This iconic 1980s Sydney beach hotel just got a serious luxury upgrade

In 2015, Melbourne-based investment firm Salter Brothers acquired this beachfront fixture, at the time a slightly tired Crowne Plaza. The ’80s block, originally built as a Holiday Inn, was in dire need of a refresh. The launch of Coogee Pavilion a year earlier set in motion a cultural shift, putting the suburb on the radar of Sydneysiders beyond eastern suburbs margins. Since joining the Salter Brothers portfolio, the property has undergone two significant overhauls – a $28-million upgrade in 2020, followed by an even meatier refurbishment, completed in April 2026, to bring the hotel up to InterContinental’s luxury standards. Room numbers have been trimmed from 210 to 198 to make way for the new Club InterContinental and expand some suites. Additionally, a new tech-savvy wellness spa, Eliva, has joined the fold, along with the Australian flagship Rick Stein restaurant on the lower-ground floor, and a complete reinvigoration of the pool area.

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Design firm Woods Bagot has banished the nautical-blue carpets and shell art for a far more grown-up, coastal-chic brief of curved blonde woods, warm sandy tones, marble tops, and restrained gold accents. From the street, the exterior hasn’t changed much, and remnants of its 1987 vintage can be seen in the odd paint chip or scuffed wall. But the transformation inside, particularly of the rooms and communal spaces, is night and day. The centrepiece, of course, is the leisure deck. The former kidney-shaped pool and weathered timber deck have made way for sun-bleached tiles, taupe-striped umbrellas, cabanas, a pool bar, and a striking heated infinity pool perched above the surf and Norfolk Island pines.

The Eliva spa thermal wellness zone, accessible to spa guests, makes an exception to the neutral palette. A moss-green tiled courtyard lined with steamy magnesium pools and cold plunge baths is rendered more serene with cacti and lush greenery tumbling down its walls.

Electric curtains automatically part as we tap into our King Ocean View Room – a subtle flex that elevates the arrival. While the room’s footprint remains snug, I’m relieved to find decent open-wardrobe space, a full-length mirror in addition to a small dressing table tucked behind the bed, an ocean-facing mini sofa and a large, adjustable flat-screen TV with casting capability.

The king bed has been reoriented to face the ocean and comes kitted with USB-C ports, reading lights, and master controls for the room lighting and electric curtains. Out on the balcony, a table set offers front-row seats to the daily dusk display and lively promenade.

The minibar is well-curated but packed tight, leaving virtually no room for personal items (we manage to cram a bottle of wine brought from home). The en suite features a walk-in rain shower and Byredo amenities, though no bath. Single-use plastic water bottles have been ditched for reusable glass bottles and chilled filter-water stations by the lifts.

Shutters offers a respectable breakfast spread, with a manned egg station and coffee to order.