Looking for a centrally located Sydney hotel? The Pullman Sydney Hyde Park offers solid comfort opposite the city’s most famous park. After my recent stay here testing everything from the rooftop pool to the pillow menu, I’ll help you decide if it’s worth your money – and share some money-saving tips I discovered along the way.
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Quick Verdict
The Pullman Hyde Park delivers what most city visitors need: a comfortable room in a prime location with thoughtful touches like a customizable pillow menu.
First Impressions
The hotel’s position opposite Hyde Park sets the tone before you even step inside. The rainbow crossing at the entry celebrates its position at the start of the Sydney Mardi Gras parade route – one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ festivals held here each February.
The lobby strikes a good balance between business and leisure, with plenty of seating and a welcoming atmosphere. You’ll find the bar and restaurant to your left as you enter – both spaces are well-designed for either a casual drink or proper meal.
Arrival
You can check in from 2 pm, and I found the process smooth and efficient when I arrived mid-afternoon. The reception staff were welcoming and had my room ready – exactly what you want after travelling.
Rooms
I stayed in a Deluxe King Park View room, where generous proportions (32-54 square metres) provide proper space to relax. The bed is genuinely comfortable – I slept well both nights, aided by the pillow menu that lets you customize your sleep setup rather than making do with whatever’s provided.
The hotel provides several room types to suit different preferences:
- Classic Rooms featuring views of East Sydney
- Rooms overlooking Hyde Park (worth the upgrade for stunning city vistas)
- Deluxe Rooms with upscale amenities and modern furnishings
- Accessible Rooms designed for mobility needs
My room come equipped with:
- Work desk and comfortable sofa
- Smart TV and bluetooth speaker
- Reasonably priced minibar
- Nespresso coffee machine
- A wireless charging hub
Three accessible rooms feature modified bathrooms with handrails, shower seats, and lower vanities. The hotel’s commitment to accessibility extends throughout the property, with wheelchair-friendly access to the restaurant, pool area, and public spaces.
Pro tip: For the best experience, book a recently refurbished Deluxe Room on a higher floor – the modern touches, like the nespresso, bluetooth speaker and elevated views make the upgrade worthwhile.
Bathroom
The bathroom offers plenty of practical features – generous counter space for your personal items, full-sized fluffy towels, and excellent water pressure in the shower-over-bath combination.
While the setup is traditional, there’s ample room to move around. The toiletries, though wall-mounted, could be easier to access and more luxurious for a hotel of this calibre.
Tip: It’s worth noting that the corner bath in our room has a higher step-in than modern walk-in showers, which might not suit everyone. Be sure to ask about other options if this might be a challenge for you.
Facilities
The rooftop is where this hotel really shines. The pool area offers wonderful city views – perfect for a morning swim or afternoon relaxation.
You’ll also find a well-equipped gym and sauna up here, making it easy to maintain your fitness routine while traveling.
For business travelers, the hotel provides dedicated meeting spaces and a business centre with all the essentials you would expect.
Important note: At the time of my visit, only two of the three lifts were operating which meant peak-time waits of up to 10 minutes, particularly during breakfast hours. If you’re on a tight schedule, consider this in your morning timing.
Dining
On my first evening I dined at Bar Thirty6, overlooking Hyde Park on the ground floor. It offers modern Australian cuisine with “international influences”. I enjoyed a perfectly cooked lamb rump and appreciated that ingredients are sourced within 50km of the hotel. The menu, while concise, delivers on presentation and taste.
The Lobby Bar is located to the left of reception and seemed popular in the afternoons. There’s a good selection of cocktails and wines, with a particularly good happy hour Tuesday through Saturday, 4pm to 6pm, offering $8 beer and wine (note: it’s closed Sunday and Monday).
The hotel offers both buffet ($40 per person) and à la carte breakfast options. While the buffet provides standard hotel fare with good coffee, the à la carte menu might better suit those who prefer a proper plated breakfast. Standouts include the smashed avocado with persian feta ($20) and a generous Buttermilk Pancake Stack ($22). For lighter options, try the Acai Bowl ($20) or seasonal fruit salad ($16).
For longer stays, consider exploring the excellent cafés around Hyde Park. Flour and Stone, 8 minutes away, serves artisanal breads and pastries at lower prices.
The 24-hour room service menu offers plenty of options if you prefer dining in, and the minibar is stocked with quality local craft beers including Stone & Wood and Young Henrys.
Location
Location is one of this hotel’s biggest attractions. You’re literally across the road from Hyde Park and the Australian Museum is just around the corner. For transport, you’ve got Museum Station 6 minutes away and Town Hall about 9 minutes on foot, making it easy to explore further afield.
Oxford Street’s restaurants and bars are practically on your doorstep, and if you’re happy walking 15-20 minutes, both Darling Harbour and Circular Quay are manageable. For self-catering, there’s an Aldi just 5 minutes away – ideal for picking up picnic supplies to enjoy in the park.
Walking times from hotel:
- Museum Station: 6 minutes
- Town Hall Station: 9 minutes
- Australian Museum: 3 minutes
- Aldi Supermarket: 5 minutes
- Darling Harbour: 15 minutes
- Circular Quay: 20 minutes
Best For: City breaks, business travellers, and anyone wanting a central base for exploring Sydney’s attractions.
Don’t Miss Nearby
The hotel’s central location puts you within easy reach of several Sydney highlights. While tourist favorites like the Opera House are a pleasant walk away, here are some closer spots worth your time:
Culture & History- The Australian Museum sits just around the corner, housing impressive dinosaur exhibits and significant Aboriginal collections (free entry). The Art Gallery of NSW, a 10-minute walk through the Domain, offers free entry to its permanent collections and stunning harbour views from its new modern wing.
Food & Drink – The historic Bambini Trust Wine Room occupies a beautiful heritage building on Elizabeth Street – perfect for a sophisticated dinner. For casual dining, try Spice Alley’s hawker-style Asian food courts, just 12 minutes away. Brix Distillery on Bourke Street offers excellent cocktails and a chance to sample locally-made gin and rum.
Evening Entertainment – Oxford Art Factory hosts live music most nights, while the beautifully restored Golden Age Cinema screens independent films in a 1940s screening room. For a traditional pub experience, the East Sydney Hotel offers an authentic slice of local life without the tourist crowds.
Shopping & Markets – Pitt Street Mall is a 10-minute walk away, with luxury boutiques lining Elizabeth Street. On Saturdays, Paddington Markets (15 minutes’ walk) showcases local designers and artisans, while Crown Street’s vintage shops offer unique finds any day of the week.
Local Tip: jump on the 311 bus that stops nearby and explore Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay, home to some of Sydney’s best Art Deco architecture
Highlights
The standout features from my stay:
- The location really works – I walked everywhere from here.
- Those Hyde Park views are worth the upgrade – it’s beautiful at sunset.
- The beds delivered two solid nights’ sleep (that pillow menu helps)
- The rooftop pool made a perfect start to each day.
- Little touches like local craft beers in the minibar at reasonable prices.
Money-saving tip: While the hotel offers onsite parking, I recommend using the Domain Carpark just five minutes’ drive away. Just drop off your luggage and after parking you can continue to the city to explore or back to the hotel only a 10-minute walk away.
Final Verdict
After my stay, I’d happily book the Pullman Hyde Park again. Despite some dated elements and those currently slow lifts, the spacious rooms, central location and genuinely good service make it a solid choice. If you’re tossing up room types, the refurbished Deluxe rooms are worth the extra. It’s the kind of hotel that just works, whether you’re here for business or looking to explore the city.
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