Hilton Sydney Is An Urban Oasis | Australian Traveller

Hilton is among the most iconic hotel names, and their Sydney outpost has asserted itself as a CBD landmark and culinary destination.

With handsome rooms, city views, world-class dining, and top-notch facilities, you can easily spend an entire weekend at the five-star Hilton Sydney without leaving. At forty-five floors tall, this sky-high escape stands proudly in the city as an urban oasis to work and unwind, whether you’re a business or leisure traveller.

Location

Hilton Sydney is a 20-minute cab ride from the airport. It’s located in the heart of Sydney on George Street and Pitt Street, making it a prime spot for discovering the city’s shops, major sites, and food destinations.

Opposite is the historic Queen Victoria Building (QVB), home to five levels of shopping. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a 20-minute walk away and Town Hall station is a one-minute walk away for those wanting to explore beyond the CBD, Circular Quay, and Darling Harbour.

Style and character

First built in 1974, the Hilton Sydney building received extensive remodelling by Johnson Pilton Walker architects who transformed it into a stylish, light-filled structure. The elegant facade takes cues from the QVB and surrounding sandstone buildings. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a dramatic 20-metre-high foyer with a 17-metre-high metal installation, by Australian artist Bronwyn Oliver. Understated luxury flows throughout the entire hotel.

Hilton Sydney Foyer — The expansive 20-metre-high foyer. (Image: Hilton Sydney)

New York interior designer Tony Chi oversaw the fit-out of the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, glass brasserie . The aptly named eatery boasts expansive ceilings, full-length windows that provide views of the QVB, floor-to-ceiling glass wine storage, and dark-panelled wooden furnishings, creating a refined yet welcoming aesthetic.

The metal installation by Australian artist Bronwyn Oliver greets you in the foyer. (Image: Hilton Sydney)

Facilities

Hilton Sydney ticks all the boxes when it comes to facilities. On-site you’ll find a luxurious spa and a conference centre. Alysium Spa ’s menu includes hot-stone treatments, body wraps, scrubs, facial treatments and aromatherapy massages. For those who have travelled far, the JetLag treatment is designed to rejuvenate you for your holiday. Relax in the sauna and spa before or after whichever treatment you choose. Guests have access to Fitness First Pitt St. Platinum where you’ll find a lap pool and state-of-the-art gym equipment.

Those staying in one of the Executive Rooms or suites have access to the exclusive Executive Lounge where you can unwind and enjoy evening cocktails and nibbles.

Rooms

There are 587 sleek rooms and suites at Hilton Sydney which were refurbished in 2021. These range from intimate Hilton Guest Rooms to expansive Master Suites. Every accommodation features a neutral palette and modernist furnishings, king-size Hilton Serenity beds, a Nespresso coffee pod machine, smart TVs, and city views.

Admire the city views from the City View Suite's living area. — Admire the city views from the City View Suite’s living area. (Image: Hilton Sydney)

The Family Connecting Rooms combine two Guest Rooms and are convenient for those travelling with children or as a group. For those wanting a more luxe experience, the suites offer separate lounge areas to unwind, spa baths, dining tables, and plush robes.

Hilton Sydney City Suite — Relax in one of the City Suites. (Image Hilton Sydney)

Food and drink

Breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner are all served in the hotel’s stalwart restaurant, Glass Brasserie which is helmed by celebrated chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan. Buffet and à la carte options are available for breakfast, with generous continental and hot offerings.

Glass Brasserie Hilton Sydney — Glass Brasserie boasts beautiful QVB views.

Book a table for dinner to enjoy the modern Australian menu that showcases the best of the country’s produce. Enjoy starters such as king brown mushroom skewers, mains such as Humpty Doo Barramundi with choy sum and duck broth, and desserts such as vanilla crème brûlée amaretti biscotti. Wine lovers are spoilt for choice, with the restaurant proudly offering an award-winning wine list of over nine hundred varietals and three thousand bottles, selected by Head Sommelier Mauro Bortolato.

If you’re staying over the weekend, the afternoon tea is a must. Indulge in a hand-crafted selection of sweet and savoury delights curated by executive chef Hamish Neale. The menu spans brûlée scones with Nutella, vanilla, and matcha, crab salad brioche rolls, and opera slices, paired with a selection of fine teas and Champagne.

High Tea Hilton Sydney — Executive chef Hamish Neale serves up a mix of classic and contemporary bites. (Image: Hilton Sydney)

There are two bars on site; Zeta bar and Marble Bar. Start at the rooftop terrace bar Zeta for sunset tipples including the ‘Princess Peach’ with Pommeray Brut NV, rhubarb sake apricot brandy, peach schnapps, and citrus. Head down to the basement where the moody Marble Bar is hidden. Built in 1893, the opulent space features original Victorian-style décor and artwork. Sip on prohibition-inspired cocktails – the ‘Breakfast at Sweethearts’ with Don Julio tequila, Champagne, pink grapefruit, and cinnamon will go down a treat.

Marble Bar Hilton Sydney — Swing by for a tipple at heritage-listed bar, Marble Bar. (Image: Hilton Sydney)

Does Hilton Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

All rooms are accessed via a lift, and easy access rooms are available.

Is Hilton Sydney family-friendly?

Given its proximity to major attractions and home-like facilities, Hilton Sydney is a great choice for families. Interconnecting rooms are available so you can stay in close proximity to one another.

Details

Best for: Business travellers and families

Address: 488 George St, Sydney

Phone: (02) 9266 2000

Cost: From $299 per night

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

Hilton Sydney is an urban oasis for business and leisure travellers