where to stay in Sydney, Australia

reflections at the Park Hyatt Sydney (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

I have stayed at three different hotels during my various visits to Sydney, Australia. During the most recent visit (earlier this month), we spent three days ensconced at the beautiful Park Hyatt Sydney. We were fortunate to be upgraded to a Deluxe Opera room, really the size of a Junior Suite. Our room boasted a direct view of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Large and beautiful, it was decorated with the cool contemporary styling you'd expect of Park Hyatt. Ask for #343, located at the section of the building's curve with the best, dead-on view of the Opera House.

I'm partial to staying in or near The Rocks, the neighborhood of Sydney in which the first British settlers built their homes and businesses. As you can see in the picture to the left, Four Seasons Sydney is adjacent to The Rocks. I highly recommend booking a Premier Opera House room here, twice as large as Deluxe rooms for just a small premium in price. You'll love the panoramic views — the Sydney Harbour Bridge at your left and the Opera House on the right. If you visit during Vivid Sydney, you'll enjoy the colorful light show right from your room.

Highly recommended is the Langham Sydney, also located in the Rocks. The Langham features a more residential, less corporate feel. It is set on an historic street in the midst of dozens of original houses and shops. Its interior has recently been renovated, and guest rooms feature the largest King beds I've ever seen. While you will not have an opera house view from any of the rooms, I loved the sense of place and the pleasure of stepping out the front door into the most historic part of town.

Virtuoso and preferred partner amenities are available at each of these hotels — meaning you'll receive complimentary daily breakfasts for two, $100 credits, and room upgrades if they are available.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

scenes from a harbour cruise in Sydney

Opera House under the Sydney Harbour Bridge (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Today, I officially fell in love with Sydney, a photogenic city like few others on earth. My day began by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's an easy climb, though a bit windy up there. Operated by a private company, BridgeClimb Sydney, it's a very fun (though somewhat pricey) way to spend a few hours. You'll need to purchase tickets in advance, as all groups climb under the supervision of a guide. It was a pleasant experience — I felt no fear whatsoever — and the safety precautions are significant. You take no objects onto the bridge, including cameras and even wristwatches, and you're strapped onto a tether that ensures your safety.

But the best views came afterwards when our group enjoyed a private four hour lunch cruise of the harbour. We headed back towards the bridge around 3:30 p.m. when the sun was getting low in the sky to the west. Passing under the bridge afforded the view seen above.

Sydney Opera House at sunset (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Sunset brought the most memorable moment of all. I had finished my site inspection of the Park Hyatt Sydney (in a word, WOW!) and was walking back to the Four Seasons Sydney and captured the image above with the pink glow of the sunset.

Not a bad day when I can remember moments like those in the two photographs I took!

copyright  (c)  2016 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.