The best staycations in Sydney City

Perfect for: Lovers of the luxe life

Boasting ten impressive dining venues including the first Sydney outpost of Japanese fine-diner Nobu, we think that a stay at the Crown Towers isn't complete without a gold-class dining experience too. When you're not obsessing over the quality of the food, a world-class spa complete infrared sauna and a 37-degree ‘vitality pool’, state-of-the-art fitness facilities including a waterfront yoga terrace, and black-label retail outlets await you. Don't forget your Instagram snap at the famous infinity pool. 

Perfect for: A big night out in the city

This small yet perfectly formed luxury capsule hotel packs a lot of luxe into its modestly-sized rooms. For those looking to make the most of the heart of Sydney, its location could hardly be better. Situated above Wynyard Station, a stone's throw from Barangaroo, Martin Place, Circular Quay and George Street, it's the perfect bolthole for those who want to paint the town red. Our tip is to make sure you check out its stunning rooftop bar before you leave.

Perfect for: Beach (and wine) lovers in search of a gorgeous happy hour spot

Sunsets, surf, killer fish and chips – Watsons Bay is a coastal getaway all on its own, and thanks to the regular ferry service from Circular Quay, it couldn't be easier to reach. The rooftop bar at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is already one of Sydney's favorite summertime hangouts, but by booking into a room here, you can take your time exploring this charming peninsula in Sydney's far east. We think a weekend well spent here includes venturing to nearby Camp Cove, the Gap Bluff coastal walk and the incredibly 'grammable Hornby Lighthouse.

Perfect for: A harbourside getaway away from the tourist crowds

For many visitors, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour are the postcard for all things 'Sydney'. It’s hard to blame them, of course, but it’s important to consider the downsides of the popular areas (and there are a few): big crowds, tourist attractions at almost every turn and an overload of unreasonably priced eating and drinking possibilities, many of which are mediocre at best. Our secret to dodging the swarms? The Ovolo Woolloomooloo occupies the front half of the heritage-listed Finger Wharf, which means you’ve got waterside wow-factor, and some of Sydney’s best dining at your fingertips. Plus, you get to stay in the world’s largest wooden building, according to Guinness World Records, which is a big tick for history buffs and fans of heritage-listed architecture.

Perfect for: Old-school luxury and glam

With the charm and ruffled curtains of a boutique hotel, but the class and glamour of an international institution, the Langham will have you feeling like a royal with its plush suites, panelled walls (for real) and sumptuous, velvet furnishings – and that's before you set your sights on the Observatory Suite's ornate, gilded fireplace. A highlight is the otherworldly Roman bathhouse style indoor pool waiting downstairs, so be sure to stop in for a splash.

Perfect for: A resort-style break out of the city

According to fashion designer Tom Ford, “Time and silence are the most luxurious things we have today.” If that’s the case, then Jonah’s might just be the most luxurious hotel in Sydney. The hours really do seem a little bit longer in the Northern Beaches, and the distant echo of the crashing waves far below is pretty much all you can hear at this intimate clifftop retreat overlooking Whale Beach. Dont say we didn't warn you: night at this boutique hotel will set you back a pretty penny but those views really are priceless.

Perfect for: Unleashing your inner tourist

Tucked away in plain sight in the centre of Pyrmont, Aiden Darling Harbour is all about catering to the modern traveller – who, in this case, is a ship-in-the-night type, a person who's all about very clean (and very compact) spaces, swifty Dyson hair dryers and minimalist tiny-house vibes. This hotel is understatedly luxe – but fret not, it won’t cost you your left leg. Built in an existing 1930s Art Deco building, Aiden is the first of Great Western's boutique brand Down Under, with it bringing old-world charm to a contemporary space by marrying classic hotel touches with futuristic notions of sustainability and tech.

Perfect for: Relaxing poolside with a cocktail in hand

The CBD always gets all the credit for the glitz and glamour but there's a whole other world of posh that awaits you in the Eastern Suburb of Double Bay. If the suburb's opulent eateries and designer boutiques weren't enough of an indicator to this luxe-inclined lifestyle, the InterContinental's day spa, high tea service, and azure rooftop pool will be. Lido life doesn't get any more glamourous than poolside loungers and ice cold cocktails in the summer sun.

Perfect for: Those who want a taste of the high life

Take when we say 'high life' literally. The views from the upper floors of the Sofitel over a sunny Darling Harbour are breathtaking. If you really want that special something, upgrade your stay to one of the rooms with a corner bath so you can soak in the tub while you marvel the harbour. People choose a hotel for its proximity to the best of the city, and this 590-room five-star beauty overlooking the CBD is certainly in the heart of the action. There are three bars, including a Champagne lounge with an impressive selection of wine by the glass, and a newly opened 'croissanterie' on brand with the French theme. You’ll want to spend some time in the infinity pool, which juts out dramatically over Darling Harbour and has its own bar for waterside cocktails. 

Perfect for: Experience-seekers who want more than your average zoo visit offers 

In the heart of Sydney's oldest zoo, with spectacular views of the city, a stay here includes five-star dining in the hotel's exclusive restaurant Me-Gal, private tours of the retreat's wildlife sanctuary, and after-hours tours of the zoo to meet its wild residents without the crowds. The complex of sleek, timber-clad lodges encircling a private bushland garden is a remarkably successful fusion of elegant sophistication and sustainable design, where wildlife and the high-life exist side by side. 

Perfect for: A luxury getaway with the dog

Located in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge, just minutes from the Rocks and Circular Quay, Pier One is a no-brainer for tourists who want to be close to the city's biggest attractions wihtout the fuss of toruist-dense walkways. But there's plenty to treat locals here too. The hotel is fully dog-friendly (they even have a 'doggy degustation' if you really want to pamper your pooch), its in-house restaurant, the Gantry, is considered one of the best fine diners in town, and the hotel's Experience Seekers packages offer a range of once-in-a-lifetime activities to make a staycation here truly unforgettable.

Perfect for: An out-of-the-ordinary night under the stars

While the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo gets you up close and personal with the furry residents, the specialty of Roar and Snore is a glamping experience with one of the best sunset views in all of Sydney. Or a more exhilarating wake-up call – who wouldn't want to (safely) rise to the sounds of the jungle? That's where Roar and Snore, Taronga's glamping experience, comes in. Enjoy after-hours zoo tours and comfy beds in your luxury tent accomodations.