Your guide to the best hotels in Sydney. Where will you be staying on your next visit?
So you've decided to pay Sydney a visit. Congratulations! As a Sydneysider, we'd love to have you.
Now for the tricky bit: deciding where to stay.
If you've never been to Sydney, it can be a little confusing at first to know what's what. Contrary to popular belief, the heart of Sydney isn't next to the beach. If you want to be right in the thick of things, you'll want to stay either in the city (CBD), The Rocks, Circular Quay or Walsh Bay.
If you've got the beach on the brain, then venture out to either Bondi or Manly. Bondi is about a forty minute trip to the big tourist destinations, while Manly is a thirty minute ferry ride away.
A few things to consider before you book:
Do you want harbour views? Or do you want the city at your doorstep?
Is fitness and health important to you?
Or would you prefer somewhere with a top quality bar?
While any of these hotels would provide a great stay, they all have their strengths and weaknesses to consider.
That being said, Sydney might be a sprawling city, but all these hotels are within walking distance of one another. The harbour, the bridge, the bars and the dining – they're never too far away.
The 11 Best Hotels To Stay At When You Come To Sydney
The Westin Hotel
Calling anyone with a love of beautiful old buildings, luxurious settings, and a strong hope not to fall of the healthy bandwagon when they're travelling. You'll be wanting to check in to The Westin, no?
The grand hotel is housed in the old General Post Office building in the heart of Sydney's CBD. It's one of those grandiose buildings that'll take your breath away, even before you enter the light-flooded art deco atrium.
The rooms are divided into two: the heritage-listed half of the building, and the modern-look skyscraper. Both have their advantages, and regular guests definitely have their favourites. It all depends on your tastes: modern, or traditional? The modern side features some great views of the city (who knew we had a New York-feel from way up high?) and thanks to a well-placed glass wall between the bathroom and the bedroom, you can soak in a bubble bath and gaze at the view outside – champagne in hand, of course.
Healthy-minded folks will appreciate the superfood focus of the menu, the state of the art health facilities, the New Balance Lending Gear program (so it doesn't matter if you forgot to pack your trainers), and the hot spot running maps that'll take you past the must-see places in Sydney. Who fancies a jog around the Opera House?
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Wheelchair access
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Blue Sydney
Five star luxury inside a converted warehouse? Yes, it’s possible – BLUE Sydney proves that.
Situated right on the water at Woolloomooloo Wharfs, you’ll be able to choose from either a traditional, loft, or rafter-style room. It’s got that cool, urban edge to it with touches of exposed corrugated iron and stainless steel without sacrificing comfort. Minimal, sleek, oh-so-very New York.
Naturally there’s a fitness centre complete with a 17-metre indoor heated pool and an outdoor sundeck. What would a workout be without a touch of the Sydney sun (and a view) afterwards? You’ll be looking right over the marina and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The only downside to the BLUE Sydney is the slightly longer-than-average walk to the Opera House (15–20min), but when the walk’s this beautiful, who’s complaining?
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Wheelchair access
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QT Sydney, Market St
Smack bang in the centre of Sydney, the QT Hotel fuses a modern, eclectic design with historic Gothic architecture. In fact, it's picked up a few awards for its quirky design (and a few more awards and inclusions in right lists). It might be edgier than your average five star luxury, but the comfort factor is still well and truly there.
Choose from 12 different rooms, starting with the QT King and going all the way up to the QT State Suit. How fancy are you feeling today?
An eclectic art collection, curated by Amanda Love, is featured thought the public areas, lifts, lobbies, dining spaces and even the 200 rooms. It's an art gallery and hotel, all rolled into one.
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Wheelchair access
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The Park Hyatt, The Rocks
The Park Hyatt might win all the awards for the best pool in Sydney, and that’s before you even get to the rest of the hotel. A rooftop deck with a spa, sun lounges, and killer views of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, you could spend every day of your stay here and still feel like you’ve ‘seen Sydney’.
But let’s get back to the rest of the hotel. Thanks to some prime real estate in the heart of the historic Rocks area, all of the luxury rooms have views of Sydney Harbour. A rich palette of chocolates, creams, and beige run throughout, setting a new standard in luxury, offset by elegant lighting and exclusively commissioned artworks.
You’re within a stone’s throw from Circular Quay, where ferries leave regularly to Taronga Zoo, Manly, Watson’s Bay and more. If you’re more locally inclined, it’s a short walk to Darling Harbour and Sydney’s CBD, or take a wander around The Rocks.
But back to that pool.
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Shuttle bus service
Wheelchair access
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The InterContinental, The Rocks
It's seconds to the Opera House. A short walk to the Royal Botanical Gardens. And a mere stroll to the Harbour Bridge, through the historic Rocks district.
Welcome to the InterContinental, where you can sleep in luxury in the heart of everything. Go on. Sit in your window seat and look out to the harbour. Book something to do in Sydney with the wifi in your room. Or perhaps you should pop up to the indoor heating pool and relax muscles made stiff by hours on a plane. There’s nothing quite like a refreshing dip to get ready to see the city.
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Wheelchair access
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The Hilton, George St
If you’re looking for the hotel in the heart of city, you’ve come to the right place. The Hilton can be found directly across the road from Sydney’s premium shopping destination the Queen Victoria Building (or as the locals say, the QVB).
It’s all magnificent glass lobbies and valet service here. Indulge your inner glutton with dinner at glass brasserie followed by cocktails at Marble Bar, and work off those calories the next day at the city’s largest fitness centre. Nothing beats a hangover like a dip in a 25 metre indoor swimming pool, right?
The Hilton has a room for every need. On a work trip? The Executive Rooms come with a workstation at a higher standard than most hotel rooms (large desks and ergonomic chairs – wifi is de rigeur). Severely jet-lagged? The Hilton Guest Rooms come with blackout blinds. Want nothing more to relax into a near-comatose state? The Relaxation Room is waiting...
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Wheelchair access
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Swissotel, Market St
It was originally built for the Sydney Olympics back in 2000. A decade and a half later and it’s still one of the best choices to stay in Sydney – and it’s not hard to see why.
A skyscraper in the heart of Sydney becomes a relaxing, lofty oasis. There’s the high ceilinged lobby upstairs with the bar and bistro, the heated rooftop pool with attached gym and spa, and – if you’re staying in one of the executive suites – the Executive Club complete with papers, WiFi, morning breakfasts and evening drinks.
The quirk factor here is the bees. Yes, bees. Up on the rooftop (but don’t worry – away from the pool) are a handful of hives home to thousands of bees. It’s part of the Swissotel's philosophy of giving back. The bee population is dying? Let’s build them a home.
You know what this means: when you come down for breakfast, you have to try the honey…
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Shuttle bus service
Babysitting service (upon request)
Wheelchair access
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Sheraton on the Park, Hyde Park
Picture this: you’re at the window, looking out onto Hyde Park. Behind you is a warmly furnished suite with a bed calling your name, and at your feet is all of Sydney, just waiting to be explored.
Decisions, decisions.
We wouldn’t blame you if you sunk down for a well-earned nap. But if you <i>are</i> more energetically inclined, there’s the rooftop pool and jacuzzi, the fully equipped health club, drinks in the Conservatory Bar, high tea with scones and sandwiches at the Gallery Tea Lounge, and – of course – all of Sydney to see.
You wouldn’t want to come all this way and never leave the hotel, would you?
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Free WiFi
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Babysitting service (upon request)
Wheelchair access
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Pier One, Sydney Harbour
When we say Pier One is on the waterfront, we mean it couldn't get any closer to the waterfront without having some awkward flooding situation going on.
It's a stylishly modern hotel with a boutique feel – if you can count 189 rooms as 'boutique'. The whole place is fitted out in those warm greys, textured woods, and white walls that always seem to feature in those style magazines. Most rooms offer uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour, and depending on where you're sleeping, you might be gazing out onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Luna Park or Walsh Bay. Treat yourself to the Harbour View Balcony Suit, and you'll see it all from your private deck.
For all you pooch lovers out there, good news. Pier One is dog-friendly, so bring them along and book them onto the De Vil Pet Pamper Package. There's no better way to explore The Rocks than with a four-legged companion leading the way.
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Free WiFi
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Babysitting service (upon request)
Wheelchair access
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Pullman, Circular Quay
If you want to stay in a place where your room, the bar, and the restaurant have spectacular views of Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge, then this is the place to book.
Five star luxury accommodation right in the heart of Sydney is what you'll get, with easy access to the city, ferries, or the spectacular restaurants that line the Quay. Rooms come in one and two bedroom suites overlooking either the harbour or the Royal Botanical Gardens, with spa baths, kitchenettes, and furnished balconies. Think of it as your home away from home – arguably a home that gets maid service daily.
For anyone wanting to get a workout in, there's a heated indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, and a whirl spa pool and sauna to heal sore muscles afterwards. For anyone who's primary goal in Sydney is to get a tan, there's a sun-lovers deck. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, naturally.
Like all the best hotels these days, the bar and restaurant are pushing the bars in what 'hotel dining' means. Make sure to pay ECQ Bar and Q Dining a visit – you won't regret it.
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Kid friendly (children's activities)
Kitchenette
Wheelchair access
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour from Expedia.com.au
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Shangri-La Sydney
Beautiful architecture is just the start of it. This is one high rise that makes the most of it's height, with stunning views from most rooms and a spectacular one the restaurant; even if the Presidential Suite is a little out of your price range, you can still make the most of it, right?
The Shangri-La Sydney has picked up awards left, right, and centre, some of the most notable ones being "Best Hotel in Australasia" (2013), "Top City Hotel in Sydney" (2013), "Best Hotel Bar" (2014), and "Best Luxury Hotel Spa" (2014). Actually, CHI spa has raked in five awards all on its own. Make the most of the luxurious surroundings and indulge in a full body massage or facial – they use indigenous botanical treatments such as lemon myrtle and eucalyptus to give it that local flavour. Is there anything better to recuperate muscles sore from travelling and site-seeing?
And as far as beds in rooms go? Outstanding. Plush duvets, breathtaking views, and triple-glazed soundproof windows. You'll feel a million miles above the city. In fact, you almost are.
Amenities
Restaurant & Bar
Business centre
Fitness centre
Room service
Suites
Swimming pool
Free WiFi
Kitchenette
Wheelchair access
Shuttle bus service
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney from Expedia.com.au
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