Australia, 9 June 2021 – Newcastle's hotly anticipated Crystalbrook Kingsley opens its doors today, Wednesday, 9 June, bringing a new level of sustainable luxury to Australia's seventh largest city and gateway to the Hunter Valley.

Situated in the heart of Newcastle, opposite Civic Park, Crystalbrook Kingsley transforms the city's former Council Administration Centre, locally known as the Roundhouse, into an elegant and sophisticated 130 room five-star hotel.

Moments away from the City Hall, Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery and War Memorial; Crystalbrook Kingsley is culturally connected, celebrating Newcastle's yesteryear as well as its burgeoning future.

“It's been an extremely fulfilling two and a half years since our purchase of the building, collaborating with architects, interior designers and sustainability specialists,” said Crystalbrook Collection CEO, Geoff York.

“We love that from an environmental stance, we were able to give a new lease of life to this iconic building. With our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we are continually seeking ways to avoid single-use of anything. Here we have world-class Modernist, Brutalist architecture that we could embrace and add longevity to; it is a wonderful win for sustainability,” said Geoff.

The multimillion-dollar redevelopment preserves the original façade of the Roundhouse building and adds a plush interior inspired by Newcastle's coal mining past, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and ground level café.

Destinations in themselves, the rooftop bar and restaurant, named Romberg's and Roundhouse* respectively, in tribute to the building's architectural history, boast breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. 

Full-grown olive trees at Roundhouse restaurant create a natural canopy of stippled shade over tables throughout the day affording guests the experience of dining in a curated orchard. Also noteworthy; 80% of produce served is grown within a three-hour radius of the hotel.

In an Australian first, Crystalbrook Kingsley will have 100% waste-free bathrooms, with all bathroom amenities biodegradable or recyclable.

Other sustainable initiatives include the use of upcycled and recycled material in construction, a single-use plastic free environment, keyless room access, and paperless check-in and check-out.

Crystalbrook Collection was also able to recycle the vast majority of internal materials that needed to be removed in the transformation.

All rooms and suites come equipped with technology sweeteners including tablet control centres, STAYCAST by Google for video streaming, and access to hundreds of recent release complimentary movies.

“Crystalbrook Kingsley is truly a transformative moment for the city of Newcastle. The opening coincides with an explosion of interest in the Hunter Region just two-hours north of Sydney” says Crystalbrook Kingsley General Manager, Carl Taranto.

“We look forward to showing visitors to Crystalbrook Kingsley - in the design and personality of the hotel, as well as the restaurant, bar and café offering - what Newcastle is all about: vibrant energy and nostalgia in one moment.”

Crystalbrook Kingsley opens today Wednesday, 9 June 2021. For bookings and more on the property visit crystalbrookcollection.com/kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley Lead Architect: Barney Collins, EJE Architecture

Crystalbrook Kingsley Lead Interior Designer: Clifford Rip, Suede Interior Design

Editor's Notes – What's in a name? Well, all our love, sweat and tears as we see our family of hotels grow. Please note, Crystalbrook hotel names should not be shortened or altered. E.g. Crystalbrook Kingsley should not be referred to as The Kingsley or Kingsley.

Correct hotel names:

- Crystalbrook Albion

- Crystalbrook Bailey

- Crystalbrook Byron

- Crystalbrook Flynn

- Crystalbrook Kingsley

- Crystalbrook Riley

*Roundhouse restaurant opening 23 June 2021

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About Crystalbrook 

Crystalbrook is one of Australia's leading sustainable and innovative independent hospitality companies. Each hotel in the portfolio carries an authentic expression of its location, a passion for responsible luxury, considered design and a twinkle of fun for a uniquely enriching experience.

Crystalbrook's portfolio includes: 

- Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, Queensland 

- Crystalbrook Albion, New South Wales 

- Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay, New South Wales

- Crystalbrook Bailey, Cairns, Queensland 

- Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns, Queensland 

- Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle, New South Wales – opening 9 June 2021 

- Crystalbrook Brisbane – opening 1 July 2021

The Group also owns and operates a collection of ten restaurants, three spas, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas along with Crystalbrook Station and its subsidiary pastoral businesses.

Responsible Luxury

Responsible Luxury and sustainability is at the forefront of the way Crystalbrook thinks and operates. At a glance:

• Operating a single use plastic free environment. No plastic straws, water bottles or single use bathroom amenity bottles (in the past two years the Group has saved over three million plastic bottles from entering landfill)
• Farming their own beef
• Sourcing at least 80% of produce from within a three-hour drive of each hotel
• Use of technology, such as in-room iPads and mobile check-in to create paperless environments and experiences
• Use of recycled and upcycled materials. Examples include key cards made from recycled wood, coat hangers made from recycled paper and toothbrushes made from sugar cane and cornstarch

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Group

Crystalbrook Collection is part of Ghassan Aboud Group promoted by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud. The group is a multi-business conglomerate engaged in automobiles, real estate, hospitality, FMCG, food, retail, bespoke catering, media and logistics. In business for more than two decades, the group operates from its global headquarters in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Australia, Belgium, Jordan and Turkey.