The 17 Best Luxury Hotels in Sydney

With views of the Opera House and the bridge: At the Park Hyatt Sydney you swim laps in a small rooftop pool right beneath the Harbour Bridge, next to a heated whirlpool facing the Opera House. The InterContinental Sydney has a heated 15-meter pool on the 31st floor, with the Opera House in view through floor-to-ceiling windows. On the roof of the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, pool and terrace come with cabanas and harbor views.InterContinental Sydney · City CentreTwenty meters, indoors: At the Capella Sydney, a heated 20-meter indoor pool and a vitality pool belong to the spa on level six. At The Langham Sydney you swim on the lower level under a ceiling showing the Southern Hemisphere night sky, between stone columns and beach murals.

Infinity above the water: The Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has Le Rivage, a 20-meter outdoor infinity pool on level four with a Riviera-style pool bar and skyline views. At the Crown Towers Sydney, the infinity pool on level five is heated to 28 °C, with cabanas and in-pool day beds. The W Sydney also has a heated rooftop infinity pool.

By the beach: From the roof of the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, the infinity pool and its pool bar look out over the ocean. At The Brighton Hotel Sydney there is an outdoor pool with daybeds on level two and a heated indoor pool open all year. If you want a 5-star hotel in Sydney with both pool and surf, the beaches are where to look.

Calm in the city: The Auriga Spa at the Capella Sydney follows the phases of the moon. It occupies restored heritage rooms, with a steam room, sauna, experience showers, an ice fountain and a yoga platform; the signature Fluidform Rebalance treatment lasts 120 minutes. At The Langham Sydney, The Day Spa by Chuan lies underground, with its own treatments and the Sleep Matters program.Capella Sydney · The RocksBy the harbor: At the Shangri-La Sydney, Chi, The Spa has six treatment suites; the Himalayan hot stone massage is a signature, and guests under 16 are not admitted. At the Park Hyatt Sydney, The Spa offers treatment rooms, a relaxation room, two aromatherapy steam rooms and a sauna.

Water and warmth: Two luxury hotels put water at the center. Crown Spa at the Crown Towers Sydney uses La Prairie facials and offers treatments such as Hot Sand Therapy; its aqua retreat has a 37 °C vitality pool, heated loungers and a cedar infrared sauna. At the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, the Eliva Spa is inspired by thalassotherapy: three warm magnesium pools, two cold plunge baths, a steam room and a recovery lounge with LED masks.

Not every 5-star hotel in Sydney has its own spa. If treatments and warmth matter to you, tell our travel advisors and we will point you to the right address.

Under 150 €, prices start at the 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia from 139 €, The Brighton Hotel Sydney from 143 € and The Porter House Hotel Sydney from 146 €.The Brighton Hotel Sydney · Brighton-Le-SandsIn the mid-range of the luxury hotels are the Shangri-La Sydney from 197 €, the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour from 213 € and the Kimpton Margot Sydney from 233 €.

Above that come The Langham Sydney from 265 € and the InterContinental Sydney from 273 €.

At the top end are the Capella Sydney from 410 €, the Crown Towers Sydney from 447 € and the Park Hyatt Sydney from 690 €. Which rooms are free for your dates and what they cost today is shown in the hotel list below.

Always included: At all 17 hotels, breakfast for two, an upgrade subject to availability and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability are included. Every hotel also adds a hotel credit: US$100 at 15 hotels, US$50 at the Hyatt Regency Sydney and at least AU$50 at The Langham Sydney, up to AU$125 for longer stays and selected rates. At the Park Hyatt Sydney, the credit is limited to the spa for certain rates.

Welcome: Twelve hotels have a welcome gift ready, and at the Crown Towers Sydney suite bookings come with a bottle of champagne.

Minimum stay: At The Porter House Hotel Sydney, the Hyatt Regency Sydney and The Brighton Hotel Sydney, the benefits apply from two nights; at all other hotels from the first night.

Programs: ALL (Accor) applies at the 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia, The Porter House Hotel Sydney, the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and The Brighton Hotel Sydney; IHG One Rewards at the InterContinental Sydney, the Kimpton Margot Sydney, the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach and the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Add World of Hyatt at the Park Hyatt Sydney, Marriott Bonvoy at the W Sydney, Brilliant by Langham at The Langham Sydney, I Prefer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney and Shangri-La Golden Circle at the Shangri-La Sydney. We book at the hotel's direct rate, so points and status nights count and your status applies.

Sydney through the year: December to February is summer, with long evenings by the harbor and beach days. At New Year the fireworks light up the harbor, so secure your 5-star hotel in Sydney early. In autumn the sea is still warm, in winter the city glows during the Vivid Sydney light festival and whales pass along the coast. In spring the jacarandas bloom.

How long to stay: Four to five nights in a 5-star hotel in Sydney are enough for the harbor, the Opera House, a ferry ride to Manly and a day at the beach. If you add the Blue Mountains to the west, plan one more night.