Sydney, Australia
After a few days in Melbourne, we traveled to Sydney and spent five nights at the new Capella Hotel. I had been to Sydney once before for my honeymoon, twenty-five years ago, and I was excited to see how the city had changed as well as explore some new neighborhoods.
We flew from Melbourne to Sydney on Qantas, which took about half an hour. It was easy, and I’d have no problem taking Qantas again.
The Capella Hotel
On our last trip, we stayed at The Park Hyatt down by the water. While it offered beautiful views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, I wanted to try something different this trip. We chose to stay at the Capella, a brand-new property located in Circular Quay and Sydney’s Central Business District.
The Park Hyatt, last renovated in 2012, offers magical water views and a chic, dark, contemporary interior throughout. Its location makes it easy to access ferries, though getting out of the hotel involves walking through The Rocks, which feels a bit touristy and typical of a city’s waterfront. The outdoor pool overlooking the water is definitely a plus, especially during the warmer months.
The Capella has a sophisticated and open atmosphere. Its central courtyard, which connects the ground-floor spaces, features outdoor furniture and green walls, with a glass roof that creates a garden-like feel. The spaces are bright and fresh, with high ceilings and plenty of plants, adding a touch of nature throughout.
The hotel bar was a pleasant place to unwind—nicely crowded, but not too packed to meet someone for a drink or casual meeting. Located in the CBD, the Capella is only a 10-minute walk from the Park Hyatt and waterfront but closer to the bustling center of the city, making it more convenient to get in and out by Uber. The Capella is also in the process of building another structure across the street with event space, a rooftop bar, and more restaurants. One thing to note about the Capella is that its entrance can be tricky to find at night—there are no exterior lights outside the property, so while it’s not hidden, the entrance is hard to spot.
We booked the Skyline Suite at the Capella, which I liked. The suite featured a decent-sized living room and a dining table. Although we didn’t spend much time in the room, it was nice to have the extra space. The bathroom was great, with a lovely tub and a makeup table that let me easily lay out my things. The closet, which was part of the bathroom behind a glass door, had a chic look, but opening the glass door multiple times to access the closet was a little annoying.
The gym was impressive, with "green walls" that added greenery and texture to the otherwise white space. The layout was fairly open, and it had all the basics you would need for a good workout. There is also an indoor pool with a glass roof that lets in plenty of natural light. While it was a great amenity, it wasn’t as stunning as the indoor pools at places like the Aman in Tokyo or the Four Seasons in Philadelphia, which feel more special.
In terms of dining at the hotel, we only ate breakfast there, and I found myself disappointed in the buffet selection. It felt underwhelming for such a new property. That being said, the service was wonderful—one morning, I was in a rush and requested a green juice to go, and they had it ready for me in no time. One small pet peeve was the pineapple buns that were sent to our room upon check-in, which was a fun welcome gesture; however, after we ate two, the remaining buns sat untouched for five days.
The hotel did provide thoughtful little gifts and notes every night, such as pillow spray and a small notebook to jot down thoughts—those small touches made returning to the room each night feel special.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Sydney and a waterfront view is a must, then the Park Hyatt is a great option. That being said, I preferred the Capella this time, as I wasn’t particularly focused on the view. I would absolutely stay at the Capella again on a return trip.
Tip— If you arrive in Sydney in the early afternoon, as we did, and need a quick, healthy bite, check out the small food court located near the hotel. It has great options, including Fishbowl, an Australian poke bowl and salad concept.
Activities, Neighborhoods, and Restaurants
I highly recommend chartering a boat for 2-3 hours to see Sydney from the water. Many private charter companies offer harbor tours, but I suggest going beyond the harbor and into the bay to see beaches and beautiful spots like Double Bay, Rose Bay, and Vaucluse.
If you’re adventurous and not afraid of heights, the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb is a really fun activity. The climb is around 3 hours, and during the experience, you’re securely attached to the bridge via a cabled safety system. The climb can be canceled due to high winds or storms, so it’s a good idea to check the weather before your visit.
For a fun and scenic ride, hop on a public ferry from Circular Quay (near The Rocks) to Manly Beach. It’s a great area, and the ferry ride itself is enjoyable.
Make sure to explore the different areas around Sydney, as they each offer their own charm, much like how the West Village in NYC has a very different vibe compared to the Upper East Side. A smart way to do this is to hire a guide on day one or two of your trip, as we did, to drive you through the neighborhoods for a few hours and note the ones you want to go back to and explore more in-depth.
Bondi
Bondi Beach and the surrounding beaches are a must-see. I highly recommend the paved cliff walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach (or vice versa). The walk offers spectacular views of all the beaches and is about a 3-mile journey. If you wear a swimsuit, you can stop along the way and take a dip. It can get crowded on weekends, so it’s better to go during the week. Australians have a strong beach and outdoor culture, likely due to the beautiful year-round weather.
Unlike places like Miami, there are no hotels on the beach with umbrellas and lounge chairs. Instead, people simply bring their own towels and use them while lying out. That said, I did find one recently opened stand on Bondi Beach that rented out umbrellas and fold-up metal chairs, which is a nice option for getting some shade.
For lunch, check out Raw Bar. It offers indoor/outdoor seating and serves extra-large hand rolls with incredibly fresh ingredients. Right next door is Harry’s, a cozy cafe known for its unique iced coffees served in fun, clear cans. It’s the perfect spot for a coffee break, especially in the heat. Sushi Next Door, located inside Harry’s, is another perfect sushi spot in Bondi—but it is worth noting that it is only open on weekends.
GetSashimi is another sushi restaurant in the area. While I didn’t try it personally, it seems to have a fun concept where you choose your rolls or sashimi from a glass case, and they box it up for takeout. There are also four counter seats with a revolving counter if you'd like to sit inside, and it's conveniently located directly across from the beach.
Totti’s is a fantastic Italian restaurant with great pasta and a pizza oven. I prefer the outdoor tables on the back patio, which offers prettier surroundings than the indoor seating.
Gelato Messina has incredibly fresh gelato in classic and creative flavors. Located two blocks from the beach, it’s always hopping and will have a line in the evenings.
For drinks, check out Icebergs. This iconic spot sits above the famous pool, giving you the perfect view of the water and the coastline. It’s a must-visit for drinks with a view!
Paddington
Paddington is a trendy, suburban area with a fun vibe, and visitors should definitely check out the boutique Parlour X and the Intersection Paddington. The biggest disappointment in terms of dining, though, was Saint Peter. Billed as a must-visit, Saint Peter has an all-fish tasting menu, even incorporating fish into dessert. While the intimate atmosphere and open kitchen concept were appealing, and the presentation of the dishes was beautiful, the food was bland and lacked any flavor.
Surry Hills
Surry Hills has a unique charm. Its streets are lined with colorful Victorian terrace houses, complete with ornate metal fences, giving the area a distinct, eclectic feel. Bills has another location here in Surry Hills as well.
We had a decent meal at Arthur, an intimate, Australian spot known for its locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant was quiet during lunch, with only four other couples there. The service was excellent—I loved hearing the explanations of the dishes—but the food itself was just okay.
Double Bay
Double Bay, where we were dropped off after our boat ride, offers the best boutique shopping experience in Sydney. It feels chic and neighborhood-like, with many families and friends gathering for cocktails and coffee. We even stumbled upon a great upscale farmers' market.
While in Double Bay, we had sandwiches at Baker Bleu and later enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Margaret. Margaret has a lively, crowded, fun atmosphere, with indoor and outdoor seating. The engaging waitstaff and delicious food made it a great spot to go if you want to feel like a local. The black figs with stracciatella, saba, and sourdough croutons and the rotisserie sommerlad chicken with smoked eggplant and almond dressing were standout dishes.
One of my favorite stores in Double Bay was Hannah, a boutique with feminine, flowy dresses in colorful patterns. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I absolutely loved Australia and would happily go back. There’s so much more to explore, like Byron Bay, Tasmania, and the desert. I’ve heard great things about the Longitude 131 hotel in Ayer’s Rock, and I can’t wait to see more beyond the major cities.