Ace Hotel Sydney Is A Cool Urban Escape With Art, Style And Soul

Sydney’s Ace Hotel might just be the ultimate inner-city retreat, blending modern comforts with a gritty, creative aesthetic that nods to the local art scene.

With an effortlessly cool vibe and a central Sydney location, Ace Hotel Sydney attracts a youthful crowd that appreciates design, culture and the occasional rooftop cocktail. Offering far more than just a place to stay, Ace is a destination for locals and travellers alike, whether for the art on the walls, the food on the table or the dining scene on the rooftop.

Location

Ace Hotel Sydney is located in the heart of Surry Hills, one of the city’s most vibrant suburbs, renowned for its art galleries, hip cafes and boutique shopping. The hotel is just a few minutes walk from Central Station, making it a breeze for travellers to explore further afield. Surry Hills itself is a destination, a suburb where old warehouses meet cutting-edge design, and it’s not uncommon to spot a gallery opening or a pop-up event just around the corner.

The surrounding neighbourhood has a rich industrial past, with many of its buildings still standing as refurbished spaces, lending the area a sense of raw authenticity. For food lovers, there’s no shortage of options, with everything from artisanal bakeries to cosy wine bars within walking distance. If you’re in the mood to explore, you’ll find that Sydney’s major attractions, like the Opera House, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, are easily accessible by public transport.

Ace Hotel Sydney exterior — Ace Hotel Sydney is located in the heart of Surry Hills.

Style and character

The hotel’s design is inspired by the neighbourhood’s history, from the exposed brick walls and concrete ceilings to the soft, warm lighting and plush furnishings that create a cosy atmosphere.

Every corner of the hotel exudes creative energy, with a curated mix of artwork, custom furniture and locally crafted pieces adding to its distinct character. The lobby doubles as a social hub, where locals and guests mingle over coffee or cocktails, creating an inviting community vibe.

Ace’s signature style is one of laid-back luxury, where industrial chic meets bohemian comfort, perfect for those seeking a space that feels both edgy and welcoming.

Ace Hotel Sydney interior — Every corner of the hotel exudes creative energy.

Facilities

Ace Hotel Sydney caters to the needs of guests with its impressive range of facilities. The rooftop is undeniably a highlight, with Kiln providing a focal point for social gatherings and intimate dinners. But beyond the food and drinks, the hotel boasts a 24-hour fitness centre that allows guests to keep up with their routines, no matter the time of day. This well-equipped gym offers everything from cardio machines to weights, perfect for those wanting to squeeze in a quick workout between sightseeing or business meetings.

Ace Hotel Sydney gym — Hit the gym during your stay.

For those on a working holiday, Ace’s lobby is a modern co-working space, blending casual seating with a bustling energy that makes it ideal for freelancers or remote workers. The hotel’s meeting spaces are also versatile, catering to anything from creative brainstorming sessions to formal business presentations.

Art enthusiasts will be pleased to find that the hotel’s walls are adorned with rotating exhibitions featuring works by local and international artists, creating a gallery-like atmosphere in the hallways.

Ace Hotel Sydney Lobby Bar — Ace’s lobby is a modern co-working space.

Rooms

Ace Hotel Sydney’s rooms are a masterclass in contemporary luxury, offering a thoughtful blend of industrial chic and cosy comfort. Inspired by the suburb’s industrial heritage, the interiors feature raw concrete, timber panelling and exposed brick walls, while soft linens and locally curated artwork bring warmth to the space. Every room has an eclectic yet harmonious vibe, thanks to custom-designed furniture, vintage touches and an impressive attention to detail.

Ace Hotel Sydney Large Suite — Some rooms come equipped with record players and a curated vinyl collection.

Room categories range from the small rooms , which are compact but cleverly designed, to the loft suites , where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Sydney skyline from your very own seating area. For music lovers, some rooms even come equipped with record players and a curated vinyl collection, enhancing the feeling that you’re staying in a creative hub rather than a traditional hotel. The minibars are stocked with locally sourced treats and beverages, reinforcing Ace’s commitment to supporting local artisans and producers.

Ace Hotel Sydney Loft Suite — The loft suites are nice and spacious.

Food and drink

Dining at Ace Hotel Sydney is an experience in itself and nowhere is this more evident than at Kiln, the hotel’s iconic rooftop restaurant . More than just a place to grab a drink, Kiln offers a dining experience that showcases the best of contemporary Australian cuisine, with a focus on wood-fired cooking. Helmed by renowned chef Mitch Orr, Kiln’s menu is inventive, using traditional techniques with a modern twist, where each dish is treated as a canvas for bold, creative flavours.

Kiln Rooftop at Ace Hotel Sydney — Kiln is an unmissable part of Ace Hotel Sydney. (Image: Pablo Veiga)

Sitting 18 floors above the city, Kiln not only provides stunning views of Sydney but also a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Dishes are designed to share, with highlights like Jatz with smoked butter and anchovy, dry-aged ribeye and roasted vegetables stealing the show. The cocktail menu is equally impressive, crafted with the same creativity that permeates the rest of the hotel. Whether you opt for a classic martini or one of the more experimental cocktails, like a mushroom old fashioned, you’ll find yourself lingering long after your meal is done.

Kiln food including oysters, scallops and Jatz with smoked butter and anchovy — Dishes are designed to be shared at Kiln. (Image: Nikki To)

For a more relaxed dining experience, Loam, located on the hotel’s ground floor , is an all-day eatery that focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu leans into simple but beautifully prepared dishes that showcase the quality of Australia’s local produce. Loam is ideal for a casual breakfast, light lunch or late-afternoon coffee, and the setting itself mirrors the cool vibe of the rest of the hotel.

Ace Hotel Sydney Loam — Loam is a more relaxed dining experience.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Designed with inclusivity in mind, Ace Hotel Sydney provides spacious accessible rooms , with widened doorways and roll-in showers for ease of movement. Accessible pathways throughout the hotel ensure that all common areas, including the restaurant, rooftop and lobby, are easily navigable for wheelchair users. Lifts are available for access to all floors.

Family-friendly?

While Ace Hotel Sydney’s vibe leans more towards adults and young creatives, it’s still welcoming to families. Though not specifically designed as a family-oriented hotel, its central location, easy access to public transport and proximity to attractions make it a convenient base for families exploring the city.

The hotel provides cots and rollaway beds upon request, and the larger loft suites offer more space for those travelling with children. However, families should be aware that the overall atmosphere is trendy and vibrant, so it may appeal more to those with older children or teenagers.

Ace Hotel Sydney yellow bathroom — Ace Hotel Sydney is not specifically designed as a family-oriented hotel.

Details

Best for: Trendy travellers, creative professionals and food enthusiasts looking for a stylish, centrally located hotel with excellent dining options.

Address: 47-53 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills NSW

Phone: (02) 8099 8900

Cost: Rooms from $300 per night depending on season and availability.

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

Sydney is a cool urban escape with art, style and soul