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.

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

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