It’s been several years since Marriott International’s famously trendy W Hotels & Resorts brand made its well-received return to Australia. First came the swish W Brisbane in 2018, quickly followed by the impressive W Melbourne in 2021. W Sydney was supposed to come shortly after, however, numerous delays and setbacks pushed the opening date for the Darling Harbour luxury hotel back more than a few times. Now a recent announcement has stated October 2023 – a year from now – as what is being touted as the final and official W Sydney opening date.
Every Sydneysider who has passed through Darling Harbour over the past few years would instantly recognise the fascinating wave-like building that is to be the home of W Sydney. While the original opening for the hotel was set for 2020, the head-turning development, which sits on the site that once was IMAX Sydney, has stood empty for almost three years now.
This month, Marriott International confirmed an October 2023 opening date as the official return of W, following the brand’s absence from the harbour city for over a decade. The original W Sydney was located on the Finger Wharf of Woolloomooloo but in 2007 was rebranded by Taj Hotels & Resorts as the Blue Hotel.
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That property has since become well-recognised for its current occupant, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, although a quick peek through the archives reveals that the original W Sydney wasn’t too far off in terms of the present hotel’s current design (at least as far as the lobby goes).
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Once opened, W Sydney will offer 585 luxury rooms and suites as well as an ambitious two-storey rooftop bar, a signature restaurant and a heated infinity pool obviously looking over a wide angle of Darling Harbour. W’s trademark AWAY Spa concept will also form part of the amenities, as well as expected features such as a fully-stocked gym and event spaces.
W Sydney, a prime spot for anyone needing stone’s throw access to the International Convention Centre and Darling Square, will feature two all-encompassing views for guests. One side of the building faces the sprawl of downtown Sydney and Haymarket while the other faces Darling Harbour, a precinct that is constantly being improved to move it away from the droll tourist trap reputation it once – and arguably still – has.
London-based interior specialist Bowler James Brindley has been tapped to mirror the building’s curvy exterior and shape the hotel’s numerous spaces. Full details are yet to be confirmed but we do know that inspiration has been taken from marine life, so expect tranquil blues in the bathrooms, swirling around deep circular tubs.
W Sydney will occupy 25 floors of the Hassell-designed Ribbon complex, which will also feature a new retail and entertainment precinct as well as the new IMAX Theatre. All up, the complex represents an investment of $1 billion. For years it’s been positioned as a game-changer for Sydney so let’s just hope it’s worth the wait.
