Hotel Review: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Spectacular views, spacious rooms, and a prime location can be found at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.

When it comes to dependable comfort, certain hotel chains stand out, and Marriott is undeniably one of them. The Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay epitomises this sentiment offering spectacular views, spacious rooms, and convenience. Here’s everything you need to know before you book, whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with your family.

Location

Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay is a 20-minute drive from the airport, conveniently located in Circular Quay. Its prime position makes it one of the best hotels in Sydney for business travellers working in the CBD or those wishing to explore the city’s iconic landmarks.

an aerial view of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

The Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel is conveniently located in Circular Quay.

Circular Quay is bordered by Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden. A precinct rich in Australian history and great food, you’ll find everything here including the Circular Quay Wharf, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and world-class restaurants such as Oborozuki. The iconic ferry terminals and Circular Quay train station are a short five-minute walk away.

If you’re travelling to Sydney for Vivid, The Marriott is perfectly placed to get involved with the festivities.

harbour views at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

A stay at this hotel gives you direct access to the city’s iconic landmarks.

Style and character

Built in 1989 and revamped in 2017, the Sydney Harbour Marriott epitomises Sydney luxury. As one of the city’s most established accommodations, it stands as a venerable landmark. For locals, the iconic triangular-shaped skyscraper is a familiar feature of the skyline, seamlessly blending historical significance with modern elegance.

the lobby of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

The design epitomises Sydney luxury.

Guests arriving at the hotel are greeted by an expansive and sleek foyer which sets the tone for the rest of the accommodation. A handsome palette of dark timber, black panelling and white marble elevates the overall ambience. Moving through the building brings you to the central dining space which anchors the hotel. An architectural staircase and modern pendant lights tower above and make for a stunning focal point that draws the eyes up.

Guestrooms boast the same spacious and elegant style but with a lighter palette that reflects the surrounding harbour.

a dining table facing a window overlooking the Sydney Harbour

The elegant style of the hotel complements the surrounding harbour.

Facilities

Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel boasts the premium facilities you’d expect from a 5-star hotel including an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, three dining venues (more on that to come), a terrace, 15 event spaces and valet parking. Keen to explore beyond the CBD? There’s an AVIS car rental desk conveniently located within the hotel as well.

the pool at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Take a relaxing dip at the hotel’s indoor swimming pool.

Rooms

The 595 guestrooms and 52 suites range from comfortable king rooms to expansive split-level loft suites. Modern and spacious, they feature a subdued palette of blues, creams and browns which bring a decidedly sophisticated and calm feel to the accommodation – perfect for unwinding after a busy day in the office or exploring the city.

The bi-level presidential suite aptly features a more royal palette of purple, red and green across two bedrooms, a kitchen, a separate living area and a separate dining area.

the room interior of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

The light, neutral palette brings a sophisticated and calm feel to the accommodation.

All rooms have views – whether of the skyline, the Sydney Opera House or the Sydney Harbour Bridge – which make you feel truly immersed in the city. The bathrooms aren’t as modern as the bedroom and living rooms, but they are well-maintained and roomy with some featuring spa baths.

the bedroom at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Indulge in modern elegance with a view of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Food and drinks

While the city is thriving with eateries, those looking for convenience or the comfort of staying within the hotel can choose from three dining venues on the ground level: Silvester’s, Three Bottle Man and Custom’s House Bar. All-day restaurant Silvester’s offers a buffet breakfast with all the usuals, as well as casual modern Australian dining. For lunch and dinner expect elevated dishes driven by the changing seasons which can be paired with over 80 different wines on offer.

the beer garden at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Nab a spot in the sunny beer garden.

Three Bottleman is the hotel’s cafe by day and bar by night. Grab a coffee before you head off for the day and settle into the night with tipples like the refreshing Salty Breeze with vodka, strawberry puree and mint

A popular after-work spot for office workers, Customs House Bar is a buzzy gastropub that adjoins the hotel. Sit within the heritage-listed building or nab a spot in the sunny beer garden with a pint and some classic pub fare, or join for the Bubble Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm.

breakfast at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Settle into your suite with in-room breakfast. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

Does the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay have access for guests with disabilities?

Accessibility-friendly rooms are available at the Marriott Sydney Hotel. These offer features like wide doorways, roll-in showers and grab bars. Services like accessible parking and assistance with special requests are also available. The swimming pool and dining venues also feature accessible entrances.

one of the suites at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Enjoy stunning views and modern amenities in your private retreat.

Is the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay family-friendly?

Adjoining rooms are available upon request and the guest rooms with two double beds are perfect for families.

The Marriot Sydney’s M-Passport Family Package is a great option for families. The offer includes a buffet breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 daily at Silvester’s restaurant, a $50 food and beverage credit per night, late check-out and a kids activity welcome pack.

the living space interior of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Circular Quay

Marriott offers spacious modern rooms designed for comfort and relaxation.

Details

Best for: Business travellers and families
Address: 30 Pitt St, Sydney
Price: From $339

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

Hotel stays have quietly become my thing. Long before I became a travel journalist, I was booking staycations just for a change of scenery. Some had charm, some had character, some had neither. Once, I even stayed in a hotel directly opposite my own apartment – partly for the novelty, partly because I wanted to see my life from a different angle.

For me, hotels represent a kind of mystery – I find myself wanting to know what these buildings contain. Many of them are designed with intention: lighting, materials, scent and sounds that often reflect the city they sit in. Time seems to gently pause in these spaces, which have increasingly become the destination itself for modern travellers.

It only felt fitting for the first hotel in this series to be in my home city and at the hotel that’s been at the top of my list: Capella Sydney.

A sandstone heritage building and palm trees

Capella sits within an Edwardian Baroque‑style sandstone building.

An email with a hotel program from the “Culturist Team” lets me know this will be a luxurious stay. There’s a guided walk around the Botanic Gardens, a weaving workshop and a Sydney contemporary art tour – the kind of addition that signals a hotel that’s tuned into the finer details, and one that’s not surprising given that Capella’s ethos centres on delivering personalised, immersive experiences.

Capella opened in 2023 within a transformed Edwardian Baroque‑style sandstone building in Sydney’s CBD that was originally designed by renowned Scottish-Australian architect George McRae. I often walk past this building and once attended an event inside – I distinctly remember being surprised by how beautiful it was. Bar Studio, Make Architects, and stylist Simone Haag were engaged to sensitively adapt the building for contemporary luxury while honouring its past, in collaboration with Heritage NSW and the City of Sydney.

When I arrive, I’m greeted by three different staff members along the way to reception. There’s a lovely subtle scent, which I later learn combines notes of bergamot, green tea leaves, peony, freesia, vetiver and cedarwood. This hotel strikes such a beautiful balance between grandness and intimacy, with large floral bouquets, contemporary artworks, impressively high ceilings that give it an international feel and quieter nooks to unwind in. Each space is unique, but they’re all unified by a warm, textural and layered design.

Sydney has been deserving of a hotel of this calibre for quite some time, with many of the accommodations in the city looking and feeling dated.

A modern hotel reception with high ceilings

The design strikes the perfect balance between grandness and intimacy.

I have a treatment booked at the hotel’s Auriga Spa prior to check-in. The space is ultra-luxe, moodily lit and intimate, featuring timber joinery, green walls and a sleek design that’s so perfect it almost transports me to Japan. I opt for the Replenish Beauty and LED Facial – a strategic choice with a TV segment on the horizon, and a hopeful bid to look extra fresh for the camera.

The treatment begins with me sitting in the softest robe of my life, wearing slippers and sipping chamomile tea. I’m then whisked away to my private treatment room, which has its own bathroom, a large skylight and a small Japanese-style garden. The treatment is extremely relaxing and moves through cleansing, exfoliating, massaging (arm, head, neck and face) and LED Light Therapy. There’s so much attention to detail – even at the end, the facialist puts my slippers back on me, while I’m still lying down.

Spa treatment room with a massage bed, featuring timber walls and a serene Japanese-style garden visible through a window.

A treatment at Auriga Spa might be the best way I’ve ever started a hotel stay. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

While this treatment certainly hasn’t had a Benjamin Button effect, my sister seems to think I’m glowing, so I walk away happy, or at the very least, zen.

Auriga Spa has a sauna, steam room, ice fountain and a beautiful indoor heated swimming pool. There’s also “experiential showers” – new to me, but essentially it combines water flowing from different places, changing temperatures, mood lighting, gentle sounds, and a subtle lemongrass scent.

You could easily spend the better part of a day at the spa and pool, even if you’re not a guest.

The indoor heated swimming pool with glass ceiling at Capella Sydney.

Guests outside the hotel can use the spa and swimming pool. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

I’m escorted to my room, drunk on relaxation, but I make sure to take note of how noisy the hallways are – answer: dead quiet. My room is 50 square metres, which is huge by hotel standards, but particularly for one in the CBD. It feels like a high-end apartment with floorboards, a freestanding bath and a seating/dining area. My eyes are immediately drawn to the line-up of macarons waiting for me on the dining table.

I’m thrilled to see the mini bar armoire includes a small wine fridge stocked with Minuty Prestige Côtes de Provence, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Handpicked Wines Pinot Noir, and Moët Grand Vintage. Not that I plan on using it (I simply could not justify the prices) – but it’s a nice extra that makes the room feel that much more luxurious. The drinks lineup reads like a who’s-who of local favourites – Young Henrys, Maybe Sammy cocktails, Four Pillars gin and Archie Rose gin. Snacks include Tyrell’s chips, Pringles, Natural Confectionery lollies, and a Carman’s oat bar.

Some small touches I appreciate that some hotels don’t offer: the option to choose your housekeeping time, an iron that actually works well, a Bluetooth speaker, the beloved wine fridge, aluminium water bottles and a bathroom without a glass door or screen that awkwardly exposes you. The one downside is that some of these rooms don’t offer much in the way of a view.

A modern hotel room with a monochrome paletter.

I stayed in a Premier Room which was elegant and relaxing. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

4:30pm is Swill Hour – a daily tradition that nods to the historical “six o’clock swill” in Australia. This one-hour event takes place in the Living Room and invites guests to gather and enjoy each other’s company with a signature cocktail in hand. This afternoon’s tipple is a Eucalyptus Gimlet, a clever, herbaceous little cocktail, by the multi-award-winning Maybe Sammy Team, served on coasters depicting drawings of the historic building. The canapé of the day is a tomato and stracciatella tart. I noticed several staff members chatting with guests like old friends, asking how their adventures earlier in the day went – clearly remembering previous conversations from earlier visits.

Dinner is booked for 6:30pm in Aperture – arguably the most beautiful area of the accommodation. It’s decorated with Australian flora and features a kinetic sculpture hanging from the roof that opens like flowers, with softly changing lights. Tyler, who is serving us, clearly admires the Capella brand, speaking enthusiastically about the other international properties he’s been to and sharing how he sometimes brings his five-year-old daughter here to use the pool.

Interior of Aperture at Capella Sydney, featuring lush greenery and a striking ceiling-mounted sculpture.

The scale of Aperture gives it an international feel.

I kick things off with a basil melon margarita – a winning recommendation – before tucking into the best prawn toast I’ve ever had. For mains it’s crispy Ōra King salmon and spaghetti with mud crab.

When I arrive back at my room, there’s a vegan leather journal on my bed with a note that says: “The ritual of journaling allows us to pause, reflect and focus.” This is part of the turndown service, and my slippers are neatly lined up next to my bed. Will I journal? No. Do I think it’s a nice touch? Yes.

Brasserie 1930 at Capella Sydney, where Art Deco elegance meets contemporary Australian cuisine.

Brasserie 1930 boasts Art Deco elegance.

The next morning, I make the predictable choice of smashed avo for breakfast at the on-site restaurant, Brasserie 1930. There’s also a buffet brimming with all the usual suspects.

Afterwards, I head to the pool to relax for a few hours before the 11am checkout. Despite my earlier resolve not to journal, I find myself reflecting nonetheless – an irony not lost on me – on my 21st hotel stay in Sydney. I write this with growing assurance that great hotels don’t just provide a place to stay; they create memorable moments, thanks in large part to fantastic staff. Kudos to the hiring manager.

Next stop: The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart!

Comfort and convenience await at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel

Spectacular views, spacious rooms, and a prime location can be found at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.

Location

Style and character

Facilities

Rooms

Food and drinks

Does the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay have access for guests with disabilities?

Is the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay family-friendly?

Details

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Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.