With beautiful beaches, a world-famous nightlife, massive museums, and some of the most iconic architecture in Australia, Sydney is a city where you can spend weeks exploring and no two days will ever be spent the same.
The start of any great vacation in Sydney is picking a hotel. Why not ditch the massive impersonal hotel chains and call one of the more cozy boutique hotels home while traveling through Sydney? Finding these trendy hotels tucked into the city is actually be easier said than done.
Lucky for you, we have brought together all of the best boutique hotels in Sydney to one place. Before you know you will be checking into some of the homiest hotels in all of Australia!
Slip-on your flip flops and grab a good book, you will be lounging about in Sydney before you know it!
Quick answer: The Best Boutique Hotels in Sydney
Best Overall Boutique Hotel in Sydney – Little Albion
Best Budget-Friendly Boutique Hotel in Sydney – The Retreat
Best Cheap Boutique Hotel in Sydney – 1831 Boutique Hotel
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney Near Woolloomooloo – Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Best Boutique Luxury Hotel in Sydney – The Old Clare Hotel
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney for Kids and Families – QT Bondi
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney With Breakfast – Harbour Rocks
Best 4-Star Boutique Hotel in Sydney – Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Best 5-Star Boutique Hotel in Sydney – Pier One Sydney Harbour
Best New Boutique Hotel in Sydney – Adge Apartments
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney With a View – Hotel Palisade
#1 – Little Albion
Best Overall Boutique Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$
- 0.5 km from City Center
- Onsite bar and Rooftop Terrace
Why Little Albion is a Great Boutique Hotel:
The Little Albion sets the bar for what makes a great boutique hotel in Sydney. It’s not just the hotel’s chic design and modern rooms that make it stand apart from all the rest of the pack, but the laid back atmosphere of the Little Albion is sure to make you feel right at home.
The Little Albion is so much more than just a place to crash at night, with 2 event spaces, an onsite bar, and a rooftop terrace offering stunning views of the city, you can expect to spend a fair amount of your time simply exploring the hotel and lounging about in the public spaces!
Heading to Sydney? Save some money with our guide to the coolest hostels in Sydney!
#2 – The Retreat
Best Budget-Friendly Boutique Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $
- 7 km from City Center
- A Garden and Two Lounges
Why The Retreat is a Great Boutique Hotel:
If you are a bit strapped for cash, that does not mean that you can’t still experience the boutique side of Sydney. The Retreat is less of a hotel and more of a luxury homestay located in the suburb of Randwick. Although you are a bus ride away from the CBD, you will find that all of Syndey’s beaches and the best restaurants are a short walk away!
The hotel itself can be described as warm and homey, making you feel just like a local while staying in Sydney. With its very own garden, two lounges, and a sun terrace, The Retreat is the perfect place to spend a lazy day after exploring every corner of the city!
Looking for the Party? We’ve got you covered with our guide to the best party hostels in Sydney!
#3 – 1831 Boutique Hotel
Best Cheap Boutique Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $
- 0.5 km from City Center
- Lounges and a Shared Kitchen
Why 1831 is a Great Boutique Hotel:
For both the price and the location the 1831 Boutique Hotel provides its guests with an experience that can be beaten! Putting you right in the heart of the action in downtown Sydney, you will find that all the best attractions, restaurants and bars are just a minute’s walk from your door!
1831 Boutique Hotel will help your trip get started on the right foot with their very own tour desk. When you aren’t out exploring Sydney, expect to be lounging in luxury back at the hotel. With cozy rooms and several lounges spread out throughout the hotel, 1831 is one of those places that you will be considered extending your stay!
Need specifics? We also have our favorite hostels near Central Station Sydney!
#4 – Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney Near Woolloomooloo
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$
- 1.4 km from City Center
- Indoor Pool and Fitness Center
Why Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a Great Boutique Hotel:
Located in an old warehouse, Ovolo Woolloomooloo has transformed the wharf into a living breathing art museum. The stunning design, inviting lounges, and modern are is more than enough on its own to make your jaw hit the floor the second you step foot into this boutique hotel.
Ovolo Woolloomooloo is one of those boutique hotels which you will never want to tear yourself away from with its relaxing vibes, trendy lounges, coffee shop, indoor pool, and even a fitness center. Blending a hotel’s atmosphere with 5-star comfort, booking yourself into Ovolo Woolloomooloo is a no brainer!
We are obsessed with backpacks – we’ve tried them all! And our favourite carry on backpack in the WORLD is the Nomatic Travel Backpack. This backpack has revolutionized the backpack industry and will change the way you travel forever :) Check it out here!
#5 – The Old Clare Hotel
Best Boutique Luxury Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$$
- 0.5 km from City Center
- Sun Terrace and Bar
Why The Old Clare is a Great Boutique Hotel:
The Old Clare is well known throughout Sydney as being one of the best boutique hotels in town. Not only is it located in the CBD, close to all the best sights of the downtown area, but The Old Clare also wows its guests with its bohemian charm and 5-star luxury experience.
The sun terrace and bar are just the tip of the iceberg of perks hidden inside this trendy hotel. The design alone is more than enough to have you reconsidering ever wanting to leave Sydney. With its artsy decor and cozy rooms, The Old Clare is sure to provide you with a stay which you will never forget!
Have an early flight? Book a hostel near Sydney AIRPORT to have a stress-free morning!
#6 – QT Bondi
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney for Kids and Families
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$
- 6 km from City Center
- Fitness Center and Kitchen
Why QT Bondi is a Great Boutique Hotel:
If you are traveling as a family, QT Bondi is here to go down the list and check all the boxes for not only one of the best boutique hotels for kids but also for adults as well. Putting you within a few steps of the iconic beach, fun is just a few minutes away. With loads of restaurants and cafes nearby, you will night have to worry about dragging your kids halfway across town to get a bite to eat.
It’s not just the location which makes QT Bondi blow all the other Hotels out of the water, this boutique hotel is home to original art done by local artists, a fitness center, and of course some of the coziest rooms that you can find on Bondi Beach!
Have some time? Get out of the city with these epic day trips from Sydney!
#7 – Harbour Rocks
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney With Breakfast
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$
- 0.3 km from City Center
- Onsite Restaurant and Bar
Why Harbour Rocks is a Great Boutique Hotel:
Saying that the Harbour Rocks simply offers breakfast would be underselling this 5-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Harbour Rocks not only offers breakfast, but the Hotel’s onsite restaurant will be serving you your meals in their very own heritage dining room! This is the kind of Hotel where antique charm is mixed with modern comfort!
It’s not just the mouthwatering food which will have you wanting to press that book button, Harbour Rocks has some of the coziest lounges, a library, an inviting courtyard, and a decor which is the envy of the rest of Sydney. For a one of a kind experience, look no further than Harbour Rocks!
Need to save money? Check out the cheapest hostels in Sydney!
#8 – Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Best 4-Star Boutique Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$
- 6.0 km from City Center
- Waterfront Location and Bar
Why Watsons Bay is a Great Boutique Hotel:
Taking you outside all the hustle and bustle of the city, this boutique hotel will have you waking up every morning with stunning views of Watsons Bay. What could be better than staying at a 4-star beachfront property you may ask? This boutique Hotel goes above and beyond to wow their guests with their very own onsite restaurant and even a bar!
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel continues to amaze with its hospitable staff and cozy rooms which will make you want to call Sydney home for good! For one of the most relaxing stays in all of Sydney, look no further than Watsons Bay!
Want to learn more about Sydney? These are the most AMAZING tours in Sydney!
#9 – Pier One Sydney Harbour
Best 5-Star Boutique Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$$
- 0.4 km from City Center
- Onsite Restaurant
Why Pier One Sydney Harbour is a Great Boutique Hotel:
You better strap in tight, because this next boutique hotel is going to knock your socks off! Pier One Sydney Harbour is a 5-star luxury hotel which will not only have you staying right smack in the middle of downtown Sydney but will also have you waking up every morning to views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge!
The views of Pier One Sydney Harbour just barely scratches the surface of everything this boutique hotel has to offer. With contemporary decor, a gym, and even an onsite restaurant and bar, this is the kind of hotel that will never cease to amaze you!
No plans tonight? Check into one of Australia’s party hostels for more than just a place to sleep!
#10 – Adge Apartments
Best New Boutique Hotel in Sydney
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$
- 2.5 km from City Center
- Lounges
Why Adge Apartments is a Great Boutique Hotel:
Want to feel even more like a local while staying in Sydney? The recently opened Adge Apartments offers modern units with an artistic twist. Putting you right in the middle of Surry Hills, you are sure to find all of the best restaurants and bars within walking distance of your room!
From the location to the apartments themselves, Adge Apartments is the kind of place which you will never want to be checking out of. Each of these boutique units comes with their very own lounge and views of the stunning Sydney skyline!
#11 – Hotel Palisade
Best Boutique Hotel in Sydney With a View
- Reviews → Check on Booking.com
- $$$
- 0.4 km from City Center
- Onsite Bar
Why Hotel Palisade is a Great Boutique Hotel:
Both the airy cute rooms and stunning views of the Sydney Harbour make Hotel Palisade one of the top boutique hotels in all of Australia! A look at the rooms alone will make you speechless and have you pressing that book button in a heartbeat. Top it all off with some of the best views you could ask for, staying at Hotel Palisade is an opportunity you won’t want to pass up!
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Hotel Palisade ups the ante with its very own onsite bar, restaurant, and terrace. With all the best sites and nightlife near the hotel, you just can’t find a place that can beat Hotel Palisade!
Conclusion to the Best Boutique Hotels in Sydney
It won’t take much to sell you on traveling to Sydney Australia! With its lively nightlife, stunning architecture, and golden beaches, this is the vacation of your dreams!
In Sydney, you will find loads of boutique hotels throughout the city, but choosing just one is easier said than done. With each one offering a different experience and vibe, we totally understand if you are still scratching your head on where to stay.
For the best decor and location, you just can’t go wrong with Little Albion, which makes it our pick for the best boutique hotel in Sydney!
Pack up your bags! You will be relaxing and exploring Sydney before you know it!
***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation through the site, One Weird Globe will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep the site going :)