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When Felicity Arthur accepted the role as General Manager to open SKYE Suites Green Square, April, 2020, little did she know that she was about to embark on a challenge no-one could have imagined.
 A global traveller with more than 20 years of international hotel experience under her belt, all her skills were tested at once as she navigated a new travel landscape, that of a COVID-19 ravaged world and a country with locked borders – shut tight to both international and domestic travellers.
On top of her role as General Manager, Felicity lectures at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, teaching rooms division, revenue management and entrepreneurship.
SKYE Suites Green Square opened April, 2020. The hotel is part of the $575 million, Infinity by Crown Group, 20 storey-building designed by world-renowned Koichi Takada Architects. The development stands out with its iconic looped design, transforming the suburb and enhancing the profile of the area which and is part of the largest urban renewal project Australia has ever seen. .
If opening a new hotel wasn’t formidable enough, Felicity had to do this as COVID-19 slammed Sydney’s tourism industry to its knees! Trials faced by Felicity included no reception and no lobby, supplier distribution issues, cancellations and problems she didn’t even know existed! She called on all her experience, creativity and skill to create a seamless process for guests checking- in and the day to day running of the hotel.
One of her first priorities was to create a strong team to manage whatever challenges they faced each day, and that included every possible operational problem imaginable!
“Through my role as lecturer at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School I have been able to not only meet and teach some of the best hotel industry talent in the country, but the bonus is, I have been able to hire the best talent in the country. Building and creating a team like family creates loyalty within staff to deliver the best outcomes for our guests. This is our ethos at SKYE Suites, and one that is commented on continuously by guests.
“The decision to open the hotel was a difficult one given the business challenges created by COVID, but given staff had been employed in anticipation of the scheduled opening it would have been unfair to stand down people who had left other employment to join SKYE Suites, not to mention suspending the many suppliers engaged to support the hotel’s operation,” says Felicity. 
The hotel has 90 suites styled in a Japanese-inspired modern, minimalist palette featuring bespoke designer furnishings and superior amenities. All suites feature complimentary high speed Wi-Fi, Sleeping Duck mattresses, SMEG & Fisher & Paykel kitchen appliances, internal laundry, balcony and flat screen TV’s with complimentary STAYCast system for streaming personal devices. Suites range from oversized 46sqm studios to three bedroom suites of up to 116sqm. 
Amenities include a heated infinity pool with separate outdoor spa perched above the Infinity Square precinct, set in manicured gardens along with a state-of-the-art gym and sauna creating a resort setting within an urban environment.
There are a number of facilities being added to the property. Firstly, a new high-end café and cocktail bar, f(x) by STIX, opening first quarter 2022, providing an exciting new offering for the well-established foodie suburbs of Green Square, Waterloo, Rosebery and Alexandria. This will be followed by a world class convention centre catering to more than 400 people across multiple spaces, due to open mid 2022. 
SKYE Suites Green Square is located on the corner of Botany Road and Bourke Street, with Green Square train station on its doorstep, and only two stops to the domestic and international airport.