SYDNEY.- Frasers Hospitality will soon open the doors to its first Gold Standard Australian project Fraser Suites Sydney, designed by internationally renowned architects Foster and Partners. Situated in the heart of the mid city precinct adjacent to Town Hall, the stylish all suites residences opens in October and will feature 201 luxurious suites ranging from studios to a spectacular two level loft penthouse.

Foster and Partners is renowned for building landmarks such as the historic Reichstag, the new German Parliament in Berlin, The Great Court for the British Museum, and the Chek Lap Kok International Airport in Hong Kong.

“It will be the first prestigious hotel to open in the Sydney CBD following the Olympic Games and is set to raise the benchmark for designer hotels,” said Mr David Brown, General Manager for Fraser Suites Sydney.

Fraser Suites Sydney is launching when demand for apartment hotels is at an all time high.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in the last year serviced apartment numbers jumped from 9.8 per cent to nearly 46,000. In comparison hotel rooms recorded a two per cent increase to around 80,000.

“Fraser Suites Sydney offers leisure and business travellers so much more when compared to a traditional hotel. Many of the five star facilities and services you can expect in a luxury hotel are included plus a fully equipped designer kitchen, state-of-the-art entertainment audio system and laundry facilities in all residences,” said Mr Brown.

“The all suite lifestyle orientated rooms are also larger than a hotel room, one bedroom suites are three times the size of an average hotel room.”

He added 70% of the company’s existing corporate clients are from Fortune 500 companies with the new Sydney property providing a perfect fit with the growing global network.

The elegant 42 level glass tower with innovative planning and cladding design features, including full height glass facades, and natural light and ventilation in apartments and circulation areas embodies the virtues of light, space and innovation.

“It illuminates Central Sydney’s skyline with an ingenious design application that maximises facade daylight and ventilation to the apartments. The final design solution creates a fluid synthesis of light and space using lightweight glass and metal,” said Mr Ross Palmer, designer for Foster and Partners.

The Fraser Suites Sydney foyer by rldesign is a focal point. Sophisticated Manhattan seduction style begins with Italian vein cut travertine floors, silver leafed ceilings, suede and champagne metallic lined walls.

“Furniture upholstered in rich velvets, felts and leather adorn the space along the faceted mirror panels on the walls which sparkle like jewels, said Ms Andrea D’Cruz, Managing Director for rldesign.

“Sheer fabric sweeping along the glass façade creates a cocoon from the bustle of the city outside.”

Mr Brown continued, “Frasers Hospitality has gained a leadership position world-wide for service excellence and is a highly awarded market leader. The company’s philosophy is to provide intuitive services to meet the unique needs of discerning travellers.”

“We are assembling a great team of professionals for Fraser Suites Sydney and with the Frasers vision, culture and core values, our customers will soon experience a fresh intuitive style of service that will clearly position us as the luxury residence of choice in Sydney.”

All suites residence features include a fully fitted gourmet kitchen, in-room personal safe, washing machine and dryer, high speed broadband Internet connectivity, IDD telephone and voicemail system, work station, state-of-the-art LCD TV with home entertainment audio system and DVD/VCD player and cable network.

The striking designer kitchens feature stone benches, imported stainless steel appliances and coloured back glass splash backs and the sleek bathrooms include mirror, glass, tile and stone finishes.

rldesign’s interior finishes exude warmth and capture the essence of Manhattan seduction, with furniture embellished in lustrous fabrics, 300 thread count bed linens, fine crockery, limited edition prints and original artwork throughout.

“Chic contemporary interiors by rldesign and Foster and Partners, cutting edge technology and designer amenities in all residences, ensure guests will have a unique luxury living experience,” said Mr Brown.

Panoramic views of Darling Harbour, Sydney’s favourite waterfront dining and entertainment destination and the historic Town Hall precinct can also be enjoyed from many of the guest suites.

Accommodation ranges from studio to three-bedroom loft penthouse suites, with all studio suites interconnecting with one-bedroom suites to create spacious two-bedroom residences.

Tariffs for a studio suite start from $380 per night and the two level loft penthouse is priced from $1,500 per night.

Hotel facilities and services include around-the-clock reception and concierge assistance, personalised housekeeping services, mezzanine café, babysitting service (upon request), laundry valet and dry cleaning services, a leisure centre that includes an extensively equipped gymnasium, a lap pool complete with see through glass panels, jet pool and sauna, and a business centre and serviced offices which include conference and meeting room facilities catering for up to 100 people.

Fraser Suites Sydney is part of the stylish $600 million Lumiere Residences development by Frasers Property Group featuring 456 spacious homes.

In the short term Frasers Hospitality plans to open five Gold Standard properties in several Australian capital cities including Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.

The company’s expansion plans are part of an aggressive growth strategy targeting the top end of the market to increase its Gold Standard collection from 15 to 50 properties over the next five years with a focus on Australia, Asia, China, Europe, India and the Middle East.