The Capella Hotel, Sydney is a luxurious hotel with a superb location, excellent service, and accommodations exuding quiet opulence. Originally built as the Department of Education in 1912, after a painstaking renovation it opened as Capella Hotels' first Australian location in March, 2023.
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Booking the Capella Hotel, Sydney
Typically, I will book directly with the hotel, but for truly luxury hotels, I use Premium Flyer, for a more VIP treatment (which is important if you don't have status within a brand's loyalty program). By booking via Premium Flyer, I was able to secure an upgraded room, free breakfast for two, and a $A100 food & beverage credit. The room was $A800 per night (about $US525), which is less than ½ the cost of a Deluxe King room at the Park Hyatt, Sydney.
The Capella Hotel Sydney is not cheap, but has justifiably earned its reputation of being the most luxurious hotel in Sydney.
Capella Hotel location
The hotel is located in the heritage-listed former Department of Education building, a sandstone building in Sydney's central business district, just a stone's throw from Circular Quay in one direction, and the luxurious shopping precinct of Castlereagh Street in the other.
Despite having no views to speak of, surprisingly, it is closer to the iconic Sydney Opera House than the Park Hyatt hotel is.
Capella Hotel Lobby & check-in
I arrived by taxi directly from Sydney Airport, and was deposited at the side entrance of the hotel on Loftus Street. A bellman took my luggage, and directed me to the elevator to the ground floor. At the elevator, I was greeted by a staff member who walked me through the lobby to the check-in desk.
During the check-in process, I was offered (and accepted!) a 4pm checkout time.
After getting me checked in, I was escorted upstairs to my room on the second floor by the gentleman who had checked me in, and all the features of the room were shown to me. I was further advised that window cleaners would be cleaning the external windows the following day, so I should make sure that I closed the bathroom door when using the bathroom.
For those arriving by public transport, the most convenient train station is the Circular Quay station. The main entrance of the hotel is located on Farrer Square.
Capella Hotel guest room
I was upgraded to a Deluxe King room, on the second floor of the hotel, overlooking Farrer Place at the front of the hotel. The king size bed featured pale gray bedding. On the bedside table, there was a tablet, from one I could control most of the functionality of the room.
The room was furnished with a long ottoman at the base of the bed, a small round table with an armchair and a couch (It was great to have seating options - too often hotels don't offer much in the way of seating!)
The mini-bar was well stocked, with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks. There was a small selection of wines and other alcoholic beverages. Additionally, there was a Nespresso machine, and a kettle for those who prefer to drink tea.
There was a welcome amenity on the table featuring a hand-made Rocky Road bar. It was very rich, and I enjoyed it before turning in for the night. 😊
The bathroom included a deep soaking tub, a spacious shower, and a double vanity. The bathroom overlooked the bedroom, with a sliding door for privacy. The bathroom amenities were by Haeckles, a British company known for their skincare products featuring naturally sourced ingredients.
Brasserie 1930
Brasserie 1930 is the hotel's main restaurant; it's open for dinner Tuesday - Sunday, and for breakfast every day. Breakfast is a combination of a buffet serving a selection of cold meats, baked goods, and fruits. There is a small a la cart menu as a supplement to the buffet. I ordered some poached eggs (something I only ever do while in Australia - I don't think many American restaurants do a poached egg well). I also indulged in the hot cross buns - another thing I miss living in the US!
Aperture Restaurant
The Aperture restaurant off the hotel's lobby offers all-day dining and afternoon tea. I ate a Caesar Salad with Tiger Prawns as a late lunch on my first day at the hotel, and enjoyed Afternoon tea on my second day.
A feature of the aperture restaurant is the vaulted ceilings; some of the rooms at the hotel are internal rooms, overlooking this courtyard-style layout.
Capella Pool & Spa
One of the highlights of the hotel is the pool. Located indoors on the 6th floor, the pool and hot tub offers a tranquil respite from the busy city outside.
Many hotel pools in Sydney are located on rooftops, sometimes with stunning views, but I loved that the pool here is indoors, meaning that it can be used year-round. Sydney receives a lot of rain, so while the idea of a rooftop pool is appealing, the reality is that one located indoors offer more opportunities to take advantage of it, whether to get some exercise, or just to take a dip.
In addition to the pool, the hotel features a fitness center with state of the art equipment, and the Auriga spa. After a day spent exploring Sydney, I booked a 75 minute massage in the spa. It was a truly delightful experience, and so very relaxing.
The Auriga Spa is available to be booked by non guests of the hotel, who can use the hotel pool if they book a spa treatment.
Capella Living Room
The Living Room, located on the lobby level by the McRae Bar, was described by one of the concierges as "an extension of your room". It's open from 7am - 10pm each day, offering complimentary coffee, soft drinks, wine, and beer throughout the day.
Between 5 & 6pm, The Living Room hosts cocktail hour, with free cocktails and canapes.
Final thoughts
I've stayed at the Park Hyatt at least a dozen times, and it remains my favorite hotel in Sydney because of its location on the Harbour, with views across the Harbour to the Sydney Opera House. The Capella Hotel Sydney doesn't have those views, so for a first time visitor to Sydney, I would direct them to stay at the Park Hyatt purely because of those stunning views. Otherwise, The Capella checks all the boxes - it's quietly elegant and luxurious; the staff anticipates and responds immediately to a guest's needs, and there are great options for eating and relaxing, with more public areas than the Park Hyatt. It's location is great as a central base in Sydney for sightseeing, shopping, or even just relaxing. And while it's more expensive than many other hotels in Sydney, it's a bargain compared to the Park Hyatt.
Debra Lin says
I just stayed there and the park Hyatt. This is a perfect summary !