Sydney Unveils Its Latest Luxury Hotel This Week — Featuring Indigenous-inspired Wellness Services and a 23-foot Vertical Garden

For many visitors to Sydney, the allure often lies in its stunning beaches, kangaroos, koalas, iconic landmarks, and delectable food. You could easily explore this renowned Australian city, famous for the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, without connecting with its Indigenous heritage. However, a new hotel aims to ensure that every guest discovers Sydney's Indigenous history.

The Capella Sydney, set to launch on March 15, honors the traditions of Australia's First Nations in a significant manner. (Australia hosts 500 Indigenous groups, collectively known as the First Nations.) This 192-room hotel — the inaugural Capella Hotels and Resorts establishment outside Asia — is located in the Sandstone Precinct, just a short distance from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, on land originally inhabited by the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the First Australian custodians of the area.

The historic sandstone structure of the hotel originally functioned as the headquarters for the New South Wales Department of Education and was later expanded in 1930 to accommodate the Department of Agriculture. Capella Sydney's long-awaited opening sets a new standard for luxury hospitality, dedicated to honoring Indigenous culture, thanks in part to the invaluable contributions from Aboriginal collaborators.

Consider elder Aunty Margret Campbell: the 73-year-old founder of the walkabout tour company Dreamtime Southern X plays a crucial role in the First Australian programming at Capella Sydney. Her connection to this building runs deep; she worked here in the '70s as a teacher and advocate for Aboriginal education. She shared with Dinogo that the influential Aboriginal Education Policy established in 1982 was developed in this very space, which she humorously referred to as “that yellow sandstone cave” in those days. (This policy enhanced educational opportunities for Indigenous students and emphasized educating all students about Aboriginal Australia.)

“All that energy is the reason this place will flourish,” Campbell remarked. 'You can’t halt the lifeblood flow. You can’t alter the natural governance of those custodians who brought it into being.”

At the core of the hotel lies a genuine commitment to meaningful connections, expressed in various forms. Among these are the 'Capella Rituals' held in the hotel’s Living Room — a guest lounge that’s a signature feature of every Capella property. This space is staffed by 10 culturists: in Capella's terminology, a “culturist” is a blend of an in-house guide and a locally embedded concierge.

Every evening, the Living Room features an 'Echoes of Eternity' event. Along with sharing tales of local folk heroes, guests can enjoy a signature cocktail inspired by the evening's theme. For instance, I learned about Arthur Stace, affectionately called 'Mr. Eternity' for his 30 years of anonymously graffitiing the word 'eternity' across Sydney. I soaked in this intriguing history while sipping the Eternity cocktail — an earthy-tropical mix made with Mr. Black and Starward whiskey coffee liqueur, macadamia nuts, passion fruit, and coconut, infused with foraged herbs.

The hotel offers complimentary programming featuring Campbell’s rotating Aboriginal experiences, including Q&A sessions, tastings, and performances; storytelling led by history expert Max Burns-McRuvie; and a guided Saturday adventure at the Carriageworks Farmers Market, where guests can meet local producers and learn about native ingredients. Additionally, guests can book personalized experiences, such as a day on the harbor in a restored sailboat with a cooking class or picnic, or a wine tasting on Shark Island. There are even activities for kids and charming amenities like starlit tent setups and a night sky projector, which my toddler enjoyed during our stay.

Capella Sydney features three dining and drinking venues: Brasserie 1930, McRae Bar, and Aperture. Brasserie 1930 offers contemporary interpretations of classic brasserie dishes crafted from local ingredients. McRae Bar, named after the original architect George McRae, serves as the hotel’s bar. Aperture, an all-day dining and afternoon tea venue, boasts a stunning 23-foot green wall and is located in the courtyard, which features a kinetic floral installation by Studio Drift. Under the magnificent glass ceiling, 19 oversized gossamer flowers dangle, opening and closing in rhythmic bursts like breaths.

During my visit, it was common for a glass of Australian wine or a dish to spark a story from the attentive staff. Whether or not there was a tale, every culinary offering felt unique. At Brasserie 1930, I indulged in glazed quail atop whipped feta that danced on my palate, silky coral trout with black olive dust and leek, and truffle-infused crumpet eggs Benedict. Other options include spanner crab, whole roasted duck, or a 21-ounce rib-eye steak from Coppertree Farms to share.

At McRae Bar, I tried the innovative 'McRae-ini,' a twist on the traditional martini designed to disrupt the martini-loving culture of the city. It features a blend of Four Pillars gin and a sherry-style wine from Adelaide, accompanied by house-made pickles. The bar is adorned with swirling murals by renowned Aboriginal artist Otis Hope Carey and highlights local artisanal labels. The hotel is also a visual delight. As you pass through the double doors into the marble foyer, your attention is immediately drawn to four storytelling panels on the building’s restored brass directory boards. Created by Australian Waanyi artist Judy Watson, these pieces narrate the story of the initial contact between Europeans and Indigenous peoples. (Curated and commissioned by Singapore-based art consultants, The Artling, the property showcases 1,500 pieces from approximately 65 Australian artists, creating a soulful ambiance throughout.)

In addition to standard guest accommodations, Capella Sydney features three categories of suites: Deluxe, Skyline, and Prestige. Each suite includes a separate living area, a deep soaking tub, double vanities, and a rain shower.

The curved-glass corner suite I occupied was both stylish and roomy, while still feeling incredibly cozy. It boasted black-and-white photographs of the neighborhood, a wine fridge, and a minibar stocked with local delights like Archie Rose whiskey and Young Henry’s Sandstone lager, crafted exclusively for the hotel.

Even the stone-clad bathrooms provided inviting spaces, featuring luxurious Frette bathrobes, smart toilets, soaking tubs, and spacious showers equipped with custom seaweed-based toiletries designed to be eco-friendly and non-polluting. The hotel’s commitment to detail is evident in its zero-plastic policy.

The original building's top-floor art gallery has been transformed into a wellness area, complete with a 65-foot-long indoor pool beneath copper-clad glazed roof lanterns. This striking space also features a heated pool with jetted massage beds and an accessible experience shower adorned with multicolored lights and jets. Adjacent to this, the 24-hour, light-filled gym boasts a living green wall filled with native plants.

Capella Sydney features an exclusive spa for hotel guests: Auriga Spa. It offers moon-themed experiences aligned with the full and new moons, as well as a treatment called Connect to Country, which draws on Indigenous knowledge using collected Australian stones (with permission) and a clapping stick ritual to harmonize body, mind, and spirit. For those interested in Aboriginal wellness, guests can consult with elders that Campbell invites for special sessions. Staying true to the hotel’s mission of honoring the original space, the spa's oak floors are restored and repurposed from the ground floor of the original building.

Campbell hopes guests take away one key insight: “to connect with the heartbeats of their landscape, their homeland.” She adds: 'When we awaken that awareness in them here, they’ll return home and say, ‘I’m going to explore where I was born and what that landscape's story is.''

Capella Sydney is set to open on March 15, with room rates starting at $750 per night. Reservations can be made at www.capellahotels.com.