InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle Collection, is set to unveil a new series of fully immersive experiences across Australia, Japan and Singapore as well as display, for the first time, a collection of one-of-a-kind NFTs (non-fungible tokens) as an extension of its trailblazing partnership with acclaimed British contemporary artist Claire Luxton.
From Tuesday 14 March to Saturday 1 April 2023, the exclusive and newly renovated rooftop Aster Bar, set atop the highest floor of InterContinental Sydney, will be completely transformed into a stunning, vibrant oasis of colourful floral and sensory installations, curated in partnership with Claire Luxton.
In Sydney, guests and visitors are invited to enjoy an array of sensory experiences, including spectacular living floral and artwork installations that sweep across the venue and dreamy, whimsical interiors accompanied by expansive Harbour views for a perfect photo moment.
Soft furnishings, including custom-designed pillows to adorn lounge seating, encapsulate Luxton’s signature flora and fauna of birds, butterflies, and botanicals with references to local natives, including Kangaroo Paw. Aster Bar’s Head Mixologist has also designed a limited-edition cocktail, taking inspiration from the colour and vibrancy of Luxton’s artwork. The gin-based cocktail with champagne foam and an edible artwork topper is available only at Aster Bar for a limited time.
A collection of exclusive NFTs will also be on display, a joint first for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Claire Luxton. The NFTs feature artworks created especially for the brand, with motifs such as the Boat Orchid and Kangaroo Paw brought to life as an animation to represent Australia’s InterContinental destinations, from Sanctuary Cove to Hayman Island and beyond.
Each of the NFTs includes:
A rare utility, which is an inclusion that adds value to the NFT beyond the artwork itself
Ownership of an NFT featuring a 1-of-10 custom artwork from Claire Luxton, whose physical works are valued between £3,000-£5,000 per print
InterContinental Ambassador status, which provides exceptional benefits and elevated recognition with Platinum Elite status in the entirely redesigned IHG One Rewards program
A one-night stay at the new InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, opening in 2023
Claire Luxton, a multidisciplinary artist, working with photography, installation, poetry, and painting, said, “the launch at InterContinental Sydney feels especially powerful to me. This is my first time in Australia and Sydney, so launching this collaboration and my immersive work in such an iconic location, overlooking the harbour, is both a privilege and a joy.”
Having first premiered in London in 2021, then Dubai and New York in 2022, the third phase of the successful global partnership will see Luxton’s custom artwork and exclusive NFTs on display at InterContinental Sydney, InterContinental Osaka, and InterContinental Singapore, forming a series of bespoke tailored themed experiences unique to these locations.
The partnership celebrates travel, wanderlust, and time, bringing to life the elegance of the InterContinental brand and its ethos as a pioneer in luxury travel. Furthermore, the NFTs usher in a new era of digital art, reflective of the brand’s commitment to innovate and evolve as new destinations and refurbishment projects create memorable travel experiences for guests around the world.
Dean Jones, Vice President Commercial, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Japan, Australasia & Pacific, said, “of all the incredible chapters in InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ storied history, this has to be one of the most creative and inspired eras of transformation for the brand. Not only have we been able to unveil the physical transformations of icons such as InterContinental Sydney or the reimagined InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, as well as opening new destinations in Mornington Peninsula and Rome – the expansion of our global partnership with Claire Luxton continues to push creative boundaries for our guests, owners, colleagues and visitors. We are hugely excited to expand the partnership with new and cultured installations across the region in collaboration with Claire Luxton, and offer these exclusive experiences for our guests.”
With 207 open InterContinental hotels and more than 90 in the pipeline globally, the brand is inspiring a new chapter of worldly destinations. Recent openings include Australia’s Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and Khao Yai in Thailand, as well as the upcoming openings of InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay in New Caledonia and InterContinental Auckland, New Zealand, and new destinations in Rome, Italy and Bellevue, Washington.
