The Darling in Sydney’s bustling Pyrmont neighborhood pairs upscale living with attentive service, making this boutique hotel popular with those who want a stylish, comfortable stay in the Aussie city.
At 171 rooms, the luxury feels big but not overwhelming — a plus considering the hotel is part of The Star resort, a large complex that houses trendsetting restaurants, shops, bars and cafes.
The stunning marble lobby with soaring ceilings and a black, gray and red palette feels glamorous but not overindulgent. And with a cutting-edge gym and world-class spa, The Darling has a lot more to offer than the typical boutique hotel.
At 171 rooms, the luxury feels big but not overwhelming — a plus considering the hotel is part of The Star resort, a large complex that houses trendsetting restaurants, shops, bars and cafes.
The stunning marble lobby with soaring ceilings and a black, gray and red palette feels glamorous but not overindulgent. And with a cutting-edge gym and world-class spa, The Darling has a lot more to offer than the typical boutique hotel.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The Darling Spa has partnered with luxury skincare brand Babor for ultra-luxe pampering. The large spa holds 11 treatment rooms, two couples suites, a Moroccan hammam, a steam room and a saltwater Jacuzzi.
- The outdoor pool is a private oasis featuring a large sundeck, hot tub and pool bar open in the summer. During the warmer months, you also can receive spa treatments on the pool deck.
- The Darling’s gym is kitted out with the latest fitness technology. You have access to ellipticals, treadmills and bikes, plus a Kinesis wall, all made by Italian wellness company Technogym.
- Connected to the Sydney hotel and within The Star complex are a slew of dining establishments, including a handful of signature fine-dining spots that are worth the trip.
- The five penthouses are ideal for a romantic New Year’s getaway with large tubs looking out over the harbor — a unique way to ring in the holiday with your loved one, champagne in hand.
Things to Know
- The machines in the state-of-the-art gym feature tablets instead of screens with which you can sync Bluetooth devices and take yourself anywhere by selecting one of the programmed views.
- Sydney hosts one of the most impressive firework displays in the world for New Year’s Eve, and at The Darling, you’ll have a front-row seat.
- Rooms can be set up to your needs, wants and desires, each with its own optional private gaming area for high rollers. One of the penthouses also has its own karaoke room.
The Rooms
- From the standard rooms to the five top-floor penthouses, all of The Darling’s accommodations have floor-to-ceiling views, spacious walk-in closets, marble bathrooms with his-and-hers sinks, rain showerheads. Suites feature large spa baths.
- The high-tech control system allows you to tailor the room to your comfort level — from adjusting temperatures to mood lighting.
- The décor is contemporary but not serene with neutral-hued furnishings and subdued pops of purple.
- The suites are worth the splurge. Not only do they have the best views of Sydney and the harbor from the upper floors, they also have private foyers that open to a large living space.
The Restaurants
- Located in the hotel’s lobby, Sokyo is Sydney meets Tokyo. With chef Chase Kojima at the helm of the restaurant serving modern Asian fusion, hotel guests and Sydney elite visit Sokyo for its fresh sushi, sashimi and nigiri.
- The restaurant also hosts the city’s only Japanese fusion breakfast menu. Eggs Benedict come with miso hollandaise and ponzu pearls, pancakes turn green with a delicious matcha twist and the country’s famed “big Aussie breakfast” becomes the “Sumo Breakfast” with Japanese sausage and tempura hash browns.
- Within The Star complex, you’ll find a slew of Australian fine-dining favorites like Black Bar & Grill (a top-notch Australian grill) and The Century (a sleek outpost of Sydney’s perennially popular Chinatown flagship).
- At Ele, noted chefs Federico Zanellato and Karl Firla draw on the elements of fire, water, earth and air for a seasonal progressive menu.
- Enjoy authentic Italian food — including antipasti, pastas and pizzas — and Old World hospitality at Cucina Porto.
Getting There
80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, NSW, 2009
TEL800-800-830
TEL800-800-830
TEL61-2-9777-9000
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
SYD (14-20 min)
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