Where to stay in Sydney: hotels by district
A district guide to the best areas to stay in Sydney, as chosen by our resident expert, including the best hotels in Circular Quay, the Central Business District, Bondi Beach, the Inner City and the up-and-coming neighbourhoods of Newtown and Chippendale.
Circular Quay and The Rocks
The gateway to Sydney’s magnificent harbour and its most arresting sights – The Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House – Circular Quay is also the birthplace of modern Sydney. Hidden landmarks and historic buildings mingle with tourist attractions, fine-dining establishments and the city’s finest hotels.
Where to stay
Four Seasons Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
A true five-star property located in the epicentre of Sydney’s tourist precinct showcases uninterrupted views of her crown jewels: the harbour, the bridge and the house. The highest level of service, fine dining, elegant décor and a hip whisky bar seal an already excellent deal. Read expert review From £173per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
The Shangri-La distinguishes itself among the cluster of five-star chain hotels in Sydney’s Circular Quay with its famous Level 36 Horizon Bar, where you can drink with a view. The fine dining, on-point service and a holistic spa and wellbeing centre doesn’t hurt either. Read expert review From £160per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Harbour Rocks Hotel
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
Perfectly placed in the heart of the historic Rocks district, this charming 51-room boutique hotel mixes old-world charm with a modern, industrial style, friendly service and fantastic location within walking distance of Sydney’s most famous landmarks. Read expert review From £149per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best five-star hotels in Sydney
The Central Business District (CBD)
It’s the centre of town, and while it’s the home of bankers, lawyers and accountants, it’s also full of high-end restaurants and boutiques, as well as being walking distance to Circular Quay. Buzzing Chinatown is also nearby as are the touristy lures of Darling Harbour. The Queen Victoria Building, The Galeries and The Strand Arcade are a shopper’s dream, and edgy bars such as Baxter’s Inn and Grandma's can be found in secret, tucked-away lanes.
Where to stay
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
This triangular sandstone building, shaped like a diminutive Flatiron, was once the home of Australia’s oldest existing newspaper - but the only thing hot off the press today is this five-star hotel’s $12m face lift. Read expert review From £154per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
QT Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
An eclectic and over-the-top design aesthetic within the walls of two historic buildings make this hip hotel a destination in itself. Centrally located and with excellent dining options both within and nearby, QT is Sydney’s coolest — and quirkiest — place to stay. Read expert review From £160per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Establishment Hotel
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
Establishment Hotel is Sydney's stylish headquarters for excellent eating, drinking and sleeping with a selection of Sydney’s top restaurants, bars and a nightclub all under one roof. Perfect for a brief adventure in Sydney, you will be footsteps to the city’s must-see sights, nightlife and public transport. Read expert review From £215per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• More hotels in Sydney's Central Business District
Inner City
Arguably the hippest part of town, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are home to some of the best places to eat, drink and shop. It's also the LGBTQI heart of Sydney, with the annual Mardi Gras bringing a fortnight of celebrations culminating in the annual parade. Head to Potts Point for restaurants such as The Apollo and Fratelli Paradiso.
Where to stay
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
Ovolo like their guests so much the Wi-Fi is even named Ovolololovesyou. A renovation in the historic Finger Wharf has produced an eclectic space with a playful design aesthetic, and with impressive harbour views plus a whole load of treats for guests, you may end up loving Ovolo just as much as they love you. Read expert review From £188per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Larmont Sydney
Potts Point, Sydney, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
The slow and steady gentrification of Potts Point means your neighbourhood buzz is more likely to come from your espresso than the raging nightclubs the area used to be famous for. Proximity to the best sights, brand new interiors and sweeping views make this one of Sydney’s hottest residences. Read expert review From £131per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Sydney
Inner West
The Inner West comprises a mix of suburbs brimming with eclectic shops, outstanding restaurants and cafés, and a multitude of drinking and live music venues. If you’re LGBTQI, a hipster, an intellectual, a foodie or a rockabilly, you’ll have no problem finding your people in this part of town. From Newtown, arguably the cultural heart of the Inner West, it’s 10 minutes by train to the city and Circular Quay. Restaurants such as Bloodwood in Newtown and Jason Atherton’s Kensington St Social (at The Old Clare hotel) in Chippendale are putting this neck of the woods on the foodie map.
Where to stay
The Old Clare
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8Telegraph expert rating
The Old Clare weaves Dada-esque interiors through the bones of two heritage buildings, creating a haven of modern luxury. With three top restaurants within the compound, and a rooftop pool and bar, she may be named after an old bird but she’s certainly ruffling some new feathers. Read expert review From £183per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Urban Newtown
Newtown, Sydney, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
An edgy boutique hotel in the even edgier inner-city suburb of Newtown. The Urban is the perfect base from which to experience the city's more bohemian suburbs, while still being close to the main attractions. Read expert review From £129per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best budget hotels in Sydney
Eastern Beaches
Glamorous yet casual, Sydney comes into its own on the coast. Bondi is the Queen Bee, of course, but interspersed among the sandstone cliffs are pearls such as Bronte, Tamarama, Clovelly, Gordon Bay and Coogee that are not to be missed. The culture in Bondi has matured from the days of backpackers and greasy cafés, and is now home to restaurants such as Bills and A Tavola on Hall Street. Be sure to head to Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, one of the city’s best restaurants with, unarguably, the most dazzling view of Bondi around.
Where to stay
QT Bondi
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
The QT's brand newest property is across the road from Bondi Beach. Everything about the hotel all but screams ‘get out the door and hit the beach!’ And in a hotel this close to it, and with so few services on offer, really, why wouldn’t you? Read expert review From £191per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Adina Apartment Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
Stylish, self-contained apartments located in the heart of Bondi Beach’s vibrant shopping district. Just footsteps from the shores of one of Australia’s most popular beaches, Adina also shares the strip with the best places to eat, shop and drink in Bondi. Read expert review From £143per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Ravesi's Hotel
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
7Telegraph expert rating
This Bondi institution is set to become the famed beach’s most sought after place to stay, drink and dine. But with only 12 rooms, those wanting to rub shoulders with Bondi’s best will need to get in quick. Read expert review From £104per night Register Log in commenting policy
