Recognized as Australia’s only global city and as the foremost knowledge-based region in the country, with an investment climate that is typically considered low-risk, Sydney is home to a long roster of thriving business establishments and international conglomerates. For its pristine location by the harbor, the city boasts picturesque views and cool, crisp breezes. Top attractions include the famed harbor-front Sydney Opera House, waterside ports Darling Harbour and Circular Quay; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, which houses over 700 species of marine life; Harbour Bridge; the breathtaking Royal Botanic Garden; Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk; to name a few. From its southern to northernmost tips, Sydney is also blessed with a bounty of beautiful beaches, some of which are within kilometers from the city center—Bondi, Manly, Coogee, Cronulla, Palm Beach, and Balmoral top the list of favorites for fun in the sun, sand, and sea. As far as accommodations go, the city offers numerous luxury hotels from which to choose.
#1. Crown Towers, Sydney
Crown Towers Sydney offers guests leveled-up luxury in vibrant Barangaroo Precinct. From its eye-catching façade designed by award-winning British architecture firm, Wilkinson Eyre, to its opulent guestrooms designed by topnotch New-York-based Meyer Davis, everything about the hotel exudes laidback lavishness.
The Crown Towers Sydney’s building design is meant to evoke the image of three intertwined petals, growing upwards to the sky. This is aesthetic as well as functional in value: because of the building’s unique shape, each guestroom is afforded a stunning view of its environs. Accented by modern residential décor which is set off by muted aquatic hues, rooms feature hi-tech conveniences and amenities, while still maintaining a cozy, comfy ambience.
Aside from the next-level-luxury of its accommodations, Crown Towers Sydney is home to a number of the city’s top restaurants and bars. Oncore by Clare Smyth, the British chef whose UK restaurant holds three Michelin stars, showcases a selection of the chef’s classic dishes; Nobu offers Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s contemporary Japanese fusion menu; and Epicurean serves up all-day international cuisine.
Hotel amenities—a swimming pool, open-air tennis court, gym, and spa—all give off a gorgeous beach resort vibe, with the Sydney skyline and harbor in the background.
#2. Pier One, Sydney Harbour
As part of the Autograph Collection belonging to the Marriott International portfolio, Pier One Sydney Harbour is an upscale property that delivers on luxurious waterfront living, right in the heart of the city. Constructed on and over the water, the hotel skillfully crafts a five star lifestyle, right on the stunning Sydney waterfront.
Moreover, as a beautifully restored and repurposed heritage building, Pier One Sydney Harbor pays homage to Sydney’s maritime heritage, a theme which is beautifully and tastefully reflected in each of the well-appointed guestrooms. No two refurbished rooms are exactly alike, adding to the overall charm of the hotel; but all rooms feature deluxe amenities and furnishings, as well as breathtaking views. Rooms with balconies overlooking the water, as well as dog-friendly rooms, are available upon booking.
Dining options include a wide selection of fresh seafood and specialty cocktails at Bar One, and a meticulously curated fine dining menu at award-winning The Gantry Restaurant. Pier One Sydney Harbour likewise offers an exciting roster of special events packages and unique seasonal activities—like its Luxe Picnic Suite, Luxe Igloo Suite, Bridge Marquee Bar, and the Pier Club, among others—that are guaranteed to liven up guest experience, even more.
#3. Park Hyatt, Sydney
With unobstructed views of the majestic Sydney Opera House, Park Hyatt Sydney promises a soothing stay in the lap of luxury, in a 5-star property beneath the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Hotel guestrooms, which range from a spacious 40-square-meters and larger, are residential in design and create the luxurious feel of a home away from home. Subdued earthy tones make for a soothing ambience, while lavish custom furnishings and fittings provide for an exceptionally comfortable stay.
Park Hyatt Sydney’s dining options include The Dining Room for all-day dining and light meals, and The Living Room & Bar, sophisticated venues that serve the finest cuisine from top-quality Australian ingredients, as well as a roster of Australian wines and spirits. Facilities include a spa, rooftop swimming pool, a premium space for private events, and fitness center.
Australian art fills the hallways, walls, and rooms of the hotel. Located in The Rocks, an urban locality, tourist destination, and historic area of Sydney’s city center, the hotel is ensconced within an array of attractions, in and around the quaint village. Cobbled streets, lined with art galleries, cafés, museums, and posh boutiques, make for a fun day of exploration, all within walking distance from the hotel.
#4. Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Meeting the benchmark for luxury set by the Shangri-La brand, the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney is an opulent oasis in Sydney’s historic The Rocks district, right by the breathtaking vistas of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy unhampered views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as the surrounding environs and sights, from the comforts of your luxuriously appointed guestroom or suite.
The hotel has a total of 546 rooms and suites, all of which feature large picture windows, the largest of any harbor-facing hotel in the area. Fully-fitted-and-furnished in elegant opulence, guestrooms are a sanctuary of comfort and convenience; the perfect retreat after a busy day exploring the area’s many attractions. Shangri-La Hotel Sydney is likewise known for providing its guests with a wealth of enriching experiences: from award-winning restaurants and a lauded spa to topnotch facilities, as well as excellent service, the bar is set high at this hotel. Blu Bar on 36 and Altitude, both located on the 36th floor of the hotel, serve signature cocktails and epicurean meals, along with breathtaking 270-degree views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
The hotel is also home to Chi, The Spa, which offers sought-after pampering treatments and services.
#5. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
Voted Australia’s Luxury Hotel of the Year and Australasia Hotel of the Year in 2019, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has gained a strong following since its opening in 2017.
The hotel rises 35 stories above the Sydney Harbour and city skyline, a gleaming glass tower of 590 expansive rooms and suites, all of which boast floor-to-ceiling windows, to take in those glorious harbor views and cityscapes. Relaxation, romance, and waterfront sophistication are at the core of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s aesthetic, with a heartfelt service philosophy that is worthy of five-stars in its own right.
With a strong focus on business functions, the hotel has a number meeting and events rooms available; moreover, it is conveniently located directly across the Convention Centre. Dining options span four restaurants and bars: Atelier by Sofitel, a French-inspired grill that showcases French fare melded with locally-sourced ingredients; Le Rivage Pool Bar for signature cocktails by the poolside; the award-winning Champagne Bar, for top-shelf French wines and innovative champagne cocktails; and Esprit Noir Lobby Bar for light snacks and café items. Facilities include a 20-meter infinity pool with stunning harbor views; the twenty-four-hour gym, ‘SoFit’; and Club Millesime, for hotel guests billeted in Club Suites.
#6. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Sydney
Situated mere minutes from Sydney’s most popular attractions, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is favored by tourists and business travelers alike not only for its strategic location in the civic heart of the central business district, but also for its sophisticated brand of hospitality.
From its heritage sandstone façade to its sleek and cozy interiors, the triangular building at the corner of O’Connell Street is a beacon of laidback luxury amidst the bustle of the city. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney has 338 guestrooms and 26 suites, all of which exude the quaint and cozy charm of an upscale boutique-style hotel. One-bedroom spa suites with an extra-deep jetted tub in the marble bathroom are also available for that elevated pampering touch.
The hotel has three restaurants; among them, award-winning Bentley Restaurant & Bar. Facilities include an expansive fitness center, eight meeting/events rooms, and an indoor lap pool with a steam room. The hotel is just a few minutes’ walk away from Circular Quay and the area’s prominent sights: Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Royal Botanic Gardens, The Rocks, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, with an array of delightful restaurants, boutiques, galleries, bars and entertainment spots, en route.
#7. The Langham, Sydney
Juxtaposing the old world’s elegant charm and the new world’s exciting freshness, The Langham Sydney offers guests a lavish lifestyle in an intimate setting, with the best of bespoke service. Home to Sydney’s top Pool and Day Spa Facilities, the hotel showcases an array of excusive wellness packages and customized getaways, including Australia’s most deluxe pet staycation package, on offer.
The Langham also has a championship-size hard-court tennis court, with flood lights and a Club House, directly across the main property. Guestrooms and suites feature high ceilings, plush furnishings, luxurious fittings, soft paneled walls, and gorgeous views of the harbor. Guest may opt to book a room with a private terrace, for heightened enjoyment of the sunshine and cool harbor breezes. Dining at The Langham is always a pleasurable experience: Kitchens on Kent, Australia’s first fine-dining meets luxury-buffet restaurant, offers eight interactive food stations; Observatory Bar serves signature cocktails and family-style platters; and Afternoon Tea with Wedgewood levels up the traditional tea service.
The Langham Supper Club, meanwhile, is every member’s portal to exclusive perks and privileges. Situated in the heart of the historic district of The Rocks, the hotel is a stone’s throw from specialty shops, restaurants, and pubs.
#8. QT, Sydney
Luxury in the inner city is what QT Sydney is all about. Located on Market Street, between historic Queen Victoria Building and the Sydney Tower, the posh boutique hotel describes itself as “a rare niche, part art deco masterpiece, part theatre, all Sydney.” The drama begins with the very edifice itself, the heritage-listed Gowings building, and continues throughout the hotel—from quirky and whimsical design touches to edgy art, QT Sydney has a rich flair for the dramatic.
The hotel delivers a unique five-star experience that is memorable and luxurious, all at once. QT Sydney’s public spaces exude a bold and brilliant vibe; guestrooms and suites are expressive and eclectic in style, without compromising comfort.
Dining at the hotel’s Gowings Bar & Grill is every gourmand’s dream, what with its extensive, epicurean menu that includes the freshest seafood and the finest meats; Parlor Cucina, on the other hand, serves high-quality classic Italian cuisine.
The hotel also features an array of rejuvenating treatments and bespoke spa services at SpaQ Sydney, seasonal packages, and one-of-a-kind events and exclusive experiences. QT Sydney is within walking distance to Market’s Streets many heritage sites—like the State Theatre, Pyrmont Bridge, among others—and quaint shops.
#9. Hilton, Sydney
With its prime location in the heart of Sydney’s central business district, Hilton Sydney offers business and leisure travelers, alike, the gift of unhurried, unfettered luxury. As an icon in the Sydney hotel landscape, having been in the industry since 1974, the hotel lives up to the Hilton brand’s commitment to excellent service.
The Sydney property has since undergone a major refurbishment, reopening in 2015 with even more lavish interiors and luxe guestrooms. Rooms and suites, 577 in all, showcase soothing neutral tones and a subdued modern design style. Hilton Sydney is likewise home to one of Australia’s largest hotel convention and meeting areas; the hotel has a number of fully-equipped function rooms for the smallest to the grandest of occasions, with all the elements necessary for the success of every event.
There are four restaurants within the property—Glass Brasserie, Caffè Cino, Marble Bar, and Zeta Bar—offering a range of culinary options, from casual to fine dining. Hotel facilities include the Alysium Day Spa, a salon, a Fitness First Gym, and a swimming pool. Owing to its central location, the hotel is also a great launching point into the business district’s many shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment spots.
#10. Pullman Sydney Hyde Park
This five-star hotel located in Australia’s oldest public parkland offers leisure and business travelers the chance to unwind, simply yet luxuriously.
Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in the Darlinghurst area features contemporary accommodation, unique amenities, and a spirit of exclusive service. Moreover, its location makes it an ideal place for travelers looking to explore some of Sydney’s most visited attractions; the hotel is also minutes away from Surry Hills, with its many exciting restaurants, and from Oxford Street and its vibrant nightlife. The property comprises a total of 241 stylish guestrooms and suites, all carefully designed and fully-fitted to provide the utmost comfort and convenience.
Hotel facilities include a rooftop pool and sundeck with awe-inspiring views of the city skyline, and a fully equipped state-of-the-art gym.
Dining options at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park range from more sophisticated, contemporary Australian fare to platters for sharing and signature cocktails. BAR THIRTY6 on the ground floor overlooks Hyde Park and is the perfect spot for casual meals and drinks, as well as for the restaurant’s more innovative international offerings with a noticeably Australian flair.
Windows on the Park Restaurant, also fronting Hyde Park, serves breakfast and is also available for private functions and bookings.