The Darling, Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia - Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"How did it strike you on arrival? A luxurious, contemporary hotel, The Darling in Pyrmont turns heads with its lavish lobby, decorated with sculptural lighting and vibrant floral rugs by Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa. Nice. What’s the crowd like? High-rollers, corporate high-flyers and foodies head for The Darling, which is part of The Star casino, dining, shopping and nightlife complex near tourist-thronged Darling Harbour and the International Convention Centre Sydney. The good stuff: Tell us about your room. Choose between 171 sleek, opulent modern rooms and suites, starting from a generous 34 square metres. Pyrmont-view Darling Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, bespoke furniture, desks and bold wall art with nature motifs. Jewel, Adored and Stellar Suites offer separate bedrooms and living areas, with walk-in wardrobes and superior city views. Penthouses woo guests with high ceilings, two bedrooms, a living area, dining table and kitchen (one even has a karaoke room). We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us? A pillow menu, Egyptian cotton sheets and 1,000-spring king or double beds feature in rooms. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down. Separated from bedrooms by a partial wall of double basins, marble bathing areas in Darling Rooms feature a rain shower with products from London’s Molton Brown. Suites team showers with deep baths (you can spy the Sydney Harbour Bridge from your Adored Suite tub). Select Stellar Suites and Penthouses have baths with spa jets. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word? Wi-Fi is free throughout. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why? Consult clued-in concierges at the 24-hour reception. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you. Top-class restaurants beckon within The Star complex. San Francisco-born Chase Kojima’s Sokyo, off The Darling's lobby, offers an edgy spin on Japanese food with great breakfasts (also check out his casual rice burger joint Gojima). Momofuku Seiobo is the innovative Sydney outpost of US chef David Chang’s award-winning food empire. You can also dine at modern Italian Balla, steakhouse Black Bar & Grill and The Century for authentic Cantonese. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay? A pampering highlight, The Darling Spa has 11 treatments rooms, two couple’s suites, a hammam, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi and fitness centre. The fifth-floor 25-metre heated outdoor pool is also a wow. Rev up afterwards at nightclub Marquee. Bottom line: worth it, and why? The hotel aims to seduce guests with luxury and flair, flanked by a casino, designer stores, bars and a theatre within The Star complex." - Sophie Davies