But is it fun? Definitely. Sexy? Sure. Too much? Possibly,for those who prefer to unwind after a day at the office amid quieter,more traditional surroundings. If nothing else,it's one of the few five-star hotels in Sydney to depart from chocolate-and-neutrals corporate chic as an interiors theme.
The design team behind the project spent 18-months gathering objets d'art at auctions,on eBay and even council clean-ups to achieve the quirky look designed to reflect the original use of the heritage buildings as well as adding an in-your-face modern flourish.
The scene is presided over by an army of pretty young things in sharp,skinny-legged suits,little black dresses and perfect make-up. The Virgin Airlines approach to employment was in evidence the night we dined in the main restaurant,with good-looking girls in high heels and even higher ponytails seating diners and cool boys behind the bar chatting to us.
We're told the staff was"cast"rather than hired,using anAustralian Idol-style audition process of elimination,with the judges looking for personality plus polish,not necessarily experience.
And despite their zany work environment,the staff we encountered at every stage of our overnight stay were professional,with just the right dash of friendly.
The slightly chaotic design theme continues in the guest rooms with a giant asymmetrical red bedhead dominating ours on the seventh floor above George Street. There was a multicoloured rug,odd little animal head figurines on the wall (coat hooks maybe?),a metal artwork,a round yellow table and a black hand sculpture on the bathroom sink. There are retro games of pick-up sticks,marbles,an array of old-fashioned lollies,everything you need to make your own cocktail and black towelling bathrobes. Everything that isn't nailed down is for sale.
Despite being above one of the city's busiest intersections,the room was quiet. We slept blissfully and heard only the slightest rumble from early morning busses below.
Across the 200 rooms,there are 12 unique styles. There are two wings,with half the rooms above the State Theatre in Market Street and the other half in the shell ofthe old Gowings building,on the corner of Market and George streets.
Converted from a rabbit warren of former offices,the rooms we saw were on the small side except for the apartment-sized,expensive suites on the top floors. The bathrooms are funky and spacious with the giant stand-alone bath the highlight.
Someone with a more classic eye won the argument when it came to designing the main restaurant,Gowings Bar&Grill,where a calmer,sophisticated ambience prevails. Though our mains weren't delivered at the same time,we couldn't fault the meals,with our Black Angus rib-eye steak and beef bourguignon truly memorable.
The writer was a guest of QT Sydney.
The verdict
Where QT Hotel,49 Market Street,Sydney,
(02) 8262 000
www.qthotels.com.au
How much Rooms from $420 per night.
Top marks Its youthful sense of humour and good service. The food was impressive – we will certainly be back to sample more from the brasserie-style menu
Black mark The bed:Too soft for my firm-mattress taste. And when did it become unfashionable to have a door on the toilet? Brighter lights in the bathroom would also make the morning zhuzh much easier.
Don't miss The cocktail bar:Closed on the night of our visit but a cool,cushion-littered space likely to become a popular spot for after-work drinks and tunes.