Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour 5 stars

We recently stayed at The Sofitel on Darling Harbour. Before we arrived we were told that we had been upgraded to a luxury corner room on the 17th floor which we thought would be lovely. We arrived after dark and actually thought the room was quite small. It did have lovely views over the harbour taking in the lights. However, the bed was big and comfortable with nice pillows and the bathroom was nice with a good powerful shower. There were nice Balmain toiletries. We had a nice dinner in the restaurant and the waitress was very helpful, friendly and efficient. We had a nightcap in the Champagne Bar which has stunning nighttime views over the harbour. The staff were all lovely - helpful and efficient. The next morning 😱 we were awoken at 7.30am by loud noise from a construction site below our window where they are apparently demolishing an old shopping centre and building a new residential building. Despite being on the 17th floor the noise really was intrusive and continued until 4pm. The infinity pool also overlooks the site - we didn’t use the pool but I assume it must have been very noisy! There was no work that we could hear the following morning and on the last morning we left before 7am so don’t know if the work continued then. Obviously this is not the hotel’s fault in any way. On the first morning we went to have breakfast which is served in the main restaurant. My husband helped himself from the buffet while I ordered oatmeal from the hot menu. After half an hour, my husband had finished his breakfast and there was no sign of the oatmeal! I asked a passing waitress who went to check and came back and said the kitchen had no record of my order. We needed to head off so I left without breakfast. On leaving the restaurant the person who was manning the meet and greet point asked “was everything alright for you”. We replied “no, not good” to which she replied “oh, okay”! I would have expected something more along the lines of “Oh I’m sorry to hear that, what was the problem and what can we do to resolve it?” Not sure I’d want to stay there again, at least until the building work’s finished which I assume may be some time.

Stayed 3 nights in a suite and enjoyed the Club Millesime executive lounge on 35th floor with magnificent view of Darling Harbour and the city skyline. The Club benefits are extraordinary, although they do not justify the much higher price of the room. Excellent bathroom in the suite, the only concern was that the bed was far too soft and lacked support resulting in poor sleep. Overall very good not excellent.

My Partner and I had a three night stay at Sofitel Darling Harbour, Sydney. We booked a luxury corner room directly on the Sofitel website. Check in was fine, but it was 11pm so no crowds to compete with. The room was clean, but also a little strange, and not what I think of as 'luxury'. The bed was comfortable, but we needed to ask for firm pillows. The room seems to be designed for one person, as the 'couch' was set at 90 degrees to the TV, so either my partner or I had to sit on the bed to watch TV. Not luxurious. The design of luxury rooms is quite strange. The tea/coffee amenities and mini-bar are in the bathroom. The minibar fridge was small, and was not a typical fridge as it would not go very cold. We put bottles of water in and they became cool at best. The other unusual design feature was the lack of a door on the toilet. Do the French not like privacy? The minibar doesn't get restocked, which was another unusual thing. I think I could have called and asked for it to be restocked, but thats not really luxurious either. We both loved the pool, not so much the demolition noise coming from the old shopping centre, or that people placed towels on the chairs to reserve them. I was swimming at 8:30am one morning and someone came and put towels on 6 chairs. He and his friends arrived 3 hours later. Not really fair to other pool users. We had purchased the buffet breakfast in our room rate, and again, mixed feelings. While most of the buffet is self service, eggs and some drinks you must order from the staff. One the first morning we made the mistake of telling the lovely waiter that showed us to our table that we would go over the menu then order. It proved impossible to get the attention of someone to order our eggs, after 20 minutes I went to the staff member on the front entry to get some assistance. I really don't understand why eggs must be ordered through staff, this is the first hotel I've been in with this arrangement. Good range otherwise, the sourdough is the best we have tasted. Interesting and tasty cold juices, but the water was room temp. Why cant the water be cold too? Pancakes often had crunchy edges, don't get the waffles, you'll chip a tooth. Overall would not return, at least not in a 'luxury' room. Certainly did not feel like value for money.

My husband and I have had the pleasure to stay at Sofitel Darling Harbour over the past two weekends. Sofitel Darling Harbour never disappoints and the staff and service is always next level. We know when we walk into Club Millesime and see Elmo that we are going to have a great weekend. He makes every guest feel special. Alongside Elmo there is a wonderful group of people in the lounge, including Julien, Yen, Alice, Naomi and Manav. Each one of them a credit to this hotel. Thanks for delivering such outstanding service.

Nice location, and great restaurant but unfortunately the demolition of Harbour Side in front of the hotel ruined the view and noisy Monday morning.