You can tell from its curving façade rising from the harbourfront that the W Sydney is going to be special inside. After years of watching it get built, I was keen to peer behind its bold exterior, and I wasn’t disappointed. The New York-born W Hotels chain is known around the world for its modern architecture and luxury offerings – but what we learnt during our stay is that, as well as good looks, W Sydney has big personality. In a nod to Australia’s playful, laidback character, the hotel’s design is all centred around “larrikin moments”: charming, unexpected touches to surprise guests. The staff explain to me that W Sydney is an “extroverted non-conformist”, which makes for a fun stay. Each floor has its own story. When you enter the lobby, you realise the signature life-sized ‘W’ statue is covered in little red waratah-like petals – a nice touch, considering the waratah is our state’s floral emblem.
Why stay at W Sydney?
Housed in The Ribbon, a silvery wave-like building that was finally completed in 2023 (the building also contains Sydney’s IMAX cinema), W Sydney is the largest W Hotel in the world, with 588 rooms. Its bold, futuristic aesthetic stands out on the Darling Harbour skyline – equal parts playful sculpture and architectural show-stopper. Inside, interiors by London’s interior design consultancy Bowler James Brindley echo Sydney influences: wave-like curves, nautical hues, bursts of red waratah flora, and feature lights that are both sleek and surprising. It’s the perfect place for a fun, memorable, out-of-the-box stay (there’s nothing beige or cookie-cutter about this hotel).
What are the rooms like at W Sydney?
Our room felt kind of like a chic spaceship: shiny surfaces, unexpected shapes, playful bursts of colour. Walking down the hallway towards our room felt like travelling through the galaxy – dark ceilings twinkling with constellation-like lights. Our room overlooked Darling Harbour and leaned into nautical whimsy – complete with a plush patchwork shark perched on the bed, and a walk-in wardrobe wrapped in waratah wallpaper. There’s a circular bath, another cheeky break from the norm. Another delightful twist: an in-room ‘W Mixbar’ stocked with spirits so you can craft cocktails at home for the night.
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Where to eat and drink at W Sydney
The Living Room
This bar on the hotel’s first floor, near the reception desk, has a futuristic, ‘noir’ vibe, inspired by nearby Asia Town (Chinatown, Thaitown and Koreatown). The Living Room’s speciality is saké – you can order a saké flight for something a little different. And the blue, decorative light shades that descend from the ceiling are inspired by Australia’s bower birds and their nests.
W Sydney’s restaurant is named Btwn because it sits directly between the two motorways on each side of the hotel. It leans into this theme and has some fun with it: with red, motorway-like lighting that lines the ceiling, graffiti-painted columns, and full windows looking out at the cars whizzing by. The Btwn menu has a focus on “hyper-local” produce – delicious fresh food, respectfully prepared. The service staff are also delightful – they seem happy to be working in an exciting, high-energy environment. (And Btwn's buffet breakfast – it’s basically a foodie’s paradise.)
After dinner, we wander next door to the 2am Dessertbar, run by Janice Wong, who was crowned 'Asia’s best pastry chef' by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. During the daytime, the space is dedicated to meeting all your caffeine needs – while at night, you can (and should) indulge in a six-course dessert degustation. It also happens to be the perfect viewing point for Darling Harbour’s Saturday night fireworks.
29/30 Rooftop Bar & Wet Deck
Get high up at Bar 29/30 and the Wet Deck – on levels 29 and 30, obviously. Guests can lay on a day bed to gaze over the infinity pool (which is lined with a mosaic octopus) while enjoying tapas-style dishes and cocktails. An infinity pool already has wow-factor, but when you pair the free-flowing edges with views of the harbour from 29 floors up, it takes that wow up a notch. And don’t miss the two-level 29/30 bar, complete with cabanas, tapas, cocktails and epic views of Darling Harbour.
What’s the service like at W Sydney?
Service here leans into the flamboyant energy of the brand – attentive and bubbly. Staff are from all over the world, and they seem delighted to be part of this fun property. My check-in was smooth, bright smiles all round; and waitstaff at Btwn and 2am were genuinely enthusiastic. Small touches – a cheeky shark pillow there, the changing of welcome mats from morning to evening – are clearly part of the hotel’s personality, and interactions with staff always feel playful yet polished.
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What facilities does W Sydney have?
To amp up the indulgence factor, book into W’s Away Spa on level 2. This is no conventional wellness retreat. There are five treatment “stages”, relaxation pods, beauty-bar sipping zones,, and even “Quick Fix” menu options. The first thing you notice when you walk in are the salmon-coloured relaxation pods – there are some near the spa reception desk (which doubles as a bar where you can order a Champagne before or after treatment – why not?) for manicures, and some in the waiting area simply for relaxing. It’s all very Insta-worthy. Find out more about Away Spa over here.
The Fit Gym is open 24/7 and well-equipped with Technogym machines. Besides the Wet Deck pool, which is partly open to the air outside, there’s also an indoor pool on level 22 – perfect for cooler days or quieter dips.
What’s the area like around W Sydney?
Darling Harbour is popular with tourists – it’s a pretty harbour lined with restaurants, yet you’re also a short walk from the CBD and shops, public transport, and the delicious restaurants of Chinatown.
Both Town Hall and Central Stations are quite a short walk away, but note that if you want to take the fast Metro rail service, you’ll need to go to Central. There are also light rail stops on the way to Central.
Other attractions near the W Sydney hotel are the National Maritime Museum, the Lyric Theatre in Star Casino, Darling Harbour adventure and water playgrounds that are great for kids, Darling Quarter eateries, and, of course, the IMAX cinema in the same building as the hotel.
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Why you should book a stay at W Sydney
W Sydney is not for everyone – not for the traveller who expects traditional glam luxury (chandeliers, crystal vases, antique furnishings, a quietly obedient concierge). It is luxe – but W is also for ‘whimsical’, for ‘welcoming’, ‘worldly’, even ‘wacky’. So if you’re after a fun stay that’s luxe without being precious, irreverent yet considered, and full of sophisticated design blended with Aussie larrikin charm, that’s W Sydney.
Address: 31 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000
Price per night: (Please insert accurate rate—w/e.g., "Prices from A$500 per night")
Closest transport link: Central Station
Book now: Click here
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