Hyatt Regency Sydney Blends Relaxation And Urban Sophistication

This city gem offers 5-star luxury without the hefty price tag.

It might be Australia’s biggest hotel by room number, but the Hyatt Regency Sydney offers much more than just size. Standing as a beacon for modern luxury and elegance, this sleek accommodation affords guests CBD convenience, iconic Darling Harbour views, one of the city’s best rooftop bars, and luxurious amenities.

Whether you’re heading to Sydney for business or pleasure, it’s an ideal choice for those seeking an unforgettable stay in one of the world’s most dynamic cities and iconic precincts.

A suite with Darling Harbour views at Hyatt Regency Sydney. — The Regency Studio Suite’s curved design maximises the view.

Location

Sitting adjacent to Darling Harbour, Hyatt Regency Sydney is in one of the most enviable spots in Sydney. Staying here will place you within walking distance of Town Hall Station, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the ICC. The vibrant waterfront precinct is not only a favourite among tourists but also a lively spot for locals, offering a rich blend of experiences from restaurants to entertainment venues. It’s a 15-minute drive from Sydney Airport.

The exterior of the Hyatt Regency Sydney — The hotel sits adjacent to Darling Harbour.

Style and character

Cox Architecture was responsible for the redevelopment of the Hyatt Regency Sydney in 2016. The redesign features a curved glass structure that effectively maximises the Darling Harbour views.

Renowned interior design firm Bates Smart is behind the style within. The design is modern with sophisticated nautical influences that nod to the location including a thoughtful palette of of blues, browns, and greys, mirrors reminiscent of ship portholes, and a rooftop bar that has the feel of a luxe yacht.

Point of View Design PTY LTD (POV) was onboarded to handle the lighting design which saw them strategically place spotlighting, discrete downlights, and the use of “warm-dim" LED technology to enhance guest experience.

Overall, the design is modern yet welcoming and a sensitive reflection of Darling Harbour.

The neutral-toned and modern foyer of Hyatt Regency Sydney. — The interiors are sleek, championing light timber and a colour palette that reflects the harbour.

Facilities

The facilities at the Hyatt Regency are designed to promote guest comfort, health, and wellness. On-site you’ll find a 24-hour fitness centre with cardio and strength training equipment including Peloton bikes.

Those who have come off a long-haul flight or are in need of R&R can head to Nabea Spa on level one. The spa menu offers a range of treatments aimed to relieve stress, enhance skin health, and provide a deeply soothing experience tailored to individual needs. For the ultimate indulgence, book the Sensorial Escape by Sothys treatment – a 110-minute body exfoliation, personalised relaxing aroma massage and warm nourishing body wrap – before a relaxing session in the new infrared sauna.

Guests staying in a Regency Club room or suite have access to the Regency Club Lounge. Unlike many hotel lounges, which err on the side of stuffy, this airy, modern space is a relaxing spot for informal meetings or catching up on work. From 5:30pm to 7:30pm guests can tuck into a selection of canapés and complimentary beverages.

For business travellers, there are 4,000 square metres of state-of-the-art meeting spaces for events.

The gym overlooking Darling Harbour at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. — Take in the Darling Harbour views while you exercise.

Rooms

There are a mammoth 878 guestrooms comprising 27 suites ranging from the comfortable King Rooms to the 1,614 square feet Sydney Terrace Suite. Each room was renovated in 2020 and features a modern design, spacious bathrooms, workstations, and many boast stunning Darling Harbour views.

A blue-toned room at Hyatt Regency Sydney. — The Regency Kind Bed Harbour View Balcony room.

For a more elevated experience, the suites feature expansive living spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame panoramic harbour views. A standout is the roomy Harbour View Studio Suite with its beautiful curved design and freestanding bath.

A freestanding bath in a suite at Hyatt Regency Sydney. — The luxurious bathroom in the Regency Studio Suite.

Food and drink

There are five different venues to enjoy food and drinks: Zephyr Sky Bar, Sailmaker Restaurant, Jackalberry Bar & Restaurant, Lobby Lounge and Dundee Arms.

Zephyr is a major drawcard to the hotel and is considered one of the best rooftop bars in the city. This sophisticated space overlooks the harbour and its sleek, curved design makes one feel as if they’re on a luxe yacht while sipping delicious Moët & Chandon tipples like the basil and limoncello champagne spritz.

Zephyr at the Hyatt Regency Sydney — Zephyr is one of the best rooftop bars in Sydney.

Sailmaker is the hotel’s main dining facility, drawing inspiration from the historic Corn Exchange, a Sydney landmark that long connected people through food and trade. Guests can start the day with an impressive buffet breakfast, while evenings bring a versatile menu shaped by local produce and sustainable practices. All of this is paired with a wine list that celebrates standout drops from New South Wales.

Sailmaker Restaurant at Hyatt Regency Sydney. — Sailmaker Restaurant makes a conscious effort to ensure dishes are thoughtfully sourced and carefully served.

The Lobby Lounge is also on the ground floor and is a lovely spot for a post-dinner tipple or to enjoy their Gin High Tea, which includes scones, savoury delights, and two G&Ts.

Back on street level, is cocktail bar Jackalberry. Work your way through a list of beverages that take you on a journey around the world with flavours from different continents.

The exterior of the Dundee Arms pub. — The Dundee Arms offers a cosy atmosphere and classic pub fare.

For a more relaxed affair, the Dundee Arms connects to the hotel and is one of Sydney’s oldest pubs. Originally built in the 1840s, it used to serve sailors and dockworkers from nearby ships. Pull up a chair in the cosy three-story Victorian Regency-style building and order a cold beer and classic pub meals like chicken schnitzel with parmesan crumb and Stone & Wood Pacific Ale battered fish and chips.

Does the Hyatt Regency Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

There are 14 accessible rooms equipped to accommodate various accessibility needs. Accessibility is also prioritised in public spaces.

Is the Hyatt Regency Sydney family-friendly?

A family checking into the Hyatt Regency Sydney — Hyatt Regency Sydney welcomes families.

The Hyatt Regency Sydney is first and foremost a business-oriented hotel, but its prime location and spacious rooms make it ideal for families. Interconnecting rooms are available on request.

Details

Best for: Business travellers

Address: 161 Sussex St, Sydney

Cost: From $299 per night.

Need more inspiration? Discover the best Sydney accommodation

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

Hyatt Regency Sydney brings urban luxury to Darling Harbour