Exclusive by James Wilkinson
The Pier One Sydney Harbour is set to get a major renovation of its lobby, bar and restaurant and at the helm of the eatery will be a celebrity chef.
Speaking exclusively to HM and sister site Spice, new Pier One Sydney Harbour General Manager, Kim Mahaffy, said the AUD$5 million ground floor renovation was following on from the recent addition of harbour’s edge suites (in 2013) and a revamped events space that was formerly Watersedge.
“A destination bar and restaurant is what people want and we think it’s going to be a winner,” she said.
While not revealing who the celebrity chef at the helm would be, Mahaffy did tell HM an announcement would be made prior to the completion of renovations in October.
The property recently changed management from Accor Hotels to Marriott International and is now a member of the latter’s Autograph Collection.
Mahaffy, who was formerly a Senior Brand Director for Asia-Pacific for Marriott, said the renovation would help make the Pier One Sydney Harbour an “iconic Autograph Collection hotel”.
“Through innovative food and beverage concepts in line with international market demand, matched effortlessly with impeccable service for which we are known globally, and crafted artesian cultural opportunities in Sydney, we can offer our guests an individual hotel experience,” she said.
“Sydney is arguably one of the leading global destinations so the upcoming reception, lobby, restaurant and outdoor pier space refurbishment scheduled to be done over coming months will solidify a more seamless check-in procedure, world class dining and accommodation options with the added benefit of integrating the unique waterfront vantage the property offers,” Mahaffy said.
Prior to her appointment as General Manager of Pier One Sydney Harbour, Mahaffy had been at the hotel for several months in a Marriott taskforce capacity and replaces outgoing General Manager Michael Sheridan, who is now the GM at Bell City in Melbourne.
Mahaffy has significant experience running hotels and has held General Manager roles at the Renaissance Suzhou Hotel and Courtard by Marriott Shanghai Pudong in China.