The style set: Top 12 hotels in Sydney

The Sebel Sydney Martin Place: You're in the heart of the CBD when you check in to this 86-room boutique property, which recently opened after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Some of Sydney's biggest drawcards - from Circular Quay and Hyde Park to Queen Victoria Building and Pitt Street Mall - are just a few minutes' walk away.

The concept of convenience continues inside the hotel, too. Every room features a kitchenette with an Italian terrazzo benchtop, microwave and complimentary tea and coffee with a Nespresso machine. From $289 per room, per night; all.accor.com

Pier One Sydney Harbour: A stay at Pier One - housed in a former cargo wharf and passenger terminal, dating back to 1912 - is a great way to soak up some history. Heritage features such as pitched roofs, exposed beams and original window frames have resulted in rooms like you'll find nowhere else, with timeless views that further mesmerise the senses - some rooms are so close to the Harbour Bridge that you feel like you can reach out and touch the arches.

A waterside bar and a brand-new restaurant further dial up the fun factor. Oh, and did we mention the property is dog-friendly? No need to leave Fido behind. From $284 per room, per night; pieronesydneyharbour.com.au

Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park: If luxury is space then it'll be hard to look past this CBD hotel, where even the smallest rooms offer 40 square metres of real estate at competitive prices. Big windows (many with Hype Park views), spacious marble ensuites and thoughtful add-ons such as work desks make this hotel perfect for business travellers, with special discounted rates for guests who want to stay for 14 days or longer.

And with a Club Lounge on the 21st floor, a 24-hour gym, a world-class spa and a brand-new restaurant (Sydney Common) serving up top-notch modern Australian fare, there really is no reason to leave. From $350 per room, per night; marriott.com

Park Hyatt Sydney: Many Sydney hotels boast incredible views but it's hard to go past the ones here. You're this close to the magnificent sails when you book one of the Opera View rooms, with a constant flurry of ferries adding further drama to the vistas and making it one unforgettable Sydney escape.

Just don't forget to take your wallet - priceless views come with hefty price tags north of the one-grand mark. From $1130 per room, per night; hyatt.com

Capella Sydney: Housed in two sandstone buildings dating back to the early 1900s, this $300-million lair will take your breath away with impeccably appointed guestrooms, a two-hatted onsite restaurant (Brasserie 1930) and a central courtyard with a kinetic sculpture that opens and closes like flowers.

But perhaps the most memorable aspect of the hotel is the faultless service, which has raised the bar for Australian hospitality venues since its opening in mid 2023. From $750 per room, per night; capellahotels.com

Read the full Capella Sydney hotel review here.

W Sydney: The W chain of hotels is well known for bold, dramatic design, so it's only natural this property - the world's biggest W - will try to outdo the rest.

Soak up the theatrics at the lobby-level Living Room bar and restaurant complete with dazzling bronze accents, at the rooftop infinity pool with wide-angle Darling Harbour views and inside the asymmetrical guest rooms with bright floral walk-in-robes. From $409 per room, per night; marriott.com

Read the full W Sydney hotel review here.

Crystalbrook Albion: There are just 35 rooms at this gem of a neighbourhood hotel - housed in a former convent, dating back to the early 1900s - in Sydney's leafy Surry Hills. Entry-level rooms are compact and cosy at 15 square metres, so if more space is desired and if the budget allows, splash out on the Albion Suite with a four-poster bed, a four-seater dining table and a deep bathtub. From $239 per room, per night; crystalbrookcollection.com/albion

A by Adina Sydney: Centrally located A by Adina offers premium apartment-style accommodation, with options ranging from studio-style abodes to two-bedroom lairs.

An indoor pool and a state-of-the art gym on the 21st floor, and a glamorous rooftop bar on level 22 are sure to keep both kids and adults happy. From $270 per room, per night; abyadina.com

Read more on Explore:

There are some astonishingly beautiful beaches in Sydney, which only means one thing: a number of great beachside digs. Here are our favourites.

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel: You can smell the surf and hear the waves at this boutique hotel, where water-facing rooms offer panoramic views of the Sydney skyline. There's so much to do here: check out the view from the Gap cliff, chill out on beaches such as Watsons Bay and Camp Cove, and hike to the Hornby Lighthouse on the tip of South Head for 360-degree vistas.

Bondi QT: This hotel is well known for designer interiors, but the real drawcard here is the proximity to arguably the world's most famous beach. Head there first thing in the morning for a surf, swim or just a simple barefoot walk on the creamy sand before the big crowds and tourist buses arrive.

Jonah's: The spiritual home of Home and Away, Palm Beach is not the easiest or quickest place to get to. But checking into one of the luxurious rooms at Jonah's means you can slow down and really soak up the location's laidback charms without having to rush back. A fine-dining onsite restaurant is another reason to simply stay put.

Manly Pacific: Barefoot guests heading to the world-renowned Manly beach are a common sight in the lobby of this hotel - it's that close to the sand. Elegant rooms with private balconies and sheer white drapes billowing in the breeze complete the picture.