What it's like to stay at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour

The apartment-style Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is ideal for long stays and those wanting to explore the city’s icons.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is one of those buildings in the Emerald City that locals drive past, wishing the stunning views it offers were theirs. Nestled in the heart of the iconic Circular Quay, this apartment-hotel provides breathtaking vistas of Sydney Harbour and the CBD, along with all the facilities needed for a long stay or easy access to the city’s landmarks.

Whether it’s booking an unforgettable stay to witness the New Year’s Eve fireworks or a comfortable business trip, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour offers convenience, comfort and luxury.

Location

Sunset of Sydney Harbour and the CBD at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. — Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is nestled in the heart of the iconic Circular Quay.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour stands out for its exceptional location. Tucked in Sydney’s Circular Quay with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, this luxury apartment-hotel offers unparalleled access to the city’s top attractions. Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Rocks are just steps away, and, notably, it’s the closest hotel to the Sydney Opera House.

For further exploration, trains, buses and ferries are only minutes from the hotel.

Sydney Airport is a convenient 20-minute drive.

Style and character

The living room interior of a Deluxe Harbour View Suite at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. — Mel Porter Design injected contemporary flair into the suites.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour blends modern elegance and classic sophistication with a high-end residential feel. The lobby area is understated from the outside, but its sleek appearance mimics the look of a luxury apartment building. Inside, the foyer is swathed in marble and glass, with neutral tones and blues that reflect the surrounding harbour.

The hotel received a revamp in 2022 by interior design studio Mel Porter Design, who injected contemporary flair into the suites. These feature neutral-toned furnishings elevated by gold accents and modern art.

The building’s design takes advantage of its location by featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive balconies for soaking up the vibrant energy of Circular Quay.

Facilities

People dining at Hacienda Sydney, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour — Hacienda Sydney is the perfect spot for elevated cocktails and Latin-inspired bites. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Unlike many CBD hotels, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has a swimming pool that, again, boasts harbour views thanks to expansive glass windows. There is also a spa next to the pool, a gym and a sauna on-site.

There are two wonderful dining facilities: Q Dining and Hacienda Sydney (more on them later).

Valet parking is available, but there is no on-site parking.

Rooms

A two-bedroom apartment suite with Sydney Harbour Views. — Harbour View suites offer breathtaking vistas.

A huge drawcard of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is that it features spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment-style suites that offer home-like comforts that make it ideal for longer visits or business travellers.

Each of the 72 suites is fitted with a fully-equipped modern kitchen with pots and pans, laundry facilities, a jacuzzi bath, separate dining and lounge areas and a private balcony – a luxury in the city. Garden View suites offer outlooks of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, while the more luxe Harbour View suites – which are definitely recommended – overlook the water so you can sit on your sunny balcony, admiring the bobbing green and yellow ferries that go by.

Those needing to stay productive will appreciate the full-sized work desk and high-speed Internet available in each suite.

Bathrooms err on the side of dated, but they are spacious and having a large spa is a welcomed luxury.

Food and drink

A close-up shot of pasta at Q Dining, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. — Enjoy modern Australian fare at Q Dining.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has two dining venues that showcase harbour views: Q Dining and Hacienda.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Q Dining, an airy restaurant adorned in coastal blues and light timbers that serves modern Australian fare.

Start your day at Q Dining with a la carte breakfast options such as the indulgent brioche bacon egg roll and the banana caramel waffles. For a quick lunch, the $45 Express Lunch offers a choice of a main dish, such as lobster prawn ravioli with saffron butter and dill, paired with a glass of wine.

Dinner offers a range of delicious dishes such as zucchini blossom, prawn, scallop, buttermilk, chilli, and herb oil, and O’Connor tenderloin, truffled onion, asparagus, and Bordelaise sauce. For a sweet finish,  round off your meal with a poached peach, macadamia, Earl Grey, mascarpone, and honeycomb.

Hacienda Sydney sits on level three and is a must-visit during your stay. Adorned in sophisticated neutrals,  gold accents, palms, and Latin American flair, it’s the perfect spot for elevated tipples and snacks with picture-perfect views. Indulge in Latin-inspired dishes such as the crab linguine with charred habanero and manchego arepas with fancy Hank’s Hot Sauce (a must-order) and punchy cocktails like the Fuma with Alipus San Andres Mezcal, lime, vanilla honey and passionfruit.

Does Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour have access for guests with disabilities?

There is wheelchair accessibility throughout the main areas of the hotel, and the one-bedroom Garden View suites are accessible. Contact the hotel for more details when booking.

Is Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour family-friendly?

A suite at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. — The fully equipped kitchens are perfect for preparing family meals.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour welcomes families with its Family Fun Package , which includes daily breakfast, parking, and a Busy Nippers Kids Pack. The spacious rooms and prime location make this accommodation a smart choice for families.

Details

Best for: Business travellers, long stays, and couples

Address: 61 Macquarie St, Sydney

Cost: From $489 per night

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 .

This Sydney hotel offers unforgettable views and home-like comforts