There’s a magic that's found on the banks of Sydney Harbour, alive within the sprawling expanse of saltwater that winds its way through the city. I’ve felt it when I’ve flown in after weeks away and looked down onto the maze-like waterways that push deep blue into the corners of the green-grey city, and on warm summer evenings, diving into the cool at Camp Cove and washing away the day as the sun sets behind the city skyline. Recently, I felt it from my balcony at the Park Hyatt Sydney, looking out across Circular Quay as the last lights of the skyscrapers blinked out and a shy smattering of stars punctuated the sky.
Why stay at Park Hyatt Sydney?
Since first opening its doors in 1990, the 155-room residence has been setting the standard for luxury in the Harbour City. It’s played host to everyone from Elton John to Bette Midler, and while Sydney’s cityscape morphs and grows, this corner of the harbour remains untouched – and quietly spectacular. Sitting in splendour beneath the iconic arc of the Harbour Bridge, Park Hyatt is a celeb favourite for good reason. The location, right on the banks of the harbour in a quiet corner of Circular Quay, is remarkable enough, but the rooms, facilities and hospitality are all of an equally exceptional calibre. This is a no-notes luxury stay with a price tag to match. If you’ve got the cash to splash, a stay here is a no-brainer.
What are the rooms like at Park Hyatt Sydney?
Spread across four floors, the waterside hotel is home to 155 rooms: 135 king rooms, nine twin rooms and 11 suites, including two magnificent rooftop suites complete with separate living rooms, kitchenettes and a private butler on hand to attend to your every whim. We booked a king room that was impeccably presented, with every element thoughtfully curated – from the bespoke Le Labo amenities to the glittering glass cabinet and well-stocked minibar, loaded with locally made spirits. In truth, they could easily get away with decking out the room in Ikea furniture and having done with it – the views that spill out through the floor-to-ceiling windows are so remarkable that nothing else really matters. When we arrived, the Harbour City vista was alive with movement – ferries pushing across the water and groups of tourists gathering for selfies on the steps of the Opera House. Jørn Utzon designed Sydney’s most iconic building to mimic the awe-inspiring scale of a Mayan temple, and in my opinion, its presence turns any view into something spectacular – reminding you that life doesn’t need to be serious. From the Park Hyatt, it’s a challenge to look out of the window and not see the Opera House cutting its playful silhouette into the sky – an ever-present statement of Sydney’s unpretentious magnificence.
When it’s time to tear your eyes away from the view, you’ll be grateful for the care with which the interiors have been crafted – super comfy bedding, easy-to-use high-tech appliances and low lighting that warms the spacious, tastefully contemporary room.
Which are the best restaurants at Park Hyatt Sydney?
The ground floor of the hotel is home to several dining spaces, including a light-flooded all-day eatery (The Living Room) and an intimate cocktail bar (simply named The Bar). The jewel in the hotel’s crown (aside from the rooftop pool) is The Dining Room by James Viles, a warmly lit contemporary Australian restaurant with a creative, refined menu that celebrates and elevates locally sourced seasonal produce. For dinner, we were presented with four delicately crafted courses, starting with crisp Jerusalem artichoke with a truffle-honey custard and ending with a tarte tatin that was buttery and sweet and spiked with cinnamon. Drinks-wise, there’s a focus on Australian wines, but with such a perfectly uninterrupted view of the Opera House (just across the harbour through vast glass walls) it feels right to start with a glass of Champagne.
Unsurprisingly, the Park Hyatt team manages to execute a breakfast buffet without even an ounce of chaos. Gleaming pastries, seasonal fruit, glass pots of yoghurt and loaves of fresh bread wait at a beautifully curated table, and Sydney Harbour sets a sparkling backdrop. I decide to go for the à la carte option, and order a crab omelette that’s golden and rich and perfectly salted. Before the omelette arrives, I’m presented with a plate of good smoked salmon with crème fraîche and a bowl of fresh berries which arrive at my table in a masterful act of mind-reading by the team.
What is the service like at Park Hyatt Sydney?
As you’d expect from a five-star hotel, the service here maintains a refined level of professionalism, but the staff still make an effort to genuinely connect with guests.
As I left, Bruce – the chief door person who’d welcomed me when I’d visited the spa here a few weeks prior – fetched my bags and asked where I was heading for the day. Bruce has worked at the Park Hyatt for 31 years, and he doesn’t ever seem to tire of welcoming guests into the hotel’s light-flooded lobby.
“Welcoming back our regular guests and meeting new ones every day keeps me going. It's a wonderful feeling to greet people from different cultures and share the beauty of Sydney with them,” Bruce tells me, and I think that says everything.
Is there a gym or pool at Park Hyatt Sydney?
Yes to both. The battle for ‘best hotel pool in Sydney’ has a few hot contenders, but the Park Hyatt’s rooftop gem is very much up there. Long before I was lucky enough to stay, I’d spied the azure oasis from the Harbour Bridge, which throws its shadow across the pool during the heat of the day. At sunrise, though, the Sydney sunshine leaks uninterrupted warmth down on the carefully manicured rooftop pool terrace – where carefully rolled towels wait on comfy sun-soaked daybeds. The pool is long enough to clock in a few laps, with a heated spa waiting for when you’re ready to slow down. The on-site gym is well equipped with everything you need for your morning workout, but I’d suggest skipping the indoor sweat and heading out for a run through the Royal Botanic Gardens instead.
What’s the area like around Park Hyatt Sydney?
The vision that springs to mind when people think of Sydney would, almost inevitably, include the Park Hyatt. The 35-year-old residence sits with a quiet grandeur beneath the arc of the Harbour Bridge and directly opposite the Opera House – this is, undeniably, the most iconic corner of Sydney Harbour.
Though Circular Quay can be dismissed by residents as a tourist trap, the harbourside precinct is home to some of Sydney’s very best restaurants: Quay, Aria and Bennelong, to name a few. It’s also right in the heart of the action: an easy 19-minute walk from the Opera House, with ferries zipping you across to the sparkling shores of Manly in less than half an hour.
Why should you book a stay at Park Hyatt Sydney?
There are a lot of incredible places to stay in the Harbour City, but if you want to feel as though you’ve spent a night within its beating heart, stay here.
Address: 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks, Sydney 2000
Price per night: From $1,200.
Closest transport link: Circular Quay train station and ferry wharves are 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel.
Book now: Book over here.
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