A friend once asked me why on earth I loved staying in hotels so much, and why I loved staying in hotels in my own city.
My simple answer was “Because I’m a complete and utter hotel freak. Plus, when I stay in one in Sydney, I get to see another side of Sydney. And plus, you know me, I get lost anywhere. At least I figure that when I get lost in Sydney, I can at least find my way home.”
She responded with a withering glance.
One rainy Winter’s day I was on my way to The Darling. Part of The Star complex, The Darling has played host to many much more auspicious guests. A certain Mr Clooney has stayed there along with recent visitors Leonardo Di Caprio, Seal and Joel Madden. Service is “on” from the minute the driver pulls up right near our apartment ensuring that I don’t get wet. The porter whisks away our bags. As Mr NQN is joining me, they’ve upgraded us to a Jewel suite to give us more space and the room isn’t quite ready yet. We amuse ourselves with a tour of the buildings including a look into the split level serviced Astral apartment that Leonardo Di Caprio stayed in for 5 weeks.
Once we check in, I go up to room 980. As I walk into the room the curtains part as if by magic and reveal the view of the swimming pool and the water. Although there is no balcony, it is all view with floor to ceiling windows. There are very easy to use switches that tell you what you are switching on and off. Blinds open and close with the press of a button although as they are automated, you can’t open them partially.
The suite is a spacious 70 square metres. There is a separate living room area and bedroom partitioned off by two televisions-not just one television that swivels but two enormous ones (45 and 55 inches). There is a choice for alarms and one of them is a rather interesting one that is set through the television. You can schedule a time for the curtains to open and for the television to switch on at a lower volume and then increase to a higher volume slowly over a period of 20 minutes.
The Darling bed is tempting for a quick snooze and each bed has a hand-crafted 1,000 spring mattress made in Australia. There are two types of pillows, a grey goose down pillow and a feather and down mix pillow. If neither of these will do, there is also a pillow menu from which you can order from a range of seven pillows. They sell the beds as well as their popular linens which range from 400 thread count to 1,000 depending on the room type. The trademarked signature colour, “Darling Plum” is a repeated colour theme. A sound dock sits on one bedside table and there’s a large work desk with a potted Phalaenopsis orchid. There is complimentary Tea Drop tea and a Nespresso coffee machine.
After all of that, there are some points that are worth considering. The wireless internet is $25 a day which isn’t inexpensive, especially when you take into account the room tariff. The minibar fridge is also locked and I call downstairs to have it unlocked remotely. Items inside are good quality, however prices are too with an eyebrow raising packet of Chipman chips for $10 and Della Mano biscuits for $16. A 200ml bottle of Fever Tree sparkling mineral water is $6.50. There’s even an intimacy kit for $25 and a deluxe version for $35. All items are recorded via remote but you have 30 seconds to consider each item before it is charged so hopefully you’ll excuse me for not taking a peek into what exactly makes up an intimacy kit! ;)
In the marble bathroom, there are his and hers sinks with an excellent range of Molton Brown toiletries. This includes a shampoo, conditioner, dental and shaving kits, body lotion and a sleep cedra body oil. Even though I rarely take the toiletries with me in hotels, the scent called Plum-Kadu is heavenly – I even went looking for some more to buy! A large bathtub offers a little canister of Molton Brown powder soak to soothe away aches. There is a separate toilet and shower with a large 30x30cm monsoon showerhead and regular massage showerhead. There is shampoo, conditioner, soap, loofah and a face washer in the shower. Minuses are that the bathroom is quite dark which makes it difficult to put make up on in front of the vanity mirror. There is a small shaving mirror in the walk in robe but this angles upwards which is more for shaving than makeup.
Two robes and slippers sit in the walk in closet which is sizeable enough to accommodate Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe collection. And the kicker? I had no idea that the walk in closet existed until I looked for a full length mirror when dresssing and discovered it behind the dark glass. It was like discovering a hidden room!
Inside Sokyo. Taken on a Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS lens, focal length 28mm, ISO 400, 1/25s.
You may have noticed that every now and then, when I come across a picture that I like, I add a bit more information about how it was taken as a few people have emailed me about this.
Enough fussing around for now (although the hotel fiend in me just wants to explore the room more) but a progressive dinner is calling. We’re dining at three of The Star’s signature restaurants and starting at Sokyo where we have a range of sashimis. There are four and they are best eaten from bottom left clockwise. They start with ‘Tuna Umami’ which is tuna sashimi, choya umeshu, garlic soy umami; seared salmon sashimi, ssamjang dressing; miso kingfish and scallop with honey. They’re all lovely and fresh but the tuna remains a favourite and is said to be one of their signature dishes.
Chef Chase Kojima is in the kitchen and he waves us goodbye as we head to our next location, Black by Ezard. We pick a main from the list and take the recommendation for a steak from the grill. I order the flat iron wagyu steak – this one’s a beauty at 9+ marbling and it is from a David Blackmore full blood wagyu.
Buttery brioche bread
Flat Iron grain fed wagyu 200g $68
Even though the flatiron and the rump cap below are both from the same type of cattle, the two steaks are entirely different. The flat iron is all about tender, melting fat and shows off wagyu’s marbling beautifully. Indeed it’s too lusciously fatty for some with its marrow like consistency. Picking the marrow and shallot sauce takes this a little over the top admittedly!
Rump cap grain fed wagyu 9+ 200g $75
The rump cap is a gorgeous cut too and served with the herby fresh Argentinian chimichurri to help cut through the fattiness of the wagyu.
Macaroni and cheese $12
The steaks come as they are so we order a plethora of sides. The favourite is the four cheese sauce macaroni and cheese with elbow macaroni. It’s topped with baked crispy breadcrumbs and the top has a lovely crunchiness while the bottom stays rich and creamy. The pasta is also nicely cooked and not soggy at all.
Crispy potato $10
The crispy potato is sliced and served as a cake slice. It is made with creme fraiche, smoked bacon and aged cheddar and is rich and moreish.
Our third course, dessert, is at Balla, the Stefano Manfredi restaurant. The charming Italian waitstaff and chef come over and cause half the gaggle of female journos to swoon while telling us the specials. We dither over desserts before deciding to share some.
Tartufo bianco al torrone $18
The star of the desserts was the nougat and honey white truffle with hazelnut sauce. It is a crunchy ice cream ball flavoured with honey with a lovely hazelnut sauce. It’s the kind of dessert that always goes back to the kitchen with the plate licked clean.
Soffiti, gelato di pistacio con creme al cioccolato e vaniglia $18
The choux pastries were filled with pistachio gelato and vanilla and chocolate cream. They weren’t bad although I wasn’t particularly wowed by then.
Necci al forno farciti con ricotta $15
The chestnut pancakes come as a bit of a surprise. They arrive as two cornets of chestnut flour crepe filled with ricotta and have a distinctly savoury taste to them that we didn’t really go for. I think a few of us thought that it might have chestnut puree in them (alas, my Italian doesn’t stretch very far).
Chocolate crunchie
The special of the day was a chocolate crunch which had a chocolate feuilletine base to give it a delicate crunch.
The next morning the curtains part and the television switches on as my alarm. A knock at the door signals the arrival of breakfast. After all of that food last night, I went for the healthy breakfast. It is divine, the mushrooms full of flavour and dotted with Persian feta. The toast comes with Pepe Saya butter and an assorted of three Beerenberg jams and honey. And a nice touch on the menu was an option to get your coffee in a “to go” cup so that you can take it away with you. I did wish that the fridge wasn’t one of those auto detector ones because I couldn’t finish my juice and wanted to save it for later that day.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention the spa didn’t I? Located on level 2, the first challenge is how to open the door (or is that just me? 
). Service is soothing and calm as befits a spa and the decor is dark. Dark enough for them to give you a little light to fill in your consultation form which interestingly asks you whether you like conversation with your treatment which is an interesting idea.
I’m led to the changeroom where I change into a pair of rubber slippers and a robe and then I go to the pre treatment waiting room. They’re running a bit late today but I have company in the room along with a cup of honey and lemon tea. There are 16 treatment rooms in total with one couples room.
Hammam spa room
My therapist Shauna comes in to collect me and I’m scheduled for a condensed version of the Darling Facial which normally goes for 60 minutes ($190). They use retail La Prairie products in their facials here and Shauna does a consultation and tells me about the products that she will be using.
Because it was a 30 minutes condensed version of the facial I wasn’t sure if I would get completely relaxed but by the time the cranial and facial massage came around I was. She ended it off with an intriguing ear massage which was the first I had experienced and I was lulled into thinking that I was submerged peacefully underwater and didn’t want to get up.
So tell me Dear Reader, what’s your favourite hotel in your city? And do you ever eat things from the mini bar?
NQN stayed at The Darling as a guest of The Darling and Destination NSW
The Darling
The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2009
+61 1800 800 830
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44 Comments | Add your own
Chestnut desserts, teenyweeny jars of jam, Leonardo diCaprio and someone else to make the bed? PERFECT.
What a gorgeous hotel, and I love the look of that buttery brioche!
Favorite hotel in my city? Well, let me get to my city first, and then I would tell you!
Lovely post Lorraine! I love the mosaic on the bathroom walls, gorgeous! 
Sokyo is where I was the night I was up close and personal with Leo! And I bet he knows what’s in that intimacy kit! xx
Once again, I really think that I only envy the jobs of two people in this world: you and Jane Goodall. Hotels and food vs. primates. Go figure. Lovely place, lovely food.
I don’t care for any of the modern hotels here in San Miguel, but prefer the historic renovated haciendas and old houses that have been converted into B & Bs–they are lovely.
What a wonderful time you had! Your photos are always so stunning, Lorraine, thanks for sharing details about the lens you used. I always knew you had a secret weapon in your photographic arsenal!
Osteria Balla is wonderful, isn’t it? And I’d have loved to have known what was in an Intimacy Pack that warranted $35!!
Looks like a lovely relaxing weekend. I like a ‘Staycation’ as you don’t have to spend half the time traveling.
Those mini bar prices are ridiculous, as is the way of charging for them! I always use the fridge/ freezer in our hotel rooms as I always travel with food safe options for me and would hate to charged for miscellaneous things as I ratted through the fridge
the Macaroni and cheese looks awesome!
I love staying at hotels hahaha not everyone does but I sure do
I love not having to pack anything and having the bar fridge hehe 
I don’t go to the mini bar much but when i do go~ I love the nuts and WINGS
Oh my word!! How the other half live……..
Well, Lorraine, as you may have gathered you have another absolute and total hotel freak here
! And yes, I have stayed in various Sydney hotels quite a few times!! I have not been to the Darling: am so glad if you thoroughly enjoyed it: perhaps the decor etc were not quite me??? Too cold, too impersonal . . . As I have said before, I am not fond of large, especially chain style hotels, yet am oldfashioned and honest enough to admit that the now quite elderly Intercontinental on Macquarie Street can still be home away from home. Yes, officially a chain hotel, it has always had an elegant, local ambience about it, and with its position on Macquarie Street near the Harbour and Opera House and Art Gallery, yet away from the madding throng, for me it is hard to beat in the CBD. Many overseas friends have concurred. Mini bars: God forbid!!! Intimacy kit: how very convenient, but may I suggest the strength of certain items in it just might be affected by the cold 
!
Dear Lorraine,
I wished more restaurants would just serve up their steaks like that wagyu rump cap – straight up without any fuss and all types of other accompaniments that mean little to meat lovers.
Well Lorraine, you’ve just stayed at my most favourite hotel in Sydney. I love it’s ‘New York’ vibe and decor, staying there makes you feel pampered and the staff are polished and attentative. The first time we stayed there and checked in at the desk, the lovely lady was very apologetic and explained that rooms were over-booked and therefore up-graded us to a suite as well!! OMG, my mind immediately went into a happy dance and the feeling continued until we had to check-out. I don’t normally use the mini-bar but that night we mixed a few drinks in the room and used some spirits. I never consume the chips, nuts,cookies etc , I see no reason when the restaurants all have such amazing food. Loved the Bistro 80 breakfast in-room, a nice change for me as I’m the one that cooks breakfast every morning. Can’t wait to stay at The Darling next!
Love seeing an insider’s view,
Of the foods and places you uniquely stay too!
Mini bar never appeals to me,
But like you, I would like access to a fridge to store items conveniently!
Oh my, what a gorgeous hotel! I am like you, I love staying in hotels too…. especially when they’re plush and nice like this. Before I got married, we used to stay in suites and such, so nice! Now my kids love staying in hotels too during their school hols!
I love staying at hotels in Melbourne – probably because they’re a lot cleaner than my room at home :p
Ohhhh ya someone else who loves hotels. I must admit I haven’t been to many recently but do adore the exploring of a new abode. I visited my friends recently at the Olsen,Melbourne. And the new setups where you can get extra pillows and purchase almost everything in the room is a great idea.
Thanks for the tour of the room. Always look forward to your morning stories and again you dont disappoint.
Wow, loved this post! I’ve missed checking into your blog over the past few weeks: we moved house and had no internet – I was crawling up the walls!
We went to Sydney a couple of weeks ago, and even ate at The Star! (Momofuku and Zumbo, which I excitedly blogged already).
I had no idea the hotel rooms were like this – such decadence and elegance! Very jealous.
xox Sarah
Gosh I’m like you! I love hotels as well! And I love progressive dining! So this post is a double thumbs up from me
While the food looks incredible as does the hotel (so classy) I can’t help but stare at the desserts most of all
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
it looks like a fabulous stay at a wonderful hotel, the suite is amazing.
What is there not to like about a great hotel? Fairies magically clean the room, the towels are fluffy and white and dry every day (and even every night at the right sort of hotel), chocolates (or bookmarks, or cookies …) on your pillow before you brush your teeth, and good that’s delivered if you ring someone. And a pillow menu.
Bad hotels are a different story – but they’re reviewed on TripAdvisor in a negative way!!
Hotels in Adelaide – hmmm – Hyatt now the Intercontinental but not stayed in recently. Hilton in a great location, especially for eating out, nice but not spectacular. I think we have a bit of work to do to meet some of the spectacular overseas hotels in room amenities and service standards. Australians are, I think, quite discerning travellers. Interesting article in the Australian newspaper today on just this issue!!
Now to find an hotel in Carmel, California for early January!!
Wonderful! Love the progressive meal and the fab rooms!
What a great experience going to three restaurants in one night. Those desserts like devine especially the chocolate crunchie.
I’ve so rarely stayed in a hotel in the city – must treat myself to it. LOVE the look of that breakfast!
Heidi xo
What a treat to stay in a hotel in the city you live in, as you said, you get to see your hometown in an entirely different way!
That chestnut crepe dessert would have been so much better with chestnut puree. Chestnut puree is the best!
I’m definitely a small boutique hotel kind of a gal. 5 star hotels are too impersonal for me personally. My fav hotel in Exeter closed down 2 years ago. The Hotel Barcelona was in an old Eye Infirmary. A bit creepy but it was great. It had a basement cocktail bar and nightclub as well as a great restaurant. Oh well. I love my 18th century cottage so it’s tough to best that most nights
Hi Lorraine, you’re so lucky to be doing what you really love the most! Besides, you’re the best person for this type of thing, reviewing hotels and restaurants, because your attention to detail is marvellous
I’m not so much of a hotel freak, have never stayed at a hotel in my city (Melbourne), oh wait on I was lucky enough to be part of a group where a friend’s friend won $50 grand at the pokies at Crown Casino once, so we all joined him when he booked the penthouse for the evening. It was swell, I remember that the mini bar was well and truly raided and then some 
Other than that have only ever stayed at Westin Diplomats or Marriott hotels overseas, and my favourite was an artsy little boutique hotel called “The Gershwin” that we stayed at in New York City. The room was the size of a shoebox, but the hotel itself made up for it in vibe and atmosphere and lots of cool characters 
The Emporium Hotel is the nicest I’ve stayed in Brisbane and actually the nicest I’ve stayed at in a lot of places.
I sometimes indulge in the mini-bar but I’m a bit of an offender of re-filling it myself before they notice anything is missing. Much cheaper to buy drinks at the supermarket and put them back!
Love your detailed reviews. Just stumbled upon your blog and I have just have bookmarked your feed. Keep it up.
Sux to be you. Just joking. Wish it was me.
Loooove hotels! NO cooking,washing dishes, cleaning….purrrfect pampering!
!! I’m taking notes for my next trip to Sydney
stayed there 4 months for internship and wish I stay longer!
Wish you had a picture of the walk-in closet. I’ve never seen one in a hotel.
I’ve stayed in a room like that in Sydney once. We complained about something and they changed our room to an enormous suite with all the trimmings. They didn’t tell us who’d stayed there before but the tariff was outrageous – in the many thousands a night.
Not quite as outrageous as the hotel we stayed in on Avenue Georges V in Paris once. My husband likes hotels as much as you do. I prefer to be outside the hotel seeing things.
I love hotel staying too and I don’t mind packing for any of my trip.
I even make my room cozy by putting my clothes away and setting up my stuff. I used to enjoy tagging along with my husband’s business trip when I can. I love trying delicious food (if the hotel is nice) and I just love going out in general… I always enjoy your reviews so I can virtually travel with you!
I’m like you NQN, I absolutely ADORE staying in beautiful hotels,my absolute fave hotels I’ve stayed in are…
Covent Garden Hotel – London
The Library Hotel – New York
Hotel Keppler – Paris
Four Seasons – Hong Kong
and in my home town
Crown Metropol!
Oh I LOVE the desserts at Balla. My new favourite is the pear sorbet! I took my husband and son there this Saturday for our 22nd Wedding Anniversary. We did the cocktails, entrée, mains, desert, coffee, desert wine full monty. Did you see the Adriano Zumbo desert train?!!!
Hmmm, too many negatives for me to want to go there.
Not being able to put my water bottle in the frig would annony me.
Having to pay extra for vegies for a meal which comes with nothing on the side,however, would be top of my complaints.
I dislike minibars monitored by sensors as it renders the bar fridge unusable.
We stayed at the W in New York a couple of years ago. The room was so small that you had to shuffle sideways to get in and out of one side of the bed. We had to ask concierge to bring a bar fridge which they plugged in under the desk. It was for leftover Momofuku fried chicken.
I love staying in hotels too! I would also be considered a hotel fiend, always taking photo’s of everything and thoroughly exploring the room. Staying in a hotel in your own city is lots of fun, you can go out and explore new things or old favourites, or even stay in and enjoy all the nice hotel things you don’t have at home.
My partner and I had a wonderful stay at The Grace in Sydney. A lovely old building with all modern amenities. We got such great service as soon as we arrived and the next morning we were very glad we’d made the decision to get the full buffet breakfast. So many delicious things to choose from, if only my stomach had been as big as my eyes
Was very happy to have a little souvenir of 2 Beerenberg condiments that I got with room service to take home too 
Im with you – who wouldnt want to stay in a hotel? Not having to worry about cleaning, cooking, anything really. Just relaxing in a gorgeous room, getting lost in a gorgeous city
i loved the brioche @ black by ezard! i could eat loaves of it! yum! and that potato slice looks amazing!
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