W Hotels has announced the opening of W Sydney, showcasing architecture by Hassell and interiors by Bowler James Brindley.
Located in a dramatic curved structure that rises over Darling Harbour, W Sydney’s design nods to the city’s history, with the strong spirit of ‘the larrikin’, a quintessentially Australian character, informing the hotel’s unconventional interiors.
The brand’s signature W sign at the new opening has been inspired by the Australian Waratah flower, and leads into a copper-clad entry that pays homage to subterranean Sydney and its disused railway tunnels. Upon entry, an illuminated vertical promenade sweeps guests up into Living Room, a vivid blue space that sees the traditional lobby turned into a social hub. Embracing a ‘Future Noir’ theme, Living Room is punctuated by an electric blue circular bar and nest-like seating that references the Australian Bowerbird, a larrikin of the bird world.
W Sydney’s 588 guestrooms, including 162 suites, draw inspiration from the hotel’s harbourside location and nearby beaches, alluding to the marine through a nautical white and navy blue palette, alongside undulating walls that echo the sails of yachts in the marina. Bathrooms take on a deep oceanic blue tone, while walk-in wardrobes are brought to life with a burst of graphic, inflorescent red and pink Waratah flowers.
“W Sydney marks our W Hotels brand’s triumphant return to Sydney, a long-awaited addition to our robust portfolio in Australia, 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. It is the perfect canvas for a non-conformist approach to the luxury hospitality landscape with W’s bold and energetic ‘Whatever/Whenever’ service ethos, dynamic design and immersive programming as we celebrate Sydney through a new lens.”
The hotel introduces multiple new dining and drinking venues to the city, spread 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. Accompanying BTWN is 2AM: dessertbar, a late-night hotspot created in collaboration with Singaporean dessert guru Janice Wong. At Living Room, menus embrace the hotel’s location on the edge of Asiatown, while an array of drinks and wide-spanning views are on offer at two-level bar 29/30. A beacon at the apex of Darling Harbour, Level 30 takes things up a notch with a cocktail and champagne menu, served up to a backdrop that channels the décor of a superyacht.
Away Spa comprises five treatment rooms and connecting spaces, gently enclosed by geometric art by Bradley Eastman. In addition to circular pods for beauty treatments, the spa features a bar for those who like to socialize while they decompress. The hotel is also equipped with a gym and pool area, where a 30-metre open-air infinity pool showcases a large jellyfish motif crafted from vivid glass mosaic tiles. W Sydney also offers 1300m² of event space across eight versatile rooms, including the 592m² pillarless Great Room.
