QT Sydney: a theatrical getaway for design-loving travellers

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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In signature QT style, the Sydney outpost offers a level of unexpected.

Quirky and opulent, QT hotels have been a favourite among design and travel connoisseurs since the opening of their first outpost on the Gold Coast in 2011. Renowned for their signature eclectic style, playful energy, and refined amenities these boutique hotels whisk you away to another world with their charm.

If you’re travelling to Sydney or simply need a staycation, QT Sydney offers a whimsical and unique stay for locals and visitors alike. Here’s everything to know before you book your stay.

Location

QT Sydney is a 20-minute drive from Sydney Airport. Located on Market Street in the CBD, it’s a prime position to base yourself to explore the city’s must-visit sites including Hyde Park, Circular Quay, the Opera House and Darling Harbour. Queen Victoria Building, which sits directly above Town Hall Station, is a two-minute walk away.

the exterior of QT Sydney
QT Sydney is nestled in the historic Gowings Department Store and heritage-listed Sydney State Theatre.

Style and character

QT Sydney is set within the historic Gowings Department Store—a landmark of Sydney’s retail history—and the heritage-listed Sydney State Theatre, both of which date back to the 1920s. The fun begins before you enter the accommodation with the hotel’s cheeky Directors of Chaos—dressed in Romance Was Born host outfits—welcoming you outside.

the lobby of QT Sydney
QT Sydney blends Gothic, Art Deco, and Italianate architecture with modern edge.

Inside is the work of Interior design firms Nic Graham and Associates (G+A) and Indyk Architects who were called upon to restore and transform the interiors. The original old-world charm that blends Gothic, Art Deco, and Italianate architecture, has been carefully preserved and thoughtfully offset with quirky, modern elements.

The funky foyer showcases lashings of colour, an LED wall of digital art, and plush upholstered seating. The guestrooms feature original details mixed with playful decor like bowler hat-shaped lights, leather headboards, and glass cabinets that glow red and orange and are filled with various-shaped glassware.

Facilities

Those looking to get their wellness fix can find stillness at the onsite spa, SpaQ, one of Sydney’s most popular day spas. The indulgent menu spans illuminating body peals, energising body wraps, facial therapy, and massages (including pregnancy). The Hamman-inspired steam room is the perfect pre-treatment experience.

the QT Sydney spa
Get pampered at spaQ.

The most luxurious treatment is the heavenly six-hour ‘Metamorphosis’ which will indulge you in a Hammam steam, energising body wrap, massage, lunch, and femme fatale facial. There’s also a hipster barber next door for those looking to get the cleanest of cuts.

There’s a small gym onsite and guests are given complimentary access to Fitness First Platinum.

QT Sydney doesn’t have onsite parking but they do offer valet parking. Self-parking can be found at Wilson Parking on nearby Pitt Street.

the treatment room at QT Sydney Spa
spaQ will transport you to a total state of zen.

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Rooms

Rooms are accessible via a lift which tailors the music it plays to the number of guests travelling in it.

For a hotel positioned in the heart of the city, the 200 guestrooms and suites are quiet and provide an oasis from the outside bustle. These spacious accommodations with original timber floorboards and high ceilings range from comfortable King Rooms to grand suites and are scented with Chanel No.5. All come with plush QT Deam Beds to ensure a sound night’s rest.

the living room interior of QT Sydney State Suite
The State Suite is the most luxurious accommodation offering.

There are no spectacular views from these richly layered rooms, but the bold artworks from artists such as Grant Stevens and Patsy Payne, curios, and eclectic furnishings make up for it by providing a visually captivating experience.

a look inside the QT Corner Suite, Sydney
The spacious QT Corner Suite comes with eclectic furnishings.

All rooms feature large stone bathrooms with King rooms offering rain showers and all other room tiers offering luxurious freestanding or Japanese baths. Within are premium Kevin Murphy amenities and Dyson Supersonics which bring a spa-like experience to your stay.

a dimly lit bathroom at QT Sydney
QT Sydney features large stone bathrooms.

A minibar can say a lot about a hotel’s standards, and we’re pleased to share that the QT has nailed its offering. It’s well stocked and offers a range of tasty treats like organic beetroot chips and gingerbread ninjas, premium spirits such as Belvedere Vodka, Chivas Regal Scotch and Patron XO Café, and an intimacy kit.

the bedroom at QT Sydney Executive King
The stylish QT Sydney Executive King.

If you’re travelling with your pup, guests can also book a pet-friendly room that boasts a pet-friendly mini bar packed with treats and in-room dogs’ dinner menus designed by QT Head of Treats Nic Wood.

the bedroom at QT Junior Suite, Sydney
Enjoy a sound night’s rest on one of the plush QT Dream Beds.

Food and drink

There are two dining venues to enjoy onsite; Gowings Bar and Grill and Parlour.

Gowings Bar & Grill is inspired by New York’s Little Italy and steakhouse scene. Helmed by chef Sean Connolly, the menu is, unexpectedly, meat-heavy with high-quality cuts like Brooklyn Valley eye fillet, New York striploin, and Riverine ribeye up for grabs.

the interior details of Gowings Bar & Grill at QT Sydney
Step into the elegant Gowings Bar & Grill at QT Sydney.

There are plenty of seafood and vegetarian options on the menu as well such as swordfish belly crudo with peperoncino and oregano, and raviolo with roasted eggplant and smoked scamorza. You can also sit in the bar area for a pre or post-dinner creative cocktail like the ‘I’ve Been Missin’ with pink gin, rose, and strawberry shrub.

a table-top view of French cuisine at Parlour in QT Sydney
Dine on quintessential French fare at Parlour.

Parisian-inspired all-day dining venue Parlour sits on Market Street level. Indulge in classic French fare while sitting in a chic space that will transport you to a sultry bistro in Paris. Join for the daily Afternoon Aperitif from 4-6pm and you’ll be treated to $1 escargot, $2 freshly shucked oysters, and $10 mini classic martinis.

squeezing lemon into a dish at Gowings Bar & Grill, QT Sydney
The menu is inspired by New York’s Little Italy and steakhouse scene.

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Accessibility?

QT Sydney is wheelchair accessible.

Family-friendly?

QT Sydney isn’t your stereotypical family hotel and its design-led nature is geared towards a more trendy and adult-oriented experience. However, the rooms are large and the location is ideal for exploring the city.

Details

Address: 49 Market St, Sydney

Best for: Business travellers and couples

Price: From $295

Check out our Sydney accommodation guide.

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love, Bed Threads and Australian Traveller/International Traveller. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.