Opening its first-ever regional property in New South Wales we were curious to see how QT would transform a 113-year-old heritage-listed building into Newcastle’s quirkiest and most vibrant boutique hotel.
Not only have QT successfully restored and blended original elements of the building into their design and elevated traveler accommodation choices in Newcastle they also have created a place that feels like you’re stepping into a world of the perfectly peculiar.
1. Rooftop at QT
Moody and sophisticated QT’s rooftop bar is the place to enjoy a light meal and cocktail while admiring uninterrupted harbour views from the outdoor terrace or indoors under what feels like hundreds of sparkling planets. We recommend heading straight to the Rooftop bar after check-in for a light lunch of tempura prawns, prawn gyozas, and a specialty cocktail – yum.
2. Kevin Murphy Amenities
Angel Wash and Angel Rinse by Kevin Murphy are two of our favourite haircare products. Walking into the bathroom and seeing an abundance of Kevin Murphy products including soap, hand cream, shampoo, and conditioner we were so happy to see that QT had opted to use products that are environmentally kind, cruelty-free, and smell delicious.
3. Rooms
Adding another layer of uniqueness to the hotel each room has trendy industrial furnishings, pops of colour, and its own distinctive architectural features. Our room had large old windows, a solid wooden beam in the entry, and loads of space. But If you’re after something extra special check into The Clock Suite, where you will be staying with the building’s iconic clock face and incredible harbour views!
Being greeted by a cape-wearing “Director of Chaos” under a 3D moon hanging in the lobby we knew we were in for a unique stay. After check-in (which can be done at the self-serving kiosk if you prefer) we headed for our room where we were met by a kaleidoscope of colours from the digital floor-to-ceiling art hanging just left of the lifts.
Our first room was on level 3 adjacent to the lifts, and hoping for a room that was a little more private QT showed us to Deluxe King room 304. The directors of chaos mentioned that every room was unique, our room was spacious, tucked away in the corner, had small glimmers of the water, and had a wooden beam in the entry which complemented the eclectic style of the hotel. We instantly fell in love with the dark green tiles and the black steel and brass elements used together in the bathroom.
Each room has an iPad that can be used to order room service, and find out information about the property and its surroundings. For a small fee, of course, the QT offer quality snacks and beverages in the mini bar including Byron Bay Cookies, Maltesers, mini Old Fashioned and Negroni bottles and even a rose gold shaker for creating your own cocktails.
We did enquire about the QT Balcony King room and were told these were located on the same floor as the Rooftop at QT and that you may hear a little bit of noise while the bar is open. As the opening hours of the Rooftop at QT are generally only from mid-afternoon to 10 pm we didn’t think this would be a major issue and would book this room for our next stay.
Jana Restaurant and Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can take up the “bed and breakfast” offer when you book but we didn’t do this and didn’t have any issues in just turning up on the days we felt like eating breakfast at Jana Restaurant. We found the coffee, banana bread, and avocado toast with poached eggs to be our breakfast of choice!
“Pup Yeah” rooms are available at an additional charge, so anyone with a pooch under 20kg that just can’t bare to holiday without their furry friend can check them in for a night away.
QT Newcastle has a quirky, vibrant, and chic vibe that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages, especially the Rooftop at QT. With its central location and unique furnishings we would certainly check into the QT Newcastle again but ensure we booked a room that guaranteed harbour views.
Perfectly positioned in the heart of Newcastle’s East End precinct the QT is only minutes from some of Newcastle’s finest shops, bars, eateries, and harbour guaranteeing water views from selected higher-floor rooms, with the best view being from the Rooftop at QT.
Address: 185 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW
Good to Know | QT Newcastle
♡ Prefer water views? Ask for a room on a high floor with views of the harbour when booking or at check-in. Although this can’t be guaranteed, & didn’t work for us, you may just get lucky
♡ Join The QT Club to gain access to cheaper accommodation rates
♡ Check-in is from 2:00 pm and check-out is from 11:00 am, we did ask for an early check-in which could be accommodated and is dependent on hotel availability
♡ We stayed during September, however, this property would sparkle at any time of the year
♡ Booking directly via the website we found the process seamless. A booking confirmation was sent to us instantly via email
♡ Self Parking is available at QT Newcastle but we recommend Valet parking, it costs a smidge more but you just pull up out the front and leave the rest to the QT team.
♡ Don’t leave Newcastle without trying:
Ginger Megs, we loved the Honey Soy Chicken Bao, Prawn Bao, and the Massaman Curry
Coal and Cedar, an eclectic speakeasy serving up cocktails & whiskey. It’s hard to find & you’ll need to text the phone number on the wall for a special entry code to get in but it’s all worth it
♡ QT has properties in Australia & New Zealand in the following locations:
Newcastle, Sydney, Bondi, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown & a new property due to open in Parramatta in 2024
Are you ready to Check Into the “Extraordinary” at QT Newcastle? Book Here
Thoughts, opinions, and photos shared about Check Into the “Extraordinary” at QT Newcastle are entirely my own.
