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Seven miles from Sydney & a thousand miles from care

Named Australia’s best beach in the TripAdvisor 2019 Travellers’ Choice Awards, the stunning new design of the Sebel Sydney Manly Beach reflects the hotel’s enviable location on the southern end of popular Manly Beach.

At the core of the design was the ongoing commitment to long-standing relationships between the venue and the clientele. This 35-year-old building was tagged to be the next flagship property for Accor Vacation Club (AVC) and needed some serious making over. It was a significant investment into the clubs’ portfolio and understanding the iconic location of the project, and its’ appeal to regularly returning patrons, In Design International IDI sought to create interiors designed to reflect the urbane beachside locale of the venue. The brief was to review and reconfigure existing spaces within the building, ensuring that the layout of the spaces generated increased revenue for the client, with the aphorism “seven miles from Sydney & a thousand miles from care” underpinning the design considerations for the ‘home-away-from-home’ feeling for patrons.

In this instance, the best way to create an excellent hospitality venue for Manly, was to draw from the immediate surroundings. The result is a timeless, highly sophisticated, yet welcoming coastal ambience that has exceeded expectations.

For the main entrance and Lobby, IDI referenced the colours and textures of the beachfront, through the selections of pale timbers and ceramics with splashes of navy blue. Subtly infused textures, patterns and materials identify the essence of coastal chic and relaxed quiet luxury. The accommodation further reiterates this, with the addition of patterned canvas fabrics and grass-weave wallpapers to instil a sense of relaxed refinement and easy luxury.

Photography: Damien Kook

The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel

Professionals used in
The Sebel Manly Beach Hotel

About the
Professional

Penny Del Castillo is the creative mind behind Studio Del Castillo, a multi-disciplinary, award-winning interior design studio with offices in Melbourne and Noosa.

Penny draws inspiration from eclectic cultures throughout the world, while meticulously maintaining the balance between style and function. This allows Penny and her team to create environments tailored to the multifaceted needs of each client.

For the past twenty years, Penny del Castillo—backed by her team of daring creatives and innovative thinkers—has systematically created unconventional solutions to achieve one-of-a-kind results. Together, they have established a whole host of uniquely unforgettable luxury residences, hotels, restaurants, wellness retreats, and spas.

“We are passionate about creating functional spaces that reflect and enhance the lives of those fortunate enough to live, work, and grow within them,” says del Castillo.

“Every opportunity and every challenge allow us, as designers, to fulfil the brief for clients—to make that dream come true. A lot of the time, it’s [just] problem-solving.”

“I hear [the phrase] ‘it can’t be done,’ a lot. But I’ve spent over two decades standing up for clients to make sure they get exactly what they want.”

Despite setbacks, contrary opinions, and seemingly insurmountable odds, del Castillo and her team have consistently produced world-class results.

“When we ask the unexpected questions,” she explains, “infinite possibilities reveal themselves.”