Newcastle, Australia
Opened
2021
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Heritage LocalOutside the door
The house
Crystalbrook CollectionBrutalist civic roundhouse
The former civic drum is now a boutique hotel, crowned with a glass rooftop looking across Newcastle's working harbour.
What it’s good at
Notable
Architects modelled the concrete cylinder on Boston City Hall, creating wedge-shaped rooms.
Notable
State heritage listing protects the 1977 cylindrical landmark formerly used for council offices.
Listed
Rooftop dining overlooks the working harbour alongside wines from the nearby Hunter Valley.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Suede Interior Design softened the concrete with canary yellow and charcoal throughout: a quiet tribute to the city's coal mining past.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set opposite Civic Park on King Street, the hotel sits moments from harbourfront wharves, the cultural precinct, and coastline walks.
The rooms
Wedge-shaped rooms trace the curve of the concrete drum, with herringbone floors and views over Civic Park or the water.
Restaurant
Roundhouse
Floor-to-ceiling windows look straight out toward freighters entering the harbour. Dinner focuses on regional New South Wales produce.
At the table
Rooftop bar Romberg's pours cocktails along a curved marble counter. Downstairs, lobby lounge Ms Mary serves coffee and wine.
How it began
Romberg and Boyd modelled the 1977 concrete cylinder on Boston City Hall, creating a civic landmark known locally as the Roundhouse.
Good to know
Stay here
Crystalbrook Kingsley
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.