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

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

Hilton Sydney is an urban oasis for business and leisure travellers