Now open: See Inside the Sparkling W Sydney

The singular sight of W Sydney hasn’t gone unnoticed by locals. For five years, work on the characterful curl now known as the “Ribbon” has forged on, transforming both the Darling Harbour skyline and the luxury hotel landscape.

Now, the W brand, known internationally for its vibrant interiors, party-hard reputation and distinctive architecture, has brought its bold vision to Sydney, the third Australian outpost – after W Brisbane and W Melbourne – for one of its hotels. After half a decade of delays, is the newest addition to Marriott’s line-up worth the wait? Here are five reasons we think so.

1. It’s about as W as you can get

From the outside, the cresting curve of W Sydney is truly a sight to behold. Inside, the brand’s approach to distinctive design continues. The lobby is clad in a honeycomb of copper mirror walls, the pool is lined in aquatic-themed mosaics and the ceiling of the WET Deck area on Level 29 – W’s signature party-and-pool zone – reaches overhead in a delicate ripple (get ready to crane your neck). There’s no mistaking the W style and W Sydney is no exception.

2. You’ll experience wellness with a capital “W”

W hotels party hard… but they know you need to recuperate, too. AWAY Spa is a bunker-like space of saunas, steam rooms and gravity-defying loungers, along with an extensive treatment menu dedicated to undoing all that decadence. The morning-after crowd will appreciate its atmospheric dim lighting, too.

3. You won’t go hungry (or thirsty)

A pool bar pouring vintage champagne. A dessert bar from Singapore’s sweet-tooth superstar, Janice Wong. A waterfront lobby bar lit by bursts of neon-blue décor. There’s plenty to please the palate here, with four separate spots to grab a drink and a bite. At BTWN, head chef Chris Dodd – who’s worn whites at Aria and Blue Door – leads the charge on a gastronomic journey through the produce of New South Wales, while the hero spirits of Living Room, just off the lobby, are sake and soju. Want a drink with a view? The double-level 29/30 is the place to pull up a chair in front of expansive windows overlooking the city.

4. The views are really something

From its perch at the southern end of Darling Harbour, W Sydney’s glass-tiled façade captures city views as far as Sydney Harbour. Out-of-towners and staycationers alike will appreciate seeing Sydney from this angle, especially with a drink in hand. Although no two rooms in the enormous 588-room complex are the same, the vistas are impressive no matter where you’re gazing from.

5. You can see movies on the big, big screen

Forget that little laptop screen. W Sydney is part of the same complex as IMAX Sydney, the only theatre in Australia to boast a generous 692-square-metre screen. So catch a flick and dance to the DJ who spins regular weekend sets at WET Deck, the pool and bar level, before you turn in for the night.