Hilton Sydney Is An Urban Oasis | Australian Traveller

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

There are two ways to spend a city staycation. The first is to explore your surrounds like a tourist, once again finding delight in what has become mundane. The second is to do absolutely nothing, luxuriating within the radius of your hotel. With handsome rooms, city views, world-class dining, and top-notch facilities, the five-star Hilton Sydney allows for both options.

At 45 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.

Where is Hilton Sydney?

view of hilton sydney from the queen victoria building — The city is on Hilton Sydney’s doorstep.

Hilton Sydney is a 20-minute drive 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 and forming an impressive view from the hotel’s restaurant. 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.

What is the style and character of Hilton Sydney?

woman walking into hilton sydney lobby — Walk into the expansive 20-metre-high foyer.

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.

What facilities does Hilton Sydney have?

Alysium Spa

Hilton Sydney ticks all the boxes when it comes to facilities. On-site, you’ll find a luxurious spa. 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.

Executive Lounge

Those staying in one of the Executive Rooms or suites have access to the exclusive Executive Lounge, where you can unwind. Enjoy evening cocktails and nibbles, pop in for breakfast or make the most of the large screen TV and other sports fans (the soccer World Cup was playing when we stayed, and friends were made).

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Fitness & more

Guests have access to Fitness First Pitt St. Platinum, where you’ll find a lap pool and state-of-the-art gym equipment.

Travelling for business? Make use of the conference centre.

What are the rooms like at Hilton Sydney?

Hilton Sydney Executive Suite — Admire the city views from the City View Suite.

There are 598 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.

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 cannot be missed. If you’re of the staycation type that chooses to lounge, suites offer plenty to make it worth staying in. Find separate lounge areas to unwind, dining tables and plush robes. And best of all? Find the best spa bath we’ve ever seen in a Sydney hotel. Ours could easily fit four to five people, complete with a TV and a window to the city to while away the hours.

What is the dining like at Hilton Sydney?

Glass Brasserie

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 (providing those aforementioned views of the QVB), floor-to-ceiling glass wine storage, and dark-panelled wooden furnishings, creating a refined yet welcoming aesthetic.

Breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner are all served here. Buffet and à la carte options are available for breakfast, with generous continental and hot offerings.

Book a table for dinner to enjoy the modern Australian menu that showcases the best of the country’s produce from land and sea. Think starters and entrees like freshly shucked oysters, O’Connor Steak Tartare with white anchovy, chives and Focaccia, and Chicken Leek Truffle Terrine. Larger meals range from Roasted Pumpkin Risotto with Amaretti, Gorgonzola and Smoked Almonds to Corowa White Duroc Pork Cutlet with Apple Chutney.

Wine lovers are spoilt for choice, with the restaurant proudly offering an award-winning wine list of over 900 varietals and 3000 bottles, carefully selected by the restaurant’s sommeliers.

Can’t decide? Opt for the Glass Banquet for two ($129 per person) and sit back as plate after plate is brought out for you, paired with a wine for each course. They say it’s for two, but truly we could have split it amongst four. The menu isn’t overly vegetarian-friendly, but they were able to accommodate that when I asked.

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Zeta Bar

Zeta Outdoor Terrace — Enjoy cocktails on the roof.

The hotel’s rooftop cocktail lounge, Zeta Bar, is perfect for sunset tipples. This award-winning bar pairs a luxurious, European-style indoor lounge with an open-air terrace, so you have somewhere to sit no matter the weather. The menu includes classic cocktails and plenty with a modern twist, wines, beers and plenty more.

Marble Bar

After more of a party? 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 while a live DJ heats up the dance floor.

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: Travellers looking for a central locale

Address: 488 George St, Sydney

Phone: (02) 9266 2000

Cost: From $290 per night

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

Why Hilton Sydney is the perfect oasis for exploring the city

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

Where is Hilton Sydney?

What is the style and character of Hilton Sydney?