Located in Sydney’s harbourside village of Pyrmont in a beautifully remodelled 1930s Art Deco building, is Aiden Darling Harbour. It’s everything you’d want from an inner-city hotel – welcoming with thoughtful design, bespoke local flourishes (like room numbers with etchings of native flora) and knowledgeable staff who know exactly what to see and do in the neighbourhood.

The hotel has opened with 42 guest rooms, with an additional 46 being finalised for stays by April, including several with private open-air balconies. Set across seven floors, the rooms have the eco essentials and luxury amenities (think exclusive Rituals skincare and haircare products, Dyson hairdryer, complimentary Madhouse Bakehouse cookies, Moda sparkling water and organic Love Tea).

Regardless of which of the 88 rooms you stay in, you’re in for some art appreciation. Vibrant murals of indigenous flora (like black wattle) have been hand-painted by award-winning artist-in-residence Jessica Le Clerc (and her small team of artists). The unique murals (no two are the same) compliment the rich, velvet bedheads and earthy tones of the rooms. Some rooms in the centre of the hotel have exclusive views of an otherwise hidden 25-metre-high mural of a lush, subtropical rainforest.

The interiors draw on inspiration from the surrounding area, picking up on the blues of Sydney harbour, fluted glass inspired by shapes of Pyrmont Bridge (opposite the hotel) and a glittering 200-piece sculptural light in the lobby reminiscent of sunlight streaming through Eucalyptus leaves.

The ground floor lobby is home to Wayfarer’s Bar & Café, serving a small but mighty selection of breakfast options, like smashed avocado with dukkah on house-baked bread. Croissants come courtesy of Pyrmont’s PiOiK Bakery, while later in the day, it’s worth sampling a brew from Staves Beer brewed in Glebe and custom bottled cocktails mixed with local spirits (try the firecracker margarita with agave tequila, Cointreau, birds eye chilli with a chill salt rim).

With health and safety at the fore of our minds as we start to travel again, you can breathe easy knowing that Aiden Darling Harbour has state-of-the-art filters in air-conditioning units with continuous hydroxyl supply throughout the ventilation system. So, what does this mean? Essentially, the air you’re breathing is as clean as it can be and is not shared or circulated with any other rooms. Happily, this also means you can control your room’s individual temperature – no more icy air conditioning blasting or furnace-like accommodation.

Being so centrally located, you’ll want to get out and explore what Pyrmont and Darling Harbour have to offer. Guests at the hotel can access an exclusive local walking tour with Local Sauce or a private luxury sailing expedition with Sydney By Sail. Just speak to the staff in the lobby and they’ll ensure you’re looked after.

To celebrate its opening, Aiden Darling Harbour is offering a special opening rate from $249 per night. For more information, visit www.aidendarlingharbour.com.au

45 Murray St, Pyrmont NSW 2009 | (02) 7203 8600 | aidendarlingharbour.com.au