Posted: 3/1/2024 | March 1st, 2024

Sydney is where most travelers start their trip to Australia. It’s the country’s largest city (almost 20% of the entire population lives here), boasting incredible beaches, a fun nightlife, and lots of museums and galleries.

I’ve been visiting the city since 2007 and always have an amazing time. Sydney is gorgeous and I never get tired of admiring the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. But while the city has plenty to keep you busy, it is a bit spread out. That means picking the right place to stay is important.

Over the years, I’ve stayed at countless hotels. There’s a lot in the city and picking one can be overwhelming. Here’s my list of the best hotels in Sydney:

1. Mercantile Hotel

Located in the historic Rocks neighborhood, this three-star hotel is just five minutes walk from the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I especially like that it’s home to Australia’s longest-running Irish pub, where you can enjoy regular live music along with your pint.

A mid-range hotel, the rooms here are simple, minimalist, and practical. While it’s not super arty or unique, the rooms are large and the beds are comfortable. There’s free Wi-Fi, AC, and a coffee/tea maker in each room too. The bathrooms, while small, are well-kept and everything is in good condition. There’s no breakfast available, but there are lots of options nearby. The emphasis here is more on location than amenities, but you still get good value. It’s the best place to stay in The Rocks on a budget.

2. Coogee Bay Boutique Hotel

This breezy four-star hotel is in Coogee Bay, a beachy neighborhood southeast of the city. I love that the hotel is just a two-minute walk to the beach. All the rooms here are spacious and airy, with beachy colors and decorations. Rooms also have flatscreen TVs, desks, coffee/tea makers, and minibars. The bathrooms are roomy too, with showers that have good water pressure.

Breakfast is served at the hotel’s beachside bar and grill, and the hotel also has an art-deco style cocktail bar and sports bar. If you have a vehicle, there’s private parking too (which is rare in the city). If you want a quieter, more relaxing stay, this is the hotel for you.

3. Crystalbrook Albion

South of downtown in Surry Hills, this five-star luxury hotel is located in a gorgeous brick heritage building that was once a former convent. The property is elegantly designed, taking inspiration from both the 20’s and the 70s. The result is eclectic yet chic. I especially like all the colorful artwork in the lobby, lounge, and halls.

Each room is unique, but all are bright and airy, with lots of natural light. The beds are large and comfy, and rooms also have flatscreen TVs, desks, coffee/tea makers, and plush bathrobes. The bathrooms are also spacious and bright, with large rain showers and boutique design touches like colorfully tiled walls. There’s a cool rooftop terrace too, and the breakfast each morning includes lots of fresh pastries. I think this is a gorgeous, stylish hotel, perfect if you want to splash out.

4. Glasgow Arms Hotel

This hotel is located above a beautiful old pub. It’s not particularly stylish and the design is a bit dated, but there’s a free continental breakfast served each morning and the hotel is just a five-minute walk from Darling Harbour. It’s more of a no-frills place to crash, the pub food is excellent, and the staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome.

The rooms, while not particularly large, are bright and have lots of natural light. There’s a desk, flatscreen TV, and free Wi-Fi in each. The bathrooms are on the smaller side but have nice showers with great water pressure. Everything is clean and comfortable, making this a good choice for travelers looking for value and simplicity.

5. The Darling at The Star

This is a massive five-star hotel home to a spa, casino, and over 20 bars and restaurants. I really like that they have a Turkish bath, but there’s also a heated outdoor swimming pool (which has its own bar). The breakfast doesn’t have a ton of options, but what is on offer is exceptional. The hotel also has a valet service if you have a vehicle. Overall, it has more of a resort atmosphere than a regular hotel.

The rooms are large and spacious, with lots of natural light. They have a sleek, modern design and feature tons of perks, including flatscreen TVs, minibars, desks, plush bathrobes, and Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathrooms are also bright and spacious, with marble features and huge bathtubs. If you want luxury in the heart of the city, this is the hotel for you.

6. Hotel Bondi

This three-star boutique hotel has both private and shared balconies with sprawling views overlooking the popular Bondi Beach. Everything is modern and the design has a simple, minimalist feel. The rooms are large and bright and include everything you need (Wi-Fi, desk, TV, coffee/tea maker). There are deluxe rooms with kitchen facilities too, if you want to cook your own meals (though there’s also a restaurant on-site).

While the hotel itself isn’t anything to write home about, the price for the location is fantastic. After all, Bondi Beach is right across the street!

7. Sydney Potts Point

This four-star apartment hotel boasts a rooftop terrace with views over the city and is located just five-minutes from the rambunctious nightlife of Kings Cross. Most of the rooms have kitchenettes and there are also BBQ facilities on the rooftop if you want to cook outdoors. As for amenities, rooms have a desk, fridge, flatscreen TV, and coffee/tea maker. The beds have thick mattresses and are really comfy. The rooms have lots of space and light too (the bathrooms are kind of small though). There’s no breakfast offered, but with a kitchenette, you can easily prepare your own food.

It’s not super fancy place, but everything is well-maintained and there’s even some art in each room. I like that everything feels modern and clean here.

Sydney is a fun city. I always love my time here when I visit. And while it is a large city, by staying in one of the hotels above you’ll be well positioned to see the sights and make the most out of your trip.

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