22 of the best hotels in Sydney for your next city escape

These are our pick of the best Sydney hotels to complement your next city escape.

Water-edged Sydney spoils her visitors with sunshine-filled days, sparkling beaches and a harbour flecked with white sails belonging to both bobbing boats and the Sydney Opera House. From Circular Quay to Chinatown, Surry Hills and Paddington, the city and her fringing neighbourhoods offer plenty of places for a restful and luxury-laced stay. No matter what your Sydney agenda or hotel preferences, you’ll find a suitable and beautiful place to drop anchor from our list of the best.

1. Hotel Morris

A 1929-era Art Deco building provided the canvas for this new Haymarket hotel, where echoes of richly textured Italian style are shaved down to a Deco aesthetic that delivers modern drama with an Aussie lilt. The 82-room hotel also welcomes city-dwellers and visitors with the equally Italian-accented and intimate lobby-located Bar Morris, where you can sup on salumi with gnocco fritto and drink in the marble and high-gloss tiled interiors. Set at the foot of Surry Hills and an easy skip to the city, Hotel Morris is a bit of a well-positioned theatrical flourish.

Address: 412 Pitt Street, Haymarket

2. The Grand National Hotel by Saint Peter

Long a beloved neighbourhood pub with gastronomic leanings, The Grand National in the eastern suburb of Paddington has moved into its era of truly exceptional dining with the opening of celebrated chef Josh Niland’s flagship Saint Peter. But while the restaurant is a beacon of sustainable seafood plated with elegance, upstairs is another reason to book. The historic pub houses 14 boutique hotel rooms, where you can retire in style after your tasting menu downstairs. The heritage rooms have been redressed with a contemporary aesthetic and fitted with luxe stylings, but our pick of the amenities is a complimentary breakfast by Saint Peter.

Address: 161 Underwood Street, Paddington

3. The Eve Hotel

The artful and vivid communities of Surry Hills and Redfern now have a new hub of culture. Perhaps a signal that gentrification is replete in these once rough-and-ready neighbourhoods, the opening of The Eve Hotel is certainly a demarcation between what was and what will be. Conscientiously designed for enduring style, The Eve is part of the Wunderlich development that folds in lifestyle and dining. The hotel benefits from the precinct’s many attributes, while making its own enviable aesthetic statement itself. The 102 rooms and suites have a breezy modernity that leans into its antipodean climate. Vibrant foliage tumbles over walls and interiors are unapologetically bold and bright while remaining refined. There’s a rooftop pool, a Mexican eatery, Lottie, and Bar Julius. As well as plenty to explore in the precinct itself.

Address: 8 Baptist Street, Redfern

4. W Sydney

Not at all designed to fold into the city skyline but rather to make an intentional spectacle of itself, W Sydney is a bombastic and future-facing luxury hotel that puts vibrant Sydney on show. Curving between arterial roads like an escalator to the sky, this five-star exclamation point is wildly fun, as is the ambition of the W hotel brand wherever it opens its bold doors. The WET Deck quite possibly has the best view of any Sydney hotel pool as it gazes over Darling Harbour. There’s also the AWAY Spa for indulging, a rooftop bar, a dessert bar and modern Australian dining at BTWN, which looks like the inside of a kaleidoscope with zig-zagging patterns and refracted glass. It’s a place to hang out, not just bed down.

Address: 31 Wheat Road, Sydney

5. Sofitel Darling Harbour

Competing with its neighbour the W for the accolade of ‘best view from a hotel rooftop pool’, Sofitel Darling Harbour is a gentle exhale with its soothing, demure interiors and classic five-star hospitality. Entering the softly perfumed lobby is a welcome transition to the elegant world of the French hotel brand, where refinement and muted hues balance the Harbour City’s sun-bleached assets. An onsite spa and French restaurant, Atelier by Sofitel enhance your stay, but drinks at Club Millesime at level 35 is a must-do for a sunset aperitivo.

Address: 12 Darling Drive, Sydney

6. A by Adina Sydney

For city jaunts that require a little more settle than bustle, base yourself in the thick of it at A by Adina. Here you can sprawl out in a CBD studio, or a one- or two-bedroom apartment just an elevator ride from Sydney’s best restaurants, famous harbour, cultural institutions and shopping. Also a great option for families with interconnecting rooms available, A by Adina is convenience that refuses to compromise on style. Self-contained with kitchenettes, laundry, coffee machine and wi-fi, and gazing out to city vistas, this is a box-ticker for longer stays.

Address: 2 Hunter Street, Sydney

7. QT Sydney

Beloved for its trademark quirk, QT Sydney has managed to keep its style currency afloat for 13 years with minimal updates. It bodes well for the hotel’s ongoing legacy that the only major rejuvenation has been a refit of the excellent Gowings Bar & Grill. Sure, its smack-bang city locale is also a huge incentive to stay, but there’s something about the anticipation of fun at the QT that makes it a good place for a base. The aforementioned Gowings is a vibe, Parlour is perfect for start-of-day caffeination and the downstairs and dimly-lit spaQ with its hammam is certainly one of the best places for a wellness interlude in the city.

Address: 49 Market Street

8. Hyatt Regency Sydney

At a staggering 878 rooms, there are whole towns in Australia with smaller populations than a full house at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. But obviously they don’t have this five-star hotel’s central Sydney location and finely tuned polish. Yes, as a big hotel in the city, there are a lot of corporate travellers checking in, but you’ll also find a mix of international tourists and out-of-towners here for a weekend. Some rooms have city views and others spectacular harbour views, but all have complimentary high-speed wi-fi and workspaces. An onsite spa, Regent Club and dining venues round out the stay, and just next door you’ll find the historic 1860-era Dundee Arms pub.

Address: 161 Sussex Street

9. Ace Hotel Sydney

They say you can’t buy cool, but you will feel hip by association when you stay at this artsy, musician-preferred hotel. The only Australian outpost of the Ace chain, things here are just done super-well with seemingly minimal effort and that, actually, is the definition of cool. The downstairs lobby bar and Loam restaurant are places for locals to sit, chill or catch up on work, which goes a long way to making a hotel’s communal space feel authentic, while the upstairs Kiln restaurant is a culinary destination in its own right.

Address: 47-53 Wentworth Ave

10. Kimpton Margot Sydney

Art Deco for the modern age is the interior theme at Kimpton Margot Sydney, where gilt edges and marble are complemented by bright minimalism. Housed in a heritage building in the mid-city, step out the door and turn in any direction to discover the best of Sydney, from nearby Chinatown to the QVB and nearby Surry Hills. A rooftop pool entices on those steamy summer days, while dining in-house at chef Luke Mangan’s eponymous Luke’s Kitchen is an experience to savour.

Address: 399 Pitt Street, Sydney

11. Crown Towers Sydney

A skyline standout, Crown Towers Sydney is an anchor point of luxury in Barangaroo. No attempt has been made to downplay opulence here. In fact, this is very loud luxury indeed, from the cavernous and shimmering lobby to marble and gold accents and show-stopping harbour vistas. With the dial set to impress, high and low rollers will be suitably delighted by the amenities at Crown, including a shimmering outdoor pool, a spa created under the lofty brief to be ‘the world’s best’, and exquisite dining from Oncore by Clare Smyth from the Michelin-starred chef, as well as Nobu and the more laidback Epicurean. Of course, you’re also steps from the casino and delights of Barangaroo below.

Address: 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney

12. Park Hyatt Sydney

Park Hyatt Sydney is an old-world hotel glamour with its footings in the sparkling Sydney Harbour. Backdropped by The Rocks, where cobblestones and heritage buildings whisper stories of the city’s early days, this waterside locale is a step away from the bustle, while still feeling very much a part of quintessential Sydney. That feeling is helped along by the green-and-gold ferries cutting white-washed trails through the water and the architectural beauty of the iconic Sydney Opera House in the near distance. The 155 guest rooms and suites keep to a minimal palette with classic styling that serves to highlight the views beyond. There’s a rooftop pool terrace, moodily lit bar and two excellent restaurants onsite.

Address: 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks

13. Capella

Once the Department of Education, the 1912-era grand sandstone building that now embodies the luxury Capella will now school you in impeccable hospitality. Sensitively restored with restraint and understatement, the 192 rooms and suites here do not seek to reinvent but rather perfect quiet luxury. Likewise, the fit-out for the onsite Brasserie 1930 is textbook contemporary Euro bistro, but with a sense of its place that folds it within local history. There’s also McRae Bar, named after the building’s Scottish architect and the sunrise-to-sunset Aperture. Don’t miss a visit to the incredible Auriga Spa and the serene indoor pool.

Address: 24 Loftus Street, Sydney

14. Shangri-La Sydney

A stroll from some of Sydney’s biggest poster girls: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Sydney Harbour itself, Shangri-La Sydney is a nail on the head for visitors keen to access the big icons. Even if it’s not in the realm of possibility to stay, it’s still worth a visit to the loftily located Blu Bar on 36 or restaurant Altitude to glimpse those dazzling icons from above.

Address: 176 Cumberland Street, Sydney

15. Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Elegance and considered comfort comes by way of a long-lived legacy at Four Seasons Sydney Hotel. Why, yes, everything the city has to offer is close to hand – including The Rocks, Circular Quay and CBD – but this is the home of luxury and a stay here is to relish a level of hospitality that’s both intuitive and singular. Enjoy the curation of eateries, a moment of calm in the spa or a cocktail in the pool cabana.

Address: 199 George Street, Sydney

16. The Old Clare Hotel

A stay at the southernmost end of the city that’s warm with local buzz, The Old Clare Hotel sits above a historic city corner pub. But while you might assume some rudimentary accommodation, instead, you’ll find deftly designed rooms that imbue the creativity of the community within which the Old Clare sits. Boutique and bright with mould-breaking attention to eclectic style, rooms here are deeply inviting and feel authentic to the neighbourhood vibe. There’s a rooftop pool shrouded by glass-fronted buildings, excellent eateries onsite, and of course, Clare Bar, the contemporary iteration of the original pub.

Address: 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale

17. Little National Hotel: Sydney

Up above Wynyard Walk, moments from Barangaroo and the CBD, Little National Hotel: Sydney is all approachable style and good design that fits into shallow pockets. Diminutive boltholes of a petite 18 square metres provide two guests with a king bed, bathroom and sanctuary from the city throngs beneath. When you don’t need all that much space and your trip is about hitting the streets, this is an excellent option. Up top is a lush oasis for drinks and there’s a communal lounge and library to spread out in.

Address: 26 Clarence Street, Sydney

18. Oxford House

Tucked away from the rhythmic beat of Oxford Street, this boutique hotel in the city-side suburb of Paddington is a modern retreat of beautifully styled rooms and suites. Earthy in tone and crisp in design with tidy silhouettes and glimpses of staggered, pastel-hued terraces, it’s a perfect Paddington snapshot. The pool and surrounding terrace are like a hidden treasure. It’s revealed like a mirage just steps from the frenetic traffic beyond.

Address: 21 Oxford Street, Paddington

19. Paramount House Hotel

If you’re eager to experience the Surry Hills glow and flow, book into the Paramount House Hotel, where you’ll bed down in one of the boutique and beautiful rooms. Here dappled light and city vignettes make the artfully styled space feel like your own pad in this cool corner of Sydney. It’s close to town and the high street of Surry Hills and you’ll also relish treats from the onsite A.P Bakery, good beans from the Paramount Coffee Project and delicious dining at Poly. There’s also the Golden Age Cinema in the heritage-listed Paramount Pictures.

Address: 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

20. The Langham Sydney

This Kent Street mainstay has been romancing Sydney visitors with its charm for decades. It’s all soothing hues and classic European styling throughout the rooms and suites with pretty Millers Point, The Rocks and Barangaroo easily accessed. A day spa and dining and the Observatory Bar round out a well-formed stay.

Address: 89–113 Kent Street, Sydney

21. Pier One Sydney Harbour

Don’t just stay by the water, stay right on it at Pier One Sydney Harbour. This luxury, nautical-leaning hotel is somewhat tucked away, almost underneath that famous bridge, but gob-smacks with views of Sydney Harbour across to Luna Park and Walsh Bay. With 189 boutique rooms and suites styled in sync with Federation nuances and contemporary tastes, there’s plenty of room to bring the family for a Sydney staycay, and even your pooch is welcome.

Address: 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

22. InterContinental Sydney

In 2019, InterContinental Sydney received a $120 million transformation from the revered architecture studio Woods Bagot. The result is a sleek combination of heritage details from 1851 and modern charm that takes inspiration from the Australian landscape. The 509 light-filled guestrooms and 28 luxe suites are generously sized, calm and quiet, while the rooftop bar Aster Bar, is a must-visit as it boasts arguably the best view of Sydney.

Address: 117 Macquarie Street Sydney

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