Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is the place to go for a taste of a European Christmas.
Sydney’s summer streets shimmer with sunshine each December, but this year, one address shines just a little brighter. Inside the storied walls of the classically elegant Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, a new chapter of European festive elegance unfolds—one that brings French art de vivre to the heart of the city.
With its grand heritage as Sydney’s original five-star hotel and its flair for fusing culture with comfort, the Wentworth has long been synonymous with sophistication. Now, in collaboration with Maison Balzac, the acclaimed French-born design brand, the hotel invites guests to step into a Christmas story infused with fragrance, light, and poetic charm.
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has transformed into a sanctuary of sensory delight—where modern design meets French nostalgia, and every corner tells a tale of joy. The partnership between Sofitel and Maison Balzac feels destined: two brands born of French heritage, both steeped in ritual, craftsmanship, and refinement.
The Art of a French Christmas in Sydney
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has been a beacon of luxury since the 1960s, beloved for its glamorous legacy and elegant modernism. Perfectly placed within walking distance of Circular Quay, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and Sydney’s designer boutiques, it is a haven for discerning travelers seeking a seasonal escape that feels both indulgent and effortless.
This December, the hotel reimagines the festive season through a uniquely Franco-Australian lens. Its marble-clad lobby glows with candlelight, the scent of pine mingles with notes of citrus and spice, and an atmosphere of warmth and wonder fills the air. At the heart of it all stands the Sofitel Sydney x Maison Balzac Christmas Tree—a soaring installation that blends tradition with whimsy.
A Tree of Glass and Wonder
Far from ordinary, this tree is a masterpiece of imagination. Instead of classic ornaments, it glitters with Maison Balzac’s iconic Pomponette coupes, each hand-blown glass sphere catching light like bubbles of champagne. Sydney’s celebrated florist Dr Cooper adds lush velvet bows, completing the tableau with a wink of festive drama. The result is breathtaking—a sculptural celebration of French artistry and playful modernity.
The installation embodies what Christmas at Sofitel has always been about: transforming ritual into experience. For guests arriving from Sydney’s bustling streets, it’s an invitation to pause, admire, and step into a world where elegance sparkles in every detail.
Maison Balzac: French Poetry in Modern Design
Founded by Élise Balzac, Maison Balzac is more than a design house—it’s a love letter to the French way of living. Inspired by Élise’s childhood in the South of France and her literary lineage to the famed novelist Honoré de Balzac, the atelier has become synonymous with modern French whimsy. Its creations—home fragrances, sculptural glassware, and “jewellery for the table”—capture beauty, joy, and nostalgia in equal measure.
The connection between Maison Balzac and Sofitel feels intuitive. Both celebrate refinement without pretension, elegance without excess. Their collaboration reflects a shared belief that true luxury lives in the senses: the flicker of candlelight, the delicate curve of glass, the indulgence of slowing down to savour a single, beautiful moment.
“It is a dream come true to see my favourite French traditions brought to life in the historical heart of Sydney,” Élise said. “My wish is to fill every Pomponette Coupe with champagne and celebrate with the Sofitel Sydney guests while singing Petit Papa Noël!”
The Candle Ceremony: A Parisian Tradition
Each evening as the sun sets, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hosts a Candle and Light Ceremony, a signature ritual of Sofitel hotels worldwide. The ceremony evokes the golden glow of Paris at Christmastime—bridging Sydney and the City of Light through the rhythm of flickering flames.
The custom has deep roots in Provence, where Élise Balzac’s family celebrated Christmas by lighting candles at dusk and sharing les treize desserts—thirteen sweet delicacies that embody abundance and togetherness. This evocative ritual finds new life at Club Millésime, where guests can discover Sofitel’s version of the thirteen desserts: citrus, spice, and confections inspired by Élise’s childhood table.
It’s an experience that connects generations and geographies—one that turns the hotel into a living vignette of French culture, deliciously reinterpreted in Sydney’s summer.
A Candlelit Retreat: The Sofitel Candle Room
For those seeking the perfect indulgent escape, the Sofitel Candle Room Experience offers a cocoon of serenity and sensuality. Within each softly illuminated room, hundreds of candles shimmer like stars. The air hums with mellow music from a Devialet sound system, and a bottle of Pommery Champagne awaits. Guests are treated to a festive confection served on a Maison Balzac Everything Plate—a collectible piece to take home and treasure long after the season ends.
This decadent in-room experience, available as a $199 add-on, embodies Sofitel’s signature philosophy: embracing l’art de recevoir—the art of hosting—with generosity and grace. Here, the simple act of lighting a candle becomes a ritual of connection and renewal.
Shopping, Gifting, and Gathering
No Christmas celebration is complete without gifts, and Sofitel ensures its guests can take a piece of the experience home. Those staying at the hotel will receive an exclusive 20% discountat Maison Balzac’s flagship boutique in The Strand Arcade—perfect for finding a thoughtful token, from the brand’s heavenly scented candles to its hand-blown glass objets d’art.
Back at the hotel, the festivities continue: from the nightly candle ceremonies to leisurely Champagne afternoons at Club Millésime, every moment at Sofitel feels enveloped in soft light and quiet joy. It’s a reminder that luxury can feel both magical and meaningful—that true celebration lies in the harmony between heritage and hospitality.
A Season of Light and French Joy
Through this creative partnership, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth reaffirms its reputation as Sydney’s grand maison of French sophistication. The hotel’s history, which traces back to the glamour of 1966, remains interwoven with French culture—a legacy that Maison Balzac helps illuminate anew. Together, they’ve crafted a Christmas that is less about spectacle and more about soul; less consumerism, more connection.
For travellers as well as locals seeking something extraordinary this festive season, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth offers the rarest gift of all: an experience that lingers in memory long after the last candle has been blown out. It’s not just a stay—it’s a story of heritage, beauty, and the enduring light of French elegance on Sydney’s doorstep.
