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The Darling at The Star Sydney: Opulence in the heart of the city
Here's everything you need to know for a perfect Sydney getaway.
The Darling at The Star has been named one of the world’s best hotels, gaining a prestigious Five-Star rating by Forbes Travel Guide. This is the seventh time the luxury hotel has been awarded this honour, and it's the sole recipient in New South Wales.
Located in Pyrmont in central Sydney, just a stone's throw away from Darling Harbour and Chinatown, it’s the perfect place to stay for tourists, or for locals to experience a truly luxurious staycation. I stayed at The Darling with my husband and we were instantly besotted by the lavish atmosphere inside the property.
Walking into The Darling took our breath away as we soaked in the sheer scale of the grand lobby. Giant marble columns reached from the ceiling to the floor, with a strip of skylight windows letting natural light stream inside. Decor and furniture dotted the area, with carefully selected pottery, flowers and books adding some character.
The staff were knowledgeable, kind, and ready to help with any requests we had. We opted to book breakfast for the next day at the Japanese-inspired restaurant Sokyo, which is one of our favourite cuisines.
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We were lucky enough to be staying in a Jewel Spa Suite on the 12th floor, and while we had seen photos online, walking into our abode for the evening still stunned us. In what seemed bigger than our small Sydney terrace house, our suite boasted an entranceway that opened up into a spacious lounge with a fully stocked minibar and cocktail cart.
The floor-to-ceiling windows gave us an incredible view of Sydney, with blinds and curtains easily accessible for when you need privacy. Most Saturdays, Darling Harbour sends up a vivid display of fireworks over Cockle Bay, and the spectacle is visible from the comfort of your own suite.
Our bedroom was big, with plush robes hung up inside the wardrobe, and had a large TV to watch while relaxing in bed. We were delighted to find in-built wireless chargers for our phones on our bedside tables, as well as panels that controlled the temperature and lights with one click of a button.
One of the best parts of staying in a suite is the opulent bathroom. Not only did we each have our own sink, but there were also two showers, plus a large spa bath with a clear view over Sydney.
We chose to spend the sunny afternoon down by the pool with cocktails in hand, before freshening up and getting ready to dine at one of The Star’s many restaurants.
On our way to grab a bite, we stopped at The Michael Reid Art Bar for a drink and perused the art that adorned the walls. Tucked away in a quieter area of The Star, we were able to really take our time viewing the range of art as we walked through.
We decided to dine at Cucina Porto for dinner, and were surprised to find how many vegan options the Italian restaurant had on offer. The chef, Martino Pulito, came to speak with us before we ordered and thoroughly talked us through the different dietary options.
After much debate, we ordered a spread of food, with each dish tasting better than the last. To start, we tried the rosemary schiacciata, a thin garlic bread, along with deep-fried cauliflower and smashed chickpeas on roasted eggplant with semi-dried tomato.
We then tucked into their orecchiette broccolini pasta, followed by pizza topped with eggplant, mixed vegetables and walnut for a little crunch. The food was to die for, and we were extremely stuffed by the time we managed to waddle out.
There are plenty of other restaurants in the complex, as well as the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which has hosted shows such as Hamilton, The Book Of Mormon and most recently, Hairspray.
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After heading back to our room to retire, we were surprised to find that a mat and slippers had appeared next to our bed. It was a small touch, but so thoughtful and really hit home how wonderful the hotel was. We slept soundly in the comfortable bed, before kickstarting the next day with breakfast at Sokyo. There are lots of different Western and Japanese-inspired dishes here, as well as a large selection of teas. We opted to grab some avocado toast, which came with a drizzle of sesame oil on top.
Sadly, once we had eaten our fill, it was time to check out and bid The Darling farewell. For us, the luxurious property was the perfect hotel for a staycation in Sydney, with a number of activities, restaurants and tourist sites all at our fingertips.
Next time we’re looking for a place to recharge and relax, we’ll definitely be back.
Yahoo Lifestyle was a guest of The Darling at The Star in March.
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