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| Sydney's Harbour Rocks Hotel |
Harbour Rocks Hotel - whose origins date back to the 1880s -
has joined Accor's MGallery Collection following the completion of a total
redesign and refurbishment. It is the fourth MGallery in Australia.
The 59-room Harbour Rocks Hotel is located in the heart of
Sydney's historic Rocks district, close to the harbour front and only a short
walk to the city's central business district, making it an ideal base for both
leisure and corporate travellers.
Built in 1887 and opened as a hotel in 1989, Harbour Rocks
Hotel sits on the grounds of Sydney's first hospital and has been stripped back
to its foundations, exposing its original sandstone and brick walls and its
former working cottages. After a 6-month
renovation programme, the finished result is a striking fusion of raw elegance
which blends old and new, featuring European touches throughout.
While satisfying the needs of modern day travellers, many
aspects of the hotel reflect the building's rich heritage, particularly the reverence
for the hotel's resident ghost, Eric.
As the legend goes, Eric was a patron of the premises in the
late 1800s and was in love with Scarlett, the 'Madame' of the house. After both
declaring their love for one another, Eric had to leave on a three-month
journey overseas, but promised to marry Scarlett upon his return. However, by
the time he arrived back in Sydney, Scarlett had died of tuberculosis. A
heartbroken Eric passed away not long after and to this day, it is said Eric's
spirit lingers in the corridors of the hotel as he longs for his Scarlett.
In homage to the tragic lovers the hotel's bar is named
Eric's and the restaurant is named Scarlett. In fact, upon arriving at the
hotel, guests are greeted with a non-alcoholic welcome drink at Eric's Bar
called a 'Scarlett Surprise'.
This is one of MGallery signatures - to bring the hotel's
story to life. From the moment a guest walks into the hotel to the experiences
they have during their stay, guests are immersed in the Harbour Rocks Hotel's
story.
Relating to the hotel's story, and as part of the MGallery
journey, Scarlett restaurant is where guests can experience a Harbour Rocks
Pie, a play on a dish early settlers to Sydney Harbour would enjoy. On the
breakfast menu, freshly made damper rolls are available which again, relate to
the hotel's story.
General Manager of Harbour Rocks Hotel, Michael Sheridan,
said the hotel's move to be part of the MGallery Collection was a natural fit
for the hotel. "It has been an amazing experience to watch the
transformation of Harbour Rocks Hotel over the last six months. For it now to
be joining a world-class collection of hotels as part of MGallery is a
wonderful achievement.
"The history of the hotel along with its elegant new
look makes it a fitting addition to the MGallery Collection and I look forward
to seeing guests experience the additional benefits provided as the hotel joins
the collection."
The "Memorable Moment", a defining link in the
hotel's story is a one-of-a-kind package, not readily available to the general
public. The Memorable Moment package at Harbour Rocks Hotel will entail a
private dinner for six in the Harbour View Suite which has views across to the
Opera House with the Sydney Symphony String Quartet providing the background
music. The package must be booked with the hotel at least two months in
advance.
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| Sydney's Harbour Rocks Hotel |
In becoming part of the Collection, Harbour Rocks Hotel
joins a number of revered hotels, including the recently rebranded Como
Melbourne, the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains and the Grand Hotel in Melbourne.
The MGallery Collection also includes the four-time "New Zealand Hotel of
the Year" St Moritz in Queenstown and such distinctive properties as the
Baltimore in Paris, St-Ermin's in London, The Convent Hotel Amsterdam and Vie
Hotel Bangkok.
Rates at Harbour Rocks Hotel start from A$269 per night.
www.mgallery.com
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