PunchStock
Think San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro mixed in with a heaping dose of small-town Aussie flavor. Sydney's distinctly individual appeal lies in its fantastic oceanside setting, laid-back attitude, stellar beaches, beautiful people, and eternally sunny subtropical climate.
For the beautiful harbor setting, the brilliant beaches, varied cuisine, excellent shopping, and energetic nightlife.
Sydney’s lodging options have expanded greatly in recent years—choices now range from five-star properties, swanky boutique hotels, charming beachside inns and backpackers haunts. Accommodation prices reflect the hotel’s location – the priciest ones average around $350 and can be found in the city center. Most tabs include taxes and complimentary breakfast.
Billabong Gardens
This chic spot offers cheerful interiors, comfy rooms, a pool-graced tropical garden, and a friendly, communal vibe. Request a...
Hotel Altamont
Formerly sordid, now fashionable, Darlinghurst is Sydney’s bohemian enclave, and also home to the Hotel Altamont,...
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
Built with convict labor in 1836, the Lord Nelson lays claim as Sydney’s oldest continually licensed pub. The busy bar...
The Russell
Perched above an old pub, the Fortune of War, this small and welcoming hotel in the bustling Rocks district wears its age like...
Establishment Hotel
Tucked into a discrete alleyway a few blocks from the harbor, the boutique-y Establishment Hotel occupies a heritage-listed...
![]()
Four Seasons Sydney
The 34-story Four Seasons was Sydney’s first world-class hotel when it opened in 1983; its arrival helped put the city...
Park Hyatt Sydney
Top of the list for Sydney is the 158-room Park Hyatt, which earns its spot not just with the perfect location – facing...
![]()
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
This swank, 563-room hotel – formerly the ANA – was granted a $40 million facelift in 2003 and today draws an...
Swiss-Grand Hotel
Right across from Bondi Beach, all of the minimalist, clean-lined rooms have unbeatable ocean views from private balconies....
The Observatory Hotel
A Sydney landmark since the day it opened, the Observatory Hotel appears like a historic enclave hidden within Sydney’s...
Sullivans Hotel
An international crowd bunks at the 64-room Sullivans, a family-run hotel offering straightforward accommodations at a...
The Kirketon
This minimalist and modern boutique hotel in the bohemian suburb of Darlinghurst makes the most of its compact footprint with...
Hilton Sydney
Following a dramatic 2005 makeover at a cost of A$200 million – the largest single site investment by the Hilton group...
Billabong Gardens
This chic spot offers cheerful interiors, comfy rooms, a pool-graced tropical garden, and a friendly, communal vibe. Request a...
Hotel Altamont
Formerly sordid, now fashionable, Darlinghurst is Sydney’s bohemian enclave, and also home to the Hotel Altamont,...
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
Built with convict labor in 1836, the Lord Nelson lays claim as Sydney’s oldest continually licensed pub. The busy bar...
The Russell
Perched above an old pub, the Fortune of War, this small and welcoming hotel in the bustling Rocks district wears its age like...
Establishment Hotel
Tucked into a discrete alleyway a few blocks from the harbor, the boutique-y Establishment Hotel occupies a heritage-listed...
![]()
Four Seasons Sydney
The 34-story Four Seasons was Sydney’s first world-class hotel when it opened in 1983; its arrival helped put the city...
Park Hyatt Sydney
Top of the list for Sydney is the 158-room Park Hyatt, which earns its spot not just with the perfect location – facing...
![]()
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
This swank, 563-room hotel – formerly the ANA – was granted a $40 million facelift in 2003 and today draws an...
Swiss-Grand Hotel
Right across from Bondi Beach, all of the minimalist, clean-lined rooms have unbeatable ocean views from private balconies....
The Observatory Hotel
A Sydney landmark since the day it opened, the Observatory Hotel appears like a historic enclave hidden within Sydney’s...
Establishment Hotel
Tucked into a discrete alleyway a few blocks from the harbor, the boutique-y Establishment Hotel occupies a heritage-listed...
Sullivans Hotel
An international crowd bunks at the 64-room Sullivans, a family-run hotel offering straightforward accommodations at a...
The Kirketon
This minimalist and modern boutique hotel in the bohemian suburb of Darlinghurst makes the most of its compact footprint with...
Hilton Sydney
Following a dramatic 2005 makeover at a cost of A$200 million – the largest single site investment by the Hilton group...
Sullivans Hotel
An international crowd bunks at the 64-room Sullivans, a family-run hotel offering straightforward accommodations at a...
Swiss-Grand Hotel
Right across from Bondi Beach, all of the minimalist, clean-lined rooms have unbeatable ocean views from private balconies....
The Kirketon
This minimalist and modern boutique hotel in the bohemian suburb of Darlinghurst makes the most of its compact footprint with...
Sydney’s culinary scene ranks among the world’s best. Fresh seafood, especially Tasmanian scallops, tuna, and barramundi, rules on menus city-wide and across culinary genres (international options range from Burmese and Lao to Italian and French). Note that many restaurants are BYOB, so call ahead if you’d like wine or beer with your meal.
Alio
Try fine ‘Oz-talian’ dishes composed of native Australian ingredients, like the char-grilled salmon fillet that...
Rockpool Fish
After a complete re-design, Rockpool Fish reopened in November 2007. Innovative, super fresh seafood dishes are still the...
Tetsuya's
Sydney’s star chef conjures up Japanese delights with a French twist at his eponymous restaurant. Try the double cooked...
The Malaya
The best Asian fusion can be sampled in the swanky oceanfront interior of Darling Harbour’s long-running establishment...
Chinese Noodle Restaurant
Savor delicious homemade noodle dishes at this hole-in-the-wall Chinatown spot.
Sydney Fish Market
Stalls sell excellent fish-and-chips and fresh oysters; it’s an amazing sight on early mornings when the daily catch of...
Alio
Try fine ‘Oz-talian’ dishes composed of native Australian ingredients, like the char-grilled salmon fillet that...
Rockpool Fish
After a complete re-design, Rockpool Fish reopened in November 2007. Innovative, super fresh seafood dishes are still the...
Tetsuya's
Sydney’s star chef conjures up Japanese delights with a French twist at his eponymous restaurant. Try the double cooked...
The Malaya
The best Asian fusion can be sampled in the swanky oceanfront interior of Darling Harbour’s long-running establishment...
Chinese Noodle Restaurant
Savor delicious homemade noodle dishes at this hole-in-the-wall Chinatown spot.
Sydney Fish Market
Stalls sell excellent fish-and-chips and fresh oysters; it’s an amazing sight on early mornings when the daily catch of...