Sydney’s Darling Harbour has long played host to the city’s more theatrical gestures – fireworks on weekends, water taxis, and crowds that ebb and flow between Barangaroo and the ICC. And now, it’s home to the W Sydney hotel.
From the outside, the hotel is impossible to miss – a blue ribbon of glass and steel, curved like a wave against the skyline. It’s playful, futuristic, and already one of the most talked-about hotels in the city. Inside, the theatrics continue in a way that feels considered, contemporary, and distinctly Sydney.
This is a hotel with a pulse. The lobby (or “Living Room,” as W brands it) sets the tone. Think neon-lit nooks, bold art pieces, and a soundtrack that might make you hang around longer than planned. But energy alone doesn’t carry a property, and W Sydney – while exuberant – takes the details very seriously.
Inside W Sydney’s Guestrooms
Guestrooms feel like capsules from a marine dreamscape. Think deep blues, circular motifs, and design nods to the harbour just beyond the glass. Even standard rooms are fitted with oversized soaking tubs, Davines amenities, and 55-inch TVs, while suites – particularly the aptly named Extreme Wow Suite – offer expansive views and lounge-like living spaces. The minibar, or “Mixbar,” is stocked for in-room cocktail creation, a reminder that here, staying in can be just as social as going out.
And for those looking to unwind, the AWAY Spa on Level Two offers a different kind of energy – calm and serene. Only, this isn’t your standard wellness space. Neutral tones with graphic pops, social manicure and pedicure stations, and a small bar serving light bites and post-treatment drinks. It’s spa culture, but with a lot of personality. There are five treatment rooms, including a suite for couples, as well as a sauna, steam room, and relaxation zone.
Fitness enthusiasts have access to the FIT gym, open 24 hours and stocked with Technogym equipment. And for those who prefer their wellness with a view, two pools beckon. The WET Pool on Level 22 is an indoor, light-soaked retreat, while the WET Deck on Level 29 is a rooftop oasis complete with cocktails, skyline views, and a scene that begins at golden hour and lingers into the night.
Dining at BTWN
Much of the hotel’s social orbit revolves around BTWN, its signature restaurant perched on Level Three. Under the direction of newly appointed Head Chef Matt Bentley, the restaurant has undergone a quiet transformation. Bentley, who has spent his career in Michelin-starred kitchens across the UK and Europe, brings a sharp eye for balance to BTWN’s new autumn menu.
There are reimagined comfort dishes like Red Leicester and cider scones, slathered with a rarebit. There’s a roasted yellow belly flounder, flanked by a warm tartare sauce and Sydney cockles. And the Gooralie Farm Berkshire pork cutlet is grilled to perfection and finished with a classic sauce Charcutière. The wine list is local, and dessert is handled by none other than Janice Wong, the celebrated Singaporean pastry chef renowned for her sculptural sweets.
You could come here for a quiet solo retreat and never feel out of place, or host a weekend-long celebration that spills from pool to rooftop.
Located steps from the city’s vibrant Darling Quarter and Barangaroo precincts, the hotel is well-positioned for exploring. But many guests, once checked in, find themselves staying put. The design alone is a journey. Corridors curve and twist and light fixtures nod to surf culture.
The verdict? It’s a hotel that’s not only worth writing home about, but one that makes you want to stay up a little later, swim a little longer, and ultimately, come back for seconds.
To book, go to w-hotels.marriott.com
