We sent writer Joanne Karcz to spend the night at West Hotel Sydney, a Hilton Curio Collection property in the Sydney CBD walking distance to Sydney Opera House and the iconic Darling Harbour and King Street wharf. Let’s see what she thought...
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Opened in 2018, West Hotel is the first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in Australia. With only 182 rooms, the West has a quiet boutique feel.
Where is West Hotel Sydney?
“Go west!”
It’s all in the name, and yet, I’d never heard of West Hotel. Located in Sussex Street, west of Sydney’s CBD, West Hotel is close to Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, making it an ideal base for business and leisure travellers alike. I was in the city for leisure and it was a pleasant 20-minute late night walk from Circular Quay back to the hotel.
To get to West Hotel from Wynyard Station, walk through the Westpac Tunnel towards Barangaroo, cross the pedestrian footbridge over Sussex Street and walk 350m south along Sussex Street.
Self-parking is available over the road at Wilson Parking, 86 Sussex Street.
Checking in and out of the West Hotel
Prior to my visit, I received an invitation to check in online. The catch? I had to join Hilton Honors, the hotel’s rewards program. Instead, I checked-in in person. The staff were friendly and helpful and in no time, I was walking into my comfortable room on the 8th floor.
The 12pm check out time, later than many CBD hotels, is a bonus. Honors members get to check out at 1pm.
The Room
The hotel is modern and the rooms comfortable. Some have city views while others look over the atrium. Those on the upper levels on the west side look across to Darling Harbour.
My King Waratah Premium room has a view over the top of the units opposite with glimpses of Darling Harbour glinting in the sunlight. Looking south, I can see the recently opened Ribbon building, and to the north are the three International Towers that form Barangaroo’s business centre.
Even though cars stream along the road beneath my window, I hear nothing until strong rain pitter patters on the window later in the evening.
Besides the very comfortable king size bed, decked out in fresh white linen, there’s a marble table (which doubles as a desk), a chair and a tub chair with ottoman.
Lighting options include a backlit headboard and individual overhead bedside lamps. The desk lamp has a USB port and there are additional USB ports and power points on either side of the bed.
Accessible Rooms
The hotel has a number of accessible queen bed rooms. They have a “roll in” shower with shower curtain, a wall-mounted shower seat, height adjustable hand-held shower, grab rails and space beneath the basin.
In Room Facilities
The room is well set up with the usual facilities including hair dryer, ironing board and safe. One of the two drawers is taken up by the safe and a laundry bag. The ironing board and iron fill the narrow cupboard. If you need to hang clothes, you can do so on hangers located besides the cupboard and above the built-in luggage rack.
There’s an espresso capsule coffee machine and a selection of T2 teas with capsules of milk. My room has a complimentary mini bar including two soft drinks, two beers and two cans of alcoholic drinks. Other differently priced rooms offer complimentary water and snacks.
The air conditioner is individually operated. Built in Bluetooth speakers enable you to sync your own choice of music or podcast from your device.
Honors members can sign into the hotel WiFi for free. Non-members pay $14.95 for standard WiFi. After a few frustrating minutes and a couple of calls to reception I am now an Honors member!
The Bathroom
The bathroom is a comfortable size with Mr Smith amenities. Bathrobes hang from a hook on the wall.
I appreciate turning on the shower and not having to wait an age for the water to get hot. The hot water flows within seconds.
Room Rates
Rooms are priced according to the facilities in each room, the size of the room and the view. Rates are discounted for Hilton Honors members, and fluctuate according to demand.
Property Amenities
While West doesn’t have a pool or spa, it does have a well-equipped 24 hour gym.
Gym
I take the lift down to level two for a peak. The thud, thud, thud of running feet greets me. A man runs at speed on the treadmill as he looks out onto Darling Harbour. Another man lifts weights. The gym is stocked with spare towels and complimentary bottled water.
Food and Drink
The light filled Solander Bar and Dining Room on the ground floor leads into a little oasis in the form of a green atrium decorated with brightly coloured flowers.
If I had more time, I would sit here at a sunny table with coffee and a book or perhaps meet a colleague for a business meeting.
The restaurant is open for a continental or full breakfast every day, while lunch is offered on weekdays.
The Bar is open for drinks and dinner every day except Sunday. Check the website for opening times.
Room service is available at selected times.
Solander is hosting a Spring Afternoon Tea Party on Saturdays up to and including the 9th December for $65pp. For an additional $20 the 90min tea party can turn tipsy.
Business Meetings and Events
West Hotel offers a Telopea Meeting Room for functions. Catering for 50 people seated theatre style or 20 seated in a U-shape, the room offers state of the art audio/visual capability.
The Solander Bar offers sit down dining for 60 or cocktail functions for 90.
What’s nearby
Darling Harbour, only a short walk away has plenty to offer from many options for harbourside dining to wandering through the Chinese Gardens of Friendship and visiting the Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and the Wildlife Sydney Zoo.
If you’re feeling energetic, take a lovely foreshore walk around the harbour’s edge past the Walsh Bay wharfs to Circular Quay. Don’t feel like walking? Then catch the ferry from Barangaroo.
YCK laneways, a buzzing precinct of small and secret bars are only a short walk away between Wynyard and Town Hall.
One more thing
Something new is coming to West. From January 2024, guests will be able to avail themselves to a library of Dyson Hairstyling products (subject to availability).
Contact details for West Hotel Sydney: 65 Sussex Street. Phone: +61 2 8297 6500
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About the author: After spending years exploring and writing about Sydney’s suburbs and hidden treasures, Sydney-based travel writer, Joanne Karcz now writes about her travels both within Australia and Overseas. She delights in meeting locals and discovering places differently.
The writer was a guest of West Hotel.
