SYDNEY | Vibe Hotels are TFE banner focused on location, accessibility, connected spaces, and bright rooms and communal spaces. One of these is Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour. I recently visited and stayed for two nights as a guest of the hotel.
Location
Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour is in a great location for exploring Sydney. It’s located on the edge of Darling Harbour, at the southern end of the CBD. You have all the amenities of Darling Harbour on your doorstep, along with all of the delicious food in nearby Haymarket/Chinatown. Hyde Park is just a 10 minute stroll away, from which you can easily continue into the Surry Hills.
The beautiful Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall, and Town Hall train station are a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House are a 9 minute tram ride from Town Hall.
Rooms
Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour contains 145 rooms, including 10 suites. I stayed in one of the Executive Suite King rooms. Beyond the amenities described below, which are present in all rooms, a suite gets you more floorspace, a separate lounge area, and a bathtub.
The bright, modern rooms are smartly designed and feel more premium than the price point suggests. Think sleek lines, light tones, and natural materials. There’s a work desk, flat screen TV, individual climate control air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, tea and coffee facilities, coffee pod machine, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and USB charging ports.
The bathroom features a decent sized dual regular and rain combo shower, large mirror and two sinks, and refillable O&M toiletries.
Amenities
There’s the expected amenities at Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour, plus a few extra things. There’s a heated rooftop swimming pool, and a small gym with cardio and weights equipment. A dry cleaning service and room service are offered, and reception is open 24/7.
If you have a car, there’s off-site undercover parking available, charged at $50 per 24 hour period.
Eat & Drink
There’s two options for food and drink at Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour. On the rooftop, next to the pool, there’s bar Above 319. Downstairs, next to the lobby, it’s casual dining space, The Sussex Store.
Above 319 is a great spot to watch the sunset, and is weatherproof so you can enjoy it rain or shine. It was overcast and raining when I visited, and it was still a vibe. It’s a fun bar, with neon lights, lush green walls, and great views of Sydney’s skyline.
There’s a tight but varied selection of beer, wine, and cocktails, including several non-alcoholic options. Cocktails are bold and approachable, and there’s a decent range of spirits. There’s a focus on spritzes, martinis and punches with a summery vibe. My pick is the Tiki Ginger, which combines white and dark rum, falernum, and ginger.
To eat, it’s bar snacks like vanilla burrata with watermelon, tomato and pea leaf pesto arancini, and a very good cheese platter. Above 319 runs a pretty good happy hour, and weekly food specials featuring things like tacos and sliders.
The Sussex Store is open from breakfast through dinner, and features a menu of Aussie brunch classics, and modern Australian dishes with an Asian twist. If you’ve got breakfast included during your stay, this is where you’ll find it, with the a la carte options a step up from the usual buffet fare.
Breakfast dishes include things like a bacon and egg roll, lemon ricotta brioche, and avocado toast. For lunch and dinner, think Peking duck and mushroom risotto, a wagyu beef burger, and pesto grilled chicken with seasonal vegetables.
The Verdict
I enjoyed my stay at Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour. The hotel is in a great location, especially if you tend to spend more time in the southern end of the CBD and Surry Hills, like I do. The rooms are modern, beds comfortable, and there’s all the amenities you need. The rooftop pool and bar great ways to relax at the end of a day spent exploring the city, before getting ready to hit the town at night.
Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour
319-325 Sussex Street
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
Australia
Telephone: (02) 9060 8888
E-mail: n/a
Website