“In prime position overlooking Darling Harbour, this luxurious hotel is as startling inside as out, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a mix of gritty urban and sleek nautical design features, a rooftop pool and a dessert bar amongst its food offerings.”
“In prime position overlooking Darling Harbour, this luxurious hotel is as startling inside as out, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a mix of gritty urban and sleek nautical design features, a rooftop pool and a dessert bar amongst its food offerings.”
Hotel Review
To some it suggests a wave, to others the snaking of a rope when shaken (locals nickname it ‘the ribbon’) while to others it resembles an old-fashioned roller-coaster. Whichever, W Hotel Sydney embodies the W Hotel group's philosophy of being bold and disruptive. Its glassy facades, cleverly sandwiched between freeways, overlook Darling Harbour on one side and the Central Business District on the other. With 30 floors and 588 rooms, it's the group's largest hotel to date.
From the moment you step inside and choose either the blue neon-lit staircase or glittery rose-gold-walled escalator up to the airy lobby-cum-lounge, there's a sense of stylish fun. In the lounge, you'll find a mirrored ceiling and vast blue frond lampshades and a bar that segues from daytime coffee and drinks to evening Asian tapas and sake. The main restaurant, BTWN - abbreviation for ‘between’; the hotel literally sits between two freeways - choose a window table to watch the traffic speed noiselessly by a matter of feet away. The huge space incorporates a gritty urban theme into its decor with graffitied concrete pillars and industrial chic lighting. Hit the 29th floor cocktail bar - which sits beside a breathtaking infinity pool open to the skies - and discover a cool take on all things underwater with sea-blue- and coral-inspired shapes and colours.
Bedrooms are sleek in nautical shades with hints of glamours yachting days in the chrome light fittings and art deco-style bar-cum-dressing table. Deeply blue bathrooms, though sexy, may be too dark for some.
Come evening, it's up to the top floor bar for cocktails in the cabanas around the pool then down to dinner, a choice of small and large plates, strong on local provenance and big on flavour.. Leave room for the dessert bar with its own separate menu. But probably the best meal is breakfast, a series of buffet stations serving up dishes from waffles to banana bread, smoked salmon to noodles, Bircher muesli to eggs how you want. Get up early to make the most of it.
Written by Helen Pickles
Recommended For
- Groups
- Brilliant for groups of friends, who will love the buzzy bar and restaurant spaces, plus indoor pool & welness centre
- Close to nightlife
- Expect a lively nightlife scene in Darling Harbour, with chic bars, restaurants and cafes overlooking the water
- City Style
- A fabulously stylish city hotel with a lively atmosphere and design-led interiors overlooking Darling Harbour
- Sailing
- Charter a boat and sail around Sydney Harbour at sunset
- Other Activities
- Take the whole family to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium to delve into the underwater marine world
- Sights nearby
- Opera House, Harbour Bridge climb, Maritime Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens
- Golf
- Play a round of golf at the Moore Park Golf Course
- Learning
- Local markets
- Short break
- Museums
- Great walks
- Cycling
- Families
- Spa breaks
- Designer Shopping
- Spa
- An wellness oasis with Detox, Renew, Rewind and Refresh treatments
- Restaurant
- BTWN ultra local plus a Dessert bar
- Views
- Over Darling Harbour
- Roof terrace
- Family Suites
- Lively
- Designer
- Full of character
- Good wine list
- House party feel
- 5* Luxury
- Landmark
- Chic
- Gym
- Pet friendly
- Quirky
- Child friendly
- Disabled access
- Wellbeing
- Contemporary
- Luxury
- Downtown
Facilities
- Spa
- An wellness oasis with Detox, Renew, Rewind and Refresh treatments
- Restaurant
- BTWN ultra local plus a Dessert bar
- Swimming Pool
- 30-metre open-air infinity pool
- Views
- Over Darling Harbour
- Airport transfer
- Meeting Room
- Walking distance restaurants
- Outdoor dining
- Car not required
- Roof terrace
- Bar
- Family Suites
- Shops
- Bath robes
- Cots available
- Massage
- Lift
- Good wine list
- Laundry
- Air conditioning
- Gym
- Pet friendly
- Child friendly
- Sitting Room
- Safe
- 24 Hour room service
- Disabled access
- Suites
- Satellite / Cable TV
- Wifi
- Business Centre
Activities
- Close to nightlife
- Expect a lively nightlife scene in Darling Harbour, with chic bars, restaurants and cafes overlooking the water
- Sailing
- Charter a boat and sail around Sydney Harbour at sunset
- Other Activities
- Take the whole family to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium to delve into the underwater marine world
- Sights nearby
- Opera House, Harbour Bridge climb, Maritime Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens
- Golf
- Play a round of golf at the Moore Park Golf Course
- Learning
- Local markets
- Museums
- Theatre
- Great walks
- Cycling
- Designer Shopping
Map & Location
