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.
1. Best Location: Four Seasons Vs. Shangri la Sydney
Four Seasons Sydney and Shangri La Sydney are under 5 minutes walk from each other and are both on the doorstep of the Central Business District, with historic The Rocks and Circular Quay right next door. Their locations are virtually identical.
2. Best Size
Four Seasons Sydney has 531 rooms and an excellent staff-to-guest ratio, like all Four Seasons hotels. Shangri La has 564 rooms so it is even larger. There is little to choose between the size of these hotels, although the staff seem to be better trained at Four Seasons and greet you as you arrive and leave, etc.
3. Best Service
Four Seasons hotels always ace service, and Sydney’s outpost is no different. Choose Four Seasons if service is important to you as they get it right! This makes Four Seasons one of the best luxury hotels in Sydney.
10 Best Luxury Hotels In Sydney
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. The waterfront Park Hyatt Sydney offers a spectacular location on one of the world’s most beautiful harbors.
4. Best Views
As outlined above, both hotels have excellent views. Four Seasons, Sydney, and Shangri La Sydney are both high rises and only 4 minute’s walk from each other, so the views from their rooms and communal areas are very similar. Both are some of the best hotels in Sydney for Harbor views.
5. Best Rooms
Four Seasons rooms are recently refurbished. There was a multi-million dollar renovation of all 517 rooms and suites in 2021. 60 percent of rooms enjoy views of the Bridge or Opera House (some both), through almost floor-to-ceiling windows. Base rooms are considerably smaller at Four Seasons Vs. Shangri La, starting at 26 m² of space. For more space, book a Premier Room that offers 53 m² of space. If you pick the Partial Harbour or Deluxe Harbour views, you’ll be blown away by the vista.
Shangri La rooms start at 40–50 m² of space, which are larger than the Four Seasons rooms, although they haven’t been as recently refurbished and I prefer the bathrooms in the Four Seasons. Both have similarly large windows. The Horizon Club Sydney Harbour Rooms are located on levels 31-35, guaranteeing a brilliant view.
6. Best For Redeeming Nights On Points
You can’t spend loyalty points at any Four Seasons hotels. This is because there is no Four Seasons rewards program, but if you are a regular guest of the Four Seasons or even want to try this iconic brand for the first time, you can take advantage of loyalty style benefits at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our concierge.
The Shangri la Circle Club offers earning and redemption opportunities at their hotels. Use your points for free room nights, dining experiences, spa treatments, lifestyle products, and more. So if you are a member of this scheme, you can earn and burn points at Shangri La Sydney.
7. Best Pool
The Four Seasons has a small outdoor rooftop pool, but when you are lounging, the main view is the sky which is a little uninteresting. The Shangri La has an indoor pool and a Jacuzzi. Both pools are really nice but not noteworthy. The best choice depends if you want to swim inside or outside.
8. Best Spa
Both Spa’s at the Four Seasons and Shangri La are excellent.
9. Best Club Lounge
Most Four Seasons hotels don’t have club lounges, but a few do, and the Four Seasons Sydney is one of these hotels. If you don’t have lounge access at this Four Seasons, there are still some nice complimentary club-style amenities that you can use, including complimentary overnight shoeshine, coffee, and muffins in the lobby to “grab and go.”
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.
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.
Shangri-La Golden Circle probably offers the best value Club Lounge in Sydney, and this one has fantastic harbor view rooms too. The club lounge at the Shangri-La is usually called the Horizon Club or Traders Club and is accessible to guests who book club-level rooms and suites.
Shangri-La Horizon Club offers perks such as check-in at the lounge, late check-out, complimentary breakfast, morning/afternoon tea, plus evening canapés and cocktails. The Shangri-La Sydney Horizon Club rooms offer picturesque views across Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, which are worth paying extra for.
The Four Seasons Club lounge is best for service and luxury, but both have great views and the Shangri La club rooms tend to be considerably cheaper.
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