Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has officially opened its new luxury spa, inviting guests and Sydneysiders alike to experience its holistic wellness offering.

Set across two levels overlooking Darling Harbour, Sofitel Spa Darling Harbour features seven spacious treatment rooms including two suites, designed by PikeWithers, an infrared sauna, contemplation deck and relaxation lounge.

The spa aims to redefine wellbeing within the hotel industry, taking a holistic approach that spans four pillars: Movement (exercise), Nourishment (nutrition), Care (treatments) and Rest (introspection).

Speaking at the launch of Sofitel Spa Darling Harbour on Wednesday April 5, Director of Spa and Wellness, Cecilia Ferreyra, said she wanted to take the traditional hotel spa experience to new heights.

“I wanted to take it up a level; I wanted to do something different and to acknowledge that for someone’s wellbeing, we need to address all the concepts such as nutrition and rest, of course the treatments themselves, and movement or exercise,” she explained.

“When someone experiences one of the signature wellness journeys, they are invited to have a vigorous swim at the pool or if they wish they can exercise at Sofitel Fitness overlooking the harbour, before a beautiful three-hour body experience.

“Every detail at the spa has been carefully thought out to make sure that we have a little element of all those pillars in every one of the guest experiences.”

Luxury French beauty brand Biologique Recherche, as well as emerging Australian brand, Waterlily, are used for treatments at the spa, and every element of the experience – including the décor and canapes – changes seasonally, with the reception area currently adorned with colourful autumnal flowers.  

“Everything across the spa follows a theme – from the floral arrangement to the aromatherapy, to the nutrition aspect as well as the treatments themselves – it all represents the season that we are in, so the product remains fresh and the offering remains attractive all year round,” Ferreyra explained.

The spa’s signature half-day Wellness Journeys will also change seasonally, launching with a five-hour Autumn Wellness Journey or Soin bien-être d’Automne.

Designed using soft timbers, sandstone, and marble finishes, and Australian made furnishings, the setting aims to deliver a calming space for relaxation, with a ‘quintessentially Sydney’ feel.

“Every little element [of the design] is an interpretation of what Sydney is all about,” Ferreyra said.

“You will see lots of sandstone around the spa. The beautiful green marble [tabletops] represent the harbour waters.”

 The spa’s sustainability initiatives include the use of digital forms, fully compostable linen slippers, eco amenities, a thorough recycling regime, water flow regulators in showers and movement activated light sensors in changing rooms to conserve energy.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s General Manager, Greg Brady, said that wellness is becoming increasingly important to guests and has prompted not only the opening of the spa but the addition of wellness touchpoints across the property.

“The multilayered, sophisticated wellness experience offered at Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour comes as we embrace the global shift in consumer mindset when it comes to what it means to take care of oneself and enjoy a true sense of health and wellbeing,” Brady said.

“There is a need for guests to be provided with a complete, holistic wellness offering, which is why we have developed a wellness presence throughout the hotel, providing the option of a Wellness themed break during a conference with us, to neck and shoulder massages paired with healthy cuisine, or even Urban Wellness Packages where guests can have a Peloton bike awaiting them in their room on arrival and a complete bespoke experience.”

Speaking at the opening, hotel owner Dr Jerry Schwartz praised Ferreyra for her vision in transforming the formerly under-utilised space.

“We opened the hotel in 2017, and this area was actually the storeroom – an unbelievable location for storing,” Schwartz said, pointing to the views of Darling Harbour.

“We’re very proud of it and we’re very proud of what Cecilia has done to transform [the space] into a double level spa.”