SOFITEL SYDNEY DARLING HARBOUR - Hotel Review with Photos

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Updated: January 11, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Darling Dr, Darling Harbour.
• Hotel website: sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au
• Hotel phone: +61 (0)2 8388 8888
• Check prices for Sofitel Darling Harbour

Review of Sofitel Darling Harbour Hotel.

The opulent Sofitel Darling Harbour hotel features luxurious rooms, a magnificent infinity pool, and magnificent views right by the water.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – Sublime views, perfect setting, and oh-so convenient.

This sparkling new skyscraper dwarfs everything else in the inner-city Darling Harbour precinct of malls, cafés, and shops. Suitably named, the Luxury Rooms with Darling Harbour View feature a modern décor but surprisingly understated furnishings. On a corner and offering twice the views, the Prestige Suites come with inspirational glass-top desks and separate living/dining areas. With no other high-rises nearby, views from the extensive full-length windows in all rooms are jaw-dropping. And adding to the sophisticated appeal is the open-air infinity pool that seems to blend into the horizon. Families are encouraged with adjoining rooms, while an extra single bed can be included without feeling cramped. The views of the harbor or of the city and distant mountains are memorable. And the location – smack in the middle of Darling Harbour – is perfect.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – The Location

Area: In the center of Darling Harbour.
Address: 12 Darling Dr.
Nearest Transport: Bus – Harris St at Pyrmont Bridge Rd (1 km), Tram – Convention Centre (50m), Ferry – Darling Harbor, Convention Jetty (150m).
Handy to: Darling Harbour, Tumbalong Park.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – The Basics

Guests: Primarily for business people, especially for the nearby convention center, although also ideal for couples and families.
Pets: Not allowed.
Views: Superb views from every room, even those not directly facing Darling Harbour.
Parking: Valet parking at A$79 per day.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +61 (0)2 8388 8888
Email: H9729@sofitel.com
Website: sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au

Sofitel Darling Harbour – Amenities

Pool: Rooftop and infinity-edged, it’s one of the very best in Sydney.
Fitness Center: 24-hour access to the So Fit Gym, which also boasts awesome views.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: None.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – Food and Drink

Restaurant: Atelier by Sofitel has a French influence that is evident in its meat and seafood dishes, and the choice of desserts and wines is extensive.
Lounge/Bars: The Champagne Bar is romantic, but views are limited (check prices before ordering any champagne). • Espirit Noir on the ground floor is a lively meeting place with plush leather sofas. • Le Rivage Pool Bar is alongside the heavenly infinity pool. Offers cocktails, unparalleled views, and light meals.
Breakfast: Some rates may include breakfast, but most don’t.
Room Service: Available 24 hours.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – Rooms

Room Types: Superior Room • Superior Room with Darling Harbour View • Luxury Room • Luxury Room with Darling Harbour View • Club Millesime Superior Room • Club Millesime Luxury Room • Club Millesime Junior Suite • Club Millesime Prestige Suite • Club Millesime Bellerive Suite • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: By Australian law, smoking is forbidden within hotel buildings.
Best Room: On the top floor, the Club Millesime Bellerive Suite offers huge floor-to-ceiling windows and French influences in the décor, especially in the separate living/dining room.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

Hard Rock Café – One of the renowned chains for burgers, views, and musical memorabilia.
Cyren Bar Grill Seafood – Harbor-side views, seafood, and barbecued ribs.
Olivo Restaurant – Upmarket Italian, also specializing in oysters and cocktails.
The Watershed Hotel – Trendy, popular, and open late, with views and live music.

Local Transportation

Darling Harbour has limited links to the city center by light-rail. Otherwise, walk across the footbridge to one of several train stations in downtown.

Sofitel Darling Harbour – The Hotel

Sofitel's imposing presence at Darling Harbour

The Sofitel dominates Darling Harbour, a very popular base within the city centre.

Amazing presence of Sofitel at Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is home to two shopping malls, a convention centre and marina for yachts.

Sofitel's sole highrise in Darling Harbour

Surprisingly, the Sofitel is the only high-rise in the immediate area, so amazing views are guaranteed from all rooms.

About 200m up (north) from the hotel, the Pyrmont Bridge is a footbridge that links Darling Harbour with the city centre.

The Champagne Bar is a romantic place for a drink.

Champage Bar is located on a lower floor

The Champagne Bar is a lively yet romantic place to meet, but views are limited because it’s on a lower floor.

Unimpressive views from The Champage Bar

Views from the Champagne Bar are not as impressive because it’s on a lower floor.

Some rooms offer access to the club lounge, with perhaps the finest views.

The pool has infinity-edges that seem to merge into the horizon.

Amazing views from most rooms in Sofitel

The Sofitel is so high that astounding views are guaranteed from all rooms.

Views from the rooms are spectacular in all directions.

Views get better on higher floors of Sofitel

The higher the floor the more breath-taking the views.

Understated furnishing of spacious Luxury Rooms

The Luxury Rooms are spacious and furnished in an understated way.

Unremarkable furnishing of most rooms at Sofitel

The decor and furnishings of most rooms are surprisingly unremarkable, but it’s all about the location and views.

The suites on the highest floors offer the most amazing views.

Jaw-dropping views from Sofitel suite bathrooms

Even the views from the bath are jaw-dropping from the suites on the highest floors.

All rooms feature an elegant bathroom.

The path that runs along this (western) side of the harbour is lined with cafés and bars.

Almost at the hotel entrance, The Hard Rock Café is one of an abundance of places in Darling Harbour to shop, eat and drink.

Several cafes and bars along the harbour

Within 100m in both directions along the harbour are numerous cafés and bars.

Cafes and bars at Darling Harbour are affordable

With so many places to eat and drink around Darling Harbour prices are pleasingly competitive.

Barely 100m from the hotel, Harbourside is a multi-level mall with plenty of places to shop, eat and drink.

On the other (eastern) side of Darling Harbour, the Cockle Bay Wharf area offers even more places to spend money. Check rates and availability: Sofitel Darling Harbour

Sofitel Darling Harbour Hotel in Sydney, Australia

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