10 Dazzling Sydney apartment hotels: Whisk yourselves away

This five-star Sydney holiday house mixes one killer cocktail (not unlike the rose gin martinis served downstairs) of prime location and premium facilities. Quay West Suites’ towering windows facing the city skyline or Sydney Harbour washrooms in natural light for sparkling mornings or evenings drenched in sunset hues. Deep-toned, minimalist furniture pieces add stylish contrast to bright, fresh living spaces for classy comfort. Fully-equipped kitchens with gleaming marble countertops facilitate dreams of city life beyond just the weekend.

The hotel’s indoor Grecian pool, flanked by glossy black pillars and intricate mosaic tile murals, offers jaw-dropping bridge views from the 24th floor. In winter months, the on-site sauna offers a welcome retreat while summer sun-worshippers can stretch and snooze on the generous sundeck over the quay. Come evening, the on-site Quartier Bistro & Bar sculpts classic French dishes out of hand-picked ingredients. Favourites include duck rillettes with pickled cherries and mouth-watering moules marinière.

Set in the city’s historic Rocks district, these apartments are just a quick walk to the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other major must-sees. For adventures a little farther from the tourist trail, duck into one of the area’s many historic pubs or browse the weekend market’s over 100 unique stalls for such finds as steampunk jewellery, natural Australian perfumes and sweet corn smothered in hot butter and chilli flakes.

In pride of place directly across from Sydney’s legendary harbour, Harbourside Apartments serve up iconic views of the Sydney bridge, Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. Admire the postcard-worthy sights with a sunrise swim in the outdoor pool right on the waterfront. Should you want to get even more quintessentially Aussie, the on-site barbecue makes an easy spot for grilling up prawns and shish kebabs under the sun.

Rooms here are simple and elegant, with striking details like glass-topped tables and bold wall prints to lend a decidedly luxe vibe. Fully-equipped kitchens and en-suite bathrooms make guests feel at home, except these apartments are cleaned for you on a daily basis. Thoughtful details like complimentary newspapers delivered to your door every morning seamlessly blend home living with serviced luxury.

Making the most of the harbourside location, ferries to Circular Quay – a hotspot for Sydney attractions – stop virtually at your front door. A private jetty and boat mooring service invite romantic weekend boat rentals – you just need the seafarer’s picnic basket and a bottle of bubbly.

An oasis of calm in the midst of the city bustle, Zara Tower offers couples their own premium personal space. Luxurious apartments flood minimalist designs with natural light, and generous living spaces lead seamlessly onto spacious balconies for indoor/outdoor living usually reserved for the countryside. Wake to crisp, white sheets in king-sized beds and wander into your gourmet kitchen for the day’s first cup of steaming Nespresso coffee.

Intuitive touches like extra blankets, custom pillows on request, free WiFi and a 50-inch TV armed with Netflix create a space so homely, you might find your weekend suddenly lasts five days.

Couples looking for an even more upscale escape can opt for one of the opulent SoHo suites. Designed by award-winning interior designer firm Luchetti Krelle, these warehouse-style loft apartments mix urban edge with high-quality finishes and desert-chic rattan furniture – you might even find a statement hanging chair. Upscale wining and dining can be had at any of the on-trend restaurants in Surry Hills, but it won’t surprise us if you don’t end up leaving the suite. Buttery leather sofas and dreamy Egyptian cotton sheets changes a simple evening into a fantasy – you just provide the romance.

With its range of self-contained holiday apartments, Waldorf Woolloomooloo Waters meets the diverse demands of couples looking for a functional and comfortable place to stay. Open-plan living and dining and sparkling bathrooms and kitchenettes create inviting spaces for unwinding after long days of urban exploration. Crisply dressed beds match the pristine white furniture, while statements like bright pink sofas add unique twists to otherwise understated interiors. Come morning, tasty continental spreads are served in the on-site breakfast lounge, and an indoor swimming pool and sauna let guests squeeze in some endorphins before heading out on the town.

Having undergone a recent wave of gentrification, the waterfront has been completely redeveloped. Home to the historic Finger Wharf, the longest timber-piled wharf in the world, the area is teeming with an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. As well as being closely connected to the centre of Sydney, you are never too far from the neighbouring suburbs of Potts Point, Darlinghurst, Bondi Junction and Paddington.

With their central location, Adina Apartment Hotel places you in arm’s reach of Sydney’s main attractions. After exploring eateries and weekend markets, come home to your own private space for some peace and quiet. Rooms are warmly lit for a welcoming ambience and come furnished with dark furniture, swank leather chairs and glass-topped tables for a contemporary look. Parties of different sizes can find accommodation to suit, with studios to one-bedroom lofts to two-bedroom spaces to choose from.

You’re staying at what feels like your own self-contained apartment, but all the services expected of a hotel are still at hand. That means clean sheets and fresh towels daily and room service on demand. Reclining sun loungers around the heated outdoor pool make basking in the sun with a pulp fiction title a priority.

Adina Apartment Hotel’s ideal location puts you right next to the Seal Life Aquarium, Wild Life Zoo, Australian National Maritime Museum and Darling Harbour.

With its striking glass exterior, the high-rise Fraser Suites fits in perfectly with the modern Sydney skyline. Interiors echo this edgy facade for a decidedly cool, urban vibe. A mix of light and dark furnishings provide contemporary contrast, and high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows maximise generous rooms. Each floor contains only seven apartments, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity. Open-plan studios fitted with stylish kitchenettes suits couples looking for a spacious but still intimate stay, while larger apartments with separate sleeping, living and dining areas offer premium comfort to groups. You’ll find luxury woven into small details, from the L’Occitane toiletries in the bathroom to the high-tech Nespresso machine that supplies your morning coffee.

The newly refurbished, high-tech fitness centre with on-site personal trainers and indoor pool will help you hit your fitness goals even on holiday. Relax afterwards with a cooling plunge in the crystalline pool or bubbling Jacuzzi. When you head out, the hotel’s location will have you rubbing shoulders with Sydney’s Chinatown. Experience the diversity of the cosmopolitan city by tucking into sublimely flavoured sesame noodles or savoury steamed pork buns.

With a timeline dating back to 1917, this four-star rated apartment hotel offers convenience and comfort in the centre of Sydney. All of the CBD’s major attractions, such as Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, are within walking distance of the Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar. Metres away from Hyde Park and Oxford Street, you’ll be able to have a picnic in the park by day, then duck back to your room come nightfall to get ready for dancing on Sydney’s primary nightclub strip.

Rooms are decorated with neutral-toned furniture for a timelessly classic appeal, but vividly patterned headboards and curtains add splashes of unique character. All spaces come fitted with a private en-suite bathroom and modern kitchenette for hassle-free self-catering. Designed for lazy mornings, the on-site Bar Stellar serves up specialty coffees and artisan baked goods, then switches to a tempting selection of Australian wines and beers as day turns into evening. For other breakfast options, the Greenlight Lounge serves up an impressive buffet with a tantalising menu of hot and cold breakfast favourites and premium teas and coffees.

Situated in Milsons Point, Milson Serviced Apartments occupy prime space in Sydney’s renowned Lower North Shore. Take your pick from a range of accommodation options knowing that all offer spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, Lavender Bay or the CBD. Wide windows and private balconies mean you get to make the most of the urban skyline, better yet with a flute of pink champagne in hand.

Rooms here have been decked with neutral walls and floors to let natural light be the decoration of choice. Furnishings too are simple and classic, matched by understated art prints. Stocked kitchens or kitchenettes let you cook as you would at home, but here your dinner will come with a balcony setting and a snapshot-worthy city view.

For extra to-dos, a 10-minute walk will bring you to Kirribilli, one of the city’s oldest and most affluent neighbourhoods. Here you’ll find the famous Kirribilli Markets on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. Another 100 metres takes you to the eccentric Luna Park, one of only two heritage-listed amusement parks in the world.

While it may seem cliche to some, a trip to Sydney is not complete without a trip to the infamous Bondi Beach. Even better is being able to get out of bed and admire the pristine sandy beach from your apartment hotel window.

Bondi 38’s one and two-bedroom serviced apartments are literally a stone’s throw away from Bondi Beach. Apartments include spacious living areas, balconies that look out to Bondi Beach and some seriously legitimate kitchens. Bedrooms mix a blend of natural timbers and an oversized leather bedhead that serves as the standout piece of the room. Free WiFi and Foxtel sweeten the deal a little more.

Must-eats in the area include renowned Italian restaurant, Icebergs and breakfast hotspot, Bills Bondi. Devote a morning to the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk – a 2.5-kilometre walk along some of the east coast’s best beaches.

Walk into the Adge Apartment Hotel and be greeted by vivid carpets and graffiti-covered walls. Somehow it all works, melding together to create a vibrant space fit for kicking back after a day in Sydney.

Located in bustling Surry Hills, you can step out the front door and take your pick from some of the city’s best cafes, restaurants and bars – Oxford Street is literally just around the corner. Hotel guests receive a special rate in Baccomatto Osteria, the Italian restaurant downstairs. Go for the saffron gnocchi.

The two-bedroom apartments are spacious, coming in at 60-square metres. Wrap-around balconies, smart TVs, a fully-equipped kitchen and laundry facilities make longer stays here comfortable, creating that ‘homely’ vibe. Except these apartments are probably a touch more eclectic than your home.