Stay here: Shangri-La Sydney review

What’s the deal?

Let’s start with the view: with a location overlooking Sydney Harbour, Shangri-La Sydney provides a front-row seat to one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes – making it the ideal spot to base yourself when visiting the New South Wales capital. The surrounding area, known as The Rocks, is a trendy neighbourhood filled with boutique stores, homegrown restaurants and some of the city’s oldest pubs, with the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden just a stone’s throw away. the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden just a stone’s throw away. 

While it’s easy to lose track of time exploring the vibrant streets around Shangri-La Sydney, the hotel itself also invites discovery. The hotel’s 565 rooms and suites are some of the largest in the city, and many of them offer 270-degree views over Sydney Harbour. Watch the sun disappear behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from your window seat, then sink into your marble bathtub – it’s the perfect way to wind down in the evening.

For dinner with a view, head to Altitude, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the glittering harbour skyline. Created by executive sous chef Michele Menegazzi, the restaurant’s seasonal menu showcases modern Australian cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients; it's accompanied by an equally impressive, award-winning Australian wine list. On the same floor, Blu Bar on 36 stands out as one of the city’s top spots for a sundowner. 

Need a day off from sightseeing? Treat yourself to a session at Chi, The Spa. The massages, facials and body therapies are inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies and designed to restore balance and calm. Afterwards, take a breather in the tranquil relaxation lounge or a dip in the indoor pool.  

Why stay?

Shangri-La Sydney isn’t just a place to sleep during your trip – it’s a destination in its own right. From the moment you step into the grand marble lobby, there’s a sense of calm that sets the tone for your stay. Service is warm, attentive and intuitive, with staff going above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. 

The hotel also caters exceptionally well to both leisure and business travellers. A fully equipped business centre, high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, and a range of elegant meeting spaces make it easy to stay productive. Meanwhile, thoughtful touches – like pillow menus, blackout curtains and 24-hour room service – ensure that comfort is never compromised. Add to that the hotel’s commitment to eco-conscious initiatives like rooftop beehives, and you’ve got a stay that’s both sustainable and luxurious. 

Cathay editors say…

“There’s nothing like waking up to the sun rising from behind the Sydney Harbour – especially in a bed as comfy as those at Shangri-La Sydney. It was a real ‘Kodak moment’. But beyond the views (if you can get past them, that is), Chi, The Spa was a standout for me – and not just because it was a 60-minute break from my toddler. The tranquil, dark rooms and soft touch of my practitioner lulled me to sleep. I especially enjoyed the herbal tea and snacks after my treatment, which extended my moment of peace a little longer.”