As I wrote on the recent opening of IHG’s voco Gosford on the Central Coast, some of Sydney’s oldest seaside hotels are being dusted up for well-timed makeovers, some moulding into more premium brands, while others (like voco) sprout as brand-new builds.
“A new chapter in coastal luxury” is what they’re calling it, with IHG taking the old Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach and renewing it with the confidence of a flagship. It’s known now as InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, pitching for an endless summer with a luxury lean that looks like it borrows generously from the Greek Islands.
IHG is clearly not compromising. For their signature restaurant, the hotel group managed to land British celeb chef Rick Stein for his eponymous Rick Stein at Coogee Beach. Given that the pioneering seafood chef has been dominating the culinary scene in Mollymook and Port Stephens for years, it should be a decisive win as competition in Sydney’s hotel scene heightens, powered mainly by Accor and IHG’s premium brands.
Aleady joining Stein’s restaurant is the Australian-Mediterranean kitchen Shutters Restaurant & Bar, helmed by Executive Chef Stephen Lech, who joins after a six-year stint at The Langham Sydney.
Though the 198-room hotel (which includes 22 suites) is now open, we’re still a few weeks away from the opening of the hotel’s leisure deck, spread across its rooftop, with an ocean-facing infinity-edge swimming pool, a poolside bar, an outdoor event terrace, and a Day Spa. The exclusive Club InterContinental will also be found up here.
Premium suites should be the most sought-after, with their indoor-outdoor design featuring luxurious outdoor lounges and baths. Yet all rooms will reflect Sydney’s coastline, as does the facade, with its curved, wave-like joinery, breezy open-air spaces and inescapable ocean views.
A social program swelling with sunrise yoga and on-site pickleball offers guests plenty of ways to spiritually sync up with Coogee’s active lifestyle. For out-of-towners, having direct access to Coogee’s pristine coastal paths will be a big drawcard, alongside the beachside suburb’s hospitality icons like Coogee Wine Room and Merivale’s Coogee Pavilion.
I’ll be publishing a review of InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach when I get the chance, but bookings are already open, and the hotel is (almost) fully open. Remember, we’ve just got to wait a few weeks before the big rooftop reveal.
How many room types does InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach have?
Out of the hotel’s 198 rooms and suites, there are two room types – Classic Rooms (from 27 sqm) and Premium Rooms (from 32 sqm). There are also four suite types: The Pacific Suite (90 sqm), The Coastal Suite (125 sqm), The Signature Suite (from 125 sqm) and the Junior Suites (which range between 48 and 63 sqm).
When did InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach open?
InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach opened in December 2025 with the second stage opening in March 2026.
How much is it for a night at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach?
Nightly rates start from around $608.
InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach
Address: 242 Arden St, Coogee NSW 2034
Contact: (02) 9315 7600
