InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach has emerged from its most ambitious transformation yet, with a sweeping refurbishment completed in April 2026 bringing the landmark eastern suburbs property firmly into the luxury tier. The overhaul — the second major upgrade since Melbourne-based investment firm Salter Brothers acquired the site in 2015 — follows an earlier $28 million renovation in 2020 and represents an even more substantial reinvention of the original 1987-built block, which began life as a Holiday Inn before operating for years as a Crowne Plaza.
From tired beachfront relic to luxury coastal retreat
When Salter Brothers took ownership of the Coogee property a decade ago, it was, by most accounts, showing its age. The timing of the acquisition coincided with a broader cultural shift in the suburb — the opening of the Coogee Pavilion a year earlier had already begun drawing a wider Sydney audience to the area, lifting Coogee's profile well beyond its traditional eastern suburbs base.
The latest refurbishment has trimmed the room count from 210 to 198, with the reduction making space for a new Club InterContinental lounge and expanded suites. Design firm Woods Bagot led the interiors overhaul, replacing dated nautical-blue carpets and shell art with a coastal-chic aesthetic built around curved blonde timbers, warm sandy tones, marble surfaces and restrained gold accents. While the exterior retains traces of its 1980s origins — the occasional paint chip or scuffed wall is still visible from the street — the internal transformation is described as night and day.
New infinity pool, wellness spa and a Rick Stein flagship
The most dramatic physical change is the leisure deck, where a dated kidney-shaped pool and worn timber surround have been replaced by a heated infinity pool perched above the surf and Norfolk Island pines, sun-bleached tiles, taupe-striped umbrellas, private cabanas and a dedicated pool bar.
A new wellness facility, Eliva spa, adds a thermal zone featuring moss-green tiled courtyards, steamy magnesium mineral pools and cold plunge baths, softened by cascading greenery and cacti. It offers a notable contrast to the hotel's otherwise neutral palette.
On the lower-ground floor, the Australian flagship of Rick Stein's restaurant has opened, adding a high-profile culinary drawcard to the property's offering. The hotel's existing all-day venue, Shutters, delivers a solid breakfast spread with a manned egg station, while its evening Mediterranean menu leans into local and sustainable produce — though execution can be uneven.
Sustainability touches have been woven into the guest experience: single-use plastic water bottles have been replaced with reusable glass bottles, and chilled filter-water stations are now positioned beside the lifts on each floor.
What the rooms deliver — and where there's room to improve
In the King Ocean View rooms, the king bed has been reoriented to face the water and is fitted with USB-C ports, reading lights and master controls for lighting and electric curtains — which part automatically on entry. Balconies offer direct views over the promenade and ocean, ideal for the evening coastal display. Bathrooms include walk-in rain showers and Byredo amenities, though no bath is provided. The minibar, while well-curated, is packed tightly, leaving guests little room to store personal items.
Club InterContinental access is available with Club suites or at a $280 daily fee for two guests, covering à la carte breakfast, afternoon tea and evening twilight drinks. The space is notably more intimate than Shutters, though the food offering is not dramatically superior — suggesting guests weighing up the add-on may get better value by directing that spend toward a suite upgrade instead.
For Sydney hotel guests drawn to the idea of replicating a five-star atmosphere at home, the hotel fragrance effect inspiring Sydney homeowners is a growing trend worth exploring. The InterContinental Coogee's full revival positions it as one of the more compelling beachfront stays in the city — a property that has finally caught up with its enviable address.
