Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s most vibrant waterfront precincts, which explains why there are so many excellent accommodation options in the area. And this list of the top 10 places to stay in Darling Harbour features a room for travellers on any budget.
Luxury with a capital L, the Darling is the first and only hotel in Sydney to be awarded Forbes’ prestigious five-star rating — the most coveted award in global luxury travel. Perched atop the Star Casino’s nine restaurants and seven bars, the 171 elegant boutique-style rooms include access to a full-service spa, gym and 25-metre outdoor pool.
Located within a charming historical building constructed in 1883, the Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments blend the spaciousness of your own serviced apartment with the facilities of a luxury hotel. The hotel features original tallowwood floors and exposed ironbark columns, as well as a fitness centre, travel desk, cafe and grocery store.
Located right on the doorstep of the vibrant waterfront food and drink scene around King Street Wharf, the 91 sleek rooms in this mid-range chain hotel enjoy particularly good public transport links for sightseeing around Sydney — and it’s just minutes from a ferry wharf, bus stop and Wynyard train station.
You can’t miss the Novotel, rising like a pyramid above the Harbourside Shopping Centre next to the newly revamped Convention Centre. The 525 rooms enjoy 4.5-star comfort, an outdoor pool and tennis court, a bar lounge and The Ternary restaurant, plus meeting rooms for business travellers and childcare services for families.
This four-star, all-apartment hotel on the city side of Darling Harbour is perfect for business travellers. Each of the 119 open-plan apartments features a self-contained kitchen and laundry, not to mention an indoor heated rooftop pool, fitness centre and an on-site restaurant.
This luxury hotel boasts towering views of both Darling Harbour and the city centre, featuring 340 plush rooms, three restaurants plus a business centre and a gym, with valet parking and childcare facilities also available.
Ovolo is a charming hotel which occupies an old heritage building where all the 90 rooms are decorated with striking contemporary art. Given it’s an old refurbished building, some of the rooms occupy strange, odd shaped spaces which makes the experience of staying here even more unique. You’ll also see design features that pay homage to the buildings history including exposed brick and industrial features.
A cosy bed and breakfast situated above the Dunkirk Hotel, a relaxed 19th-century pub that’s a favourite among Pyrmont locals and just a stroll from Darling Harbour. The Kirk on Harris Hotel features 12 plain – but comfortable – guest rooms with access to a rooftop terrace and laundry facilities.
Want the best views over Darling Harbour? Snap up this luxury two-bedroom apartment boasting an uninterrupted view of the Sydney city skyline, right next door to the Australian National Maritime Museum and Darling Harbour’s lively strip of bars and eateries.
The best budget option in Darling Harbour, offering affordable rooms just a stroll from Sydney’s bustling tourist precinct. The well-maintained heritage building contains 27 no-frills rooms catering to groups, families and individual travellers, with breakfast available for an additional charge.
