The 15 Premier Hotels in Sydney

Sydney offers a plethora of hotel options, from luxurious five-star waterfront escapes to charming inner-city boutiques with unforgettable dining experiences. For our Hotels We Love series showcasing the best hotels and resorts of 2023, we've selected unique accommodations that provide an authentic sense of place. Imagine cozy rooms highlighting Australian craftsmanship, on-site dining celebrating local cuisine, friendly service that feels personal, and a superb flat white brought to your door. In essence: a hotel that locals would recommend for a perfect staycation.

Continue reading to discover the 15 top hotels in Sydney, presented in no specific order.

1. Capella Sydney

The opening of Capella Sydney by the luxury hotel group from Singapore in March 2023 marked a new chapter of opulence for the city. The hotel features a marble-clad lobby, a sunlit courtyard with weeping fig trees and a stunning vertical garden, along with 192 sophisticated rooms adorned with Frette linens and standalone tubs, plus an indoor pool surrounded by exquisite marble.

What truly distinguishes Capella Sydney is its deep-rooted connection to the city. Housed in a beautifully restored sandstone building from 1912, the hotel showcases a curated collection of Indigenous art and boasts friendly 'Culturalists'—local guides who share cocktails and captivating tales about the area's heritage, celebrating Sydney like no other high-end hotel. Starting from $512

2. Park Hyatt Sydney

For breathtaking views, look no further than Park Hyatt Sydney: perfectly situated across the water from the Opera House and adjacent to the Harbour Bridge, it offers unrivaled—if not unmatched—panoramic vistas of Sydney’s sparkling harbor.

The hotel boasts 155 guest rooms that embody serene luxury: opulent yet subtle, adorned in rich woods and soft earth tones that let the breathtaking views take center stage. Park Hyatt is home to Sydney’s largest suite, the expansive 3,700-square-foot Sydney Suite, featuring two bedrooms and an outdoor terrace with stunning vistas of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. (It’s an ideal spot to enjoy the city’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks—if you're willing to spend $25,000.) If that’s beyond your budget, don’t fret: every room includes a private balcony and 24-hour personal butler service to make you feel like royalty. Starting from $690

3. Pretty Beach House

Perched on a promontory overlooking a tranquil bay and surrounded by a lush forest of gumtrees, Pretty Beach House feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle—but it's only a 90-minute drive north of Sydney's city center. While its breathtaking location within Bouddi National Park is a highlight, the property itself is so charming and intimate that it feels like your own private getaway.

There are only four guest pavilions, each equipped with wood-burning fireplaces, luxurious deep-soaking tubs, and sunlit decks that overlook Broken Bay and the treetops of Angophora (three of them include private plunge pools). Your stay includes exceptional dining: acclaimed chef Dean Jones transforms freshly caught seafood and local ingredients into contemporary Australian cuisine, which you can enjoy at any time in the Beach House’s elegant, rustic-chic dining area or poolside under the shady gum trees. Starting from $4500 for two nights, all-inclusive.

4. The Langham, Sydney

Finding a hotel in Sydney that combines luxury with family-friendliness can be a challenge, but The Langham excels in both. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed with exceptional service (bellmen and butlers appear as if by magic to assist with luggage and offer help) and swiftly escorted to your expansive, opulent room—the largest in the city, featuring the comfiest beds and ample space for kids, who receive their own mini robes and slippers.

Additionally, The Langham’s fantastic ongoing Family Playcation package offers two interconnecting rooms, popcorn and movies, breakfast for the whole family, and delightful surprises for the children. The hotel also boasts a wonderful indoor pool beneath a beautiful starry ceiling and an afternoon tea at the signature restaurant, Kitchens on Kent (complete with Laurent-Perrier bubbles for the parents). From $270

5. Manly Pacific Hotel

While the harbor is lovely, if you crave that local vibe of morning ocean dips and fish-and-chips on the beach, you’ll want to catch a ferry to the Manly Pacific Hotel.

This iconic hotel has just undergone a breathtaking $30 million renovation, becoming the oceanfront getaway of your dreams. Its 213 residential-style rooms exude effortless coastal chic, featuring light linens and bleached woods. You’re so close to Manly Beach that you could be on the sand in just five minutes. To top it all off, the hotel offers an impressive wellness program: meditation classes, complimentary healthy juice shots at the concierge every morning, an infrared sauna, and a rooftop lap pool with stunning views of the Pacific for when the ocean’s a bit too brisk. You won’t even miss the city. Starting from $190

6. Pier One Sydney Harbour

Perched over the water on a pier beneath the Harbour Bridge, Pier One—part of the Marriott Autograph Collection—provides unforgettable water views without the pretentiousness of other luxury harbor hotels.

Housed in a converted warehouse, the hotel beautifully combines its industrial heritage (think wooden beams, steel columns, and ironwork) with sleek, maritime-inspired modern decor. It features 189 bright rooms and suites, with the highlight being the Admiral Suite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows and a standalone tub with direct views of the Harbour Bridge.

Other standout features include the on-site restaurant, the Gantry, which is a favorite among locals for its innovative contemporary Australian dishes (such as fresh abalone with smoked chicken skin salt and mud crab with warm egg yolk) and the stylish Bar One, where you can sip delightful local gin-based spritzes while enjoying views of Walsh Bay. Starting from $300

7. The Old Clare Hotel

Housed in a former pub in the historic Chippendale area, The Old Clare exudes a unique charm from the moment you step inside. The first floor features a vintage-inspired cocktail bar that nods to its spirited past, while the rooftop offers a sleek pool and breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.

The hotel’s 62 rooms are designed to be minimalist yet inviting, with exposed brick walls, midcentury-modern furnishings, and sumptuous soaking tubs just steps from your plush king bed. Automata, the hotel’s restaurant, ranks among the best in Sydney, with chef Clayton Wells (formerly of Sydney’s Momofuku Seiobo) crafting inventive dishes from local ingredients, such as razorfish paired with a briny Sydney rock oyster emulsion. The service—both at Automata and throughout the hotel—is exceptional. Starting from $170

8. III Rooms Sydney

Nestled on the upper floors of a charming 19th-century terrace house in Potts Point, III Rooms is a hidden gem known only to the most discerning travelers. True to its name, it features just three ‘rooms’ (which resemble luxury apartments), each uniquely designed by an Australian furniture design studio or interior designer. The concept draws inspiration from designer Azzedine Alaïa’s Three Rooms in Paris and the Apartment by the Line in New York and Los Angeles.

Your choices include a bright, coastal-chic two-bedroom adorned with bleached wood and linens from MCM House; a moody, art-filled three-bedroom created by Cult Design; and an eclectic, earth-toned three-bedroom designed by Sarah Ellison. Whichever you select, it will feel less like a hotel and more like your personal ultra-luxurious Sydney retreat. Starting from $415

9. Hotel Ravesis

Hotel Ravesis is a beloved institution in Bondi, situated at the heart of Bondi Beach's main strip, occupying the top two floors of a 1914 art deco building. It stands out as the only hotel in the area offering uninterrupted ocean views.

Each of Ravesis’s 12 rooms is uniquely decorated in soothing coastal tones of turquoise, sea glass, and sunset pink; some feature private terraces overlooking the ocean, while others offer spacious split-level layouts that make you feel like a true Bondi local.

Additional highlights include a minibar with a “first-beer-on-us” policy, bathrooms stocked with essential oil-infused products from the Australian skincare brand Leif, and a classic beachfront bar downstairs serving happy hour cocktails and live music. Starting from $195

10. Paramount House

You’ll know you’ve reached Paramount House when you spot the crowd of stylish locals hanging around the building: Paramount Coffee Project, one of Sydney’s top cafés, is attached to the hotel foyer, while the popular wine bar Poly is right next door.

This hotel, a revitalization of the former Paramount Pictures headquarters, boasts a design that is both forward-thinking and cinematic, featuring a sunny atrium lobby and industrial elements like patinaed brick, exposed timber beams, and raw metal finishes. The 29 rooms exemplify Australian elegance, with bathrooms stocked with Aesop products, minibars filled with LP’s Quality Meats and William Downie pinot, and beds adorned with buttery Cultiver sheets and Seljak Brand wool blankets.

An added perk: you can order room service directly from Poly, eliminating the need for a hard-to-get reservation. Indulge in the luxury of Sydney rock oysters and bone marrow without ever leaving your room. Starting from $245

11. Jonah’s

Surprisingly, Jonah’s has remained somewhat of a hidden gem, located about 40 minutes north of downtown Sydney in the Northern Beaches. This 93-year-old property perches on a cliff above Whale Beach, offering some of the most breathtaking ocean views of any hotel in Sydney.

Its 11 generously sized rooms are both elegant and inviting, adorned with handcrafted furniture in a soothing color palette and featuring balconies with ocean views. On the ground floor, you’ll find an award-winning contemporary Australian restaurant and cocktail bar boasting a wine list of 1,600 selections; outside, a clifftop infinity pool provides sweeping vistas of the Northern Beaches. Starting from $585

12. Crystalbrook Albion

Housed in a former convent in the trendy Surry Hills area, the 35-room Crystalbrook Albion embodies the essence of a classic boutique hotel—but it feels more like a home. The interiors are lavish yet cozy, staff members greet you by name and treat you like a long-lost friend, and you can help yourself to a drink at the Honor Bar (which lives up to its name).

Each uniquely decorated room resembles a luxurious apartment rather than a typical hotel stay: some boast handmade Moroccan tiles or chevron oak flooring, while others feature deep-soaking tubs and decorative fireplaces. The hotel is also dedicated to sustainability, rewarding guests with complimentary drinks and ice cream for taking eco-friendly actions, such as avoiding single-use plastics, opting out of daily room service, and recycling. Starting from $240

13. Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo

Yes, we understand: a zoo is probably the last place you’d anticipate finding a luxury hotel. However, this harbor-front ecolodge, managed by the non-profit Taronga Conservation Society, offers some of the most unexpectedly plush and sustainable accommodations in Sydney.

The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo features 62 rooms spread across five lodges, linked by walkways elevated above the native animal sanctuary. Don’t let the term “lodge” mislead you: each room is designed with sleek interiors by Chada Studio, known for creating five-star hotels like Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley and Saffire Freycinet. Rooms include soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows that either showcase harbor views or bring you close to koalas and kangaroos. Opened in 2019, this retreat is still somewhat of a local gem, and every stay supports the Taronga Conservation Society's mission to protect animals and their habitats in Australia and beyond. From $326

14. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

If you're undecided between the city and the beach, why not have both? The charming and stylish Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel sits right on Sydney Harbour, just a 15-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay—and you're mere steps from the golden sands and clear waters of Watsons Bay Beach.

With only 32 rooms, each sun-drenched and inspired by yacht clubs, this hotel underwent a 2019 renovation by Australian interior designer Sibella Court, showcasing local furniture, textiles, and art. The hotel’s Beach Club, adorned with striped umbrellas and palm trees, might make you feel as if you're in the South of France, if not for the stunning Sydney skyline in view. Whether you're a guest or not, it’s the perfect place for laid-back summer lunches over freshly shucked oysters and crisp Aussie bubbles. From $250

15. Spicers Potts Point

While Australian hotel group Spicers is renowned for its rural retreats in mountain and wine regions, it has successfully ventured into the city with this property. Housed in a trio of charming 19th-century terrace homes, this tranquil oasis provides a welcome escape from the bustling city, featuring hidden courtyard gardens, a cozy lounge offering complimentary cocktails and canapés each evening, and 20 plush rooms.

Each room is beautifully appointed—think fireplaces, soaking tubs, and verdant views—but the Victoria Terrace Suites stand out, boasting private balconies that overlook the lush streets below. These suites provide a serene (and rare) outdoor sanctuary right in the city, making them an ideal spot for enjoying a morning cup of tea. From $128