One of the biggest hotel chains in Asia is now calling Sydney home – and I was lucky enough to be one of the first guests to enjoy the spoils of this new, 370-room city gem.
Located smack bang in the middle of Sydney’s bustling Chinatown precinct, Furama Darling Harbour offers unparalleled accessibility to the city’s premier dining, shopping and entertainment destinations.
On July 1, the 11-floor hotel – located on Harbour Street, Haymarket – was rebranded from Holiday Inn Darling Harbour to Furama Darling Harbour.
The exciting rebrand marks Furama Hotels’ inaugural launch into the Aussie market, setting a new benchmark for luxury and comfort in what I think is the most vibrant and diverse area the Sydney CBD has to offer.
Having stayed at the old Holiday Inn Darling Harbour several times in the past, I was looking forward to seeing what upgrades the hotel possessed now that it was a Furama Hotels property.
The first thing I noticed was all the exterior signage and interior branding had been converted, while a new lobby was promised to be “coming soon”.
The check-in process was swift and without hassle, and the friendly staff that I met at reception were able to drop me and my wife some handy restaurant recommendations for our upcoming stay.
Our Executive Suite was located on the 10th floor of this historic heritage building and, upon opening the door, we were blown away by the sheer size (55sqm).
The recently renovated room had not one but two large television screens; three decent-sized windows to gaze out at the incredible view; a separate living and bedroom area, as well an impressive modern bathroom complete with a free-standing bathtub and walk-in shower. It honestly felt like we were staying in our very own luxe CBD apartment, and we couldn’t have been more excited!
While I always stress the location of a hotel is incredibly important to a memorable stay, a hotel room should also always give you a buzz and massive smile when first entering – and our room at Furama Darling Harbour certainly achieved that!
After an incredible night’s sleep in our amazing king bed, my wife and I made our way down to Shipley’s Restaurant for breakfast.
Shipley’s is situated on the ground floor of Furama Darling Harbour near the entrance and serves up everything you could possibly want for a hearty brekkie, including pancakes, bacon and eggs, fresh fruit and of course, hokkien noodles!
Yes, that’s right! Like most hotels in Asia, Furama Darling Harbour has a selection of Asian dishes for breakfast to cater to its clientele. We thought it was a great touch and definitely fit the bill for the area the property was located in.
Speaking of the area, we couldn’t have been more in love with what was on our very doorstep. Across the road was the incredible Darling Quarter, home to dozens of restaurants and eateries, and behind the property was Chinatown’s famous Dixon Street. It was literally foodie heaven!
As well as the sensational dining options close by, Furama Darling Harbour has unbelievable access to public transport, with the Light Rail less than 200m away.
The ICC International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Paddy’s Markets, Tumbalong Park, Cockle Bay Wharf and Merlin attractions like SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds are also a walkable distance from the property.
To sum up, it’s hard to go past Sydney’s newest hotel, Furama Darling Harbour. Not only are the meticulously designed rooms tailored to both business travellers and families alike, but it is its location – in the heart of glorious Haymarket – that gives it the edge over its competitors.
I can’t wait to go back!
For bookings, visit http://www.furama.com/darlingharbour.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.