Stay in the heart of the city at SKYE Suites Sydney

Megan ArkinstallBy Megan Arkinstall
hero media
Whether travelling with family or a few friends, SKYE Suites Sydney offers both convenience and luxury in the heart of the city.

Combining spacious suites, a location within walking distance of Sydney’s best landmarks, and sophisticated style and service, SKYE Suites Sydney ticks all the boxes for a stay in Sydney’s CBD with kids or friends. Here’s everything to know about staying at SKYE Suites Sydney  for your next staycation or visit to the city.

Location

Navigating Sydney’s CBD by car can sometimes cause anxiety levels to rise – for those who don’t do it often – but SKYE Suites Sydney was so simple to find, and we arrive at our destination feeling relaxed. We drive into the car park, where our car is taken care of by valet ($85). The beauty is, we don’t need it again until we leave because this Kent Street accommodation is an easy walk or tram ride from all of Sydney’s major landmarks.

From the front door, SKYE Suites is a six-minute walk to Darling Harbour, around 10 minutes to Barangaroo, just eight minutes to the QVB and 17 minutes to The Rocks. The closest tram stop is Wynyard, which is just six minutes’ walk away, and runs along George Street between Circular Quay and Central.

the SKYE Suites in Sydney
SKYE Suites is within walking distance of Sydney’s best landmarks.

Style and character

SKYE Suites is part of a striking 25-storey complex designed by Japanese firm, Koichi Takada Architects. The charming building was inspired by the curvilinear nature of Australia. The street-front heritage-stye façade is a masterpiece of arched window frames built using 30,000 bricks, while atop this are two contemporary towers (housing residential apartments) featuring a rooftop composed of 59 steel arches.

the interior of the SKYE Suites in Sydney
The charming complex is designed by Japanese firm, Koichi Takada Architects.

The lobby is a chic, dimly lit space, with a ceiling of curved white arches and blue and grey velvet lounges. Just beyond the reception, we spy one of the most striking hotel swimming pools we’ve seen (but more on that later).

the swimming pool at SKYE Suites in Sydney
The swimming pool is one of its best features.

A glass-sided elevator whisks us up to our level, which again is moodily lit. On the contrary, our suite is bright and airy with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Clarence Street. Its design is inspired by Japanese minimalism with a muted colour palette of Tasmanian oak, white, greys and black, and contemporary furniture.

the suite interior at the SKYE Suites in Sydney
Each suite is bright and airy, with contemporary furniture.

Facilities

The curved architecture continues in the pool area, with a ceiling of white arches creating a dramatic cavern-like space that was designed to resemble an ‘ice cave’. We take a dip in the illuminated, blue-tiled pool and enjoy a soak in the spa. There is an adjacent gym that overlooks the pool and comprises a decent amount of equipment: rowers, treadmills, weights and resistance machines.

an indoor pool at SKYE Suites in Sydney
The pool evokes a dramatic cavern-like space.

Reception is manned 24 hours, and all staff are extremely affable and helpful. I am in the city to see a show and return late that night to a friendly face, which is comforting. Housekeeping staff also quickly attend to a broken glass in our room, courtesy of our four-year-old.

the gym at SKYE Suites in Sydney
The gym comprises a generous amount of equipment.

Rooms

SKYE Suites Sydney has several suite types. There’s a deluxe studio suite and a slightly larger executive studio suite, both featuring a queen bed, lounge space and kitchenette. The one-bedroom suite features a queen bed, a separate lounge area and a kitchenette.

one of the rooms at SKYE Suites in Sydney
All suites boast a small balcony for fresh air.

While the deluxe two-bedroom suite and premier two-bedroom suite both comprise two private bedrooms, a full kitchen and laundry. All suites boast a small balcony for fresh air, which is always a bonus in a city hotel.

the bed at SKYE Suites in Sydney
Sleep soundly in the one-bedroom suite.

We stay in a one-bedroom suite and have more than enough room for our small family, with a queen bed, a single bed, and a spacious living and dining area.

the dining and kitchenette at the SKYE Suites in Sydney
The rooms also feature a separate lounge area, dining and a kitchenette.

The bathroom is a decent size and stocked with lovely New Zealand-made Smith and Co amenities, with refillable bottles in the shower and at the sink, as well as smaller tubes on the bench. The towels are plush, the lighting is good and the shower pressure is spot on.

the living area at SKYE Suites in Sydney
Inside, you’ll find a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Clarence Street.

The kitchenette features a microwave, oven, Espresso coffee pod machine and a fridge stocked with Sydney Beer Co beer, Angove wine from South Australia, Santa Vittoria soft drinks and Apani glass bottled water. There is also a small selection of snacks to purchase on the bench (chips, chocolate bars and nuts). Free wi-fi is also available.

the suite interior at SKYE Suites in Sydney
The suite is spacious enough for families.

Food and drink

SKYE Suites doesn’t have a restaurant on-site, unfortunately, but it is close to many great dining options. Darling Harbour is a close walk with ample eateries along its waterfront. Or walk a little further to Barangaroo, with a host of excellent options such as Anason for flavoursome Turkish cuisine or Muum Maam for delicious Thai.

We walk the other way into the CBD for breakfast the following morning at The Grounds of the City (a 10-minute walk). It serves great coffee and food in an utterly charming Parisian-inspired venue (be sure to make a reservation).

the kitchenette at the SKYE Suites in Sydney
The rooms have a kitchenette where you can prepare your meals.

Does SKYE Suites have access for guests with disabilities?

Lobby entry is on the ground floor, with lifts to all levels. There are rooms available for guests with disabilities, with wheelchair access and features such as bathroom rails.

Is SKYE Suites family-friendly?

It is very family-friendly, with suites that can accommodate up to four guests. Kitchen and laundry facilities, as well as lounge space, are added bonuses when travelling with kids as they provide freedom and convenience.

a look inside at SKYE Suites in Sydney
Each suite can accommodate up to four guests.

Details

Best for: Families, small groups of friends, business travellers

Address: 300 Kent Street, Sydney

Phone: (02) 9052 7588

Cost: From $361 per night

Discover more fantastic Sydney accommodation options.

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
See all articles
Adina Town Hall one bedroom living room
Sydney

The Sydney CBD stay that feels more like your dream apartment

A night in the city that feels less like a hotel stay and more like slipping into your own Sydney sanctuary. 

Read more
Pool at The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Collection
Sydney

The Brighton Hotel brings resort-style luxury to Sydney’s south

Sydney’s south finally has its own slice of luxury. 

Read more
An infinity swimming pool at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach
Sydney

Sydney’s first luxury hotel on the beach is about to arrive

This luxurious coastal escape is bringing an elevated beachside living to Sydney’s East this summer.

Read more
25Hours Hotel The Olympia in Sydney, NSW
Sydney

Inside Sydney’s hottest new stay: 25hours Hotel The Olympia

The new five-star hotel putting Sydney’s landmark theatre back on the map.

Read more

Your first look at Australia’s brand-new luxury camp

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
    hero media
    Continue
    The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

    Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

    Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

    Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon.
    Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

    Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

    Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

    Aerial view of Wilderluxe.
    Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

    Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

    On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

    A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe.
    Sleep beneath the stars.

    Style and character

    When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

    Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

    The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe.
    Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

    ‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

    Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

    Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

    While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

    The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake.
    Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

    No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

    Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

    Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

    Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

    A person kayaking through serene waters.
    Paddle into peace.

    The details

    A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

    The interiors of the glamping tent.
    Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

    Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.