Historic Sydney hotel gets $70m makeover with exciting fifth floor open to public

A historic, luxury hotel in Sydney has had a $70 million makeover and it’s most proud of the fifth floor, which is open to the public.

A historic, luxury hotel in Sydney has had a makeover and you need to know about the fifth floor.

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth was built in 1966 and its halls have been graced by the rich and famous, and even royalty over the years. (Think Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Elton John, Sophia Loren and Bill Gates.)

But the five-star hotel was in need of a fresh 21st century transformation and a $70 million refurbishment was completed in November.

The hotel did not abandon its glamorous past for its modern upgrade.

It really does feel like you are stepping into something new and old at the same time.

That atmosphere is created by combining “nostalgic detailing with modern materiality, soft sculptural forms and a layering of rich materials”.

The suites have separate lounges. Picture: Chantelle Francis / news.com.au

There are 436 hotel rooms in total. Picture: Chantelle Francis / news.com.au

When checking into one of the new rooms last month, I asked general manager Sam Panetta what his favourite part of the refurbishment was. His answer? The fifth floor.

The space now has a “rooftop feel” with an outdoor terrace.

Here you can find Wentworth Bar for al fresco drinking and Vietnamese-French restaurant Delta Rue, both by House Made Hospitality.

The hotel’s general manager Sam Panetta said this was his favourite part of the refurbishment. Picture: Supplied

I’m still thinking about the delicious dinner I had at Delta Rue, and wishing I got to see someone order a $275 party cocktail from the Wentworth Bar menu (it says it serves 12 people and I hear it’s quite extravagant). What I did get to see was the banh mi trolley in action, which drew eyes from across the room as the dish was prepared for its orderer tableside.

In the morning, the restaurant turns into the hotel’s buffet breakfast venue.

Delta Rue is a Vietnamese-French restaurant. Picture: Chantelle Francis / news.com.au

At night, it looks like this, but in the morning the space is a buffet breakfast. Picture: Chantelle Francis / news.com.au

My room on the 16th floor had a cosy and homely feel, rather than that of a sparkly new hotel. This vibe extends to the hallways. The walls, doors and carpets are a deep green and the mood lighting is inspired by the experience of once being guided to your room by candlelight.

The attention to detail is evident in practical features like smart lighting (the lights under the bedside tables detect movement so you can see what you’re doing when you get in and out of bed in the night) and in-room gym accessories (weights, a yoga mat and resistance bands to exercise right there or take to the Botanic Gardens). The hotel does not have its own gym but does have a partnership with the nearby Virgin Active.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana dance in the Wentworth Ballroom in 1983. Picture: Supplied

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also visited the hotel in 1986. Picture: Supplied

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has more than 15 event and conference spaces, including the Wentworth Ballroom, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana danced in 1983 and was the venue for the inaugural ARIA Awards in 1987.

On the ground floor, House Made Hospitality has also opened bar tilda and its restaurant tilda.