The first thing that would surprise guests arriving at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel after a 58-year absence would be the check-in procedure.

In 1966, when this was Australia’s first five-star hotel, those guests would have been ushered through the grand entrance lobby to a desk and a clerk with a real key. In 2024, they have the option of two customer-service desks – very nice if they’re not already occupied – or six large computer monitors.