The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Situated within walking distance of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Sydney's central business district, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth first opened its doors in 1966 as Australia’s first international luxury hotel and the first Qantas hotel. It quickly gained a reputation as the premier destination for A-list celebrities visiting the city such as Princess Diana.

With new ownership came the opportunity to reinvent the hotel and introduce new bars and restaurants.The design team explored what defines luxury hospitality in modern-day Australia, blending this with the nostalgic glamour of international travel, inspired by the property's architectural and cultural heritage.

Retaining its distinctive curved architecture, the 2024 redesign focused on elevating the interiors to honour the building’s 1960s glamour while reimagining key spaces and rooms for the modern traveller. Karen Morris, associate principal at FK, who led the redesign, said: “With a hotel with such an iconic history, our overall vision was to recreate some of the 60's energy from the heyday of the hotel with a new F&B-driven offering. Like many hotels overseas, we wanted to blur the lines between the hotel and F&B venues and create authentic dining experiences that would draw in the local neighbourhood and guests.”

The revitalisation begins at the bronze-clad entrance, leading into an entirely reconfigured lobby that connects to the new bar and restaurant on the ground floor. The lobby features a seamless and swift arrival experience through new personalised check-in technology and an intimate guest relations lounge, reflecting a shift towards innovation and curated service that defines luxury hospitality.

A restrained colour palette and natural materials such as timber panelling and travertine, balance a warm, open aesthetic with intimate pockets for quiet conversation or relaxation. A striking light installation comprising 400 lights individually mounted into the ceiling illuminates guests’ journey through the lobby. In a contemporary gesture designed by Shaun Dudley, this bespoke light feature pays homage to the Sofitel’s French heritage in a nod towards guests being taken to their rooms by candlelight in traditional guesthouses.

A reflective lift with chrome panelling was preserved and enhanced at ground level, replacing the original combination of chrome and timber with a fully metallic finish to create an engaging interplay with lighting through its mirror-like surface.

All 436 rooms and suites have been refurbished to reflect the hotel’s new design philosophy. Guestrooms and corridors underwent a light-touch exercise, focusing on high-impact interventions with minimal structural work. New flooring, wall finishes, and bespoke joinery details revitalised these spaces, enhancing the overall guest experience and renewed sense of luxury.

The transformation introduces a bold new hospitality offering with the addition of four restaurants and bars curated by the globally inspired House Made Hospitality group. Each venue has been designed to channel its own unique character, while maintaining an authentic connection to the hotel’s design narrative. Open for late night dining and drinking, the new F&B venues add a contemporary offering to Sydney’s hospitality scene.

“Sydney has long been lacking a late night venue in the city to enjoy a drink or a meal after a long flight or day in the office. These venues invite both hotel guests and Sydneysiders to experience the lingering charm of international hotel bar and restaurant culture, reimagined through an Australian lens”, said Morris.

tilda, the new signature seafood-leaning restaurant, blends relaxed sophistication with an earthy palette inspired by the Australian landscape. The design concept centres around the hyperlocal menu, which champions the finest growers and winemakers in the country. Ochres, dusty reds, and Australian oak furnishings are paired with a marble-topped bar and natural linens to enhance the organic aesthetic. Its open kitchen, visible from the lobby, brings a dynamic and lively energy to the space. A material palette of

micro-cement, clay and textured fabrics, create a soft, inviting, and layered space, complemented by locally sourced furniture from Jardan, and ceramic lighting by Sarah Nedevic.

Its adjacent sibling, bar tilda, offers an elegant cocktail bar experience for hotel guests and locals, from morning till late nights. This all-day and late-night service heavily influenced the material palette, balancing light, textured fabrics against the backdrop of deep burgundy hues, creates a versatile ambience that can shift from light-filled days to intimate and moody evenings. A nostalgic setting for cocktail enthusiasts, bar tilda features an elaborate whisky collection displayed in an armoire-inspired cabinet referencing the mid-century design heritage of the hotel. Dramatic drapery to the host desk and timber venetian blinds along the street-facing windows were added to pique the interest of passers-by.

Describing bar tilda, Morris said, “We wanted to create a space that captures the essence of Australian living through a fresh and understated luxury design language that builds a connection to place and truly reflects the menu offering.”

A subtle tribute to the building's history as the Southern Hemisphere's largest brick structure in the 1960s is evident in the "brick-like" travertine pavers that extend across tilda and bar tilda, grounding the interior with an honest and slightly tumbled finish.

Upon level 5, Delta Rue, a Vietnamese-French dining concept evokes a sense of fresh escapism with its light-filled interiors. Verdant greens, rattan-backed chairs and reclaimed teak furnishings complement the open kitchen, providing a vibrant yet relaxed environment that transports guests to a grand colonial villa retreat.

The level five terrace, defined by the curve of the heritage-listed building and once an underused space, has been transformed into the lively alfresco Wentworth Bar. Nestled beneath the glass and copper canopy by H&E Architects, the bar offers an exceptional outdoor drinking and dining experience with lush planters and elegant terrazzo tables where guests can enjoy a lunch or an evening tipple amidst the city’s skyline.

Throughout the venues, FK has worked with Australian artisans to create bespoke design elements that celebrate local craftsmanship. From Sarah Nedovic’s ceramic lighting to Kerrie Brown’s custom wallpaper in Delta Rue, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to pay homage to great Australian design.“We wanted to design spaces that encourage people to linger and feel at ease. Each venue reflects a sense of relaxed luxury, drawing from the Australian landscape while honouring the building’s heritage. It was about breathing new life into a Sydney icon,” added Morris.

Architects: FK

Photographers: Dave Wheeler, Rohan Venn