom concept which was inspired by the plum blossoms frequently depicted in East Asian art and given a contemporary overlay.

Together with fabric and carpet suppliers, Hassell custom-designed the contemporary blossom patterns for use throughout the hotel. Starting with the larger print to greet users in the lift lobby carpets, it extends to the more intricate designs of guestroom carpets and headboards, each pattern with its own character and texture. Responding to a key requirement of the brief, the guestrooms’ full-width window banquette joinery perfectly frames the picturesque harbour views. This is complemented by rich walnut timber throughout providing the perfect contrast for the striking gold highlights of the oriental blossom patterns.

The design had to work within the existing conditions, including original window details, partition locations and ceiling and lights. The refurbishment has been seen as a success within the Shangri-La group of hotels and will provide a luxury five-star experience for guests for years to come.