First look: W Sydney opens its doors

The highly anticipated W Sydney opened its doors on 12 October, becoming the third W hotel on Australian soil.

As soon as you step foot inside W Sydney, greeted with a waratah-inspired ‘W’ sign, it’s clear you’re about to be taken on a design-led journey. With ‘the larrikin’ inspiring the interiors designed by London-based Bowler James Brindley, the luxury hotel is bold and unabashed. Such is the W Hotels’ way, of breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands.

Be greeted with a waratah-inspired ‘W’ sign. (Image: Emily Murphy)

The Living Room, a reimagining of the traditional lobby, is dominated by vivid blues and copper and invites you to stay a while, cocktail in hand in the nest-like seating that references the Australian Bowerbird, a larrikin of the bird world.

Vivid blues and copper dominate The Living Room.

The 588 guestrooms, including 162 suites, draw inspiration from the hotel’s harbourside location and nearby beaches, with a nautical white and navy-blue palette. Walk-in wardrobes feature a burst of graphic, inflorescent red and pink waratah flowers.

There are 588 guestrooms at W Sydney.

W Sydney has already secured itself as a destination hotel this summer, offering views over Darling Harbour that have never been seen before. A highlight being the WET Deck on level 29 boasting a 30-metre infinity pool and accompanying bar 29/30 that evokes an underwater world with coral-inspired lighting. During the evening, the pool area transforms into an extension of the bar – the perfect spot to enjoy cocktails and tapas.

The WET Deck is the place to be this summer. (Image: Emily Murphy)

BTWN is the main restaurant, fronted by head chef Chris Dodd who has created a menu that features at least 80 per cent NSW produce, and at night it brings 2AM: dessertbar by Janice Wong to life. And while BTWN got its name literally from being ‘between’ two expressways, 2AM: dessertbar isn’t actually open until 2am, closing at 10pm each night.

29/30 Bar evokes an underwater world with coral-inspired lighting. (Image: Emily Murphy)

“W Sydney reimagines luxury for a new era, creating a vibrant new scene for Sydneysiders and visitors to the city,” says W Sydney general manager Craig Seaward.

“It’s a complete departure from the city’s traditional hotels and this unique W spirit is something you feel at every touchpoint, from our eclectic venues to the cool blue rooms and high-energy programming. I can’t think of a better location for our new W hotel than Sydney’s amazing harbour. We can’t wait to welcome guests again and again.”

Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, W Sydney is now the third W hotel in Australia, after W Brisbane (opened 2018) and W Melbourne (opened 2021).

Embrace your originality this summer and book a stay at W Sydney.

W Sydney is now the third W hotel in Australia.