Best Design Hotels in Sydney

The award-winning Capella Sydney is housed in the historic, heritage-listed Department of Education building. This eight-story, five-star hotel boasts 192 guestrooms and suites – each decorated with a harmonious blend of historical and contemporary. The hotel offers four opulent prestige suites – the Capella, Farrer, Liberty, and MacQuarie Suite – each uniquely designed to provide a spacious, serene haven and panoramic views. This hotel never sleeps and offers 24-hour hotel service, in-room dining, and access to the world-class Wellness centre which includes heated indoor swimming pool and vitality pool as well as a fully equipped fitness centre. Guests can savour exquisite gastronomy in Brasserie 1930 and Aperture or opt to indulge in a signature cocktail in McRae Bar. Capella Sydney is home to sophisticated event spaces that are perfect for catered business events for up to 80 persons, and even lavish weddings, in any of their high-tech, classic function rooms.

Despite only having 31 rooms, there’s a lot going on in the Establishment so if you’re looking for a quiet stay, this hotel is not your best choice. Previously a department store dating to 1890, the building is in a discreet street 5 minutes from Circular Quay. More like an entertainment venue than a hotel, the rooms interconnect with three restaurants, three bars and a nightclub. Rooms are either dark or light with exposed brick walls, parquetry floors, contemporary furnishings and great technology including unlimited Netflix. Dining options range from fine dining to sushi to bar snacks. If you don’t want to head out in the evening, there’s food and drink aplenty as well as the call of the bright lights of the nightclub.

If your taste in hotels runs to the quirky and hip, QT will not disappoint. Two historic buildings from 1920 have been merged and converted to form quite an amazing space. Recreating a 20s Broadway musical vibe, QT also enjoys a favourable location in the heart of Sydney’s shopping district. A dazzling mix of 20s, Gothic and Italianate on the outside, inside the 200 rooms are once both luxurious and high-tech. High design, antiques and original artworks and installations are everywhere including in the European-style brasserie, street-side café, and intimate lounge which boasts an enticing cocktail menu, Guests can chill out in the boudoir-inspired QSpa under ceilings of stained glass which offers a range of treatments including specials for couples, Hamman and relaxation lounge.

Located in the heart of the city, Kimpton Margot Sydney, is a treasured icon reimagined. The hotel combines art deco heritage with eclectic style and the result is guaranteed to delight guests. Guest rooms are modern with plush beds, stylish bathrooms, art-lined walls and even include a yoga mat! The hotel presents four restaurants each offering a myriad of dining experiences; from refined drinks and light bites in the elegant 1930s-style cocktail bar through to the flagship restaurant, helmed by renowned Australian chef, Luke Mangan. The hotel very much embraces a social spirit hosting nightly drinks receptions, pop-up events and much more. For energetic guests, there is a fully equipped on-site fitness centre with the latest Technogym machines and custom-designed Kimpton Lekker bikes for riding around town are available upon request. The rooftop swimming pool is the perfect place for a sun-soaked swim or simply a place to enjoy city views in style and comfort.

Best described as quirky, this luxury hotel with 189 rooms sits on the waterfront with incredible views of the Harbour Bridge and Walsh Bay. Pier One is a great base for tourists being only a 5-minute walk from The Rocks and King George V Memorial Park. Rooms are modern, spacious, and stylish with large picture windows, while suites boast waterfront terraces. The excellent restaurant and bar also have fabulous views and there’s also a barbecue restaurant right on the harbour. Guests can enjoy leisure time in a well-equipped fitness centre. This pet-friendly hotel also has plenty of meeting facilities for business travellers.

A boutique hotel in a converted wool store with a sense of fun, the Hotel Woolstore 1888, Sydney – Handwritten Collection is ideally located in Darling Harbour next to Barangaroo Park, a superb base for exploring the delights of Sydney. Inside the original fixtures of the wool store are on display in the public areas and rooms with rough-hewn beams, exposed brick, and pipes all incorporated into the décor. Rooms include furniture made from original ironbark beans and screen prints of works by Aussie wunderkind Jasper Knight and range from shoebox to suite with sun terrace. The hotel bistro and bar is an eclectic rendition of industrial chic meets vintage and serves Mediterranean cuisine.

Wake up to the sound of the waves when you book a beach-facing room at this family-friendly MGallery property. An outdoor pool also looks onto the ocean, flanked by a glass balustrade. Guests have several options for dining at Manly Pacific; Zalis serves modern, laid-back Australian cuisine from breakfast through to dinner and Bistro Manly provides a contemporary coastal take on French food, crafted using fresh seasonal produce. For drinks, there’s Sable, a mezzanine wine bar and the Charlie bar, which incorporates a gaming area.

Chippendale is a nice choice for a stay in Sydney, being only 5 minutes away from the city centre. It’s also home to the Old Clare Hotel, a luxury conversion from two historic buildings. Previously a brewer’s headquarters, today its heritage features come together in a 62-room boutique hotel with style and character. Look out for the soaring ceilings, exposed brick and amazing lighting installations – all different in every room. You’re spoiled for choice for dining options including Kensington St. Social from star British chef, Jason Atherton. There is a rooftop pool but is under renovation so check the website for updates. There’s a gym if you want to work out or head out into the city on the bikes available to rent.

Located in Surry Hills, ADGE offers self-contained serviced apartments in the trendiest area of the city for shopping, dining and nightlife. At the same time as being contemporary cool, the ADGE is modern luxury. You’re greeted by an oversized psychedelic mural and polished concrete fronts which lead to immaculate open-plan suites dressed in monochrome apart from the eye-wateringly bright neon-striped carpet, all with a balcony. If you choose to self-cater, a personal shopping service is available and if not, there are two restaurants and a bar. Other facilities include a laundry, fitness room and in-house hair styling service. An excellent base for sightseeing, ADGE Aparthotel is just under two miles from Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Porter House Hotel Sydney by MGallery, is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and Hyde Park, Australian Museum, Darling Harbour, Capitol Theatre are all within close proximity. The design of the hotel is very much one where history meets modern elegance and this style flows throughout. Rooms and suites include all the amenities guests would expect of a hotel of this standard.  The hotel restaurant has a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, where groups, couples or solo diners are all as welcome as each other – the bistro-style menu has classic dishes with an Australian influence. Enjoy the all-day buzz of the European deli inspired café, where bread and wine are the order of the day – sit down and relax or grab and go! Guests have full use of the heated outdoor swimming pool and an onsite fitness centre is also available.

The EVE Hotel Sydney is a tranquil retreat in a neighbourhood filled with everything you need during your stay. The hotel offers serene accommodation options that have been specially designed to allow for relaxation and connection with nature. There is a selection of luxurious guestrooms and suites with the hotel’s premier accommodation, The EVE Suite, overlooking the Wunderlich Lane precinct. Rooftop dining is available at Lottie, where a bold combination of local and Mexican flavours meet in an idyllic setting. Bar Julius Lobby Bar invites guests to try expertly crafted drinks in a lavish setting surrounded by art. The hotel boasts a 20-metre rooftop pool with private cabanas and offers poolside dining throughout the day. Guests can enjoy the on-site fitness facilities and access to nearby spa treatments and The Parlour Room.

Ace Hotel Sydney offers unique accommodation in Surry Hills with modern and casual interior design in a great location – on the edge of the Central Business District. There are plenty of comfortable options when it comes to guestrooms and suites including the option of a luminous terrace or the spacious Loft Suite. Guests can choose between a selection of excellent dining and bar options from – LOAM, Good Chemistry, The Lobby cocktail bar and the spectacular rooftop restaurant, Kiln. The hotel is also home to a number of meeting and event spaces for any occasion from a boardroom conference to a grandiose wedding day – the team are on hand to help with organisation and offer group bookings. Ace Hotel Sydney is within walking distance form Hyde Park and a short distance from Central Station to make getting around and exploring Sydney convenient and comfortable.