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.

Right in the heart of everything, Hilton Sydney puts the city at your doorstep while giving you plenty of reasons to stay in. Think sleek rooms with city views, a rooftop cocktail bar, a luxe spa, standout dining and a central location that makes exploring a breeze.

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.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

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

This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

All-inclusive VIP benefits

Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour — Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

Pier One Sydney Harbour

The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

Pier One Suites

Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite — Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

Dining at Pier One

Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour — Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

Around town

luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge — Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.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?