Seven of the best hotels for a Sydney staycation this festive season

Located smack-bang in the centre of the CBD, next to all the major department stores and Town Hall Station, this luxurious stay will be an oasis for those braving the Boxing Day sales. Hilton Sydney recently unveiled the fruits of a $25 million revamp which spanned all 587 of its guests rooms, and it’s never looked spiffier. Cap off a shopping expedition with a drink in the city’s oldest and grandest drinking den, the Marble Bar (which just celebrated its 130th birthday), or if you’re splurging on a suite, then a post-shop soak with a view is in order.

Get a room: Standard rooms from $296 a night; junior suites from $458 a night. See hiltonsydney.com.au

Pool lounging: Crown Sydney

With a sprawling harbourfront 45-metre infinity pool heated to a balmy year-round 28 degrees, and luxe private cabana packages starting from $750, you’d be hard-pressed finding a more breathtaking spot for a dip or sunset cocktail. Crown Sydney is also running a number of seasonal packages and festive events across its venues for the summer holidays.

Get a room: A Savour Summer package includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe King room, complimentary Patron cocktails, breakfast and late 12pm checkout from $739. Find a full list of packages, and Christmas and NYE events, at crownsydney.com.au

Beach holiday: Manly Pacific Sydney MGallery Collection

Fresh from a $30 million facelift, the new and improved Manly Pacific has been welcomed into the fold of Accor’s upscale MGallery Collection of properties, and it sure makes a strong case for a Northern Beaches mini-break. Furniture brand Coco Republic is behind the beachy interiors that blend stylish dark wood, marble and Travertine stone with a sun-bleached aesthetic. The breezy ground-floor bar 55 North is your cocktail haven between dips at Manly Beach.

Get a room: Standard rooms from $379 a night. Book a Festive Seafood Dining Package from $1299 including an overnight stay in an Ocean Terrace room and complimentary seafood platter and bottle of rosé. For more packages, see manlypacific.com.au

Seaside escape: Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven

This coastal retreat in the heart of Shoalhaven Heads, just two hours from Sydney, nails the secluded luxury brief with 16 cosy weatherboard villas kitted with all the mod-cons – think luxury Aspar amenities, fireplaces, heated floors, Tesla charging stations and private kitchenette and laundry facilities. With an adjacent golf course, heated pool and hatted in-house restaurant, there’s plenty to keep you onsite – of course, you’ll want to make the most of Bangalay’s extraordinary location with a trip to Seven Mile Beach and its namesake national park, or one of many excellent nearby Shoalhaven wineries. Expect a menu heavy on native ingredients; think dry-aged duck breast glazed in Illawarra plum and beetroot.

Get a room: From $625 a night, including an arrival gift of local sweets, daily cocktail per guest, and a la carte breakfast. Gourmet packages are available. See bangalayvillas.com.au

Country escape: Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath, NSW

This oasis of Palm Springs-inspired cool in the heart of the Blue Mountains, 1.5 hours’ drive from Sydney, is a luscious base for a nature getaway. The former motel received a stylish pastel-hued revamp in 2021. Among its highlights are manicured gardens, onsite farm animals, an outdoor gym, heated indoor pool, multicoloured tennis court and terrific garden-to-plate restaurant, Blaq. This foodie retreat in Blackheath village is also a mere stroll from bushwalks, waterfalls and the popular Grand Canyon Walking Track.

Get a room: From $210 a night. For more offers, including golf and wine packages, see thekyah.com.au