Sydney Hotel Guide
Visitors seeking a central location and Harbour views have never been short of hotels to choose from in Sydney. Many come in modern towers, so guests get to enjoy fabulous views over the harbour and its famous landmarks, while others are more low-rise and intimate. We’ve picked out a selection in a variety of locations, so whether you want to stay right by the harbour, in the middle of the downtown action or tucked peacefully away in a beach suburb, you’ll find something here to suit your travels.
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Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney is right by Circular Quay, which means many key attractions (including the Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden and The Rocks) are within easy walking distance and you’re just steps away from the ferries that chug around the harbour. That said, it’s also very tempting to stay put. Bright, light and blissfully serene, all the guestrooms come with desirable little luxuries like plush bathrobes, Nespresso machines and Bose speakers. If you’ve sensibly booked a room with a full harbour view, you can soak it all up in comfort from the cushion-piled window seats. If you like a swim, you can take a dip in one of the city’s largest heated outdoor pools; if you love a good spa session, check out Endota Spa, which offers a range of all-Australian treatments plus private saunas and steam rooms. Mode Kitchen & Bar serves up great contemporary Aussie food, with signature dishes including a Frozen Pavlova served in a cloud of dry ice, while Grain is famed for its huge choice of whiskies but also does a mean cocktail.
199 George Street, 2000
The Langham, Sydney
The first Langham hotel was in London and this Sydney outpost makes the occasional nod to the brand’s British origins: the restaurant serves a classic afternoon tea each day and there’s a traditional black cab that can be hired for airport transfers and picnic trips. Not that this particular cab is actually black any more – it’s been resprayed in a pale pastel pink, the signature Langham colour, which also pops up in the lobby flower displays, Observatory Bar’s Pink Rose cocktail and the plush pink beds and leads supplied for visiting pets.
The underground spa features a pool with a starry night sky on the ceiling and the hotel has its own championship-size tennis court just across the road. The setting is central but peaceful, on a quiet street in The Rocks, and though the building is modern, it’s also low rise and intimate, with just under a hundred rooms hidden behind the Georgian-style exterior.
89-113 Kent Street, 2000
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Park Hyatt, Sydney
Sydney locations don’t come much more spectacular than this - the Park Hyatt enjoys a prime piece of real estate in the historic Rocks area, right beside the Harbour Bridge, looking out across the water. Each room has plush fabrics, Bose music systems and a tastefully neutral colour palette. Still, if ever there were a time and a place to upgrade to a higher category room this is it, so each morning you can flick the bedside switch that controls the blinds and be treated to a knock-out view of the Opera House without even having to leave your bed. The hotel makes a point of showcasing Australia’s finest: there are artworks by Aussie artists on the walls; you’ll find native ingredients such as Davidson plum and Queensland crab on the menu; and treatments in the spa (which includes a gym, steam rooms and rooftop pool) often incorporate indigenous plants such as lemon myrtle, white flannel flower and eucalypt.
7 Hickson Road, 2000
Shangri-La Sydney
When you’re staying at the Shangri-La, it pays to go high. This modern high-rise in The Rocks is famed for its views and the further up you go, the better they get, culminating in the spectacular outlook from the 36th-floor bar and restaurant. Whether you’re tucking into superb Australian cuisine in Altitude or unwinding over cocktails or high tea in Blu Bar, you’ll spend much of your time just gawping through the window, admiring the natural beauty of the harbour and the man-made wonders of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. For a different outlook, head to the Lobby Lounge, where you can enjoy light dishes and drinks amid the greenery of a landscaped terrace, complete with koi pond. There’s also the option of retreating to Chi, The Spa, where Asian healing techniques meet Australian botanical ingredients and facilities include an indoor pool, gym and sundeck.
176 Cumberland Street, 2000
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Crown Towers Sydney
Crown Towers is housed within Sydney’s tallest building, a whopping new skyscraper with a twisting façade made up of 8,000 gleaming glass panels. Step into the vast, high-ceilinged lobby and you’re greeted by acres of marble, reception desks and a chandelier/staircase that spirals up several floors. Outside, the infinity pool has views over Darling Harbour and there’s an open-air tennis court. Back indoors, you’ll find a well-equipped gym and a spa offering La Prairie treatments. For upscale dining, discover Sydney’s first Nobu restaurant and Oncore, the first international restaurant from Clare Smyth. Given the irregular nature of the building, each room is slightly different in shape and size but all share a harbour-influenced colour palette of blues and greys, with curvy furniture shapes that echo the curvy façade. Up-to-the-minute technology includes in-room tablets, LED TVs with on-demand streaming and futuristic loos in the bathrooms.
1 Barangaroo Avenue, 2000
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
You’d expect a French-owned hotel to have a strong foodie focus and sure enough, this city-centre Sofitel scores highly on the gastro front. The main restaurant is a French-inspired grill that showcases the finest Australian produce, while up in the Champagne Bar, you can order in oysters and charcuterie to accompany a bottle of fizz and fabulous harbour views. There’s also a lobby bar, for all-day light meals, and a pool bar, for poolside cocktails and gourmet bites. The wellness facilities are impressive, too, with a rooftop infinity pool, a spa and fitness centre, plus the option of having weights, yoga mats and even a Peloton bike provided in your room. Which, by the way, will be a chic, tasteful affair, with clean-lined contemporary style and floor-to-ceiling windows that let the sun stream in. The hotel gets a big tick on the location front, too: right on the Darling Harbour waterfront, it’s surrounded by restaurants, bars and entertaining possibilities, including the Australian National Maritime Museum.
12 Darling Drive, 2000
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Hilton Sydney
From the conveniently central Hilton Sydney, key attractions such as Darling Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden are within a 20-minute walk, and the shops of the beautiful Queen Victoria Building are just across the road. Before you go exploring, the hotel has a few star attractions of its own to check out, the impressive health and beauty offering, from a gym and pool to a day spa and hair salon. Plus, excellent food and drink options: you’ll find two striking bars and an award-winning restaurant from Aussie celeb chef Luke Mangan, where the wine list runs to more than a thousand selections from around the world. Don’t forget to check out the hotel’s specially commissioned artworks, like Bronwyn Oliver’s ‘Vine’, a vast aluminium sculpture that stretches the full height of the lobby atrium.
488 George Street, 2000
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay
From the rooftop pool and bar at this Double Bay hideaway, there’s a glorious view of yachts bobbing at anchor and ferries carving a trail through the glittering harbour waters. You could easily fancy yourself on some holiday island rather than in the centre of a big city, yet downtown is just a couple of miles away. The glamorous rooms come with chaises longues, marble bathrooms and, in most cases, balconies with table and chairs; they also have plenty of room for family-friendly rollaway beds and cots. When it’s time for sightseeing, you’ll find boutiques, galleries and cafes right on the doorstep and it’s just a short walk from here to the soft sands and harbour pool of Seven Shillings Beach or to Double Bay Wharf, where you can hop on a ferry for a scenic ride to Circular Quay.
33 Cross Street, Double Bay, 2028
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Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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