Inside the new 588 luxury rooms at Sydney’s W Hotel

Screaming out from the shores of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, this new luxury hotel has a standout feature that only comes out at night.

It’s the beacon that sits between two expressways. Sydney’s newest splash of luxury, nearly four years in the making.

But while the thought of sleeping between two major arteries buzzing around Darling Harbour sounds about as far from luxury as you can get — think again. Because from the moment you step into the glitz and glamour of the largest W Hotel in the world, it all makes sense; especially as the sun goes down.

Home away from home

The moment you walk through the lobby and into the guest rooms at the W Sydney — there’s nothing subtle or reserved about the design.

Loud, glittery and glamorous — the rooms aren’t oversized, but the outlook across the harbour makes up for the cosiness.

The rooms are quirky, and have incredible views across Darling Harbour.

The rooms are loud and quirky.

While small, the outlook across Darling Harbour makes up for it.

But it’s what happens on select nights after dark that really makes the floor to ceiling glass walls sing. Normally on a weekend, the harbour below lights up with fireworks — with guests at the W having a front-row seat to an amazing show around 9pm.

The view from some rooms at the W Sydney on dusk.

The best part of the stay is the front row fireworks show on select nights.

Sitting on the electric blue chaise while sipping a cocktail from the minibar, it’s easy to find yourself gazing down to the crowds below without having to leave the comforts of your room. And with prices tipping more than $700 per night on a weekend (closer to $500 midweek) — you probably wouldn’t want to leave either.

@vbaranowski_ Best staycation 🫶🏽 #sydney #staycation ♬ adore u - Fred again.. & Obongjayar

@adrianwidjy When we booked it was for a Saturday not realising that there are Fireworks at #darlingharbour on Saturdays! Lucky! But yes this is my overall stay at the new #WHotelSydney . I think their price range starts from $699 or $799 but some rooms has city view I booked their Spectacular Room at around $1300 and soon to be $1400 I believe with Darling Harbour View. Pet fee is one off cleaning fee $120 then $30 per night. #whotel #PlacesInSydney #sydneyhotel #accomodation #travel #sydneytodo #australia #new #newlyopened #newinsydney ♬ Golden Hour: Piano Version - Andy Morris

Head to the rooftop

When it’s home to a lush cocktail bar and infinity pool overlooking Darling Harbour, you won’t need much convincing to carve out a long afternoon on the rooftop.

The bar, dubbed 29/30, is the perfect place for a cocktail or two while taking in the sweeping views of Sydney followed by a ‘Wet Deck’ chill and dip in the pool.

The rooftop at the W Hotel is where you want to be.

The drinks don’t come cheap – with most starting around $32 — but the cocktail menu is a great mix of sweet, sour and smokey with a standout being the mezcal based ‘Power + Passion’ followed by the La Gritona Reposado infused ‘Abso-bloody-luttely’.

There’s not many spots to sit, so you’ll want to nab a day bed early.

The pool itself has one of the best views in the house, sorry hotel — but it is a small space, considering there’s 588 rooms within the complex — so if you want to snag one of the day beds you’ll need to get there as the glass doors open.

The cocktails don't come cheap, with most starting around $32.

For something a little more substantial, a long lunch at the hotel’s in-house restaurant BTWN won’t disappoint. The space itself continues the futuristic aesthetic that runs throughout the rest of the hotel, while also featuring aerosol art by Sydney-based artist Sophi Odling.

If there's one dish not to miss, it's the $90 lamb shoulder.

The octopus dish is heaven on a plate.

The menu isn’t cheap, but if there’s a few of you — don’t go past the Yoghurt roasted lamb shoulder with cauliflower. It’ll set you back around $90, but it’s truly a dish to remember.

BTWN is a futuristic dining space with food to match.

For me, however, the standout was easily from the entree menu — a plate of grilled Fremantle Octopus with smoked soy gel, pickled chilli and miso.

If you’re more of a night owl, the restaurant’s conversion into an ‘after dark’ dessert bar is not to be missed.

The dessert degustation at 2AM is the perfect end to a night out – especially when paired with cocktails.

BTWN turns into degustation hangout ‘2AM’, a dessert bar created in collaboration with Singaporean sweet treat guru Janice Wong.

From $98 — or $168 with cocktails — the dessert degustation takes diners through five courses, inspired by Australian elements for each dish.

Sit back and relax

For me, the biggest winner inside the hotel was the day spa. The space itself is futuristic but intimate, with the nail lounges creating a spectacle as soon as you enter the space. Cue Instagram.

Called AWAY, you really do feel away from the hustle and bustle of Darling Harbour as soon as you enter the oasis.

The spa at the W Hotel, dubbed AWAY, has a very futuristic design.

After enjoying a refreshing hibiscus shot and making my way through the lobby into a robe, it’s easy to get caught up in the social space before reaching the treatment rooms.

A standout — the ‘experience shower’ — which is exactly as it sounds. Water jets from all angles — it’s the perfect pre-treatment session before indulging in a massage.

The AWAY spa is an oasis among the chaos of Darling Harbour.

The spa space really leans in to group reservations, with the open space and small bar the perfect spot for a social sesh and champagne to match. So if you’re hoping for a quiet experience, probably best to grab a morning massage slot.

From 60-minute massages to treatments that’ll take you from morning to evening, I found the ‘Reset Massage’ the perfect way to end a weekend stay.

This writer stayed at the W Sydney as a guest of W Hotels