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Hiding in a heritage-listed 1929 building on Pitt Street, Hotel Morris is a gem of a city stay: a cinematically beautiful boutique bolthole on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD. Originally designed by visionary architect Virgil Dante Cizzio, the hotel reopened in 2023 after a careful restoration (conceived by Sydney-based interior design firm Tom Mark Henry) revived its Art Deco bones, layering in plush, maximalist interiors and a playfully Italian approach.
Stepping into the lobby, you’re met with a long marble bar illuminated by suspened bars of red LED and opulent tiered chandeliers. Tall, deep red tables line the east wall, backed by a deep brown velvet bench and framed by fringed curtains and bronze fixtures. It’s a lot, and somehow it works – particularly at 5pm when the place is buzzing with friends catching up over carefully crafted Martinis and plates of focaccia and caviar.
With just 82 rooms, Hotel Morris is intimate and packed with personality. The operations don’t run as smoothly as a lot of larger hotels I’ve visited, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the old-world energy of this hidden Art Deco darling.
What are the rooms like at Hotel Morris?
Spread across 13 floors, the 82 guest rooms are compact but beautiful. If you’re looking for a base in the city to get the hotel bedroom shot, this is it: all deep red velvet headboards illuminated by bronze glass lights and plush cotton robes hanging in the wardrobes. Bathrooms are sleek and moody and kitted out with raindance showers and designer toiletries, and the minibar has a tight curation of playfully on-brand treats. Ornate mirrored trays wait on marble coffee tables under arched panelled windows, and modern techy touches like smart TVs and espresso machines remind you that you are not, in fact, in 1920s Italy.
Is there a restaurant at Hotel Morris?
Dining revolves around Bar Morris, a sexy Italian-leaning restaurant and wine bar located in the lobby. The kitchen here turns out classic Italian dishes – handmade pasta, house focaccia and antipasti – alongside on-point cocktails and a solid wine list. For locals, the bar is probably best loved for its Negroni hour: $16 Negronis, $8 Campari Spritzes and $6-10 ‘Sputini’ (Italian snacks) from 4pm-6pm daily.
Breakfast is a refined a la carte affair, with classic Aussie brekkie dishes given a delightful Italian twist: Eggs Benedict comes with prosciutto and the avocado smash is loaded with dill and caprese salad.
What is the service like at Hotel Morris?
The hotel runs a 24-hour front desk with concierge support, luggage storage and room service. During our stay, service felt a little chaotic at times, but honestly that sort of added to the Italian charm.
Is there a gym or pool at Hotel Morris?
The hotel doesn’t have an on-site gym or swimming pool, but there are running routes on your doorstep (the route past the Opera House and through the Royal Botanic Gardens is a personal fave) and some of the city’s best outdoor swimming pools within relatively easy walking distance.
Is there a spa at Hotel Morris?
There’s no spa within the hotel, but wellness is still a pretty central pillar. Rooms are stocked with products from Byron-born wellness brand Imbibe, and the concierge team will help point you in the direction of nearby day spas and wellness centres. For a first-rate facial, I’d suggest booking a treatment at The Parlour Room in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane precinct – a nine minute drive from the hotel.
What’s the area like around Hotel Morris?
The hotel sits on the southern edge of the CBD in Haymarket, right near World Square and within easy walking distance of Chinatown, the Capitol Theatre and Central Station. It’s a delightfully gritty corner of the city – a vibrant and multicultural pocket of late-night dumping spots and lowkey pubs. The rest of the city centre in all its sparkling glory is just a short stroll north.
Address: 412 Pitt Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
Price per night: From around $259
Closest transport link: Capitol Square Light Rail (3-minute walk) or Central Station (about five minutes on foot)
Book: Over here
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