Stay here: The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

What’s the deal

It’s not often you get to stay in a heritage building and historic landmark. Debuting in 2019, three years before The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, it was the Singapore brand’s first international expansion. The outpost mirrors its Singapore flagship , which also occupies a former post office. The Fullerton Hotel Sydney ’s clock-topped structure, once Sydney’s General Post Office building, dates to when Sydney was a frontier outpost and has stood firm throughout 150 years of Australia’s changing tides. Its ornate Italian Renaissance Palazzo-style façade, carved out of Sydney sandstone, and prestigious 1 Martin Place address mean this is the Sydney hotel that needs no introduction.

Rooms in the listed section feature high ceilings and period details, while accommodation in the modern adjoining tower, added in the 1990s, have a more contemporary look. While a refresh to a more timeless design would help achieve a more coherent sense of place and occasion in the newer tower rooms, the two sides of the property meet in a spectacular, glass-ceilinged atrium that creates a moment of amazement in the busy CBD, whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat on a business lunch, treating someone to afternoon tea or catching up with drinks in the evening.  

Whether morning, midday or night, install yourself at The Place on the hotel’s terrazzo mezzanine, where modern Australian and Southeast Asian cuisines fuse in a celebration of fresh flavours with an emphasis on seafood. Share a mezze platter or dig into generous main, including market fish of the day or an Australian seafood stir-fry. Just make sure you top it off with a matcha and strawberry tiramisu.

Why stay

Situated between Pitt Street and George Street, the location couldn’t be better. It overlooks Sydney’s Martin Place, with some of the city’s best shopping lanes quite literally next door, making it suited to both business and leisure travellers. Martin Place and Wynyard train stations are a three- and four-minute walk, respectively, while attractions like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hyde Park and Circular Quay are also a leisurely stroll away. Rooms are far more generously sized than is standard in Sydney, with bathtubs, walk-in showers and tonnes of closet space. The service also befits The Fullerton’s five-star hotel status: staff offer that famous Aussie welcome while being attentive to guests’ needs.

Cathay editors say

“Dining and drinking options are plentiful in Sydney’s central business district, but a drink at The Bar offers the unique setting of the atrium of the former Sydney GPO. For something a little fancier for the occasion, we highly recommend a seasonally themed afternoon tea. For a little more context to your stay, there are free heritage tours available most days of the week.”