Stunning harbor views, iconic architectural landmarks, and sun-drenched beaches combine to create a uniquely vibrant and cosmopolitan coastal atmosphere. We’ve handpicked the best hotels in Sydney based on expert recommendations and thousands of genuine guest reviews. All of our recommended hotels have a review rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.
Best cheap hotel in Sydney: The Baxley Bondi
Best boutique hotel in Sydney: Woolstore 1888
Best luxury hotel in Sydney: The Langham Sydney
Best hostel in Sydney: Wake Up! Sydney Central
Best eco-friendly hotel in Sydney: Crystalbrook Albion Hotel
Ace Hotel Sydney is a stylish landmark located in the historic Tyne building on Wentworth Avenue in Surry Hills. This building has led many lives since it was built in 1916, serving as a pottery kiln, a garment factory, and a pharmacy warehouse before being transformed into the first Ace Hotel in the Southern Hemisphere. Architects Bates Smart preserved the original 10-storey structure while adding an additional eight floors, creating a striking blend of industrial heritage and modern design.
CN Traveler + 1 more“The Ace, 18 stories high with 257 rooms, is located in a magnificent early-20th-century building that vibrates with top-to-toe creative energy. Revived by Australia’s most in-demand interior architects, Flack Studio, the former brick factory has kept its old bones – high ceilings and exposed brick and concrete walls – offset with one-of-a-kind furniture, art, and bric-a-brac by the country’s best designers, artists, and makers.”
Q Station in Manly offers one of the most unique hotel experiences in Australia. Nestled within the Sydney Harbour National Park on North Head, this site served as the city’s Quarantine Station for 150 years, starting in 1832. Today, it has been thoughtfully transformed into a boutique heritage retreat where guests stay in the original, beautifully restored quarters that once housed arriving immigrants.
New York Times“History buffs and those in search of views and solitude will appreciate Q Station’s smartly refurbished rooms and historic cottages located inside a nook of the Sydney Harbour National Park in Manly. The grounds are dotted with historic buildings where guests can pass the time as quarantined migrants once did, playing billiards, table tennis or savoring the views of Sydney Harbour over cups of tea.”
Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Sydney, Australia.
The Bondi Beach House is a true local institution that has been part of the Bondi scene since the 1950s. Nestled behind palm and frangipani trees in south Bondi, this boutique bed and breakfast offers an intimate, homely escape just a two-minute stroll from the iconic beach. It has long been a favorite retreat for everyone from artists and writers to travelers seeking a more authentic, personal experience than a standard hotel.
The Guardian“Accommodation in Sydney doesn’t come cheap, but one affordable secret is tucked among the palms and frangipani trees of south Bondi Beach. A former school, the Bondi Beach House has nine sunny rooms and suites, each decorated with tasteful antiques and Australian works of art.”
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
The Guardian
One of the largest cities in Australia, Sydney is known for its Opera House and a distinctive global appeal. The harbour front and quaysides and the famous Harbour Bridge are the landmark structures. Apart from these iconic sights, we will tell you the other places to visit here.
Bondi beach
The crescent-shaped white sand beach is a famous landmark of Sydney, and attracts surfers from all over the world. Trendy cafes to laid-back pubs dot the sea-front, while the premier hotels offer a magnificent view of the ocean. The walk from Bondi to Coogee has one of the most brilliant scenery.
Newtown
It is a bohemian neighbourhood that draws shoppers to the budget stores. The bars and eateries have a distinctive feel and cater to a global fare. Live theatre, comedy shows and street art is what makes this place unique and brings tourists to New Town.
Glebe
It has a carefree, intellectual area with a certain historic charm. Bookshops and galleries attract the scholars whereas the Saturday Market is a favourite among the shoppers. Ethnic eateries and edgy cafes and pubs are a big hit among the tourists.
Cronulla
Being an hour's drive from the city centre, it has the feel of a village. The surfing and swimming spots are quite popular among the tourists. You can sun-bathe on the pristine beaches while having a relaxing day.
Balmain
One of the posh neighbourhoods of Sydney, it has trendy boutique hotels. Darling Street in Balmain is famous for its stores, artisan bakeries and luxury eateries. Balmain market is famous for the local produces like food, handicraft and fashion.
Also check out our travel guide about the best areas to stay in Sydney.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Sydney, then go for The Langham Sydney. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it. Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Sydney, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Sydney, then book The Baxley Bondi. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Sydney.
Looking for a cozy place to stay in Sydney that serves you handmade and fresh breakfast in the morning? Go and check out Bondi Beach House B&B. The B&B has been recommended by well-known travel experts and recent guests have given it top ratings.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm in Sydney? Check out Wake Up! Sydney Central. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our list of the best hostels in Sydney.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in Sydney, you should check out Ovolo 1888 Hotel. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Sydney, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try Four Seasons Hotel or Shangri-La Hotel. Both hotels offer amazing views of Sydney according to recent customer reviews.
For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $90 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $130 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star Sydney hotel then you can expect to pay around $190 per night.
If you're looking for the best rooftop pool in Sydney try The Old Clare Hotel. The hotel has excellent customer reviews for their rooftop swimming pools.
Try Hotel Spicers Potts Point if you're looking for a delicious breakfast at a hotel in Sydney. The hotel has excellent customer review ratings for breakfast.
Try Hotel Spicers Potts Point if you're looking for a romantic getaway in Sydney, it has some excellent recent customer reviews by couples.
Sydney Harbour Ferry with Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket. Your package includes round-trip cruise from Circular Quay to the zoo, and a ride on the Sky Safari Gondola, which whisks you uphill from the boat dock to the main entrance of Taronga Zoo. Price: $48.
The Sydney Opera House Tour. Discover the stories, history, and magic of Sydney Opera House with a 1-hour long guided tour that takes you underneath the world-famous sails and along and inside the iconic theatres and foyers that bring to life over 1800 performances each year. Price: $31.
All Inclusive Blue Mountains Small-Group Day Trip from Sydney. Enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and sites including the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Hop onboard the Scenic Railway (or other rides) at Scenic World, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch (dietary requirements accommodated), and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos and other native Australian critters. Price: $180.
More things to do in Sydney
Sydney, the vibrant capital of New South Wales, holds a complex history that spans tens of thousands of years. Before European arrival, the region was home to the Eora, Darug, and Dharawal people, who stewarded the land for over 30,000 years. This ancient heritage was dramatically altered in 1788 when the British First Fleet, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, established a penal colony at Sydney Cove. Originally intended as a self-sufficient outpost for convicts, the settlement struggled through initial years of famine before evolving into the bustling colonial hub that served as the foundation for modern Australia.
Today, Sydney stands as a global powerhouse, representing a cosmopolitan synthesis of finance, culture, and innovation. As Australia’s largest city, it acts as the nation’s primary economic engine, hosting the headquarters for a majority of its financial and technological industries. Beyond its economic prowess, the city is a beacon of diversity, where nearly 40 percent of its residents were born overseas, contributing to a rich tapestry of over 250 spoken languages. It serves as an iconic symbol of the “Australian dream,” blending a fast-paced urban lifestyle with a legendary outdoor culture defined by world-famous beaches and its stunning, deep-water harbour.
The city also hides remarkable curiosities beneath its famous skyline. For instance, the Harbour Bridge, affectionately called “The Coat Hanger,” was painted grey simply because it was the only color available in sufficient quantities at the time. Further, the iconic Granny Smith apple was not a British import but was accidentally cultivated in a Sydney garden in 1868. Perhaps most surprisingly, beneath the busy platforms of St James Station lies a massive, kilometre-long subterranean lake. From its origins as a remote prison camp to its current status as a sparkling international metropolis, Sydney remains a city of startling contrasts and deep-rooted resilience.
We recommend you read our guide about where to stay in Sydney. It provides an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area.
If you like our list of hostels and accommodations in Sydney, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Melbourne or the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur.