With snack stations, cosy comforts and a pyjama dress code, Pier One Sydney’s intimate harbourside cinema is a PJ-party dream come true. We test it out.
I’ve reached the point in my twenties where cushy nights at home hold infinite more appeal than a late-night bar crawl. Especially when the temperature drops. Whether that makes me cool or boring remains up for debate. Either way, Sydney’s cutest new pop-up will no doubt send homebodies’ hearts aflutter, promising the perfect way to get out while staying in.
An Autograph Collection hotel, Pier One Sydney Harbour has launched a new winter experience for groups and couples that transforms its Sunset Balcony Suite into guests’ very own private cinema. Overlooking Walsh Bay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the intimate movie screening comes complete with cosy comforts and sweet treats – bringing all the luxuries of a night on the couch to a spectacular harbourside setting.
Pier One Sydney Harbour has launched a new winter experience that transforms its Sunset Balcony Suite into guests’ very own private cinema. Complete with snack stations, cosy comforts and a pyjama dress code, it brings all the comforts of a night on the couch to a spectacular harbourside setting. Read our full review.
This package forms part of Marriott Bonvoy’s new Winter After Dark campaign, a series of distinctive experiences that encourage guests to embrace longer winter nights.
The group experience is the perfect way to brighten up your winter.
I arrive at the suite’s spacious terrace and am left jaw-to-the-floor impressed. The sheltered outdoor space is set up with plush couches, fluffy blankets and fairy lights, creating an ideal setting for birthdays, special occasions or – in our case – a novel group hangout. I’ve brought five friends; we can barely contain our childlike delight.
From the double-height terrace, we can see Luna Park shimmering across the water and feel close enough to touch the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where the last bridge climbers of the day are making their descent down the iconic arc.
Before we get stuck into our movie, we head downstairs to Pier Bar for cocktails by the water: a gin pineapple spritz, amaretto sour and Pier St. Negroni do the trick. The rosy tones of sunset ripple over the water and across the sky, setting a dreamy tone for our evening.
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AI Prompt
Go back for seconds (or thirds) at the snack trolley.
The suite's terrace is set up with warm blankets and cushions.
Enjoy your movie of choice with a side of popcorn.
Back in our suite, we snuggle into our blankets. The movie projector has all the streaming services available (though you will need your own login), giving guests the flexibility to choose their own film or TV series. We go for a childhood classic: Bridge to Terabithia.
Once we’ve settled in, a knock at the door signals the delivery we’ve been eagerly awaiting: our very own snack trolley complete with individual popcorn boxes and a build-your-own-Yo-Chi station. A range of frozen yoghurt flavours and toppings (brownies, Nutella, pistachio paste, fruit – you name it) keep us all happily scooping and sprinkling. But what’s a snack without a bevvy to accompany?
We’re spoilt for choice with a bottle of sparkling, rose, pinot grigio and pinot noir, along with tap beers of choice (Stone & Wood, naturally) delivered by friendly hotel staff.
The Pier One Harbourside Cinema includes a curated menu.
About an hour later, a curated and nostalgic Cinema Specials dinner menu is delivered directly to our suite. Think loaded fries, mustardy hot dogs (or beetroot burgers for vegetarians) and Caesar salad. But there are also dishes that elevate the experience (and remind you that you are indeed not just at home in front of an empty fridge). We graze on tuna tartare, baked brie and a charcuterie board embellished with swirls of cold cuts and cheese wedges.
The Pier One Harbourside Cinema package is designed for groups of up to eight and includes an overnight stay for two in the suite’s king bed, while the rest of the party are welcome to stay for the film screening, or until 11pm.
The Sunset Balcony Suite invites lie-ins. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
It’s at this point my partner and I wave goodbye to our friends and realise there is still more to enjoy. The Sunset Balcony Suite itself is a sanctuary of navy tones, brass accents and nautical touches nodding to the hotel’s unique maritime history. A freestanding bathtub calls for a bubble bath and a gourmet mini-bar seals the deal.
Watch the sun rise from the terrace. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
In the morning, we wake to a brilliant misty sunrise, watching as old-school ferries roll beneath the Harbour Bridge. Would I live this night again and again? In an instant.
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The details
Price: $150 for two people, plus $50pp for any extra guests (up to eight total guests), in addition to the Sunset Suite room rate
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.
It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.
Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.
Where the vines tell a story
Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.
Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.
Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.
Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.
At the table
Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)
If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.
Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.
Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotelis a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.
And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.
Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.
From the source
Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)
Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.
Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.
Mark your calendar
Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)
For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.
Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.
