Sydney, New South Wales
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
Sydney's first international luxury new-build in the CBD this century, wrapped in glass above Darling Harbour.
Open · November 2017
Opened in November 2017 on Darling Harbour, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour was the first international luxury hotel built from scratch in the Sydney CBD since 2000. Its 590 rooms, three bars and Atelier restaurant target both ICC Sydney conference traffic and leisure guests drawn to the harbour views.
The essentials
- Group
- Accor (Sofitel)
- Opening
- November 2017
- Rooms & suites
- 590 rooms
- Segment
- Luxury
- Designer
- Richard Francis-Jones (FJMT), with Dreamtime Australia Design and A+ Design Group
- Entry rate
- From A$310
The place
At 12 Darling Drive on the western edge of the CBD, the hotel sits directly on Darling Harbour, steps from the International Convention Centre, Cockle Bay Wharf and the ferry terminals — a business-and-leisure crossover address with water views from most rooms.
The concept
Built by Lend Lease for A$500 million and designed by Richard Francis-Jones of Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp with Dreamtime Australia Design and A+ Design Group, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour was the first international luxury hotel built from the ground up in Sydney's CBD since 2000. It brought Accor's French luxury brand into a market long dominated by British and American operators, aiming its 590 rooms and 35 suites at conference delegates from the neighbouring ICC Sydney as much as at leisure travellers drawn by the harbour outlook.
Dining & wellness
Atelier by Sofitel, the hotel's signature restaurant, has held two Chef Hats in the Australian Good Food Guide. Three bars cover the rest of the day: the Champagne Bar, one of the city's largest rooms dedicated to French fizz, the moody Esprit Noir, and Le Rivage Pool Bar by the rooftop pool. Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour runs seven treatment rooms including couples' suites.
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