Looking for a hotel in Sydney with the perfect view of the iconic Harbour Bridge? You’re in luck, as there are plenty to choose from!
I remember the first time I laid eyes on Sydney Harbour and its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Back then, I was only 7 years old, and I’d just emigrated to Australia. I spent the next few years getting to know the city through the wide eyes of a child. Today, I can confidently say that this view remains one of the most spectacular sights in New South Wales.
Whether you’re organizing a business trip to Sydney or seeking the most romantic hotel in Sydney Harbour for your honeymoon or engagement night, I’ve compiled this guide to the best hotels with Harbour Bridge views.
Tip: My favourite is Four Seasons for its perfect location and View Sydney for a more affordable option with great views.
Which Suburbs Offer Sydney Harbour Bridge Views?
If it’s your first time visiting Sydney, finding a hotel can be a daunting task– the city is huge, and its layout can be confusing. There are five suburbs I’d recommend staying in if you’re looking for a hotel with a view of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge:
- The Rocks - a historic waterfront area packed with places to eat, drink and stay.
- Circular Quay - the bustling heart of Sydney Harbour, and one of the city’s major transport hubs.
- Kirribilli/Milsons Point - a quaint and peaceful area in north Sydney with great views of the harbour.
- Barangaroo - a lively hotspot for eating, drinking and shopping.
- Dawes Point/Walsh Bay - the oldest neighborhood in the city, lined with cobblestone streets and some of the oldest houses in Sydney.
Hotels in The Rocks with Harbour Bridge Views
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
- Best for: Harbour Bridge views from your bedroom
- Price: $$$
When it comes to hotels with a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge, it doesn’t get much better than the Four Seasons. When booking your room you can choose the full or partial view option which I love– if you don’t have the budget for the more expensive full view, you can still book a room with a great view.
Another selling point is the Four Seasons’ prime location– it’s a short walk to all of the CBD’s main attractions like the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Sydney Opera House, and there’s easy access to public transport nearby. When you aren’t out exploring, you can make the most of the hotel’s stylish restaurant or facilities like its rooftop pool and fitness center.
The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney
- Best for: travelers looking for a home away from home
- Price: $$
The Sebel Quay offers a range of apartments and suites that provide a home away from home feel, alongside an incredible view of the Harbour Bridge. Facilities in each apartment include a fully equipped kitchen, so this would be a great choice for families or anyone on vacation in Sydney who would benefit from being able to prepare themselves meals.
Many of the apartments have direct views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as the sun deck on the top floor of the hotel– which is also where the indoor pool and fitness suite is located.
Both the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay are located within a few minutes walk from the hotel, so it’s a great part of Sydney's CBD to stay in as a traveller.
YHA Sydney Harbour
- Best for: budget travelers and backpackers
- Price: $
If you’re a budget backpacker, you might think hotels with a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge are out of your price range, right? Well, you’ll be pleased to discover the YHA Sydney Harbour. This renowned chain of budget accommodation has multiple locations across Sydney, but their Sydney Harbour branch is located in the Rocks and has a rooftop with panoramic city views of both the bridge and the city skyline.
There are loads of rooms to choose from– you can book a single bed in a dorm or a private room, or you can even book a whole dorm if you’re traveling in a group. There’s a well-equipped communal kitchen and laundry facilities for you to use during your stay, and staff put on regular events like walking tours and BBQs to help you meet fellow travelers.
Book: YHA Sydney Harbour
Hotels in Circular Quay with Views of Sydney Harbour Bridge
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
- Best for: perfect balcony views
- Price: $$$
The Pullman Quay Grand is one of the best hotels in Sydney with harbour views, and private balconies to enjoy them from. This five-star hotel is located on the eastern edge of Circular Quay, so is perfectly situated for exploring attractions like the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Sydney Opera House.
There are some great options for eating and drinking within the hotel; Q Dining serves a range of traditional Australian dishes and Hyde Hacienda is the perfect place to sip on cocktails while enjoying the view over the harbour.
Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel
- Best for: a stay in the perfect location
- Price: $$$
The Sydney Harbour Marriott couldn’t be in a better location for exploring the city. The Sydney Observatory, Botanic Gardens, and Museum of Sydney are all within a short walk from the hotel, and anything further afield can be accessed easily due to the hotel's close proximity to public transport stations like Circular Quay and Wynyard.
Customs House Bar is a gastropub located onsite, and it’s been running for over 160 years. The outdoor beer garden here is a real sun trap, so it’s a lovely spot to enjoy a bite to eat after a busy day exploring Sydney.
Sydney Harbour Hotel
- Best for: rooftop pool with a view
- Price: $$
The real standout feature of the Sydney Harbour Hotel is the impressive rooftop pool, which has arguably one of the best views of the harbour you’ll find in the city. It’s in a great location and the bridge itself is only a few minutes walk away, as well as the starting point for Bridge Climb Sydney– for any travelers brave enough to climb the 134 meters to the top!
If you’re staying in Sydney before departing on a cruise, the Sydney Harbour Hotel would be a great choice as it’s just one street away from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Book: Sydney Harbour Hotel
Kirribilli/Milsons Point Hotels With Harbour Bridge Views
The Kirribilli
- Best for: families and large groups
- Price: $$
If you’re visiting Sydney as a family or with a group of friends, The Kirribilli is ideal for your stay. The spacious accommodation has four bedrooms and multiple bathrooms, as well as a small patio and parking.
The suburb of Kirribilli is in north Sydney (on the other side of the Harbour Bridge), and the upper floor of this house has great views over the bridge and the CBD. Despite being on the other side of the water, this accommodation is very well connected as there’s a handful of bus stops nearby as well as Jeffrey Street Wharf where you can catch the ferry to Circular Quay.
Book: The Kirribilli
View Sydney
- Best for: avoiding the crowds
- Price: $
The drawback to many hotels with a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge is that they’re located in the city’s busiest areas. View Sydney offers rooms with excellent views of the bridge and Luna Park, and is located in a quiet and laid-back suburb close to Kirribilli.
There’s an open-air terrace on site, as well as a restaurant, cocktail bar, and gym facilities. The hotel is a two-minute walk away from North Sydney Station which makes it super easy to travel around the city, and Luna Park is within walking distance. There are some great places to eat nearby, like Chedi Thai and Betty’s Burgers which are both less than ten minutes walk from the hotel.
Book: View Sydney
Meriton Suites North Sydney
- Best for: modern travelers
- Price: $$
The Meriton Suites is a luxury hotel with some of the best harbour views in the city, and rooms come equipped with a range of modern features to make your stay extra comfortable.
The hotel is spread across 29 floors, and the harbour views from the upper levels are unbeatable. The layout of each hotel room has been designed with this in mind, with floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies enabling guests to utilize the view.
Barangaroo: New Area With Harbour Bridge View Hotels
Crown Towers Sydney
- Best for: luxury travelers
- Price: $$$$
This five-star Sydney hotel is my top pick for luxury travelers searching for the best hotel in Sydney with harbour views. It’s super high end and the facilities are incredible, especially the large outdoor swimming pool which has panoramic views over the harbour. You can hire cabanas on the pool deck and order food and drink throughout the day– great for a special occasion, or just celebrating your trip to Sydney.
There’s also a tennis court and yoga terrace built into the hotel as well as an extensive gym and a spa with a brilliant menu of beauty and wellness treatments.
Many of the hotel’s rooms feature harbour bridge views, but for the best view of Sydney's skyline make sure to head up to the Sky Deck on the 83rd floor.
Book: Crown Towers Sydney
The Langham Sydney
- Best for: incredible service
- Price: $$$
Every aspect of the Langham operates with guests' comfort in mind, and it’s a serene and elegant retreat from the city. The staff at the hotel are on hand to help with everything from booking private transfers to local restaurant recommendations; and reviews of the hotel consistently praise their friendly service.
Some of the deluxe rooms and suites have views over the harbour bridge, and others overlook the city– whichever one you choose, you can expect a beautiful view as the hotel is in a stunning surrounding. The Observatory Hill Park is just across the street from the hotel, and it’s a great place to head for sunset views of the harbour.
Book: The Langham Sydney
Dawes Point/Walsh Bay Hotels With Views of the Harbour Bridge
Pier One Sydney Harbour
- Best for: a unique waterfront stay
- Price: $$
This stylish Marriott hotel is located about as close to Sydney Harbour Bridge as you can get– it’s built on and over the water, right underneath the bridge. The hotel makes the most of its waterfront location with its own private pontoon, which guests are welcome to spend time relaxing on.
The location of Pier One makes it a great base for exploring the city. The best dining options across the restaurants and bars of The Rocks and Circular Quay are all within walking distance, as is Barangaroo and Darling Harbour.
Pier One is a great choice if you’re traveling with your furry friend– it’s super dog friendly, and they even offer a special ‘puppy package’ which includes features like a luxury dog bed and a dog-friendly room service menu.
Book: Pier One Sydney Harbour
Hotel Palisade
- Best for: a historic Sydney stay
- Price: $$
Hotel Palisade was first built in 1915, and operated for many years as a more modest affair than what it is today.
As one of the city's heritage buildings, it sits at the foot of the harbour bridge and was a popular drinking spot for construction workers whilst the bridge was being built. The hotel lay empty for a period of time before the current owners started a massive refurbishment, reopening in 2015. The designers of the hotel have put considerable effort into keeping the building's history intact, while modernizing it through stylish design.
The star of the show is Henry Deane, the rooftop bar named after the man who built the hotel. It’s split across two levels and serves an extensive range of cocktails and food dishes, and the uninterrupted views over Sydney Harbour Bridge make this a pretty perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Book: Hotel Palisade
Park Hyatt Sydney
- Best for: a five star stay
- Price: $$$$
The Park Hyatt is one of the best and most luxurious hotels in Sydney with harbour views. The rooftop pool is one of the most beautiful in the city; it’s sleek and modern and offers a magnificent opera house view.
There are 150 guest rooms at the Park Hyatt, each of which is spacious and immaculately designed. When you’re booking you’re able to opt for a view of the opera house or the harbour, and whichever view you pick you can be sure that the floor-to-ceiling windows in each room will show it off perfectly.
Book: Park Hyatt Sydney
Don't Miss These Activities in Sydney Harbour
If you're looking for something to do whilst staying in Sydney Harbour I have some suggestions below to fill in the time. Alternatively I would also suggest the Harbour Bridge Climb for those adrenaline junkies!
Enjoy an unlimited feast whilst sitting above the skyline of Sydney city whilst rotating at a 360 view restaurant.
2. Thunder Thrill Ride Adrenaline
Get the heart pumping with the Thunder Thrill Ride around the Sydney Harbour. It's a bang for buck experience and great for those wanting to see the city from the water if you like going fast.
Step inside the iconic Opera House with a knowledgeable guide and learn about the history of this magnificent building. You might even catch a rehersal in action!
FAQs About Booking Hotels in Sydney Harbour
Where is the best place to take a picture of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
In my opinion, the best place to take a picture of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is from Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens. This location offers a stunning panoramic view of the bridge with the Opera House in the foreground (it's the most iconic shot in the city). Otherwise, take a photo from one of the hotel balconies in this roundup!
Where is the best place to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge together?
My favourite spot to view both the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is from Circular Quay. This area provides a direct line of sight to both landmarks, allowing for spectacular viewing and photography, especially at sunrise or sunset. Some of my best photos of the city (including during Vivid) were taken here.
What suburbs have a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
Suburbs with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge include The Rocks, Circular Quay, Kirribilli, Milsons Point, Barangaroo, and Dawes Point/Walsh Bay. These areas offer various hotels and accommodations with direct views of the bridge (take a pick from this guide).
What is special about the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most famous and photographed landmarks. If you Google Sydney, you'll likely see a photo of the Opera House and the Bridge. It's known for its striking design and massive scale, and it's also the world's tallest steel arch bridge and is vital for both cars and pedestrian traffic. The bridge is also famous for the BridgeClimb experience, an iconic experience to the summit for epic views of the harbour.
Can you see the Harbour Bridge from Darling Harbour?
While Darling Harbour offers its own amazing views and iconic attractions, it does not offer direct views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For the best views, head to areas like The Rocks, Circular Quay, or across the harbour in Kirribilli.
As you can see, there are a lot of amazing hotels to choose from! Hopefully this guide will help you find the best hotel with a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge to stay in during your trip!
Before you head off, here are some other great travel guides to Australia!