The Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has opened,marking the first newbuild 5star hotel in the city in more than 15 years. This 500M new hotel heralds the renaissance of hotel development in Sydney, with over 40 hotels scheduled to open in the next five years.

Designed by renowned Sydney architect Richard FrancisJones from FrancisJones Morehen Thorp architects, the hotel has 590 stylish guestrooms including 35 coveted suites. On arrival, guests will be greeted by the hotel‘s imposing 35storey glass exterior featuring triangular accents representing sails and a striking red ochre and blue exterior colour palette which pays tribute to the indigenous clans of the Eora nation who lived around. The spectacular external lighting by 6000 LED lights will enhance Darling Harbour at night with stunning light displays. The hotel‘s public spaces and guestrooms continue to pay tribute to the maritime location and the industries that formerly occupied the site including extensive use of timber representing Sydney‘s strong wharf heritage through to the rope and sandstone motifs in the carpets.