There is something wonderfully uplifting about waking up to the ocean, and at the newly transformed InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, the sea is very much part of the experience. Fresh from an extensive renovation, the hotel brings a sophisticated new level of luxury to one of Sydney’s most iconic beachside neighbourhoods. I recently stayed in a One-Bedroom Oceanfront Suite and loved the combination of beautiful new interiors, spectacular views, an exceptional Club Lounge and impressive wellness facilities.

Location

The location is one of the hotel’s greatest assets. Sitting directly opposite Coogee Beach, the InterContinental places you moments from the sand, ocean pools, cafés and the famous coastal walk.

It offers a wonderfully different Sydney experience from staying in the CBD. Mornings begin with swimmers and surfers heading into the ocean, while the coastal path invites long walks towards Bondi. Yet the city and Sydney’s eastern suburbs remain within easy reach. Valet parking makes arriving by car effortless, and once you are here, much of Coogee can be explored on foot.

Accommodation

I stayed in a One-Bedroom Oceanfront Suite, and it was gorgeous. The brand-new interiors are contemporary and elegant but still feel warm, comfortable and perfectly suited to the relaxed beachside setting.

The suite has a generous living area, separate bedroom and a large balcony overlooking Coogee Beach. I particularly loved the open-plan bathroom, with its beautiful freestanding bathtub creating an indulgent, almost resort-like atmosphere.

There are thoughtful details throughout, including an excellent, generously stocked minibar. But the star is undoubtedly the view. Stepping onto the balcony in the morning with Coogee Beach and the ocean stretching out in front of you is a wonderful way to start the day.

Dining

Dining is a real highlight at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, with two very different restaurants allowing guests to move easily between relaxed coastal dining and a more special-occasion experience.

The headline act is Rick Stein at Coogee Beach, the Sydney flagship from world-renowned British chef Rick Stein. The restaurant feels perfectly at home beside the ocean, built around Stein’s philosophy of serving exceptional seafood simply and allowing the quality of the produce to shine. The menu celebrates premium Australian coastal produce alongside flavours inspired by Rick Stein’s travels around the world.

Expect freshly shucked oysters, lobster, beautifully prepared fish, fragrant seafood curries and some of Rick Stein’s signature dishes. Light-filled interiors and a breezy terrace overlooking the Pacific make it particularly appealing for a long, leisurely lunch, although the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere works equally well for dinner. Having a restaurant of this calibre within the hotel is a significant advantage – you can enjoy one of Coogee’s destination dining experiences without ever having to leave the property.

For something more casual, Shutters is the hotel’s beautiful all-day restaurant and bar overlooking Coogee Beach. Large windows and the restaurant’s signature shutters frame the ocean and fill the interiors with natural light, creating a lovely connection to the beach outside. The menu combines seasonal Australian produce with Mediterranean influences and is designed to take guests effortlessly from morning coffee and breakfast through lunch, afternoon drinks and dinner.

Shutters is exactly the sort of restaurant you want in a beachside hotel – sophisticated enough for an evening meal, but relaxed enough to wander in for coffee, a casual lunch or a glass of wine while watching the ocean. The beautiful views make even a simple meal feel like part of the Coogee experience.

Together, Rick Stein and Shutters give the hotel an unusually strong dining offering: one a destination seafood restaurant worth visiting in its own right, the other an easy-going coastal venue you can return to throughout your stay.

Spa & Wellness

One of the biggest highlights of my stay was the newly opened Èliva Spa, an exceptional wellness space that feels like a destination in its own right. Built around the principles of rest, recovery and invigoration, Èliva goes well beyond the traditional hotel spa, combining beautiful treatment spaces with an impressive thermal and recovery experience.

The thermal facilities are superb, with three warm magnesium mineral pools, a salt sauna, infrared sauna, crystal steam room and two invigorating cold plunge baths. There are also Vitamin C-infused showers and a dedicated Recovery Lounge with contemporary wellness technologies.

I particularly loved the magnesium pools. After a walk along the coast, spending time moving between the warm mineral water, saunas and steam room is incredibly relaxing and gives the hotel the feeling of a genuine wellness retreat rather than simply a beachside city hotel.

For those wanting to take the experience further, Èliva offers massages, facials and body rituals, with treatments personalised to each guest. The spa experience begins at the Herbal Ritual Bar, where a therapist creates a personalised essential-oil blend to use during the treatment.

Together with the hotel’s ocean-facing infinity pool and 24-hour fitness centre, Èliva Spa makes wellness a significant part of the InterContinental Coogee experience – and, for me, one of the strongest reasons to stay.

Club Lounge

The Club Lounge is another highlight and, in my opinion, well worth upgrading for.

Breakfast in the lounge was excellent, offering a relaxed and refined start to the day. In the evening, the space transforms for cocktails and refreshments, providing the perfect place to enjoy a drink before dinner.

The experience feels polished and generous without being overly formal. For guests staying for several nights, or simply those who enjoy the additional privacy and service of a Club experience, Club InterContinental adds considerable value to the stay.

All in All

InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach has emerged from its renovation as one of Sydney’s most appealing new beachside luxury hotels. It combines the standards and service of an international five-star hotel with the relaxed atmosphere of one of the city’s best-loved coastal neighbourhoods.

I particularly loved my One-Bedroom Oceanfront Suite, with its spacious interiors, freestanding bathtub, excellent minibar, large balcony and gorgeous views across Coogee Beach. The exceptional Club Lounge and impressive wellness facilities – especially the magnesium pools and three saunas – make the experience even more special.

For travellers who want to experience Sydney while waking up beside the ocean rather than among city skyscrapers, it is a fabulous choice – and one I would happily return to.