Musical Elevators at QT Sydney

Set within two heritage-listed buildings - the former Gowings department store and the State Theatre - there are many quirks and nuances across the 200 rooms and common areas of the QT Sydney.

Among the more unusual are the hotel’s musical elevators. Known as ‘interactive installations’, the elevators at this new hotel are equal parts impromptu art, party and ice-breaker.

On entering one of the hotel’s five elevators, a piece of custom built software kicks-in, sensing how many people are occupying the space. The software selects songs from set-lists, corresponding to the number of passengers, time of day and proposed mood.

Going for a solo ride? QT’s theme song fades out as the one-person playlist takes over with tracks like Are you Lonesome Tonight by Elvis or Eric Carmen’s All by Myself.

Upon a second guest’s arrival, the sensors will randomly automate from the two-person playlist with songs like Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers and the James Taylor classic You’ve Got a Friend.

When the count reaches four people the songs become more playful with favourites like MC Hammer’s U Can’t Touch This and Groove is in the Heart by Deee-Lite.

Upwards of five, the playlist shifts from the up-tempo lounge music by day to decidedly party songs at night.

Each of the five curated playlists feature eight to ten songs, all selected to suit the hotel’s whimsical attitude.

QT Sydney is a member of Design Hotels. Official rates start from A$420.