A first glimpse inside W Sydney

After lengthy delays, W Hotels has confirmed an opening date for its Darling Harbour property, the brand’s largest hotel in the world.

W Sydney's distinct curved silhouette.

Its curved, glass-clad exterior has been tantalising visitors to Sydney’s waterfront precinct of Darling Harbour for years — and now, W Hotels has finally set an opening date for its highly anticipated NSW property. 

W Sydney, the brand’s largest hotel in the world, is set to welcome guests in October 2023. It marks the hotel group’s reentry to the Emerald City after the Woolloomooloo venue was rebranded in 2005.

“There have been delays, but trust me, it will be worth the wait,” says General Manager Craig Seaward. The hotel was originally planned to open in 2020 as part of The Ribbon, a 30-storey entertainment complex, but came to an abrupt halt when construction giant Probuild went into administration. Now, the $1 billion development is back on track and is expected to transform the harbourside area.

"It’s as much for locals as it is for tourists, and that is very much aligned with the change that we are seeing in Darling Harbour," says Seaward. "Once a tourist enclave, it now has restaurants, experiences and facilities that appeal to Australians and Sydneysiders. W Sydney will take that to the next level; we see it as the halo of the harbour."

Award-winning firm Bowler James Brindley designed the interior.

The initial renders of the interior reveal sleek, curved details that echo the exterior and a soothing blue-gray colour palette inspired by the waterfront location. It is crafted by Bowler James Brindley, the London-based interior design firm responsible for the fit out of W Barcelona. No two rooms or suites are alike — which is no small feat given there will be 585 in total.

There will also be an infinity pool and “wet deck,” an Away spa and 925 square metres of event space including a grand ballroom. A two-storey rooftop bar will literally top it off and open the venue up to the surrounding city. After all, the W isn’t a place to hide from Sydney, but to be immersed in its energy.

A render of a bathroom, which features steel blue tiles, a round tub and a rainfall shower.

W Sydney follows on the heels of W Brisbane which opened in 2018 and W Melbourne, which was unveiled in December 2021.

Beyond its growing presence in Australia, the Marriott International-owned group also opened its first Grecian outpost in Costa Navarino on August 9, while the W Edinburgh is slated to open in late 2022.