Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel – Hotel Review

A fine facade greets guests of Sydney’s Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, a five-star hotel near Circular Quay. The Beaux Arts exterior is just one element of this property’s understated elegance – rooms extend this sense of quiet sophistication, from the simple flecks of metallic accents in wallpaper to silk curtains and cobalt blue velvet occasional seating. Read on for the full review.

The final flourish in Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel’s favour is the inclusion of a world-class on-site eatery that’s a true standalone star. There’s also an enviably central location that puts many of Sydney’s famed attractions including the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks and the Royal Botanic Garden, within easy walking distance.

Where is Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel?

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel wraps around a corner towards the north of Sydney’s CBD, where O’Connell, Pitt and Hunter Streets meet. It’s around a 25-minute drive from Sydney International and Domestic Airports and just a five-minute walk from Bridge Street light rail station, also with easy links to the airport.

What’s near Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel?

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel benefits from a central position near Circular Quay, the Royal Botanic Garden and Martin Place. The quay – and its harbour views – is an easy 10-minute walk north, Martin Place is less than five minutes by foot and the popular dining precinct of The Ivy, which houses everything from lively Lebanese at Jimmy’s Felafel to snackable Italian at Totti’s, is a few hundred metres away.

Room types

Every room type at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel comes with welcome extras. Even the Standard Room includes marble bathrooms, complimentary bottled water, pillow menus, bathrobes and slippers, while the Studio Spa Suites benefit from luxurious additions such bathtubs, seating areas and sleep well sprays.

Restaurants and bars

There are three places to dine on-site and the most notable is Bentley Restaurant & Bar, one of the city’s most revered restaurants, famed for chef Brent Savage’s inventive tasting menu and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt’s impressive wine list. The restaurant is crowned by two hats (and a cumulative 18) and celebrates Australian produce, from Port Lincoln calamari to Black Angus striploin from regional NSW. For more relaxed fare, The Fax Bar serves everything from morning coffee to evening cocktails. Room service is also available.

Travel for work

Each room type at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel includes a small desk and chair for remote working. Business travellers can opt for the Business Class Room, which includes helpful extras like complimentary garment pressing, breakfast and access to the on-site business lounge (opening hours have changed since COVID, so it’s worth checking before you stay). The lounge offers newspapers (if pre-ordered), refreshments and space to spread out. There are also nine meeting spaces available for hire from modern conference rooms to heritage-listed boardrooms. On-site catering can be organised on request.

Spa, pool and gym

In addition to a 15-metre indoor lap pool, gym and health club, there’s also an on-site spa, Tanya, at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. Services here range from Swedish massage to avocado wraps, with couples packages available.

What you need to know

Overseen by hospitality kingpin Brent Savage, Bentley Restaurant & Bar bucks the underwhelming hotel restaurant trope. In addition to a near-experimental tasting menu – which includes tastebud-tingling flavours such as finger lime, yuzu kosho, lardo and lemon myrtle – the wine list, compiled by sommelier Nick Hildebrant, is over 1000 bottles strong and confirms it as one of the city’s foremost places for wine lovers.

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