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In early 2023, the curtains came down around Manly Pacific: a stunning, design-forward reimagining of a huge, 200-plus-room hotel on the shores of one of Sydney’s most famous beaches. The $30-million renovation project, led by Australian designers Coco Republic, transformed the sprawling site into one of Sydney’s most lusted-after luxury stays, complete with a beautiful rooftop pool, a sophisticated cocktail bar, a playful all-day diner and an Italian restaurant that quickly secured its position among the city’s best.
Now, the hotel has entered a new chapter, having been acquired by luxury hotel group Elysium. Fans of Manly Pacific (myself very much included) will be happy to hear that much of the experience remains: warm, exceptional service and a stay that makes a convincing case for barefoot luxury. Returning to the hotel post-rebrand, I was pleasantly surprised to find it even more note-perfect than I remembered: refreshed rooms and suites, new locally sourced artwork and floral installations, a signature Elysium scent that laces every moment with luxury, and a team that goes above and beyond to make every guest feel like a very well-cared-for friend.
It’s still every bit a high-end hotel, made even more delightful with a distinctly Manly energy: calm, confident and focused more on wellness than indulgence. The difference now is in the details, from personalised stays on the new Elysium Floor (we’ll get to that) to a tiered collection of luxury bathroom amenities and six brand-new Wellness Suites.
Why stay at Elysium Manly?
If this hotel was hidden in a dark, urban backstreet, it would still be worth a stay. The rooms are divine, the facilities are impeccable and the flagship restaurant, Cibaria, has firmly secured its position as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
As it happens though, the location is one of its main drawcards: steps away from one of Sydney’s very best beaches, with incredible views across the sparkling ocean and super easy access to the best restaurants in Manly.
Under Elysium, the focus has shifted slightly towards a more personalised version of luxury. Guests staying on the “Elysium Floor” can have their preferences noted before arrival, with a dedicated VIP Host on hand to help with everything from restaurant bookings and in-room arrangements to local recommendations and individual requests. And even if you’re not in one of the Elysium Floor rooms, the attentive (but not remotely stuffy) service will still seriously elevate your stay.
What are the rooms like at Elysium Manly?
With 213 rooms, nine Coastal Two Bedroom Suites, six new Wellness Suites and one stand-out Elysium Suite, there’s a lot of choice when it comes to where to lay your head.
We booked the Elysium Suite: an abundantly vast (177-square-metre) light-flooded space lined by glass doors opening onto an ocean-facing balcony (complete with sun loungers, a long dining table and full-spectrum Nimbus infrared barrel sauna). Designed by Coco Republic, the bedroom maintains the hotel’s signature coastal cool, all breezy white linens, marble touches and tasteful natural-fibre finishes.
As a hotel right on the beach, it’s only natural that you’ll spend a lot of time in and out of the shower, and the bathrooms make the shower somewhere you’re happy to be, complete with raindance fixtures and Terrazzo tiling. The bathroom amenities have also had an Elysium upgrade, with Grown Alchemist products now provided throughout the hotel rooms, ESPA across the suites, IKKARI exclusive to the Wellness Suites and Hermès reserved for the Elysium Suite.
Some of the deluxe rooms can accommodate up to four guests, but if you’re staying with a bigger group, it’s worth booking a two-bedroom Coastal Suite, complete with space for stretching out with a group.
Thanks to the rebrand, there are also now six new Wellness Suites, each opening onto an ocean-facing private terrace with its own Nimbus infrared sauna. The suites come with a wellness tonic on arrival, in-room fitness equipment, an LED face mask, compression boots, Peloton access, a complimentary BodyLove Pilates class and a minibar stocked with juices and electrolytes. Guests can also order a dedicated wellness breakfast to their suite, and IKKARI amenities round out the very good-for-you experience.
Each room is fitted out with a working desk, 55-inch Smart TV with Google Staycast for streaming, Wi-Fi, safe and a minibar with a small but perfectly-formed curation of local goodies.
Which are the best restaurants at Elysium Manly?
On the ground floor, just a few sandy steps away from the beach, you’ll find the spirited dining room of Cibaria: an on-point Italian restaurant from the team behind Ormeggio, A’Mare, Postino Osteria and Chiosco. Come here for perfect pasta, and finish with a scoop of handmade ice cream from the on-site gelateria, best enjoyed barefoot on the beach.
If you’re after a few smaller snacks, the Cibaria Caffetteria and Gelateria offers a selection of small plates from Cibaria’s menu in a more low-key setting. After somewhere a little more intimate? 55 North Bar serves snacks and a carefully curated drinks list, with DJs from 5pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The other on-site dining option is Bistro Manly, a French-style hotel restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Under the Elysium rebrand, breakfast has scored an upgrade, too, with an elevated menu featuring a must-order spanner crab omelette.
What is the service like at Elysium Manly?
In my experience, this is where you’ll notice one of the clearest differences under Elysium. The coastal-cool spirit remains, but the service now leans more towards intuitive, personalised hospitality.
Guests on the Elysium Floor have access to a dedicated VIP Host, and personalised room preparation and evening turndown add a little more ceremony to the stay. Across the property, Elysium’s signature scent, new photographic works by local photographer Elise Hassey and bespoke floral arrangements by Elysium Floral Curator Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora help create a more distinctive sense of place. Music is part of the atmosphere, too, with an evolving soundscape curated across Elysium properties by music curator Mitchell Wicks.
Is there a gym or pool at Elysium Manly?
As an ode to the spirit of the suburb, wellness remains a major focus at Elysium Manly. Guests can order a Peloton bike to their room, access the nearby Manly Beach Club gym and, depending on their room category, make use of a growing collection of wellness equipment and treatments.
There's a well-equipped gym on site, but the pool is the key drawcard. If I had to vote for my favourite hotel pool in the Harbour City, this one would be a strong contender. Found on the hotel rooftop, surrounded by striped sun loungers, the 12-metre mineral magnesium pool has recently been refreshed with White Pearl mosaic tiling, with uninterrupted views of the glittering ocean making this the only place you want to be on a sunny Sydney morning.
What’s the area like around Elysium Manly?
Known as the capital of the Northern Beaches, this coastal suburb often ranks among the most desirable suburbs in the city, for residents and travellers alike, and for very good reasons.
Framed by a super-reliable surf beach on one side, and dreamy harbour coves on the other, Manly offers coastal lifestyle in spades. You could spend a whole summer exploring the beaches in the area and you’d still have more to discover.
Over the years, the stunning natural landscape has attracted a community of ocean-loving individuals to the area, and the necessary health food stores, wellness hubs and on-point restaurants have followed. While you’re there, we’d suggest hiking a stretch of the beautiful Manly to Spit coastal walk, exploring the ocean floor with a snorkelling session at Shelly Beach and sinking a locally brewed schooner from Felons Manly while you watch the sun set behind the city.
Why you should book a stay at Elysium Manly
If you’re a Sydneysider looking for a high-end coastal staycation, look no further. And if you’re visiting from out of town and want a base that will give you easy access to the things the Harbour City is famous for, sparkling beaches and exceptional restaurants, without the CBD frenzy, this is your place.
For returning guests, Elysium Manly won’t feel like an entirely different hotel, and that’s probably the point. The bones of the much-loved Manly Pacific remain, but the new ownership has layered on a more personalised approach, a stronger wellness offering and a collection of considered details that make the property feel distinctly Elysium.
Address: 55 N Steyne, Manly, NSW, 2095
Price per night: From $450 per night
Closest transport link: If you’re coming from the centre of Sydney, we’d suggest catching the ferry over to Manly to experience one of the world’s most beautiful commutes.
Book now: Over here
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