8 Best Hotels in The Rocks, Sydney

Most of this iconic Sydney hotel's 155 rooms have an Opera House view (they all have harbor views), enjoyed from one or two private balconies or large terraces. It's also ramped up its celebrity clientele reputation a notch with the addition of three new suites, including the largest in Sydney measuring at 3,853 square feet. The former rooftop pool area has been incorporated into THE SPA, a luxurious new retreat bedecked with poolside cabanas and all manner of health inducing aromatherapy steam rooms that open out onto an enormous terrace. Guest rooms and public areas are a study in sleek elegance decorated in chocolate, cream, and beige hues, plus sculptures, artwork, and photographs by Australian artists. Three dining venues—the Dining Room, the intimate Living Room (where daily afternoon tea is served), and The Bar—complete the gorgeous picture.

Formerly a wool-storage facility, this four-story hotel is an Accor MGallery property, which is a select portfolio of distinctive and individual hotels in Australia. Built in 1887 and converted into a hotel in 1989, the 59-room property has been stripped back to its foundations, exposing its original sandstone and brick. Despite modern furnishings, it still retains its historical character, and the bar (Eric's) and restaurant (Scarlett) are named after a pair of ill-fated lovers—a sailor and the madam of a brothel that stood next door to the hotel in the late 19th century. The lobby resembles a library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined with old tomes, historic photos grace the walls, and the cozy bar doubles as the check-in counter. Five room types range from heritage rooms to the top-floor harbor suite with glorious views of the Opera House. The courtyard terrace on the ground floor is the perfect place to escape the busy streets of The Rocks, filled with greenery and bathed in natural light.

More English country manor than inner-city hotel, this gorgeous property feels like a decadent, luxurious sanctuary. Previously called The Observatory, the hotel was taken over in 2013 by Langham Hotels, a British brand with many upscale hotels in its portfolio. Little has changed with the exception of new beds, known as Langham blissful beds (each with a custom-made feather topper) in each suite and guest room. The spacious rooms, with their Venetian- and Asian-inspired decor, have mahogany furnishings, antique reproductions, plush fabric, and some suites have four-poster beds. The spectacular indoor pool is surrounded by marble and potted palms, with a fresco of Van Gogh's The Starry Night on the ceiling. Taking afternoon tea in the Palm Court is a sophisticated delight. The hotel's single weakness is its lack of views, but that's like saying the Mona Lisa's single weakness is her crooked smile.

Towering above Walsh Bay from its prime position alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge, this sleek hotel is the place for a room with a bird's-eye view. North-facing rooms overlooking the water are the best; views on the other sides—Darling Harbour, the city, or the eastern suburbs—are less impressive. Rooms are large, modestly opulent, and decorated in pleasing autumnal colors. All have complimentary Wi-Fi. With a private bar and lounge, the Horizon Club floor has impeccable service, with a host to look after your needs. Altitude restaurant and the adjacent Blu Bar at 36 (on the 36th floor) provide terrific views of Sydney Harbour, especially in the evening. There's also an Asian-inspired day spa called CHI, the first of its kind in Australia. Look for deals on one-night stays over weekends.

If your idea of heaven is sleeping above a pub that brews its own boutique beers (or ales, as they're rightly called), this is the place. The hotel, hewn from Sydney sandstone, has been a popular watering hole with Sydneysiders and visitors for decades. Built in the early 1840s, the building has been restored to its former grandeur. While the nine guest rooms and the first-floor Lord Nelson Brasserie restaurant have exposed sandstone walls, their fittings and design are very contemporary. All rates include continental breakfast, and the hotel is a stroll from the Harbour Bridge. The bar is always busy on Friday night and most weekends as the craft beer is excellent.

Set in a historic building that was once a bustling cargo wharf, the hotel combines heritage charm with modern comfort and its location is unique, set right next to Sydney Harbour Bridge. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the bridge and Opera House from many of the elegant rooms and suites. It also boasts an inviting outdoor terrace, a heated swimming pool, and a well-equipped fitness center. Dining options include the hotel's signature restaurant, which offers a refined menu with local and seasonal ingredients, as well as a stylish bar for casual drinks and light bites. Its prime location also provides easy access to The Rocks while being tucked slightly out of the way in the quieter spot of Dawes Point.

Situated in the heart of the historic Rocks precinct, the lodging has a boutique-hotel style. The accommodations are a stone's throw from the attractions around Circular Quay, and several rooms have large picture windows with spectacular views of the Opera House. (The poolside breakfast lounge has a similar view.) If you hanker for something a little different—and more charming—seven historic two-story houses are available. Each has a bedroom and bathroom upstairs, and lounge (with sofa bed) and kitchen downstairs. The houses are ideal for families or extended-stay vacationers.

Even though it's been around for a few decades, this hotel with its low-key facade is still a bit of a secret. It's in a great location (right in The Rocks and about a two-minute walk from Circular Quay), and the rooftop pool and terrace have spectacular views of the Opera House, bridge, and harbor. The eight-story hotel has a dramatic central atrium topped with a glass roof; the guest rooms open out onto passageways that overlook the reception desk, lobby bar, and restaurant several stories below.