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7 Reasons This Darling Harbour Hotel Makes the Ultimate Sydney Escape
Written by Nate Robinson
It’s all in the name: from the city’s hottest restaurants to award-winning service and an unrivalled day spa, here is why you’ll love The Darling, Sydney.
Framed by spectacular views over Pyrmont and Darling Harbour, The Darling invites you to savour the good things in life. The five-star hotel’s Pyrmont address makes it easy to discover the city’s best sights, and having direct access to The Star, Sydney – one of Australia’s biggest entertainment complexes – means you’ll never run out of things to see and do (and eat).
Read on to discover seven reasons why The Darling makes the ultimate Sydney escape.
1. It’s connected to The Star, Sydney (but you’d never know it)
Step into The Darling, Sydney’s grand lobby – sleek marble, dramatic lighting and even carpeting by Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa – and it’s easy to think you’re worlds apart from one of the country’s biggest entertainment complexes. A closer look reveals that The Darling’s sophisticated design cleverly celebrates its position within The Star, Sydney. Find touches of whimsical luxury at every turn, with rooms dressed in splashes of colour, bespoke furniture, digital art pieces and, for guests staying in the Jewel Spa Suite, bathtubs the shape of roulette wheels. Step outside your ‘urban resort’ for a wealth of entertainment, gaming and dining options, including The Star’s luxury retail precinct and the Sydney Lyric Theatre, home to shows like Mamma Mia! and Hamilton.
2. The service is unmatched
In 2024, The Darling’s commitment to top-notch hospitality led to it being one of only three hotels in Sydney to receive Forbes Travel Guide’s coveted ‘Four Star Award’. The service begins before you even arrive, with a savvy pre-arrival concierge available to help you arrange the ultimate Sydney stay – whether that’s a day of golfing, dinner reservations or advice on how best to tackle the city’s sights. It doesn’t stop there: guests arriving early can use the hotel’s spectacular pool or drop their bags and get busy exploring Sydney. You’ll be just a 10-minute walk from Sydney’s bustling CBD and attractions including Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and the city’s Chinatown.
3. The Darling Spa is one of the best in the city
Also recognised by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the world’s best, The Darling Spa is a hidden wonder, with eleven treatment rooms, a Moroccan-style hammam, steam room, sauna and products by German luxury skincare brand Babor and Retreatment Botanics. The treatment menu ranges from couples’ bath rituals to hot stone massages and full-body exfoliations using ingredients like wattle seed, coffee and coconut sugar. A Zen lounge and tearoom offer excellent spaces for relaxation and repose; guests are encouraged to make the most of their spa day by using these spaces (plus the above hammam, sauna facilities and hotel pool) before or after their treatment.
4. Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows mean unbeatable views
The Darling’s masterful command of space extends to its rooms, with wide windows offering sweeping views over The Star complex, Darling Harbour and the Pyrmont skyline. Rooms are designed to frame and enhance this view, with cosy mint-green viewing nooks and plenty of space to stretch out.
5. It’s home to two of Sydney’s top dining venues…
For a taste of Italy in the heart of modern Pyrmont, look no further than Cucina Porto. It’s the perfect place to stop for a summer spritz or a night of pasta and red wine; backed by Chef Martino Pulito, the restaurant brims with old-world charm.
BLACK Bar and Grill plates modern steakhouse favourites: hand-selected cuts of Australian beef are lightly smoked over cherrywood ash before being grilled over a bed of ironbark. A pre-theatre dinner menu backed by the restaurant’s strong selection of rare wines makes for the perfect evening out; return later for a post-show martini, finished with mint and passionfruit.
6. … plus Sokyo, a Japanese restaurant taking omakase to the next level
Artfully balancing Tokyo artistry with Sydney’s taste for the dramatic, The Darling’s onsite Japanese restaurant Sokyo is a must-visit. Its bold, 23-course interpretation of the chef-curated sushi omakase service (literally translated, ‘I leave the details up to you’) is a gastronomic odyssey rarely experienced outside of Japan and restricted to only six guests an evening. The a la carte menu also offers a rollicking good time, with asparagus tempura, Pacific oysters with spicy ponzu dressing and decadent crab sandwiches.
7. The custom-designed outside pool makes for the perfect hang-out spot
Located on the fifth level, The Darling’s impressive pool – heated to a wonderful 26°C year-round – is flanked by couches, cabanas and a laidback bar slinging mojitos, margaritas and champagne. With a light lunch menu catering to every mood (from fresh oysters to ice-cream) plus a nearby hot tub, you’ll never want to leave.
After more inspiration? Check out Cheers! The Best Bars in Sydney.
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Feature image: BLACK Bar & Grill.
