Heading to Sydney for a long weekend? Thanks to Booking.com and its flexible cancellation policies, we have a hot list of where to stay, eat, drink and shop. Style director Louise Hilsz shares her favourite spots.
Style director Louise Hilsz in Sydney overlooking the harbour bridge with Melbourne based friend Tara Angus (check out her cool Melbourne apartment here) and partner Ben Emirali.
Where to stay
For a fun girls’ weekend or a romantic getaway, Sydney has the ultimate in luxury and style when choosing where to stay. Here are my favourite hotels.
Crown Towers Hotel
First up, you will be mesmerised by the stunning views across Sydney Harbour when you book into this hotel. Then, the infinity pool with private cabanas and an exclusive day spa will make you want to stay for a month. A five-star resort hotel that offers world-class dining at iconic restaurants, such as Nobu and Oncore by Clare Smyth, as well as all-day dining at Epicurean. The suites and villas designed by the New York City-based designer Meyer Davis have floor-to-ceiling windows so you can soak in the view day or night. And for those who are into fitness, it’s a 15 minutes walk from The Rocks and Martin Place Station or a 20-minute walk from Circular Quay Ferries - it’s a unique hotel in a spectacular city.
By far the hippest hotel in Sydney, especially if you’re on a girl’s weekend. It’s minutes away from Hyde Park and, more importantly, Pitt Street Mall for a spot of shopping. QT Sydney offers it all a restaurant, bar, cafe and spaQ . From the moment you step in the lift in the historic Gowings Department Store and Sydney State Theatre site, the fun starts, and once you hit the room, the designer furnishings, a luxe-y spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, and guest toiletries make it feel like a home away from home. Five minutes walk to the best nightlife options of bars, live music venues and nightclubs and 20-minutes to beautiful Bondi Beach.
This was my pick of places to stay in the first Southern Hemisphere location for the acclaimed American hotel, Ace. It bought back great memories of my stay at Ace in Palm Springs. Like its sister hotel in Cali, here's what you can expect. With the choice of 257 rooms, designed by Melbourne-based Flack Studio. From spacious suites with slick leather sofas and freestanding baths with a view out over Surry Hills. In rooms with a city view from the terrace, there is 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Start your day at Ace with a full breakfast or just a pasty on the run; Ace Hotel has plenty on offer for die-hard foodies like me. For a unique dining experience, head to Loam. Then there's the Lobby, a casual bar perfect for a quick catch-up over a glass of wine. And finally, Good Chemistry – a cute laneway café, morphs into a busy bar after five. With only 10 Ace Hotels across the globe, Sydney securing the first one in the Southern Hemisphere is a real coup - put a weekend at Ace on your bucket list.
Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travellers to use when booking their next trip. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Getaway 2022” badge, and are valid for stays with check-out on or before 30 September 2022.
EAT & DRINK
For a long lunch or a luxurious dinner, cocktails on a rooftop or the best coffee, Sydney has it all.
Shell House
Shell House is a to-die-for luxury dining experience. It’s the place to be seen while you enjoy a light ladies’ lunch surrounded by high-end divine decor. Come evening; the seductive lighting makes the Sky Bar the perfect place to order a cocktail or two. Dinner for four was fabulous; the staff were wonderfully attentive, and the vibe - was just right. I still dream about the cacio ‘e’ pepe risotto (an iconic Italian cheese and pepper dish) with freshly shaved truffle; my fellow diners are desperate for another plate of lobster ravioli. This is a five-star dining experience, people - you must book.
Alegra
Head to Alegra for a long lunch at this up-market Mexican destination on Sydney’s harbour. The decor feels like something you would find in Bali with that same fun but chill vibe. Every Saturday arvo, there’s a DJ, and after a few cocktails, you may be tempted to dance. My recommendation is, start with the corn dip, then corn ribs (yes I love corn), and if you have room for dessert, the milk chocolate delice (mousse) with passionfruit and habanero foam; it’s next-level amazing.
Totti’s Bondi
Totti’s Bondi is an institution in Sydney. If you love Italian (or having fun), this is the place to visit Our pick was the Truffle ( I love Truffle with anything) mushroom lasagna, fettuccine in tomato sugo stracciatella, wood-fried bread, burrata and tomatoes - the list goes on. It’s the perfect great way to enjoy Bondi without the sand.
Where to shop
Shopping in Sydney is like shopping in any major international city; you’re spoilt for choice. In the heart of the CBD, you have all the luxury brands within walking distance of each based around the Pitt St Mall. This flows onto iconic Australian department stores Myer and David Jones. You also have your choice of fast fashion, Zara, HYPE, Sportsgirl, Uniqlo, and it would be remiss not to mention Mecca.
For those more discerning shoppers out there, head to Newtown. Famous for its quirky, bohemian spirit, it’s in Newtown you’ll find eclectic vintage shopping - or that forever leather jacket, everyone comments on. Beautifully-restored 19th-century terrace houses dot the streets, complemented by vibrant street art, this Sydney neighbourhood is uber-cool.
Lastly the five ways intersection in Paddington. The Intersection is a strip of handpicked edgy boutiques and upcoming Australian designers on the corner of Oxford St and Glenmore Rd in Paddington. Are you will find brands like Camilla & Marc, Dion Lee. Manning Cartel and Flannel.
