Sydney is home to the only Australian outpost of the world's best hotel brand for 2026

Sydney has no shortage of luxury hotels, but one of them comes with a title that's hard to top. Capella Hotels and Resorts has just been named the world's best hotel brand in the prestigious Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026 – marking its fourth consecutive year at the top of the global rankings. Better yet for Sydneysiders (and anyone planning a luxe staycation), the brand's only Australian property is right here in the CBD.

Each year, Travel + Leisure asks readers to vote for their favourite travel experiences across the globe – spanning hotels, cities, islands, airlines and more. More than 207,000 readers took part in this year's survey, casting more than 661,000 votes across over 10,000 travel properties, with Capella once again coming out on top thanks to its exceptional service, thoughtful design and consistently memorable guest experiences.

Opened in 2023 inside Sydney's beautifully restored Department of Education building on Bridge Street, Capella Sydney has quickly become one of the city's most coveted places to stay. The five-star hotel blends heritage architecture with a very modern approach to luxury, featuring 192 elegant rooms and suites, a magical subterranean wellness precinct complete with a heated indoor pool, and acclaimed dining venues including Brasserie 1930 and Aperture.

The accolade is just the latest in a growing collection of awards for the Sydney hotel. Since opening its doors, Capella Sydney has been crowned Hotel of the Year in the Gourmet Traveller Hotel Guide, secured a coveted spot on The World's 50 Best Hotels list and earned widespread recognition from leading international travel publications for both its design and hospitality.

While the Capella portfolio remains relatively small, it's certainly mighty. The Singapore-based luxury brand now spans destinations including Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Shanghai, Ubud, Taipei and Kyoto. And, crucially for us, right here in Sydney. Travel + Leisure noted that readers continue to return to Capella for its "phenomenal service and design".

You can check out the full Travel + Leisure list here, and you’ll find our guide to the best hotels in Sydney here.

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