For those who travel frequently, hotels start to look and feel the same. Check-in, sleep, check-out. Convenience, consistency and price are the main determinants of a satisfactory stay. But what if a hotel could offer something more, like a curated stay perfectly matched to your interests, character and curiosity?
West Hotel Sydney, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels, has designed a bespoke array of packages that identifies unique traits of travellers after they take an in-house curiosity quiz. Answers to multiple-choice questions on topics such as adventure and spirituality dig deep into a travellers’ psyche and provide a unique traveller profile that concierge uses to pique guests’ curiosity with special Culturalist, Challenger, Pathfinder, Spiritualist and Epicurean programmes. Guests are offered a carefully curated series of experiences and events that complement their travel type and add to a memorable stay.
THE HOTEL
West Hotel Sydney is a boutique hotel with 182 designer rooms. It is tastefully appointed with botanical flourishes, sleek fittings and an inner city intimacy that is helping shape Barangaroo (and Sydney’s) new image. King Street Wharf and this side of Sydney has undergone a complete revamp and is now sexier than Bondi, classier than the Circular Quay and offers the luxury of the harbour as well as cutting edge retail, bars, restaurants and magnificent landscaped parklands with Indigenous tributes and sculpture.
Inside the hotel is a lavish atrium with lush established greenery providing a sleek inner sanctum for morning coffee or afternoon aperitif. The foyer and restaurant are elegant with dark timber and teal furnishings and a signature “waratah” Australia flower motif running through the interior’s designs. The staff (as you would expect in a Hilton hotel) are well trained, extremely helpful and genuine.
THE ROOMS
The West (as it is affectionately known by locals) offers several room types ranging from the Acacia room with king bed through to the King Sussex suite located on a high floor with sensational sweeping city views. Beds are fitted with luxe linen, fluffy quilt and comfortable pillows. You can connect to the room’s in-built speaker via Bluetooth to enjoy your own content in surround sound. Some rooms also have complimentary mini-bar and Nespresso Pod&Parcel coffee machine. The mini bar offers quality Australian beer and wines such as a Margaret River Chardonnay (in a can!). Enjoy the hardwood parquetry floors and natural stone bathrooms as well as Australian “Biology” bathroom amenities. Efficient design details in the bathroom and wardrobe spaces ensure the “dressing experience” for a night out, or early morning rush, is perfect. Think satin coat hangers, hidden horizontal shower drain, crisp white towels and robes well within easy reach.
BREAKFAST
Located on the ground floor, Solander Restaurant, serves breakfast between 6:30am to 10:30am and is inspired by Sydney’s healthy lifestyle and local botanicals. Presentation of the breakfast buffet/bar is simple yet sophisticated. The offering is carefully curated to present the best local produce with breads from local bakery Sonama, free range eggs from the Hinterland and bacon and sausages from Marrickville. Highlights are the divine local honey (Malfroy’s honeycomb), home-made jams, house made Granola, beautiful berry yoghurt, chia seed pudding with passion fruit, house-made Bircher muesli, juice of the day, freshly made muffins and tasty croissants – the list could go on! A hot a la carte breakfast is also available with traditional favourites such as Sydney’s signature smashed avocado (“avo”) on charred sourdough and three egg omelette.
THE CURIO CURATED CONNECTION
After you’ve taken the quiz, staff are delighted to educate and excite guests with programmes taking guest experience to the next level. General Manager of West Hotel, Jane Lyons says:
“We recognise that each guest is inspired by a different personal desire or motivation when travelling, so we have introduced these curated experiences to ignite the curiosity amongst our guests, and ensure they have a truly authentic and memorable Sydney experience each and every time they stay with us.
No matter what your travel type, West Hotel offers a premium level of service at all times, steering clear of the ‘one shoe fits all’ mentality. We acknowledge each of our guests with a personalised, connected rapport when they choose to stay with us.”
CRAFTED GUEST RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Culturalist, award-winning book blogger, Lucy Pearson of The Literary Edit and Bondi’s Gertrude and Alice literary ambassador will exclusively release a monthly West Hotel ‘top 3 book recommendations’ for a virtual literary discussion on Instagram at @west_hotelsyd. The hard-copy books will instantly be available for purchase at Concierge.
For the Challenger, Coach Danielle Bazergy has curated 5km running map that showcases local landmarks surrounding West Hotel, including Barangaroo. She has also created an in-house fitness mentoring program ensuring guests stay motivated during their stay.
For the Pathfinder, the acclaimed Sydney-based photographer, Demas Rusli, showcases a captivating photographic journey exhibited in the hotel lobby. He recommends visiting Instagram worthy destinations such as Lavender Bay, Bronte Beach rockpool and Mrs Maquarie’s Chair. He also suggests heading under the Harbour Bridge for dramatic shots of the city skyline from Hicksons Reserve just a few hundred metres away.
For the Spiritualist, Australia’s ethically-sourced Stoned Crystals have created a Meditative Crystal Ritual kit, which can be loaned from concierge. Complete Spirtuaist box to charge, cleanse and activate the kit is perfect for guests wanting to incorporate mindfulness and intention to their day.
For the Epicurean, the hotel’s Solander Dining and Bar hosts impressive rotavapour sessions on Tuesdays and Thursday at 5pm. Guests will be entertained at the bar over small bites, and learn how the live infusion of natural ingredients crafts the perfect Solander cocktail concoctions.
Whatever your travel preferences are, the West will ensure your stay is well catered to your needs. There are all the staples of a quality hotel plus some extras – from warm friendly smiles to helpful itinerary co-ordination, exquisite (not fussy) rooms, superb location, on trend dining and great value, all of which makes West a good choice for overnight travel, staycations or vacations.
The writer was a guest of West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection Hilton.
Prices start from $200 per night.
Written by Sonia Komaravalli