A soft refurbishment of The Darling Hotel revitalises one of Australia’s most extravagant hotels in preparation for the return of luxury travel.
June 26th, 2023
The Darling Hotel at The Star is Sydney’s only Forbes five-star all-luxury suite hotel and urban resort. The hotel’s signature red thread has become a nationally recognised symbol of opulence. Lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic presented an ideal opportunity for the hotel to undergo a soft refurbishment which helped to transform the hotel into a personalised guest experience that places rest and relaxation at the forefront of design.
The $30 million project focused on creating clear divisions between ‘rest’ and ‘play’ areas, developed through careful consideration of client feedback and a genuine dedication to the elevation of guest experiences. Opposing materiality was a clear conceptual motif for the refurbishment, with contrasting textures such as raw and polished finishes adding an intriguing sense of visual complexity to the project.
One outstanding aspect of the refurbishment was the carefully curated selection of furniture. Rather than taking the traditional route of internationally sourced furniture, the team worked collaboratively with Furniture by Design to produce locally sourced, custom designed furniture. Furniture by Design established two prototype suites in collaboration with the team to explore different directions for the project – and the end result is nothing short of enchanting.
“Local manufacture was a key part of our decision-making process,” says Ryu Ogino, Design Manager at The Star. “Prototyping in Furniture by Design factory was extremely helpful because we couldn’t go overseas to check on the design process. The cost was very comparative to international procurement and it was an easy decision to use Furniture by Design locally.”
Harbor views and city vistas in the 171 rooms and suites are now enjoyable from spacious cocoons with a peaceful atmosphere sheltered from the bustle of the city below. More than 1400 Furniture by Design products now reside inside the hotel, including the Casi Chair, Lucy Lounge Chair, custom marble disc base tables, custom designed leather, round and bed-end benches, jellybean shaped custom lounges, and hundreds and thousands of cushions and bolsters!
As a part of this upgrade, over 1,250 pieces of furniture are being donated to vulnerable families and communities who have been affected by recent natural disasters such as the 2022 NSW flood. This is the result of a partnership between The Star and online donation platform GIVIT to encourage national support for Australia’s communities in need.
Learn more about this fascinating project and its wide-reaching implications here with Furniture by Design.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
‘The Elevation of Gravity’ installation was an immersive showcase of innovation that heralded the debut of Gaggenau’s groundbreaking Essential Induction cooktop.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Designed to cater to the ‘urban nomad,’ the international hotel chain Moxy explores strong design with meticulous attention to detail with Furniture by Design.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
A striking collection carrying the designs of a well-known Indigenous artist, ‘Here Before’ also represents a step forward in terms of collaboration.
MillerKnoll, the design powerhouse born from the iconic merger of Herman Miller and Knoll, expands its reach in Southeast Asia with two major new dealerships.