18 Apr 2023
Set across two levels overlooking iconic Darling Harbour, Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour is Sydney’s most anticipated urban retreat, delivering a holistic and totally indulgent revitalisation experience targeting the body, mind and soul. With the aim of redefining wellbeing within the hotel industry, Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour offers exquisite, tailored treatments and experiences that balance French indulgence with Australian authenticity.
Guests commence their wellness experience on entry, welcomed with a calming palette of soft timbers, sandstone and marble finishes, and Australian made furnishings. With seven spacious treatment rooms including two suites beautifully designed by award-winning design firm, PikeWithers, one of which features a bespoke bath overlooking Darling Harbour, Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour also boasts an infrared sauna, contemplation deck and relaxation lounge. The space strives to be ‘quintessentially Sydney,’ featuring sandstone inspired tiles and the marble accents that resemble the Sydney Harbour waters that the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour property sits on.
Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour’s highlight offering is its signature half-day Wellness Journeys, inspired by the natural rhythm of the seasons and indulging guests in the elements of Movement (exercise), Nourishment (nutrition), Care (treatments) and Rest (introspection) to provide a tailored holistic sojourn.
The Spa is launching with its five-hour Autumn Wellness Journey or Soin bien-être d’Automne. Guests begin their journey with Mouvement to activate circulation, choosing from an invigorating swim in Sofitel’s outdoor swimming pool or a Peloton bike session with views of Darling Harbour. Next up is Care, in the hands of the Sofitel SPA’s skilled therapists, they take guests on the ultimate sensory journey, where the essence of Autumn is interpreted as a three-hour full body experience that will replenish vitality and brighten the complexion.
Starting with a body polish and wrap with a blend of active botanicals, pure sun dried clays and cold pressed plant oils, this treatment will hydrate, nourish and condition the skin of the body. A relaxing massage with our Autumn at Sofitel Spa signature aromatherapy blend follows, ending with an Organic Apple Collagen Facial that revitalises skin with light weight botanicals and gentle fruit enzymes, to refine and retexture all skin types.
Lastly, it is time to Replenish cell Nourrissement with a light lunch by Executive Chef Sam Moore; followed by a choice of an inspiring guided meditation or mandala colouring to allow the mind to Rest, unwind, and reflect on the journey it has just undertaken. The Autumn Wellness Journey can be experienced on Monday to Thursday for $850 and Friday to Sunday for $900.
Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour treatments star luxury French beauty brand Biologique Recherche, providing guests with a clinical approach to personalised cosmetic treatment using pure, concentrated almost raw products, which is the foundation of Biologique Recherche’s methodology. Therapists are specially trained in using the active-ingredient products, while emerging Australian brand, Waterlily provides guests with a more sensory journey through aromatherapy and ritual.
Bespoke Biologique Recherche treatments include Biologique Recherche Bespoke Facials utilising the Biologique Recherche Methodology, where skin care is provided following a personal dermo-cosmetic skin diagnosis, where specialised equipment is used to determine a guest’s Skin Instant©, then tailor the facial based on an assessment of pigmentation, hydration, sebum, elasticity and barrier function.
The Sofitel SPA menu also features Waterlily phyto-therapy facials which include the Triple Berry, a deeply hydrating, nourishing and brightening blend of exotic berries layered with an active infusion of niacinamide, panthenol and folic acid, as well as the anti-aging favourite Therapie du Vin, aimed at activating collagen production, promoting firmness and tone. Lime Caviar provides a redefining face treatment featuring clinical doses of three forms of vitamin C and ferulic acid with vitamin E.
When it comes to massages, Sofitel SPA Darling Harbourr has package options to suits all needs, from a 60 or 90 minute Aromatherapy Massage where guests are guided by their intuition in selecting the Aromatherapy blend that they are naturally drawn to during a sensory test, to a classic Swedish Massage. The spa also offers Deep Tissue Massages.
Body treatments include the Basil and Mint & Lime and Caviar Skin Smoothers, which are head-to-toe skin buffs that include a full body dry brushing technique, followed by a sugar exfoliation to leave skin hydrated and detoxified. Body wraps are also available and feature the Lemongrass & Citrus wrap including a body polish and rich wrap with blend of lemongrass and citrus rind oils steeped in a green tea crème mousse , as well as the Organic Honey wrap which deeply hydrates the skin with rich cocoa and honey steeped in vanilla crème mousse.
Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour also offers couples packages and an array of enhancements from Petit Spa Facials to a French Rose Hand Treatment, Botanical Foot Treatment and Hair & Scalp Nourishment add ons.
With sustainability at its core, Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour will also activate a number of efforts to enhance its green status including adopting digital forms, supplying guests with fully compostable linen slippers, eco amenities, ensuring suppliers shift packaging from plastic to glass, engage in a thorough recycling regime, and provide water flow regulators in showers and movement activated light sensors in change rooms to conserve energy.
Cecilia Ferreyra, launch Director of Spa & Wellness, Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour says that these indulgent seasonal wellness journeys are set to be Sydney’s go-to for holistic wellness.
“Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour is not just the new home of luxury, we are the epitome of holistic wellness, providing thoughtful touchpoints at every turn within the property, and ultimately indulging guests in a unique “journey” experience unlike any other. Our half-day treatments are true journeys covering each element of wellness with the aim of guests not only feeling relaxed and rejuvenated but leaving them changed.“
Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour’s General Manager, Greg Brady, says that wellness has continued to grow as a key pillar for the hotel, leading to it being implemented not only within the Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour, but 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.“
“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”.
