Sofitel Sydney Wentworth celebrates 50 years of The Wentworth Hotel
This year is one of reflection and celebration for Sofitel Sydney Wentworth with the luxury heritage hotel turning 50. The first 5-star hotel to open in Sydney during 1966, the hotel will mark this impressive milestone by inviting guests to embark on a journey of the historic Wentworth Hotel.
General Manager of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Wayne Taranto said: “We are extremely proud of the hotel’s heritage and this year we will fully embrace the beginnings of The Wentworth Hotel with a variety of celebratory hotel activations throughout 2016.”
The site of The Wentworth Hotel has fascinating origins, from a publishing house for The Australian newspaper in the early 1800s to a boarding residence. Following a fire and transformation of the building to a hotel with a magnificent ballroom, the majestic venue hosted King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor during the early 1920s.
In 1950 Qantas Empire Airways negotiated an interest in the hotel site, beginning a new phase. In 1961 approval was granted for Qantas to build a new 400-room hotel next to Qantas House in Chifley Square. The new Wentworth Hotel was completed in 1966 and became the outstanding first 5-star hotel in Sydney.
“The hotel will release a limited edition remembrance booklet and video with original footage of the hotel opening and its evolution throughout the five decades, as well as a selection of anniversary offers for our valued hotel guests,” said Wayne.
“We can’t let the year end without honouring the official opening day of the Wentworth Hotel on 14th December 1966. Therefore on that day, we will host a grand celebration in our iconic Wentworth Ballroom. Details of this event will be released later this year.”
Over the years, The Wentworth Hotel has hosted many international dignitaries and celebrities, such as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Other visitors have been Prince Charles and Princess Diana, numerous film and sports stars as well as the first men on the moon.
The hotel’s 50th anniversary offers touch on every area of the hotel inviting past and present guests to stay at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth during 2016.
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I well remember the excitement and the feverish activity the weeks before the Wentworth opened, probably a difficult time just before Christmas, but it was fun, “trying out” the new facilities, the wonderful restaurants, the completely different style of hotel, for Sydney. My then husband was very involved with the project from the beginning, and so we and our children stayed there pre opening, and I remember the littlies sitting up in the new high chairs in the Carousel Bar, which was facing Phillip/Bent Street … they were So good, and the older children remember it well.. And of course meeting new staff from all over the world,…. and Sydneys first Concierge, wonderful Tony Facciolo, so many of these people are no longer with us, but it would be So nice if any of them would contribute. We had several of the fellows to our home and they had fun kicking the ball with the kids in the garden while the Head Chef cooked for us a meal, and they all relaxed . An hotel is an amazing place, … I do prefer a bit of softness, though, … and carpet!! It is quite a memorable day, for Sydney.