Sydney's heritage hotel Cremorne Point Manor gets a $1 million makeover

One of Sydney’s oldest hotels, Cremorne Point Manor, has just undergone a full makeover for about $1 million, combining modernity with heritage.

The upgrade was the first for the four-star hotel in more than a decade. The full décor sweep includes all 29 bedrooms, bathroom and communal guest area. 

Hospitality entrepreneur Jean Claude Branch incorporated quality bedding, interiors and accents in each room and common rooms while maintaining affordable nightly rates. 

Jean-Claude has a carved a niche for himself in restoring heritage buildings which include Dalziel Lodge and Glenferrie Lodge.

As the hotel is a heritage building, Jean Claude commissioned Aboriginal artist Winston Walford to create artwork, reproduced into handmade mosaic tiles. 

The tiles are 6 meters long and 2.7 meter high. There are approximately 65,000 hand-laid tiles: 6 meters long x 2.7 meters high with nearly 65,000 x 2 cm hand laid tiles.

Winston also utilised his signature right thumbprint image to form glass mosaic tiles. The tiles faithfully replicated the original artwork as painstakingly hand laid in Huizhou, China. The process took three artisans eight weeks to complete, working full time to perfect the installation in the main guest dining room.

“The renovation, while not absolutely required, was part of our ongoing need to provide the best possible guest experience,” said Jean-Claude. 

“Including Aboriginal art through my long term China business connections, we believe this is the first instance of a local Aboriginal artists installation being commissioned into unique center pieces.” 

He said the refurbishment compliments Winston’s heritage piece and marries modern design approach with historic art.

Rex Winston Walford belongs to the Gamilaroi language group and resides on the North Coast. He has won awards and accolades for his work, including being a finalist on multiple occasions in the Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize, commended in 2010.