West Hotel Sydney Review: Curio Collection by Hilton
I checked into West Hotel Sydney Curio Collection by Hilton for a short stay to see how it compares as a central Sydney base. This boutique property sits between Barangaroo and Wynyard with easy access to both.
Here’s what you need to know before booking: this is a smart, central base that works particularly well for couples and business travellers who appreciate design and convenience. Our room on level 7 was quiet, no street noise on a Friday night, no corridor chatter. We slept well thanks to an exceptionally comfortable bed. Rooms are compact with limited storage (no wardrobe) so it may not be the best choice for a longer stay.
Location
West Hotel’s position on Sussex Street is close to Sydney’s transport web. It’s a mostly flat four-minute walk to Wynyard Station, with escalators and lifts available, so you don’t need to drag luggage up the hill on Erskine St. From there, you have direct trains to the airport and Circular Quay, ferries to Manly and buses to many parts of the city.
Like the Pullman Hyde Park and Four Points Sheraton, transport connections are excellent. Having reviewed Sydney accommodation for over 15 years, I can say West Hotel has the advantage of being within walking distance of all Sydney’s key tourism spots.
Getting around
The location gives you multiple options to explore Sydney on foot or via quick transport connections. Walk five minutes south and you’ll be at Barangaroo with its waterfront bars and restaurants. Then, head east for ten minutes and you’ll hit the shopping areas around Pitt Street Mall. Darling Harbour and the ICC are within walking distance, while The Rocks and Circular Quay can be reached on foot or via a short light rail ride.
The real advantage is being just outside the main tourist areas, with convenient access to everything. You’re close enough to walk to most city attractions but far from the noise and heavy traffic.
Check-in and initial impressions
The impressive atrium is the first thing that hits you. It is a proper garden space that feels like a breath of fresh air after Sydney’s streets. After being caught in November showers, the greenery was exactly what we needed.
Check-in took a few minutes around 2pm and our room was ready. The staff were friendly and efficient. The lobby may feel cramped during busy checkout times.
Beyond the lobby, the common areas maintain a modern, calm atmosphere, while key-card access in the lifts adds security.
Our Room (Level 7)
We stayed in a King Waratah Premium room (707) on level 7, one of the hotel’s highest floors with Barangaroo skyline views. At 23 square metres, it’s compact but cleverly designed to feel more spacious than the numbers suggest.
What sets it apart from most Sydney properties is the complimentary mini-bar. The fridge comes stocked with Little Creatures beers, canned cocktails (including a Cin Cin gin, lemon and prosecco mix), Cokes and drinking water. Items are replenished daily at no charge.
The cupboard above the bar fridge houses a Nespresso coffee machine, kettle, Vittoria coffee pods and T2 packaged tea, alongside snacks like popcorn and muesli bars, with the mini fridge stocked below.
Storage is where the room shows its limitations. Instead of a proper wardrobe, you get wall hooks with space underneath for one small suitcase, an armchair with an ottoman that doubles as luggage storage.
This works fine for weekend bags but becomes frustrating with large cases – you’ll essentially live out of your suitcase rather than properly unpacking.
What made the biggest impression on me was the king-size bed – soft without being squishy, it ranks among the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve experienced, topped with quality sheets and supportive pillows.
A marble table provides a workspace, slightly annoying that the power points require me to get on the floor. There are bedside tables on both sides of the bed; both have light switches, but only one side has power outlets, which had Charles and I tossing a coin to see who got the phone charger outlet.
The 49-inch smart TV comes with Google Chromecast and built-in Bluetooth speakers, which work well for streaming.
Level 7 was quiet — no street noise on a Friday night, no corridor chatter, and the air-con ran without a sound. The room was spotless, with a plush bathrobe waiting.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is clean and functional. It features Mr Smith toiletries – Australian-made products crafted from botanicals like passionflower, Kakadu plum and frankincense. They’re not tested on animals and work well.
I am particularly happy with the hair products that leave my usually dry and slightly frizzy hair looking fabulous. The towels are big and fluffy, bathrobes are generously sized, and shower pressure/temperature is good. The shower head sits somewhere between a rain shower and handheld option – I generally prefer more variety, but this middle ground works well enough.
I had read about their Dyson library and had planned to use it. You can borrow an Airwrap, Corrale and Supersonic tools for three hours. You need to head to reception to sign a waiver, you can then collect the tool/s you want to use. I would prefer they could be ordered via chat and delivered to the room. I didn’t end up using the service during our stay because I was not organised enough.
The room’s practical amenities are stored in the cupboard near the door: a regular hairdryer, safe, iron, ironing board and large umbrella – all the standard items you’d expect in a quality hotel.
Food and drink on site
Solander Dining and Bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on local, seasonal produce. The restaurant takes its name from naturalist Daniel Solander, who explored Australia’s flora and fauna, fitting for their farm-to-table approach.
During our stay, we ate dinner and breakfast.
Breakfast (weekdays 6:30-10:00am, weekends 7:00-10:30am) impressed me more than expected for a hotel this size. The selection is smaller than you’d find at a larger hotel, but everything on offer is worth eating.
The selection includes bircher muesli, chia pudding, smoked salmon and cold cuts, scrambled eggs (or eggs cooked to order), bacon, sausages, quiches and a good range of fresh breads and pastries, plus cheese, fresh fruit and juice.
The quality was better than expected / better than both the Pullman Hyde Park and Four Points Sheraton despite their more comprehensive offerings. Barista coffee costs an extra $6.50, which feels like an upsell, but there is a proper coffee machine rather than just instant coffee.
Dinner offered better than average hotel restaurant quality with good value through their special deals.
For dinner, we tried their “Bottomless Rosé” deal – it started with a spritz, then moved on to bottomless rosé or wine/beer if you prefer. The food arrives with a charcuterie board, this was followed by two small plates two main courses and finished with a delicious iced vo-vo style dessert.
The main courses, steak and barramundi were both very well executed and enjoyable, the dessert was a standout. The service was excellent throughout the evening, it’s solid dining for a hotel restaurant, with the bottomless drinks making it good value.
Room service is available most of the day, it’s closed from 3pm to 5pm.
Value
Pricing fluctuates significantly with demand – entry-level rooms start around $210 in quieter periods but can reach $1000+ during peak times like New Year’s Eve. Within the typical $210–320 range, rates align with Sydney hotel standards for this central location.
The complimentary mini‑bar adds genuine value, as most hotels charge heavily for in‑room drinks and snacks. In the $210-$320 range, it’s fair value for a boutique hotel this central. At the higher end of its pricing, less so.
Who should book: This works particularly well for couples and business travellers seeking a stylish, central base. However, if you need extensive storage or rely on late-night room service, look elsewhere.
Bottom line: A clean, comfortable boutique stay in an excellent location, though with storage limitations and restricted room service hours.
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