It’s not hard to find a little luxury in a city as glamorous as Sydney. It may have something to do with the glittering harbor that winds its way through the city center, shedding its infectious beauty from the Central Business District to the chic suburbs that line its edges. Or the allure of the ocean beaches, where Sydneysiders lie their bronzed bodies next to Aperol Spritzes, framed by dramatic cliffs and picture-perfect coastlines.
Find the chicest places to stay below – from the high street, big names with cavernous marble lobbies and polite staff standing inches from their lives; among the outliers, with a little more character but no less luxury. These are the best luxury hotels in Sydney.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
Sydney is a city obsessed with real estate and the Park Hyatt takes the top spot in the city. Wake up to uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbor and the Opera House, staring right at you, begging you to get out of bed and explore. But maybe you just want to lie back and stare at her beauty. Look up from your morning laps in the rooftop pool – those are the Art Deco curves of the Harbor Bridge above you. The staff provides the highest level of personal service; the general manager even leads group runs. Upon arrival, please let reception know how you like your morning coffee or your pillow preference. Sydney has many great restaurants where you can dine with a view, but at The Dining Room, on the ground floor of the hotel, break bread with the city’s most fascinating sights laid out before you.
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If you’re looking for a true five-star experience – turndown service in the afternoon, in-house pastry kitchen, page-long pillow menu – look no further. All rooms offer views of the Western Harbor or Sydney city skyline, plush and enormous beds and large, elegant bathrooms. It feels like an ersatz English country house hotel, with pastel pink and green armchairs, elaborate floral arrangements and an impressive art collection curated by Sotheby’s. The location is part of The Rocks that few people see, but within walking distance of central Sydney and Barangaroo. The 20-metre heated indoor pool is a Sydney icon: the ceiling is painted with a mural of the night sky.
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Australia’s only Four Seasons hotel is a true five-star hotel located in the epicenter of Sydney’s tourist district. There are uninterrupted views of the city’s crown jewels: the harbour, the bridge and the house, especially if you have opted for the Full Harbor King Room on the corner of the building. The service is top notch – from tailor-made jogging maps of the city to organizing marriage proposals. Lounge 32 has an amazing view that you can enjoy during breakfast, pastries and evening drinks and snacks; there is also a convenient express check-in and check-out service here. Dinner at Mode Kitchen and Dining is a gastronomic treat and should be followed by a whiskey flight at Grain Bar, where you can choose from more than 200 varieties. The rooftop pool, which is heated in winter, is an ideal place to relax the next morning.
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This five-star hotel is located in the bayside enclave of Double Bay, a sophisticated and tranquil harborside location known for its chic boutiques and luxury restaurants. When it was known as The Ritz Carlton, the hotel was the favorite Sydney retreat for Princess Diana, Elton John and David Bowie. The new restaurant and bar, helmed by Sydney’s hospitality enfant terrible, Maurice Terzini (he of Icebergs Dining Room and Bar), has restored some of its former glamour, with a piano bar complete with martini trolleys and a menu that leans towards the finer ones. things in life: think of oysters and blinis with clotted cream and caviar. The rooftop pool has sweeping views that extend to the harbor and airy, fabric-draped cabanas that exude poolside luxury.
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With a striking glass exterior, all-round harbor views and its own champagne bar, this newly built hotel has brought style to Darling Harbour. Bathed in natural light through tall glass windows, the lobby features a soft color palette of ocher and blue – a nod to Australia’s indigenous heritage. Guests staying on floors 27 to 34 have access to Club Millesime, which serves breakfast, light snacks, snacks and drinks all day. Here you will also find an express check-in and check-out service. The brand new two-storey spa offers a range of wellness journeys, including the ‘half-day journey’ – a five-hour treatment combining exercise, nutritional, wellness and beauty treatments, ending with a light lunch and guided meditation. Those who need even more introspection can make use of the meditation zone or ‘contemplation deck’.
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The two-story Horizon club offers private check-in, light breakfast and dining options, snacks throughout the day and cocktails in the evening. On the second floor, the Shangri-La Sports Club and Health Center is home to a 25-metre heated indoor pool, sauna, gym and the Chi Spa for holistic treatments and pampering – try the Chakra Healing massage for a complete reset. Altitude, the hotel’s own restaurant, is a hotspot for visitors, parties and relationship moments; on the 36th floor, and with floor-to-ceiling windows, it is one of the most romantic places in the city.
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From the welcome glass of bubbles upon arrival to the excellent service at The Gantry: Pier One surpasses itself. The staff has just the right balance of professionalism and warmth. A bottle of chilled sparkling wine will be delivered to all guests during cocktail hour. Both at breakfast and dinner, the service is preventive and full of charm. For the active traveler, fitness classes include personal training and group yoga classes. Housed in a historic building that has been updated with bespoke amenities and a casually elegant atmosphere, the hotel is a coveted place to relax and admire Sydney Harbor at its glittering best.
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A striking sculpture of a giant red swallow is the first thing you notice upon entering, and that sense of whimsy continues into the soaring, light-filled lobby, with its playful mix of colors and custom-designed carpets from the Sydney design legend . Akira Isogawa. The hotel is located in the cozy Star City casino complex; however, the hotel itself is a design paradise. There is a 25 meter outdoor pool and the spa with a Moroccan hammam room, hot tub, couples treatment rooms and La Prairie and ESPA products is considered one of the very best in Sydney. Walking through the dark, atmospherically lit corridors, with forest-inspired soundscapes in the background, is almost as immersive as the massage and meditation experience. Sokyo is one of Sydney’s most sought-after sushi spots; it is also a fine dining restaurant with excellent service. Those who want to go all out and book the Penthouse will be rewarded with their own karaoke room.
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At Sydney’s first six-star hotel, where the infinity pool overlooks Sydney Harbour, you can dine from your private poolside cabana, where you also have your own safe, cheese board, minibar and television. There are 349 rooms (including 22 luxury villas), each with king-size beds dressed in luxurious linens and down pillows from Jaspa Herington. Crown Spa has terraces for yoga and meditation, relaxation rooms and infrared saunas, while separate water retreats for women and men each have a vitality pool that runs at the same temperature as the human body. ‘Experience showers’ shoot jets of hot and cold water at your body from different angles – it sounds scary; it’s not. It feels like there are 100 restaurants in the Crown district, but in reality there are only eight. Clare Smyth’s first and only international restaurant, Oncore, is located on the 26th floor; Nobu is stuck at level two; and Amare, a must-visit for the perky pesto pasta (yes, it’s only pesto, but trust us), is one of many others on the ground floor.
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In the (edited) words of Carly Simon: you should walk into this hotel as if you were walking onto a yacht. Everything sparkles, from the marble floors to the enormous dandelion-shaped light fixtures and of course the Sydney Harbour, welcomed through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Across the road, the Royal Botanic Gardens beckon and guests can choose between green or blue views (top tip: ask for a harbor view, the price difference is minimal). The rooms are furnished apartment style – yes, you can do your laundry in this opulent location – and are very spacious. There’s a sleek, heated indoor pool with a 24-hour gym, sauna and sundeck with floor-to-ceiling views. Dining at Q Dining is a glamorous affair, with plenty of options if you’re interested in sampling the local seafood. The on-site cocktail bar, Hacienda, has become a favorite destination for CBD locals.