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Written by Emily Jacobs
If a holiday’s as much about the hotel as the destination for you, then these Sydney gems deliver: perfectly located for days exploring the city’s iconic attractions and full to the brim with elevated perks like harbour views, hatted restaurants and rooftop pools.
Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney – MGallery Collection
Talk about being in the heart of the action — Manly Beach stretches in both directions, with the esplanade, Manly Wharf and the buzzing village just a stroll away, while Shelly Beach, the Queenscliff Rockpool and winding coastal trails offer endless ways to fill a day. After a long day at the beach or exploring Sydney by ferry, this haven is a sleek escape from it all. Savour crab souffle or scallops seared to perfection at the French-inspired Bistro Manly or cool off with scoop of gelato at its chic gelateria. Whether you’re catching waves, exploring rock pools or simply watching the Pacific Ocean from your window with a coffee in hand, this is Sydney’s best beach escape done properly.
Paradox Sydney
Check in to Paradox Sydney for new heights of luxury in the heart of the CBD, within walking distance of iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and The Rocks. Set within a heritage-listed architectural masterpiece dating from 1856 (once home to the Fairfax newspaper empire), this five-star hotel offers one of Australia’s standout fine-dining experiences at the three-hatted Bentley Restaurant & Bar, and a next-level spa with a pool and Turkish hammam.
Wildlife Retreat at Taronga
Did you know there’s a bucket-list hidden gem on Sydney Harbour, right within Taronga Zoo? At the eco-friendly Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, rooms and lodges are designed to blend into the native bushland, where koalas, echidnas and platypus roam around just outside the windows. Guests enjoy zoo access and seasonal dining at Me-Gal, the harbour-view restaurant serving contemporary Australian dishes like mafaldine pasta with MSC Abrolhos island octopus, tomato, black garlic and native basil.
The Darling
Considered urban living meets city glamour at this jewel of Darling Harbour, the city’s only Forbes five-star-rated boutique hotel. This architectural marvel features a 16-room spa with a hammam, a 25-metre heated pool and chef-hatted Japanese dining at Sokyo, not to mention direct access to The Star complex with its countless restaurants, bars, casino and Sydney Lyric Theatre. Your room is an oasis after dark, with Jo Loves by Jo Malone amenities and floor-to-ceiling windows revealing the sparkling city below.
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
The Four Seasons brand is all about elevated luxury and the Sydney outpost is no different. Sitting on the doorstep of Sydney Harbour, this five-star escape features spacious guest rooms, four dining and drinking options and one of the city’s largest heated outdoor pools.
W Sydney
Rising over Darling Harbour, W Sydney’s futuristic exterior is the first indicator of the wow-factor to be expected from the biggest W hotel in the world. Also home to Sydney’s IMAX cinema, the complex features a 29th-floor infinity pool with million-dollar-views over the harbour, a dessert bar by one of Asia’s finest pastry chefs, Janice Wong, and rooms in W’s signature eclectic style, with quirks like cocktail bars stocked by local producers.
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay
The harbour-view rooftop pool, exclusive to guests, is the jewel in the crown of this five-star hotel, where city life meets coastal relaxation. Hop across to the CBD by train in five minutes, car in 10 or by ferry to Circular Quay, or stay for Double Bay’s vibrant dining scene, boutique shopping and prized foreshore.
The Langham Sydney
Settle into a five-star sanctuary within easy reach of The Rocks and Walsh Bay at The Langham Sydney. Lavish rooms and suites offer stunning skyline views, while the jaw-dropping Observatory Bar serves up astronomy-inspired cocktails.
The Star Grand Hotel
Stay in the harbourside heart of Sydney’s CBD at The Star Grand, where world-class entertainment, high-end dining and sweeping city views come together under one iconic roof. Soak in the serenity of your five-star room before exploring the complex’s vast facilities, including a skyline-view swimming pool, high-tea parlour and retail precinct.
Ace Hotel Sydney
This oasis of designer-led cool, a former brick factory on the edge of Surry Hills, is all about the little details: curated minibars and custom Tivoli radios in each room, chef-hatted Kiln restaurant on the roof and day-to-night cafe and bar off the main lobby.
Capella Sydney
Elevate your Sydney escape at this golden beacon, where a heritage sandstone façade gives way to a design-led interior, complete with a world-class wellness centre and glamorous drinking and dining. Occupying an iconic corner in the heart of the CBD, Capella Sydney couldn’t be better placed for days exploring the Harbour City.
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Heritage-listed luxury has been reinvented through a five-star lens at the former General Post Office building. Elegant rooms, a refined lounge and bar area and the serene Endota Spa are just some of the calling cards of this central escape, which also happens to be within walking distance of Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
Convenience and comfort walk hand-in-hand at this sophisticated five-star sanctuary, nestled just metres from Sydney’s sought-after attractions. Unwind under the sun at Silo Bar, enhance your wellbeing at Amora Spa or simply snooze in your sleek city-view room.
QT Sydney
Tradition, theatre and technology meet at the five-star QT Sydney, perfectly positioned near the shopping street Pitt St Mall. Admire the heritage features of the facade, before enjoying the sophistication of the hotel’s facilities, including sleek rooms, a Little Italy-inspired steakhouse and high tea parlour.
Discover Sydney
Feature image: The Langham Sydney.
