Dec 22

Dec 22 Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth celebrated the Wentworth Hotel's 50th anniversary in style.

The luxury heritage hotel was the first five-star hotel to open in Sydney during 1966. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth marked the 2016 milestone by inviting guests to honour the official opening day on December 14.

When the doors swung open on the opening night of the Wentworth Hotel in 1966 as many as 20,000 eager Sydneysiders spilled through the doors, keen to see inside this fascinating new building. 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 impressive, 1.3-metre tall anniversary cake set the scene for the celebration in the hotel's iconic Wentworth Ballroom and was framed by a 1.4m drop down chandelier ‘The Duchess’, gold gilded and dressed in 30% lead crystal.

Executive Chef Boris Cuzon and his team designed a gourmet menu for the occasion to remember the culinary highlights of the last five decades. A live oyster chucking buffet was in particular demand throughout the night and the event was sponsored by Veuve Clicquot.