Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the views of the opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are every bit as special as you imagine them to be. There is no better way to visit the city than treating yourself to a hotel with a view of one of the world’s great icons, especially if you only have a short trip. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy day exploring and you can catch a glorious sunrise without even having to leave your room!
If you’re as obsessed with a great view as we are (we even wrote guides to all the best views of the Sydney Opera House and harbour bridge) then you’ve come to the right place.
You’ll find something for everyone on this list, from the height of luxury, to budget backpackers - yes, there’s a hostel with a Sydney Opera House view!
Know before you book
Not all rooms have a view
The first thing to know is that even if the hotel is located on the harbour itself, not all rooms will have a harbour view, so make sure you book the one that specifically says it has a harbour view. Even those located right on the water have some rooms with “city views” which look towards the CBD (Central Business District).
Not all hotels will have the same quality of view either, as some have views that are quite distant, or a less photogenic angle. We’ll try to give you as much information as possible in this guide, but it’s always worth scrolling through the photos to make sure you get exactly what you are hoping for.
Area is key
The suburb you stay in will have an impact on the kind of view you get. The hotels in The Rocks/George Street have the best views, followed by the CBD and then North Sydney. Whilst some North Sydney properties will have an opera house view, it’s generally quite distant.
Suburbs such as Darling Harbour don’t have opera house views, but may have harbour bridge, or Darling Harbour views. Darling Harbour whilst pretty, is not the part of the harbour you’re thinking of when you are dreaming about a trip to Sydney, yet it may still be listed as having ‘harbour views’ on websites, as it’s still technically the harbour!
Hotels with Sydney Opera House Views (from the room)
Crown Towers
The Crown Towers is the newest addition to the 5* super luxury hotels in Sydney, and made such an impact that a whole new suburb was created alongside it - Barangaroo.
Costing an estimated $2.2 billion and only completed in March 2020 (just before the pandemic hit), the Crown Towers was certainly designed to make a statement, especially as it is the tallest building in Sydney. It is also home to the city’s only infinity pool and several fine dining restaurants, including Nobu.
The rooms here are unrivalled in Sydney in terms of luxury and style, and being located in the tallest building, the views are incredible. If you’re looking for a real wow experience, a stay at the Crown Towers is surely it.
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The new Crown Towers in Sydney
Park Hyatt Sydney
The Park Hyatt is truly a bucket list experience. This incredible hotel is nestled right on the water, underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and directly opposite the Sydney Opera House - in terms of location, this hotel is unrivalled.
The views from every part of this hotel are mind-blowing, and it even has a rooftop pool that looks out across the harbour to the opera house!
Inside, it’s all 5* luxury, and is arguably the best in Sydney. The rooms have floor to ceiling windows, so you can fully immerse yourself in the beautiful views. For the full experience, make sure you book a room which mentions the opera house, as others will look across the harbour to the city (which still isn’t a bad option!).
The only downside is the cost, as this is possibly the most expensive hotel in Sydney. However, there’s few hotels in the world quite like the Park Hyatt in Sydney.
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The boardwalk outside the Park Hyatt
Shangri-La Sydney
We’ve stayed in a few Shangri-La’s across the world, but none have the incredible view that this one does. The views here are so special that we celebrated Joe’s 30th in the restaurant, with a table right by the window overlooking the whole harbour.
The Shangri-La is set back a fraction from the harbour, but it’s tall, so the views are panoramic. It isn’t as modern as hotels such as the Park Hyatt, but it still has everything you’d expect from a Shangri-La.
To get the best views, go for the rooms with opera house in the name, otherwise you’ll get views of the rest of the harbour (which are still beautiful, but not the complete experience). The opera house rooms are the ones you’ll see all over Instagram with the ‘woke up like this’ caption!
Location-wise, the Shangri-La is a short distance from Bridgeclimb and the walk across the harbour bridge, and a five minute walk to The Rocks, making it really central.
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Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is fabulously located at Circular Quay, and the views from this 5* hotel are incredible. Like the Shangri-La, it makes the most of its height, offering sweeping views across the harbour. All of the rooms will offer some kind of view, but they range from “city view” to a full view of the harbour - including both the harbour bridge and opera house, so make sure you study the differences before booking!
As you’d expect, the Four Seasons is a calm oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city, and the rooms are stylish - although they are on the smaller side. Another benefit of the Four Seasons is the location as you are steps away from The Rocks (the historic district) and the ferry wharfs at Circular Quay.
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The Intercontinental
The Intercontinental in Sydney mixes history with modern style, as the hotel is located in a 19th Century building.
As it’s situated on the eastern side of Circular Quay, the views here are different to the ones we’ve written about so far, looking to the opera house from the southern side (as opposed to the classic side on view). This makes for a unique perspective of this iconic building, as well as offering views to the bridge and across the harbour.
Make sure you book yourself a room that specifically states “Opera House View”, but you can also choose a room with a harbour bridge view or - uniquely - an “Eastern Harbour View” looking to the botanic garden and out over the harbour. The Intercontinental is also in a great location, a moment’s walk from the botanic garden and have the comfort and luxury you’d expect of a 5* hotel.
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The Marriott
The Marriott hotel is set a little further into the city than the rest of the hotels so far on this list, but still provides those mesmerising harbour views. The rooms here aren’t quite as high end as some we’ve mentioned, but it’s modern and comfortable.
Only the more expensive rooms have opera house views, some of the cheaper ones have partial views, but ideally you’d want to book the rooms that specifically state “Opera House View”. It’s no doubt that the Marriott is a great option, but we feel for a little more money you can get much more from some of the others we’ve mentioned.
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Apartments with Opera House Views
Meriton Suites, North Sydney
Having an apartment is great when you want a bit of living space and to be able to self cater, so you don’t have to venture out for every meal of the day (which quickly adds up). We’re big fans of Meriton Suites, having stayed in multiple across the city. You are guaranteed modern apartments here which have a fully equipped kitchen, as well as comfy beds.
The views from the Harbour Suites are stunning, offering a panoramic look at the northern side of the harbour. However, it is set quite far back from the water, and you’re looking over quite a bit of city before you get those famous views.
The views are only from the more expensive rooms, which are close in price to the Four Seasons and Shangri-La, so you’d really be choosing the Meriton for the benefit of having a kitchen and living area. The other drawback is the location, as North Sydney is a little further from the action for most travellers, and you’ll need to get a train or ferry to get into the main part of the city - unless you’re happy to do long walks.
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Sebel Quay West Suites
The Sebel Quay West Suites are an Accor property that has recently been refurbished, giving it a much more modern look and feel. Only select rooms have an opera house view, and those that do only have a partial view - you’ll need to work the angles to really get that opera house view you were hoping for.
The views from the apartments are still beautiful, and many have a jaw dropping view of the harbour bridge, but there are others on this list that will probably wow you more. However, this apartment mixes convenience, comfort and location, as it’s situated in The Rocks and just a short stroll from Circular Quay.
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Hotels with Opera House Rooftop Views
Sydney Harbour YHA, The Rocks
Yes, we still can’t get over the fact that a youth hostel has a rooftop view of the Sydney Opera House and harbour bridge. It’s the kind of view that you’d normally think is exclusive to 5* hotels, yet you can get a dorm bed for $66AUD and a private en-suite room here for as little as $150 AUD.
The rooms are standard YHA hostel rooms, clean but basic. However, it’s in a great location and a bargain for this part of Sydney. The hardest part can be availability as it often books up well in advance.
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The Rydges Sydney Harbour
The Rydges is all about the rooftop pool, which is reminiscent of the Park Hyatt, but for a lot less money! The view from here is incredible, looking across the harbour to the opera house and the harbour bridge. The hotel itself is a mid-range, with decent enough rooms (they’re not the most modern, but cozy). A few offer a harbour view, but the windows are pretty small and it’s not an open and unobstructed view of the opera house.
The hotel has a great location in The Rocks, so it’s walking distance to a lot of the major tourist attractions, and the rooms are comfortable, clean and what you’d expect for a mid-range hotel.
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Hotels with Harbour Bridge Views
Pier One, Walsh Bay
Pier One has long been a favourite with Instagrammer’s for it’s incredible views, as it’s situated right next to the harbour bridge - you don’t get closer than this hotel! Some of the best rooms have a bathtub right next to the water - our idea of bliss.
As the name suggests, the hotel is situated on a pier that stretches into Sydney Harbour and has stunning views right across the water. The rooms here are artistic, utilising some of the elements of the historic pier to create a unique style.
Pier One’s also in a great location as you’re not far from The Rocks, or the new gardens at Barangaroo. You can also walk across the harbour bridge, or towards Darling Harbour along the walking trail we detail in this guide.
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Pullman Quay Grand, Circular Quay
The Pullman Quay Grand has stunning views over Circular Quay, looking towards the harbour bridge and The Rocks. If it wasn’t for the fact you can’t see the opera house, it’d be hard to imagine a better view from a hotel! The pick of the rooms are those that specifically mention “Harbour Views”, and if you get lucky, you may share the views with a couple of local cockatoos like this.
The rooms are modern and stylish, plus they are apartments, so you don’t have to dine out for every meal of the day. It’s in a great location and the harbour views face west, so you can catch a beautiful sunset in the evening.
The only drawback for the Pullman - which is out of their control - is that you could get unlucky with a cruise ship pulling in and blocking the view.
View, North Sydney
As the name suggests, this one is famous for its view, which looks out over the stunning Lavender Bay. The views from the hotel look straight onto the harbour bridge and the rest of the city. It’s an iconic view that would be top of the list in many other cities!
The rooms here are simple, but comfortable, just make sure you pick the ones that say “Harbour View” to get that jaw-dropping vista. As it’s situated in North Sydney, you’re a little further from the action, but the train station is a very short walk away. You can use it as an excuse to explore the beautiful Lavender Bay, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden and the gorgeous Lavender Bay to Balls Head walk - a trail we did regularly when we lived in McMahons Point.
Hotels with a Harbour View
These hotels may not be known for their opera house or harbour bridge views, but they still offer a pretty special view over the harbour.
Sofitel, Darling Harbour
This is one of the newest hotels in Sydney and towers over Darling Harbour - you can’t miss it. The Sofitel offers modern 5* luxury with stunning views over the harbour. Some of the best rooms have bathtubs with floor to ceiling windows, which offer real wow factor. It also has a rooftop pool bar, overlooking Darling Harbour and the city!
Sofitels are known for their luxurious rooms and this hotel is no different. Even the lower end rooms without a view are incredibly comfortable and stylishly decorated.
Walking towards the Sofitel in Darling Harbour
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
The Ovolo Woolloomooloo is set on a pier just east of the botanic garden. It feels like a little oasis away from the busyness of the city, and it shares residence with some esteemed guests (we’ve been told that Russell Crowe owns one of the apartments on the pier). The pier is also home to some of Sydney’s best restaurants, including China Doll and Ottos, making it the perfect base for foodies.
The hotel is stylish, luxurious and you can wake up to harbour views that overlook the botanic garden. It’s a lovely walk into the city from here too.
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