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The Hughenden | Step back in to a time of elegance
By Deb Carr
I was invited to stay at The Hughenden by Executive Director, James Ruben.
The Hughenden is a boutique hotel in Queen Street, Woollahra. A visit to the hotel is like stepping back in time yet with a touch of ‘modern day’ added for comfort.
Immediately I walked into the reception area I knew this was really going to be quite an experience. I was greeted and shown to a comfy seat in the lounge room next to the fireplace. Just what I needed because it was a very cold day in Sydney and I had to thaw out. James soon arrived and we began our tour of the hotel.
The first visit was actually across the road to Centennial Park to inspect The Residences. That’s a story in itself and you can read it here.
Once back I was shown around the hotel. With its beautiful antiques, artworks and elegance I was suitably impressed. The inner child in me couldn’t wait to go exploring up the staircases! I did that later!
Having stayed in many hotel rooms, this boutique treasure felt more like I was a guest at a country manor in the Southern Highlands than in a hotel in Sydney.
Once I was shown to my room and settled in, I went for a walk down Oxford Street in Paddington. That’s another reason to stay at The Hughenden – the location. So much shopping and many places to eat! I wanted to try the restaurant at the Hotel so went back and ordered at Vincent. Vincent, is a French-style brassiere, and one of Sydney’s newest dining experiences. It is open daily for breakfast for in-house guests and open to the general public for lunch and dinner.
Rather than go into the restaurant I chose to order a glass of 2013 Perlage Quorum Prosecco Veneto and for dinner Seared Scallops & Leek, Soubise, Vadouvan Spice which I enjoyed sitting in front of the fireplace on a comfy sofa. Delicious!
For more information visit www.vincentfrench.com.au
The Hughenden caters for travellers, weddings, functions and is pet friendly! There are six rooms that accommodate pets.
I thoroughly enjoyed staying at The Hughenden and hope you get a chance to have the experience too.
For bookings 02 9363 4863
Website: www.thehughenden.com.au
Centennial Park
HISTORY OF THE BUILDING
The Hughenden (circa 1870s) is a gracious Victorian residence and associated with Australia’s first philosopher, Barzillai Quaife. The Hughenden was built by his son, Dr Frederick Harrison Quaife, who brought the first x-ray to the colony.
Located on Queen Street, The Hughenden sits at the crossroads of Paddington and Woollahra, a conservation area that is the largest expanse of Victorian architecture in Australia. Queen Street began its life in the 1820s as Piper Street, named after Captain John Piper who owned huge tracts of land covering most of what is now known as the Municipality of Woollahra. The name changed to Queen Street in late 1870s in honour of Queen Victoria.
From the 1850s grand houses were built such as Waimea, a Regency-style residence, St Kevin’s, Shorewell and The Hughenden, alongside a mixture of hotels, shops, schools and Victorian terraces. In 1881, steam trams commenced operating from Liverpool Street in the city along Queen Street. Bordering Queen Street, in 1811, Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaimed the Sydney common with its open areas for public use. In 1888 these commons were redesigned as Victorian parklands and named Centennial Park, dedicated to the centenary of European settlement in Australia. In 1901 Centennial Park was the focus of the birthplace of a nation, where Australia’s first Governor General, Lord Hopetown, was sworn in and the Federal Constitution proclaimed on 1st of January.
Disclaimer: I was a guest of the Hughenden and this did not influence my review. My meal at Vincent was paid for by myself.
