Crown Towers Sydney – Hotel Review

Opulent rooms with edge-of-the-water views and a world-class dining district within its walls leave little reason to stray from the harbourside Crown Towers Sydney. And why would you want to? A sprawling rooftop pool and on-site spa will keep you more than occupied... until hunger calls, of course. Read on for the full review.

There are plenty of calls to answer said call at this plush property, however. The sleek, Scandi-feel Nobu is unmissable, for its ambience as much as its excellent Japanese, the stylish terrace of CIRQ is excellent for sundowners and A'Mare, with its performative tableside pasta dishes and mammoth wine list, is one of the city's hottest places to eat Italian. Our advice? Don't bother packing jeans.

Where is Crown Towers Sydney?

Crown Towers Sydney is part of the Barangaroo precinct, in the CBD's west. It's about 20 minutes by car to Sydney Airport and an easy three minute walk to Wynyard Station through a direct tunnel, for links to wider Sydney.

What’s near Crown Towers Sydney?

Crown Towers Sydney benefits from a location at one of the city's most exciting and diverse dining precincts. There are almost too many restaurants and not enough time but, at Barangaroo, you make time – either for casual bites from Belle's Hot Chicken to exquisite, sustainably-sourced fish at Cirrus. 

Sydney's CBD is also within walking distance. Light rail and train stations, with connections to as close as Circular Quay and as far as Bondi, are reachable in about ten minutes via an underground tunnel.

Room types

There are hundreds of rooms and suites at Crown Towers Sydney but thanks to the building’s spiral design and walls of glass not one of them misses out on views. Nab yourself a Deluxe King Room with effort saving technology (hello, tablet-controlled electric blinds) and a deep egg-shaped bath or – if the budget allows – book one of the Executive Harbour Bridge Suites, which comes with sprawling living spaces and an exclusive perspective on the iconic bridge.

Restaurants and bars

The enthusiastic shout of “irasshaimase” as you arrive is all that’s commonplace about dining at Nobu. In the vast space, Scandi-Japanese design (warm timbers, neutral tones and soft lighting) imparts intimacy, while on the menu every dish is extraordinary: yellowtail sashimi in a pool of yuzu soy sauce, each bite taken with a leaf of coriander and a ring of jalapeño; black cod with miso that’s so tender the fillet falls apart with barely a nudge; and tempura lobster, which transforms the luxury shellfish into a pile of sweet golden morsels. Understated excess never tasted so good.

If the 26th-floor aspect and Cirq’s striking interiors (oversized chandeliers and plush velvet sofas) don’t distract you, the drinks list will. There are dozens of excellent champagnes to choose from, plus more than 30 different gins. And if you want to make a night of it, there’s a decent menu of bar eats, too, from bite-sized piquillo peppers stuffed with goat’s cheese to the more substantial Wagyu skirt with black garlic bagna càuda. On a sunny day, get in early to claim a table on the outdoor terrace.

Travel for work

No one could deny there's space enough for a small company to operate from a room here. Dining table double effectively as desks and the Wifi is free. 

Pool and spa

Between one meal and… the next meal, head to the hotel’s fifth floor for a cascading network of heated and unheated infinity pools. Lay your blue and-white-striped towel on a daybed suspended over water and let bliss overtake you.

The Aqua Retreat at Crown Spa might best be described as activated Zen – a circular maze in tones of mauve, grey and marble studded with wellbeing facilities. Pick and mix from the steam room, the monsoon shower, the infrared sauna and vitality pool heated to a tensioneasing 37 degrees.  We can’t tell you what treatment you need – the menu covers all your body-wrapping, antioxidant-enriching, hot-stone basics and adds in La Prairie facials for very good measure – so the decision is up to you and your weary self. The only thing a treatment needs? A clock, motivating you to make it to the relaxation lounge on time to be collected for your treatment.

What you need to know

If you can afford to splash out and book a cabana, do – each comes with its own mini bar, TV and butler.

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in and Around Sydney’s CBD