Darling Harbour Sydney, Australia
Opened
2023
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness SocialOutside the door
The house
MarriottFuturistic harbourfront hangout
An illuminated promenade sweeps guests into an electric-blue lobby lounge, leading up to a bustling multi-level harbourfront rooftop scene.
“Inside, geometric lights, metallic surfaces, and bright pops of color make it feel like a high-shine hive of activity...”
What it’s good at
Notable
Bowler James Brindley interiors bring marine stripes, giant wave murals, and custom waratah wallpapers to curved rooms.
Notable
A 30-metre heated rooftop infinity pool pairs with a separate indoor lap pool and five-room spa.
Notable
Open-door venues span an electric-blue lobby lounge to a two-level rooftop bar hosting weekend DJ sessions.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
The interiors are colorful even by W standards, and this hotel succeeds where others fail at capturing the brand’s sense of retro-tinged futurism.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set directly along Darling Harbour, the waterfront promenade puts you within walking distance of Chinatown dining and the central business district.
The rooms
Curved walls frame harbour views, accented by cobalt marine palettes, metallic minibar cabinets, and walk-in wardrobes lined in native waratah wallpaper.
The indoor pool
Bring a swimsuit.
On Level 22, the heated 15-metre indoor lap pool is lined with private cabanas facing a waratah mosaic mural.
The spa
Timber-clad treatment suites sit alongside terracotta relaxation pods, with cryo ice-roller therapies, LED facials, and deep soaking tubs.
The gym
The 24-hour fitness studio packs Technogym cardio machines and functional strength equipment against views of the urban skyline.
Dogs stay too.
Restaurant
BTWN
Chef Chris Dodd cooks modern Australian dishes in a dining room lined with graffiti-painted concrete columns and neon ribbons.
At the table
Evenings bring sake flights in the circular lobby lounge and cocktails beside the harbour from the two-storey rooftop bar.
How it began
Designed by architecture firm Hassell, the undulating glass-and-steel Ribbon structure opened on Darling Harbour in 2023.
Good to know
Stay here
W Sydney
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
Or book with
Booking.com ExpediaWe may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com or Expedia. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Sydney
More like this
Paramount House Hotel
“Cinematic warehouse workshop”
Ace Hotel Sydney
“Surry Hills creative bolthole”
QT Sydney
“Theatrical heritage spectacle”
The Old Clare
“Converted brewery showcase”
Establishment Hotel
“Heritage nightlife den”
InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach Hotel
“Breezy coastal haven”
The Eve Hotel Sydney
“Biophilic laneway oasis”
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
“Harbourfront beachside stalwart”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.