06 May 2022
Newcastle, May 2022 – Crystalbrook Kingsley is thrilled to have received two out of four awards at the Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards in 2022. An exciting moment for the brand, this marks the second time a Crystalbrook hotel has won the prestigious Paul Davis Award for the Australasia-Pacific Hotel of the Year, in the award's four-year history. While Crystalbrook Albion was awarded in the inaugural year, Crystalbrook is honoured to be recognised again in 2022 with its latest opening, Crystalbrook Kingsley.
The Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards celebrate excellence in hotel interior design for projects located in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The four awards – for new-build properties, conversions, refurbishments and an overall winner, the Paul Davis Award – recognise exceptional projects that demonstrate design innovation, a commitment to sustainability design practices and deliver exceptional guest experience.
Opened in June 2021, Crystalbrook Kingsley transformed Newcastle's iconic Council Administration Centre into a sustainably considered, 130 room luxury hotel. Its namesake is a reference to Newcastle's earlier name of Kingston, which dates back to 1804.
“We're thrilled to win such a prestigious award. Crystalbrook Kingsley truly is a tremendous hotel and I'd like to acknowledge the incredible work from EJE Architecture and Suede Interior Design; Murray Gordon, our Development Director, for his role leading the design and construction and Carl Taranto, Crystalbrook Kingsley General Manager, for his work opening the hotel and leading the team.” Crystalbrook Collection CEO, Geoff York, said.
The hotel's design intent was to strengthen the identity of the iconic brutalist building, while successfully retaining the beauty of the original structure and remaining respectful to its historic, Brutalist style.
“We are ecstatic to win this prestigious award and thank the industry for the recognition. It was an amazing project to work on and it really couldn't have been achieved without the trust in our vision by Crystalbrook Collection. We are very proud to have been part of the incredible team that put it all together” mentioned Clifford Rip, Founder Suede Interior Design.
Lead architect, Barney Collins, Director of Newcastle-based EJE Architecture said: “what wonderful news it was for Crystalbrook. These awards are a great recognition for all of us involved in the transformation of one of Newcastle's iconic buildings into a stunning new hotel for the Australasia Pacific Region. EJE Architecture are proud to be part of a great collaboration.”
Sustainability and Responsible Luxury
Crystalbrook Collection's value of Responsible Luxury was key to the development of the hotel, endeavouring to protect the environment and create sustainable experiences that enhance, rather than compromise the guest experience. Construction involved local suppliers where possible, who reused and retained as much of the original fabric within the building and recycled all demolished materials through local recycling facilities.
Crystalbrook Kingsley also features key furniture pieces made by a local carpenter using reclaimed timbers with natural dyes and sealers, carpets made from environmentally friendly 100% undyed sheep yarns, and earthenware and key decorative pieces crafted by a nearby potter.
Crystalbrook Kingsley also features all Crystalbrook's environmental practices, including a single use plastic free environment, a 100% waste-free bathroom, upcycled brand items and the use of technology, such as in-room tablets and mobile check-in, to create paperless environments and experiences.
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
- ENDS -
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
- Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane, Queensland
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.
For further information:
Melissa Dive, Account Director
The Mint Partners
m +61 484906720
e melissa@themintpartners.com.au
Katie Malone, Group Director, Marketing
Crystalbrook Collection
M: +61 424 927 964
E: katie.malone@crystalbrookcollection.com
Sophia Bakopanos, Marketing Manager
Crystalbrook Collection
M: +61 436 632 210
E: sophia.bakopanos@crystalbrookcollection.com
Grace Redman, Marketing Manager
Crystalbrook Kingsley
