You’ve heard of candlelight concerts – now hotel brand Sofitel has taken that concept and turned it into a something you can experience all for yourself, in the privacy of your own hotel room. And it’s got “special occasion with a loved one” written all over it – especially at this festive time of year. I tried this experience with my husband at the grand Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, and you can also book it at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour as well as Sofitel Queenstown.
The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is already a very special hotel (check out our five-star review, here). When its doors opened back in 1966, it was Sydney’s very first five-star hotel – then, in 2024, it underwent a huge $77-million makeover to get its glam in line with modern-day sensibilities. It now has a “modern heritage” design; high-end furnishings; Balmain toiletries; and excellent venues including lobby bar and restaurant Tilda, Vietnamese-French diner Delta Rue, and terrace hangout Wentworth Bar.
The Sofitel is a French hotel chain, so you get five-star service with a French slant (you’ll be greeted with “bonjour” and “bonsoir”) – and this is where the idea of The Candle Experience stemmed from. Paris is the City of Light, and now you can book a room of light. Add The Candle Experience to this already-special stay, and it’s pretty much the most festively fabulous thing you can do this month. I was also surprised at what good value it is.
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When my husband and I enter our suite, there’s a warm glow that engulfs the room, and hundreds of candles dotted around the living room – on the floor, on the tabletops, and also framing some treats (including a bottle of French Champagne and chocolates). In case you’re wondering, yes, they are LED candles. I don’t think the hotel’s insurance company would have it any other way.
As I walk from the living area into the bedroom, I see the bed is also surrounded by candles, as is the bathroom and its bath.
It’s not just the candles and treats – a serene, Parisian-vibe soundtrack plays through the suite; the music is playing through a Devialet speaker – and I can smell Sofitel’s signature scent (a calming blend of a blend of bergamot, white rose and sandalwood). The room is a magical sanctuary of light, sound and smell.
We pop the bottle of Champagne and, after a particularly silly start to the silly season, my husband and I finally get a chance to sit together, be still, be in the moment and connect without outside distractions.
In case you’re wondering (I did before I got there), you can control the candles. You don’t need to sleep in the glow of candlelight. Whenever you’re ready, you can switch each group of candles off – and back on – with the click of a button on a remote. You also control the music. Although there are Sofitel playlists connected to the speaker, you can switch off the music, or play your own tunes through the bluetooth, whenever you want.
You can head out to eat whenever you want, or order room service to the comfort of your candlelit room. You can turn on the big-screen TV – for us, watching the cricket surrounded by a twinkling glow was fun. You can even work out surrounded by candlelight – if you open the wardrobe, there’s a yoga mat and some weights ready to go.
The Candle Experience is an add-on you can make at the time of booking your room. Like I said, I was surprised about how affordable it is; at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, the add-on is just $199 – for that you get the candle et al, a bottle of Champagne, a small box of Christmas-themed chocolates, and a Sofitel candle to take home. You’d pay up to $200 for a bottle of French Champagne in many venues, so not bad, hey?! The catch? There’s only one Candle Experience available to book per hotel per night. So if you’re interested, book now.
Each of the participating Sofitel hotels executes The Candle Experience in their own way – at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, the add-on costs $250 and you get chocolate-coated strawberries. In Queenstown, you’ll pay $250 NZD, but you’ll also get “gourmet bite pairings”.
The Candle Experience is available from now – and at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth you can book it until early March. Head over here for more info.
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