Exclusive look inside Australia’s top hotel projects at Design Inn Symposium
by Ruth Hogan
Apr 04, 2025
Design Inn Symposium will pull back the curtain on several of Australia’s top hotel openings of 2025 and beyond, including the Australian debut of two major global brands.
Slated to open in May 2025, 1 Hotel Melbourne marks the Australian debut of Barry Sternlicht’s renowned sustainable luxury brand.
Described as a mission-driven, luxury lifestyle hotel, 1 Hotel Melbourne promises to be a feat of sustainable, biophilic design.
“Throughout the hotel over 2,000 living plants create the feeling of bringing the ‘outside-in’, with each room and suite lush with plant life and sunlight, due to every room enjoying enviable river or city views,” according to 1 Hotels.
Presenting at Design Inn Symposium, Lead Architect on the project, Fender Katsalidis Principal, Falk Peuser, will share detailed insights into 1 Hotel Melbourne’s cutting-edge design, its celebration of heritage and respect for the natural environment.
View the 2025 Design Inn Symposium program. More speakers to be announced soon.Mondrian Gold Coast
Mondrian Gold Coast
Also opening in May 2025, is Mondrian Gold Coast, which is set to bring a bold new vision of coastal luxury.
Marking the Australian debut of this modern, design-led Ennismore brand, Mondrian Gold Coast is inspired by the eclectic spirit of Burleigh and set within a beachfront architectural masterpiece overlooking the ocean.
Mondrian Gold Coast Lead Architect, Fraser & Partners, Founder, Callum Fraser will present on this project, talking Design Inn delegates through the creative design process.
The Eve Hotel Sydney
The Eve Hotel Sydney
Recently opened luxury boutique hotel The Eve Hotel Sydney, will also showcased at this year’s event, with SJB’s Senior Associate, Interior Design, Charlotte Wilson, among the designers to take to the stage.
The Redfern hotel has been highly commended for its modern boutique design since opening in February 2025.
Adelaide Marriott
Adelaide Marriott
South Australian hotels will also be in the spotlight at this year’s Design Inn Symposium.
Woods Bagot Principal, Tracey Wiles, will present an interior design showcase of the Adelaide Marriott, which opened last year, within the city’s iconic GPO building.
InterContinental Barossa Resort and Spa is slated to open in 2028, subject to planning approval
InterContinental Barrossa Resort and Spa
Hot off the press, the InterContinental Barossa Resort and Spa, which was announced by IHG Hotels and Resorts alongside owner partners Strategic Alliance in recent weeks, will be under the microscope in a Q&A session. IHG Hotels and Resorts Snr Director, Design & Engineering – Australasia, Jonathan Conroy, will be joined by Baukultur Director, Chris Watkins, to talk through the origins and evolution of the state-significant hotel design.
Refurbishments, Conversions, Lighting, AI and more
Design Inn Symposium will also feature panel sessions on important and timely topics impacting hotel design and development, from smart strategies in refurbishment projects to office-to-hotel conversions, the changing management landscape and its impact on creative control, as well as an illuminating Lighting Masterclass and a lively debate on the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of hotel design.
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