3 Best Hotels in Sydney City Center, Sydney

This serviced-apartment hotel is one of Sydney's swankiest places to stay. Suites are contained in a gleaming 42-story tower (with just seven suites per floor) in central Sydney, just a few minutes' walk from Town Hall. Two amazing penthouses offer fantastic views over Darling Harbour just to the west. The design is ultra hip, from the 18-foot rainfall chandelier that dangles above you in the lobby to the 20-meter lap pool with a glass floor looking down into the Regent Place shopping precinct below. Daily breakfast in served in the The Mezzanine and room service, from an extensive menu, is served after 6:30 pm, but there is no on-site restaurant for other meals. Of the 201 rooms, the 146 suites have a kitchenette or fully equipped kitchen, and several eateries are located in Regent Square, just a short elevator ride away on the ground floor.

At this landmark hotel in downtown Sydney you enter a spacious, light-filled lobby displaying a stunning four-story sculpture. Among the five different room types are 31 relaxation rooms divided into three zones: relaxation space, spa bathroom, and work zone. Whirlpool baths, body-jet showers, and the latest electronic wizardry are just some of the features. The glass brassiere, run by well-known Sydney chef Luke Mangan, and trendy bar Zeta, designed by New Yorker Tony Chi, are hip places to eat and meet, but expect an expensive bar tab. The circa-1890 Marble Bar also attracts a crowd. The hotel is home to LivingWell, the largest hotel-based health club in Australia, offering group fitness, yoga, and Pilates classes, as well as a range of pampering treatments.

This hotel is the answer for those seeking color and quirkiness, teamed with style and super-efficient service. Situated in the city center, feet from Town Hall railway station, the 200-room hotel has taken over the former and much-loved Gowings men's department store and several levels above the (existing) and beautiful State Theatre. While waiting to take the elevator to the second-level reception, check out the quirky gowns and costumes in glass cases in the ground-floor coffee bar. The lobby has pink high-back armchairs and blue and brown low-slung ottomans, and bedrooms have polished timber floors, multicolor rugs, eclectic artwork, miniature ottomans, rich throw rugs and super-comfortable beds. In keeping with the historic building, there's an old-fashioned barbershop on the premises and vintage, art deco, and Gothic art pieces everywhere. A luxurious spa; an upscale restaurant called Gowings Bar and Grill, a casual (and very groovy) café, and the Gilt Lounge cocktail bar complete the picture. There's free Wi-Fi throughout. You'll have no doubt you've arrived at this ultra hip place when you discover the concierge and staff are called "directors of chaos" and look like extras in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.