My room at The Star had a control panel. Lighting for every corner of my suite, music, wake-up calls, room service and more were available through the push of a few space-age buttons. In the morning, the shades and curtains opened wide and the Australian sun spilled into my room. The music faded and the television turned onto CNN — all to my specifications. It was the morning after my first night at The Darling and, as it turned out, my experience at The Star was just the tip of the iceberg.
The Darling Hotel is only one part of The Star complex. My room on the 15th floor overlooked Sydney’s Darling Harbour and a quaint, walkable neighborhood. In the light of day, its wood grain and earth-tone decor had touches of hipness and sophistication, such as a practical room divider with back-to-back flat-screen televisions that separated the bedroom from the living room.
Celebrating its two-year anniversary after a multimillion-dollar redevelopment, The Star encompasses a five-star hotel, a residential property, a high-end shopping center and a 4,000-seat events center. Features include one of the city’s most stylish clubs and the biggest casino gaming floor I have ever encountered, with 27 different table games, slots and a house-music elegant atmosphere. The Star is Sydney’s one-stop entertainment destination.
Since so much activity can build up quite an appetite, it’s a good thing that The Star also offers innovative and popular restaurants. For fine dining, recommend Sokyo (Sydney + Tokyo), Japanese fusion for a contemporary palette that offers set menus such as asparagas tempura, tuna umami and hokkaido scallops, among many other options, as well as personalized Sokyo menus. Balla touts incredible Italian cuisine while Black by Ezard caters to beef connoisseurs. With 20 eateries to choose from, there is something for everyone.
Agents with clients traveling to Australia will not only appreciate The Star’s all-in-one destination appeal, but also its close proximity to many of Sydney’s downtown activities.
For travelers looking to go off property, the National Maritime Museum is a family-friendly museum two short blocks from the Star that invites visitors onto an out-of-commission submarine, a destroyer and an exact replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour.
About a 10-minute walk across the footbridge (right next to the Maritime Museum) is Sydney Central Business District (CBD), where Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral and other downtown attractions are located. It only takes another 10 minutes to reach the Rocks, Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House, but due to the complexity of Sydney roads, it may take longer to drive or take a taxi to these places directly from the Star.
Prices at The Darling Hotel depend on the season, with agent commission starting at 10 percent.
The Details
The Starwww.star.com.au
