InterContinental Sydney Is A Stylish City Sanctuary

Historic beauty meets modern luxury at the InterContinental Sydney, a stylish sanctuary for the most discerning of travellers.

The InterContinental Group is renowned for creating some of the world’s sleekest hotels, and their Sydney outpost lives up to the hype. Poised by Sydney Harbour, this five-star hotel offers respite from the outside bustle with its serene interiors, luxurious amenities and breathtaking vistas.

Location

InterContinental Sydney is a 20-minute drive from Sydney Airport. Centrally located on Macquarie Street in the iconic Circular Quay, the hotel is within close proximity of Sydney’s icons including the neighbouring Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney Opera House which is a short 10-minute walk away. Circular Quay Station is a four-minute walk away and Wynyard Station is an eight-minute walk away for those who are keen to explore other areas of Sydney.

Style and character

Residing in part of the former Treasury Building that dates back to 1851 as well as a 32-level tower, the InterContinental Sydney exudes heritage meets modern charm in spades.

Revered architecture studio Woods Bagot was called upon to sensitively refurbish the hotel in 2019 as part of the $120 million transformation where guestrooms and suites, public spaces, wellness areas, the club lounge and the dining venues were updated. This extensive re-imagination saw the space retain its heritage features while bringing it into the 21st century, drawing inspiration from the Australian landscape, Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the revamp was the creation of the contemporary rooftop bar.

The heart of the hotel is the light-filled atrium, which serves as a gathering space and thoughtful meeting point between the two buildings’ architectural styles. Here you’ll find a large curved marble bar and seating that mimic the arched balconies above, lush palm trees and plush seating. A palette of calming greens and oceanic blues carries throughout the entirety of the hotel in the form of marble, furnishings and wallpaper.

Facilities

The InterContinental Sydney has wellness and leisure facilities including a premium gym and an indoor heated pool that overlooks the harbour and Opera House. On the ground level, there’s also a Vera Wang bridal boutique providing personalised service to find the perfect wedding gown.

Rooms

The 509 light-filled guestrooms and 28 luxe suites are generously sized, calm and quiet. All accommodations feature comfortable window-side chaises, InterContinental Cloud Beds, marble-clad bathrooms with covetable Byredo bathroom amenities, and outlooks of either the city skyline, Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Opera House.

Ultimate luxury can be experienced in one of the Signature Harbour Suites and Elite Suites which boast the best outlooks. The palatial Presidential Suite is a roomy 245 square metres and features a separate lounge room, a 14-person dining room, a butler’s pantry, a workspace and a grand piano.

Food and drink

There are four dining venues to work your way through during your stay: The Conservatory Restaurant, The Treasury, Pont Dining Room and Aster.

The buffet breakfast at The Conservatory Restaurant gives other hotels a run for their money. The elevated spread offers a bounty of breakfast options from continental classics to steamed dim sims and mouth-watering pastries.

Feeling peckish during the day? The Treasury bar on the ground level presents an all-day dining menu. Park yourself under the antique domed atrium at the curved central feature bar or plush banquette seat and treat yourself to dishes such as saltbush and pepper squid with lemon myrtle aioli or lamb shoulder with heirloom carrots, eggplant puree and braised figs. Quench your thirst with a glass of Australian wine or cocktail like the ‘Harvest Punch’ with Los Arcos tequila, BarSol Pisco, strawberry, mango, verjuice and condensed milk.

InterContinental Sydney The Treasury Bar — The Treasury Bar is clad in green marble.

Come nightfall, step into the intimate Pont Dining Room – a celebration of the diversity of Australia’s culturally rich landscape. Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Kanishka Amunugama, enjoy dishes such as Skull Island prawns with red curry butter and lime, Bangalow pork belly with chorizo jam, and pineapple aniseed myrtle with coconut cream, ginger crumb and candied desert lime.

Our tip? Don’t skip the kimchi-fermented potato fries with gruyère sauce.

InterContinental Sydney Pont Dining Room — Pont Dining Room features a whisky bar.

Aster Bar is a must-visit for those staying at the hotel as it arguably has the best views of any venue in Sydney and is one of Australia’s best rooftop bars. Head up to level 32 and sit on the terrace marvelling at the 270-degree vistas of the city.

InterContinental Sydney Aster — Sit on the terrace and admire the panorama.

Sip on classics with a twist like the ‘Tropical Old Fashion’, a delicious concoction of Plantation dark rum, Woodford Rye, coconut, banana and bitters, or bespoke tipples like the ‘Renaisance 60’ with Michter’s 10-Year bourbon, Mancino Bianco, Ruby Port and Grand Marnier. The drinks menu is to be enjoyed alongside modern Australian bites such as half-shell Hervey Bay scallop ceviche with finger lime and seaweed and Hasselback potatoes with sour cream, Yarra Valley salmon caviar and chives.

Does InterContinental Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

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

Is InterContinental Sydney family-friendly?

InterContinental Sydney offers a Family Getaway Package which includes: A spacious four-person room, buffet breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 years old, parking for one car, $100 restaurant and bar credit and late check out.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, families, and design-savvy travellers.

Address: 117 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW

Phone: (02) 9253 9000

Cost: From $457 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.

InterContinental Sydney boasts the city’s most spectacular views