W Hotels has opened W Sydney. Located in a dramatic curved structure rising over the Darling harbour waterfront, media reports say the 588-guestroom property is the biggest in the stylish hotel chain's portfolio. W Hotels is part of Marriott.
"W Sydney marks our W Hotels brand's triumphant return to Sydney... following our recent debuts in Melbourne and Brisbane," said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of W Hotels. "W Sydney will cultivate a new cultural and social hub in the vibrant Darling Harbour precinct."
A Beacon of Bold Design
The unconventional interior design for W Sydney was inspired by the city's history, spirit, and lore; from the marine-inspired rooms and suites to distinctive restaurant and bars. At the heart of the hotel's design story is 'the larrikin.'
From the moment guests step past the W sign, inspired by the Australian flower Waratah, they are on a design-led journey. The copper-clad entry pays homage to subterranean Sydney and its disused railway tunnels, and an illuminated vertical promenade sweeps guests up into Living Room, a vivid blue space that reinvents the conventions of a traditional lobby by turning it into a social hub.
Embracing a 'Future Noir' theme, Living Room is punctuated by an electric blue circular bar and nest-like seating that reference the Australian Bowerbird, a larrikin of the bird world.
Guestrooms and suites draw inspiration from the hotel's harbourside location and nearby beaches, exuding marine-chic in their nautical white and navy-blue palette and undulating walls that echo the sails of yachts in the marina below. Bathrooms are rendered in deep oceanic blue and walk-in wardrobes feature a burst of graphic, inflorescent red and pink Waratah flowers for a playful touch.
Cuisine Scene
W Sydney introduces new dining and bar venues across three levels:
- BTWN embraces its unique setting adjacent to the flyover, drawing on its urban surroundings and weaving the iconography of night food markets into its spaces; and its
- 2AM: dessertbar is a late-night hotspot created in collaboration with Singaporean dessert guru Janice Wong;
- Living Room's menus embrace the hotel's location on the edge of Asiatown with a focus on Sake and Soju, as well as Asian small bites;
- 29/30 is a two-level bar with uninterrupted harbour views, and the
- WET Deck (pool) level bar evokes an underwater world with coral-inspired lighting and is a great spot for casual tapas and cocktails; and
- Level 30 above offers elevated cocktails, a menu of vintage Champagnes by the glass, and the above-sea-level décor of a superyacht.
Up and Away
AWAY Spa is an oasis of concrete calm designed to leave guests feeling rested and recharged in an idiosyncratic but nevertheless deeply restorative space. The five treatment rooms and connecting spaces are gently enclosed by the meditative, geometric art of Bradley Eastman (aka Beastman). In addition to unique circular pods for beauty treatments, the spa features a bar for those who like to socialize while they decompress.
The hotel's FIT Gym is complete with Technogym equipment, whereas WET Deck is a place to chill poolside with stellar views of Darling Harbour. The 30-metre open-air infinity pool showcases a giant jellyfish motif crafted from vivid glass mosaic tiles.
Business is Pleasure
Located just steps from Sydney's International Convention Centre, the hotel features 1300-square-meters of event space across eight versatile rooms. Set on level five, W Sydney's 592-square-meter pillarless Great Room features floor-to-ceiling windows that afford views of the city.
More information is available at wsydney.com.
