In the past few years, Sydney has experienced a luxury hotel boom, raising the stakes in a city that once got by on good (out)looks alone. The uplift in investment has brought blockbuster builds such as W Sydney and Crown to the CBD skyline, joined by hip fringe dwellers such as Ace Hotel Sydney, the recently opened Grand National Hotel in Paddington and The Eve Hotel Sydney – which is also the Winner of Gourmet Traveller’s 2025 Hotel and Travel Awards for Best New Hotel.

And it’s not just the new Sydney hotel openings that are upping the ante – stalwarts such as Pier One Sydney Harbour and Park Hyatt are bringing new fit-outs and renewed food and beverage offerings to their prime waterfront locations to secure their ranks among the best hotels in Sydney.

Of course, this means there’s more to booking a room in a Sydney hotel than choosing a rate and a date – where you stay sets the vibe for your whole Harbour City experience. So, we’ve curated the best hotels in Sydney, from luxury escapes to boutique hotels with a bit of grandeur.

GT’s top Sydney hotel picks for 2025

Winner of Gourmet Traveller’s 2025 Hotel and Travel Awards for Best New Hotel: The Eve Hotel Sydney
Best luxury Sydney hotel: Capella Sydney
Best boutique Sydney hotel: The Grand National Hotel by Saint Peter

The best hotels in Sydney for luxury, chosen by editors

A lounge area at the Eve Hotel Sydney, winner of Gourmet Traveller's 2025 Best Hotel and Travel Awards for Best New Hotel.

Best Sydney hotel for staycation glamour

Contemporary and urban charm greets you from the ivy-clad, bold façade of The Eve Hotel Sydney, a five-star property and winner of Gourmet Traveller’s 2025 Hotel and Travel Awards for Best New Hotel. The striking bricks, rust-coloured curves and greenery outside is complemented by interior design by George Livissianis and artwork curated by David Stein for an extra layer of sophisticated quirk. From the private balconies and terraces to the shaded cabanas by the rooftop pool and world-class dining options, luxury at this hotel extends from the sanctuary of your room to the chic Wunderlich Lane precinct outside.

The Eve feels like something of a reset for what a Sydney hotel can be.
Michael Harden, GT State Editor and writer

Reasons to stay:

Thoughtfully crafted interiors with local artistry, including sculptural lighting by Henry Wilson and artworks by Louise Olsen and Tarryn Gill
Guest rooms and suites have private balconies or terraces and premium amenities, including Saardé products and a curated minibar
Stunning rooftop garden and 20m heated pool, with cabanas for elevated lounging
Distinctive dining experiences at Bar Julius (vaulted, art-filled lobby bar) and Lottie (rooftop Mexican-inspired restaurant)
Seamless hospitality with 24-hour guest services, concierge, in-room dining, secure luggage storage, and curated wellness and experience packages

Address: 8 Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016

Capella hotel in Sydney

Best Sydney hotel for city sizzle close to Circular Quay

Formerly the 1915 Department of Education building, Capella Sydney’s meticulous restoration has revived the sandstone façade and Edwardian Baroque charm to create a timeless fusion of history and luxury in the booming uptown precinct just a stone’s throw from Circular Quay. Art and storytelling are weaved into the fabric of this Sydney hotel, from the a blooming Studio Drift Meadow installation at foyer bar Aperture to the moodier, Victorian-era drinking den aesthetic of McRae Bar, and The Living Room – a signature space where pre-dinner drinks are served as part of the experience for hotel guests.

Capella Sydney’s generously sized rooms and suites, averaging 46 square metres and 88 square metres respectfully, are beautifully appointed in classic city chic with a decked-out minibar (complimentary for everything but alcohol). Though, the beauty is coming back to the room after the evening turn-down service to perfectly folded everything, slippers laid out and a calming pulse point oil by the bed. Add a visit to Auriga Spa, or a dip in the sunlit 20-metre indoor pool for world-class relaxation.

Reasons to stay:

Walking distance to The Rocks district, Circular Quay and cultural icons including The Sydney Opera House
Complimentary airport transfers and curated itineraries from Capella Culturists
Evening turn-down service, complimentary mini-bar items and in-room tablet controls for temperature, curtains and lights
20-metre indoor pool, Auriga Spa, steam and sauna facilities and a yoga platform

Address: 24 Loftus St, Sydney NSW 2000

The Grand National hotel in Sydney

Best hotel in Sydney for wining and dining, eastern suburbs-style

After its landmark restoration, The Grand National Hotel by Saint Peter is entering Paddington’s boutique hotel scene, with 14 luxuriously appointed rooms from restaurateurs Josh and Julie Niland. Designed by Studio Aquilo’s Belinda Chippindale and Dimity Chitty, the hotel’s heritage interiors have been given a maximalist upgrade across the individually designed guest rooms. Each has been designed to reflect the Australian landscape through intentional finishes such as ornate wallpapers, textured linens, vintage tiling and, in some rooms, marble fireplaces and marble bathrooms.

Candles thoughtfully made with fish-fat set a relaxed mood, while ceramics made from fish bones bring Niland’s whole-fish mission to a new audience. And if fine dining is the mission for your stay, Niland’s Saint Peter restaurant has taken up residence downstairs, complete with a private dining room, chef’s table and bar. For breakfast, brunch will be served in the Saint Peter bar — think marron scrambled eggs or a spanner crab omelette, which will bring Niland’s renowned seafood focus to the AM.

Reasons to stay:

Luxury amenities, including Aesop toiletries, Frette bathrobes and slippers and Dyson hairdryers
Complimentary breakfast by Saint Peter, as well as dine and stay packages
Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic mini bar in suite
Exclusive feel, with just 14 rooms and a nightly turn down service

Address: 161 Underwood St, Paddington NSW 2021

The Langham hotel in Sydney

Best pick of pet-friendly hotels in Sydney

This grand waterfront hotel in Sydney’s The Rocks precinct feels like a throwback to more decadent times, in all the best ways. From the moment the uniformed porter opens the door, to a waft of ginger flower (The Langham’s signature scent) guests are cloistered into an alternate, white-gloved reality of high tea, view-gazing, and sessions in the indoor pool and Chuan Spa.

Book into a decadent one-bedroom suite with all the five-star trimmings, including an oversized bed dressed in fine linens and a terrace balcony over Sydney Harbour. The Langham Sydney is a hotel to retreat to, wrapped in hotel robes and slippers, ordering a procession of room service treats. And still, those who make their way to the public spaces will be rewarded. Breakfast at Kitchens On Kent, for example, is luxuriously paced with newspapers and a next-level buffet. At dinner, the buffet transforms into piles of fresh seafood (including lobster to order) and a chocolate fountain for dessert. The hotel fantasy continues at Observatory Bar where you can order a Pink Rose cocktail of ginger, rose and gin served with a performative plume of smoke. Pampered pets are welcome, too.

Reasons to stay:

Irish-Georgian style building in The Rocks, close to the Opera House and Circular Quay
Generously-sized rooms and suites, with custom furnishings, marble bathrooms and city or harbour views
20m indoor pool with a dazzling, star-dappled ceiling, and sauna, spa and wellness facilities
Bespoke and relaxed dining options, from cocktails in Observatory Bar to breakfast at Kitchens on Kent
Pet-friendly luxuries with signature “Pampered Pets” staycation packages

Address: 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point NSW 2000

Ace hotel in Sydney

Best Sydney hotel for dining and local vibrance

On the city fringe in Surry Hills, Ace Hotel Sydney draws in a creative crowd who prioritise the joy of being “amongst it”. Rooms run small but offer a retro-chic experience with considered design features, bespoke robes and textural walls. Ace Hotel’s 2022 arrival in Sydney marked a return to the source of anti-corporate hotel culture. And if some of the signature quirks feel familiar – sheet music for stationery and record players in the room – it might be because Ace Hotel has influenced hoteliers ever since its Los Angeles debut in 1999.

With 257 guest rooms (including suites), Ace Hotel Sydney is the brand’s first hotel to land in Australia, and it has brought with it a stellar line-up of zeitgeist-y collaborators. Flack Studio did the design in a symphony of photogenic moments. The Lobby Bar’s wine list is curated by Mike Bennie of P&V Merchants and on the rooftop is Mitch Orr’s restaurant and bar, Kiln. If you’re looking for local chic, this is one of the best hotels in Sydney.

Reasons to stay:

Central location in one of Sydney’s major food and cultural hubs
Award-winning chefs, seasonal dishes, a choice of restaurants and a bar for every mood
Curated art, with artist-in-residence program
Dog-friendly rooms, with a cosy pet bed and food and water bowls atop a slobber-proof silicone mat
Dry cleaning and laundry service available

Address: 47-53 Wentworth Ave, Sydney NSW 2000

Crown hotel in Sydney

Best waterfront hotel in Sydney for heightened dazzle

You can’t miss Crown Sydney. Glistening on the west side of the city like an elongated disco ball, Crown Towers — aka One Barangaroo — stands as a Sydney landmark. In 2021, the hotel opened as a restaurant hub with gleaming accommodations for international high-rollers and locals with an appetite for big-city luxury. Of the 349 guest spaces, there are 327 rooms, 20 villas and two super-prime villas. Each room has a view, a bath, and polished interiors from design firm Meyer Davis.

The showstopper is the terraced infinity pool that seems to stream into the harbour. On the food front, Nobu delivers big-name cache; 12-seater Yoshii’s Omakase is the hardest reservation to get; and Oncore by Clare Smyth, the first woman to helm a three-Michelin-star restaurant in the UK, is another reason to stay at Crown Sydney hotel.

Reasons to stay:

Rooms, suites and villas with framed views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and city skyline
Elevated resort-style terrace with an infinity pool, cabanas and poolside service
World-class dining venues, including the highly coveted Nobu
Indulgent spa, fitness centre, open-air tennis court and yoga terrace
Bespoke concierge for unforgettable Sydney experiences

Address: 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000

The indoor pool at InterContinental Sydney, with a hint of the Opera House and stunning harbour views from the window.

Sydney’s best hotel base for both business and leisure

A prime location in Sydney’s bustling business district, this Georgian-style heritage hotel delivers a truly high-rolling experience.

Tucked in the heart of the Uptown precinct, between Bridge Street and Circular Quay, the Intercontinental Sydney features 28 luxury suites and 509 rooms, with views of either the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, or the city skyline. Expect nothing short of world-class service, from the 24-hour concierge to the indulgent daily turndown.

Reasons to stay:

Prime central location, within the beautifully restored Treasury Building of 1851
509 rooms and luxury suites, with many offering views of Sydney icons including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Serene indoor pool with Sydney harbour views
World-class Club InterContinental lounge and vibrant dining venues

Address: 16 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000

A coastal, Mediterranean-inspired dining area at Manly Pacific Hotel.

Best Sydney hotel for a Mediterranean-style beachside escape

For the discerning traveller craving some poolside serenity, the Manly Pacific Hotel draws on its seaside location and dreamy interiors for a high-end beachside pied-à-terre. From its beautifully appointed rooms and suites to its refined Italian eatery courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Alessandro Pavoni, high-end beachside, every detail invites you to unwind in style.

Reasons to stay:

Coastal-inspired interiors and front-row views of Manly Beach
Magnesium rooftop pool with panoramic coastal views
Spacious rooms and villas, including dog-friendly options
Dining options include ocean-view piazza-style Italian and a vibrant two-storey terrace bar
Luxury wellness amenities available

Address: 55 N Steyne, Manly NSW 2095

QT hotel in Sydney

Best Sydney CBD hotel for bohemian dreaming in the city centre

Theatrics are plentiful at QT Sydney, the whirlwind of a hotel that brings nostalgia and art direction into the heart of the CBD. Housed in the old art deco Gowings Building section of Sydney’s State Theatre, QT Sydney proudly wears its heritage with ticket booths, sewing mannequins and theatre lights all setting the scene. It’s certainly one of the more eccentric hotels in Sydney.

Front-of-house staff are not managers but rather “directors of chaos” dressed in costumes by Australian fashion house Romance Was Born and primed in the art of playing the part. Music pumps through the elevator, with song choice dependent on how many people are in it at the time. The rooms are just as quirky and cool. All 198 of them are scented with Chanel Number 5 and strewn with irreverent touches.

Reasons to stay:

Dynamic public spaces, including a playful lobby, reimagined French bistro Parlour and Gowings restaurant and bar
Indulgent QTea High Tea curated by acclaimed pâtissier Adriano Zumbo
Relaxation rituals at spaQ
Quirky, boutique rooms and suites include luxurious bedding, Kevin Murphy toiletries, Dyson hair dryers and Dyson Corrale straighteners on request
Fitness centre and laundry services available for use

Address: 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000

Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.

Best Sydney hotel for old-world five-star luxury

Overlooking the iconic Hyde Park sits the five-star Sheraton Grand, nestled in the heart of the CBD. The hotel lives up to its distinguished name, from the old-world grandeur of its interior adornments to the 558 beautifully designed rooms and suites, with an emphasis on compact luxury. With its expansive in-house restaurant, professional service, and top-notch location, this refined experience will be the highlight of your trip.

Reasons to stay:

Iconic heritage hotel directly opposite Hyde Park, blending classic grandeur with modern comforts
Wellness sanctuary includes rooftop indoor pool, spa, sauna, gym and terrace with park view
Elegant dining in Sydney Common and refined high tea or casual palate temptations at The Gallery
Rooftop beehives produce local honey, supporting biodiversity and adding a distinctive eco-luxury touch

Address: 161 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000

More recommended Sydney CBD hotels

W hotel in Sydney

Best Sydney hotel for living large in Darling Harbour

Location: Darling Harbour

Maximalism is the vibe for 2025, and the recent hotel opening of W Sydney has it nailed. The largest of the W Hotel family – with 588 rooms, suites and an IMAX – stands in Darling Harbour as a glimmering wave-like landmark set against the bright lights of a CBD highway, which reads like big-city energy under W’s neon filter. W Sydney’s rooftop pool and its Wet Deck bar are highlights as is the Away Spa, where you can regroup in the sauna and steam room. Or, indulge your sweet tooth at Singaporean pastry master Janice Wong’s first Australian venture, 2am Dessertbar.

Reasons to stay:

Multiple luxury food and bar options available in the W Sydney
Harbourside location with panoramic views of the city
Indoor and outdoor swimming pool, day spa, fitness centre and sauna available

Address: 31 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

Kimpton Margot hotel in Sydney

Best hotel in Sydney with an enviable central location

The southern end of the city was lacking lustre until Kimpton Margot opened its gilt doors in 2022. Since then, it has recast the “student” end of Sydney’s CBD as it truly is a playground of theatre, galleries and shopping. Plus, it’s an easy walk to neighbourhood hubs such as Surry Hills and Darlinghurst.

On arrival, it takes a moment to adjust to the dimly lit velvety glitz of the art deco-themed Kimpton Margot lobby. This is Australia’s first Kimpton Hotel (IHG’s swankiest family member). In the US, the San Francisco-born brand is shorthand for boutique chic. Here, that promise is delivered across all nine levels and 172 rooms as well as the rooftop pool and bar. The interiors weave together the 1930s glamour of the historic Sydney Water Board headquarters and contemporary luxuries such as Mr Smith grooming products.

Reasons to stay:

Velvety art Deco charm
Fitness centre and rooftop pool available
Located in the heart of the central business district
Short walk from Hyde Park and boutique shopping locations

Address: 339 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000

Pier One hotel in Sydney on the harbour

Best hotel for tourists wanting a quintessentially Sydney experience

On a Federation-era wharf, suspended over the harbour, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the left, and Walsh Bay to the right, it doesn’t get more Sydney than this. To stay at Pier One is to feel like you’ve got the best of the city, especially during events such as Vivid Sydney and New Year’s Eve, when guests here get up close and personal view of the bridge and Sydney Opera House. This is one of the top hotels in Sydney if you’re chasing the quintessential Sydney experience.

Each of the 189 rooms at Pier One brings a contemporary edge to the maritime structure, boasting heritage windows, king beds and Who Is Elijah amenities. Right on the water’s edge, Pier Bar might have one of Sydney’s best sunset views while the newly opened restaurant Pier Dining, which opened in May 2024, has taken over from The Gantry with a seafood-driven menu.

Reasons to stay:

Central location, just a five-minute walk from the Rocks and a 20-minute walk from the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens
Pier One Sydney Harbour restaurant
Best views of the city during Vivid Sydney and New Year’s Eve
Who Is Elijah amenities

Address: 11 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000

Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney

Best hotel in Sydney with a landmark location and iconic views

If you’re in Sydney for sightseeing, you can mark off many of the most significant entries on your must-see list from your balcony at Park Hyatt — the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art and ferries darting across the harbour are all accounted for.

Park Hyatt’s hospitality holds up to the monumental location — think attentive service, slick interiors, a rooftop pool and world-class dining courtesy of The Dining Room by James Viles.

Reasons to stay: