Sydney Hotels with a Harbour View
Imagine waking up to the view above. Even as a local it never gets old. Sydney’s reputation as one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts is well deserved and if you are visiting the harbour city and your budget will allow a bit of a splurge consider a night or two in a harbour front hotel. It is a worthwhile treat that you are unlikely to regret and bound to become a cherished memory.
Today I am looking at 5-star hotel rooms with a view of Sydney Harbour. There are several standing tall overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House so choosing which one to book is not an easy decision. I have not been lucky enough to have stayed in all of these although I have been in each of them. Because of this, I have decided not to present a top 10 but rather I will give you my pros and cons of each and let you decide. If you are looking for the best hotel views in Sydney then I am sure you will be happy with one of these.
A word of warning… This city has a consistently high hotel occupancy rate (over 80%) so grabbing a bargain hotel room in Sydney with a harbour view is not easy. If you come across one or have points from a rewards program I suggest you grab it quickly.
Hotels in Circular Quay and the northern CBD
The Park Hyatt Hotel Sydney
The five-star Park Hyatt is Sydney’s most expensive hotel. It boasts 12 different room types, a dress circle location and some of the best harbour views in the city with many rooms overlooking the Opera House.
We booked a colleague in here for their wedding night and I managed to sneak a peek at the room and it was stunning.
The 2 dining areas are bright and airy with buffets, afternoon tea or à la carte dining. If you can not afford to stay here consider stopping by for a coffee and cake. Check the current prices and see what others think on TripAdvisor
Pros: Bose digital music system, Nespresso coffee maker, 5-star views, a rooftop pool and a level walk from public transport
Cons: Harbour view only – the view is what makes this so special. $$$ early check-in fee
Location: 7 Hickson Road The Rocks, Sydney
The Shangri La Hotel Sydney
The Shangri-La is pure 5-star luxury. All the main tourist attractions are right outside your room and the train station only a few minutes walk away. We had a stay-cation anniversary here and loved it. The rooms are a good size and our bed was super comfortable.
Book early – if you can not get a room with an Opera House or Harbour Bridge view then I think it’s a bit pricey for a regular room although apparently, the view over Darling Harbour is also nice.
Beyond the rooms, Bar Blu and Altitude restaurant are fantastic, perfect for a special occasion meal or drink. The hotel also has good business facilities for working trips. If you can manage a splurge in the hotel’s spa you will not be disappointed. I felt like I had gone to heaven! Check TripAdvisor for the latest reviews.
Check out their facebook page for lots of great photos.
Pros: Amazing views from the harbour facing rooms. Excellent service and staff. Great buffet and restaurants.
Cons: Uphill walk could be troublesome for some, only an indoor pool, car parking expensive
Location: 176 Cumberland Street The Rocks, Sydney T: (61 2) 9250 6000
The Intercontinental Hotel Sydney
The Intercontinental is where Oprah housed her entourage on her visit in 2010. Amazing views of Sydney Harbour with the bonus of being 2 minutes’ walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens make this a great choice for anyone who loves to walk. The hotel has an indoor pool, it’s a reasonable size and has a great view of the Harbour. It is only 5 minutes to the Pitt Street Mall shopping precinct and Sydney Bus run right outside.
From the Macquarie Street entrance, the hotel looks pretty grand but the back entrance is more like an office building. King Opera House rooms are a great choice for jaw-dropping views. If you win the lottery book the Australia Suite! Check the TripAdvisor reviews and see what others think.
Pros: Room quality is as good as many of the pricier hotels, particularly those on the high floors. Make sure you visit the new rooftop bar.
Cons: Not all rooms have an unobstructed view so make sure you request one.
Location: 117 Macquarie Street Sydney T: (61 2) – 92539000
The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
The Four Seasons refurbished their 530 rooms last year but the outside and public areas still need some work in my opinion. The rooms themselves are nice with quality fittings and amazing views of Sydney Harbour. Of the 3 rooms types, I would only stay here if I could get a Harbour or Opera view room. Without the view, I think there are better choices. Check the TripAdvisor reviews and see what others think.
You can follow their Twitter feed orFacebook page for updates too.
Pros: This property has the best location and really comfortable beds, a heated outdoor pool and good food.
Cons: Some of the standard rooms are a little small.
Location: 199 George Street Sydney T: (61 2) 9250-3100
Pullman Quay Grand Suites Circular Quay
Quay Grand is a great option. It’s an apartment hotel, which I admit is my favourite style, and offers 1 and 2 bedroom suites.
When development was first proposed here Sydneysiders were up in arms about the ugly “toaster” style building destroying the view of the Botanic Gardens and I agreed. Several years on I think it really revitalised this area. Locals still refer to the buildings along East Circular Quay that house many cafes, shops and restaurants as the “toaster” but not as many of us are negative about it now.
Rooms here are expensive – even on sale the 1 bedroom suites are $499 but they do give you space, a view and a location right in the middle of the action. They also often host celebs so who knows who you may bump into in the lobby!
The rooms are also double glazed so noise is not a problem. The pool on level 7 has great views over the harbour. If you are trying to save some money consider a garden view, these are also very beautiful and there are plenty of public areas to take in the waterside view. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor and you can find a bunch of photos of the various room views.
Pros: space, laundry, location
Cons: the views from some rooms can be obstructed so keep this in mind when booking.
Location: 61 Macquarie St East Circular Quay, T: (02) 9256 4000
Marriott Sydney Harbour
A short walk from the Quay and about 10 minutes to the shopping strip of Sydney Harbour the Marriott is well located for exploring the city beyond the quay. There are rooms with views of either the Harbour Bridge or the Opera House or if you have enough cash some very special rooms with views of both the icons. I recommend this hotel for anyone with limited mobility. Check out reviews and photos on TripAdvisor
Pros: Flat walk to the harbour in just 2 minutes. Have facilities for you to use if your room is not ready.
Cons: The lifts can be a bit slow at times and service can get patchy in peak periods.
Location: 30 Pitt Street, Circular Quay
Hotels in the Rocks with Harbour Views
Holiday Inn Old Sydney
Technically this hotel does have some rooms with harbour views but the best views are from the public areas on the roof. It’s been almost 5 years since I spent a night here so my thoughts about the individual rooms might be a little outdated however this is a great location right in the centre of the Rocks. It is only 5 minutes walk from the Overseas Passenger Terminal so a good pre or post cruise hotel. There is a great view from the rooftop terrace where there is also a smallish swimming pool on the roof. Check out the latest room photos on TripAdvisor
Pros: The view from the roof and the easy walk to Circular Quay are key selling points
Cons: Rooms could do with updating the beds are fine but the rooms look a little basic.
Location: 55 George Street, The Rocks
Pier One Sydney Harbour
If you are more Harbour Bridge than Opera House then check out the Harbour view balcony suites where you can sit back and watch all the action on and under the Bridge. Pier One Sydney Harbour is built on one of the beautiful wooden wharves on the western side of the harbour in between the Rocks and Walsh Bay. I would not recommend booking the rooms without balconies as they have small windows and can feel claustrophobic. Have a look at the various room types on TripAdvisor
Pros: Dog-friendly suites, short walk to Barangaroo, beautiful furnishings.
Cons: At least a 10-minute walk to public transport which can make getting back to the hotel after sightseeing a little tiring. Can be noisy on weekends due to events in the function spaces. Rooms without balconies can be small.
Location: 11 Hickson Road, The Rocks
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