When you travel to Australia you will find that QT Hotels & Resorts pride themselves on providing guests with a truly immersive experience in whatever location they may find themselves from Port Douglas to Canberra and beyond.With the newly opened QT Bondi, this mandate will be further explored with a select group of in-the-know Bondi personalities who have been specially engaged to curate a series of bespoke activities across a wide variety of genres, from sport and leisure to food and drinks, all with a distinctly local perspective that can only come with true ‘on the ground’ insight. QT Bondi General Manager Penny Crossley said calling on locals for insider tips was based on the ethos that travelers should spend time in a location where they can explore the best it has to offer.
“Literally walking the streets and discovering its more hidden nooks and crannies, or cycling the nearby terrain to taste the broader district at large is what a truly memorable visit is all about,” she said.“There’s no doubt that Bondi is a prime example of a unique destination which beats to its own drum, and where gaining an insider’s knowledge of the best kept secrets will enhance this experience to a whole other level.” Extending the experience is a wide range of ‘preferred partnerships’ where the best of Bondi’s goods and services can be enjoyed in the spirit of a true local. These range from the popular ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ outfit in North Bondi, to yoga sessions at the highly regarded ‘Power Living’ to the acclaimed Icebergs Dining Room.
Further to these are a wide range of destinations resourced by QT Bondi’s headline team of locals who have curated a special and seasonally attuned series of pitch perfect guides. They include leading fashion identity and stylist, Pip Edwards; legendary (TV) lifeguard and all round Bondi guru, Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins; top foodie and YouTube sensation, Guy Turland; and cool muso duo, Angus and Connie of Sneaky Sound.
Reflecting each local’s area of expertise, the guides will offer a curated breakdown of various options to be enjoyed, and all designed with different tastes in mind.
For fashionistas, this will range from Pip’s top shopping picks along the key arterial roads of Hall and Gould Streets, to insider knowledge on hidden gems such as Bondi’s legendary knitwear designer, John MacArthur (whose tiny studio hides in one of Bondi’s backwater blocks).
‘Hoppo’ will deliver insight on a wide range of pursuits, from hitting 12 holes in one of the most picturesque, albeit compact golf courses situated up on Bondi’s northern bluff, to swimming pointers including old school sea baths, rock pools and of course the famous local surf, as well top picks of the best coastal walks and cycling tours. Added to this is his own weekly historical walking tours of the neighbourhood, where landmarks both famous and infamous can be sighted up close and personal.
From Turland comes a knowledgeable overview of the top foods on offer throughout, from cool cafes and buzzing bistros, or the freshest fish and chips on-the-hop, to secret ‘hole-in-the-wall’ restaurants and glam high-end dining. Also, inside knowledge on Bondi’s local weekly markets, finest food purveyors, bakers, bottle shops and more.
DJ Black Angus and Miss Connie (Sneaky Sound) offer their picks on where to enjoy the best chilled-out tunes or high-energy beats… the place for the perfect sunset cocktail or laid back beer, or the venue of choice for a cool late night vibe.
“I’ve lived in Bondi for over a decade, and love this community not only for its all-inclusive nature, but the sheer variety of cool pieces on offer. From a fashion perspective there are some real gems to be discovered, literally, be it locally designed jewelry to the perfect summer swimsuit,” said Edwards.
Further dialling up this true sense of the local experience, QT Bondi has also engaged a select group of local designers and makers to create a capsule collection of quintessentially ‘Aussie’ items on offer only in-house and exclusive to QT Bondi. These include the killer resort style shirt with a retro Hawaiian vibe featuring an exclusive print designed and made by Mikey Nolan and Toby Jones of hot new label, Double Rainbouu.
“The QT experience has always swayed sweetly left of centre, and we’re excited to ensure QT Bondi will reward guests with the type of experience – or take home treasures – that will endure long after they check-out,” Crossley said.
About QT Hotels & Resorts
QT Hotels & Resorts first put its stamp on the Australian tourism sector with the launch of QT Gold Coast in 2011. The unique and exciting property delivered the first injection of QT’s signature designer spaces with bold entertainment and intriguing yet relaxing guest experience. Now one of Australia’s most loved and dynamic hotel brands, the family of properties include QT Gold Coast, QT Port Douglas, the flagship QT Sydney, QT Falls Creek and QT Canberra.
Adding to its portfolio of stunning designer hotels and resorts, QT is set for expansion with new properties to open in the next year, including QT Bondi, QT Wellington, QT Melbourne and QT Queenstown.
