A luxury, harbour-side hotel is set to headline the $2.5 billion Darling Harbour upgrade program, in a major boost for NSW tourism.
The premium hotel will have around 600 rooms and will be the first large luxury hotel built in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics.
The hotel will be operated by Accor, under the Sofitel brand – set to offer conference, special event and tourism functions at the new Darling Harbour precinct.
The 35 storey hotel will be the centre-piece of the 20-hectare Darling Harbour redevelopment. The Darling Harbour project is set to create around 3,700 jobs, delivering a further 4,000 jobs in tourism and hospitality on completion. It is also expected to generate $200 million in economic benefit to the State annually.
NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said the hotel will boost the State’s visitor economy by expanding the supply and range of accommodation for corporate travellers and tourists.
“Sydney had nearly 2.9 million international overnight visitors in the year to March 2014, and this luxury hotel will be yet another drawcard for our city,” Stoner said
Construction of the hotel is expected to start in late 2014, and is due for completion in the first half of 2017.
