LUXURY BY the beach

Sydney's iconic beachfront hotel, Manly Pacific, has undergone a major transformation, with design by leading Australian designer Coco Republic

- APRIL OSSINGTON

Walking into the new Manly Pacific is like a breath of fresh air. Its light, bright and open spaces are inviting and uplifting.

The impressive $30m transformation features a refreshed façade, 213 redesigned rooms including The Infinity Residence and nine ocean-facing Coastal Suites, a rooftop pool and bar, a sundeck with an infrared sauna, 55 North (an eclectic new lobby bar), and a conference and events floor.

The design brief for Coco Republic was "coastal luxury and effortless sophistication". "The best way to explain our design methodology for this project was to continually think of a linen shirt. It looks good on everyone, it's elegant yet relaxed, expensive but comfortable, and this is how we wanted every guest to feel when experiencing the hotel," says lead designer at Coco Republic, Georgina Holmes.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the Northern Beaches, the material palette is soft and neutral with organic textures and furnishings. Pale bleached timbers, travertine stone accents and muted blue-grey hues mirror the sand, sea and sky, a nod to iconic Manly Beach which is just across the road. "The pine trees that line the view opposite the hotel as well as the white foam and blue tones of the ocean gave us perfect cooler accent colours to inject into the interior of the rooms," says Georgina. "In addition, the iconic stretch of golden sandy beach influenced the warmth of the timber, rattans and travertine that complement the colour palette."

I couldn't help but notice all the amazing Coco Republic pieces throughout the hotel. "The Pegasus console in travertine is a favourite for me," says Georgina. "It's a statement piece that is eye-catching. The design team encouraged it to appear at different touch points throughout the hotel, including the lobby, the ocean-facing suites and the pool deck. It's practical and durable but is the type of character you want to see in your own home."