The best hotels for a Sydney staycation this summer

Sydney, with its embarrassment of beaches and emerald coast, tends to feel at its most Sydney in the warmer months. But if you really want to make the most of summer, why not become a tourist in your own town by checking into one of the city’s best hotels, or fleeing the crowds for a regional mini-break?

Pool lounging: W Sydney

W Sydney is opening up its pool terrace to the public for Solar Sundays.Credit: Wolter Peeters

W Sydney is renowned for its enviable views, but nowhere more so than its level-29 rooftop pool terrace. The Wet Deck and its sprawling 30-metre infinity pool will be opening to the public over summer for Solar Sundays, until February 2025. Tickets start from $50 and include live DJs, Mexican-inspired dishes and Paloma cocktails. Reserve a sun lounger from $100, or book a cabana for up to eight guests from $800 (price includes welcome Palomas and $400 worth of food and drinks at Wet Deck).

Out + about Catch a supersized summer release at IMAX, see what’s on at the newly refreshed Tumbalong Park, or set loose the kids at the redeveloped Darling Harbour Playground. See darlingharbour.com
Get a room From $599 a night. See marriott.com

Festive feasting: Capella Sydney

Brasserie 1930 will be putting on a festive spread for $295 a head.Credit: James Brickwood

Capella Sydney’s luxe hatted restaurant Brasserie 1930 will be putting on a festive spread as grand as its heritage interiors. Executive chef Brent Savage will oversee the three-course share-style menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, adding contemporary flourishes to familiar classics, such as king prawn with fermented chilli, Flinders Island scallops with white nectarine, and turkey ballotine with pistachio and Davidson plum.

Out + about The reinvigorated Sandstone Precinct is a gold mine for great drinking and dining. Book ahead at the newly opened Neptune’s Grotto (neptunesgrotto.com), or grab a mini martini at the compact but hugely hospitable Bar Tigra (bartigra.com.au) in the Quay Quarter Lanes precinct.
Get a room From $860 a night. See capellahotels.com

New Year’s Eve fireworks: Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour

Harbourfront Hacienda just got a smart refresh in time for New Year’s Eve.Credit:

With uninterrupted views of just about all the Sydney icons, there’s no better spot to view Sydney’s world-famous fireworks display than Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. Fresh from a facelift, the signature Hacienda Bar and Lounge is throwing a New Year’s Eve party as epic as its surrounds, with oversized antipasti platters, roaming canapes, a seafood chef’s station and dessert grazing table, from $479. The price tag also gets you unlimited drinks and DJ performances.

Out + about Start the new year with some culture. Art Pass ($83) unlocks access to a number of notable summer exhibitions, including the retrospective of artist Rene Magritte. See artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Get a room From $899 a night. See pullmanquaygrandsydneyharbour.com

Gourmet getaway: Sofitel Wentworth

Al fresco Wentworth Bar at the Sofitel Sydney.Credit:

The iconic ’60s Sofitel Wentworth has never looked so spiffy since a $70 million refresh, but it’s the hotel’s new suite of food and beverage offerings that have been the talk of the town. Helmed by House Made Hospitality, the group’s seafood and steak mecca Tilda, one of four independently run venues, is the centrepiece, where you can dine on crunchy fingers of caviar-topped crab toast and rich lobster mafaldine pasta. Elsewhere, find French-Vietnamese Delta Rue serving trolley banh mis, Bar Tilda with its upscale martini cart, and the Wentworth Bar providing the ultimate al fresco spot for summer sipping.

Out + about Take a Circular Quay ferry to Taronga Zoo (taronga.org.au) and follow the Disney-inspired Mufasa Trail, or catch an outdoor concert on the Opera House Forecourt (sydneyoperahouse.com).
Get a room From $305 a night. See sofitel.accor.com/en.html

Retail therapy: Ace Hotel

Kiln restaurant is housed 18 storeys above Ace Hotel Sydney.Credit: Pablo Veiga

Explore Oxford Street’s fashion boutiques and the numerous neighbourhood vintage shops and designer furniture stores, before retiring to Ace Hotel’s art-filled lobby bar for a natty drop from the Mike Benny-curated drinks list. Surry Hills is a hub of creativity and excellent dining, including its own signature rooftop diner Kiln, under new culinary direction following the step-in of ex-Noma chef Beau Clugston.

Out + about Surry Hills’ dining and nightlife is second to none – order a marg special at Tio’s Cerveceria (tios.com.au), or a Taylor Swift-approved pasta at Pellegrino 2000 (pellegrino2000.com).
Get a room From $296 a night. See acehotel.com

Rooftop rizz: Intercontinental Sydney

Opera House views from Aster, the InterContinental Sydney’s rooftop bar.Credit:

With outlooks straddling that yawning stretch of Sydney Harbour all the way out to Vaucluse, the Intercontinental Sydney’s signature bar Aster on level 32 is surely one of the most underrated rooftop bars in the city. Pair splashy views with innovative cocktails and small plates for a guaranteed good time. With limited space, seats are by reservation only.

Out + about Join an Aboriginal bush tucker tour in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, run by a First Nations guide, from $30, or $15 for children. See botanicgardens.org.au
Get a room From $384 a night. See sydney.intercontinental.com

Best regional escape (out of town): Bells at Killcare

The Lodge at Bells at Killcare.Credit:

This slice of the Hamptons on the Central Coast has long lured city types with its immaculate lawns, white wooden sun loungers, blue-striped awnings and stunning food. Its acclaimed restaurant Wild Flower Bar and Dining has welcomed back its founding chef Cameron Cansdell in recent times, launching a menu of border-crossing cuisine that follows a “food of the sun” ethos. Think Wollemi roast duck with blood orange, or lemon tart made with fresh citrus from the onsite garden. Its four new luxurious tri-level lodges, each with private heated magnesium pools, are worth a stay alone. Venture up to the Sunset Deck for sweeping views of Bouddi National Park.

Out + about Nearby Botanica Distillery in Erina offers an excellent garden and distillery tour that takes guests through the beautifully landscaped three-acre gardens while tasting its most popular spirits and liqueurs for $45. Don’t miss the custom martini water fountain. See distillerybotanica.com
Get a room From $527 a night; $1798 for a two-night stay for two in a lodge, all-inclusive. See bellsatkillcare.com.au