Spend A Night In The Luxurious Park Hyatt Sydney

Ever wanted to wake up to unimpeded views of the Sydney Opera House? We spent a night in the luxurious Park Hyatt Sydney to do just that.

Park Hyatt Sydney sits across the water from the world-famous Sydney Opera House and is so much a part of a walk around Darling Harbour that it’s almost an icon of itself. If you’ve ever walked by – probably during the ever-popular Vivid Sydney every winter – and wondered what the view would be like from inside, this review is for you.

This intimate five-star hotel could be mistaken for a sleek residential building, blending in naturally to its surroundings while still emanating luxury, so let’s dive into whether it’s earned this facade.

The back story

Once a water police station, the building now houses 155 rooms, each boasting an unbeatable view of Sydney‘s coastline. Originally opened in the 1990s, the hotel reopened in 2012 after extensive, 10-plus-month-long renovations.

These renovations are intended to tell a local story within the architecture and interiors. It was built with Sydney sandstone to echo its use by local architects since 1788 and to nod to its traditional use for Indigenous rock carvings. Passers-by might notice that even the boardwalk in front of the hotel looks a little different. It was rebuilt using timber from the Australian native spotted gum tree.

Inside, the Australian story continues. Designed by Melbourne-based firm BARStudio , the interior is sleek and modern. The tones are earthy, giving a warm, almost grounding effect.

Sculptures, paintings and photographs created by renowned Australian artists – including painter Tim Johnson, sculptors Bruce Armstrong and Robert Bridgewater, and photographer Robert Billington – are inspired by The Rocks and Sydney Harbour and are spread throughout the hotel.

Creativity continues with the books and artwork in every room that further connects guests to place. Then there are the floor-to-ceiling windows found in most rooms, that seem to frame Sydney itself and turn views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour into artworks of their own.

Park hyatt sydney lobby — The decor is warm, earthy and grounding.

First impressions

Despite its location in the ever-popular Rocks area, the hotel is quietly tucked away from the cobbled laneways, cafes, historic pubs, art galleries, museums and luxury stores. The simple act of walking the short distance from Circular Quay train station around the boardwalk to Park Hyatt Sydney already had me in holiday mode.

The staff are welcoming during check-in and waste no time showing me to my room. I’m told there’s also a 24-hour personal butler service. The smells wafting from the restaurants made me excited for lunch.

The Dining room — Views are incredible from every room and restaurant.

The room

My room was on the ground floor and my first thought when stepping into the room as the electric blind automatically wound up, was “wow".

A large Moreton Bay fig tree relaxes its branches in front of one side of my room-length window. The Opera House demands my attention from the other. I feel part of the scene, while still being cosy and comfortable inside on this brisk autumn day.

After a quick tour of the rest of the hotel, I return to my room and immediately don my Park Hyatt slippers and robe – over my day clothes though, I’m certain the walkers and joggers enjoying the harbour outside can see me as clearly as I can see them – and get comfy. No TV is needed (although a large one stands at the ready), people watching and the Opera House are the entertainment of the day.

The earthy tones continue into my room, with muted gold and marble-like finishes that add a touch of luxury and light. The bathroom is roomy, with a spacious shower, but the large bathtub beckons. In a smaller second bathroom, a heated toilet seat and bidet are a fun novelty.

inside the king opera deluxe suite at park hyatt sydney — The spacious King Opera Deluxe Suite provides ample room to relax.

The facilities

The pool

It would be a waste to have such beautiful surrounds and not a rooftop pool. Luckily, Park Hyatt Sydney is not one to waste an opportunity.

A small pool sits on the roof, surrounded by white and wooden plush deckchairs, perfect for spending a lazy summer’s day – and seeing as it’s open from sunrise to sunset, you can embrace the full length of a summer day. The real place to be, however, is in the heated spa which has a direct view of the Opera House.

Park hyatt sydney rooftop pool — Spend summer days in the pool with Sydney’s best view.

The spa

Aptly called The Spa, it also got a redesign along with the rest of the hotel. Making use of natural light, there’s a cosy atmosphere here and the intoxicating smell upon approach entices visitors to walk in.

More Australian artists are featured in each of the five treatment rooms. There are also two aromatherapy steam rooms. They offer holistic treatments, tailored to individual needs, using La Mer and iKOU skincare products.

The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney — Book a treatment in The Spa.

Gym

The gym is as well equipped as some smaller, non-hotel gyms I’ve seen. Treadmills, weight machines, free weights and more are here. It’s also open 24 hours.

Park hyatt sydney gym — The Gym is open 24/7.

The food and drink

The water views continue through floor-to-ceiling windows when you enter The Dining Room by James Viles , Park Hyatt Sydney’s pride and joy and Hyatt’s only hatted restaurant in the southern hemisphere. Helmed by head chef, Brian O’Flaherty, the menu features modern dishes crafted from locally sourced and bio-dynamic ingredients.

I’m lucky enough to be dining on day two of a brand-new menu and it bodes well for future diners. Speaking to Brian, I’m told the first step was contacting local suppliers to find out what would be in season. To Brian, it’s essential to craft a menu around the produce, rather than hunting down produce to suit a menu. The success of this method is evident when you taste fresh produce in a dish that has been expertly crafted to bring out the full flavour.

The Dining room main meals — The Dining Room by James Viles has been hatted for its innovative dishes.

A good example is my starter, tomatoes with marinated feta, biquinho and bell peppers, served with a thick slice of freshly baked focaccia. Each tomato was handpicked by one of the local farmers the restaurant works with and then selected with care to create a colourful plate. Three different types of vinegar are used to bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes. When eaten altogether this dish hits every taste bud. I could happily have this for starter, main and dessert but that would be a waste of a set menu that ranges from spanner crab salad to stoneaxe beef cheek to pot set chocolate with whipped komuntu chocolate mousse.

The Bar at park hyatt sydney — Sink into the plush armchairs at The Bar.

Those who want to soak in the atmosphere but aren’t ready for a meal can sink into the wide, plush armchairs at The Bar . Enjoy boutique Australian and international wines, a range of other cocktails and beverages and some nibbles. The other dining option here is The Living Room , which, as the name suggests, is created for a more relaxed, all-day casual dining.

The Living room at park hyatt sydney — Find all-day casual dining at The Living Room.

The location

The hotel is in the middle of all the action, being a short walk to the main streets of The Rocks, and to the other side of Darling Harbour. Walk to art galleries, museums, restaurants and theatres.

Details

Address: 7 Hickson Rd, The Rocks

Website: Park Hyatt Sydney

There are 155 total guest rooms, including rooftop suites with million-dollar, (almost) 360-degree views and residentially-styled guest rooms. One of the largest suites in the city – the Sydney Suite – can be found on the fourth floor. Measuring just under 350 square metres, the room is decked out with sun lounges, day beds, and outdoor dining for eight people.

outdoor terrace of sydney suite at Park hyatt sydney — Enjoy a private deck when you book the Sydney Suite.

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 .

What it’s like to spend a night in the luxurious Park Hyatt Sydney