We review the best luxury hotels in Sydney. I have compiled a list below. I list the ones I consider to be the best at the top.
Book a standard room at the InterContinental in New York, Paris, or London, partners of our luxury travel concierge, and you will get a guaranteed room upgrade and free club lounge access. We can also help you get better deals at all luxury hotels in Sydney, including all the hotels with and without club lounges.
1. Park Hyatt Sydney
The waterfront Park Hyatt Sydney offers a spectacular location on one of the world’s most beautiful harbors. Because it is on the waterfront, you can book a room with an amazing harbor view. Because this building is only five floors in height and right on the waterfront with only a pathway between the building and the water, you feel like you can almost touch the harbor from the balcony in your room. The hotel is also squeezed almost, but not quite, under the harbor bridge itself. This location, in the center of The Rocks’s historic and picturesque neighborhood, means that you are right in the center of the action, and everything is walkable.
Its 155 guest rooms have a soft, residential feel, with neutral tones, mood lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows that take full advantage of the views over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The spa transports you to a dream time with luxurious treatments, steam rooms, and native spa products from the Blue Mountains. The rooftop pool is small but right next to the metal frame of the iconic Sydney harbor bridge, making it an unusual and spectacular location to laze and take a dip.
Park Hyatt Vs. Shangri La Sydney. Which Is Best?
When choosing the best luxury hotel in Sydney, there are only afew obvious hotels to choose between. We have already reviewed Four Seasons Sydney Vs. Park Hyatt Sydney and Four Seasons Sydney Vs. Shangri La Sydney. Now we compare Park Hyatt Vs. Shangri La Sydney. Which is Best?. Overall, we prefer the Park Hyatt as it has an amazing waterfront location and rooms with a fantastic view, as long as you book the Harbor View. We think the Park Hyatt is the best luxury hotel in Sydney. That said, if Shangri La came in less expensive, we would consider the Shangri La.
2. Four Seasons, Sydney
Four Seasons, Sydney is one of the best hotels in Sydney for Harbor views. Iconic Sydney Harbor sits at the doorstep of this award-winning Central Business District Hotel, with historic The Rocks and Circular Quay right next door. Head out to explore the nearby shopping, outdoor adventure, and vibrant social scene surrounding the hotel, then meet back at Mode Kitchen & Bar for fresh, local cuisine and drinks at Grain.
Most Four Seasons hotels don’t have club lounges, but a few do, and the Four Seasons Sydney is one of these hotels. It has one of the best club lounges in Sydney.
Best Hotel Executive Or Club Lounges At Hotels In Sydney
We review club lounges at hotels in Sydney with a club or executive lounge. By reviewing each of these club lounges, I conclude which hotel club lounge is the best and which hotels I would select as having the best club lounge in Sydney. Book a standard room at the InterContinental in New York, Paris, or London, partners of our luxury travel concierge, and you will get a guaranteed room upgrade and free club lounge access. We can also help you get better deals at all luxury hotels in Sydney, including all the hotels with and without club lounges.
One reason to add a club lounge to your booking at this Four Seasons is the view. Lounge 32 is an exceptional club lounge on the 32nd floor with incredible harbor views, and this is easily one of the best club lounges in Sydney. Exclusive privileges in this private lounge, reserved for guests with Lounge 32 access only, include an excellent breakfast, evening drinks, and a dedicated concierge, all overlooking the city and harbor.
Get a great discount at Four Seasons Sydney by booking via our luxury travel concierge.
Does Four Seasons Sydney Have An Executive Lounge?
Yes! Four Seasons Sydney does have an executive club lounge. It's one of the best club lounges in Sydney. It can be confusing to try and book a room with lounge access through the Four Seasons website, so here is our guide on the best way to book the best room at the fabulous Four Seasons Sydney. It's worth immediately mentioning that you can get free loyalty style benefits at all Four Seasons hotels including a room upgrade if you book with a luxury travel agent like our luxury travel concierge so please do get in contact to find out more.
3. Langham Sydney
The Langham Sydney is one of the smaller Langham hotels worldwide, and this outpost is classic and elegant in style. It has a spa, a lovely swimming pool, and dramatic harbor views. From the marble-lined lobby adorned with chandeliers and local artwork to rooms and suites (there are 96 total) with expansive terraces boasting impressive city and harbor views, everything about this hotel is beyond opulent. Stop into the Observatory Bar for a signature cocktail like the Pink Rose.
4. Shangri-La Golden Circle
Perfectly positioned in the dress circle of Sydney Harbour, Sydney’s destination hotel and its luxurious glamour are enhanced by the panoramic views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Book a room with a view. In the historic Rocks District, Shangri-La Sydney features 564 elegantly appointed guest rooms, suites, and Horizon Club, Australia’s most sophisticated lounge.
The award-winning dining experiences provide authentic local flavors, with Altitude and Blu Bar on 36 unparalleled offering views. Shangri-La Golden Circle probably offers the best value Club Lounge in Sydney, but the club lounge doesn’t appear to offer views, unfortunately. Instead book a room with a view or spent time in Altitude and Blu Bar on 36.
Four Seasons Vs. Shangri La Sydney. Which Is Best?
When choosing the best luxury hotel in Sydney, there are only afew obvious hotels to choose between. We have already reviewed Four Seasons Sydney Vs. Park Hyatt Sydney and now we compare Four Seasons Sydney Vs. Shangri La Sydney. Overall, we prefer the Four Seasons. The advantages of the Four Seasons include their exemplary service, equally amazing views from higher up, newly refurbished rooms, and the fact that this hotel has a club lounge with a view. Shangri La also has a club lounge with a view, but this club lounge doesn't feel quite as exclusive.
5. InterContinental Sydney
InterContinental Sydney is in the final phase of our $100m refurbishment program, which is due for completion by the end of July 2022. Nestled in Circular Quay, with unparalleled views, InterContinental Sydney has been an icon of choice for more than 30 years. Set within the beautifully restored 1851 Treasury Building overlooking the world-famous harbor, InterContinental unlocks Sydney’s essence.
Its exclusive Club InterContinental is Sydney’s only rooftop club with a wrap-around terrace and panoramic views of Sydney Harbour. Upgrade to Club Level for access to the amazing Club Lounge with outdoor rooftop seating and panoramic views over Sydney Harbor. This lounge has arguably the best harbor views in town, with a gorgeous wrap-around balcony.
The club lounge is on level 28, with direct views of the Harbour and Opera House via floor-to-ceiling windows. The lounge is super stylish and modern in design, with a blue-grey wavy carpet design and cream and blue-grey furnishings that seem to reflect the harbor’s colors as the sun goes down.
Within the Club lounge, you will enjoy the following benefits: Early check-in and late check-out, room upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), daily buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests, all-day light refreshments, complimentary Wi-Fi, twilight drinks, and canapes, complimentary wireless internet access, personalized Concierge, and business center facilities.
The location of this hotel is also excellent, close to Circular Quay and the ferries. It also has a decent gym and a great indoor pool for families. The InterContinental is right next door to the beautiful Botanic gardens (with bats that fly about in the evening – watch out for the poo… My mum was a target one evening and left the park with a special bat present on her anorak!).
Review: InterContinental Sydney Club Lounge
InterContinental Sydney’s Club lounge has long been recognized as one of Sydney's best club lounge experiences. In October 2022, the hotel underwent a grand relaunch, marking a fresh chapter for the heritage hotel. The refurbishment included its impressive rooftop club lounge. Located within Sydney’s historic Treasury building dating back to 1851, InterContinental Sydney underwent a grand relaunch in October 2022, marking a fresh chapter for the heritage hotel.
6. Crown Towers Sydney
Crown Towers Sydney is opulent in every way. Rising more than 900 feet above the harbor, this gleaming glass-paneled hotel boasts a Michelin-starred dining venue, 349 luxuriously appointed rooms, and suites with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering amazing harbor views. There’s also a showstopping multi-level infinity pool and a world-class spa with indulgent treatments like caviar facials and psammotherapy rituals. Not to mention iconic harbor views and an idyllic location in the up-and-coming Barangaroo Precinct.
7. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
My second favourite location in Sydney after Circular Quay is Darling Harbour. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour brings a French élan to Sydney’s laid-back waterfront. Window seats in the 590-room luury hotel take full advantage of the panorama. Upgrade to Club level for access to the 35th-floor club lounge. Soak in the sunshine up at the gorgeous outdoor infinity-edge pool. There’s a Champagne Bar and a French Atelier restaurant. The hotel is located adjacent International Convention Centre, which can be ideal if you are in Sydney on business.
8. InterContinental Sydney Double Bay
It’s all in the neighborhood at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. The city’s only five-star hotel outside the central business district is tucked within the leafy confines of this upscale village, noted for its European-style promenades and café culture. Enjoy the views from one of 140 luxury rooms, with their charming European-residence feel, or soak in the panoramic harbor from the rooftop pool. Indulge in expertly curated cocktails from award-winning bar Stillery, known for its 1940s atmosphere and focus on limited-edition gins. The florals and spices of featured gins are incorporated into Stillery restaurant’s seasonal menu.
9. Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
Going a bit more down market than the luxury hotels mentioned above is Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay. The location of this hotel is good but it is not as luxurious as the above options. Set back from the waterfront but close enough for great harbor views. The rooms are a decent size but are designed in an uninspiring mix of greys. The views from the rooms are, however, are stunning. Book an Opera House View or Bridge View room for the best views.
This is a decent hotel in a great location and is a good way to spend your Bonvoy points when in Sydney. The hotel is right next to Circular Quay with Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Rocks, and Sydney Opera house on your doorstep, plus it is just a 2 -3 minute walk from the Sydney Metro. There is also a decent gym, an indoor swimming pool, plenty of outdoor alfresco bars and eateries, and indoor options.
The club or executive lounge at this hotel doesn’t have views but has a great breakfast and evening food. The executive lounge is on the hotel’s first floor (floor 2), and it can be very, very busy. It’s practical but not like a luxury lounge and not comparable to our best lounge choices.
10. Ritz-Carlton Sydney
There is an impressive Ritz-Carlton planned for Sydney. Once launched it will come much higher in our “best luxury hotels in Sydney” list, but for now we squeeze it in at the end as it is some way from opening up.
Plans for a new 110-meter tall, six-star hotel at The Star Sydney are progressing after the NSW Government opened the door for the development application and approvals process for the project. It is, unfortunately, some way off even breaking ground.
Sydney’s new Ritz-Carlton Sydney hotel will soar above The Star at Pyrmont when it eventually opens so will offer fantastic views. Concept images hint at what we can expect when the Ritz-Carlton brand returns to Sydney after over a decade. The $500 million USD project will see the elite residences below the hotel rooms, with a shared Sky Lobby boasting a signature restaurant with stunning harbor views.
An adjoining ‘ribbon development’ will boast three amazing pools with views, two gymnasiums, a spa, and a wellness center. And expect an amazing Club Lounge when this hotel eventually opens.
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