West Hotel Sydney, as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, is quite different from the Hilton you’re used to. Near both Barangaroo and King St Wharf, it makes an ideal base for both corporate and leisure travellers. The design is low-key, with suites and rooms designed for staying in.
The back story
Opening in 2018, the West Hotel Sydney is on the city’s western edge near the new business district of tech and blue-chip companies in and around Barangaroo.

While the jewel-cut glass façade, designed by Fitzpatrick + Partners, delivers wow factor, the interiors by Woods Bagot are intimate and make the property feel boutique. Plush velvet seating in the Solander dining area leads to the plant-filled open-air atrium that is a departure from most CBD properties. Despite its city location, the hotel is remarkably quiet, offering serenity from the moment you step inside.
The West Suite
There are 182 rooms with just four West Suites across 8 floors. Herringbone floors and plush, bold rugs add to the cosy mood. It’s rare to find ample storage in a city hotel room, but there’s plenty in the living area. The design maintains the hotel’s botanical theme, with subtle textures and a calming, sapphire and black palette.

Meanwhile, the bathroom is a standout. Starring a large, deep soaker tub and a separate shower equipped with both a rain and a conventional shower head. And, the towels were some of the finest I’ve ever found at a hotel. While it features only a single basin, the space is functional and feels luxe. And not one but two styles of super-soft bathrobes to choose from!
Food and Drink
Solander Dining and Bar is located on the ground floor and is decorated with a white waratah mural. Specific room packages for high-tier Hilton Honours members include a full breakfast. The restaurant also features curated dining experiences, such as the “Sip & Savour” menu, which offers a multi-course food and cocktail pairing.

From October 13, the Bottomless Rosé Brunch is served in the hotel’s open-air Atrium. Against the lush backdrop, the ‘brunch’ includes a pretty rose petal-topped Rosé Spritz on arrival, free-flowing rosé (we enjoyed the Marquis de Pennautier Rosé produced in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France). The rosé is the palest pink and made from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. You could choose sparkling, house wines, beers or spritzers.

The menu, thoughtfully created by Head Chef Joel Robinson, is tremendous value. Entrees of Salumi Misti with toasted sourdough and outstanding forest mushroom arancini arrive with the first release by Sydney’s ‘Forged by Vow’ – a delicious Cultured Quail Parfait. Forged by Vow crafts ‘meat’ by ‘cell culturing’ – with a different flavour profile. It’s ultra-sustainable and ethical. Served on thinly sliced brioche, the light-as-air parfait is topped with a ‘boozy’ jelly, grapes, and onion pickle.

Next up, a substantial charred Angus Rump Steak with crisply baby potatoes and red wine jus is joined by a grilled Australian Barramundi Fillet with broccolini and a side mesclun salad. We finish with a fun deconstructed ‘Iced Vovo’ dessert.

The bottomless brunch is available twice daily from Monday to Saturday for lunch or dinner for 90 minutes.

We also lunched during our stay on the Burger Month special – three distinct gourmet burgers created by Hilton chefs: Ricki’s Sammy Mac, Gargi’s Aloo Tikki, and Rosie’s K-Burger. Each burger comes with shoestring fries and Coke.
The Service & Amenities
We loved the thoughtful inclusions from the in-room Nespresso machine with pods and amenities from Australian brand Mr Smith, which uses native botanical ingredients like frankincense, myrrh, and kakadu plum.

Travelling with a hair dryer in a carry-on can be highly problematic. Conveniently, the West Hotel has a Dyson hair dryer library with a Dyson Airwrap, Corrale, or Supersonic, complete with attachments specifically designed for different hair types. In suites, the complimentary mini bar is good, but not if you need to store anything else in the fridge.
The Neighborhood
Waterfront dining at King St Wharf or Circular Quay is a pleasant stroll, while the city’s primo shopping is right out the door with the nearby Queen Victoria Building (QVB) with premium label boutiques, marquee stores and High St shops all set in a magnificent heritage building.
Work up an appetite with a 3km walk to Sydney’s original Asian food hub – Chinatown. Alternatively, catch the light rail near Wynyard. Sydney’s famous Dixon St is now surrounded by more restaurants and eateries with everything from Cantonese cuisine to Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean barbecue. And, here you’ll find dumpling houses, food courts, fine-dining, yum cha temples and more. My pick: Chinta Ria Buddha Love for homestyle Malaysian food.
Self-parking is available for $60 per day at Wilson Parking, opposite the hotel. Wynyard Train Station is a 350 metre walk with easy access to the light rail. The Barangaroo Metro station is a 550 metre walk.
Kerrie Carucci Styling Suite
West Hotel has partnered with leading Australian stylist Kerrie Carucci to reimagine one of the hotel’s suites into a styling salon. From 13 October to 25 October, Kerrie is hosting complimentary styling sessions. For those wanting to take their styling to the next level, Kerrie will also offer paid personal shopping sessions.
Throughout the month, exclusive trunk shows and curated showcases will spotlight collections from partner brands including IDA+S, Saben, Commonry, Rebecca Vallance, and Calibre, alongside a dedicated Spring Racing showcase featuring leading milliners ahead of Everest Race Day.
Disclaimer: TML was hosted by the West Hotel Sydney