Latest news with #HouseMadeHospitality
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Turning into America': Sydney restaurant's menu act outrages
A Sydney restaurant has responded after a customer aired their frustration over a tip being added to their bill without their consent – a move that has reignited the debate over whether Australia's tipping culture is becoming more like that of the United States. The discussion was sparked by a Reddit post detailing a visit to Lana, an upscale Italian restaurant in Sydney's Circular Quay, owned by hospitality giant House Made Hospitality. The post included a photo of the bill, which came to $221 before a seven per cent service charge of $15.47 was added, bringing the total to $236.45. The original poster wrote: 'This is the second occasion I have seen this at a fine dining Sydney restaurant. Is this slowly becoming the norm? Is the gratuity actually shared with the staff who go above and beyond?' They also noted the service charge was detailed on the menu in 'tiny print'. Commenters weighed in The thread quickly filled with angry comments from locals who felt the practice was out of touch with Australian values. 'Places like this should be made famous for scummy tactics of gratuity,' said one. Another wrote: 'This isn't America,' while others vowed to avoid restaurants with auto-tips. 'Thanks for the heads up,' said a third, 'I am not okay with paying an auto-gratuity. This is Australia. Once tipping culture takes hold, it will never go away.' Another user called it 'absolutely disgraceful behaviour' and said it 'needed to be called out'. Restaurant responds Lana responded to the backlash, telling 'The optional seven per cent gratuity at Lana is communicated at multiple stages during the booking process (on our website, in the booking widget, in the confirmation email), written on the menus, and verbalised again when the bill is presented, and is designed to reward our team for their dedication and hard work. 'It also serves to incentivise exceptional service and support increased tenure within our industry, at a time when experience is hard to find, and living costs are increasing. 'This surcharge is not mandatory and can be removed at any point, no questions asked nor judgment given, should a guest request it.' The restaurant explained that gratuities are managed through a third-party software program (which it believes is the fairest approach and ensures transparency), and every dollar goes directly to the team working during that shift, including the kitchen. 'Our goal is to deliver a memorable dining experience for our guests while rewarding our team for their efforts,' the spokesman continued. 'However, we fully respect that not all guests may wish to pay the gratuity, which is why it remains entirely optional.' The 'awkwardness' of opting out Despite this, commenters were sceptical that guests would feel comfortable opting out of the charge. 'They're counting on the fact that a good number of diners will feel too awkward to ask for it to be removed,' claimed one. 'You have to look the person in the eye who won't be getting the extra money,' pointed out another. Is this legal? In Australia, restaurants are permitted to add an automatic service charge or tip to bills, but there are strict legal requirements regarding transparency and the option to opt out. The charge must be clearly indicated as optional and displayed in the total price before the payment is made. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that businesses must be transparent about these optional charges and ensure customers are not misled. Diners must also be able to request the removal of any automatic gratuity before paying the bill. Do hospitality workers expect tips? Much of the controversy around tipping is due to the fact that Aussie workers are already paid a fair wage. Australia's minimum wage is $24.95 per hour, as of July 1 – among the highest in the world – while in the U.S., employees often rely on tips as they earn a base wage as little as US$7.25 ($11.32) per hour.
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel
For a lot of Sydneysiders, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth building – the Art Deco tower that cuts its distinctive curve into the heart of the CBD – is part of the furniture: an historic red-brick stalwart that's stood 20-storeys tall in the city's beating heart since 1966. If you've passed it in recent months though, you'll have noticed something different – a warmly-lit, distinctly modern energy pouring onto Philip Street. In October 2024, Sydney's oldest five-star hotel reopened its doors after a $77-million makeover. After staying the night, I can confirm that the site-wide reimagining involved so much more than a surface-level polish. With A-grade dining options, a sexy-as-hell (and surprisingly affordable) bar and 436 beautifully redesigned bedrooms, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is reclaiming its place among the best high-end stays in the city. Why stay at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? When it opened its doors back in 1966, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth was Sydney's very first five-star hotel – welcoming a glittering guest list that ranged from royals to movie stars. As time ticked by, the historic hotel began to lose a little of its sparkle – with age taking its toll. After the mega site-wide refurbishment, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is back in a big way – firmly securing its position as one of the city's best hotels. And while the hotel's historic standing and famous alumni would be reason enough to add this one to your staycation hit list, there are so many other factors that make this huge hotel an excellent pick for your Sydney base. First up, there's the new foodie offering – brought to life by House Made Hospitality, the people behind Sydney faves including Grana, Bondi Promenade, Apollonia and Martinez (more on that later). Then there's the location: right in the heart of the city, a breezy 15-minute walk to the Opera House and just steps from Martin Place station where the metro system can whizz you across the city in moments. And last but not least, there's the space itself. Sydney-based design firm FK was tasked with the huge renovation project, and the result is a tastefully opulent masterpiece: a space that screams 'luxury hotel' without feeling remotely stuffy. What are the rooms like at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? Spread across the hotel's 20 storeys, all 436 guest rooms have received a recent renovation courtesy of FK – with a 'Modern Heritage' approach informing the design. Soft, organic forms, buttery lighting and neutral tones soften the building's minimalist Art Deco shell – with rooms featuring soft beige carpets, huge beds wrapped in white linens and wooden furniture warmed with cream were staying in a junior suite, which had its own light-flooded lounge space, plus separate bedroom and marble-trimmed bathroom. Of all the spaces in the hotel, our bathroom was perhaps the least strikingly beautiful, but perfectly functional – with double sinks, a shower and a remarkably long bathtub. If you're looking for something more compact, the classic rooms are the entry-level options: with king sized beds, marble-trimmed bathrooms, work stations and the option to book interconnecting rooms if you're staying as a family. Which are the best restaurants at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? As you'd expect from House Made Hospitality, the dining options here are exceptional – the expectations for hotel dining completely blown out of the water. The glittering lobby connects to Tilda – an impeccably refined modern-Australian restaurant whose bread course (featuring saltbush focaccia from beloved A.P Bakery and a globe-like dish of whipped Pepe Saya butter) sets the tone for what's to come. Through a glass wall, you'll find Bar Tidla; Tilda's younger, more lively sibling. Worth visiting for its happy hour ($12 Martinis from 3pm-6pm, Mondays through Fridays) as much as its sultry, warm energy, Bar Tilda is the kind of cocktail bar that's difficult to leave. Come here for a $20 weekday lunch, and you might find yourself staying all day. On level five, you'll find a stunning atrium housing a sun-soaked open-air bar (Wentworth Bar), and Delta Rue – the Vietnamese-French restaurant drawing on the romance of 1920s Hanoi. Delta Rue is where breakfast is served, and it's not one you want to miss. All of the buffet breakfast favourites are there, but I'd suggest beelining straight for the congee station and loading up on the good stuff to start your day. If you're keen to venture out for lunch or dinner, your options are endless. Time Out Sydney's Restaurant of the Year for 2025 (Neptune's Grotto) is a four minute walk from the hotel, and our 2025 Cocktail Bar of the Year (Centro 86) is just a five minute walk away. You can check out our full guide to the best restaurants around nearby Circular Quay here, and our full round-up of the best restaurants in the city here. What is the service like at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? As with the interiors here, there's a degree to which service at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth adheres to the kind of traditional approach you'd expect from such a large brand. Guests are greeted with Sofitel's signature 'bonjour', and there's a level of formality that doesn't always feel easy. Despite being arguably a little too formal, staff here are polite and helpful without fail. Our interactions with Kerry – the angel managing the 'Velvet Lounge', a deep red, velvet-trimmed room overlooking the atrium – were a particular highlight. Want a discrete, human interaction-free stay? No problem – digital check in desks are waiting in the lobby so you can check in and out without exchanging a word. Is there a gym or pool at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? The hotel itself isn't home to a pool or a gym, but guests are granted access to the nearby Virgin Active gym on Bligh Street which has everything you need for a full-body workout. Rather get active in the open air? The hotel is a 16 minute walk from the Royal Botanic Gardens (one of the most beautiful places to run in the city), and a 13 minute walk from Cook and Phillip Park swimming pool. What's the area like around Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? galleries, museums, shops, bars and restaurants all within walking distance. . For Sydneysiders, choosing a hotel for your staycation in the city can be tricky – an indulgence that deserves discernment. If you're looking for a reliable, relatively affordable high-end stay in the heart of your own city, add this one to your list. And if you're an out-of-towner looking for a Sydney base within striking distance of the city's top cultural attractions, look no further. 101 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000 These are the best .
